After the warm, silent atmosphere between the two friends slowly eased, Xin Tingting turned around and relaxed, glancing at the group of people nearby. Her eyes immediately fell upon a tall, majestic figure the Pharaoh of Egypt!
He stood beside Liang Er and Lun Shan Chun, regal and radiant. His copper‑bronze skin gleamed under the sunlight, his upper body muscles taut and proud aboard a bare chest. Every posture exuded formidable power… though in Xin Tingting's eyes at that moment, none of that mattered.
"Wow…" Xin Tingting murmured softly, her eyes sparkling. "That rock‑hard muscle, that snow‑white skin… my goodness… he's a real living statue of a dream prince."
Ye Juan, seated beside her, raised an eyebrow in puzzlement until Xin Tingting gently elbowed her.
"Look that way! That's the Pharaoh!" Xin Tingting whispered close to Ye Juan's ear, her gaze fixed. "Look! His chest, that trim waist… I'm melting…"
Ye Juan glanced in the direction Xin Tingting indicated, her eyes widening slightly before she muffled a laugh.
"Xin Tingting, you…!" she whispered back, giggling softly, face flushed. "You can't talk so loud someone might hear you!"
"I'm merely appreciating art… a normal act of refined taste," Xin Tingting replied with a bright smile, laughing lightly.
The two girls giggled to each other happily, as if the tension earlier had never existed. A gentle breeze lifted their hair happiness and friendship filled the moment.
When they saw the handsome young Pharaoh, wearing golden trousers and bare above the waist, standing not far from Liang Er, both sprung up nearly simultaneously. They scampered forward toward him, eyes bright like girls spotting a prince in a dream.
Ye Juan led the way without a second thought, heart fluttering.
"Pharaoh! We'd love to meet you!!" Xin Tingting called out in a clear voice, laughing joyfully. Her voice carried on the cool breeze.
But on that path… someone stood blocking their way Bai Wangyan. He stood quietly nearby, as if anticipating her approach. Just as Xin Tingting was about to step past, he extended his arm to intercept, perfectly timed as though he knew exactly where she intended to go.
Xin Tingting halted mid‑step, startled, eyes wide. Her hands instinctively grabbed his arm then she froze. Only moments ago, he had warned her: 'do not touch me.' She quickly let go, eyes anxious and confused.
Bai Wangyan lowered his gaze to her slowly, his expression cold and unreadable no emotion stirred. His voice was calm, smooth as a frigid night breeze.
"He is… the Pharaoh, ruler of this land. You must not be disrespectful."
Xin Tingting gave a small pout cute and exasperated then sighed softly.
"I only wanted to greet the Pharaoh, that's all. I didn't mean any mischief…" She glanced at him, then turned away with a slight displeasure, too timid to step forward like a child forbidden from doing something she's excited about.
Meanwhile, Ye Juan who had been sprinting excitedly toward the Pharaoh stopped abruptly as Lun Shan Chun stepped in front of her, calm and composed. He gently placed a hand on his sister's shoulder and spoke quietly but earnestly.
"Stay here with me first, Ye Juan."
Ye Juan looked at him bewildered, then glanced toward the Pharaoh standing a short distance away, beside Liang Er.
At that moment, the Pharaoh, having heard Xin Tingting's earlier shout and seeing her hesitating behind Bai Wangyan, glanced toward her with a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You wish to meet me, do you?" the Pharaoh asked in a deep yet amused tone.
Xin Tingting froze. Her smile lingered, but she dared not answer directly because Bai Wangyan was still standing before her. She only dared to glance at the Pharaoh from behind him, then slowly turned toward the spot where Lun Shan Chun was standing. Without a word, Bai Wangyan led her to stand on that side.
Noting Xin Tingting's silence, Ye Juan smiled and spoke in her stead.
"Yes, Xin Tingting and I would very much like to meet you, Your Majesty!"
The Pharaoh chuckled softly at their demeanor, then spoke gently.
"I am no one special… But what do you intend to do next? Perhaps I can be of help."
Liang Er turned to the Pharaoh, eyes calm yet determined, then spoke with clarity and sincerity:
"We came in search of the ancient god's treasure… Your Majesty, do you know of it?"
The Pharaoh paused, gazing toward the desert horizon, and spoke in a low yet potent voice:
"…I know it well, and understand the secret behind it."
He returned his gaze to Liang Er, his golden eyes bright with sincerity.
"In return for your saving my life, I will reveal the path."
"From here, head across the desert mountains not more than ten peaks and you will find a mysterious cave. On its walls, peculiar ancient characters glow in yellow. Within lies the treasure of the ancient god."
His voice grew firmer as he continued:
"That treasure once belonged to my ancestor… ruler of this land in its days of glory. He left it to me. But today, I offer it to you as a gift for your kindness and mercy."
"However…" the Pharaoh paused briefly, then spoke solemnly:
"That cave is not a place easily trespassed. The danger concealed there… cannot be underestimated. Without power or wisdom, you will not return."
He surveyed Liang Er's group thoughtfully, then nodded slowly.
"But given the abilities of each one of you, I believe… you have the right to venture forth."
Lun Shan Chun clasped his hands respectfully at his chest and bowed slightly, his gentle expression steady. His warm brown eyes met the Pharaoh's shining gaze, full of respect and sincerity.
"Your Majesty… even if our journey is long and we may never return to this sacred desert, I vow… we shall never forget your great kindness today."
Those words carried deep sincerity not only for himself, but reflecting the feelings of all his companions.
The Pharaoh nodded slowly, face cold yet touched by a fleeting warmth as though recognizing a bond, brief yet profound.
Lun Shan Chun exhaled softly, then turned back to the four companions, giving a single nod as a signal.
They responded with determined eyes: Liang Er serene, Ye Juan and Xin Tingting lively, and Bai Wangyan the silent youth like a shadow in the abyss.
The five began walking out of the sandy village square. Under the scorching sun and hot winds sweeping sand into lines across the ground, their feet landed on dry, cracked desert sand. Evening sunlight beamed on their backs, stretching their shadows forward like the shadows of fate extending endlessly.
Villagers stood along the path—some respectful, some bewildered, some overly curious watching the departing travelers.
As the five set foot beyond the village border, another gust of hot wind blew. Sand drifted, blurring the vision ahead. Amidst that golden dust curtain, faint footsteps sounded from behind.
"Wait!" a small but clear voice echoed as a figure rushed through the crowd toward them.
The gray‑haired tribal girl in ancient attire blocked their way. Her soft orange lips pressed tight; her large eyes once indifferent now brimmed with hesitation and pain.
She stared at Bai Wangyan for a fleeting second, then spoke, voice trembling:
"Will… I ever have the chance to see you again?"
But then…
Bai Wangyan stepped backwards without a word. His calm figure remained behind Xin Tingting and Liang Er, silent. In that sudden stillness, the world seemed to halt. Breaths stilled. Not a breeze rustled. His mere posture was enough to freeze the atmosphere like a motionless scene in a painting.
Xin Tingting immediately sensed the shift in the gaze before her. She lifted her chin slightly and met the gray‑haired girl's eyes ice‑cold conviction, with no trace of friendship or hostility. Her face radiated confidence.
"No!" she said plainly, voice clear. "Stop dreaming!" Then she stuck out her tongue at the girl playfully and turned away disdainfully. The group resumed walking without looking back.
The girl could only watch their retreat, especially Bai Wangyan's shadow dissolving slowly into the evening desert light.
In her heart remained only unanswered questions and a feeling too profound for words.