Looking through each cage and not just choosing one out of pity was a very hard ordeal. They all looked so dead with their ribcages jutting out, even their hip bone was noticeable and they were slumped to the side of the cage, there was no trace of urine or feces, very simple spellwork took care of that otherwise this would be even more depressing. Simon forced himself not to focus on the people but the texts on notes stuck to each cage. Those read out their gifts and how 'close' they were to being a heaven's chosen. Once he started focusing on the notes it became much easier to block the human in him and bring out the hardcore gamer that liked to min-max.

A part of him just how callous he was that a mere shift in perspective drove down so much of his emotions but he could self-deprecate later, now, he needed to buy a girl and never look back. He looked through the notes and found quite a few that would fit his needs. Even as bile seemed to build up, he could not choose the near-dead girl with the water seed who looked bad even by these because he already had one, he had to choose one of the other four. He gave the girl a small mental prayer before moving on. His perusing was halted by a small voice.

"save my sister... please.. save my sister..."

A very weak feminine voice cried out. Cultivators had enhanced senses that only grew stronger as one progressed in their cultivator's path which was doubly true for him who could augment his senses. What was faint a voice no one could hear rang loudly in his ears. His vision narrowed on the cage of the girl who said these words.

Her state matched the rest of this horror show except for two key differences, her red hair was glowing and there there was still a spark of life left in her soul. What was remarkable was there was another girl who looked nearly identical in the cage right next to her though she was limper like the rest. She looked at me with such withering hope that my heart would die if I did not do something. I did not know she would ask that of a cultivator when it was cultivators that put her and her sister in this situation but to know just how much of her life she burning away to just get me to notice, I could not help but answer that cry.

"How much for the both of them?" I asked.

"Sorry, Sir. One of them is being held in confidence till the buyer comes with the rest of the money he owes." He said politely.

"How much for the both of them?" I asked again my focus on those bright red eyes that were on the verge of winking out.

"Sir..." He tried saying again.

"How much for the both of them?" I repeated.

Angered by my petulance he said

"10000 essence stones."

I brought out ten stones that had over 1000 units of essence stored in them and chucked them at him.

Shocked at the blatant display of wealth he barely managed to grab them and hurriedly said.

"I am sorry young master, this one did not recognize your greatness. This one shall package them for you right away."

"No need," I said my God's mist already opening the cages.

I moved closer as my soul ability carefully placed the two fragile forms in my arms before coating them and sending life force into them. Most cultivators would frown at the very inefficient way I was using my essence but I had a lot to spare and these two would need a long time before they are healed. The least I can do is accelerate that process along.

I covered them in my spare robes which shocked the shopkeeper even more. At that moment I did not care about how absurdly I was acting. Something about this girl who looked at me with her glowing bright red eyes reminded me of little Bai and I could admit that she was my reverse scale. The girl seemed to finally lose all her strength and fall asleep in my arms like her sister.

I wanted to buy some other things but those could wait for another. Now I had two lives in my hands that were held by a thread and the city was not a good place to treat them. There were too many eyes and I already slipped up. If people knew just how many skills I farmed instead of equipping and cultivating any martial or spirit artes I would be probably locked in a basement and forced to do the branch leader's bidding for the rest of my days. I have at least that much sense of self still left.

My journey back to the sect was much more slow and somber. The only good thing is my constant ministrations put more life into each of them. The more active one woke up part way through and the first words that came out of her mouth nearly shattered my heart.

"Are we going to finally die..." there was no fear or sorrow in her tone but instead hope.

A girl who was still in her teens should not could not be this broken. When it happened with little Bai I thought I was over that emotional trauma, my heart was hardened. So why were tears streaming down my eyes?

"Mr. Cultivator?..." asked the girl her eyes perplexed at my tears.

"Do you have a name, little one?" I asked gently.

"No..." she answered looking at me a bit more curiously though she was still overcome with drowsiness. Good, that meant I had repaired her enough to feel more than hunger and pain.

"Do you wish for one?" my voice augmented to be more soothing to lull her back to sleep.

"Okay..." she said as her face fell back to my shoulders fast asleep.

"Screw the culture. I name you Hope, for that is what you will be. A hope that one day you will turn into a phoenix that shows the heavens that you are worthy to be their equal." I whispered restating that solemn vow I muttered the first time I laid my eyes on little Bai.