"For yourself... or for her..." Tian Yi lowered his head, his fingers digging into the earth, his body trembling slightly.
Ye Ling's words were like a sharp sword, mercilessly piercing the deepest part of his heart.
What Tian Yi wanted most was for Ye Ling to save Xu Shuya. Even if Xu Shuya could only exist in the deep mountains, accompanying ghosts day after day, she would still be alive, and he could see her!
He was willing to stay by Xu Shuya's side forever, silently watching her live in seclusion in the mountains.
This thought, though seemingly moving, was actually a manifestation of Tian Yi's extreme selfishness.
He only wanted Xu Shuya to live, and for himself to always be able to see her.
All of this was to satisfy himself, completely disregarding Xu Shuya's own wishes.
If Xu Shuya herself no longer clung to this world, forcing her to live as someone rejected by the heavenly dao would only cause her endless suffering.
"I'm truly a... scumbag."
Tian Yi bit his lip, blood filling his mouth, tears streaming down his cheeks.
He hated his cowardly and selfish self.
After being exposed by Ye Ling, he finally realized how ugly his thoughts were!
Ye Ling watched Tian Yi calmly, offering no evaluation of his current state.
From beginning to end, he had always considered Tian Yi to be a person of excellent character, with exceptional talent, and a seedling perfectly suited for cultivation.
It was true then, and it was true now.
Everyone harbored selfish thoughts deep down.
However, very few people were like Tian Yi, whose inherent personality and values were completely at odds with his deepest desires.
Reason could completely suppress desire.
In fact, no matter what Tian Yi decided, it made no difference to Ye Ling.
Whether Xu Shuya lived or died was ultimately their own choice.
He was merely an observer.
At this moment, a chilling wind swept through.
The Black and White Impermanence, who had previously taken Zhang Muya, reappeared in the wild forest.
They glanced at Xu Shuya, then at Ye Ling, as if waiting for Ye Ling's reply.
Ye Ling said indifferently, "Let them choose for themselves."
The Black and White Impermanence nodded, bowed to Ye Ling, and then retreated to a distance, not interfering in the matter.
Xu Shuya emerged from her grief. Seeing Tian Yi kneeling and unable to rise, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes, and she quickly asked, "Tian Yi, what's wrong?"
"I'm sorry..."
Tian Yi lowered his head, not daring to look at Xu Shuya.
He could not accept the person deep within himself; he hated his extremely selfish thoughts.
He was filled with guilt.
Xu Shuya had never seen Tian Yi in such a state. She had already lost her mother and did not want to lose Tian Yi as well!
Now, Tian Yi was her only connection to this world.
Xu Shuya quickly looked at Ye Ling and asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, Tian Yi he..."
Ye Ling did not conceal anything, explaining to Xu Shuya the predicament she was in and Tian Yi's thoughts.
"I..."
After listening to Ye Ling's account, Xu Shuya was somewhat bewildered.
In fact, she had a vague understanding of her own condition, knowing that she wouldn't be able to live much longer in this world.
So, before she died, she wanted to properly see the world.
But she had never expected that Tian Yi would be so deeply in love with her, and that she would cause Tian Yi such pain!
After a long silence, Xu Shuya's eyes became resolute. She looked at Ye Ling and said, "Your Majesty... I want to live, no matter the cost."
"Shuya?"
Tian Yi suddenly looked up, his face filled with shock as he looked at Xu Shuya. "How could you..."
Xu Shuya ignored Tian Yi and continued to Ye Ling, "Your Majesty, I want to be with Tian Yi. Even if I can only live in the deep mountains, accompanied by ghosts, I still want to live."
"Tian Yi has guarded me for a hundred years; it's time I repaid him."
Ye Ling looked deeply at Xu Shuya. Her choice was somewhat unexpected. "You don't need to make such a choice out of gratitude."
For Xu Shuya, if she were to forcefully continue living, not only would her life be incredibly painful, but eventually, her soul would scatter, and she would never enter the cycle of reincarnation.
It was an action with no benefits and only harm.
Xu Shuya knelt before Ye Ling and kowtowed, "Your Majesty! This is my true wish!"
"No! Shuya, you don't owe me! You don't have to do this!"
Tian Yi quickly said to Xu Shuya, "You shouldn't fall into such suffering because of me!"
"You deserve a complete life!"
"But I want to live," Xu Shuya said earnestly, which made Tian Yi pause.
"Even if I enter reincarnation, the me of the next life will have no memory of you."
"That wouldn't be me; it would be someone else."
"And I just want to remember you."
"Shu... Shuya..."
Seeing Xu Shuya's earnest gaze, Tian Yi was momentarily at a loss for words.
He had completely come to detest his inner thoughts and could not bear to see Xu Shuya suffer any longer, but now...
This was Xu Shuya's own choice!
He had already made the mistake of being presumptuous and making decisions for Xu Shuya. If he interfered again now... wouldn't he be repeating his mistakes?
Presumptuously thinking one knows what's best for others is the most terrifying form of malice.
Unable to persuade Xu Shuya further, Tian Yi asked, "Aren't you afraid of loneliness?"
Xu Shuya squinted and smiled, "What loneliness is more terrifying than being locked in the Heavenly Net Ghost City day after day?"
"Even if I can only be in the deep mountains year-round, there is still a vast world..."
"Besides, aren't you here?"
Tian Yi was stunned, "Me, me?"
"Aren't you accompanying me?" Xu Shuya asked.
"I..."
Tian Yi couldn't speak. Of course, he wanted to be by Xu Shuya's side; he dreamed of it!
But he had already sold himself to Ye Ling.
His life was not his own. If Ye Ling didn't speak, he couldn't make a promise to Xu Shuya.
This was what he hated most about himself.
Despite not being able to stay with Xu Shuya, he still wanted her to live a lonely life.
Xu Shuya also saw Tian Yi's predicament and continued to smile, "I don't need you to stay all the time. You can occasionally ask for leave to visit me!"
"Your Majesty isn't an unreasonable person!"
Tian Yi: "Shuya, you..."
"Sigh..."
Seeing these two awkward individuals, Ye Ling sighed deeply and shook his head repeatedly, "Troublesome."
He hadn't expected these two, who had feelings for each other and were so innocent, to be so hesitant!
Although Ye Ling highly valued Tian Yi's character and talent and intended to cultivate him, having already taken Tian Yi as a servant, he had no inclination to break them up.
If Xu Shuya were to reincarnate, Tian Yi could wait eighteen years, which would be enough time for Ye Ling to dispatch Tian Yi.
However, now, Ye Ling had not anticipated that Xu Shuya would bear her own heavy life for Tian Yi until she turned to dust.
Xu Shuya's choice had, in turn, put him in a difficult position.
Ye Ling did not want to interfere with Xu Shuya's choice, forcing her into reincarnation under the guise of her own good.
If she wanted to live, then let her live.
As for Tian Yi, Ye Ling also had plans for him to leave with Xu Shuya.
"Esteemed Immortal, this humble immortal has a method that benefits both parties. May I have your ear?"
At this moment, Bai Wuchang's voice sounded in Ye Ling's ear.
Ye Ling looked at Bai Wuchang and asked telepathically, "What method?"
Bai Wuchang smiled, "Xu Shuya's separation from the Six Paths violates the natural order of heaven. By rights, she should enter reincarnation. Your Majesty should not help her, as it will only cause her to sink deeper and bring disaster to the world."
"With this humble immortal's method, Xu Shuya can be brought back to the Underworld, but across the Bridge of Helplessness, to re-enter reincarnation."
"When she is reborn, she can renew her fate with her beloved."
Ye Ling raised an eyebrow, "But across the Bridge of Helplessness... you mean, Xu Shuya can avoid drinking Meng Po's soup?"
"Yes."
Bai Wuchang bowed slightly, "This humble immortal is willing to owe Your Majesty a favor. I hope Your Majesty will give me some face."