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The next day, as the first light of dawn appeared.
The group in the camp gradually awoke.
Su Han's injuries from the battle with the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger had stabilized thanks to medicinal pills.
However, it was clear that he still couldn't engage in high-intensity combat or long-distance travel.
Grand Priest briefly inventoried their supplies and approached Hu Liena, whispering, "Nana, Chengfeng needs time to recover. We won't venture deeper today."
"We'll only explore relatively safe areas nearby. If we find nothing, we'll continue our journey once Chengfeng recovers, alright?"
Hu Liena nodded, "I understand, Grand Priest. Safety comes first."
"We'll search around here. Maybe I'll get lucky and directly find a soul beast suitable for me."
Seeing Hu Liena agree, Grand Priest nodded with satisfaction, "That's good. Rest assured, we won't forget about you…"
After a simple breakfast, the group began exploring within a few miles radius of the camp.
Grand Priest and Zhu Zhuqing, who were in better condition, took on the main tasks of vigilance and exploration, while Hu Liena and Ning Rongrong cared for Dai Chengfeng and provided support for Zhu Zhuqing at any moment.
Although the central region of the Great Star Dou Forest generally had spirit beasts with decent age, those possessing powerful spiritual or charm attributes suitable for Hu Liena were rare, and their activity range was limited.
After a full day, aside from encountering a few unwise thousand-year-old spirit beasts and quickly repelling them, the group found nothing.
By evening, everyone returned to the camp.
Dai Chengfeng handed out dried roasted meat to Zhu Zhuqing, Hu Liena, and Ning Rongrong, but his gaze would occasionally 'casually' sweep over the darkness in the depths of the forest.
He knew that Xiao Wu, Da Ming, and Er Ming were likely watching them from somewhere.
"I wonder when Xiao Wu will finish considering?"
Dai Chengfeng shook his head, no longer dwelling on it.
As night deepened, except for the vigilant Grand Priest, everyone else returned to the tents to rest.
However, just as Dai Chengfeng was lamenting why his little fiancée Zhu Zhuqing hadn't come tonight, leaving him to sleep alone, preparing to drift off…
"Dai Chengfeng, Sister Xiao Wu is calling us!"
At this moment, Qiu'er suddenly appeared beside Dai Chengfeng, informing him.
"Sister Xiao Wu is calling us?"
Dai Chengfeng was slightly surprised, "Has she made her decision so soon?"
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng quietly got up and followed Qiu'er again, blending into the dense night.
It was the same familiar clearing in the forest.
Da Ming and Er Ming stood like two silent mountains in the shadows, their huge animal eyes flashing with complex light in the dark.
Xiao Wu stood alone in the center of the clearing, moonlight bathing her, reflecting the tension, anticipation, and resolve on her face.
Seeing Dai Chengfeng arrive, Xiao Wu took a deep breath, as if making a final decision, and spoke:
"Dai Chengfeng, I've thought it through."
"Oh?" Dai Chengfeng walked up to her, calmly looking at her, "And your decision is?"
"I… am willing to try your method."
Xiao Wu's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, but her eyes were exceptionally determined, "I trust you. Da Ming and Er Ming… they also agreed, though Da Ming is somewhat worried, so they want to watch you perform the hypnosis. Is that alright?"
Upon hearing this, Dai Chengfeng's expression remained unchanged. After all, he had no ulterior motives. If Da Ming and Er Ming wanted to watch, then let them watch.
Besides, he was injured now, and having them around could protect him.
Thus, Dai Chengfeng nodded, "Reasonable and fair. I can agree."
Saying this, he looked toward where Da Ming and Er Ming were and said, "Both of you, please guard me."
"Hmm!"
A low snort from Da Ming in the darkness served as an acknowledgment.
Immediately after, Dai Chengfeng turned his gaze back to Xiao Wu, his tone becoming serious and earnest, "Xiao Wu, since you've decided, then next, you need to completely relax and not resist my spiritual power."
"This process might feel a bit strange, but it absolutely won't harm you."
"I understand."
Xiao Wu nodded forcefully, then slowly closed her eyes. Her long eyelashes quivered slightly from nervousness.
Dai Chengfeng stepped forward, extending his right index finger, and a faint golden glow gathered at its tip. This was his highly refined spiritual power combined with his Origin Metal.
He needed to create an object of "pure and sincere love" for Xiao Wu.
As for the choice of this object…
Soon, Dai Chengfeng weighed his options in his mind.
He decided to choose himself.
Choosing Tang San, the original "Chosen One"? Absolutely not.
Not to mention not knowing where Tang San was now, if this hypnosis inadvertently led to unpredictable consequences, even mistakenly causing Xiao Wu to end up sacrificing herself for Tang San, all of Dai Chengfeng's plans would be in vain.
Doing someone else's dirty work was something Dai Chengfeng absolutely couldn't accept.
Therefore, the optimal, safest, and most controllable choice could only be Dai Chengfeng himself.
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng no longer hesitated. He gently touched Xiao Wu's smooth forehead with his fingertip.
The faint golden spiritual power flowed like the gentlest water, slowly seeping into Xiao Wu's consciousness.
Da Ming and Er Ming instantly tensed their bodies, their huge animal eyes fixed intently on Dai Chengfeng's movements. The air was filled with invisible pressure; if Dai Chengfeng showed any abnormal fluctuations in soul power or malicious intent, they would immediately launch a thunderous attack.
Dai Chengfeng, however, was fully focused, immersing all his attention in influencing Xiao Wu's subconscious.
He didn't crudely alter or implant memories, which carried too many risks. Instead, he used a more advanced and subtle method—guidance and suggestion.
Using his spiritual power as a catalyst, he skillfully amplified and guided the "liking" and "trust" Xiao Wu already felt towards him in her pure consciousness.
This liking stemmed from Dai Chengfeng's previous help and his different attitude towards spirit beasts compared to other human soul masters.
Dai Chengfeng continuously strengthened and purified this positive emotion, directing it toward the dimension of "adoration."
He wove in some vague yet beautiful "shared experiences," such as conversations under the moonlight, or Dai Chengfeng promising to take her to see the outside world…
These fragments weren't created out of thin air but were artistic enhancements and emotional sublimations based on real interactions.
The core lay in stimulating Xiao Wu's inner desire to be "understood," "protected," and to "gain freedom," projecting these desires onto himself to form a mild and positive emotional dependency akin to the "Stockholm Syndrome" effect.
The entire process lasted about the duration of burning one stick of incense.
Dai Chengfeng's forehead broke into a slight sweat; this delicate mental operation was extremely taxing on the mind.
He carefully controlled the intensity, ensuring that the guided "love" was sufficiently genuine and intense enough to touch the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Until half an hour later.
"Whew!"
Finally, Dai Chengfeng slowly withdrew his finger and exhaled deeply.
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