Chapter 58: Spiritual Pets Are Hard to Find, Yet the Heart Remains Steadfast

Jun Mohan held Yun Yao's hand, his fingertips gently caressing her tender skin as a warm touch conveyed silent comfort.

"Yao'er, do not worry. We will definitely find a suitable spirit pet." His deep voice seemed to possess a magical quality, smoothing away the anxiety in Yun Yao's heart.

The spirit pet market was bustling with noise; shouts of hawking and bargaining rose one after another in a lively and extraordinary manner.

Various spirit pets were locked in cages, emitting all sorts of strange cries, while the thick scent of animals permeated the air.

Yun Yao used her telepathy, attempting to communicate with these spirit pets. However, most of them showed no reaction to her, as if they could not hear her inner voice at all.

Although some low-tier spirit pets could sense her presence, they expressed fear and rejection, making her feel utterly defeated.

The surrounding clamor seemed to transform into mockery, deriding her powerlessness.

"How about this sable? It's fluffy and very cute." Jun Mohan pointed at a snow-white sable in a cage, attempting to divert Yun Yao's attention.

The sable lazily sprawled inside the cage, completely indifferent to everything around it.

Yun Yao tried to communicate with it using her telepathy, but she heard only a blank void, as if it had no thoughts at all.

Suddenly, a powerful aura attracted Yun Yao's attention.

She raised her eyes and saw a giant bird engulfed in roaring flames, standing proudly upon a high platform. Its fiery red feathers shone brilliantly in the sunlight, resembling a phoenix bathing in fire.

People around stopped in their tracks, letting out waves of exclamation.

"It's a Fire Bird! It's said to possess exceptionally formidable power!"

"If one could have it as a spirit pet, they would undoubtedly shine brilliantly in the Spirit Pet Tournament!"

Drawn by the powerful aura of the Fire Bird, Yun Yao could not help but want to draw closer.

However, the Fire Bird proudly lifted its head, looking down with disdain at her approach, and even spat out a stream of flame as a warning.

The heat wave of the flame rushed toward her face. Yun Yao hastily retreated, her cheeks burning slightly from the heat.

Seeing this, the surrounding onlookers began to point and whisper among themselves.

"This girl is simply overestimating herself. Is a Fire Bird something she can control?"

"Indeed, without looking at her own status, she's like a toad lusting after a swan's flesh!"

Passing by and witnessing this scene, Senior Brother Lin mocked her mercilessly, "Junior Sister Yun Yao, I advise you not to waste your effort. A Fire Bird is not something you can hope to touch." The contempt and disdain in his tone made Yun Yao feel a wave of humiliation.

Jun Mohan stepped forward, shielding Yun Yao behind him, and cast a cold glare at Senior Brother Lin.

"Senior Brother Lin, whatever Yao'er wishes to do is not your place to interfere."

Senior Brother Lin let out a cold snort and flicked his sleeves as he walked away.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, struggling to calm the anger and embarrassment in her heart.

She turned to look at Jun Mohan, forcing a faint smile.

"Let's go, let's look elsewhere."

With a heart full of heartache, Jun Mohan squeezed her hand tightly, his eyes filled with tenderness. "Yao'er..."

Yun Yao's gaze was caught by an inconspicuous patch of green in a corner.

It was a tiny flower sprite, hiding among the dense weeds and trembling faintly.

It was entirely emerald green, with petals as delicate as dew, resembling a translucent piece of jade yet seemingly fragile enough to shatter at the slightest breath of wind.

The bustling noises around made it even more uneasy. Its tiny petals curled together, as if wishing to hide itself away.

Most people turned a blind eye to it, only caring to chase after those glamorous and flashy spirit pets.

Yet, driven by an inexplicable impulse, Yun Yao walked over, crouched down, and attempted to communicate with it using her telepathy.

"Hello, little flower sprite. Don't be afraid."

The flower sprite shrank back slightly, timidly responding with a weak inner voice, "Who... are you?" Its voice was as crisp as a wind chime, carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

"My name is Yun Yao, and I want to be your friend," Yun Yao said gently, trying her best to fill her inner voice with goodwill.

Sensing Yun Yao's sincerity, the flower sprite slowly unfurled its petals and looked at her curiously.

"You... can hear my inner voice?"

"Yes." Yun Yao nodded with a smile. "You are very pretty, and I like you very much."

A blush crept over the flower sprite's petals, and it shyly lowered its head.

"Really? But... I am very weak and have no special abilities..."

"It doesn't matter. Liking you is enough." Yun Yao extended her hand and gently stroked the flower sprite's petals. The soft touch filled her with deep affection.

Seeing that Yun Yao was actually interested in such an inconspicuous little flower sprite, the surrounding people revealed expressions of astonishment.

Senior Brother Lin scoffed derisively, "Junior Sister Yun Yao, your taste really is unique, actually taking a fancy to a useless little flower sprite."

Ignoring his taunts, Yun Yao carefully cradled the flower sprite in the palm of her hand.

Feeling her care and protection, the flower sprite gently rubbed against her palm to express its attachment.

A wave of gratification surged in Yun Yao's heart; at least she had gained something.

Jun Mohan led Yun Yao to a secluded corner to let her rest for a moment.

Looking at Jun Mohan, Yun Yao's eyes were filled with love and reliance.

She could not help drawing closer to him, her body trembling slightly as her breathing grew hurried.

Sensing her passion, Jun Mohan pulled her tightly into his arms.

The surrounding air seemed to grow burning hot, suffused with intense affection.

Yun Yao buried her head in his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat and feeling his warm embrace, her heart filled with a sense of security.

"Mohan..." Yun Yao murmured, her voice carrying a trace of a tremor.

Jun Mohan gently stroked her long hair and whispered in her ear, "Yao'er, I love you..."

Their lips slowly drew closer, intertwining...

"Yao'er, let's head back." Jun Mohan gently stroked Yun Yao's cheek and spoke softly.

Yun Yao nodded, nestling in his embrace, yet a sudden trace of unease arose in her heart...

"Wait..."

Yun Yao cupped the flower sprite in her palm, reluctant to part with it.

The flower sprite's delicate petals trembled gently in her palm, as if echoing her reluctance.

Yet it was too frail to even execute the most basic offensive spells, and bringing it to the tournament would undoubtedly mean sending it to its death.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, suppressing the aching bitterness in her heart, and gently placed the flower sprite back into the grass.

"I'm sorry, little flower sprite. I cannot take you away."

Instantly, the flower sprite's petals lost their luster, and its emerald green hue grew dim, resembling a dust-covered gem.

Its faint inner voice was filled with sorrow and loss, "It's fine... I know... I am not strong enough..." The surrounding grass and flowers seemed to sense the flower sprite's grief as well; the once vibrant blooms lowered their heads, and the verdant leaves lost their vitality, presenting a desolate scene.

Yun Yao's eye rims turned slightly red, and her heart ached as if pricked by needles.

"Yao'er, let's go." Jun Mohan gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder and offered soft comfort.

Yun Yao nodded, looking back with every step as she left the spirit pet market.

"Let's go take a look at the Spirit Pet Habitat." Yun Yao's voice was somewhat low, carrying a hint of determination.

Jun Mohan was slightly startled, not expecting her to make such a decision.

The environment in the Spirit Pet Habitat was complex and fraught with danger; ordinary people rarely ventured there to look for spirit pets.

Yet he said nothing more, merely gripping Yun Yao's hand tightly to offer her his silent support.

Within the habitat, towering ancient trees blotted out the sun, and the air was heavy with the damp scent of soil.

All sorts of exotic plants grew wild here, emitting strange glows.

Yun Yao used her telepathy, carefully sensing everything around her.

True to its reputation, this place was different from the market; the spirit pets in the habitat possessed higher spiritual awareness and were much harder to influence with telepathy.

A completely translucent little butterfly fluttered gracefully before Yun Yao, its wings radiating a faint fluorescent glow, looking breathtakingly beautiful.

Yun Yao attempted to communicate with it, but she sensed only its pure joy and freedom, devoid of any other thoughts.

A small beast covered in sharp spikes stared at Yun Yao vigilantly, its inner self filled with wariness and hostility, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

Suddenly, Yun Yao discovered an anomaly beneath an ancient tree.

Imprinted in the soil was a strange claw print, unlike any kind of spirit pet she had ever seen before.

The plants surrounding the claw print presented a strangely distorted state, as if affected by some formidable power.

Yun Yao's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and an inexplicable premonition surged into her mind.

"What kind of spirit pet left these traces?" she muttered to herself, a gleam of excitement flashing in her eyes.

"Yao'er, be careful!" Jun Mohan grabbed Yun Yao and pulled her behind him.

He sensed a powerful aura approaching...

"Shh..." Yun Yao raised a finger, signaling Jun Mohan to keep quiet.