Yet A-Yu did not rise when the formation shattered. She remained kneeling inside it, motionless, her eyes vacant as she sank into her own thoughts.
"You should leave." Su Jiu's voice was cool, seemingly without the slightest ripple of emotion.
A long time later, she heard A-Yu ask softly, "Do you really have human emotions?"
Su Jiu froze.
"But of course. It wasn't someone you cared about who died. Why would you feel anything?"
Su Jiu handed A-Yu the formation Yin Yin had entrusted to her before dying and said coldly, "I'm under no obligation to concern myself with your feelings. I've given you the item, and I'm sure you heard what Yin Yin said before she died. I've done what I promised her. As for the rest, take care of yourself, Miss A-Yu."
With that, Su Jiu cast a spell to deploy the Teleportation Array on the spot.
She glanced at A-Yu once more before leaving.
Chu Luohen seemed to notice that Su Jiu kept glancing toward A-Yu out of the corner of her eye as they walked toward the door. He could not help frowning. "By mortal standards, she's no longer a child. She'll choose her own path. Since she won't appreciate your kindness, there's no need to concern yourself with her anymore."
Su Jiu lowered her eyes slightly. Yes, A-Yu would ultimately have to walk her future path herself. No one could make another person's decisions for them.
Su Jiu and Chu Luohen left.
Only a bewildered A-Yu remained, along with the formation shimmering with faint golden light before her.
She clasped her hands tightly around the bead and pressed it against her heart.
"Yin Yin, did you really want me to go to a mortal city and live out my life there? But without you, what