"Can merely looking at someone alter their physiological structure?" Jiang Er asked in surprise. "Is it really that powerful?"
"Yes. This is the power of the Gate of Truth... and besides that, there is much more I can do."
An Qingyu bent down and picked up a small stone from the shallows, gently shaking it in his hand. In the blink of an eye, it turned into a clump of soil. A tender shoot emerged from the earth, and within seconds, it grew into a blooming white rose.
Jiang Er's mouth fell slightly open as she watched the bizarre scene.
An Qingyu picked up the white rose and instinctively tried to place it in Jiang Er's hair, but his fingertips could only pass through empty air.
His hand stopped in midair, and bitterness welled up in his eyes.
"Even if I can turn stone into gold, what does it matter... I still can't save you."
Seeing this, Jiang Er pursed her lips slightly. She gently stroked An Qingyu's head and said tenderly, "Didn't we agree to spend this final time happily? You're going back on your word..."
An Qingyu took a deep breath, forcefully wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes. He forced a smile onto his lips.
"It's okay. Let's keep going... We still have a long way to walk. Tell me more about what you used to play here when you were little."
An Qingyu turned and strode along the shore of Erhai Lake. After taking several steps in a row, he realized Jiang Er had not followed. He turned back in confusion.
"Jiang Er?"
Jiang Er floated silently in the air. Her translucent eyes gazed at An Qingyu as she opened her mouth.
"Qingyu... perhaps our road can only go this far."
An Qingyu's