That sudden retort struck Qian Renxue in the heart like a heavy hammer.
She froze on the spot, her hand still extended in midair.
The grand aspirations filling her heart vanished in an instant beneath his calm gaze.
Lin Yuan gave her no chance to evade the truth. He continued softly.
"Every day, you wear someone else's false face and scheme against those treacherous, cunning ministers."
"Even your smiles have to be measured, and you have to stay on guard against assassins even in your sleep."
"For the power of an empire, you've sacrificed far too much of the youth that should have been the best years of your life."
Every word Lin Yuan spoke pierced the softest, most vulnerable place in Qian Renxue's heart.
He reached out and cupped her veiled face, his expression utterly solemn.
"Big sister, you deserve better."
"You shouldn't be bound fast to the throne of the Heaven Dou Empire like some carefully calculated bargaining chip."
At his words, a wave of aching sorrow welled up in Qian Renxue's eyes.
She shook her head bitterly, her smile so sorrowful it broke the heart.
"For Spirit Hall's great cause, I never had a choice to begin with."
"This is my fate."
Without hesitation, Lin Yuan swept away the troublesome veiled hat.
Then he took Qian Renxue's slightly cool hands and clasped them tightly between his own palms.
A terrifying shadowy aura belonging to the Nine Nether Beast Martial Soul flickered across his fingertips.
It was an ultimate, domineering power capable of devouring heaven and earth and sweeping across the ages!
"You have a choice!"
Lin Yuan's voice rang out, firm and resolute.
"When I grow stronger, when I stand at the very peak of this continent,"
"I promise that no one in this world will ever