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Dai Chengfeng smiled, gave Zhu Zhuqing's small hand a gentle squeeze, and then turned to the group.
"Let's go find a campsite. After all, Zhuqing just absorbed the soul bone, so it's not suitable to continue traveling today."
The blush on Zhu Zhuqing's cheeks hadn't faded, but with her hand enveloped in his warm, dry palm, her initial shyness gradually gave way to a sense of security. She softly murmured, "Mm," and obediently followed by his side.
Grand Priest Zhu Hongye watched the pair, her eyes filled with even more warmth, and smiled as she followed behind.
Ning Rongrong sidled up to Hu Liena, winking exaggeratedly and silently mouthing with her lips: "Did you see that~"
Hu Liena rolled her eyes at her, but said nothing, only quickening her steps to walk on Dai Chengfeng's other side.
Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu tactfully refrained from interrupting, and the two groups temporarily split up, agreeing to meet again later.
On the way to finding a campsite, the atmosphere was slightly delicate but not awkward.
Dai Chengfeng felt the slight coolness and dampness of sweat in the girl's hand beside him, knowing her emotions hadn't fully settled yet. He took the initiative to break the silence. "Zhuqing, what specific skills does that soul bone give you?"
At the mention of the soul bone, Zhu Zhuqing's focus sharpened considerably. Her usually cold voice carried a hint of excitement and seriousness from gaining new power.
"It mainly enhances the strength, speed of my right arm as well as mental power ."
She paused briefly to organize her thoughts before elaborating: "The soul skill it comes with, I call it 'Rending Shadow Claw.' It condenses soul power into highly penetrative dark golden claw shadows. They're very powerful and seem to have some armor-piercing effects."
Dai Chengfeng nodded; this aligned with the fierce attack style of the Golden-Horned Giant Ape.
"It seems this soul bone really matches well with your Nether Spirit Cat martial soul. Before, your speed was fast, but your attack power was limited. Now, it's been compensated for."
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded firmly, looking at Dai Chengfeng with glistening eyes. "Chengfeng, thank you. This gift… is too precious."
Dai Chengfeng stopped walking, turned to face her, and gently ruffled her hair again. "Your improvement benefits us all. There's no need to differentiate between us."
A warm current surged within Zhu Zhuqing, and she nodded emphatically once more.
The group quickly found a temporary campsite.
Dai Chengfeng tenderly said to Zhu Zhuqing: "You've just absorbed the soul bone, so your soul power might not be completely stable yet. Rest and consolidate your gains."
"Alright."
Zhu Zhuqing obediently responded, moving to sit quietly to one side, closing her eyes to concentrate and familiarize herself with the new power brought by the right arm soul bone.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng began discussing the next leg of their journey in hushed tones with Grand Priest Zhu Hongye. Ning Rongrong and Hu Liena also joined them, and the campsite temporarily returned to calm.
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Time passed, and night fell completely over the Great Star Dou Forest.
The leaves of towering ancient trees swayed in the gentle breeze, and from deep within the forest, the occasional howls of unknown soul beasts could be heard…
By the campfire.
Orange flames leapt high, not only dispelling the biting cold and heavy dampness of the forest but also bringing a warm patch of light.
The flickering firelight illuminated faces that were young, weary, yet brimming with excitement or lingering fear.
After eating some simple rations and meat broth, warmth gradually spread through their bodies, and the atmosphere became slightly livelier.
Dai Chengfeng, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Hu Liena, Feng Xiaotian, and Huo Wu naturally gathered around the largest campfire.
Although there had been some barriers between everyone previously, the shared life-or-death experience earlier in the day—especially Dai Chengfeng's earth-shattering performance—had subtly broken down those walls.
The subtle distance caused by differences in status, academy, or empire backgrounds had dissipated significantly.
Though they weren't intimately close, the atmosphere was far more harmonious than when they first met.
The campfire crackled softly, occasionally bursting into sparks.
Huo Wu sat on a fallen log, arms wrapped around her knees, her bright eyes unblinking as she stared at the dancing flames.
Her gaze would occasionally drift toward the figure across from her…
Dai Chengfeng sat quietly there, the flickering firelight flowing over his sharply defined profile, accentuating an even deeper and more three-dimensional contour.
In the glow of the firelight, his deep-set eyes seemed to hold galaxies.
Finally, Huo Wu couldn't suppress the surge of emotions in her heart. She raised her head, her gaze burning as she looked at Dai Chengfeng, her voice filled with genuine admiration, breaking the brief silence:
"Dai Chengfeng, you truly opened my eyes today—no, you completely shattered my understanding."
"I always thought that among our peers, Xiaotian's talent and strength were already top-tier. His Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf martial soul, his self-created soul skill…"
"I even believed that in our generation, he was the best."
As she spoke, she instinctively glanced at Feng Xiaotian beside her, a flash of guilt crossing her eyes, quickly replaced by stronger emotions.
She refocused on Dai Chengfeng, her tone becoming incredibly serious, even carrying a hint of fervor she herself didn't realize:
"But after seeing you today… seeing how calm you were facing that Golden-Horned Giant Ape, and the kind of power you unleashed—power that doesn't seem humanly possible…"
"I realized what it means when they say there's always someone better."
She shook her head lightly, parted her red lips, and finally let out a complex sigh. "Dai Chengfeng, how did you train? Is that kind of power something a Soul Emperor can possess?"
Feng Xiaotian sat beside Huo Wu, hearing every word and seeing every glance clearly.
When Huo Wu compared him to Dai Chengfeng, the corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily, and his fingers holding the water pouch tightened ever so slightly.
He had been gifted since childhood, hailed as one of the most outstanding youths of the God Wind Academy and even the entire Tian Dou Empire, and he naturally had his pride.
His feelings for Huo Wu were well-known throughout the Blazing Fire Academy. Though Huo Wu had always been ambiguous in her attitude, he had always believed that with his efforts and talent, he would win her over someday.
But Dai Chengfeng's appearance loomed like an insurmountable mountain, suddenly standing in his way…
Not only did he display overwhelming strength, but he also seemed to instantly capture all of Huo Wu's attention.
A mix of bitterness, loss, reluctance, and a tinge of unavoidable jealousy welled up in Feng Xiaotian's heart.
He unconsciously pursed his lips tightly, but soon rationality suppressed his turbulent emotions.
Feng Xiaotian was not a narrow-minded person. The strength Dai Chengfeng displayed during the day truly left him in awe—it was an absolute gap in power, impossible to fake.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and managed a slightly bitter yet sincere smile as he chimed in:
"Huo Wu is right, Brother Chengfeng."
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