Level Forty… nine ?
Zhu Zhuqing felt a buzzing in her ears, her mind going blank.
The shock of hearing that he had increased by nine levels in just two months was far more intense than the earlier mention of "level forty" — thousands of times stronger!
Level forty was still within the realm of her understanding; with relentless cultivation, she could imagine someone struggling to reach that limit under specific conditions. But level forty-nine… in just two months… this had completely surpassed the boundaries of what could be explained by mere "cultivation"!
For a moment, Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at Dai Chengfeng, as if seeing her nominal fiancé for the first time.
At this moment, Hu Liena quickly added, "Of course, if this involves some core secret of your cultivation, or if Teacher instructed you not to reveal it, you don't have to tell me."
"I'm just really curious!"
With that, Hu Liena widened her big eyes, blinking innocently.
It was as if she were saying she had no malicious intent to pry.
Dai Chengfeng smiled, his gaze sweeping between Hu Liena's beautiful face, which practically screamed "tell me", and Zhu Zhuqing's shocked, icy expression.
He chuckled lightly. "It's not exactly an absolute secret. I can share part of it."
He picked up the lukewarm teacup from the side table, gently blowing on the floating tea leaves. "During my trip to Tian Dou City, I was lucky enough to encounter something unusual."
He took a sip of the tea, set the cup down, and continued, "By chance, I obtained a special inner core."
"That core…"
"Its effects were quite significant, greatly boosting my soul power. As for the specifics of its effects and origin…" He paused, glancing over Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing's inquisitive gazes, brushing it off casually. "That's not something I can disclose."
Unusual encounter! Inner Core!
A flicker of realization passed through Hu Liena's eyes, followed by a mix of relief and unavoidable disappointment.
She sighed softly. "So it's like that…"
She had already suspected that Dai Chengfeng must have encountered some incredible stroke of luck to explain his sudden surge in soul power—it was the only reasonable explanation.
But now that it was confirmed, she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
After all, such encounters were rare and unattainable—impossible to replicate.
"Ah…"
Hu Liena stood up, shaking her head with lingering regret. "Well, if it's due to an unusual encounter, then there's nothing left to envy but fate."
"My curiosity is satisfied. I should go."
As she spoke, Hu Liena gave a polite smile to Zhu Zhuqing, who was still in shock. "Sorry to disturb you, Miss Zhu Zhuqing."
Then, her gaze lingered momentarily on Qiu'er nestled in Dai Chengfeng's arms before she turned toward the door. But as she opened it, she paused, turning back to Dai Chengfeng:
"Oh, and don't forget about our promise to practice the Spirit Fusion Technique together! I'll come find you tomorrow!"
"Mm, I remember." Dai Chengfeng replied.
As the door closed softly behind Hu Liena, the room was once again left with only Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Qiu'er, who had shifted into an even more comfortable position in his arms.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze was fixed firmly on Dai Chengfeng. Beneath her cold eyes swirled a turbulent sea of emotions—difficult to calm and filled with unprecedented complexity.
After the initial shock came a strong mixture of confusion, inquiry, and curiosity.
A while later, Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke, her voice still clear and cold, but tinged with a subtle tightness:
"Dai… Dai Chengfeng, your soul power… has really… reached level forty-nine?"
Dai Chengfeng calmly nodded, picking up the teacup again and taking an elegant sip. "Naturally."
Receiving Dai Chengfeng's affirmative response, Zhu Zhuqing fell silent, her eyes clouded with thought as she reflected on the Dai Chengfeng she remembered…
In Star Luo City, there was a widely circulated rumor—Dai Chengfeng was lazy and talentless…
Zhu Zhuqing had been somewhat skeptical before, but now she suddenly felt a wave of absurdity wash over her.
Could someone labeled as "lazy and talentless" reach level forty-nine—a milestone most soul masters spent their entire lives striving for—before the age of fifteen?
Could someone labeled as "lazy and talentless" increase their soul power by nine levels in just two months?
If this qualified as "lazy and talentless," then what did that make her—the "genius" of the Zhu family, who had trained tirelessly but still hadn't reached level thirty?
A laughingstock?
Her previous feelings of detachment, coldness, and even hidden resentment toward Dai Chengfeng based on rumors…
Now seemed utterly ridiculous as the truth began to surface.
A powerful contrast surged within Zhu Zhuqing, along with newfound respect for Dai Chengfeng's strength. Even the way she looked at him had subtly changed…
Beneath her aloofness, genuine curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of admiration—something she herself hadn't realized yet—had begun to emerge.
Who exactly was Dai Chengfeng?
How had he risen to this point amidst layers of doubt and unfavorable rumors?
What was the true extent of his strength?
This thought continued to grow uncontrollably in Zhu Zhuqing's mind.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing had one final question she wanted to confirm…
If the rumors about Dai Chengfeng being lazy and talentless were false, there was one fact—even Emperor Dai An of Star Luo had personally acknowledged it.
Each time it was mentioned, he lamented bitterly, frustrated by his son's stubbornness.
It was that Dai Chengfeng had recklessly chosen not to follow the prescribed sequence of spirit rings left by the ancestors of the Dai family, opting instead for other spirit rings that conflicted with his White Tiger martial spirit.
Before, Zhu Zhuqing had fully believed that Dai Chengfeng's soul skills must be weak, with his potential inevitably compromised…
But now, Zhu Zhuqing wasn't so sure anymore.
She desperately wanted to test whether Dai Chengfeng's spirit rings truly conflicted with his martial spirit, and whether his soul skills were indeed weak.
Zhu Zhuqing wanted to challenge Dai Chengfeng to a duel!
She wanted to see if his level forty-nine soul power was merely superficial due to his choice of spirit rings—or…
Was the so-called "conflict" between spirit rings and martial spirit yet another absurdity?
However, just as Zhu Zhuqing opened her mouth to speak…
Knock, knock, knock.
A crisp knocking sound rang out once more.
Immediately after, the gentle and joyful voice of Zhu Hongxiu came from outside the door. "Chengfeng, Zhuqing, lunch is ready. Shall we eat?"
"Especially you, Chengfeng—you've just returned. You must be hungry, right?"
Hearing this, Dai Chengfeng set down the teacup, stood up with Qiu'er in his arms, and responded, "Yes, Mother."
Zhu Zhuqing watched as Dai Chengfeng rose, cradling the golden ball of fur and walking toward the door. In the end, she silently stood up as well, suppressing the words "let's have a match" that she hadn't managed to say.
"Not urgent. There will be plenty of opportunities…"
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