Xu Ning thought for a moment, then suddenly stood up. "Everyone, I've carefully considered your opinions, and I think you're right! So, I'll formulate a detailed battle plan for you all."
"Don't rush. Go back for now, and then simply follow my plan!"
The demons nodded repeatedly and left.
After all the demons had departed, Xu Ning paced back and forth anxiously.
No, he had to leave now. If he attracted the attention of a Golden Core demon, or worse, a Nascent Soul demon, he would surely die.
There were two problems. First, there was Tie Dan. If he couldn't let go of Niu Yingmeng, that would be a real complication.
Second, he needed to find a way to settle the demons who were following him.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Ning returned to the thatched hut and asked, "Thatched Hut, do the beings that follow me also live forever? Including animals."
The thatched hut replied, "Theoretically, yes, because every time you upgrade them, you extend their lifespan."
Xu Ning asked, "What if they leave me?"
The thatched hut replied, "Without your continuous upgrades, their lifespan will eventually end. The specific duration depends on their grade, cultivation level, and other factors."
Xu Ning nodded thoughtfully and then called Tie Dan back.
"Tie Dan, answer me honestly. Are you willing to leave Niu Yingmeng?"
Tie Dan was taken aback and silently lowered his head.
Xu Ning nodded, understanding. "Since you are reluctant, then stay. I'm leaving. I won't risk my life with you."
"If we are destined to meet again someday, then we will naturally meet."
There was one thing Xu Ning didn't say: if they did meet again, he would no longer upgrade Tie Dan.
Call him heartless or cold, but what he needed was a follower who would obey him completely, not one who would be swayed by emotions and choose not to follow him.
Upon hearing this, Tie Dan abruptly looked up at Xu Ning. His enormous, bull-like eyes were already red-rimmed. "Xu Ning, you don't want me anymore?"
Xu Ning sighed. "Tie Dan, you've followed me for over a hundred years. It would be a lie to say I have no feelings for you."
"But you know my path. As long as I live, I'll have everything I need, and I'll be invincible in this world."
"I won't take any unnecessary risks. I'll do everything in my power to avoid all trouble. I won't be bound by any emotions."
"You've already fallen in love. For love, you disobeyed my orders. For love, you're unwilling to come with me."
There was something else Xu Ning didn't mention: in his previous life, he had died from cancer. The memories of that struggle for survival were still vivid. Reborn, he cherished life more than anyone else, and he would stop at nothing to live.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
As Tie Dan listened, tears welled up in his reddened eyes. He quickly cried out, "Xu Ning, I was wrong! Xu Ning, I'll go with you. Please don't abandon me!"
Xu Ning replied calmly, "We have a long, long time ahead of us. We'll encounter many similar situations. If you truly decide to come with me, you must promise that problems like this won't happen again."
Tie Dan nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down his face. "Xu Ning, I know I was wrong. I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen again. Don't abandon me!"
Xu Ning nodded. "Okay. From now on, listen to me."
Tie Dan choked out, "Okay!"
It was the first time Xu Ning had seen Tie Dan cry, and he felt a pang of pity.
But what else could he do? He felt the same internal conflict. Along the way, he too had been tempted. But he couldn't afford it.
For the next period, Xu Ning stopped leaving the bamboo forest.
He built a bamboo hut in the forest, where Tie Dan was responsible for relaying his battle strategies.
This continued for a month, and slowly, it became a routine.
That day, Xu Ning called Snake Skin over.
"Mr. Shit! What brings you here?" Unbeknownst to Xu Ning, the way the mountain lords addressed him had gradually changed, showing increased respect.
Xu Ning got straight to the point. "Brother Snake Skin, it's like this. My Feiyun Mountain is currently short-handed."
Snake Skin asked in surprise, "Why is that?"
Xu Ning glanced at Tie Dan beside him, then looked back at Snake Skin. "Brother Snake, as you know, between my brother and the Cave Master..."
Before Xu Ning could finish, Snake Skin immediately thumped his chest with his snake tail. "No need to say more, sir. I understand. I'm willing to be your errand boy!"
Initially, everyone's relationship with Xu Ning was based purely on mutual benefit. However, the past two months of successful battles had instilled in them genuine admiration and respect for Xu Ning's strategic mind. Snake Skin was no exception, so he was happy to become a follower.
Xu Ning nodded and stood up. "Brother Snake, then I'll trouble you."
Snake Skin replied cheerfully, "No trouble at all."
After reaching an agreement, Snake Skin stayed at Feiyun Mountain and began relaying information and battle reports to Xu Ning.
On the third night after Snake Skin's arrival, Xu Ning packed his things and left.
Standing atop a distant mountain, gazing back in the direction of Feiyun Mountain, Xu Ning sighed.
He had left behind strategic plans and contingency plans for Snake Skin and the others, even strategies for dealing with a potential counterattack from human cultivators.
As for what the future held, whether they could survive in the coming wars, that was no longer Xu Ning's concern.
To be honest, he had done everything he could. It was impossible to be perfect.
Tie Dan stood beside Xu Ning, tears once again streaming down his face.
Xu Ning reached out and stroked his large bull head. "Tie Dan, we'll come back in the future. Let's go."
Tie Dan nodded, turned to follow Xu Ning, but looked back every few steps.
Perhaps what he couldn't bear to leave wasn't just the place, but the things and beings he had come to care about.
...
The next morning, Snake Skin arrived at Xu Ning's bamboo hut as usual and went straight inside.
"Mr. Shit isn't here?" Snake Skin looked at the empty bamboo hut, somewhat surprised.
Just then, he spotted a letter on the bamboo table: "To Brother Snake."
Snake Skin was surprised and quickly picked it up and opened it.
"Brother Snake, by the time you see this letter, I will have already left to take care of some matters. Remember, my departure must not be leaked. It would disrupt morale.
I have already made plans for everyone for the next few decades. You can pass them on as needed. Don't worry!"
Snake Skin held the letter, stunned and dumbfounded. He realized he had been tricked!
What a load of rubbish about the Cave Master's lover! He had been led to believe he was needed to serve the Cave Master, but it was all just a setup for a runaway.
What a bastard!
But just then, Snake Skin noticed another letter on the table, addressed to Niu Yingmeng.
This one was written by Tie Dan to Niu Yingmeng, though Xu Ning had helped him compose it. They couldn't keep this from Niu Yingmeng, so they left a letter.
Soon, Niu Yingmeng arrived and read the letter Snake Skin handed her.
"Niu Yingmeng, I love you..."
Looking at the letter and hearing Snake Skin's report, Niu Yingmeng was stunned.
Afterwards, she frantically searched all of Feiyun Mountain, finally standing blankly on the mountaintop with the letter in her hand. Her back view looked exceptionally lonely.
Finally, she raised a hand to touch her stomach, and tears uncontrollably dripped to the ground.