NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 149:
Chapter 149: Daqian “Human Immortal” In Pursuit:
[The 15th day after leaving Daqian]
[In the survival army, many have fallen forever along the way, but those who remain continue moving forward, following your lead and pursuing the future you envision.]
[You punch in silence, slaying countless demons. Each battle sharpens your skills and grants real improvement.]
[You’ve mastered the weaknesses of demons, and with the mysterious power blessing you, your attacks are now even more devastating.]
[The 20th day after leaving Daqian]
[The survival army advances quickly but also slowly.]
[Compared to ordinary people, their pace is swift. Compared to innate warriors, however, it is undeniably slow.]
[To protect the elderly and children, you tirelessly fight off demons, shielding the army from danger. Their gratitude toward you grows.]
[The 24th day after leaving Daqian]
[You suddenly turn back, sensing an ominous disturbance from the rear of the group.]
[It’s not about A Niu or anyone else. It’s the oppressive vibration echoing from the distant mountains that triggers your warrior instincts.]
“Is it the Emperor?”
“No, it might be the so-called human immortal.”
“Such a strong sense of crisis… So, they’ve finally noticed the survival army’s escape.”
Xu Xi stopped, looking back as if his gaze could pierce the mountains and reveal the events unfolding in Daqian’s imperial capital. He imagined rebels being slaughtered, ruins collapsing, and the Emperor’s shock and fury upon discovering that the Qihuoshu Army had fled.
“We need to move faster,” Xu Xi said, refocusing on the path ahead. He channeled his qi and blood, summoning the power of heaven and earth to carve out a safer route.
The current breakout barely suffices to handle the dangers of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. If Daqian’s forces pursued them and they were caught between two fronts, the survival army might not make it out alive.
…
[The 30th day after leaving Daqian]
[Under your leadership, the army has traveled far.]
[Weapons are broken, armor is incomplete, and tools like hoes and forks have shattered from constant use.]
[You’ve fought to the point of exhaustion, your body drenched in demon blood—dirty and foul from countless battles.]
[Wu Yingxue, concerned for your condition, suggests leading the charge herself, but you refuse.]
[The deeper you go, the more terrifying the demons become. Demons equivalent to the 2nd stage innate realm now appear frequently, posing threats even Wu Yingxue cannot handle alone.]
[That same day, you sense your backup plan being triggered by an unknown entity.]
[This was a setup meant to mislead pursuers, buying you and the survival army more time to escape.]
[But now that it has been activated, you know the pursuers are drawing closer. The mounting sense of crisis forces you to push your limits once again, squeezing every ounce of qi and blood within you.]
…
For warriors, combat was exhilarating. Whether bold or timid, the circulation of qi and blood awakened a desire for battle that few could resist. But no matter how much a warrior enjoyed the thrill of life and death, relentless fighting would take its toll.
Xu Xi had been fighting for too long.
Clearing the way while battling demons had left him weary. His fists shattered countless hideous heads, the blood and flesh splattering around him highlighting the tension on his face.
Daqian’s pursuers were close. Perhaps even demons with the strength of martial immortals were among them.
With this thought, Xu Xi couldn’t afford to stop. He fought tirelessly to open the path forward, only pausing briefly when night fell.
“Sir, I made you a bowl of hot soup.”
The dense canopy of trees obscured the stars and moon, leaving only the flickering bonfires to light the night. Wu Yingxue approached, still dressed in her red-and-white attire, carrying a bowl of broth. She handed it to Xu Xi with care.
“Thank you for your hard work, Yingxue.”
Xu Xi accepted the soup and took a sip. It was simple—a mix of wheat bran, salt, hot water, and bits of dried demon meat. The flavor was bland, even strange, but in these dire circumstances, it was a rare comfort.
“How does it taste?” the girl asked eagerly.
“It’s good,” Xu Xi replied with a faint smile.
Wu Yingxue seemed pleased, her expression playful. She fetched another bowl of soup, sat beside Xu Xi, and drank with him. For a moment, they shared a rare respite.
Her legs swayed lightly as she sat, her movements graceful, like jade branches bending in the wind. She chatted with Xu Xi, her words lighthearted and endless, but the fatigue on her face eventually surfaced. Before long, she fell asleep, leaning against Xu Xi.
“Silly girl,” Xu Xi murmured, glancing at her sleeping face. He could see how worried she was for him, but she was clearly exhausted.
Carefully, he laid her down and ensured she had a stable place to rest.
Rising, he began patrolling the camp, checking on the bonfires and ensuring everything was in order.
Wherever he went, people greeted him with respect, calling him “Brother Xi.”
Eventually, Xu Xi reached the back of the group, where he found A Niu sitting alone, seemingly keeping watch but lost in thought.
“What’s on your mind?” Xu Xi asked, sitting beside him.
“Actually… I was thinking about something you said before,” A Niu replied hesitantly. “You always say that we eat to survive.”
“Yes, that’s right. What about it?”
“Well… if we eat to survive, then what’s the purpose of living?”
Xu Xi was momentarily stunned. A Niu, who was always straightforward, was now pondering the meaning of life.
“Have you figured it out yet?” Xu Xi asked, amused.
“I think… I just want to eat lots of good food,” A Niu admitted shyly. “But is that wrong?”
Xu Xi shook his head and looked toward the dark mountains.
“No, A Niu. As long as you’re happy, that’s enough.”
A Niu seemed to understand something as he stared at his rough hands, a small smile forming on his face.