Jing He’s gaze flickered. Naturally, he loved Qiu Ling. He didn’t doubt that his love was deep either. He had never strayed in all these years, wholeheartedly devoting himself to Qiu Ling, to the point where he engraved his own soul to ensure that it would stay this way even while he couldn’t remember his lover during the trial. Could this kind of love really be shallow?

But because he loved him, he wanted what was best for Qiu Ling, and maybe … maybe that wasn’t something he could give him. Maybe Qiu Ling would fare better with somebody else at his side, somebody who wasn’t cursed, who wasn’t the ‘perfect vessel’ in Tian’s mind to carry a child fit for his son’s reincarnated soul. Maybe there was somebody out there who could give Qiu Ling exactly what he wanted and wasn’t restricted every step of the way. If there was such a person, then wouldn’t he be selfish if he occupied their spot at Qiu Ling’s side?

Tian narrowed his eyes when he saw that Jing He’s mind apparently hadn’t returned to where it should be. He wasn’t sure what he was thinking but it didn’t seem to be anything good. At the very least, it wasn’t conducive to Jing He agreeing to his help and recovering as fast as possible.

He watched him for a moment longer and finally leaned in, lowering his voice. “If you love him, then you should do what is best for him, shouldn’t you?”

Jing He who had just thought the same, naturally nodded.

“Then what are you waiting for? Don’t you remember? Your lover has long since bound his soul to yours. Being separated for too long will only cause him anguish. In fact … many haven’t been able to bear it.”

Jing He gave a start. During his trial, he had learned more about the curse on the dragons so theoretically, he also understood that Qiu Ling couldn’t fall in love with others any longer after he had been attracted to him. It was just … knowing in theory and actually being able to believe that he would occupy the position of Qiu Ling’s lover for all eternity were two very different things.

He had always believed himself to be subpar, unable to be loved by another person in the way Xing had been loved by Tian. At most, there could be some shallow desire for his body. To have a man so devoted to him that his soul would ache if they were apart … how could he ever grasp that?

Jing He only would have needed to look at his own actions to understand Qiu Ling’s mind but, to him, this and that couldn’t be compared to all. In his view, Qiu Ling was perfect and deserving of such actions to be done for him. He, on the contrary, couldn’t be said to be the same. He had always seen himself as defective goods so he couldn’t grasp how a man like Qiu Ling could truly love him. Tian’s curse couldn’t change that. At most, it made him feel that Qiu Ling had been forced into a situation with no way out.

Tian reached up, grabbing Jing He’s jaw when the young fallen god only seemed more troubled. He pulled his head closer, his voice sinking even lower. “You might not understand but his soul yearns for you. How can you have the heart to stay away? As the one chosen by him, you should do whatever it takes to satisfy his wishes, shouldn’t you?”

Jing He wanted to nod but, frankly, at this moment, Tian was grasping him so tightly he couldn’t move. In the end, he could only give a hum. “I should.”

“Then you know what to do: Heal your soul so you can leave the High Heavens and return to the Nine Heavens. Hold the wedding of your dreams and connect the two of you by law just as your souls are connected. Then … what follows should be obvious.

“Since he wants you, you should give yourself to him. Don’t even bother to think about the rest. The important part is that you are supposed to be at his side so that is where you should return to. Fate … can’t simply be ignored.”

“Fate?” Jing He’s mind couldn’t help but wander. “Is it fate?” Was it truly that he and Qiu Ling had met by fate and were now connected by it, rather than a simple coincidence?

Tian inclined his head. “How could it not be? Few things in this world are accidents. The immortal races believe themselves to be above fate but, actually, they aren’t. On the contrary, they might be even more prone to be entrapped in their fates compared to mortals.

“As for you …” He tilted his head, examining the expression on Jing He’s face. Seeing that he wasn’t worrying about useless things any longer and seemed to have given in, he felt satisfied. “You are naturally fated to be with him. Now … I believe I asked you if you wanted my help to heal your soul and return to his side as soon as possible. You still haven’t given me your answer.”

Jing He didn’t think twice at this moment. “Of course, I want to.” He had wanted to return from the very beginning and simply hadn’t dared because of what he was now. He hadn’t dared to promise Tian either because of how there seemed to be hidden reasons.

But now, he already knew what was behind Tian’s astonishing willingness to help, and the supreme sovereign’s talk about fate and the things he owed Qiu Ling had successfully diverted his attention from the true issue. Because of that, all that he could think of was the time he’d reunite with Qiu Ling, and naturally, he was looking forward to it.

Tian leaned back and let go of him, his lips curving faintly. “Good. Then we should lose no time. Even with my help, it might take weeks or even months for you to fully recover. Not a single moment should be wasted going forward. I am sure you would agree.”