"But you cannot tell me that we do not even have the right to gaze up at the stars above."
"And now, that last thread of hope rests in my hands."
At this point, Xu Taiping drew a deep breath and turned his gaze back toward the golden figure before continuing:
"Anyone has the right to choose Sword Release and ascend, except me."
"Except this mortal bone that I am."
Fairy Lingyue, who had wanted to say something more, suddenly fell silent.
Beside him, Lin Buyu stared at Xu Taiping without blinking. Only after a long while did she tighten her grip on his hand and say with a smile:
"I'm very happy."
Caught off guard by Lin Buyu's words, Xu Taiping scratched his head in confusion.
"What?"
Lin Buyu said:
"The Xu Taiping who descended from the sky back then and faced the Tiger Demon alone without taking a single step back has never changed."
Xu Taiping froze for a moment, then gave an embarrassed smile.
"So you knew it was me all along, Buyu."
Lin Buyu smiled slyly.
"I know everything, including that big yellow dog who stayed with me through the hardest ten years of my life."
Although Xu Taiping was not particularly surprised that Lin Buyu knew all this, his heart inexplicably filled with warmth.
Lin Buyu added:
"Don't worry. Whatever you choose, I will stand by your side."
Xu Taiping tightened his grip on Lin Buyu's hand and nodded.
"All right."
Watching them and listening to their exchange, Fairy Lingyue's worried expression gradually gave way to relief and gratification.
To her, nothing in life was more fulfilling than keeping one's heart unchanged after a thousand sails had passed, while also finding a kindred spirit who could stand beside one and stay true to that heart.