"Why does it matter to you whether I expend myself?"

The Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl, Fu Wanling, looked coldly at Zhou Yan, her words exceptionally indifferent.

This question left Zhou Yan momentarily stunned.

"In actuality, even if you hadn’t stepped forward, I would still need to do this because within our Word Spirit Race, there are beings from other forces who need to do this as well. In reality, the cause and effect are not much different, but those beings’ intentions aren’t so pure, and they think I am easily deceived, so I don’t wish for any benefit with them."

As the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl questioned Zhou Yan, seeing his stunned expression, she added more.

From beginning to end, Zhou Yan could not sense what attitude or thoughts the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl held.

But Zhou Yan knew, the more distant she seemed, the less she could truly be at ease.

Zhou Yan’s gaze fixed on Fu Wanling, and seeing her frown slightly due to his gaze, showing displeasure and even a hint of aversion, Zhou Yan sighed lightly and said: "I am aware of some of the speech-following abilities of the Word Spirit Race, and I have even deduced the Tao of its creator, so I can also perform some of the Word Spirit’s abilities.

Because of this, only now do I understand the magnitude of the cost you’re paying for this action.

Though I knew the cost would be great, I hadn’t imagined it would be to such an extent."

"I have no deceitful thoughts; I’m merely expressing some sentiments from my heart—because knowing such a cost is required, I would never have come to this place."

"I came here entrusted by the White Tiger Saint Spirit, and of course, there are other reasons, but ultimately it was for a relative, perhaps even for several relatives.

But if it involves harming a life I care about, how could I bear it in my heart? Even if everything else is perfect, my heart would still not find happiness."

Zhou Yan’s tone was calm, but the emotion was sincere.

These words seemed to touch Fu Wanling slightly, but given her control over emotions, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl had reached an extreme, so Zhou Yan naturally didn’t detect anything unusual.

Yet, Zhou Yan was certain that these words caused some subtle mental shift for the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl.

This change wouldn’t be great, but even a hint was enough for Zhou Yan to confirm some things.

"What are you trying to demonstrate by saying this? Are you trying to reminisce about the past or merely being needlessly sentimental? None of that is necessary. I have said that I have long deduced the conveyance place of the Moral King. And indeed, as you said, the Word Spirit Race is ultimately a powerful force, so eventually, a choice must be made. Thus, if you strive now, perhaps you can provide me with more choices for the future; after all, the sacrifice made is not just mine.

Besides, no matter how significant you think the sacrifice is, to me, it’s just ordinary—would the Word Spirits of the Word Spirit Race even care about such a small sacrifice?"

Fu Wanling’s words left Zhou Yan with nothing to refute.

In fact, within every rune and word, Zhou Yan could sense something different.

Zhou Yan could comprehend it, so he merely stood quietly watching Fu Wanling, as if he could see through all the thoughts in her heart.

"Anyway, whatever thoughts or decisions you have in mind, don’t overthink. Since you possess some abilities of the creator of the Word Spirit Race and have mastered a corresponding rule, you should know that obtaining information about the Moral King’s conveyance place itself is not so easily done.

And since I have already obtained it, I will not deceive you with my words. My heart has already made a decision; you need not stop it. Of course, you couldn’t stop it anyway. I’m only telling you that this has nothing to do with you; I merely don’t want some things to become aid for the Evil Spirit."

Fu Wanling avoided Zhou Yan’s gaze, which had become quietly still, and instead looked into the distance, speaking softly.

By now, Zhou Yan understood that no matter what actions the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl took, she had already made her choice.

She was right, that is, to know the information about the Moral King’s conveyance place itself is not something so easily attainable.

For Fu Wanling to have this information necessarily meant that she had been working towards it long before Zhou Yan’s purposes emerged.

Finally, Zhou Yan understood that after knowing about the Elf Domain, Fu Wanling had probably been waiting for this moment.

Heartless, yet the most heartfelt action.

Heartfelt, yet revealing the most heartless demeanor.

This is the dilemma faced by the Eternal Spirit; even a half-step Monarch sometimes cannot see through certain things.

"Fu Wanling, regardless of your decisions or thoughts, I tell you this: I’ve always kept the past of the Soul Burying Starfield firmly in my heart."

Zhou Yan suddenly said. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

He then looked deeply at Fu Wanling: "So also, please trust me, I will certainly have a future that can bear everything! At that time, I will transform into the mundane, and with you, live out a path of countless lifetimes of destiny—if you are willing."

"I do not know if the future truly exists, but as long as it does, I make this promise and will strive to fulfill it."

"Now, I cannot do much, but I can still make a promise of several lifetimes."

"And despite these words sounding so pale and powerless, when I speak them, it is with the sincerest heart."

Zhou Yan looked at Fu Wanling with absolute sincerity, his gaze gentle, and his words equally tender.

In such words, Fu Wanling’s delicate body lightly trembled, yet her emotions remained largely unchanged.

"The Soul Burying Starfield indeed has witnessed numerous events, but my avatar has already perished there, severing any connection to my True Self. You overthink things."

"And now, you say you’re not the Thunder Flame Monarch, and I have indeed confirmed that you are not. You are the Zhou Yan of the past, once peerless yet harboring endless sorrow and ancient grief. Your eyes carry the sadness and misfortune of life."

"This was actually the reason why I ultimately agreed to you."

"In reality, striving for the future of life is not solely up to you. It’s countless others; otherwise, your mere capabilities wouldn’t accomplish this."

"So don’t be saddened or grieved because of my depletion. It’s unnecessary. Depletion, however severe, is merely depletion. Eternal Life Beings are not aged, not dead, undying, and indestructible. Life is not destroyed and thus undying. If the Origin is unbroken, it’s truly indestructible."

"I might lie dormant for a period, but I’m still alive, and as long as I’m alive, there’s no reason to be sad."

"Your concerns and hesitation have in fact made me firmer in my decision. At least for now, it seems that this decision is correct."

Fu Wanling said, her entire body radiating brilliant word spirit energy.

It’s a combination of light and dark elemental energy, far exceeding Zhou Yan’s imagination in its complexity, to the point of astonishing the Heaven and Earth.

This glaring light suddenly pierced through the Endless Void, erupting before the incredibly beautiful Word Spirit Ancient City.

At that moment, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl aged visibly, turning into an elderly woman with graying hair in an instant.

Her form hunched, and those once exceedingly beautiful eyes turned dry and cloudy, devoid of any radiance.

But her appearance, even aged and full of wrinkles, still possessed an astounding beauty.

It seemed, even in aging, that she aged with such poignant beauty.

When Zhou Yan looked over, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl’s light of Speech Spirit Rules locked onto a unique Void World, manifesting a familiar figure within that void.

However, this person had transformed into the appearance of a middle-aged man, no longer so dashing and otherworldly, nor blessed with overwhelming Qi Fortune.

He lay quietly in an unknown location, dazzling golden light spilling around, making it impossible to look directly.

At this time, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl suddenly spat a large amount of Blood of Life Origin. After the Blood Light Blood Sacrifice, the brilliance burst forth, breaking through the golden light, locking onto the figure’s side.

The person’s appearance was fully revealed.

This person is Jia Yongheng, but he at this moment seemed to be lying in an unknown golden void, lying quietly, without personal will.

It’s as if he’s in slumber, or perhaps in self-abandonment.

An indescribably mysterious aura dispersed all around.

At the instant Zhou Yan saw this scene, Fu Wanling’s delicate body quaked. After the light disappeared, Fu Wanling’s entire self dried up and transformed into a very exquisite and unique statue, ultimately becoming a beam of light, shooting away, entering the beautiful Word Spirit Ancient City.

At this moment, Zhou Yan realized that, in fact, the Speech Spirit Heavenly Girl had already made her decision.

She has some similarities to Qian Luoshui in certain aspects, many things buried deep within her heart, facing them alone, appearing outwardly so ruthless and cold.

But this is merely a protection and avoidance of hiding from her True Self.

Wise yet simple, great love appears indifferent.

This situation isn’t the first time it’s occurred.

Yet every occurrence leaves Zhou Yan feeling he is perpetually cast into passivity.

It contains a very simple truth—if Zhou Yan were strong enough, would these things happen?

As Zhou Yan’s expression became somewhat unusual, Fu Wanling had completely vanished.

While the distant beam of light hadn’t completely disappeared, instead pausing midway, opening an ancient void pathway for Zhou Yan.

But at the instant this Void Ancient Pathway opened, the void quivered, creating a Singularity.

Zhou Yan collected his thoughts, concentrating and holding breath, immediately sensing the Singularity vibrating, followed by the appearance of four extraordinarily beautiful, enchantingly cold Evil Spirit women.

Each of the four Evil Spirit women had a Realm close to Half-step Monarch Realm, far surpassing the Nine Great Perfection of Eternal Nine Rules.