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Upon hearing Dai Chengfeng's words, both Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena felt a tinge of regret.
After all, hearing Dai Chengfeng recount the experience of the three-way spirit fusion technique was one thing, but meeting Liu Erlong in person—someone who truly mastered the technique—and hearing her explain it firsthand would surely be different.
However, since Dai Chengfeng refused their request, they could only reluctantly accept it without giving it much thought.
They assumed that perhaps Liu Erlong didn't want to be disturbed, and bringing strangers to her house uninvited might seem disrespectful.
Thus, Dai Chengfeng's refusal was perfectly reasonable.
"Alright," Zhu Zhuqing spoke first, her cool voice pleasant to the ear. "Then I'll... come back to see you this afternoon."
Hu Liena also nodded. "Dai Chengfeng, I'll come back this afternoon too. You'd better not make excuses to avoid us then—I'm eager to grow stronger!"
"Don't worry."
Dai Chengfeng smiled in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the two uniquely charming girls. Suddenly, as if struck by an amusing thought, a sly smirk spread across his lips.
"By the way, before we head to the soul arena this afternoon, I have a small 'task' for you two."
"A task?"
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances, curiosity sparking in their eyes, though tinged with caution.
Judging from Dai Chengfeng's expression, their instincts told them this "task" wasn't about training or cultivation.
"Yes," Dai Chengfeng nodded, his smile widening. "I think that to speed up your 'chemistry building,' even if you can't participate in soul battles right now, you shouldn't waste time."
"Hmm…"
"I suggest you try… washing each other's backs. How does that sound?"
"What?! Wash that little wildcat's back?! Are you serious?!"
Hu Liena's eyes widened instantly, her cheeks flushing red with embarrassment and anger. "Dai Chengfeng! What kind of nonsense are you thinking about? Who would bathe with her, let alone wash her back?!"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything outright, but her suddenly icy cat-like eyes pierced into Dai Chengfeng, radiating a clear message of disbelief:
What kind of joke is this?
How could I possibly wash that fox spirit's back?
"What? You disagree?"
"Of course I disagree! Absolutely not!" *2
One voice was cold and sharp, the other sultry and melodious, yet they spoke in perfect unison.
Hu Liena looked at Dai Chengfeng with disdain. "Dai Chengfeng, what's the point of making us do this?"
"Are you trying to satisfy some… unspeakable desires?"
Zhu Zhuqing also fixed her gaze on Dai Chengfeng, her eyes probing.
Dai Chengfeng looked at the two of them, feigning innocence as he shrugged. "You're wrong again!"
"Listen, to master a spirit fusion technique, you need to reach a level of mutual understanding. The fastest ways to build trust are either through life-and-death experiences or… complete vulnerability, being open and unreserved with each other."
"Therefore, aside from life-or-death battles, what could be more effective in breaking down barriers and fostering understanding than bathing together and being completely open?"
Dai Chengfeng explained earnestly, his eyes brimming with mock hurt.
"You… you're spouting nonsense!"
Hu Liena stomped her foot in frustration. "What openness?! You just want to laugh at us… Hmph! I think you're doing this on purpose!"
Though Zhu Zhuqing didn't verbally agree with Hu Liena's accusation, her tightly pursed lips and slightly twitching lashes made it clear how much she opposed the idea.
However, deep down, she couldn't deny that while Dai Chengfeng might indeed be trying to embarrass them by making these two "enemies" wash each other's backs…
The suggestion did highlight a valid point…
Their animosity and mutual dislike stemmed largely from their lack of understanding of each other.
After a long silence…
Despite their countless objections swirling in their minds, neither Hu Liena nor Zhu Zhuqing could come up with a strong, logical argument to fully refute Dai Chengfeng.
Moreover, their desire to master the three-way spirit fusion technique and grow stronger was urgent.
Any method that could potentially help them cultivate the technique, no matter how embarrassing, couldn't be entirely dismissed.
In the end…
Under Dai Chengfeng's earnest expression of "doing this for your own good," Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged reluctant glances.
But in each other's eyes, they saw a hint of compromise.
"Fine! If washing is what you want, then fine! But Dai Chengfeng…"
Hu Liena gritted her teeth, her tone laced with resignation as she glared at Dai Chengfeng's teasing face. "You'd better pray our 'chemistry' shows up in the soul arena. Otherwise… Hmph!"
With that, Hu Liena spun around and left.
Zhu Zhuqing merely gave a cold "Hmph," refusing to look at Dai Chengfeng as she turned and walked away. "I hope today's training will be more reliable."
Her rapidly retreating figure revealed a faint blush at the tips of her ears.
Leaning against the doorframe, Dai Chengfeng watched the awkward retreating figures of the two girls, his eyes filled with amused satisfaction. He muttered softly to himself, "Tsk~"
"This is far more interesting than the Golden Iron Triangle's story…"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled and shook his head, watching until their figures disappeared around the corner of the corridor. Only then did he compose himself, returning to his room.
He didn't disturb Qiu'er, who was sleeping soundly on the pillow. Instead, he changed into a fresh set of dark-colored casual clothes.
Once ready, he quietly closed the door behind him and set off alone toward Liu Erlong's residence.
The early morning Spirit City was still quiet, the air fresh with the scent of grass and dew.
It didn't take long for Dai Chengfeng to arrive at Liu Erlong's courtyard, a place he knew well.
Today, Liu Erlong wasn't as hurried as she had been when opening the door yesterday. She wore a neatly tailored burgundy-purple dress, which toned down her usual sharpness and instead exuded an almost deliberate air of dignity.
Yet, when her gaze met Dai Chengfeng's in mid-air…
For a moment, she couldn't help but recall the inexplicable changes her body had undergone yesterday, causing her expression to falter ever so slightly.
A faint blush crept up her earlobes.
But she quickly composed herself.
"You're here."
Liu Erlong's voice was quieter than yesterday, deliberately calm.
Dai Chengfeng nodded, smiling as he noticed the fleeting unease in her eyes. A trace of understanding and subtle amusement flickered in his heart.
Heh, it seems this notoriously fiery-tempered Principal Liu was still troubled by her uncontrollable display of charm from yesterday.
While pondering this, Dai Chengfeng maintained a neutral exterior. "Mm, it's important. I didn't want to delay."
"Principal Liu, shall we begin?"
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