This time, Liu Erlong's tone carried a hint of genuine annoyance. Although the allure in her eyes hadn't completely faded, her furrowed brows and trembling lips revealed she had reached the tipping point of embarrassment and anger.
Dai Chengfeng was pushed back slightly, watching the beautiful woman before him gasp for breath, her face flushed with both shame and fury. He knew today's "experiment" had reached its limit.
If he continued further, he might truly enrage this fiery goddess of flames, whose temper was as fierce as her nature. Going too far would only make things worse.
He obligingly took a step back, creating some distance, but his gaze remained intensely fixed on Liu Erlong's swollen, moist lips.
His tongue lightly grazed the corner of his mouth as if savoring something, then curved into a playful yet lingering smile. His voice was low and ambiguous:
"Alright, I'll leave. However…" He deliberately paused, his gaze burning. "Erlong Sister's lips… are incredibly sweet."
With that, without waiting for Liu Erlong to react, he chuckled softly, finally turned around, and walked out of the room with calm, even leisurely steps.
The door closed gently behind him, leaving Liu Erlong alone in the room, surrounded by the lingering, strong presence of Dai Chengfeng.
Liu Erlong slumped back against the chair, exhausted, her chest still rising and falling rapidly. The sensation of heat and dominance lingered on her lips.
As Dai Chengfeng's footsteps grew fainter, her taut nerves finally relaxed, but what followed was an overwhelming mix of unrelenting shame, frustration, and a flutter of emotion she refused to acknowledge.
"This… this scoundrel! Shameless rogue!"
She muttered under her breath, raising her hand to vigorously rub her lips. Yet, the feeling of being kissed seemed branded onto her skin, vivid and unforgettable.
She was furious at Dai Chengfeng's audacity, but even more so at her own surrender and inability to resist.
The feeling of being completely dominated and retreating step by step was both unfamiliar and unsettling for someone as strong-willed as her.
Recalling her final, utterly powerless threat—"I'm really going to get angry!"—which sounded more like a coquettish complaint, filled her with unbearable regret.
Liu Erlong abruptly stood up, wanting to smash something to vent her frustration. But after glancing around, she forced herself to restrain.
She walked to the window just in time to see Dai Chengfeng's figure disappearing beyond the courtyard gate. His posture was upright and composed, as if he had just finished an ordinary sparring session.
"Hmph!"
She let out a heavy snort and slammed her fist onto the window frame, producing a dull thud from the wooden frame.
Her heart was a tangled mess of shame, confusion, and a trace of excitement she refused to admit, leaving her utterly disoriented as she watched the "culprit" walk away with ease.
Meanwhile, she felt like a defeated general, seething with impotent rage.
...
A cool breeze swept through.
In the bustling Spirit City, Dai Chengfeng walked alone on his way back to the Spirit Hall, his mind still unconsciously replaying Liu Erlong's flustered, blushing expression.
He instinctively pressed his lips together, as if he could still feel their softness and warmth. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips, unnoticed even by himself.
But soon, this fleeting moment of indulgence was overshadowed by heavier thoughts, recalling Liu Erlong's analysis.
"The root cause of the Netherworld White Tiger fusion failure is the Rakshasa divine power within me…"
Dai Chengfeng's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered inwardly.
Liu Erlong's words had clarified the key reason for the fusion's failure, but they also pointed out a nearly unsolvable dilemma.
After all, this Rakshasa divine power wasn't something Dai Chengfeng had actively cultivated. It had been attracted by the Asura power and parasitically attached itself to him, more like a powerful and stubborn "mark."
Under normal circumstances, it posed no issue. With the suppression of the Asura power, it not only caused no harm but even enhanced his strength…
Yet, it couldn't change the fact that the power itself was inherently aggressive and exclusive.
Now, when Dai Chengfeng wanted to perform a soul fusion technique like the Netherworld White Tiger, which required absolute sincerity and deep integration, how could he possibly make this uncontrollable force "behave"?
It was simply impossible!
"What should I do?"
Dai Chengfeng contemplated possible solutions.
The first option: completely controlling the Rakshasa divine power.
This was the most ideal path, but also the most difficult.
The level of divine power was far beyond his current reach, especially the essence of a 1st-Class God like the Rakshasa.
Even though he possessed only a fragment of it, attempting to forcibly control it would be like an ant trying to shake a tree. One misstep, and he'd be completely overwhelmed, losing his mind in the process.
Perhaps when his strength reached the level of an unparalleled Douluo or even touched the threshold of godhood, there might be a slight chance to tame this power. But…
How distant was that? Distant water can't quench immediate thirst.
The second option: completely purifying or removing the Rakshasa divine power.
This was equally fraught with difficulties.
Leaving aside the challenge of finding a method or artifact capable of purifying divine-level power, the process of removal alone was perilous.
This divine power had already fused to a certain extent with his own soul power and even his spirit. Forcibly removing it could damage his foundation, causing a severe drop in cultivation or even crippling his spirit.
The risks were too great, and the cost too high to bear.
As for the third option—the last solution Dai Chengfeng could think of—
Finding a force or method capable of neutralizing or suppressing the exclusivity of the Rakshasa divine power.
For instance, using the Asura power? After all, the Rakshasa divine power was drawn by the Asura power; perhaps they shared a mutual counterbalance?
But this thought was quickly dismissed by Dai Chengfeng himself.
The same problem remained: the Asura power within him was more like a catalyst. The Rakshasa divine power itself wasn't under his control, and the domineering nature of the Asura's slaughter and judgment attributes was no less intense than that of the Rakshasa.
Attempting to fuse them would likely result in an explosive conflict…
"Alas, neutralizing the characteristics of divine power is easier said than done."
After much deliberation, all his ideas seemed to lead to dead ends.
Each method either demanded too much, carried immense risks, or had questionable effectiveness.
Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but sigh deeply, feeling an overwhelming headache.
Finally, he rubbed his temples and exhaled a long breath.
"Enough," he looked up at the sky, the cool breeze calming his chaotic thoughts. "Overthinking only adds to the issue."
"When the cart reaches the mountain, there will surely be a path; when the boat arrives at the bridge, it will naturally straighten. Perhaps the turning point lies somewhere in the future, and forcing it won't help…"
Since there was no immediate solution, Dai Chengfeng decided not to dwell on it further.
He knew that for now, the best course of action was to continue following his original plan—building foundational tacit understanding with Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena while enhancing his own strength.
As long as he became powerful enough, the future would inevitably reveal new opportunities.
Soon, having temporarily set aside his worries, Dai Chengfeng quickened his pace.
When he returned to the temporary residence assigned by the Spirit Hall, he spotted two graceful silhouettes reflected on the glass windows from afar.
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