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"So that's how it is."
Dai Chengfeng looked at Xiao Wu, "Actually, if you feel too stifled in the forest... I can take you out of the Great Star Dou Forest."
"Really?!"
Hearing this, Xiao Wu suddenly raised her head, her eyes lighting up.
But soon, she shook her head, her tone low and despondent.
"No... it's too dangerous outside."
"Soul masters at the Titled Douluo level can see through my identity. If I go out, it would bring you a lot of trouble..."
Dai Chengfeng had anticipated this. He calmly said, "If I say I can take you out, I naturally have a way."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm.
A plant appeared—seemingly ordinary, resembling a peony, without leaves, about the size of a palm, with white petals.
But strangely, the flower's stem was connected to a large stone, the stone entirely pitch-black.
And upon closer inspection, faint streaks of startling red could be seen on the white petals, as vivid as blood.
"This is..."
Xiao Wu's gaze was immediately drawn to the flower. She felt an indescribable powerful spirituality emanating from it.
"This flower is called Yearning Heartbroken Red, a divine treasure among immortal-grade medicinal herbs."
Dai Chengfeng explained slowly, "It has a unique property: only by dripping the purest, most sincere love-infused blood onto it can it be plucked."
"And once it recognizes its master, it gains the miraculous ability to conceal one's presence."
"If it acknowledges you and you wear it, even a Titled Douluo won't be able to see through your spirit beast identity."
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up again, filled with desire.
After all, this was practically a treasure tailor-made for her!
But soon, she seemed to remember something and glared at Dai Chengfeng accusingly, pouting:
"You rascal, are you teasing me on purpose?"
"This flower requires pure, sincere love to be plucked and acknowledged. I… I don't even have someone I like, so how could I possibly gain its recognition?"
"No one you like?"
Dai Chengfeng was momentarily stunned but quickly realized.
Right, because of his interference, Xiao Wu had left the academy early, and her destined relationship with Tang San never blossomed.
She was now still innocent and unattached, indeed without anyone she cherished.
Seeing Xiao Wu's reproachful yet somewhat dejected expression, Dai Chengfeng's mind raced.
Without the key element of "love," the Yearning Heartbroken Red couldn't be activated.
Was he just going to give up? Dai Chengfeng was reluctant.
After all, if Xiao Wu were to offer herself, it might lead to a buy-one-get-three deal, all hundred-thousand-year soul rings.
Suddenly, a bold, even somewhat unconventional idea flashed through Dai Chengfeng's mind.
He wasn't Tang San. His knowledge from the modern world told him that love, to some extent, was a strong emotional projection and psychological state.
So, could certain special methods temporarily "simulate" this state?
He pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed on Xiao Wu, his tone becoming serious yet tinged with a hidden test:
"Xiao Wu, if… I mean, if there was a way to temporarily make you 'believe' that you possess a pure, sincere love, thereby gaining the acknowledgment of Yearning Heartbroken Red…"
"Would you… be willing to try?"
Xiao Wu was stunned, blinking her big eyes, momentarily not understanding what Dai Chengfeng meant.
"Temporarily… believe? What do you mean?"
Dai Chengfeng carefully organized his words, trying to explain as gently as possible:
"You can think of it as a kind of… deep hypnosis or psychological suggestion."
"By using a special spiritual technique, I'll temporarily create an emotional imprint of 'deeply loving someone' in your subconscious. This imprint will feel very real, enough to fool the Yearning Heartbroken Red's perception."
"And once the herb acknowledges you, its effect is permanent—it will keep protecting you."
"But this emotional imprint is like a rootless plant; I can help you remove it later."
"What?"
"Hypnosis? Psychological suggestion?"
Xiao Wu was dumbfounded by this unheard-of concept and instinctively took half a step back, her face showing caution and resistance.
"How… how can this be! How can feelings be fabricated?!"
Although Da Ming and Er Ming didn't fully understand the specifics of "hypnosis," hearing phrases like "temporarily construct emotional imprints" and "fool the herb," they immediately grasped Dai Chengfeng's intent.
They let out low warning growls, their massive bodies leaning forward slightly, exuding intense pressure.
Clearly, they were extremely dissatisfied and wary of this proposal.
Manipulating Xiao Wu's consciousness and emotions? That was something they absolutely couldn't accept!
Dai Chengfeng's expression remained calm. He shrugged and explained, "I understand your concerns."
"But this is just a temporary measure, aimed at obtaining the Yearning Heartbroken Red's acknowledgment so Xiao Wu can safely leave the forest."
"This mental suggestion isn't permanent control. In essence, it's just a 'false' memory and emotion, like a vivid dream."
"When the dream ends, its effects will naturally fade until they disappear completely."
"Think about it—your spiritual power can't possibly permanently and thoroughly alter another person's emotional cognition, right?"
"That's too godlike; even gods might not be able to do it, so there's no need to worry."
"Besides the legendary gods, I don't think anyone's spiritual power is strong enough to permanently and completely change someone's core nature and emotional belonging."
After finishing, Dai Chengfeng looked at Xiao Wu, "Of course, this is just a suggestion. Whether to try or not is your decision."
"If you're unwilling, I won't force you."
The wariness on Xiao Wu's face eased slightly. She furrowed her brows, caught in a fierce internal struggle.
Da Ming and Er Ming also fell silent, their huge animalistic eyes flickering with light, obviously weighing the possibilities in Dai Chengfeng's words.
Indeed, if it was just a temporary, controllable influence aimed at obtaining the herb that could perfectly conceal her presence, allowing Xiao Wu to gain freedom…
This temptation was enormous.
Moreover, Dai Chengfeng made sense. Permanently altering someone's mind was beyond human capability—it was nearly a miracle.
Being free to walk among humans, experiencing a colorful life, no longer confined to the forest's core area every day…
For Xiao Wu, who was naturally lively, this was irresistibly attractive.
She raised her head, looking at Dai Chengfeng with his deep gaze, then turned back to look at Da Ming and Er Ming standing behind her like guardian deities. Her eyes were filled with conflict and hesitation.
In the end, she bit her lip, not making an immediate decision but murmuring softly:
"I… I need some time to think."
"This matter is too… too incredible. I need to consider it carefully."
Dai Chengfeng nodded in understanding: "Of course, this isn't a small matter. You should definitely think it over carefully."
"We'll stay here for a few more days. Before my companion obtains her soul ring, you have time to decide."
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