CHAPTER 119 – A Choice Between Worlds
The First Root towered above them, shadowy jaws open, sensing the internal conflict and the near-completion of the forbidden bond.
"YOUR CORE IS BROKEN.
YOUR SENTIMENT IS FAILURE.
THIS WORLD IS MINE."
Xiao Xi forced herself to her feet—a tremendous act of will—still cradling Gu's stabilized soul against her chest.
Her knees trembled.
Her chaos wings cracked and struggled to hold form.
Her vision blurred with pain.
But she stood, the only thing defying the apocalypse.
Gu weakly pressed a golden, ethereal hand to her cheek.
"Xiao Xi… You can't fight like this… You're too weak."
She smiled softly, sadly.
"I can't.
Not alone.
And I won't fight for a world where you don't exist."
Gu's eyes widened, understanding her terrifying intent.
"No—don't—don't drag me into your fight—don't use me as a weapon, Xi!"
She kissed his forehead, pouring her life-force into his anchor.
"You're not a weapon, my love."
She looked up, meeting the First Root's void-eyes with defiance.
"You're my strength.
You are my reason."
The First Root growled, impatient with her resistance.
"STOP THIS PATHETIC DRAMA—
I WILL END YOU NOW!"
But Xiao Xi's system suddenly flared with an urgent, invasive warning, projecting the horrible choices directly into her mind:
[HOST CRITICAL DECISION POINT]
[TWO PATHS AVAILABLE]
Option 1:
Complete the Seal of the First Root now.
Your Core explodes (Insufficient stability).
Gu Yanzhou, anchored, dies with you.
The world survives.
Option 2:
Prioritize Gu Yanzhou's soul over the Seal.
Gu lives (stabilized by your Core).
You remain fatally unstable.
The world collapses and is erased by the Root.
Gu stared at the agonizing projection, horrified by the clear binary choice.
"Xi… choose the world.
You have to! You are the Root!"
She shook her head instantly, her resolution unwavering.
"No.
I already made my choice."
Gu's voice cracked, raw and desperate, fighting the choice that guaranteed her death.
"CHOOSE THE WORLD—
DON'T CHOOSE ME—!!
I ALREADY SAID I'LL FOLLOW YOU!"
She held him tighter, her Core screaming with the necessary sacrifice.
"I already chose.
I choose the world where you live."