In truth, Liu Erlong wasn't deliberately withholding better items for the exchange. She wasn't lacking in sincerity—otherwise, she wouldn't have chased all the way from Tian Dou City to Spirit City.
She truly didn't have anything better to offer.
Over the years, Lanba Academy had been supported entirely by her efforts, though with some help from her family. Compared to large institutions like the Tian Dou Imperial Academy, however, it still had shallow roots. Accumulating those few soul-guidance tools, that 20,000-year-old soul bone, and that ancient Dragon Saliva Grass had already cost her an immense amount of effort.
Moreover…
These items, when placed before any ordinary soul master or even a medium-sized sect, would be enough to spark a fierce and bloody scramble.
Thus, these were truly her proudest achievements as the principal of Lanba Academy, her most prized treasures.
But how could they compare to Dai Chengfeng, who was no ordinary person?
He was the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire! A member of the imperial family with access to vast resources! And even more importantly, a disciple of Pope Bibi Dong!
His perspective and starting point were already at heights unreachable for most people.
Soul bones?
High-grade medicinal herbs?
Rare soul tools?
To someone like Dai Chengfeng, these were truly as common as toys to a child!
Though she knew this, Liu Erlong still wanted to give it a try—after all, what if there was a chance?
However, since Dai Chengfeng had clearly rejected her offer, Liu Erlong stopped probing further.
She knew that this might be her last opportunity.
Thinking this…
She straightened her back and met Dai Chengfeng's gaze head-on, without any pretense, and directly revealed her trump card:
"Prince Dai Chengfeng, the item I'm offering in exchange this time is…"
"The experience of a Soul Fusion Technique!"
"A Soul Fusion Technique's experience?"
Dai Chengfeng instantly let out a derisive snort, as if he had heard something utterly absurd. "Principal Liu, are you sure you're not pretending to be naive?"
"The Dai family of the Star Luo Imperial Family has a heritage spanning thousands of years!"
"The secret technique of the Netherworld White Tiger fusion between the White Tiger martial soul and Zhu Family's Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul has long become one of the empire's iconic symbols!"
"From awakening to mastery, every step is passed down through generations!"
"And you dare to use 'experience of a Soul Fusion Technique' to exchange for the rare and invaluable Soul-Shaping Pill in my possession?"
"Are you implying that, in your eyes, I, Dai Chengfeng, am a fool?"
Dai Chengfeng's tone wasn't loud, but each word was crystal clear:
"Or perhaps, this so-called 'sincerity' of yours is just another attempt to swindle me without offering anything substantial?"
However…
This time, under Dai Chengfeng's scrutinizing gaze, Liu Erlong remained completely calm.
"Prince Dai Chengfeng, please remain patient."
She slowly began to explain: "I am well aware of the illustrious reputation of the Star Luo Imperial Family's 'Netherworld White Tiger' Soul Fusion Technique, and I fully understand the completeness of its inheritance system."
"But!"
"What I am offering Your Highness is not the experience of an ordinary dual-soul fusion."
Dai Chengfeng's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't interrupt, seemingly signaling her to continue.
Seeing this, Liu Erlong realized she had guessed correctly. This young man was indeed interested in unique things. So she continued: "What I possess is the experience of a triple soul fusion technique!"
"On this continent, while dual-soul fusions are rare, they are not unheard of."
"But as far as I know, the only stable triple soul fusion combinations currently in existence are myself, Liu Erlong, Flender, and… Yu Xiaogang!"
Liu Erlong grew increasingly confident as she spoke, listing off details: "The fusion of three souls involves resonance of soul power, alignment of martial souls, harmonization of conflicting martial souls, primary and secondary roles, critical nodes for amplifying power…"
"The uniqueness of this experience is fundamentally different from dual-soul fusion. In some ways, it provides a pathway to break through the conventional limitations of soul fusion techniques!"
"This kind of detailed and successful record is virtually nonexistent elsewhere on the continent!"
At this point, Liu Erlong raised her eyes to meet Dai Chengfeng's directly: "The Star Luo Imperial Family has deep roots and must have collected countless secret techniques and materials."
"But Prince Dai, consider this: how many detailed, practical insights into the core principles and experiences of triple soul fusion techniques—especially cases like our 'Golden Iron Triangle,' which successfully achieved fusion despite weaker martial souls —can be found in your royal archives?"
"Or, have you personally studied similar real-world examples?"
With that said…
Liu Erlong fell silent, inwardly smug.
She was betting that a genius like Dai Chengfeng would never refuse the possibility of becoming stronger!
"Unfortunately…"
"Though this experience is indeed precious, unique, and even groundbreaking in value, a priceless treasure for scholars studying the essence of soul fusion or for powerful individuals seeking innovation…"
Liu Erlong's thoughts turned mocking.
She believed that Dai Chengfeng absolutely couldn't pull it off.
After all, she knew just how demanding triple soul fusion was!
It required perfect timing, favorable conditions, and absolute harmony among participants.
Their "Golden Iron Triangle" succeeded largely due to the deep bonds of friendship between Flender, Xiaogang, and herself, as well as a certain special resonance between their energies.
As for Dai Chengfeng?
That cunning brat—how could he possibly cultivate the absolute chemistry required for a triple fusion with anyone?
And besides, how easy was it to find two martial souls compatible enough with the White Tiger martial soul for triple fusion?
She, Flender, and Xiaogang were special.
Thinking about this, Liu Erlong wasn't just smug—she was downright gleeful.
She was essentially exchanging knowledge that Dai Chengfeng could never replicate for the extremely valuable Soul-Shaping Pill. Wasn't this practically stealing?
How satisfying!
Liu Erlong thought back to how she had been pressured by Dai Chengfeng earlier, and now…
She had tricked him!
A wave of irrepressible satisfaction and the feeling of "getting one up on him" began to stir in Liu Erlong's heart, though her face remained serious for the negotiation.
"Well then, Prince Dai?"
She spoke again, her voice now carrying a hint of confidence. "Is this unique summary of experience worth one Soul-Shaping Pill in your possession?"
"Perhaps it won't immediately grant you the ability to perform a triple fusion, but for understanding the deeper mysteries of soul fusion, expanding your horizons in fusion techniques, and even…"
"Providing a valuable reference sample for potential future research by the Star Luo Imperial Family, its value surely far exceeds those mere physical objects, doesn't it?"
Upon hearing Liu Erlong's final words, Dai Chengfeng instinctively nodded.
After all, to him, soul tools and soul bones were consumables. Knowledge itself was the scarcest and most strategically valuable resource.
Especially this kind of rare, exclusive knowledge!
After several breaths, Dai Chengfeng slowly raised his eyes and looked at Liu Erlong.
Dai Chengfeng was intrigued. He was ready to nod in agreement.
After all, it seemed that Liu Erlong really didn't have anything better to offer. If that was the case, even if he weren't tempted, he would have no choice but to agree. Besides, this kind of experience was genuinely valuable.
There was also another reason…
Even if he gave away the Soul-Shaping Pill for free, Dai Chengfeng still wanted to hand it over.
It was useless to Yu Xiaogang—it could only be used to trick him…
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