Chapter 1716: No Regrets
Wu Yu couldn't make a decision and chose to leave Reality Origin Sky for now.
He returned to Mettle Sky swiftly but didn't loiter around. To him, Ming Long was more important to him than anything else for now.
After explaining the situation to Luo Pin, Luo Pin couldn't help him to make the decision too.
On one hand was the Ruyi Jingu Bang and on the other was Ming Long who had accompanied him since he started cultivation. Just the thought of giving up either side was not something Wu Yu would want to entertain.
Full Moon of Nanshan and Ye Xixi also learnt about the situation from immortal message talismans. Just like Luo Pin, they couldn't make the decision for Wu Yu. This matter could only be decided solely by Wu Yu.
Wu Yu didn't have much time left. He continued cultivating in Mettle Sky like before. At the same time, he was spending more time to speak to Ming Long.
"Ming Long, how long had it been since you died?" Wu Yu tried to ask.
"I...... can't remember......" Ming Long's reply came a little delayed and she sounded groggy and blurred. Clearly, her consciousness was no longer as clear as before.
After Ming Long died, she had remained in the Ruyi Jingu Bang as a spirit remnant for unknown number of years.
It was surprising that Ming Long's spirit remnant could last till today because of the Ruyi Jingu Bang. Even so, she was nearing the last stretch of her life.
"Once, I promised you I'll definitely resurrect you. Since I've promised, I'll definitely achieve it." Ming Long tried conversing with Ming Long from time to time. However, Ming Long didn't give a response for most of these attempts.
Only when Wu Yu raised the issue about resurrecting her would she show strong objections.
Wu Yu was in the room and placed Ruyi Jingu Bang before him. He knew Ming Long's spirit remnant was within it. Whether she could be resurrected would depend on if Wu Yu could make this difficult choice.
"Don't you ever hand over the Jingu Bang! Wu Yu...... All along, I've been nagging about wanting to be resurrected. However, now that I'm about to die, I'm not so interested in being resurrected. You don't have to use the Jingu Bang to make an exchange with that Taiyi Zhenren."
Even now, Ming Long was trying to convince Wu Yu to keep the Ruyi Jingu Bang.
This was the roots of Wu Yu's cultivation and the importance to him was self-explanatory. If Ruyi Jingu Bang had its own life, it would also be a friend that Wu Yu could never cast aside.
Unfortunately, Ruyi Jingu Bang still couldn't be compared to Ming Long. To Wu Yu, Ming Long was someone he could never give up on.
As for Taiyi Zhenren, this was his only chance.
"Do you understand how important Jingu Bang is to you? This concerns the legacy of the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. In the generations of inheritors to Jingu Bang, Wu Yu, you have done the best and reached the furthest. Your future is limitless. You definitely cannot hand over the Jingu Bang because of me."
"Think about it. Even if you resurrect me, I'll just be holding you back. And without Ruyi Jingu Bang, how are you going to progress in the future? Have you forgotten the blood feud of the Demon Immortal Realm? What about Great Sage, Heaven's Equal and them? Without Ruyi Jingu Bang, how are you going to avenge them?"
Ming Long used her limited vitality to knock sense into Wu Yu.
She still wasn't willing to see Wu Yu use Jingu Bang in exchange for her to live.
"Stop that nonsense."
Wu Yu turned serious. "If you are resurrected, you will definitely be one of the most important people in my life. You wouldn't be holding me back! You shall never say that again!"
"Even so, Jingu Bang is still really important to you. What use do I have after you resurrect me? You might as well keep the Ruyi Jingu Bang so you could avenge Great Sage, Heaven's Equal and the demonic emperors of Demon Immortal Realm."
"If you lost the Jingu Bang, how are you going to account to Great Sage, Heaven's Equal?"
Ming Long was resolute.
Seeing her getting weaker and the presence of her spirit remnant weakening, Wu Yu didn't continue talking to her.
Her stand was clear and Wu Yu knew it would be hard for him to change her view. However, Wu Yu clearly wasn't going to make the decision based on her stand on this matter.
The conflicting thoughts intensified for Wu Yu.
This choice was too tough to begin with. Furthermore, Ming Long's resolute stand had wavered his resolve.
No one could help Wu Yu in this decision.
Even the well respected Patriarch Bodhi couldn't help Wu Yu. This decision had to be made after Wu Yu thought it through clearly.
He pondered for seven full days and nights in his residence on Mettle Sky.
During the seven days, he recalled how he met Ming Long and their exchanges since.
After he became an immortal and entered the sky palaces, his interactions with Ming Long became far and few. The truth was from that time, Ming Long had been in slumber for longer and longer periods. Rarely would she talk to Wu Yu.
In the past, Wu Yu had a clear goal. He worked hard, fought for it, ran around and cultivated like his life depended on them. As a result, he often neglected Ming Long. Only in some occasions he would recall of her and was curious why she hadn't shown up for a long time.
Now, Wu Yu realized that was because her spirit remnant was about to dissipate......
At the very beginning, he couldn't understand the legacy in the Jingu Bang despite obtaining it. During those times, it was Ming Long who imparted the various Mystiques to him.
Although Ming Long was mischevious and always called herself "great aunt", this also gave Wu Yu a feeling of familiarity.
He finally made a decision after brooding over it for seven full days and nights.
"Ming Long, wait for me. I'll resurrect you."
Wu Yu stood up and held Ruyi Jingu Bang in his hands before informing Ming Long of his decision.
"What? How can you be so stupid!"
Ming Long couldn't help but cursed, "You think it was easy for your great aunt, I, to help you become an immortal? And now you are going to give up the Jingu Bang?"
Wu Yu could tell she was agitated and furious. For her, watching Wu Yu grow was sufficient for her. When Wu Yu become an immortal and eventually immortal emperor, she felt her contributions over the years were meaningful.
However, when Wu Yu decided to give up on the Ruyi Jingu Bang, she felt as though Wu Yu was giving up the Great Sage, Heaven's Equal's legacy as well.\
Even though Wu Yu had honed the four Mystiques of Great Sage, Heaven's Equal to perfect mastery, Ruyi Jingu Bang was still symbolic to the legacy of Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. Furthermore, there were more seals to be unlocked and it would definitely become Wu Yu's greatest trump card in the future.
Yet, Wu Yu was going to give up on the Jingu Bang?
"Ming Long, you don't have to try convincing me."
Wu Yu kept a stern face. "Over the last seven days, I had thought about it carefully. Although it was hard to make a decision between you and Jingu Bang, all I'm pursuing in my actions is to have no regrets! If I give up on you now, I'll definitely regret in the future. Rather than regretting in the future, I might as well make the decision to resurrect you now."
"Wouldn't you regree as well for giving up on Ruyi Jingu Bang?" Ming Long wasn't satisfied at his explanation.
"That's not the same."
Wu Yu explained, "Although I'll be handing the Ruyi Jingu Bang to Taiyi Zhenren, it wouldn't mean it will stop existing. There's always a chance of getting it back. Or perhaps I could ask Taiyi Zhenren if I could use other items to exchange in the future. However, this would be your final chance."
Over the last seven days, Wu Yu's thoughts had cleared. To him, once Ming Long's spirit remnant dissipated, this would be irreversible. Ming Long would cease to exist forever.
However, even if he handed Ruyi Jingu Bang to Taiyi Zhenren, it still existed in this world.
Although it would be tough to get it back, there was hope as long as it exist.
Perhaps by making this decision he would let down Great Sage, Heaven's Equal. However, this was the only decision Wu Yu could make that he wouldn't regret in the future.
When he was done explaining, he disregarded Ming Long's vehement objections and took the Ruyi Jingu Bang to meet Patriarch Bodhi.
He still needed Patriarch Bodhi to bring him to meet Taiyi Zhenren. If Wu Yu went alone, it would still be hard for him to see Taiyi Zhenren.
In the Bodhi's Palace, Patriarch Bodhi was resting.
When Wu Yu walked before him and spoke of his decision, Patriarch Bodhi opened his wise eyes. He was a little surprised and asked, "You want to hand over your epochal immortal treasure? This is an elite epochal immortal treasure and you wouldn't get it back once you lose it!"
"You are right but your disciple has made up his mind. At the very least, I'll be free from compunction and will not regret in the future," said Wu Yu solemnly.
Seeing how resolute Wu Yu was, Patriarch Bodhi felt helpless and didn't try to convince him.
This was Wu Yu's decision and Patriarch Bodhi knew it wouldn't matter even if he tried convincing Wu Yu otherwise. Furthermore, he heard Wu Yu's decision. If he had not given up the epochal immortal treasure and Ming Long's spirit remnant vanished completely, Wu Yu would definitely regret in the future.
If that was so, he might as well make the decision to resurrect Ming Long.
"Alright. Follow me."
Patriarch Bodhi lifted his hand and brought Wu Yu out of Bodhi's Palace. They left Mettle Sky and headed towards Cave of Golden Light on Reality Origin Sky to look for Taiyi Zhenren.
Wu Yu didn't take long to make the decision. Seven days and nights passed like a flick of one's fingers for an immortal.
Therefore, when Patriarch Bodhi and Wu Yu arrived in Cave of Golden Light, Reality Origin Sky, Taiyi Zhenren came out to welcome them, leading them into the serene immortal residence garden.
"Now that you are back, I'm guessing you have made a decision. Are you choosing to hand over the epochal immortal treasure?" Taiyi Zhenren wore a smile and looked excited.
"You are right. I'm willing to hand over the epochal immortal treasure and I'll hope senior could help bring my little sister, Ming Long, back to life!" Wu Yu said with conviction.
"Defintely."
Taiyi Zhenren smiled contentedly. Wu Yu could tell he was exhilarated. However, as a senior, he was gracious and didn't ask Wu Yu to hand over Jingu Bang first. Instead, he waved his hand and said, "Follow me. Let me recreate a body for your little sister first and you can pass me the epochal immortal treasure later."
He's an elite immortal emperor in the sky palaces and naturally wasn't afraid Wu Yu would walk back on his promise.
Even if Wu Yu wanted to, Patriarch Bodhi wouldn't protect him. Therefore, Taiyi Zhenren wasn't anxious at all.
They followed Taiyi Zhenren and soon arrived at a place named "Deathless Lotus Pool".