"It's true…"
Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's explanation, Liu Erlong seemed to recall something and instinctively showed a glimmer of understanding, even approval.
The phrase "strength is supreme" resonated far more deeply with her than it did with most people.
After all, wasn't the man she loved, Yu Xiaogang, the most vivid example of this harsh truth?
Despite being the legitimate child of Yu Yuanzhen, the esteemed patriarch of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, and despite being a brilliant theoretical master, he was ultimately cast out of the family like an unwanted piece of trash simply because his spirit was a mutated, useless one. His soul power had been forever capped at level 29.
Even blood relatives could be so cruelly pragmatic—how much more so for someone like Dai Chengfeng, who stood at the heart of the brutal succession struggle within the Star Luo Empire's royal family?
Though Liu Erlong was fiery-tempered, she wasn't foolish. She had heard of the ruthless competition rules in the Star Luo imperial family—victory meant crowning glory, while defeat meant death!
To her, Dai Chengfeng's urgency and ambition were not surprising but rather perfectly natural.
"The pressure on his shoulders must far exceed what Xiaogang endured back then," she thought. "After all, one involves life and death, while the other was merely being expelled from the family…"
Seeing Liu Erlong's eyes reflect understanding and agreement without any suspicion of deeper motives, Dai Chengfeng quietly exhaled in relief, his tense nerves slightly relaxing.
His decision to visit Liu Erlong so early indeed stemmed partially from his interest in the immense power of the Triple Spirit Fusion Technique, but that was by no means the primary reason…
After all, mastering a Spirit Fusion Technique wasn't something that could be achieved overnight, and finding the right partner was equally crucial.
The deepest reason lay in what had happened last night…
Yu Xiaogang had once again shamelessly sought out Bibi Dong!
Although everything that transpired in the Pope's Hall last night reassured Dai Chengfeng that Bibi Dong wouldn't betray him just because the person before her was Yu Xiaogang…
This confidence was based on one assumption—
That Yu Xiaogang would continue clinging stubbornly to his pride or his haughty self-respect, refusing to humble himself before Bibi Dong, even if it meant crashing headlong into failure.
But what if…
What if, under immense pressure or fear, Yu Xiaogang eventually "came to his senses"?
What if he abandoned his pitiful shred of dignity and begged Bibi Dong for help without restraint?
At that point, might Bibi Dong's lingering feelings for Yu Xiaogang resurface, leading her to make decisions unfavorable to Dai Chengfeng?
Dai Chengfeng asked himself honestly—he couldn't guarantee that he could overcome the complex emotions Bibi Dong had harbored for over twenty years.
Thus, he needed to expedite the matter of the Soul-Shaping Pill.
Only then could he permanently sever Yu Xiaogang's lingering hopes regarding Bibi Dong.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Dai Chengfeng turned to Liu Erlong, who still stood at the doorway. "Principal Liu, aren't you going to invite me in?"
"The morning chill isn't kind. Surely we can't discuss the profound intricacies of Spirit Fusion Techniques while standing outside, can we?"
"And…"
A teasing smile played at the corners of Dai Chengfeng's lips. "Perhaps Principal Liu would like to change into something… more appropriate?"
Liu Erlong suddenly became aware of her current appearance. A faint blush, nearly imperceptible, rose to her fair cheeks. A rare hint of shyness flickered across her usually fierce brows.
She instinctively moved to adjust the neckline of her nightgown but stopped herself, realizing the action would seem too deliberate. Instead, she stepped aside, gesturing toward the entrance:
"Uh… please come in. I apologize for keeping Prince Dai Chengfeng waiting outside for so long…"
Her voice softened considerably, carrying a trace of barely noticeable nervousness.
Soon, the heavy door closed behind Liu Erlong with a muffled thud as Dai Chengfeng stepped into the estate adorned with the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon banner.
---
Inside the estate, the space appeared even more expansive than it had from the outside. A path paved with bluestone led to the main hall, flanked by meticulously tended flowers and trees. The scene exuded tranquility and seclusion in the morning mist.
The air carried the faint scent of damp vegetation and a subtle, almost indiscernible fragrance unique to Liu Erlong herself.
"You… wait in the living room for a moment."
Liu Erlong pointed to the bright hall not far ahead, her speech faster than usual. "I… need to get ready."
"No worries."
Dai Chengfeng's gaze briefly traced the breathtaking curves outlined by Liu Erlong's thin nightgown before politely shifting away. He smiled faintly.
"I'm the one who came unannounced. Principal Liu, please take your time."
Without another word, Liu Erlong quickly turned and headed toward the inner chambers. Her loose black hair swayed gently behind her as she moved, her retreating figure carrying a hint of hasty retreat.
Dai Chengfeng entered the spacious yet elegant living room alone, casually choosing a sturdy wooden armchair to sit in. His fingertips tapped silently against the smooth armrest.
He glanced around. The layout was simple yet grand, with some decorative items exuding a rugged, lightning-like style. Subtle traces of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family crest lingered here and there, quietly asserting ownership.
"It seems the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family has shown considerable care for this 'outcast' member." Dai Chengfeng thought to himself.
The wait wasn't long.
Soon, the inner chamber door opened, and Liu Erlong reemerged.
She had changed into a sleek, well-tailored dark-colored outfit, her waist tightly cinched, accentuating her tall and striking figure.
Her cascading black hair was now neatly tied into a high ponytail, restoring her usual sharp and capable "female tyrant" demeanor.
The remnants of sleepiness on her commanding face had been replaced entirely by sharp focus. Her clear eyes looked at Dai Chengfeng with an unmistakable air of inquiry.
Only the faint redness lingering at the tips of her ears hinted at the earlier, surprisingly languid charm she had inadvertently displayed.
"I apologize for keeping Your Highness waiting."
With that, Liu Erlong sat directly across from Dai Chengfeng and got straight to the point: "Your Highness, do you understand the core principles of Spirit Fusion Techniques?"
Dai Chengfeng picked up the steaming tea freshly served by a maid, gently blowing away the foam. His tone was calm and confident: "As the name suggests, two or more soul masters with exceptionally compatible spirits can merge their spirit powers through a specific resonance method, forming a powerful unified spirit entity or unleashing a fusion technique with exponentially increased potency."
"Its essence lies in the deep attraction between the origins of their spirits and the resonance of their soul power."
"The highest-quality Spirit Fusion Techniques often signify that the participants' souls and powers have reached a state of profound unity, to the point of becoming inseparable."
His explanation was concise and logically structured, showcasing a deep theoretical foundation and profound understanding of the nature of power.
A flicker of admiration passed through Liu Erlong's eyes.
Dai Chengfeng's solid fundamentals and thorough comprehension far exceeded her expectations.
But… this was far from enough!
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