It was obvious she had no intention of offering Mo Han the answer, which grated on him to the point his teeth ached with suppressed fury, yet he was utterly powerless and had no choice but to cease his pressing inquiries.

Seeing Mo Han’s look of chagrin, a subtle smile touched the corners of Bai Ling’s lips. In the time that followed, the woman in white proceeded to question Mo Han about the latest developments and details from the continent, seemingly no longer holding a grudge over Mo Han shattering the temple guards and driving off the Soul-Eater Beasts. Mo Han secretly wished the woman would simply forget these incidents forever; her current attitude perfectly suited his desires, so he answered her questions in great detail, responding to every inquiry. Their relationship began to slowly mend as a result, and Bai Ling gradually became less aloof toward Mo Han.

“By the way, I can’t keep calling you ‘Hey Hey’ and ‘Miss,’ can I? That feels quite awkward. I wonder if you could tell me your name. Let me introduce myself first—my name is Chen Mo Han.”

Mo Han, sensing the woman in white’s demeanor had softened, dared to venture a bolder approach.

Hearing Mo Han’s question, the woman in white seemed to be grappling with a memory, muttering to herself, “My name… I haven’t used it in so long, I’ve almost forgotten it. Just call me Bai Ling.”

“Bai Ling.”

Mo Han repeated the woman’s words, smiling as he spoke, “That’s a very beautiful name, Miss Bai Ling. There is something I’ve never quite understood, and I wonder if you could help clear up this confusion in my mind?” Upon hearing Mo Han, Bai Ling glanced at him.

It felt as though she could peer directly into Mo Han’s thoughts, making him deeply uneasy, but thankfully, this piercing look lasted only a fleeting moment before vanishing. She spoke to Mo Han faintly, “Go ahead and ask. I’ll answer if I can.”

Hearing this, Mo Han let out a little chuckle. “You can definitely answer this one; otherwise, I wouldn’t dare ask you.”

Seeing Bai Ling remain silent, Mo Han pressed on. “What I actually wanted to ask is this: as far as I know, the efficacy of a Magic Barrier gradually weakens over time until it disappears completely. This usually takes only a few centuries, yet this palace appears to be at least two thousand years old, right? But the Magic Barriers at the entrance are still functioning perfectly. Is there some secret technique involved?” And another thing: aren’t elemental properties in magic inherently mutually reinforcing and antagonistic? Yet I observed that your Magic Barrier is capable of fusing three different elemental types within a single barrier. It’s absolutely astounding! Can you tell me how you achieved that?” Mo Han was intensely curious about this woman’s fusion magic and the Magic Barrier itself. A large part of his reason for coming here stemmed from these matters, so now that her hostility toward him had lessened, he was eager to know the answers.

Hearing Mo Han’s questions, Bai Ling merely stated coolly, “You are quite frank. Do you truly believe I would share this secret with you? However, we likely have a considerable amount of time together ahead of us, so you aren't without opportunity. If I happen to be in a good mood someday, I might consider telling you this secret. It will depend on your conduct moving forward.”

Hearing Bai Ling’s words, Mo Han stammered slightly, “Wait, by what you’re saying, it sounds like you plan to stay with me. I’m rather timid and easily startled, so please be a bit clearer.”

Bai Ling responded with a meaningful, slight smile, “Is what I said not clear enough? Or have you suddenly become dense? Besides, I certainly don’t recall you being timid.”

Mo Han felt a flush of embarrassment creep over him. “This doesn’t seem quite right. Miss Bai Ling and I have only just met; wouldn’t this arrangement be inconvenient?” To his surprise, Bai Ling seemed to be talking to herself upon hearing Mo Han’s remark, “Oh? Since you acknowledge we aren’t familiar, why didn’t you feel awkward when someone took the treasures I left at the entrance? That is quite strange.”

Hearing Bai Ling’s words, Mo Han’s heart leaped. He quickly interjected, “Treasures? When I entered, the outer hall was completely empty. Were there originally treasures placed outside? That’s such a pity! Someone must have entered before me and taken your armor and weapons. It’s all my fault for arriving too late; otherwise, I could have helped you catch that thief, Miss Bai Ling.”

Mo Han had already made up his mind: he would deny seeing those treasures until death. Handing over those valuables would be more painful to him than being killed. Therefore, no matter how Bai Ling pressed him later, Mo Han was resolved to deny everything, even unto death.

Hearing Mo Han’s reply, Bai Ling couldn't help but smile faintly. “Oh, Mr. Mo Han is truly impressive. I never mentioned what my external treasures were, yet Mr. Mo Han already knows they are things like armor and weapons?” Mo Han instantly wished he could slap himself. He had been smart his whole life but utterly foolish in this moment, saying something so clumsy! The look in Bai Ling’s eyes gave Mo Han the feeling that she could somehow read his mind; he felt as if he had no secrets left in front of her. That’s why, when pressed by her, he grew so tense that he misspoke—something that would never happen under normal circumstances.

Thinking this, Mo Han plastered a smile on his face and tried to change the subject. “Heh heh, well, I was just guessing. Aren’t the treasures in most ancient ruins usually things like armor and weapons? So I was just using past experience to make an educated guess. By the way, let’s stop talking about that. I’ve been thinking, you’re a young woman alone on this continent, unfamiliar with everything. It wouldn't be good if you ran into some bad people. I’ve always had a very strong sense of justice, and I can’t stand by and watch you fall into the clutches of villains. So, I’ve decided you should stay with me so I can protect you at all times. You don't need to thank me.”

Mo Han quickly diverted the topic away from the treasures, afraid Bai Ling would keep picking at it. Since the girl just wanted to follow him, he wasn't losing anything; at worst, explaining things to Dai Li and the others would be a bit troublesome. Moreover, with her high level of magical attainment, he might even learn a lot of new magical knowledge from her, such as that fusion of three different elemental properties, which Mo Han, with his current strength, absolutely could not achieve.

Observing Mo Han’s expression, a smile appeared on Bai Ling’s face. She remarked, “Oh? I wasn’t aware I was as weak as you suggest. How about we test that right now?” Mo Han’s eyes lit up; he was about to agree, eager to gauge Bai Ling’s true strength, but then he quickly shook his head and rejected her proposal. Are you kidding? He had zero certainty of victory if he fought this girl. She knew he possessed the Holy Sword of Light yet still dared to challenge him, which meant she must have some treasure comparable to the Holy Sword of Light. He realized she treated those top-grade weapons she tossed at the entrance like garbage, indicating Bai Ling must possess numerous treasures. That’s why she dared to make this proposal; otherwise, she would be an idiot. No matter how powerful a mage, she absolutely could not defeat a Sword Saint wielding the Holy Sword of Light in this environment. Bai Ling clearly wasn't an idiot, meaning she had a trump card, which is why she made that request. That’s why he wasn’t so foolish as to accept.

Bai Ling’s deep eyes seemed to see right through Mo Han’s thoughts, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. “I didn't realize you had so many thoughts running through your mind. However, you are indeed not stupid. That’s right, I do possess an item comparable to your Holy Sword of Light, but since you are unwilling to fight me, I naturally won't tell you what it is.”

Hearing this, Mo Han secretly breathed a sigh of relief, laughing lightly. “Heh heh, better safe than sorry. Otherwise, I would have been taken down N times already.” Suddenly seeming to recall something, Mo Han stared at Bai Ling with utter disbelief and surprise. “Wait, I never even told you what I was thinking. How did you know my thoughts? Could it be…?”

Hearing Mo Han’s question, Bai Ling nodded smugly. “Your guess is correct. I can see what people are thinking, so I advise you not to entertain any crooked ideas, or you certainly won't escape my gaze.”

Mo Han’s entire face immediately fell. He muttered dejectedly, “You can really see through people’s minds? Then it’s over! I don't have a single secret left in front of you. I might as well be dead.” The thought that he would have absolutely no privacy in front of Bai Ling from now on made Mo Han deeply uncomfortable, like standing naked in front of someone else. He regretted agreeing to Bai Ling’s earlier suggestion to keep her by his side.