198 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 198: Who Asked for Your Praise, You Silly Senior Brother Yu Yunwei could only watch as the boy before her raised his long blade and swung it fiercely. A blood-red aura followed the arc of the boy's Tang-style saber, cascading with the intensity of a raging tide. Yet, this "bloody tide" condensed into thin, crimson slices, sharp like a blade, slicing through the giant serpent's neck. As the spirit-infused saber returned to its sheath, the enormous serpent's head fell to the ground, its body convulsing in death. The splashes of serpent blood heading toward the boy were also warded off by the blade's aura, landing harmlessly at his feet. Yu Yunwei stared blankly at the scene before her. Even though she had an understanding of Xiao Mo's abilities, knowing he could slay cultivators two levels above him, this was beyond her expectation. After all, this was a rock-skinned python. Its tough body would give even cultivators at the Golden Core stage a hard time. But for her senior brother, it was just a simple swing. In Yu Yunwei's heart, she could no longer fathom what he couldn't cut through. She couldn't even imagine how terrifying he would become once he advanced to the upper echelons of cultivation. Is he even human? Just as Yu Yunwei was lost in a daze, Xiao Mo turned and glanced at her. To Yu Yunwei, her senior brother's gaze was still indifferent, no different from usual. Yet, for some reason, this calm gaze instilled a sense of inexplicable security within her. Although he often rapped her hands and made her do things she disliked, it seemed as long as he was by her side, she had nothing to fear. Xiao Mo tapped her petrified calves with his scabbard. The stone enveloping Yu Yunwei's calves instantly crumbled. "What are you dazing out for?" Xiao Mo asked, looking at Yu Yunwei with a calm demeanor. "I..." Yu Yunwei's throat constricted, wanting to speak but unable to form the words. "It's getting late. Let's go. Back to the sect." Xiao Mo turned and began walking down the mountain path. "Wait..." When Yu Yunwei tried to follow, her legs gave way, and she sat back down on the ground. Xiao Mo turned back, seeing Yu Yunwei sitting in a heap on the ground. "What happened?" Yu Yunwei's eyes misted over, her teeth softly biting her lip. "I have no strength in my legs." Xiao Mo looked at her, exasperation evident on his face, yet he moved forward, crouched in front of her. "Get on, I'll carry you." Yu Yunwei hesitated as she looked at Xiao Mo's back but eventually kneeled and placed her hands on his shoulders. Xiao Mo looped an arm under her knees, hoisting her onto his back. "Wait a moment..." As Xiao Mo began the descent, Yu Yunwei called out. Xiao Mo turned his head slightly. "What's wrong now?" "The Red Moon Fruit!" Yu Yunwei patted his shoulder. "It's a rare treasure, and I nearly lost my life over it." Xiao Mo couldn't hold back a breath of resignation. After retrieving seven of the Red Moon Fruits, he continued down the mountain with Yu Yunwei on his back. Yu Yunwei leaned against Xiao Mo, a hand grasping the translucent, blood-red fruit, occasionally stealing glances at his profile. Several times, Yu Yunwei wanted to say something, but hesitated. Finally, she gathered her courage. "Senior Brother... why are you here..." "To protect your path," Xiao Mo replied, explaining further, "The Black Cloud Mountain beasts are merely sixth-grade. There's no need for the Gorefiend Lord to intervene; I suffice." "So, you've been watching over us the entire time?" Yu Yunwei's face turned slightly pale. Her own actions, killing those individuals... Xiao Mo glanced at her, reading her thoughts at a glance. "They wanted to kill you first. You're not at fault. I won't punish you." "Oh..." Relief washed over Yu Yunwei at his words. The sun dipped toward the western horizon, casting a gentle golden glow across the landscape. Xiao Mo's steps crunched the leaves, the sound rustling around them. The long mountain road wound downward, pine trees on either side casting long, slanted shadows. The air was warm, and the outlines of distant mountains softened. Every so often, a breeze stirred, bringing the faint scent of dry grass and pine needles. Foxtails swayed, their tips catching the sun's fragmented light. Yu Yunwei watched her brother's vigilant demeanor, a small, proud tone creeping into her voice: "I was going to keep the Red Moon Fruit for myself, but you saved me. And you're close to breaking through to the Dragon Gate stage—consider it a thank you. It’s yours." "I don't need it," Xiao Mo flatly declined. "To cross the Dragon Gate, why rely on such items? Leaning too heavily on external aids only results in unstable foundations. Use it cautiously." "Got it," Yu Yunwei grumbled, "Fine!" "Fine! I won't eat it then!" she murmured, placing the Red Moon Fruit into her storage pouch. Xiao Mo paid her no mind, continuing his steady descent. The sun nestled against the horizon, its light tender. A veil of soft orange decorated the sky, clouds trimmed in golden threads. Not long after, Yu Yunwei lay her head against his shoulder. Sometimes, she blinked at him, and other times, she bowed her head, lost in thought. Today, she seemed somewhat stubborn. "Senior Brother..." After a while, Yu Yunwei spoke again. "Speak if you have something to say." "Why did you save me..." Yu Yunwei asked, her voice tense. "What do you mean?" "Don't you dislike me, Senior Brother?" Yu Yunwei pouted, "Besides, if I died, you'd be Master’s only disciple. All Master’s attention would be on you!" "First," Xiao Mo began, his tone earnest, "whether I like or dislike you has never occurred to me. I only feel disappointment or lack thereof." "Second, becoming the sole disciple of the Gorefiend Lord does not concern me in the slightest." "So, are you disappointed in me?" Yu Yunwei asked again, her voice small. Xiao Mo gave her a sidelong glance. "Why ask such an obvious question?" "You!" Yu Yunwei huffed, shoulders heaving in frustration, legs swinging. "I don't want you to carry me! Let me down!" "Are you sure?" Xiao Mo queried. "I..." Yu Yunwei found herself speechless. She knew if she insisted, he would indeed let her down. "But..." Quietly cursing "stupid brother" in her heart a dozen times, Yu Yunwei heard Xiao Mo continue. "This mission, you performed well." "You've worked hard." Yu Yunwei gazed, somewhat stunned, at her senior brother. A warmth spread through her chest, like a sweet candy given to a child. "Who wants your praise?" Yu Yunwei bit her lip, turning her head away while her small hand clutched at his clothing. Her eyes twinkled with a hint of stubbornness. "Silly Senior Brother."