"Special? What do you mean by special?"
Ning Rongrong pressed on, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "Uh… it's just… a bit… aphrodisiac-like."
"Aphro—aphrodisiac?!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes instantly widened, her face flushing bright red like a fully ripened apple.
She instinctively took half a step back, her hands unconsciously crossing over her chest. Her eyes were filled with shock, suspicion, and a hint of indignant embarrassment at being teased.
"Dai Chengfeng! You… what nonsense are you spouting?! How could there be such a bizarre pill in this world?"
"You… don't tell me you made that up just to… to take advantage of me?!"
She knew it!
How could this guy have agreed so easily! So this was his trap all along!
Ning Rongrong was both ashamed and furious, and the gratitude she had felt toward Dai Chengfeng just moments ago evaporated completely, replaced by strong suspicion and wariness.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's reaction, Dai Chengfeng immediately realized she had misunderstood, and he became exasperated, rolling his eyes at her:
"Hey, hey, hey! What kind of dirty thoughts are you always thinking in that little head of yours?"
"Am I the kind of person who would take advantage of you? With your bean-sprout figure, what exactly is there to take advantage of?"
"Who are you calling a bean sprout?!"
Ning Rongrong flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She puffed out her chest, which, though still developing, was already beginning to take shape, and retorted indignantly:
"You… stop changing the subject!"
"There are thousands of pills in the world—how is it that yours has… such vulgar effects? How can I believe you?!"
"Vulgar?"
Dai Chengfeng burst out laughing, throwing up his hands in mock helplessness. "Fine, no matter what I say you wouldn't believe me, not recognizing good intentions."
"One of the main ingredients in this pill is extremely yang and hot, containing an immense amount of life energy. While it awakens potential and tempers the body, it also stirs the blood essence within, creating some… uh, uncontrollable effects."
"It's simply a natural property of the medicine—how did it become 'vulgar' in your mind?"
As he spoke, he pointed toward the door: "Don't believe me?"
"Then go ask Zhu Zhuqing, or Hu Liena!"
"When they took similar pills, didn't they experience the same thing?"
"If it weren't for a spring within the Spirit City to suppress the drug's potency, even I would've been overwhelmed!"
"You think protecting you during cultivation was easy? Talk about ungrateful!"
Hearing Dai Chengfeng's explanation, Ning Rongrong's suspicions began to waver slightly.
After all, this didn't seem like a lie…
Thinking carefully, she scrutinized Dai Chengfeng's expression. His eyes were clear, and though his tone carried frustration, he mentioned Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena…
Could it be true?
Zhu Zhuqing was cold and aloof, while Hu Liena, though charming, had a proud streak. If Dai Chengfeng had truly taken advantage of them during such a moment, they wouldn't have let him off easily, let alone remain so… close to him now.
Ning Rongrong's mind raced as she quickly weighed the pros and cons.
"Re… really?"
Ning Rongrong's tone softened somewhat, but her scrutinizing gaze hadn't entirely disappeared. "Are there really such… strange pills in the world?"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's continued expression of "You're definitely lying to me," Dai Chengfeng lost all patience and waved his hand dismissively:
"Forget it, forget it. Since you doubt my intentions, I might as well not give you the pill."
"I was actually curious to see if the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda could break its fate under the influence of the immortal herbs and evolve into the legendary Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda…"
"But now it seems some people don't need this opportunity."
"Just stay content with your title as the 'Number One Support Martial Soul in the World' and get stuck at Level 79 forever. Pretend I never said anything."
Though Dai Chengfeng's words were slow and measured, they struck Ning Rongrong like a bolt of lightning, hitting her right in the heart.
"The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
Ning Rongrong gasped in shock, her beautiful eyes widening to their fullest. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it would leap out of her chest.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda!
For the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, this was nothing more than a legend found in ancient texts and passed down through word of mouth!
It was the ultimate dream countless generations of Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda soul masters had yearned for but could never reach!
Breaking through the Level 79 barrier and achieving the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda—what did that mean?
It meant that the support abilities of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda would truly stand unrivaled at the pinnacle of the continent!
It meant that she, Ning Rongrong, would become the only person in recent history to break through the limitations of the Seven Treasures!
The temptation was enormous!
So great that it was enough to temporarily suppress all her shyness and doubts about the so-called "side effects."
She instantly forgot all about the aphrodisiac effects and rushed forward, grabbing tightly onto Dai Chengfeng's arm, afraid he might change his mind.
Her face immediately lit up with a sickeningly sweet smile, and her voice returned to its previous coquettishness, even carrying a hint of flattery:
"Big Brother Dai~ Brother Dai~ I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I shouldn't have doubted you!"
"You're such a magnanimous person—don't hold it against this little girl~"
She shook Dai Chengfeng's arm, gazing at him with pleading eyes. "It's my fault for being ignorant and having dirty thoughts, misunderstanding your kindness!"
"You're an upright gentleman, honest and open—how could you deceive me? It's all my fault!"
Dai Chengfeng was amused by her sudden shift from defiance to groveling, her mood changing faster than flipping pages, but he held back his laughter and kept a stern face, glancing at her sideways:
"Oh? So you believe me now?"
"You don't think I'm vulgar or have ulterior motives anymore?"
"I believe you! A hundred percent! A thousand percent!"
Ning Rongrong nodded her head vigorously like a chick pecking at rice. "Whatever you say, Brother, I believe it!"
"It was my fault earlier—I judged you with a small mind. Please forgive me this once, okay~"
As she spoke, she unleashed her full-on coquettish charm, her voice dripping with sweetness.
Looking at the cunning yet adorable little devil before him, Dai Chengfeng had originally intended to "punish" her a little and make her owe him a big favor. Now that his goal was achieved, he decided to let it go.
He sighed in mock resignation and shook his head: "Sigh, fine. Who can resist when I'm so soft-hearted?"
"Since you're sincerely apologizing, I'll let it slide this time."
"Yay! Brother, you're the best!"
Ning Rongrong cheered immediately, her face lighting up with a radiant, dazzling smile.
"However,"
Dai Chengfeng's tone shifted again, his expression turning serious once more. "I wasn't lying about the side effects."
"Now, do you still want to take it immediately? Or should we wait until we find a suitable environment where the drug's potency can be suppressed?"
Ning Rongrong's smile faded slightly. She took a deep breath, the playful glint in her eyes disappearing, replaced by an uncommon seriousness and stubbornness.
"Dai Chengfeng, do you always think that I, Ning Rongrong, am just a spoiled young lady who can't endure hardship?"
"That I act impulsively without considering consequences, knowing only how to throw tantrums and act coquettishly?"
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)