At this moment, even the wind of the Extreme North seemed to come to a standstill.
Gu Linyuan turned around, his gaze settling on Ye Lingling's face.
Those eyes, usually as calm as a deep pool, now held a touch of gentle warmth. He released her hand.
"You should leave first."
His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"Lingling, you too."
Ye Lingling froze.
She looked at the hand he had released. His warmth still lingered in her palm, but his hand had already withdrawn.
She suddenly raised her head, and her eyes immediately reddened.
"I'm not leaving—"
"Lingling."
"For what comes next, I'll be fine in the Extreme North alone."
Gu Linyuan interrupted her, his tone gentle yet carrying an unyielding firmness.
"But—"
"Listen to me."
Gu Linyuan stepped half a pace forward and gently cupped her cheeks.
His thumb brushed the corner of her slightly reddened eye, the gesture intimate and natural, as though soothing a startled little beast.
Ye Lingling's lips moved, but every word she wanted to say caught in her throat.
She saw his eyes. There was no perfunctoriness or impatience in them, only something that softened her heart—an utmost tenderness born of utter sincerity.
"Now that we've encountered the Ice Empress, it won't be convenient for me to keep you with me."
"The depths of the Extreme North are far more complicated than you imagine. Some paths must be walked by me alone."
Gu Linyuan's voice lowered.
Ye Lingling bit her lower lip, her nose stinging.
Of course she knew he was telling the truth. The strength displayed by that enormous jade-green scorpion had already far exceeded what she could bear.
If she stayed here, not only would she be unable to help him, she would only become a burden.