Slum 

In the biting cold wind, the gray cloak fluttered gently as the man's exposed gray-white hair was tousled by the occasional gust. 

However, while the cold air disheveled his hair, it could not stir the impassive countenance that resembled a face sculpted from ice. 

Quietly observing the girl walking ahead, Xiao Mu Yu's gaze was filled with an unyielding chill. 

It was evident that the girl felt a measure of joy, her spirit buoyant enough to cause her to skip slightly. The cheerful rhythm of her footsteps revealed her uplifting mood; in this moment, she embodied the vivacity and happiness befitting her age. When contrasted with her earlier melancholic demeanor, one could not help but feel a pang of compassion. 

Such a delightful girl should be reveling in the attention of her peers at school and basking in the warmth of parental affection at home. Yet, the harshness of reality weighed heavily upon her tender shoulders, stripping away the carefree innocence that should have adorned her face. 

(Ah, such a lovely little girl! My heart aches for her! What about you, human boy? Shouldn't you reconsider my earlier suggestions?) 

"What suggestions?" came a cold response from the depths of his consciousness, though Xiao Mu Yu's expression remained unchanged. 

(What suggestions? How could you ask such a question? It was the suggestion to win this little girl's heart! How could you forget such a golden opportunity? You're hopeless! Are you even a man?!) 

"Idle chatter never lingers in my mind," he replied dismissively, following the girl as she turned a corner and paused before a pharmacy. 

He watched in silence as she greeted the shopkeeper with a smile. 

"Yaya, back again for your mother's medicine?" The shopkeeper, a kindly middle-aged man, appeared to be quite familiar with her as he filled her prescription, chatting amiably. "How is your mother doing these days? Any better?" 

At the mention of her mother, the girl's expression dimmed slightly, yet upon catching the shopkeeper's concerned gaze, she forced a bright smile. "Still the same, neither worsening nor improving. I suppose we'll just have to manage; after all, we don't have enough money for the treatments in the big city." 

(Ah, now it's your chance to shine, human boy! It seems this girl's mother has a chronic ailment; if you lend a hand, you could easily win her affection! This lovely girl would then be at your mercy. What are you hesitating for? This is an opportunity of a lifetime! Just a little effort on your part could yield such a beautiful reward!) 

"…" Pausing impassively, Xiao Mu Yu was perhaps irked by the incessant prattle echoing in his mind. "How do you know her mother's illness isn't a serious one? It could very well be terminal. Acting without knowledge will only lead to trouble, so kindly be silent." 

(Hmph! I refuse to believe you're that oblivious! The girl said, 'we don't have enough money for the treatments in the big city,' what do you think that implies?) 

"…" Xiao Mu Yu remained mute. 

(Hey, if you won't say it, I will! That statement reveals something crucial!) 

(It means… hehehe… this girl's mother's illness isn't too severe. She only needs some inexpensive medicine from this modest pharmacy to maintain her condition. Yet, it's clear the girl's family is impoverished, considering they're reduced to running a lowly inn.) 

(The girl also mentioned they couldn't afford to treat her mother in the city, which suggests that her condition is treatable, but the costs are beyond what a family in the slums can bear.) 

(And you, of all people, are the mighty lord of beasts! Acquiring a small sum of money is trivial for you, while it's an insurmountable challenge for her! You could easily help her out!) 

"…" Listening coldly to the demon's incessant murmuring, the man's expression remained stoic. "Are you done?" 

(Huh? What do you mean?) The demon was evidently confused by his abrupt remark. 

"Once you're done, be quiet." With that, Xiao Mu Yu resumed his pace, matching the girl's slender form. 

(Hey! What do you mean? I'm just offering you some good advice! Why the cold shoulder? Have a bit of courtesy!) 

… 

The frail girl clutched a small bag of medicine as she walked ahead, and the path began to descend. Below lay the slums of Tianxin City, situated in a canyon surrounded by fissures. 

In the continent, those residing in the slums held the lowest status, but within Tianxin City, this class disparity was most starkly revealed! 

A small canyon, a remnant of the chaos wrought by the beast siege, had been carved by the high-level Moon Devouring Wolf. Subsequently, a past governor of Tiannan had designated the slum to be situated within this ravine during urban reconstruction. 

Thus, at the boundary where the canyon meets the ground, opulent city structures, vibrant nightlife, and dismal slums coexist, resembling a pyramid of stark class distinction. 

As Xiao Mu Yu followed the girl, the houses lining the path gradually lost their provincial completeness, becoming increasingly dilapidated and lowly, while the streets descended into squalor. 

The attire of passersby mostly comprised tattered remnants; these individuals struggled at the very bottom of society, with filth and disorder characterizing the essence of the slums. 

Coldly regarding the lifeless eyes of the destitute, devoid of even a glimmer of hope, Xiao Mu Yu's expression showed no change as those who had surrendered to despair passed by him. His icy gaze resembled a pond frozen beneath a thick layer of ice, undisturbed by even the faintest ripple.