Chapter 387: I Can Wait for You

Yuan Yao heard the words, her heart fluttered slightly.

She lowered her eyelashes.

"Thank you."

A blush rose on Xie Yan's ears, but he kept a calm exterior as he replied, "No need for thanks."

Yuan Yao composed herself, lifted her head, and smiled sweetly as she asked, "Then what do you like to eat?"

Xie Yan fell silent for a moment, then said, "I don't have any particular food I like."

Yuan Yao took a roasted bird egg from the paper bag, handed it to Xie Yan, and asked expectantly, "Would you like to try a roasted bird egg?"

Xie Yan took the roasted bird egg, peeled off the shell, and ate it under Yuan Yao's gaze.

"How is it?"

"Not bad." He thought the flavor was just average, perhaps the roasted bird egg he bought wasn't tasty enough.

Yuan Yao saw that he didn't like it, and felt a bit disappointed.

Xie Yan changed the subject, "Do you want to eat now? I'll peel it for you."

"Then please peel one for me; the rest I'll take back to the sect to eat." Yuan Yao took another roasted bird egg from the paper bag, placed it in his palm, then put the bag containing the roasted bird eggs into her storage space.

Xie Yan peeled the shell and brought it to her lips.

Yuan Yao froze for a moment, then reached out to take the bird egg from his hand, and said, "Thank you."

Xie Yan asked, "In a month, a Heavenly Fire Secret Realm will appear on the Scarlet Cloud Plain of the Sixth Continent. Do you want to go?"

"Heavenly Fire Secret Realm?"

"Mm. It's said that the Heavenly Fire Secret Realm contains a Heavenly Pride Token."

Yuan Yao questioned doubtfully, "You already obtained a Heavenly Pride Token, didn't you? Why do you still want to go to the Heavenly Fire Secret Realm?"

Xie Yan patiently explained, "As far as I know, besides the Heavenly Pride Token, the Heavenly Fire Secret Realm also houses an ancient and mysterious Sword Tomb. Legend says it contains a cluster of extraordinary true fire, formed from the coalescence of countless sword qi, sword souls, and sword spirits."

"This true fire possesses boundless power, capable of helping cultivators temper their natal flying swords. After such tempering, the natal sword not only erupts with greater might, but also develops a deeper resonance with its wielder, allowing sword intent to be exerted to the extreme. In short, it enables the natal sword to undergo a qualitative leap."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yao indeed felt a spark of interest.

She couldn't help but use her thoughts to ask the Phantom Spirit Sword for its opinion.

"Do you want to be tempered by true fire?"

The Phantom Spirit Sword pondered for a few seconds: "It can be tried."

"Aren't you afraid?"

Phantom Spirit Sword: "What is there to fear?!"

"It is the only iridescent divine sword in heaven and earth, naturally able to withstand any trial!"

Yuan Yao sensed its narcissistic thought, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

At that moment, Xie Yan's voice pulled her thoughts back: "Do you want to go?"

Yuan Yao lifted her eyes to him and asked, "How does one enter the Heavenly Fire Secret Realm? Is a token required?"

Xie Yan replied, "No token is needed; anyone under thirty may enter."

Yuan Yao's heart stirred.

If the Heavenly Fire Secret Realm truly contains a Heavenly Pride Token, it will surely draw many people; then… she would have a chance to win over those target individuals!

Yuan Yao suddenly thought of something—perhaps Lu Xiangxiang would also go.

By then, she could also probe Lu Xiangxiang's strength, and… whether Lu Xiangxiang was plotting something!

"I'll go." Yuan Yao said with a smile.

Xie Yan's lips curled slightly as he asked, "Then when shall we set out?"

"Huh?" Yuan Yao blinked, "Us?"

The smile faded from Xie Yan's lips; his dark eyes fixed on Yuan Yao as he said, "You don't intend to go with me?"

"You're just passing by, aren't you?" Yuan Yao asked seriously, seeing his expression grow colder, she gave a light cough and continued, "Moreover, there's still a month left; I don't plan to head to the Sixth Continent right now."

She still had something left unsaid.

—I want to go with my senior brothers and sisters.

But she feared that saying this would stimulate the boy before her.

Xie Yan stared coldly at her, "Are you thinking of going with those senior brothers and sisters of yours?"

Yuan Yao's thoughts were instantly exposed; she gave an embarrassed laugh, then weakly said, "Then you couldn't possibly stay here waiting for me half a month."

Xie Yan pressed his lips, just about to speak, "I can……"

Before his words finished, Yuan Yao took out her identity token, infused it with spiritual power, and soon saw a message from her third senior brother asking where she had gone.

Yuan Yao's heart tightened; she looked up at Xie Yan and said, "My third senior brother is looking for me. Xie Yan, I have to go back."

She had just tried to sidestep him and leave, but as she brushed past him, he grabbed her hand.

Yuan Yao turned her head to look at him, only to meet his dark eyes, like a deep whirlpool that seemed to suck one in.

His brows furrowed slightly as he slowly said, "I can wait for you."

Yuan Yao's pupils contracted slightly, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes; she stammered for a moment, "Xie Yan, are you serious?"

"Do you think my words are a joke?"

"But……" Yuan Yao looked somewhat hesitant, "If I really were to go to the Sixth Continent……"

Xie Yan guessed what she wanted to say, his expression calm as he said, "You can choose to refuse me."

Yuan Yao fell silent for a moment.

"Then I refuse to travel with you."

Xie Yan's face showed no change, but inside it felt as if pricked by a needle, a little painful.

As expected, few of her words were to his liking.

Yuan Yao discovered her hand was still held by him; she tried to pull away, but he gripped her tightly, his palm warm, those long fingers' knuckles distinct.

"Xie Yan, let go." Yuan Yao frowned.

Hearing that, Xie Yan loosened his grip on her soft hand; her palm bore a thin callus.

Xie Yan had been struck by her many times, but seeing her truly appear before him now, he could only let his anger fade; he said: "I will stay near the Carefree Sect for a few days; if you want to see me, just send me a message."

"Alright." Yuan Yao smiled charmingly, "Then I'll return to the sect first."

Xie Yan gave a faint "hng."

Yuan Yao walked a few steps, turned to look at the youth, their gazes meeting; her brows and eyes flickered, then she burst into a radiant smile, her voice clear and sweet: "Xie Yan, tomorrow morning, wait for me here."

"Okay." The youth's lips curled slightly.

Yuan Yao waved at him, then turned and headed toward the Carefree Sect.

Her black hair and the multicolored hairband intertwined, fluttering in the wind, as if her fragrance filled the air.

Xie Yan watched her departing figure until she returned to the sect.

He raised his hand, lowered his gaze to his palm, as if her touch still lingered on it.

…

Inside the Carefree Sect.

Upon returning to Heavenly Martial Peak, Yuan Yao hurried to the back mountain.

There, she saw the third senior brother dressed in the sect's white robes.

The youth gripped a crimson long spear, each thrust erupting with astonishing power.

He also sensed Yuan Yao's presence, lowered his spear, and swept his gaze toward her.

"Yuan Yao, where have you been? Are you trying to slack off?"