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Dai Chengfeng's gaze sharpened. He knew that this was the critical moment—whether her spirit would evolve or not.
In an instant, he held nothing back. His robes fluttered without a breeze, and the immense, invisible energy surrounding him surged to its peak!
Crack…
A faint, almost imperceptible shattering sound echoed deep within Qian Renxue's consciousness, akin to the delicate breaking of a cocoon heralding rebirth!
Her entire body trembled violently! The colossal angelic shadow behind her threw back its head and let out a silent, resonant cry!
Under the moonlight, at the center of the glowing figure, a single point of pure, dazzling golden light abruptly emerged and expanded!
The dark golden patterns flared brightly!
The next moment, the six massive, solid white wings of the Six-Winged Angel spirit behind Qian Renxue…
Buzz—
With a sound akin to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, beyond the enormous halo formed by the original six wings, two new wing-like shadows appeared, slowly unfurling with a hazy, newborn quality!
The newly formed wings possessed a strange translucent texture, appearing somewhat ethereal. Their energy flickered, fragile and unstable, their glow intermittently brightening and dimming…
Upon seeing these new wings, Qian Renxue was overwhelmed with joy.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but reveal a smile tinged with relief and accomplishment, his eyes reflecting admiration.
Success!
Though the new wings were still ethereal, it didn't change the fact…
Qian Renxue's Six-Winged Angel spirit had now ascended to a higher realm, transforming into the one-and-only Eight-Winged Angel in existence!
At the same time, in some unknown space.
A woman dressed in a long white robe adorned with golden patterns floated silently. Her features were more mature than Qian Renxue's, and her golden hair flowed like liquid sunlight.
The moment Qian Renxue's eight wings unfurled, her tightly shut eyes snapped open!
A blinding golden light flashed deep within her eyes, carrying a trace of unexpected astonishment.
She could clearly sense the profound transformation occurring in the bloodline of her inheritor!
After a brief moment of surprise…
A faint yet genuine smile blossomed on her perfect lips.
"It seems… this inheritor hasn't disappointed me."
She closed her eyes again, and the space returned to eternal silence.
---
In the western suburbs of Tian Dou City, within the secluded courtyard.
Qian Renxue had already recovered from the shock of her spirit's evolution and turned her gaze toward Dai Chengfeng, her eyes filled with gratitude and affection.
"Dai Chengfeng…"
"I truly don't know how to thank you enough."
She spoke softly to him.
After all, this gift was incredibly significant.
Dai Chengfeng, looking at Qian Renxue's grateful expression, simply smiled and shook his head.
After all, the Dragon Core she had given him allowed him to gain the possibility of awakening a second spirit, which was equally invaluable.
"Thanking me isn't necessary, but…"
He deliberately paused, raising an eyebrow as the familiar, slightly invasive, lazy smirk reappeared in his eyes.
Then, he took a step forward, closing the distance between them even further, openly scrutinizing Qian Renxue's delicate figure.
"If you really want to thank me, then perhaps…"
Qian Renxue froze for a moment, but upon seeing the predatory look in Dai Chengfeng's eyes, she instantly understood what he meant.
"No!"
She instinctively blurted out, her voice rising slightly with embarrassment. The faint blush that had just begun to fade from her cheeks immediately returned with full force.
Afraid that Dai Chengfeng wouldn't give up, she quickly shook her head again. "Anyway… absolutely not!"
She emphasized this firmly, then turned her face slightly, her long lashes trembling rapidly as she avoided his burning gaze.
Dai Chengfeng chuckled softly, his tone teasing and mischievous. "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already saying no?"
"Little angel, you're not being honest!"
"I… I'm not being honest?"
Qian Renxue was instantly incensed by Dai Chengfeng's blatant reversal of facts. Her indignation grew, and she sharply turned her head to glare at him. "You're the one who's not being honest!"
"And besides, I'm not a child anymore. How could I possibly… anyway…"
As she spoke, Qian Renxue shot another glare at Dai Chengfeng, but the rest of her words remained unspoken due to her embarrassment.
For a moment, the courtyard fell into a subtle silence, the atmosphere becoming intensely ambiguous, as if even the evening breeze carried a scorching heat.
Moonlight flowed gently, and in the quiet, only the rustling of leaves and Qian Renxue's slightly panicked and bashful heartbeat could be heard.
After a long while.
Although Dai Chengfeng had said there was no need for thanks, Qian Renxue still felt immensely grateful to him.
Finally, she lowered her head, unconsciously biting her lower lip as her mind wrestled with conflicting emotions.
"…Close your eyes."
Her voice, soft as a mosquito's hum, suddenly broke the silence.
"Hmm?"
Dai Chengfeng blinked, not quite catching her words.
"I said… close your eyes!"
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, mustering her courage to raise her head. Her cheeks were flushed crimson, but her eyes carried a resolute determination mixed with embarrassment.
Dai Chengfeng, seeing her like this, already understood.
This little angel…
The smile in his eyes deepened slightly as he obediently closed his eyes, his lips still curved in that heart-fluttering smirk.
Qian Renxue looked at the tall, upright figure waiting before her with closed eyes, took another deep breath, her heart brimming with unprecedented shyness.
Though she had already lost her first kiss to Dai Chengfeng—not just once—this was the first time she had taken the initiative. Qian Renxue was unbearably shy.
In fact, Qian Renxue felt…
If someone had told her a year ago that she would willingly kiss a man, she would have thought they were talking nonsense. She was Qian Renxue, the proud young master of the Spirit Hall and the future Angel God!
Her… taking the initiative to kiss a man?!
But despite her overwhelming bashfulness at this moment, Qian Renxue didn't feel regret.
Soon, she tiptoed, her body trembling slightly from nervousness and embarrassment, and gently pressed her red lips against Dai Chengfeng's.
The sensation was still soft and warm, carrying a faint fragrance, but this time, the feeling was completely different.
It wasn't the panic of being ambushed by Dai Chengfeng, nor the overwhelming dominance of his previous kisses—it was her own willing, clumsy yet sincere offering of a kiss.
Like the fleeting touch of a dragonfly on water.
Qian Renxue felt this was how it should be.
However, just as her lips were about to part…
A gentle yet irresistible force suddenly wrapped around her slender waist!
Dai Chengfeng opened his eyes. There was no trace of surprise in those deep pools—only mischief and a fiery ardor he had been preparing for all along!
How could he possibly let this "thank you" offered so willingly slip away?
Before Qian Renxue could react, her eyes wide with astonishment, he had already leaned down, forcefully capturing her delicate, butterfly-light kiss and turning it into a passionate, unyielding embrace.
"Mmm…?!"
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