Shaking his head to rid himself of strange thoughts, Pei Yan remained resolute: "No, still no! It's too dangerous here! I won't let my sister take risks, not to mention Xia Yu, whom Jiumu entrusted to me! And if Ruozai... if!"

Pei Yan didn't finish the next sentence, which was that if Vlad couldn't be killed or if, even after killing Vlad, Ye Jiumu's condition didn't improve, then Ye Family would have only this one child. How could he let him take risks because of him?

"Pei Yan, how long are you going to be self-important? You don't like others controlling your life, yet what are you doing now? What gives you the right to make decisions for others? You're not the only one with personal goals and pursuits! You don't have the right..."

Before Lin Junzhao could finish speaking, Pei Yan sharply interrupted in his mind: "You're arguing deceitfully! Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! We are one now! No matter how deeply you hide, you can't fool me! You have your eyes on Ye Ruozai and Xia Yu! You're planning to choose one of them as your earthly vessel!"

"That's why! You call me 'sister,' 'sister' so sweetly when you need me, but when it comes to critical issues, you treat me like an outsider! I've already compromised a lot by getting along with you for so long! Don't seriously think of me as a philanthropist!"

Under Lin Junzhao's sneering, Pei Yan's expression grew uglier, but Lin Junzhao continued, "Sooner or later, I'll need a new vessel! If not Ye Ruozai, then it will be Li Ruozai, or Zhao Ruozai! Would switching to someone you don't know ease your conscience? You really are hypocritical! But you also know that's self-deception! If I wish to find a new vessel, I will certainly keep them by my side and cultivate them carefully. In time, won't you grow sympathetic toward him? Then will I have to accommodate your feelings and switch to another person?"

"But...!" Pei Yan was about to continue arguing with Lin Junzhao when he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. In a fit of anger, he sharply turned his shoulder and glared back, only to see Ye Ruozai's smiling face, which slightly eased his anger. He took a few deep breaths, prepared to ask his intent, but the other party spoke first: "You're worried about our safety, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Pei Yan didn't know what to say, could only helplessly nod, and heard Ye Ruozai continue, "Are you still worried that the person inside you has different intentions for me?"

Pei Yan widened his eyes at Ye Ruozai, wondering if this person could read minds. At this moment, Lin Junzhao timely added fuel to the fire, saying, "See, I told you, you underestimated him, your thoughts were seen through long ago."

Ignoring Lin Junzhao, Ye Ruozai smiled and said, "Don't be surprised. I am sensitive to inner energy, or rather, the source energy reactions now. The one inside you has tested me many times while occupying your body, and I've already sensed it. If you don't mind, could I talk to her alone for a while? It won't take much of your time."

Before Pei Yan could respond, Lin Junzhao eagerly shouted in his mind, "Agree to it! For the sake of enhancing your power, I haven't used body control rights for a long time, and now it's time for you to fulfill the agreement!"

Pei Yan helplessly shook his head, looked up at Ye Ruozai, and sighed, "I don't know what you want to discuss with her, but be careful, she's tricky!"

"Thank you, I know!"

That was the last sentence Pei Yan heard before losing consciousness. When he regained consciousness, the first thing he saw was still Ye Ruozai's calm face. Looking at this twin brother who looked identical to Ye Jiumu yet had a completely different personality, Pei Yan removed part of his visor, rubbed his nose in frustration, and asked, "How long did you talk?"

"Ten minutes!"

"Is the content of your conversation inconvenient to disclose?"

"You are Jiumu's friend; nothing is inconvenient to disclose! Moreover, this matter cannot bypass you. I agreed to her request that, as long as the timing was right, she could possess my body!"

"What?" Initially asking casually with no anticipation of a definitive answer from Ye Ruozai, Pei Yan was shocked and incredulous, exclaiming, "Why are you doing this? You don't have to do it. I can withstand the pressure!"

Ye Ruozai, while calming Pei Yan with a hand, signaled to the onlookers drawn by the noise that everything was fine and then pulled Pei Yan a bit further away, saying, "This is my own decision and wish!"

Seeing Ye Ruozai's solemn demeanor, Pei Yan said nothing, waiting for him to continue. He scratched his head as if thinking of how to explain. After a while, he slowly began, "I am different from you all. I am not saying in terms of strength, and I don't mean to sound arrogant, I mean our mentalities are different." At this point, Ye Ruozai paused, looked up at the sky, and calmly said, "I know my brother has always looked up to me, even considering me a target to surpass. But the gap between us isn't just about ability; it's also about inherent personality differences. Although he wants to become stronger, deep down, he yearns for a life where the family can be harmonious and united for a lifetime. And you, though persistently exploring on the path of becoming stronger, still always want to maintain self, don't you?"

Pei Yan seemed to understand what Ye Ruozai meant to convey and nodded in agreement, only to hear him continue self-deprecatingly, "I understand your thoughts, but I am different. I only want to become stronger, more deeply understand this world! For this, I'm willing to forsake even myself. Does this make me seem ambitious?"

"To hear the way in the morning, one can die in the evening."

"You're praising me, but I'm not as great as you think! I'm just someone obsessed with power; this mindset is pathological and incorrect. I know that, yet I can't suppress my craving for power!" Ye Ruozai said with a bitter smile.

"But once you merge with Lin Junzhao, you will no longer be yourself. Even then, what's the point of having power?" Pei Yan knew Ye Ruozai's mind was made up but still tried to make one last persuasion.

"It doesn't matter; besides, Lin Junzhao and I have reached an agreement. She will ensure I retain a thread of spiritual soul when she occupies my body, allowing me to reach the pinnacle of power with her. She promises that no matter what the future holds for the world, as long as she exists, she will do her utmost to ensure the safety of my family and yours. She will even continue to assume the role of a good brother on my behalf." At this point, Ye Ruozai self-mockingly remarked, "Even though I myself haven't lived up to being a good brother!"

Then he looked at Pei Yan and earnestly asked, "This is a life choice I've made myself, influenced by no one, and I have no regrets. I only ask that you keep this truth from my brother and others; I'm afraid he won't be able to bear it. Before Lin Junzhao decides to merge souls with me, I will leave something that can convince him it's my words and record with you. If one day he discovers the truth, you can pass them to him; he won't blame you!"

Finally, Ye Ruozai bowed deeply and sincerely to Pei Yan, saying, "Please!"