In the void above.
Gu Chengyu's spiritual consciousness was more unstable than it had ever been.
He held tightly to the little girl in his arms who was gradually turning transparent, his phoenix eyes, which had once looked down upon all living beings, filled with unprecedented panic.
He tried to transfer his original cultivation, freed from the world's constraints and now restored, to her.
But that vast power was like a stone sinking into the sea; it could only barely slow the speed of her dissipation, not stop it.
Her soul was like ungraspable quicksand, slipping away from him bit by bit.
"You are not allowed to leave!" he growled, his voice hoarse, devoid of its usual cold arrogance, leaving only wretchedness and despair.
He futilely tightened his arms, only feeling the weight in his embrace grow lighter and lighter.
He watched helplessly as she lay with closed eyes, her breath so faint it was almost imperceptible, her little face—the one he loved most—pale and transparent.
Gu Chengyu, out of options, used his own soul force to condense one complex, ancient rune after another, forcibly engraving them into Su Qianqian's fading soul, connecting them to the core of his own spirit.
"The Life-Link Curse?" Little Qi, nearby, was so startled his blue fur nearly stood on end. He lunged forward, trying to stop it.
"Boss! Are you insane?! Stop it now!"
But the light of the curse was domineering and unyielding, directly repelling Little Qi.
He watched helplessly as the curse, paid for with Gu Chengyu's very soul, took shape bit by bit, binding the fates of the two together inextricably. He stomped his feet in agitation:
"If you want to fall in love, I won't stop you! But how can you gamble with centuries of your cultivation and your very soul like this?"
"This is a forbidden curse! Once formed, if she dies, you will perish completely too! Soul scattered, not even reincarnation! Do you understand?"
Gu Chengyu seemed not to hear at all, his entire attention focused on the girl in his arms.
The light of the runes illuminated her delicate profile. With utmost care, he imprinted the final rune over her heart.
The Life-Link Curse was complete.
An invisible bond thoroughly connected the two.
Su Qianqian's dissipation was finally forcibly halted.
But her eyes remained shut, devoid of any sign of life, like an exquisite but soulless doll, lying quietly in his embrace.
Gu Chengyu's soul trembled violently, yet his arms held her even tighter, as if wanting to meld her into his very bones and blood, never to part.
Little Qi, seeing the curse was already cast, was heartbroken: "Boss! Is it worth it?"
"The world is vast, beauties and fairies are beyond counting, each with their own unique charm. What kind couldn't you have? Why must you hang yourself from this one tree?"
"Moreover, it's her own fault for being unable to love you wholeheartedly! She brought this on herself and couldn't save herself! Why must you force it?!"
"A mortal's lifespan is inherently limited, but you are different! Your path to immortality is boundless! For the sake of a mere mortal, to stake everything you've worked so hard to obtain... are you mad?"
Seeing him unmoved, Little Qi's voice gradually lowered: "It's just a romance... how could it come to this?"
Gu Chengyu finally slowly raised his head and looked at Little Qi.
His face was pale from the soul force depletion, but his eyes were bright.
Gu Chengyu spoke calmly: "If it were the last time, I might have been able to listen to what you're saying."
"But after these two years in the minor world..." He lowered his head, his fingertips brushing Su Qianqian's little face with the utmost lightness, his movements tender.
"I cannot be without her."
"Whether she is a mortal who lives and dies in a single day, or a fairy from your Upper Realm, I do not care."
His gaze returned to Little Qi's face, resolute and obsessive, each word spoken clearly and firmly: "I only want the girl in my arms."
