If I'd Known, I Wouldn't Have Shared It

The twelve people were visibly stunned when they saw Huo Yuhao. Especially after sensing his cultivation, their expressions turned rather strange.

How had someone who seemed not even to have a single Soul Ring made it here?

"Hello, little brother."

Zhang Lexuan was the first to snap out of it. She did not look down on Huo Yuhao because of his low cultivation and instead stepped forward to greet him with a smile.

"Would it be convenient for us to set up camp nearby? The forest is extremely dangerous at night, so staying together would let us look out for one another."

After asking, she hurriedly added, "Don't worry, we won't disturb you tonight."

"It's fine. This clearing is quite large. You big sisters can make yourselves at home."

Seeing Huo Yuhao agree, Zhang Lexuan thanked him, then turned and gestured to the others. Upon receiving the signal, they swiftly took out tents and began setting them up.

Zhang Lexuan looked at Huo Yuhao again and casually struck up a conversation. "Little brother, did you come to the Star Dou Great Forest alone? No adults came with you?"

Huo Yuhao gently shook his head. "I came alone to obtain a Soul Ring. It's just that the Soul Beast I need only appears in the Mixed Region, so I came here."

As he spoke, he took out a hefty roasted meat wrap from his Storage Space, then retrieved a glove-shaped Soul Guidance Device whose purpose was impossible to discern and put it on.

He really was alone?

Zhang Lexuan was dumbfounded, but she did not ask how Huo Yuhao had safely made it here by himself.

Questions that might involve someone else's secrets would do nothing but make them wary. They had only just met by chance—why would he tell her?

But safely passing through the outer region did not mean this child was strong enough to move about in the Mixed Region, where ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts frequently appeared. Even she, an eightieth-rank Soul Saint, did not dare stay there for long. After hesitating for a moment, she still took the initiative to ask.

"Since you're alone, why don't you travel with us tomorrow?"

"If we encounter the Soul Beast you need, we can help you obtain it as well. With your cultivation, it is still far too dangerous for you to be alone in the Mixed Region."

Looking at Huo Yuhao standing there alone, she was inexplicably reminded of herself after her family had been wiped out. Judging from his cultivation, he was probably only seeking a hundred-year Soul Ring, so it should not take much effort.

Huo Yuhao paused at her words, then chuckled and shook his head.

"Thank you, big sister, but the Soul Beast I'm looking for is rather special. I won't trouble you. I'll leave early tomorrow morning."

"All right, then. Be careful."

Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan did not say anything more. Just as she was about to return, the taco in Huo Yuhao's hand, heated by the Soul Guidance Device's high temperature, began to give off a faint aroma of roasted meat.

By then, the people who had come with Zhang Lexuan had just finished setting up camp and were taking out dry rations from their Storage Space to make do for the meal. When they smelled the fragrance as well, their stomachs let out an embarrassing chorus of growls. For a moment, the hard dry rations in their hands became utterly tasteless, and even Zhang Lexuan unconsciously swallowed.

At such close range, Huo Yuhao naturally noticed their reactions. The smile on his face stiffened slightly, while Zhang Lexuan's pretty face reddened.

"Ahem, well..."

Before she could explain, a steaming taco was already held out before her.

"Big sister, please have one."

They had taken the initiative to show him kindness, so he naturally could not eat by himself.

"Uh? N-No need."

Having shown such an embarrassing side of herself, even someone as composed as Zhang Lexuan felt her face burn. Looking at the roasted meat wrap held before her, she had intended to refuse, but in the end swallowed the rest of her words. Very honestly, she reached out and accepted it, lowered her head, and thanked him awkwardly.

"Thank you."

She had not revealed her identity earlier, and now she felt even less able to say it.

After all, she had just said they would not disturb him, only to immediately mooch a meal off him. It was simply too embarrassing.

Huo Yuhao twitched his lips and said nothing. He merely took out another taco and heated it the same way. Zhang Lexuan clearly did not want to take advantage of him for nothing, though, and after struggling with herself for a while, she finally revealed where she came from.

"My name is Zhang Lexuan, and I'm from Shrek Academy. Tonight, our people will take turns keeping watch, so you can rest without worry. If anything happens, I'll let you know."

"Thank you, Lexuan-jie. My name is Huo Yuhao. I'm from Heaven Dou City."

"Huo Yuhao..."

Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded. "I'll remember it. It's nice to meet you, little brother."

Their exchange ended there. Considerately, she did not disturb Huo Yuhao any further and turned to return to her group's camp amid the envious gazes of the others.

Seeing everyone staring longingly at the food in her hand, Zhang Lexuan gave them a warning look, signaling them not to disturb Huo Yuhao again. Only then did she share some of the roasted meat from the wrap with them.

Though it had merely been reheated, the roasted meat was still tender and juicy. The ingredients were not as good as what these Inner Courtyard Disciples usually ate, but the flavor was leagues beyond it. Even Zhang Lexuan unconsciously glanced at Huo Yuhao several more times, a faint sense of regret arising in her heart.

If I'd known it was this good, I wouldn't have shared it.

After finishing dinner, Huo Yuhao crawled into his tent. He knew Zhang Lexuan's character quite well, and her emotions had shown nothing unusual during their earlier conversation, so he did not remain on guard.

Only by resting well could he enter the Mixed Region tomorrow in his best condition.

The night passed without incident. By the time Huo Yuhao woke the next day, dawn had only just begun to break. Zhang Lexuan happened to be on watch.

When she saw him get up so early, Zhang Lexuan was somewhat surprised. But she quickly realized that he intended to leave alone, and after hesitating, she extended the invitation once more.

"Are you really not coming with us?"

"No."

Huo Yuhao shook his head, stored the tent in his bracelet, and smiled at Zhang Lexuan.

"Goodbye, Lexuan-jie."

Watching Huo Yuhao gradually disappear into the Forest, Zhang Lexuan could not help muttering to herself.

"What a special child."

After entering the Mixed Region, Huo Yuhao became much more cautious. Perhaps his luck was good; he did not encounter any Soul Beasts along the way. After traveling for most of the day, he had reached a place close to the Core Region. If he went any deeper, the danger would increase considerably.

Suddenly, his Spiritual Power seemed to be stirred. He instinctively looked in a certain direction, and at the same time, a voice abruptly rang out in his mind.

"Hahaha! As expected, after surviving a great calamity, I'm bound to receive good fortune! I barely escaped, and I've already run into a human with the Spirit Attribute!"

As the voice fell, the ground before Huo Yuhao began to crack apart inch by inch. A huge white figure slowly crawled out from the fissure. Its plump, round body carried the gentle luster of white jade, making the ten golden rings on it especially eye-catching. It was none other than the Skydream Iceworm he had encountered in his previous life.

With its appearance, the surrounding temperature plummeted in an instant, and the already damp air in the Forest showed signs of condensing into frost.

Seeing an old friend from his previous life again, Huo Yuhao relaxed slightly. Yet for some reason, he could clearly sense nervousness from the Skydream Iceworm, as though something were chasing it from behind.

"Ahem, human, don't be afraid. I won't hurt you. Let me introduce myself first—I'm the Skydream Iceworm."

"Of course, you can also call me Brother Skydream."