Traveling Together

Mo Lin walked to the window, looking at the gradually brightening sky and the rising morning sun outside.

Feeling the surging power within him, he was filled with anticipation for the upcoming desert journey.

His gaze shifted from the outside back to the large, soft bed behind him.

Ya Fei was still fast asleep. The morning light gently fell upon her, her peaceful sleeping face carrying a hint of languor and contentment.

The quilt had slipped to her shoulders, revealing her smooth curves and a expanse of fair, delicate skin, a breathtaking and alluring sight.

Looking at this vibrant and lifelike scene, a playful smile couldn't help but curve Mo Lin's lips.

He tiptoed to the bedside, leaned down, and extended his index finger, gently poking Ya Fei's soft cheek, which was flushed with a healthy rosy hue.

The touch was warm and smooth, like the finest warm jade.

Ya Fei seemed to sense something in her sleep, letting out an unconscious soft moan and furrowing her brow slightly. However, she didn't wake up.

Instead, like a sleepy cat, she instinctively snuggled deeper into the warm covers.

Mo Lin found it amusing and, with a touch of mischief, poked her a few more times, watching her display a slightly impatient yet adorable expression in her sleep. He was having a great time.

At this moment, all thoughts of Heavenly Flames, cultivation, and the journey ahead seemed to be temporarily cast aside. All that remained was this rare, relaxed, and cozy moment of warmth.

However, while he was playing around, deep within his eyes, the faint melancholy of the impending separation, and the firm resolve to embark on the journey and challenge the Heavenly Flame, had not dissipated.

This complex mixture of emotions made his gaze as he looked at Ya Fei's sleeping face appear even more profound.

As if sensing Mo Lin's gaze, Ya Fei's long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes.

In her sleepy haze, she met Mo Lin's smiling, deep eyes. Her pretty face instantly flushed with a captivating blush.

Recalling the passion and intimacy of the previous night, she instinctively pulled the quilt higher, covering half her face.

Only a pair of watery, captivating eyes were visible, gazing at him with a hint of shyness.

"Awake?" Mo Lin walked to the bedside and sat down, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from her cheek, his movements natural and intimate.

"Mmm..." Ya Fei's voice was hoarse from just waking up and carried a hint of charming laziness, making one's heart tingle.

She looked at Mo Lin's refreshed appearance and felt the increasingly steady and powerful aura emanating from him. Her heart was filled with an indescribable sense of security and pride.

This man, who was a few years younger than her, was now the one to whom she had entrusted her body and soul.

Mo Lin leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, chuckling softly, "It seems 'assisting my cultivation' last night had good results. Sister Ya Fei, you played no small part."

The ambiguity in his words made Ya Fei's cheeks burn even redder. She couldn't help but playfully chide, "You're never serious!"

But it couldn't hide the sweet smile on her lips.

She extended her jade-like arms, wrapped them around Mo Lin's neck, and initiated a lingering morning kiss.

For a while, the bedroom was filled with amorous warmth, and it wasn't until the sun was high in the sky that the two reluctantly got up to wash and dress.

After breakfast (perhaps it should be called lunch), Ya Fei had regained her usual sharp and capable demeanor, though her eyes now held a touch of the charming allure that comes from being nourished by love.

She looked at Mo Lin, "Are you leaving today? I'll see you off."

Mo Lin nodded, "Yes, first to the largest nearby city, 'Blackrock City.' From the Flying Transport Agency there, it's the fastest way to 'Desert City' on the edge of the Tagor Desert."

"Okay, I'll go with you to Blackrock City," Ya Fei said firmly, with a hint of reluctance. "Mietel Auction House also has a branch in Blackrock City, so I can inspect the business there."

She didn't want to part with him so soon, even if it was just for half a day more.

Mo Lin naturally understood her feelings and smiled in agreement, "I couldn't ask for more. With Sister Ya Fei accompanying me, the journey will surely be much more interesting."

They didn't make a grand display, traveling light.

Ya Fei changed into a purple dress that was suitable for travel yet still elegant, wearing a hooded cloak over it to conceal her striking features.

Mo Lin still wore his simple white robe. They boarded a seemingly ordinary carriage and quietly left Wutan City, speeding towards Blackrock City, hundreds of miles away.

Inside the carriage, they sat side by side. Ya Fei meticulously handed Mo Lin the dried food and water she had prepared, along with a detailed map of the Tagor Desert's surroundings.

She then chattered on, reminding him of things to watch out for in the desert, where oases might be found, and which areas were frequented by snake-people, her tone full of concern.

Mo Lin listened patiently, occasionally nodding. He held her slightly cool hand and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. And don't forget, I have a 'secret weapon'."

He was referring to the two Emperors in his spiritual sea. Although Ya Fei didn't know the specifics, thinking of his mysterious and unfathomable strength, she felt a little more at ease.

She gently rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying this rare and warm journey.

By evening, the carriage arrived at Blackrock City. As an important hub city in the eastern part of the Jia Ma Empire, Blackrock City was far more prosperous and grand than Wutan City. Its towering city walls, wide streets, and bustling crowds all demonstrated its importance.

Ya Fei didn't immediately head to the Mietel branch. Instead, like any ordinary couple, she held Mo Lin's hand and wandered through the city.

She shed the authority of a manager and acted like a curious young girl, taking Mo Lin to sample local delicacies, stopping at stalls selling strange and exotic items, and even dragging Mo Lin to watch a street performance. The afterglow of the sunset bathed them, outlining their harmonious and well-matched figures, drawing frequent glances from passersby.

Mo Lin also relaxed his mood, enjoying the brief peace and sweetness before their separation.

Looking at the smiling Ya Fei beside him, his heart softened.

This woman, who commanded respect in the business world, now displayed the demeanor of a young woman, all to create more shared memories with him.

After a short rest at an elegant teahouse, Ya Fei checked the time and said, "It's about time. The Flying Transport Agency is in the West City Square. Let's head there now. There's a flight to Desert City this evening."

Mo Lin naturally had no objections. The two then headed towards the Flying Transport Agency in the west of the city.

From afar, they could see a very spacious square, with huge shadows vaguely circling in the sky above it.

As they got closer, the scene before them even made Mo Lin feel a bit novel.

On the vast square, more than a dozen extremely large flying birds and beasts were quietly resting.

These birds and beasts were called Thick-Winged Birds. They were not Mo Beasts, but rather large flying birds with gentle temperaments that were very easy to tame.

They possessed broad, thick wings, and their feathers were grayish-brown, giving them a rather steady appearance.

Although their speed couldn't compare to some wind-element Mo Beasts, they excelled in endurance. A single full meal allowed them to fly for several days continuously, and their carrying capacity was excellent. They were the backbone of the empire's official long-distance passenger transport.

The square was bustling with people, and the noisy sound waves surged like a tide, causing Mo Lin to frown slightly.

Beside each Thick-Winged Bird, a long queue had formed. Wooden cabins were fixed on the backs of the birds, resembling small, mobile houses.

Next to the wooden ladders, staff members in uniform were busy checking tickets and guiding passengers.

"This is... quite interesting." Mo Lin observed the "airport" of this other world with great interest.

This kind of large-scale public transportation was quite rare in his past life memories and his current experiences.

"First time seeing it, right?" Ya Fei saw his curiosity and explained with a smile, "This is the Flying Transport Agency run by the empire. It has the highest safety rating and the most stable routes. Although the price is not cheap, it's much safer and faster than traveling long distances on land."

She spoke with a hint of nostalgia, "When I was young and followed my family's merchant caravan on business, I rode this quite a bit."

Mo Lin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the queuing crowds and the massive Thick-Winged Birds. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind: having a personal flying mount would indeed be very convenient.

Like Xiao Yi Xian's Blue Eagle, although it was just a low-level Mo Beast, it could come and go as it pleased, which was far more dashing than queuing for tickets.

"In the future, I'll have to get a decent flying pet too," Mo Lin mused inwardly.

"Let's go, we'll buy tickets at the ticket office over there," Ya Fei pointed to a window in the southeast corner of the square where a long line had formed.

The two walked to the ticket counter and joined the end of the queue. While waiting, the surrounding noisy discussions, children's crying, and vendors' shouts were incessant, making the peace-loving Mo Lin somewhat uncomfortable.

Ya Fei seemed to notice this, gently squeezed his hand, and gave him a reassuring look.

The line moved forward slowly. Finally, it was their turn. Behind the counter, a woman in uniform with a pleasant face looked up, showing a professional smile, and asked:

"Two gentlemen, madam, where would you like to go?"

Ya Fei stepped forward and said elegantly, "Two one-way tickets to Desert City, for the soonest available flight."

"Okay, please wait a moment." The ticket seller skillfully checked the schedule. "The soonest Thick-Winged Bird to Desert City will take off in half an hour. The fare is eight hundred gold coins per person."

Eight hundred gold coins! This price was astronomical for ordinary families.

However, for Mo Lin and Ya Fei, it was naturally nothing.

Ya Fei paid the money readily and took two exquisitely made hard tickets.

"I wish you both a pleasant journey," the ticket seller said with a smile as she handed over the tickets.

After receiving the tickets and leaving the noisy queuing area, Ya Fei handed one ticket to Mo Lin and cherished the other, tucking it into her embrace.

Looking up again, her beautiful eyes were filled with reluctance. "We have to part... Be careful with everything."

Mo Lin took the ticket, held her hand, and said with a determined gaze, "I'll be back."

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two, intertwining together.

Under the guidance of the beast tamers, the giant Thick-Winged Bird began to let out low calls, preparing to spread its wings and soar.

A new journey was about to begin.