Sir, it's cold, let me add a layer for you.

【You share the truth of the world with Wu Yingxue】

【Wu Yingxue is deeply shocked】

You thought the girl would be disheartened for a long time, but she showed far stronger resilience than you imagined.

She quickly accepts the harsh reality and follows your instructions to explore for more clues.

With a clear goal, the girl finds clues quite smoothly.

You gather various clues from across the Great Qian Empire, even from the depths of the Ten Thousand Mountains, and conclude that the outside world does exist.

【The Great Qian Empire is not a sanctuary, but a feeding ground for demons】

【Even the universally practiced "Cultivating Vitality Technique" might be the work of demons, designed to make humans more "nutritious"】

"Master."

"What is it, Yingxue?"

"What should we do next, really go straight through the Ten Thousand Mountains?"

"We have no other choice, no second path."

For so many years,

The people of Great Qian have failed to discover the truth.

Not only because the Great Qian court has sealed everything tightly, but more importantly, the terrifying danger of the Ten Thousand Mountains has cut off all possibility of escape.

Endless deaths have completely extinguished any curiosity about the outside world.

But now,

The Prime Ryder Armies, previously known as the Pursuit of Life Army, have no other way out.

If they stick to their original plan and continue attacking Great Qian, the end result will be as high-grade ingredients waiting to be devoured by the demons.

Even if they miraculously survive, they and future generations will live in perpetual fear of demons, repeating horrific massacres time after time.

Unless, of course, they follow the path of the Great Qian emperor.

Swearing allegiance to the Azure Dragon or other powerful demons.

But does such a life, living under the shadow of demons, still deserve to be called living?

Xu Xi feels that it probably does not.

...

【Your plan undergoes a significant change】

【Your primary goal is no longer conquering other regions or overthrowing the Great Qian Empire】

【You realize that doing so is meaningless, and you will never achieve true success because the real enemy is not the Great Qian Empire, but the demons within the Ten Thousand Mountains】

【This is a fake world】

【This is a world built on lies】

【Surviving under the mercy of demons is meaningless, as their cruelty guarantees that humans will struggle to survive, even if they are willing to surrender, the demons will not accept their submission】

【You do not want to witness such a sight, watching those you know being devoured by demons】

【You are determined to change everything】

【You decide to lead the Pursuit of Life Army, breaking free from the shackles, leaving the Great Empire behind and venturing beyond the Ten Thousand Mountains】

The girl is not optimistic about this. She believes the Ten Thousand Mountains are far too dangerous, filled with endless demons, and there's virtually no possibility of getting through.

【She complains to you, calling you a big fool again】

【You smile, refusing to be disheartened, and continue to research how, exactly, to lead the Pursuit of Life Army out of the mountains】

...

【You continuously send scouts to explore the Ten Thousand Mountains, attempting to uncover the demons' patterns】

【You deploy observers to watch the Great Qian capital, keeping an eye on the emperor's movements】

【You reduce the aggression of the Pursuit of Life Army】

【The army's goal is no longer the Great Qian Dynasty; continuing to fight serves no purpose other than draining resources and lives】

【If not for fear of drawing the demons' attention, you might have completely halted hostilities. But now, you can only maintain the pretense of battle while minimizing losses, conserving strength】

【You endlessly drill martial arts, your punches growing slower day by day, the wind they generate diminishing as you reach a mysterious realm】

【You persist in circulating your inner energy, your internal universe becoming increasingly flawless, like a real world, providing vast power】

【You meticulously refine your skills...】

【You work tirelessly...】

How can one break through the Ten Thousand Mountains?

There are no shortcuts.

No secret tunnels exist.

The Ten Thousand Mountains are not a single peak but an endless expanse of overlapping highlands, creating an unbreakable barrier that separates heaven from earth.

Such a massive terrain can only be traversed step by step, crossing the seemingly endless chain of peaks.

Xu Xi has no other choice.

He must constantly strengthen himself, hoping to break through to the Human Immortal Realm, enabling him to lead the Pursuit of Life Army out of the demons' clutches.

His already admirable daily routine gradually becomes something even more striking, something that would leave ordinary people in awe.

He alternates between training, managing army affairs, and compiling information about the Ten Thousand Mountains.

All in preparation for the upcoming breakthrough.

"It's still not enough, far from enough. Time is short."

"Human Immortal Realm... Sigh."

Xu Xi doesn't complain, but the fatigue on his face, despite his Third Stage Mortal Transcendence cultivation, cannot be hidden.

It's not physical exhaustion but mental urgency.

He fears that the demons in the Ten Thousand Mountains will be unable to resist their bloodlust and launch a sudden attack on the Pursuit of Life Army.

Even though Xu Xi knows his facade is holding up well and has not raised suspicion.

"Tonight, I'll take a break."

Six months later.

In a room.

The silence of the deep night is broken by the silver glow of moonlight.

Xu Xi gently sets down his brush, surveying the filled paper with detailed plans, and gives a light sigh.

"Not enough information about the Ten Thousand Mountains yet—hopefully, I can figure out a pattern soon and choose the best time to break through."

"As for strength..."

"I need more elders at Master's stage within the Pursuit of Life Army."

"Individual power is ultimately limited—even if I succeed in breaking through to the Human Immortal Realm, I won't be able to protect everyone."

"The key to survival lies within the people themselves."

A gentle breeze wafts through the room, chilling his nose slightly.

Xu Xi shakes his head and stops worrying, as he has been occupied for quite some time. It is about time to get some rest.

Instead of choosing a soft bed or a comfortable bedding, he simply lies down right there, on the bare floor of the room where he was dealing with administrative tasks.

Moonlight pours in like water; starlight is sparse and desolate.

Without the sound of Xu Xi's brush trailing against paper,

The room becomes darker.

Until half an hour passes and fresh sounds emerge, as a frantic girl enters the room, holding a wide cloak.

"Master, it's cold. I've come to add you a cloth."

Time always passes swiftly.

A year dances from spring into summer, transitions through autumn, and in winter, it paints the world under the coldening snow.

Wu Yingxue carries a thick and plush cloak, striding from the dim hallway, but upon entering the door, she only catches sight of Xu Xi's peaceful slumbering body.

"Master?"

Is he asleep?

The girl thinks in her heart, deliberately lowering her footsteps.

Without sound and only footsteps waving lightly under the faint flicker of candles within the room’s shadowed corner.

Ellinging her way slowly to Xu Xi,

The thick cloak is gently placed over Xu Xi's sleeping figure.

Even though a cultivator at the Three Layers Defiance Of Mortal Regions probably won’t ever need warmth.

She feels that,

Master has been so tired lately.

It must be good at least adding a layer of cloaked warmth clothing over Master.