Chapter 72: Negotiation and Agreement

Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Negotiation and Agreement

According to Bao Yaoyao’s own account, she had no other hobbies since childhood besides cooking and eating. However, her own cooking skills were, frankly, a bit unpresentable.

So her only remaining hobby was eating. Besides her hobbies, Li Heng chatted with her a bit more about other odds and ends.

It wasn’t until Bao Yaoyao took the initiative and asked to team up that Li Heng focused his full attention.

"Li Heng, can you team up with me? I love your barbecue! You must be a Soul Adept, right? I’m a Soul Adept too. How about we look out for each other?"

’Here comes the important part!’

Li Heng wasn’t too hungry, so he was more or less full after eating a rabbit leg. Plus, his clothes were almost dry, so he had the idea of going into the forest or climbing the mountain to take a look.

He had to go out and look for points; staying put wasn’t an option. After all, this was an exam, not a real camping trip.

To be honest, Li Heng did want to team up with someone, and the first person who came to mind was Bai Shasha.

Although Bai Shasha’s figure was the extreme opposite of Bao Yaoyao’s, their looks were about the same.

Most importantly, he was familiar with Bai Shasha. He had teamed up with her twice, and the results had been pleasant both times. You could call them old teammates!

But he had known Bao Yaoyao for less than ten minutes in total. Not even ten minutes—Li Heng wasn’t about to commit just like that!

So, even though Bao Yaoyao was easy on the eyes, Li Heng hesitated. He didn’t agree right away because he didn’t know anything else about her.

So far, the girl had only shown her easy-going side, but as for her actual character and morals, Li Heng didn’t dare make a rash judgment.

"How about this? We’ve only just met, so let’s not talk about teaming up just yet. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but in a Secret Realm, many things are unknown. Let’s spend some more time getting to know each other first."

"However... this concave cliff face is pretty good. The two of us can use this place as a rest stop, our gathering spot. As for other things... like finding points, let’s handle that on our own for now. We can rest here together at night. What do you think?"

Li Heng thought for a moment and felt that this arrangement was probably the most prudent one for now.

Bao Yaoyao was good-looking and had a great figure. At the very least, she hadn’t shown any malice so far. Li Heng considered her a candidate worthy of "observation," and if she continued to show no ill intent...

...then teaming up wouldn’t be a problem at all.

After all, spending a night in the Secret Realm alone, either resting on edge or pulling an all-nighter, was truly unbearable. One more person meant more help.

After Li Heng finished speaking, he stared at Bao Yaoyao, waiting for her response.

Bao Yaoyao, however, blurted out almost without thinking, "I can do that! But I have a small requi—no, no, no! A small request!"

’She’ll probably ask me not to stare at her at night, or something like that, right?’

If she was worried about him peeking, Li Heng could understand. He was just about to say something, but Bao Yaoyao beat him to it.

"At night, I want to eat your barbecue! I won’t eat for free. Can I pay with a common herb? If you grill a soul beast, I’ll pay with a Tier One herb! Classmate Li Heng... what do you think...?"

Bao Yaoyao’s voice was soft, with a faint trace of grievance, but her expectant tone was very sincere.

"No problem! Actually, you don’t have to give me anything!"

On the surface, Li Heng was nonchalant, acting as if it didn’t matter. But inside, a little flicker of joy welled up. ’I have to eat anyway. If I just grill a little extra, I can get some points for free. Perfect!’

’This girl is so straightforward!’

In reality, it didn’t matter whether she paid or not. Li Heng just felt that he enjoyed barbecuing for people.

"Alright then! I’m going out to find some points. See you in a bit!"

After finishing his discussion with Bao Yaoyao, Li Heng didn’t delay. He decided to head up the mountain to take a look and get a bird’s-eye view of the entire island, just to get the lay of the land.

Without another glance at Bao Yaoyao, Li Heng turned and started on the path up the mountain, carrying his Empty Cicada Longsword.

Since he didn’t know the mountain’s name, Li Heng decided to call it Island Mountain for the time being.

Island Mountain was different from Wolf King Mountain. When climbing Wolf King Mountain, Li Heng’s style was daring yet controlled, flashy yet stable. But on Island Mountain, Li Heng moved very slowly, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings as he walked.

He didn’t let a single potential Soul Energy Herb escape his notice.

Of course, if a soul beast appeared—as long as it wasn’t the Tier Three soul beast mentioned in the exam announcement—he would definitely unleash his strongest combo without hesitation.

***

Watching Li Heng’s retreating back, Bao Yaoyao couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. She then muttered to herself, "That was close! I really thought he was going to refuse!"

When she mentioned paying with herbs, Bao Yaoyao sensed that this guy named Li Heng was emotionally very stable, almost indifferent to the herbs, as if he didn’t care.

Bao Yaoyao assumed that, like her, Li Heng had also brought many herbs in, so she was worried he would look down on her offer.

But in the end, he accepted, which made Bao Yaoyao very happy.

In fact, before entering the Desolate Moon Islands Secret Realm, Bao Yaoyao had brought a huge bundle of Soul Energy Herbs from home, including both Tier One and Tier Two varieties.

Bao Yaoyao still remembered her father’s words before she entered the exam’s Secret Realm: "If you don’t last until the final day, don’t even think about coming back. Our Old Bao Family can’t afford to lose face like that."

’Anyway, with so many herbs in my medium-sized Space Stone, getting into a top-ranked Soul Energy University is definitely not a problem! Besides, I’ve been a Soul Adept for over a year. As long as I don’t run into that Tier Three soul beast, is it really that hard to just lay low for a week?’

’Compared to the exam, though, the stuff that Li Heng barbecues is just so, so good! A normal chicken leg was already delicious, so if he were to grill a soul beast, it would probably be out-of-this-world delicious! And for just a Tier One herb? That’s a total steal!’

Bao Yaoyao was extremely satisfied. At the same time, thanks to her talent, she knew that the food Li Heng gave her had nothing extra added to it, let alone being drugged. It was completely, 100% natural!

Bao Yaoyao wouldn’t dare boast about other things, but when it came to food appraisal, she prided herself on being number one in the Old Bao Family!

’Alright, I’ll eat one more Flower Honey Cake, and then I’ll head out to explore a bit and walk it off! Meeting someone like Li Heng who can cook so well is just the best!’

For Bao Yaoyao, originally...

...this exam wasn’t that difficult. In her eyes, and even in her parents’ eyes, as long as she didn’t encounter the Tier Three soul beast, passing the exam would be almost too easy.

But for Bao Yaoyao, the most difficult part of this exam wasn’t the Tier Three soul beast. It was the fact that her dad had stuffed her medium-sized Space Stone almost completely full of herbs, leaving her with only a seven-day supply of food!

She even had to secretly steel her heart and buy the Flower Honey Cake herself!

Bao Yaoyao, who had been bracing herself for seven days of hardship, never expected to see a "ray of hope" on the very first day of the Secret Realm exam!