Starting from the overall interests of the tribe, it wasn't that the Great Elder didn't value Xayah or wanted to sacrifice her future. It was simply that for the current Raven tribe, a single hero might not be enough to effectively change the problems facing them and the entire Vastayan race. In contrast, Faen's appearance made the Great Elder see a glimmer of hope.
Despite his young age, he had managed to gain Karma's approval, was bestowed with the Seal of the Twin Dragons, and was dispatched to Qaelin and two other islands to handle matters related to primal magic and the Vastaya.
One must know that the current Awakened One, Karma, had only taken up the mantle less than a decade ago. Under these circumstances, Faen's series of achievements proved without a doubt that he was deeply favored by the current Karma.
Especially since Faen was able to unlock and reveal Xayah's talents so early. From any perspective, the Great Elder wanted to build a good relationship with Faen, thereby indirectly changing the Vastayans' status within the Everlasting Temple. Compared to other methods, this approach would undoubtedly improve the tribe's current suffering much faster.
In contrast, Xayah's personal feelings toward Faen were an unexpected, delightful bonus.
"If the two of you could tie the knot, that would certainly be for the best."
Inside the tent, the Great Elder looked at Xayah, who had been called in privately, and her parents standing behind her, his face filled with a complex expression.
Hearing the Great Elder's string of remarks, an unusual flush spread across Xayah's face, accompanied by an instinctive stubbornness and dissatisfaction.
"G-Great Elder, why would you suddenly say such a thing?! Besides, that human named Faen and I are just ordinary friends. What tie the knot... I am a proud Vastayan! Ordinary humans can't even sense the existence of the natural spirits, so how could they possibly truly understand us?!"
Hearing this, the Great Elder merely shook his head and said, "Ordinary humans might not be able to feel them, but you should have seen the Seal of the Twin Dragons on the envoy's hand. That is a proof of recognition from the Spirit of Ionia itself. With that mark alone, the vast majority of Vastayans are entirely unqualified to be compared with him when it comes to 'understanding nature'. Not to mention, feel your own current state. Think carefully: if he can make you feel the presence of the natural spirits so clearly, what must it be like for him?"
Hearing the Great Elder's rhetorical question, Xayah fell into a brief silence. Then, taking a deep breath, she said, "That guy, Faen... he can definitely feel it too."
No, he didn't just feel it... he completely dominated and lorded over the natural spirits.
Xayah clearly remembered that when she first attacked Faen, he effortlessly manipulated the violent natural elements of Qaelin Island, turning them into a docile stream of water to block her attack, and then swiftly captured her.
Under such circumstances, who could possibly claim that Faen couldn't perceive the thoughts of the natural spirits?
While Xayah's mind was a tangled mess, not knowing how to retort, her parents standing next to her looked surprised. After a moment of hesitation, they asked, "Xayah... do you actually have feelings for this Mr. Faen?"
"Feelings? That's totally impossible! Mom, Dad, how could you even think that?!" Hearing this, Xayah tensed up completely, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.
"You've got it all wrong! You must be completely mistaken!"
Hearing her parents' words and the Great Elder's intentions, Xayah, facing this kind of situation for the first time, tensed her entire body. Without looking back, she quickly darted out of the tent and ran outside.
Since the surrounding area was entirely a Vastayan settlement, Xayah's parents weren't too worried. They merely exchanged a glance, both showing helpless expressions.
Xayah herself might not realize it, but as experienced adults, they knew better. Their once rebellious little girl would usually clap back righteously when questioned—even if she was in the wrong, she would stubbornly argue to the bitter end, refusing to bow her head. But now... looking at her panicked and flustered state, it was exactly as if someone had just poked through a dirty little secret hidden deep in her heart.
Without chasing after her, the Great Elder just took one glance at the departing Xayah before shifting his gaze to her parents.
Although Xayah was reacting violently right now and refusing to admit it to her death, with age comes wisdom. The Great Elder could more or less realize that the fundamental reason for Xayah's intense reaction was because Faen had already secured a very special place in her heart.
If he was just a stranger, she wouldn't care this much. Since that was the case... Looking at Xayah's parents, the Great Elder decided to leave Xayah alone for now and start with her parents instead, working from the inside out to slowly make Xayah realize her own true desires.
Meanwhile, walking through the empty, dense forest, the Xayah who had stormed out initially had a face full of reluctance and indignance. But as she walked and found no one around, her thoughts naturally drifted back to what the elder had said.
Tie the knot with a human? It sounded like an absolute fantasy! A mere human, how could they possibly comprehend the greatness flowing within the Vastayan bloodline?!
Although that guy named Faen was indeed pretty impressive, even if his connection with nature was tighter, and he had gained the recognition of the Spirit of Ionia, and even helped her connect better with the natural spirits... at the end of the day, he was still just a human...
Thinking this, Xayah involuntarily swallowed hard. She recalled the vivid image from earlier that day—Faen's rough fingers thrusting deep into her mouth, wantonly playing with and stroking her tongue... She should be furious about that, right? But why did her body feel so inexplicably weak and yielding?
Gulping again, she leaned back against a tree. Faen's figure and his distinct scent surfaced in her mind. Her enhanced senses allowed her to perfectly recall everything that happened during the day, right down to the two of them chatting and laughing all the way from the edge of the forest to the tribe's camp. The relaxed intimacy and familiarity in her memories clashed violently with the pride she had built up over her entire life, causing an unprecedented look of lustful confusion and hazy bewilderment to involuntarily fill her eyes.
Inexplicably, Xayah felt an unbearable, deep itch and a throbbing ache spreading through her body, a burning need stirring between her thighs—that bastard Faen... what the fuck is he doing right now?
Just as Xayah was still lost in confusion about what the hell she should do, on the other side, Faen was holding Sona's hand, leading her into his own spiritual realm.
Even though she was mute and couldn't speak, just arriving in this realm made Sona feel her dripping pussy involuntarily start to throb and clench, soaking her panties wet with heavy arousal.