Chapter 152: The End of Seeking Life, The Last Mountain

Learning to accept farewell is a goal that people struggle to achieve throughout their lives.

In this simulation.

Xu Xi experienced too many farewells.

The Qingniu Town residents who died in the Demon Tide.

The starving refugees of the Army of Survival who died at the hands of the Great Qian soldiers.

A Niu, who died by the hands of the “Human Immortal.”

One farewell after another made the burning sensation in his throat grow heavier, gradually turning hoarse, until he could no longer speak, and all that remained was his relentless attacks on the demons.

In this world, there are many proverbs and sayings that encourage people to let go.

But in the end.

The pain caused by farewells doesn’t disappear with a few comforting words.

The pain still exists, the sorrow still exists, and the smiles on people’s faces are merely numbness worn down by time.

Xu Xi kept throwing punches and swinging his blade.

The only thing he could give back to A Niu was to slaughter endless demons with even greater madness, to carve out a safer path.

To lead the remaining townspeople out of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

“Crack—”

A faint shattering sound echoed, both the sound of demons being torn apart and the mournful cry from Xu Xi’s body.

Xu Xi was strong.

So strong that through countless battles, he gradually approached the threshold of the Martial Dao Immortal.

The Inner World of Blood and Qi ascended, nurturing his soul, seeing the divine, seeing himself.

Xu Xi became a quasi-Human Immortal.

Only one step away from a true breakthrough, which was why he could lead the Army of Survival to tear through layers of demon encirclements.

Even so, Xu Xi faced multiple life-and-death crises.

More than once, he was exhausted, falling into extremely dangerous situations, only to be saved by the townspeople who, in a frenzy, wielded their chipped weapons and risked their lives to pull him out.

The young girl, upon seeing him near death, felt a rare panic and fear.

Finally.

The bloody path reached its end.

Bone fragments, bloodstains, a battered body, and tattered armor.

All of this, like a nightmare, was about to come to an end.

When Xu Xi looked up at the sky again, he saw something beyond the mountains—the end of the path of survival, the real world.

As long as they crossed this final mountain.

All suffering would end.

Yes.

As long as they crossed it, everyone else could survive.

After another battle ended, sunset arrived, painting the sky in golden hues as the sun slowly sank, gently cradling the rise of night.

The thinning ranks of the Army of Survival.

Busied themselves preparing dinner.

Xu Xi, leaning against a tree, sat weakly on the ground, gazing at the sunset with a frail look.

“This is the last, and the hardest battle.”

Xu Xi murmured to himself.

His eyes reflected the golden light of the sunset.

The remaining path wasn’t difficult.

The demons were no longer as strong, and even without Xu Xi, he believed that under Wu Yingxue’s leadership, the people could make it out safely.

The real crisis came from behind.

The “Human Immortal” who had been leisurely following them like a cat playing with a mouse.

Xu Xi sensed it, the terrifying pressure emanating from afar, like an abyss, like mountains and seas, soon to reach the Army of Survival’s position.

The timing was ironic.

Just as the Army of Survival, upon discovering the end, was caught up in excitement.

“Treating human lives as a joke.”

“Over and over, toying with people’s joys and sorrows.”

“I can’t swallow this anger…”

Xu Xi’s eyes slightly closed. Only he could block the Human Immortal, and it had to be him. As long as he successfully blocked the Human Immortal’s pursuit, the people would face no more obstacles.

Xu Xi’s body was riddled with wounds.

Covered in scars left by demons.

The Inner World of Blood and Qi within him, though infinitely close to perfection, was also in a fragile state.

If he truly ascended to Human Immortal, what would become of him?

Xu Xi thought, perhaps he would be like a New Year’s firework, shining brilliantly for a brief moment before fading into eternal silence.

“This is enough…”

“This is, enough.”

The Ten Thousand Mountains, their peaks piercing through the clouds, stood tall and majestic, splitting the golden sunset into countless fragments, creating a spectacle of light and shadow.

Demons roared, people cheered.

When footsteps landed on the ground.

The golden afterglow would be extinguished, forming rippling waves that gently caressed Xu Xi’s palm.

Xu Xi stood up and walked into the Army of Survival, lingeringly watching the townspeople go about their activities. He desperately wanted to remember each face, as this would likely be the last time they met.

“Ah, it’s Brother Xi!”

“Er Wa, why are you standing at the back? Hurry and greet Great Master Xu.”

“Brother Xi, want something to eat? Look how thin you’ve become.”

Young men, small children, enthusiastic women, and the few remaining elderly.

The people protected by Xu Xi.

The people who survived because of Xu Xi.

Sincerely asked Xu Xi if he needed anything, offering various items.

Xu Xi smiled and declined: “No need, thank you all. Let me rest for a while.”

Hearing Xu Xi’s refusal, the people were disappointed.

But they obeyed Xu Xi.

Soon, the gathered crowd dispersed, returning to their tasks.

Xu Xi found a secluded corner and sat alone, quietly observing the people, watching their simple, joyful faces, his mood lifting as well.

So quiet.

Xu Xi thought.

The clouds under the sunset seemed ignited by the sun’s afterglow, turning into a fiery yellow, drifting and swirling in the sky.

Like flowing lava, like dazzling candy.

“Sir, I made you some soup!”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Xu Xi didn’t need to turn around to know who it was. He effortlessly took the bowl of soup and expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you, Yingxue.”

“Sir, drink up. You’ve been busy all day, you need to rest and eat properly.”

A red and white robe full of patches, a repaired light armor.

Wu Yingxue’s appearance wasn’t much better than Xu Xi’s.

The demon bloodstains.

The scars on her body.

She had them all.

Under the girl’s watchful gaze, Xu Xi sipped the soup, its surface floating with oil and bits of leaves.

Compared to the meat soup from before, there wasn’t much difference.

Still as bland as ever, made with tough demon meat, a forced choice for sustenance.

Actually, tender demon meat did exist.

But it was rare.

Xu Xi had only tasted it once, and after that, he gave it all to the elderly and children in the Army of Survival, so they wouldn’t have to struggle chewing the tough meat.

“It’s delicious.”

After finishing, Xu Xi encouraged the girl.

In such harsh conditions, someone willing to cook for you was already a rare thing.

To nitpick and complain about her cooking.

Xu Xi would feel guilty.

“Sir knows what’s good,” Wu Yingxue grinned, taking the empty bowl from Xu Xi’s hands.