As he walked back, Han Li was weighed down by worries.
With a conflicted expression, he could not help discussing it with Naruto:
"If we withdraw to another country as Ancestor Linghu said, our lives will naturally be safe. With so few people left, the higher-ups will also place great value on us."
"But by the same token, we'll have to rebuild the Yellow Maple Valley and carve out territory in a new country. As some of the few remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators, we'll certainly be bogged down in worldly affairs and endless chores. We won't have much time left to cultivate!"
"By the time everything settles down and the six sects put down roots again, I'll probably have long missed my chance to advance to the Core Formation Stage."
Hearing this, Naruto said to Han Li with a grin:
"But if you run away now, you have no idea whether that old monster still has you under surveillance with his divine sense. He might notice the slightest suspicious move. Then, as a deserter, you'll certainly die without even a place to be buried!"
"Brother Han, is that what you mean?"
A trace of embarrassment crossed Han Li's face at Naruto's words.
He offered no explanation, effectively acknowledging that Naruto was right.
Naruto chuckled again. He knew Han Li's personality: he would give up anything to cultivate!
He could abandon a woman, and he could abandon his sect.
If Naruto had not been powerful, helped him many times, and remained useful to him, he might well have abandoned Naruto too!
Naruto felt that someone like Han Li was actually just like Chengcai from Soldiers Sortie!
However, Naruto still needed to ride Han Li's luck and secretly seize his opportunities, so he was willing to remain friends with him.
For instance,