142: Are you really not interested in Xingche?

During these few days within the Xing Che tribe, Bai Yao had devoted almost all her energy to the research and improvement of weapons.

However, an inexplicable sense of unease followed her like a shadow, often causing her to suddenly stop drawing sketches, her mind restless.

It was a feeling she had never experienced before.

Could it be that Lin... or Xuan Mo had met with an accident?

Once this thought arose, it was difficult to suppress.

She put down the charcoal pencil in her hand and decided to go find Xing Che to ask.

Just as she pushed open the studio door, she saw Xing Che walking along the corridor, still with that calm and unruffled demeanor:

"I heard from the servants that you were looking for me?"

"Yes."

Bai Yao nodded and led him to the workbench, "There has been some progress in the weapon upgrades; could you take a look and see if this structure is feasible?"

"Additionally, I also need to design a shield that can effectively defend against powerful Crossbows, which requires some special materials."

She handed over an animal hide filled with requirements, "The list is here; I need your help to procure them. Also, it would be best if you could find a few skilled Beastmen to assist me."

Xing Che carefully examined the rough yet clear sketches and pondered for a moment:

"The materials are not difficult to obtain. I will find some skilled craftsmen in the tribe who excel in leatherworking and carpentry for you shortly. Is there anything else you need?"

Bai Yao looked up at him. This High Priest was busy with affairs and likely couldn't be involved in these "trivial matters" throughout the process, so she shook her head:

"It is enough for you to prepare the materials and personnel for me; I will be responsible for the actual production."

"Very well."

Xing Che agreed and turned to leave.

"Xing Che..."

Seeing him about to leave, Bai Yao couldn't help but call out to him, asking urgently, "Have you... had any news of Xuan Mo recently? He has been in the City of Ten Thousand Evils for a long time to investigate; according to the agreement, shouldn't there be news sent back by now?"

Mentioning this, Xing Che's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

This was precisely the question he had also been pondering just now.

Xuan Mo was not a person who failed to keep time; such a total lack of news was indeed abnormal.

"I have not received any, but given Xuan Mo's strength, he should be fine!"

Xing Che told her the truth, speaking as if to comfort Bai Yao.

However, his slightly furrowed brows still betrayed his worry at that moment.

Hearing Xing Che's answer, Bai Yao became even more worried.

Xuan Mo's strength was formidable, and she shouldn't have been overly worried, but the unease lingering in her heart would not dissipate.

"Then... can you use your methods to divine his safety?"

Bai Yao asked with her last shred of hope.

Xing Che slowly shook his head, his gaze sweeping over her face filled with worry:

"Unless it concerns a life-and-death ordeal, the divination patterns cannot reveal his whereabouts."

"Furthermore, Xuan Mo is a high-level Beast Emperor..."

He could not pry into all ordinary fortunes and misfortunes.

Bai Yao's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head silently.

She now only wished for Xuan Mo to return safely. As for the disputes in the Beast World, although she had been drawn into them, deep down, she still harbored a thought of pulling away and leaving.

They must be alright.

Xing Che watched Bai Yao's unmasked worry for her mate, and felt a strange sense of blockage in his heart.

He couldn't help but wonder, if one day he were the one who went missing, would she show even a fraction of such concern?

Immediately, he laughed at himself inwardly; what was he expecting?

Since he was not her mate, what standing did he have to demand her concern?

Since returning from the illusionary realm, it seemed as though an invisible veil had been added between them; something had changed, yet they tacitly avoided mentioning it.

Was that experience of life and death together truly just a dream that should be forgotten upon waking?

Even he himself had not yet sorted out these increasingly complex feelings for Bai Yao.

"I will go and arrange the things you mentioned just now."

Xing Che suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart, his tone returning to his usual aloofness, and turned to leave.

Bai Yao did not notice his momentary distraction; her mind was cluttered and complex, and she only wanted to receive news.

However, there was no other way at the moment, so she could only quickly bury herself back into her designs.

However, the peace did not last long.

"Click..." The door to the room was pushed open rudely, interrupting Bai Yao's train of thought.

Bai Yao looked up and was somewhat surprised to see Pei Lin standing at the doorway.

At this moment, Pei Lin's face no longer held the elegance she usually deliberately maintained, but instead wore obvious anger and grievance, glaring at her coldly.

"Miss Pei Lin?"

Bai Yao stood up, somewhat confused, "Is something the matter?"

"Matter?"

Pei Lin's voice rose slightly due to excitement, "I've come to see how I was played in the palm of your hand!"

She approached step by step, her eyes almost spitting fire:

"What did you say back then? You said cooperation, letting me change, would make Lord Xing Che look at me with new eyes!"

"I believed you, even setting aside my status to help you manage those clothes, but what about you? You went behind my back."

"I don't know what means you used, but you moved into his residence, and have stayed for so many days..."

The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, her eyes quickly turning red, and her voice choked with sobs:

"You played me like a fool, and I actually trusted you so much... You liar."

Looking at her like this, Bai Yao felt somewhat helpless, yet also found it slightly amusing.

This young lady was essentially straightforward in nature, but this "lovestruck" condition was truly not light.

"Pei Lin,"

Bai Yao tried to explain, her tone as friendly as possible, "You have misunderstood. I am living here, but it is not what you imagine. Xing Che and I are not in that kind of relationship."

"I am staying here because of these..."

Speaking up to this point, Bai Yao paused; she turned to the side, allowing Pei Lin to see the semi-finished weapons and the design drawings scattered all over the floor behind her,

"Your High Priest needs me to assist in improving weapons to fight against the City of Ten Thousand Evils. This place is just where I help out..."

Pei Lin's gaze swept over those strange-looking Crossbows and shield prototypes.

Especially that Crossbow she had personally experienced; she subconsciously took half a step back, a flash of fear crossing her face.

However, her suspicion was not completely eliminated.

"Really?"

She asked, half-believing and half-doubting, staring intently at Bai Yao's eyes,

"Then do you dare to swear that you have absolutely no ulterior motives regarding Lord Xing Che? Have you never thought about becoming his mate?"

This question made Bai Yao hesitate.

Her feelings for Xing Che... that mutual reliance in the illusionary realm, the daily rapport, and the clumsy care he occasionally revealed that didn't match his status...

Was she really not attached? But what about Lord Xing Che's feelings for her?

There was no conclusion between them yet, and most importantly, she needed to soothe the Female in front of her...

Her thoughts were chaotic for a moment, and she remained silent for a while before answering in a tone that was almost a sigh:

"No."

The moment her words fell, outside the door, the figure who had returned and was about to knock to inform her that the craftsmen had been found suddenly froze.

Xing Che's fingers gripping the door frame tightened slightly, his knuckles turning white; he stood silently outside the door.

In the end, he turned and left without a sound.