Ning Rongrong recoiled as if burned, quickly retreating and covering her cheeks that had been pinched.
She glared at Dai Chengfeng with a hint of embarrassment and annoyance, muttering:
"Who... who is your little lucky star? Don't pinch my face, you're treating me like a child?!"
"Are you not?" Dai Chengfeng chuckled.
"Hmph!"
Ning Rongrong let out a soft huff. "You're the kid, your whole family are kids!"
"You're not much older than me, always acting like an adult, it's so annoying~"
Dai Chengfeng looked at the 'angry' Ning Rongrong, shaking his head internally, "Still claiming not to be a kid..."
On the surface, he withdrew his hand, but the smile on his face didn't diminish in the slightest.
He redirected his attention back to the brocade box in his hands, his tone still brimming with excitement: "Alright, I'm the kid, okay?"
"Let's not talk about this anymore..."
Dai Chengfeng turned back to Ning Rongrong, his tone serious: "Rongrong, this gift means more to me than I can say. Thank you."
Seeing that Dai Chengfeng's focus had returned to the brocade box, Ning Rongrong quietly exhaled in relief. She tried to appear composed, urging him: "Oh, don't thank me yet, open it and take a look!"
"I haven't even looked at it carefully; I just heard Father say it was a fragment of something called the 'Heart of the Earth,' and it sounded very powerful."
"The Heart of the Earth?" Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng's gaze grew even more solemn.
He steadied his mind and carefully opened the latch of the rosewood brocade box.
The moment the lid lifted, an extremely pure and heavy earth-attribute aura spread out—not overwhelming, but as if it could resonate with the deepest bloodlines within one's body, imparting a sense of stability and strength derived from the earth itself.
Inside the box was a deep blue, soft silk cushion, upon which lay a crystal roughly the size of an egg, irregular in shape.
The crystal was a warm, dark yellow, opaque, but within it, a misty glow seemed to flow slowly. On closer inspection, the glow faintly formed silhouettes of mountains and the earth.
The surface of the crystal was covered with naturally-formed, intricate patterns. Touching it elicited a sense of ancient desolation.
"This is a fragment of the 'Heart of the Earth'?"
Dai Chengfeng held his breath.
Although Dai Chengfeng, including his past life reading the original work, had never heard of the 'Heart of the Earth' and didn't know its specific effects...
But!
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng could clearly feel that even though this crystal was merely a fragment, the earth-attribute energy contained within far surpassed any soul bone or earth-attribute treasure he had encountered before!
This energy felt more like a core essence—a foundational power that supported all things!
Incredibly powerful!
For Dai Chengfeng, who urgently needed an earth-attribute treasure to balance the five elements and fully mature the Four Symbols Five Elements Lotus...
The value of this item was immeasurable!!!
Ning Rongrong watched the undisguised joy and importance in Dai Chengfeng's eyes, and for a moment, her heart swelled with a sense of accomplishment.
She leaned closer, pointing at the crystal and explaining: "Yes, Father said it was discovered deep within a ten-thousand-year-old glacier in the northernmost lands, born alongside a massive earth-attribute ore vein, representing the essence of the entire vein."
"It's said that the complete Heart of the Earth possesses the power to alter terrain and nurture life. Even though this is just a fragment, it's still incredibly precious!"
"So... is it really useful to you?"
"Useful! Extremely useful!"
Dai Chengfeng nodded heavily, closing the brocade box and carefully putting it away.
He looked at Ning Rongrong with sincere and warm eyes, "Rongrong, I owe you a great debt for this."
He couldn't wait to try absorbing this 'Heart of the Earth' fragment, but for now, he needed to first settle this little contributor who had brought him such timely assistance from afar.
"By the way, what are your plans next?" Dai Chengfeng asked, "How long do you plan to stay in Spirit City?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong immediately reverted to her mischievous demeanor, hands on her hips: "Of course, I'll stay until I've had enough fun before going back!"
"I worked so hard to get out!"
"You have to be my guide and show me all the fun and delicious places in Spirit City!"
"Otherwise... otherwise, I'll tell my father that you encouraged me to steal things!"
She deliberately put on a stern face, pretending to threaten him.
Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but laugh at her display of bravado.
He knew it was all in jest, but he was happy to play along. Besides, both emotionally and logically, he should take good care of Ning Rongrong.
"Alright, guide it is."
Dai Chengfeng readily agreed, "However, sooner or later, Lord Ning will find out that you sneaked out."
"Before 'the cat gets out of the bag,' whatever you want to play or eat, I'll accompany you."
"As for lodging..."
He paused thoughtfully, "If you don't mind, you can stay at my place. I have a dedicated residence within the Spirit Hall with many rooms—it's quiet and safe."
"How does that sound?"
Allowing the young princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to stay in a residence within the Spirit Hall would likely cause quite a stir if it got out.
But considering Ning Rongrong's safety, his own residence was undoubtedly the best option.
Moreover, given his current status, arranging accommodation for a guest wasn't difficult.
Hearing this proposal, Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up instantly.
Staying at Dai Chengfeng's place meant she could see him every day, right?
And the accommodations within the Spirit Hall were bound to be much more interesting than outside hotels!
"Really? That's great!"
She almost accepted without hesitation, but then remembered something, blushed slightly, and feigned composure by clearing her throat.
"Mm... since you've sincerely invited me, I'll reluctantly accept."
"But you must guarantee that no one will disturb me!"
"Rest assured, it's very quiet there."
Dai Chengfeng smiled and stood up, "Let's go, little lucky star. I'll take you to your lodging first."
"Look at how dusty you are from the journey; you should freshen up and rest."
He planned to settle Ning Rongrong's accommodation first to prevent any further mishaps. As for visiting Liu Erlong… he could go later—it wasn't urgent.
"Who's your little lucky star..."
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong continued to mutter softly in protest, but the uncontrollable upward curve of her lips betrayed her inner joy.
She picked up her small bundle and happily followed in Dai Chengfeng's footsteps.
Along the way, Ning Rongrong was like a bird freed from its cage, curiously looking around.
The blend of solemnity and prosperity in Spirit City, distinct from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect and Tian Dou City, filled her with curiosity.
Especially those soul masters clad in Spirit Hall uniforms—each with a stern expression, walking briskly—was vastly different from the relatively relaxed atmosphere of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
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