If she truly did that, not only would her deceased father, mother, and clansmen be unable to rest in peace, even she herself would despise her own cowardice, her greed for life, and her spineless weakness.
"Jade Princess, if we want to get out of here alive, we have no other option!" Knox urged anxiously.
"Think about it carefully. The Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus was bestowed upon you personally by Her Majesty the Empress!"
"If you lose it here in the Hale family, how will you explain it when you return?"
"Besides, Alex only asked you to heal Alistair Blackwood's injuries. You will not lose even a single piece of flesh."
"Endure the storm for a moment and the sea will calm. Take one step back!"
Listening to Knox speak such selfish words while pretending to stand on righteousness, Alex could not help but sneer.
He said mockingly, "Jade Princess, I think Knox's words carry some logic."
"Back then Elder Brother Alistair merely exterminated your Burns family."
"How could that possibly compare with a treasure as precious as the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus?"
"Tobias, escort Elder Brother Alistair to the secret chamber in the rear hall to rest."
"Bring silver needles and medicinal pills so the Jade Princess may heal him comfortably."
"No need!" Lily clenched her fists, her voice turning ice cold.
"Asking this Princess to heal him would be worse than killing me."
"The Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus. If you want it, then take it."
As she spoke, Lily's expression hardened. She raised two fingers and began forming hand seals while chanting an incantation.
A blazing red light suddenly emerged from her chest.
Within the crimson radiance floated a jade green lotus.
The lotus shone with sacred brilliance, noble and radiant.
In an instant the entire hall filled with dense spiritual energy.
"Jade Princess, you..." Knox panicked and tried desperately to persuade her again.
But Lily's face remained cold as frost.
"Shut your mouth."
"The Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus belongs to me, not to you."
"How I choose to handle it has nothing to do with you."
Knox's expression changed drastically. He was completely silenced.
Alex smiled faintly and slowly stepped forward.
"Jade Princess, have you truly considered this?"
"Are you really willing to give such a treasure to this seat?"
Lily did not hesitate.
"One must bear responsibility for one's own actions."
"The mistakes I made should naturally be borne by me."
"Take it. I will harbor no resentment."
"Good."
Alex nodded slightly and extended his hand.
The moment his fingers grasped the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus, Lily's delicate body trembled violently.
It was as if her own heart had been seized.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Her teeth bit tightly against her crimson lips until bright red blood slowly seeped out.
The Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus was her Life Bound Supreme Treasure.
It was connected directly to her life force and meridians.
Tearing it away from her body was no different from ripping away half of her life.
Lily understood very clearly how devastating such a loss would be.
But at this moment she had no other choice.
Losing the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus meant losing a treasure.
If she agreed to heal Alistair Blackwood, she would lose something far more important.
Her dignity.
Her character.
The willpower that had sustained her through the destruction of her entire clan.
If she did that, she would become nothing more than a walking corpse.
Even her reason for living would disappear.
As the spiritual energy of the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus slowly drained from Lily's chest and flowed into Alex's hand, Knox's face turned pale.
His heart felt as if it were dripping blood.
The pain he felt had nothing to do with Lily's suffering.
What hurt him was the realization that he would never again benefit from the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus.
After a long time the immense spiritual energy of the Upper Grade Supreme artifact was finally extracted completely.
Alex casually snapped the root of the lotus and held it firmly in his palm.
After enduring such torment for so long, Lily had reached her absolute limit.
Her face was pale as paper.
Cold sweat covered her forehead.
Her slender body trembled uncontrollably.
The moment Alex severed the lotus, Lily's strength collapsed entirely.
She let out a trembling cry and her legs gave way beneath her.
She fell forward helplessly.
Alex opened his arms and caught her.
Instead of collapsing onto the cold ground, she fell weakly into his embrace.
Feeling the soft warmth of her body and sensing the faint fragrance surrounding her, Alex felt deep satisfaction and breathed comfortably.
"Jade Princess, forgive my offense."
"It... it is fine..." Lily said weakly as she forced herself to step out of his arms.
She used every bit of strength she had just to remain standing.
"Thank you, Saint Lord Alex, for supporting me."
"Will this Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus settle today's karma?"
"Of course."
Alex nodded slightly.
"My word carries the weight of a thousand pieces of gold."
"For the Jade Princess to present the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus shows sincere acknowledgment of fault."
"Even if Elder Brother Alistair refuses to forgive you, I will persuade him."
"As for the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus, if the Jade Princess truly cannot bear to part with it, Her Majesty the Empress may come personally to request its return."
"This seat will welcome her here for tea at any time."
"Understood."
Lily forced a strained smile and cupped her fists.
"This Princess takes her leave."
With those words she endured the unbearable pain, turned around, and walked away.
"Jade Princess..." Knox stepped forward with an ugly expression, attempting to support her.
But Lily shook off his hand coldly and did not even glance at him.
Alex waved his hand lightly, signaling the black clothed women to step aside.
Watching Lily's resolute figure leave without turning back, the protagonist halo above Knox visibly dimmed.
At that moment the system notification sounded in Alex's mind.
[Ding! The host has successfully caused a female supporting character to become completely disappointed in the Chosen One. The Chosen One's Providence has decreased by 300. The host gains 600 Providence Points!]
"Not bad. It seems the effort this seat put into setting up this board was not wasted."
Toying with the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus in his hand, Alex nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Not only did I harvest such an incredible treasure, but I also made the Jade Princess see Knox's true colors clearly."