How about you don't go either and stay here instead.

Finally, Su Jiu stopped in her tracks and closed her eyes.

She circulated her Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox bloodline to sense the half drop of heart-blood that had merged into Su Ji's Spirit Root.

A moment later, she opened her eyes again and walked in an unexpected direction.

The Spiritual Herb Hall.

This was the place where the Xiangsi Sect specially cultivated and stored all kinds of spiritual herbs.

Because the spiritual herbs were directly supplied to the Alchemy Hall, few people ever came here on normal days, aside from the disciples responsible for looking after the place.

Su Jiu passed through the front hall and arrived at the backyard.

The yard was large. Rows of bamboo racks held various herbs out to dry, and a faint medicinal fragrance permeated the air.

A few outer sect disciples were carefully turning the herbs on the racks. Their movements were gentle, afraid of causing any damage.

Su Jiu's gaze swept past them and finally settled on the high wall in the corner of the yard.

A familiar figure was lying sprawled on top of the wall, an untamed foxtail grass dangling from his mouth, plucked from who knows where.

The afternoon sun spilled over him, stretching his shadow long.

Su Jiu walked forward.

As if sensing her approach, the figure on the wall shifted.

Su Ji turned his head, gave her a lazy glance, and then turned back to stare blankly at the clouds in the sky.

He didn't speak.

This aloof attitude made Su Jiu feel inexplicably uncomfortable.

She walked to the base of the wall and looked up.

Senior Brother, what are you doing up there?

Su Ji's voice sounded a bit muffled. Basking in the sun.

Su Jiu's pretty brows furrowed.

Is something on your mind?

Su Ji still didn't look at her. He just shifted the foxtail grass to the other side of his mouth and spoke slowly.

Look down there.

Su Jiu followed his gaze. In the yard, the disciples were neatly arranging the processed herbs in rows on the bamboo racks.

Was there anything special about this?

She clearly didn't understand what Su Ji was trying to say.

Su Ji also seemed to realize that the little fox's comprehension skills were lacking.

His voice rang out again.

Down there, they lay things out.

He pointed at himself.

Up here is Ji.

Su Jiu froze, not understanding what this nonsensical statement meant for a moment.

What did this have to do with what was on his mind?

Seeing her bewildered expression, Su Ji seemed too lazy to explain.

He sat up on the wall, stretched, and then sighed in a tone that sounded like he was talking to himself, yet also complaining.

I feel like I'm completely doomed.

Su Jiu's brows furrowed even tighter.

What kind of word was that?

Su Ji ignored her confusion. He dusted off his rear, leaped down from the several-meter-high wall, and landed lightly in front of Su Jiu.

He looked down at himself, then looked up at the sky. On his face was a dejected expression that Su Jiu had never seen before.

What exactly is wrong?

She took a step forward, her clear fox eyes gazing earnestly at Su Ji.

If there's a problem, you can tell me.

We... we can figure out a solution together.

Hearing this, Su Ji finally reacted a little.

He slowly turned his head and looked at Su Jiu's pretty face, which was full of concern.

Some problems aren't a matter of living or dying.

And they aren't things that you or I can solve.

As he spoke, he lightly flicked a random, inconspicuous little pebble next to his hand.

The pebble traced a parabola in the air, then landed with a clack on an ant that was carrying food not far away.

That pitiful insect was instantly crushed underneath.

Look.

Su Ji pointed at the ant that was struggling in vain.

It is clearly just a piece of broken stone, but when it falls on an insect, it becomes a massive mountain.

Su Jiu followed the direction of his finger, her pretty brows knitting even tighter.

She still didn't understand.

Su Ji withdrew his gaze and looked up at the azure sky again, his voice tinged with a lingering exhaustion.

Heaven and earth are too far away...

I am nothing but an ant crawling between heaven and earth...

Su Jiu listened quietly without interrupting him.

She could feel that Su Ji wasn't pretending to be deep.

Every word he said came from the bottom of his heart.

A despair she couldn't understand, yet could clearly feel, was spreading from him.

After a long time, Su Ji's voice sounded again.

The world outside of Great Xia...

He paused, and then said the words that made Su Jiu's heart suddenly tremble.

I won't be going...

These words exploded in Su Jiu's mind like a sudden clap of thunder.

She thought she had misheard.

You're not going?

Su Ji didn't repeat himself.

He was no longer that Qi Condensation cultivator who had first arrived at the Xiangsi Sect.

From a transmigrator who knew nothing, he had walked all the way to this point today.

But the more he saw, the more awe and fear he held in his heart.

In his glimpse of destiny, he had exhausted all his methods and fought until the very last moment.

Yet even so, he still lost.

His opponent hadn't even gotten the corner of their clothes dirty.

What was the difference between this and going to throw his life away?

Why should he go to his death?

Even if he stayed in Great Xia, even if this world only had a hundred years of life left.

Within these hundred years, he, Su Ji, would be an invincible existence.

He could continue being his Xiangsi Sect Master.

His current strength in Great Xia made him practically a superman.

Whether it was Careful Superman, Happy Superman, or Joyful Superman.

Anyway, he was a superman.

Living a life like an immortal.

Why should he throw away this worthless life he had worked so hard to keep, all for some illusory future?

Looking at the bright side.

Mortals didn't even live for a hundred years!

Su Ji turned his head and looked at Su Jiu's pretty face, which was written with astonishment.

The dejection on his face remained.

How about you don't go either.

Stay here.

Su Jiu just looked at him and asked, word by word.

Why?

The expression on Su Ji's face stiffened.

He fell silent.

After a long time, he finally spoke again, his voice carrying a bit of self-mockery.

Because, I'm afraid to die.

If I go out there, I will die.

Su Jiu stared at him fixedly. She wanted to see even the slightest trace of a joke on Su Ji's face.

But she didn't.

Su Jiu shook her head. I am going.

Su Ji's brows finally furrowed.

Why?

This time, it was his turn to ask.

Because I bear the mission of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan.

Su Jiu's answer was simple and direct.

She paused and added another sentence.

Calculating the time.

The passageway should be appearing right around these days.

The yard fell into a long silence.

The wind blew past the bamboo racks, and the drying herbs made a rustling sound.

This was the first time such an obvious disagreement had appeared between them.

A mission is given by others; we should live for ourselves.

I am living for myself.

Su Ji looked at Su Jiu's stubborn face. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately it only turned into a helpless sigh.

Alright then.

He waved his hand.

Everyone has their own ambitions; it cannot be forced.

Then you yourself... be very careful.

Su Ji poured out all the spirit stones from his storage ring. If you insist on this...

He thought for a moment, then unfastened the Yinfeng Sword from his waist and tossed it, the blade piercing the ground right in front of Su Jiu.

"This is all the help I can offer you."

With that said, he did not spare Su Jiu another glance. He turned around and walked out past the wall.

Su Jiu stood rooted to the spot, watching his retreating figure slowly disappear through the doorway.

She parted her lips, but the words, "Are you... really not coming with me?" never made it past her throat.

She knew that even if she asked, his answer would remain the same.

Su Jiu stood there in silence for a long time. Finally, she turned around and walked off in the exact opposite direction of Su Ji.

She needed to prepare a few things.

Things that would increase her chances of survival in that unknown world.

...