Chapter 27: Walking Alone

"Time reversal?" Ji Ning immediately felt the situation was unprecedentedly dire.

Earlier, he had thought that killing Shaoyan Nong would give him enough time to arrange an escape route for his tribe, the Ji clan, before the Shaoyan clan could trace it back to him. But now time was far too tight.

"Everyone, there's no time to wait. I'll send you off now. Go to a safe place. This time, you're all implicated because of me." To save time, Ji Ning even used telepathic speech.

"Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning," Yu Wei quickly sent mentally. "You don't need to worry about our safety. The Grand Xia Dynasty has its own rules, and the Shaoyan clan can't act recklessly. As long as we return to the Black-White College, first, the Grand Xia's laws forbid violence within its cities. Second, we didn't kill Shaoyan Nong, so the Shaoyan clan has no reason to target us. What you need to worry about is yourself."

"You have two main paths now."

"The first is to flee—escape to a place where the Shaoyan clan can't touch you, like another minor world or major world, or directly to the Yinglong Guard's headquarters. The Yinglong Guard is the strongest military force directly under the Grand Xia Dynasty. No matter how bold the Shaoyan clan is, they wouldn't dare attack you inside the Yinglong Guard."

"The second path is to fight back. You can go to the Grand Xia imperial capital, the heart of the entire dynasty. There, you'll find the most elite tribes and sects. Once you arrive, you can first enter the Yinglong Guard headquarters, which is absolutely safe. Then you can participate in the 'Immortal Destiny Gathering.' Since you've already comprehended the 'Grand Dao Domain,' you're sure to shine at the gathering. With your talent, many forces will try to recruit you, and you can join one that is hostile to the Shaoyan clan."

"The Shaoyan clan is powerful, but across the Grand Xia Dynasty, there are even stronger forces that have endless enmity with them—several can be called 'mortal enemies.' After all, the Grand Xia imperial clan rules over a vast world, and the top tribes, sects, and schools under it often have grudges. For example, the Zhuanshui clan is stronger than the Shaoyan clan, and these two have been mortal enemies since the age of the Fiendgods. Generation after generation, they've caused each other's Celestial Immortals to fall multiple times, and assassinations of leaders are common in the endless years. If you killed Shaoyan Nong, forces like the Zhuanshui clan would surely be willing to recruit you. With the help of those powerful tribes, you can fight the Shaoyan clan head-on."

"Two paths: one is flight, the other is confrontation. That's all I can think of in this short time." Yu Wei sent mentally.

Ji Ning had been thinking of fleeing.

He hadn't expected Senior Apprentice-Sister Yu Wei to point out such a clear path.

Indeed.

The Shaoyan clan ranked among the top ten in the Grand Xia Dynasty, but there were other top-ten forces! Among the most elite powers, conflicts over resources were common.

"As for your tribe, the Ji clan," Yu Wei sent quickly, "you can have your clansmen scatter and go into hiding, and send some elites to cities like Anchan City or the Grand Xia imperial capital. Remember, the Grand Xia forbids violence in its cities. Anyone who dares to attack will be hunted by the Grand Xia Dynasty. Although the Shaoyan clan could send some wanted criminals to die for them, how strong can those criminals be? Those wanted criminals are all lawless, and the stronger ones—like Fiendgods or Sanxian—answer to no one. The Shaoyan clan would find it hard to hire those dangerous fugitives."

"Unless the Shaoyan clan sends their own Sanxian to destroy your Ji clan. Even if they claim the Sanxian acted on his own, at least that Sanxian would be doomed! In any case, as long as the tribe preserves its elites, it can revive in the future. You are the genius the Ji clan has produced in endless ages—you must protect yourself."

"Thank you, Senior Apprentice-Sister." Ji Ning had already had some ideas.

Now, hearing Yu Wei's words, his horizons broadened, and he came up with more thoughts.

Moreover, Ji Ning felt...

Senior Apprentice-Sister Yu Wei seemed to have a clear understanding of the top forces in the Grand Xia Dynasty.

"Ji Ning," Jiujie sent quickly. "Come with me. I'll take you to see the Patriarch, who can send you out of this Grand Xia world to another world. As for the Ji clan, I'll find a way to preserve some of its elites. When you become strong and return, you can revive the Ji clan."

"Senior apprentice-brother, are you planning to flee? I'll go with you. My master, nearing his limit, has gone into a death-seclusion and taught me everything he could. I have no ties. A life on the run with you would surely be exciting." Mu Zishuo sent mentally.

"Junior apprentice-brother Ji Ning, protect yourself. Only then will you have a chance to turn things around." Cangjiang Zhenren looked at Ji Ning.

Ji Ning smiled.

Then his gaze fell on Jiujie, and he sent mentally, "Jiujie."

"Mm." Jiujie looked at him.

"I killed Shaoyan Nong. Whether I choose to flee to another minor world or major world, or join a top power, I can't stay in Anchan Commandery. I'll be wandering far away. Will you come with me?" Ji Ning looked at Jiujie, hope in his eyes.

"I... I..." Jiujie hesitated.

She could imagine the path Ji Ning would take—a path fraught with danger. Could she wander with him?

She felt that impulse.

To roam the world with Ji Ning, sharing life and death.

But she thought of her tribe. She was the next leader of the Dongyan clan. She couldn't roam the world with Ji Ning indefinitely—no one knew how long such wandering would last.

"Jiujie." Ji Ning sensed her hesitation, and his heart ached.

He knew his request was too much.

But...

At this moment, stepping onto this path, Ji Ning desperately wanted someone by his side, to share the burden of this arduous immortal path. He longed for that person to be Jiujie.

"I'm sorry." Tears welled in Jiujie's eyes as she looked at Ji Ning. "Ji Ning, I suddenly understand. I can't roam the world with you, can't share life and death with you. The Patriarch once said that a Dao companion is someone for whom you would die. A Dao companion is someone you would slay immortals and buddhas to reclaim, even across divine barriers. I can't do that! I truly can't. I have my own path, and I won't abandon it for you."

"It's my fault." Jiujie's tears fell.

"Say no more."

Tears glistened in Ji Ning's eyes. "I was too hopeful. The path ahead is bound to be perilous. My conflict with the Shaoyan clan will last endless ages. I was wrong to drag you into this."

"From now on, you are you."

"And I am I."

"On the path of immortality, walking alone is enough." Ji Ning pointed into the distance.

Whoosh!

Ripples spread, forming a passage. Beyond it lay the Tianyou Mountains of the Grand Xia world. Ji Ning said directly, "Senior Apprentice-Sister Yu Wei, Senior Apprentice-Brother Cangjiang, Junior Apprentice-Brother Shuo, and Jiujie, you may go."

"Senior apprentice-brother, I said I'd roam the world with you. I have no ties—what's there to fear?" Mu Zishuo said urgently.

"This path is very dangerous, Junior Apprentice-Brother Shuo..."

"You think I'm weak?" Mu Zishuo gritted his teeth.

"Yes, you're weak. You can't help me; you'll only hold me back." Ji Ning gritted his teeth.

Yu Wei interjected, "Junior Apprentice-Brother Shuo, don't be stubborn. This isn't the time for bravado. You really are a bit weak." Mu Zishuo looked at Ji Ning, his eyes reddening. "Senior apprentice-brother, after my mother died, I had no close family. In the sect, you're the closest to me. I've long seen you as my own brother. I know I'm weak, and I know you said that to spare me hardship. Enough said. I'll go back and train hard. If you die, I'll avenge you."

Ji Ning's eyes reddened.

He never expected...

That Junior Apprentice-Brother Shuo truly saw him as a brother.

"Haha, don't worry. I won't die so easily." Ji Ning laughed, tears in his eyes. "Don't delay. Go now."

Jiujie felt even more pained.

Even Mu Zishuo could throw caution to the wind. What about her? She longed to abandon everything—her tribe—and roam the world with Ji Ning. But she still hesitated. She couldn't let go.

"I'm sorry." Jiujie wept. "You must live. You must live well."

With that, she turned and flew into the passage, emerging on the other side in the Tianyou Mountains.

Mu Zishuo, Yu Wei, and Cangjiang Zhenren all understood. A Dao companion—what is it? It is one who stays by your side even in the darkest times. Jiujie's departure and her words made them realize that Ji Ning and Jiujie would henceforth walk separate immortal paths.

"Take care." Mu Zishuo said.

"Live well." Yu Wei looked at Ji Ning.

"You must live." Cangjiang Zhenren also urged.

Then the three flew into the passage, reaching the other side of the Tianyou Mountains. The passage closed.

...

In the Tianyou Mountains.

Back in the Grand Xia world, Jiujie, Yu Wei, Mu Zishuo, and Cangjiang Zhenren all turned to look at the passage. Through it, they could faintly see the hall on the other side and the solitary figure within.

From now on,

Ji Ning would fight alone.

Jiujie looked back at the passage, unable to stop her tears.

This choice was agonizing.

She couldn't abandon her tribe. She had her own aspirations. She couldn't give up everything for Ji Ning.

Yu Wei, Mu Zishuo, and Cangjiang Zhenren said nothing. They knew how rare it was to find a true Dao companion—one who would share life and death, never leave, and intertwine their very existence. Many so-called Dao companions turned against each other, even killing over treasures.

True, unwavering devotion was exceedingly rare. Jiujie had too many ties; she couldn't let go.

"Whoosh." The passage sealed, and the other side vanished.

"Let's go." Mu Zishuo gritted his teeth.

"Go."

"I'm returning to my tribe." Jiujie went back to the Dongyan clan alone, while Mu Zishuo, Cangjiang Zhenren, and Yu Wei headed to the Black-White College.

...

In the great hall.

"From now on, I walk the immortal path alone. Fine, fine. Alone, I can be free and carefree." Ji Ning laughed heartily.

"Master, you still have us." Xiaoqing raised her snake head and called out.

Ji Ning looked at the Azure-Snake and at Uncle Bai, who had silently followed him all along, and felt a warmth in his heart. "Yes, I still have you. Xiaoqing, Uncle Bai, let's go. We'll go meet the demons of the Immortal Estate world."