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Almost the instant Dai Chengfeng's finger left her forehead, Xiao Wu's tightly closed eyelashes fluttered a few times before slowly opening.
Her originally clear and lively beautiful eyes now seemed veiled with a misty haze, shimmering with moisture. When her gaze landed on Dai Chengfeng, it instantly sparkled with an indescribable brilliance.
Her eyes were filled with attachment, trust, and a shy sweetness of newly awakened affection.
"Chengfeng..."
She softly called his name, her voice soft and slightly playful, completely different from her previously lively tone.
Dai Chengfeng felt a slight stir in his heart, but his expression remained calm. He nodded:
"How do you feel?"
"Good..."
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed slightly as she instinctively took a step closer to Dai Chengfeng, "It's just... my heart feels full, like... I've understood something very important."
She looked at Dai Chengfeng with focused and deep affection.
From the shadows, Da Ming and Er Ming kept their eyes fixed on Xiao Wu. They could sense that her spiritual fluctuations were somewhat unusual, filled with an intense emotion.
But aside from that, her soul essence remained pure, and her consciousness was clear—there were no signs of being manipulated or distorted.
Dai Chengfeng's spiritual power operation was indeed as he had said: more about guidance and stimulation rather than forced change.
This slightly relaxed their tense nerves, though they still remained cautious.
"If it works, then all is well."
Dai Chengfeng avoided Xiao Wu's overly direct gaze and turned to retrieve the Yearning Heartbroken Red from his soul-guiding device once again.
The white flower quietly bloomed under the moonlight, the black stone beneath its stem appearing even more solid.
"Xiao Wu, now focus your mind, think of the most sincere emotions in your heart, then drip your blood onto the petals," Dai Chengfeng instructed.
Xiao Wu nodded forcefully, shifting her gaze from Dai Chengfeng's face to the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
She lightly channeled her energy, a flicker of pain crossing her delicate face, and then a drop of her blood accurately fell onto the pure white petals.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng, Da Ming and Er Ming in the shadows, and even Qiu'er, who was curiously observing nearby, held their breaths.
The blood didn't spread across the petal but was absorbed like a sponge, quickly seeping in.
Immediately after, the entire Yearning Heartbroken Red suddenly radiated a gentle red glow!
The glow grew stronger, illuminating Xiao Wu's face in a deep red. The once seemingly ordinary plant now exuded astonishing spirituality and vast life energy.
Hum—
A faint hum sounded. Amidst everyone's expectant gazes, the Yearning Heartbroken Red gently swayed, then its stem connecting to the dark stone severed itself. The whole flower floated up lightly and landed in Xiao Wu's outstretched palm.
As the light gradually faded, the flower returned to its original whiteness, but the streaks of blood-red on the petals became even more vivid and striking, as if imbued with life.
A faint, indescribable fragrance wafted around.
Success!
A flash of joy appeared in Dai Chengfeng's eyes.
He had been somewhat worried before, but never expected that his bold idea would actually work!
Xiao Wu held the Yearning Heartbroken Red, feeling the intimate connection between them as if by blood. An incredibly delighted smile spread across her face.
She instinctively looked at Dai Chengfeng, her eyes filled with affection.
"Keep it safe and wear it close to your body. Its effect should already be active. Later, I'll think of a way to ensure it won't be blown away by the wind."
"Alright."
Xiao Wu followed his instructions, carefully pinning the Yearning Heartbroken Red inside her collar, close to her heart.
The moment the herb touched her body, something extraordinary happened.
The unique aura of a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast that Xiao Wu possessed—though faint, still clearly discernible to top-tier experts—instantly vanished!
In its place was a pure and gentle plant-based spiritual energy, originating from the same source as the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
At this moment, in anyone's perception, she was now a human soul master, without a trace of being a spirit beast!
"Amazing!"
Xiao Wu joyfully sensed the changes in herself, almost jumping with excitement.
She ran up to Da Ming and Er Ming, spinning around, "Da Ming, Er Ming, can you sense anything? Can you tell I'm a spirit beast?"
Da Ming lowered his massive head, carefully sensing, his bull-like eyes filled with shock.
Er Ming also leaned over, sniffing with his nose, then shook his head in bewilderment.
"I can't sense it anymore… not at all!"
Da Ming's tone was filled with disbelief, "This herb is truly miraculous! It's like camouflage on a rule level!"
Confirming that the Yearning Heartbroken Red was flawless, Da Ming and Er Ming's last traces of concern completely dissipated.
Their gaze toward Dai Chengfeng was less wary and more complex.
This young human was not only powerful but also had unfathomable methods.
"Since the effect has been confirmed, let's proceed as planned."
Dai Chengfeng spoke, "Xiao Wu, this hypnotic state will last for several hours, after which you'll gradually return to normal emotional cognition."
"We need to return to the camp now."
Hearing Dai Chengfeng say they needed to leave, and hinting that this "deep love" state would soon end, a fleeting trace of loss and attachment flashed in Xiao Wu's eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by the excitement of gaining freedom.
She nodded, then turned to look at Da Ming and Er Ming.
"Da Ming, Er Ming, I'm leaving."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of myself! With Chengfeng around, I'll be fine."
As Xiao Wu spoke, her eyes slightly reddened.
After all, she was leaving the home she had lived in for countless years and companions who were like family.
Da Ming was silent for a moment, finally letting out a low sigh, "Sister Xiao Wu, take care, remember our agreement."
Er Ming also growled softly, extending his huge finger to gently touch Xiao Wu.
Farewells are always poignant...
Dai Chengfeng merely watched silently until Xiao Wu finally resolutely turned around, walked to his side, and instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
Dai Chengfeng didn't push her away.
He nodded at Da Ming and Er Ming, "We'll meet again."
With that, he led Xiao Wu and Qiu'er, turning back towards the camp.
Xiao Wu kept looking back, waving vigorously at the two large figures in the darkness behind her until they completely disappeared into the shadows of the dense forest.
Under the moonlight, the three figures gradually moved farther away.
Xiao Wu closely followed by Dai Chengfeng's side, occasionally stealing glances at him, a satisfied and sweet smile on her face, completely immersed in the brief love induced by hypnosis.
Dai Chengfeng, however, remained calm, his deep gaze directed towards the camp, calculating the next steps in his plan.
The herb's acknowledgment was just the first step; how to make this "investment" yield excessive returns in the future was his true goal.
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