Chapter 1037: Divided into Three Routes

Chapter 1037: Divided into Three Routes

Lin Nuo decided to head back, keeping a distance from the three ladies and remaining neutral, lest he end up in a predicament himself, not knowing if he would wake up after a particular “sleep.”

From what he understood, he had been out for two days. Although his life was not in danger, he had been in a coma, unable to wake no matter how much he was called.

Little did he know, he was experiencing a dream about the past, so vivid that he could hardly distinguish between reality and illusion.

Initially skeptical, the bizarre gas that wafted from the cave only deepened his belief that it was more than just a simple dream.

First things first, he needed to get out of this broken place; who knows what other surprises awaited them?

With the Sword Saint around, troop losses were inevitable; if Ling Meng had not rushed in to take the brunt of the attack, the casualties would have been higher.

That crazy Sword Saint draws his sword at the slightest provocation. Look at how arrogant the Refining Demon Sect has become! Why doesn’t he raid their lair instead?

Who knows if he’s been killed by his own wife by now?

Well, she can’t even be called his wife; Li Ruo’er was merely an accident. They never registered their marriage, later turning into an irresponsible pair of parents who showed up only after she was grown up.

Lin Nuo laid out the next arrangements, dividing all troops into three teams.

Actually, there was no need for a division; whoever started out with whom could simply stick together.

Dividing them meant they would all scatter, as these three wanderers couldn’t stay together; they had to go their separate ways for development. Especially Li Ruo’er and Ling Meng—the celestial and demonic powers could never coexist; it was only a matter of time before there was trouble.

Perhaps things would be better after Li Ruo’er turned demonic?

But honestly, he had no way to induce her demonization right now. As for her mother, Ni Wanqing, they would wait until Li Ruo’er transformed first; the mother and daughter needed to maintain the same attributes.

“So here’s the plan: with Ling Meng, Liu Shuqin, and Li Ruo’er at the helm, we’ll split into three groups and return to our respective bases. Although everyone is separating, you’re still one unit, and you must help each other if something goes wrong…”

Lin Nuo rambled on like a leading commander assigning tasks, and then they dispersed to prepare for their own matters.

However, regarding the three sisters, Lin Nuo missed a key point.

After they split up, where would he go? It wasn’t like he could split himself into three pieces and everyone take a share!

That would land him in a situation like Cheng Ge.

Thinking about how Li Ruo’er hadn’t turned demonic yet, the Fox People needed to find a new stronghold. Meanwhile, Liu Shuqin and Ling Meng already had their territories and could manage their own forces. So, Lin Nuo chose the youngest, Li Ruo’er.

This decision sparked Ling Meng’s discontent, even igniting her desire to confront him. But under Lin Nuo’s authority and stern words, she ultimately accepted the outcome.

But this separation was different; Lin Nuo specifically gifted Ling Meng a magic ring containing a Demon Eagle soul. This soul was like a homing pigeon; it could find directions, relay messages, and locate Lin Nuo, returning to inform her.

With that, even if they were apart, finding each other later would be much easier, unlike before when it was all left to chance and luck.

Yet for Ling Meng, who had a romantic mindset, serendipitous encounters felt incredibly romantic, especially when, in her time of danger, her beloved master would appear like a hero to save her and hold her in his arms.

She had already imagined countless similar scenarios in her mind; if she were to retreat from this life, she’d probably write romantic novels.

As for Liu Shuqin, the outcome was not surprising. She had anticipated that Lin Nuo would choose the just-emerged-from-the-mountain Li Ruo’er.

Disappointment washed over her, but there was nothing she could do about it.

Of course, she also had a magical artifact that made it convenient to contact Lin Nuo.

Once the arrangements were complete, the three groups needed to act independently. Ling Meng would return to her territory with the resources found in the mountains, while Liu Shuqin would make a trip back to her hometown, Wutu City, to visit her father.

Though they were parting ways, both Ling Meng and Liu Shuqin were reluctant to leave Lin Nuo.

Li Ruo’er and Ni Wanqing would gather the Fox People troops while Lin Nuo waited for them.

“Master! Master!”

At that moment, Ling Meng rushed over, wanting to embrace Lin Nuo, but he quickly dodged.

“Master, why are you avoiding me? Am I that terrifying?”

Faced with Lin Nuo’s aloofness, Ling Meng felt quite wronged.

“I told you before, you’re a leader now; you need to learn to control your emotions.”

“Usually, I can manage, but I find it hard when I’m in front of you, Master. Now that we’re parting, can’t you let me be a little reckless?”

Ling Meng said, slightly cosseted.

“But this is just a temporary separation; we’ll meet again in due time. Besides, with that magic ring you have, it’ll be easier to find me later.”

“Even so, every moment you’re away feels like a season apart; all I think about is you, Master. Just a moment apart and my mind is filled with thoughts of you.”

“How can you focus on your territory like this?”

“Exactly! If you stay by my side, then I’d have something to focus on, right?”

Ling Meng shifted the topic, trying to entice Lin Nuo to stay.

However, Lin Nuo’s decision was not easy to change; he said sternly:

“Ling Meng, now is not the time for romance. Our situation is dire, and the presence of the Demon Realm and Sacred Realm adds more to our woes. We should…”

“Alright, alright, I don’t want to hear that! It’s always the same with you. I understand your reasoning, but what can I do? You’re simply that important to me, yet you keep pushing me away! I must not matter much to you, right?”

Ling Meng turned away, her emotions increasingly unstable. She often found herself thinking in a negative direction, feeling that she was merely a student to Lin Nuo and not a woman in his eyes!

Even if they had shared intimate moments, perhaps it was just her being in danger and him rescuing her!

“Sigh, this is troublesome.”

Lin Nuo sighed and walked back beside her.

He opened his arms, gently embracing her, and whispered:

“Don’t think too much. You’re definitely important to me. It’s just that I don’t want you to rely on me too much; I can’t always be by your side. You need to grow.”

This gentle embrace and soothing words caused Ling Meng’s gloomy mood to lift instantly. She loved to overthink, but she was also easy to comfort; a simple hug could set her right.

“Mm… okay… Alright… I’m so soft-hearted; I can’t resist when you say a few words, Master.”

Ling Meng turned back around, hugging Lin Nuo again. This time, she was much calmer, not throwing herself at him like before for a passionate kiss—just a little farewell embrace.

Liu Shuqin observed this scene, and her heart felt a pinch of discomfort.