To celebrate the end of the year and the upcoming New Year, I'll be running a promo: 40% OFF WITH CODE 97167. If you've wanted to check out the advanced chapters and Patreon exclusive novel, now's your chance! Promo ends on January 1st 2026 11:59pm AEDT!
---------------------
The night was thick, and the clearing in the forest remained quiet.
The group continued to discuss the Yearning Heartbroken Red and the idea of "hypnosis" for a long while.
Dai Chengfeng briefly explained the principle of hypnosis—of course, simplified and described in terms this world could understand.
When Dai Chengfeng felt he had said all that needed to be said, he stood up to take his leave. He brought along Qiu'er, who had been quietly listening with golden eyes shimmering with thought, and returned to their nearby campsite tent.
As soon as Dai Chengfeng's figure disappeared behind the trees, Da Ming and Er Ming, who had been suppressing their emotions, immediately became restless.
"Sister Xiao Wu! You absolutely cannot agree to this!"
Er Ming growled first, "What hypnosis? What psychological suggestion? It sounds sinister!"
"What if… what if he does something sneaky and controls your mind? That would be even worse than killing you!"
Its thinking was straightforward; it believed any method involving the soul or emotions carried unpredictable dangers.
Xiao Wu turned around to look at the two massive creatures who were worried for her. Her heart warmed, but the flame of her desire for freedom hadn't been extinguished.
"Sister Xiao Wu, Er Ming's concerns aren't without merit." Da Ming nodded as well.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu looked at Da Ming and Er Ming, "Don't worry."
"In fact, I think… Dai Chengfeng doesn't seem like he's lying to us."
"If he wanted to harm me, there were plenty of opportunities before. He didn't need to bring out such a precious herb and propose this… complicated-sounding plan."
Da Ming's huge bull head slowly lowered, staring at Xiao Wu: "I'm not completely doubting his sincerity. Perhaps he truly has no ill intentions right now."
"But caution is necessary."
"This kind of method involving the spiritual realm carries too much risk."
"He says the suggestion is temporary, but how long is 'temporary'? He says it can be undone, but what if he changes his mind later, or something goes wrong during the process? The consequences would be unimaginable!"
"Your soul and emotions must never be gambled with!"
Xiao Wu listened to Da Ming's words, stubbornly pressing her lips together.
She knew Da Ming was looking out for her, and everything he said made sense.
However, being trapped in this vast yet already overly familiar forest, day after day of cultivation…
That loneliness and yearning for the outside world were things that powerful spirit beasts like Da Ming and Er Ming, born naturally strong, couldn't fully understand.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, I understand your concerns."
Xiao Wu raised her head, her beautiful eyes shining with determination, "But I really don't want to live like this anymore."
"You know my nature—I love liveliness and new experiences."
"The Great Star Dou Forest may be vast, but I've nearly stepped through every corner of it."
"I want to see the human world, experience different lifestyles."
She paused, continuing to argue: "As for the risks… if, if."
"If he dares to pull anything sneaky, isn't there still you two?"
"You are the overlords of the Great Star Dou Forest. Does he dare face your retaliation?"
Xiao Wu held no ill feelings toward Dai Chengfeng. In fact, she found him more likable and trustworthy than most human soul masters.
Therefore, she was willing to trust him.
"But Sister Xiao Wu, how can matters of the heart be faked?"
Er Ming grumbled in disagreement, its simple mind unable to grasp this complex operation, "What if… what if you end up making the fake play real?"
It muttered, voicing a concern even Da Ming hesitated to directly point out.
Xiao Wu's pretty face reddened slightly, and she scolded Er Ming with a glare: "Stop talking nonsense!"
"It's just hypnosis—it's fake!"
Da Ming silently watched Xiao Wu. It understood her and knew that once she set her mind on something, it was hard to dissuade her.
Its enormous head slowly lifted, gazing toward the direction of Dai Chengfeng's campsite, its eyes flickering with complex emotion.
It didn't like this plan—not one bit.
But on the other hand, how could it not wish for Xiao Wu's happiness?
Seeing Xiao Wu's growing silence from being confined to the forest, both Da Ming and Er Ming felt uneasy inside.
"… Sigh."
After a long while, Da Ming let out a deep sigh, breaking the night's silence, "Sister Xiao Wu, since your mind is made up, no matter how much we oppose, it's probably impossible to stop you."
"But, you must promise us a few conditions."
Xiao Wu's eyes brightened, and she quickly asked, "Da Ming, tell me!"
"First, before he performs that so-called 'hypnosis,' we must be present to ensure the process is safe."
"Second, after the herb acknowledges you, you must adapt to and confirm the effect of concealing your presence in front of us to ensure there are no issues."
"Third, and most importantly,"
Da Ming's tone was unprecedentedly serious, "If he ever dares to exploit this to do anything improper, or if you suffer any grievances or encounter unsolvable dangers in the outside world, you must return to the Great Star Dou Forest immediately!"
"And Er Ming and I will absolutely not spare him! Even if we have to chase him to the ends of the earth!"
Xiao Wu felt deeply moved, knowing Da Ming was doing this for her own good. She naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Mm! I promise you! Da Ming, Er Ming, thank you!"
---
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng and Qiu'er had also returned to the tent area.
Zhu Zhuqing was still deeply asleep in meditation, her breathing steady.
Qiu'er finally couldn't hold back anymore. She tilted her little face up, her big golden eyes curious as she looked at Dai Chengfeng and whispered:
"Dai Chengfeng, what you just told Sister Xiao Wu about… that hypnosis, is it real?"
"Is it really just temporarily creating 'love' to fool the flower?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at Qiu'er's inquisitive gaze, chuckling as he reached out to gently tap her smooth forehead.
A soft "thud" sounded.
"Ouch!" Qiu'er covered her forehead, pouting.
"Little girl, what are you thinking about?"
Dai Chengfeng teased, "Do I look like someone who would take advantage of others and use such underhanded methods to deceive a girl's feelings?"
Qiu'er rubbed her forehead, which wasn't actually painful, and stared intently into Dai Chengfeng's eyes for a few seconds. Then she decisively shook her head:
"No."
"You can be a bit mischievous sometimes, and you're clever with schemes, but this… you'd disdain to do it."
"There you go."
Dai Chengfeng's tone was calm as he gazed toward the direction where Xiao Wu and the others were, his expression deep.
Dai Chengfeng truly hoped Xiao Wu would leave with him.
But regarding the hypnosis, Dai Chengfeng genuinely, absolutely had no ulterior motives.
He simply wanted Xiao Wu to stay by his side so he could work on persuading her.
After all, that was the matter of offering herself as a sacrifice. Even though she saw Qiu'er's condition, she definitely wouldn't agree to sacrifice herself for Dai Chengfeng based on just a few promises.
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng ruffled Qiu'er's head, "Get some rest."
"We have to get up early tomorrow."
With that, Dai Chengfeng gently picked up Zhu Zhuqing, who was still sound asleep, adjusted her into a comfortable position, and closed his eyes.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)