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"Eat? I don't think that's necessary."
Dai Chengfeng's tone was calm. "After all, I also had an urgent matter that day and left Tian Dou City directly, unable to visit as promised."
"Therefore, Principal Liu doesn't need to feel sorry."
"As for now…"
As Dai Chengfeng spoke, his gaze shifted away from Liu Erlong's face and back toward the stairs above. He lifted his foot, ready to ascend. "I have something to do upstairs. Let's eat next time."
Before his words had even faded, he had already turned halfway.
This Mother Tyrannosaurus is putting on quite the act, trying to blur the fact that she initiated the discussion of the trade with this "chance encounter" and "apology"?
Impossible!
Dai Chengfeng chuckled inwardly.
"Next time?!"
These two words were like sparks, instantly igniting the anger Liu Erlong had been desperately suppressing. Her suppressed fury flared up once again.
You little brat! So slippery! You're definitely doing this on purpose!
He clearly heard me mention 'discussing the Soul-Shaping Pill' earlier! He wants to force me to lower my head! How infuriating…
Liu Erlong felt that her carefully orchestrated script of a "chance meeting" and "apology" now seemed like a clumsy joke in front of this little devil.
But…
Watching Dai Chengfeng's figure about to disappear around the corner of the staircase, Liu Erlong still had to suppress all her indignation.
After all, the Soul-Shaping Pill… was currently her greatest hope to help Yu Xiaogang break through the 29th level of soul power.
It was her biggest chance.
Therefore, she could only humble herself, no matter how angry she felt.
"…Wait!"
Liu Erlong spoke again, her voice carrying a faint trace of urgency, even unintentionally raising her volume slightly higher than usual.
The curious gazes of the few scattered customers in the lobby drifted over, making her even angrier, but she couldn't care less at this point.
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng's figure paused slightly.
He didn't immediately turn around, merely stopping on the steps as if weighing his options.
After a few breaths, he slowly turned around, still maintaining his superior posture. His face showed no hint of triumph, only an unruffled calm.
He strolled back into the lobby but didn't approach Liu Erlong's table, instead standing a few steps away, his eyes fixed on her face.
"Principal Liu has stopped me," Dai Chengfeng began, "presumably because there's something important?"
"But my time is limited. Speak plainly."
The taste of losing control was bitter for Liu Erlong.
But ultimately, she took a deep breath, forcing herself to ignore Dai Chengfeng's maddening indifference, and straightened her back.
She understood…
At this point, any further pretense would make her a laughingstock.
"Dai Chengfeng," Liu Erlong skipped any preamble and went straight to the heart of the matter, "you should understand what my ultimate goal is in coming here."
Liu Erlong stared directly into Dai Chengfeng's eyes. Despite the unease in her heart, her gaze remained resolute. "You know that I am determined to obtain the Soul-Shaping Pill."
"I just want to know—what exactly do you want me to offer in exchange for one Soul-Shaping Pill?"
Dai Chengfeng raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by Liu Erlong's sudden "bluntness," but he didn't respond verbally. Instead, his gaze silently signaled:
Show your sincerity.
Seeing this, Liu Erlong nodded and, without hesitation, began listing the bargaining chips she had prepared beforehand:
"My Lanba Academy may not rival the great sects, but we do have several valuable soul-guide tools, including a high-level defensive armor with exceptional protective power…"
"There's also a 20,000-year-old agility-type left leg soul bone, with pure attributes…"
"Additionally, in the academy's medicinal garden, there is an ancient Dragon Saliva Grass that can strengthen tendons and nourish meridians…"
Liu Erlong spoke slowly, clearly articulating the value of each item she listed.
These were the hidden treasures of Lanba Academy, painstakingly accumulated over many years.
In ordinary transactions, they would be enough to impress anyone.
But now, as she spoke, she kept her eyes glued to Dai Chengfeng's expression.
Dai Chengfeng, however, listened quietly, his face betraying no emotion.
When Liu Erlong finally finished speaking, expecting some response from Dai Chengfeng, he simply furrowed his brow.
"Principal Liu," Dai Chengfeng finally spoke, his voice low and tinged with skepticism, "you should already know who I am, right?"
"After all, it's been so long, and since you know my name, I find it hard to believe you haven't investigated me."
Liu Erlong looked at the frowning Dai Chengfeng, her unease growing. She nodded. "I know you, Prince Dai Chengfeng, the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire, disciple of Pope Bibi Dong, with two older brothers…"
Dai Chengfeng gave a slight nod. "Principal Liu, since you know my identity…"
He deliberately paused, his sharp gaze locking onto Liu Erlong's slightly uneasy yet beautiful eyes. "You should understand…"
"As the fourth prince of the Star Luo Empire and a disciple of Pope Bibi Dong, do you really think I lack the common items you mentioned?"
"These…"
Dai Chengfeng's gaze swept over the list Liu Erlong had provided. Though he didn't say the word "trash," the slight shake of his head and the unmistakable tinge of irritation in his tone conveyed his thoughts clearly.
After all, while Dai Chengfeng intended to exploit the Soul-Shaping Pill to trick Yu Xiaogang, the rarer something was, the more valuable it appeared.
Thus, he couldn't possibly exchange it for such mundane items.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng leaned forward slightly, the invisible pressure intensifying. "It seems, Principal Liu's so-called 'sincerity' still treats me as…"
"Someone who can be easily deceived?"
"If that's the case, then I think this deal is best called off."
With that, Dai Chengfeng shook his head in disappointment and turned around, stepping toward the stairs once more! This time, his turn was even quicker!
Liu Erlong's heart sank. Dai Chengfeng's reaction was entirely within her expectations, but when faced with it, the dissatisfaction of "so it goes" still made her feel a surge of frustration.
You little brat! You're forcing me to reveal my trump card!
How old are you? How can you be so difficult to fool?
For a moment, Liu Erlong was struck by Dai Chengfeng's behavior, leaving her doubting life itself.
She felt as though she wasn't facing a passionate youth but a meticulous strategist.
Sigh!
Liu Erlong let out a soft sigh in her heart. "It seems I'll have to bring out the bottom of the barrel."
Thinking this, Liu Erlong shook her head and spoke again.
"Wait!!!"
Dai Chengfeng stopped for the third time, but this time he didn't turn around immediately, leaving Liu Erlong with only a tall and cold back.
"Prince Dai Chengfeng, I have one last offer. I guarantee it will satisfy you. May I ask for another chance?"
"Speak."
Dai Chengfeng wasn't genuinely canceling the deal; he was simply waiting for Liu Erlong's trump card. He didn't believe those ordinary items she mentioned earlier were her real preparation.
Thus, having achieved his goal, Dai Chengfeng naturally wouldn't leave.
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