One match after another.
From afternoon to the setting sun, the light in the dome of the soul arena gradually shifted from glaring to golden.
Dai Chengfeng led Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing through six more matches.
In each match, Dai Chengfeng refrained from using excessive strength. His focus was on coordinating and guiding the two girls.
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing started out fighting independently, occasionally facing dangerous situations, but gradually found some level of rapport.
They remained silent with minimal communication, but their subtle movements during combat—dodging, defending, and coordinating attacks—showed a newfound synchronization that wasn't there before.
A single glance was enough for the other to roughly understand their intentions. Though they weren't yet in perfect harmony, it was a vast improvement compared to earlier.
As the final match ended,
Dai Chengfeng looked at the two girls who were slightly fatigued but still brimming with excitement and fighting spirit. He nodded in satisfaction.
Though today's battles weren't intense, the high frequency of fights and continuous coordination yielded decent overall results.
"Let's go," he called out. "That's all for today's battles. Let's head back."
Hu Liena and Zhu Zhuqing had no objections and followed Dai Chengfeng as they left the bustling soul arena.
Night fell, cloaking the sky of Spirit City in shades of ink.
The three walked back toward the Spirit Hall. Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena maintained a distance of two steps, flanking Dai Chengfeng on either side, remaining silent.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Hu Liena on the other side, her cool voice breaking the silence.
"Thank you."
Two concise words, characteristic of Zhu Zhuqing's straightforwardness.
Dai Chengfeng didn't stop walking, but his eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.
Hu Liena, on the other hand, was momentarily stunned and turned to look at the "little wildcat" beside her.
The silver moonlight outlined Zhu Zhuqing's delicate and icy profile. Her gaze was fixed ahead, as if the thanks were casually spoken rather than deliberately intended.
"What did you say?"
Hu Liena was puzzled and asked instinctively.
Zhu Zhuqing heard her and slightly shifted her gaze. "During those later matches today, and especially when blocking that earth spike soul skill in the last one, I noticed you were consciously adapting your rhythm to support my attacks, creating space for me to break through."
"Little kitten…"
Hu Liena hadn't expected Zhu Zhuqing to notice these details, let alone thank her.
After a brief moment of surprise, a strange warmth spread quietly in her heart, making her previous awkwardness about being forced into 'building rapport' (taking a bath together) seem less significant.
She suddenly found this usually cold-faced little cat with piercing eyes somewhat… cute.
At least she was honest, sharp, and full of potential.
A faint smile flashed in Hu Liena's mind, but she quickly shook her head: However, this little kitten is still feeling guilty about her own abilities…
Thinking this, Hu Liena's lips curved into a tiny smirk. She lifted her chin slightly and huffed, "I did that for efficiency in defeating our opponents, not to specifically help you, you little kitten!"
She dragged out the word "kitten," laced with a hint of provocation.
Zhu Zhuqing gave Hu Liena a deep look, seemingly seeing through her thoughts. Without missing a beat, she responded with an equally sharp retort:
"Hmph, stubborn big fox! Next time, I won't need your help."
"Oh? Is that so? I don't recall who nearly got hit by that ground-shattering hammer blow if it weren't for my mental interference delaying it slightly..."
"Likewise! When you were tangled up by that stone giant, if I hadn't exposed its weak spot in time, how would you have escaped?"
"That's still better than someone who recklessly charged in and got surrounded by traps!"
"At least I'm better than someone who got distracted halfway through her charm control and almost dragged down the whole team…"
For a while, the quiet street was filled only with the sound of the two girls bickering.
Dai Chengfeng walked in the middle, listening to the verbal sparring around him, and chuckled softly.
"It seems my team is heading in a promising direction…"
---
Outside Dai Chengfeng's room at the Spirit Hall.
"Dai Chengfeng, I'll take my leave now…"
Hu Liena looked at Dai Chengfeng, preparing to bid farewell.
Just then, a graceful and dignified figure emerged from the doorway.
She wore an elegant deep purple gown that exuded nobility, her demeanor warm and composed. It was Dai Chengfeng's mother, Queen Zhu Hongxiu of the Star Luo Empire.
"Mother."
Dai Chengfeng was the first to stop, bowing respectfully.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena immediately composed themselves, bowing slightly. "Auntie."
"Senior Zhu."
Zhu Hongxiu smiled and nodded, her gaze lingering on Hu Liena for a moment longer.
Then, she glanced at her son, Zhu Zhuqing, and the subtle atmosphere surrounding the three of them...
"Chengfeng, Zhuqing, and Miss Hu Liena..."
Zhu Hongxiu spoke with a gentle smile, her eyes resting on her son. "Where have you been? Why are you coming back so late for two consecutive days?"
Zhu Hongxiu originally thought Dai Chengfeng was building chemistry with Zhu Zhuqing, but she had overheard that he took Hu Liena, the future Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, to the soul arena. Thus, she waited specifically to inquire.
She wanted to know what her son was up to?
Although it was normal for a future emperor of the Star Luo Empire to have a harem, important matters shouldn't be neglected!
Clearly, mastering the fusion technique of the Netherworld White Tiger was top priority!
Dai Chengfeng, meeting his mother's questioning gaze, didn't hide anything.
"Mother, we went to the city's soul arena."
"The soul arena?"
Zhu Hongxiu nodded, a hint of reproach appearing in her eyes. "For practical training? To improve rapport? But Chengfeng, the Netherworld White Tiger is meant for you and..."
"Mother."
Before Zhu Hongxiu could finish, Dai Chengfeng interrupted and explained, "Going to the soul arena was partly to build combat chemistry with Zhuqing and master the Netherworld White Tiger. But on the other hand..."
He paused, a spark of anticipation gleaming in his eyes. "I have an idea, and I want to see if it can succeed."
"An idea?"
"Yes," Dai Chengfeng nodded. "The fusion technique between Zhuqing and me will definitely succeed, but I'm wondering if we can include Hu Liena and attempt... to create a 'triple' fusion technique performed by three people!"
"A triple fusion technique?!"
The gentle smile on Zhu Hongxiu's face instantly transformed into shock. Her elegant eyes widened slightly as her gaze swept back and forth between Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena.
Even with her status and extensive knowledge, she fully realized how astonishing this idea was!
Soul fusion techniques were already extremely rare, requiring compatibility between souls and a high level of mental harmony between spirit masters.
And a triple...
It existed only in legends, with conditions so stringent and difficulty levels beyond imagination.
The Golden Iron Triangle was the only known example, but their relationship was exceptionally unique. Could these three children really pull it off?!
However, after a brief moment of astonishment, the concern in Zhu Hongxiu's eyes was replaced by a deeper maternal trust and expectation for her child.
After all, no one knew her son better than she did...
Zhu Hongxiu had always known that her son was steady and decisive, never acting without purpose.
Though the goal seemed unattainable, if he dared to propose it, he must have his reasons and supporting evidence.
In the blink of an eye, Zhu Hongxiu's expression softened once again, filled with encouragement.
Only...
Her gaze lingered on Hu Liena with a profound and meaningful look.
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