Despite the process…
The process being so difficult to put into words—aside from the final step, Dai Chengfeng had practically taken full advantage of her.
But still, she had obtained the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda she had long dreamed of.
With this in mind, Ning Rongrong slowly opened her eyes, looking at the tall figure who stood with his back to her. Her gaze was complex.
The cold moonlight slanted through the window, casting a silvery outline around his sharply defined profile.
It was this man who first mercilessly exposed her former naivety, then, after she demonstrated her determination, bestowed upon her such immense trust and gifts—and even…
Helped her in that way when she lost control.
Gratitude, shyness, awkwardness, and an unfamiliar emotion stirred within her—an emotion tied to their intimate contact that she herself was unwilling to acknowledge.
Dai Chengfeng seemed to sense that she had finished adjusting her clothes and turned around.
His gaze was calm, even carrying a hint of scrutiny, as if the passionate man from earlier—the one who had nearly devoured her—was someone else entirely.
"How is it? Did your martial soul evolve? How much did your soul power increase?"
Ning Rongrong took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain composed as she met his gaze.
But as soon as their eyes met, hers instinctively darted away. Her voice lowered, but it carried an excitement and sincerity she couldn't suppress:
"It… it worked!"
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda really evolved into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda! My soul power also reached the bottleneck of Level 30!"
She paused, then stood up and bowed deeply toward Dai Chengfeng—a gesture filled with genuine gratitude.
This time, it wasn't the haughty courtesy typical of a young lady from a noble clan; it came straight from her heart: "Dai Chengfeng, thank you!"
"This favor—I, Ning Rongrong, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan will never forget!"
Dai Chengfeng gave a slight nod, unsurprised by the outcome.
He spoke indifferently: "This is something you earned for yourself."
"Your determination and perseverance were the key to success. I merely provided the opportunity."
By attributing most of the credit to Ning Rongrong herself, he made her feel slightly better and deepened her affection for him.
However, once the words of gratitude were spoken, the atmosphere in the cultivation room became subtle and awkward once again.
The invisible barrier created by their earlier intimacy could not be erased by a simple thank-you.
Ning Rongrong kept her eyes downcast, nervously twisting the hem of her clothing, lightly biting her red lips as if struggling with some difficult internal conflict.
Finally, she seemed to have made up her mind. She abruptly raised her head, her cheeks still flushed, but forced herself to adopt her usual slightly arrogant demeanor. However, her wavering gaze and trembling voice betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Dai Chengfeng!"
She raised her voice, attempting to sound more confident. "What… what just happened! You… you are absolutely forbidden from telling anyone!"
"Especially Zhu Zhuqing and Sister Nana!"
"And… and that… that was only because of the drug losing control! I… I didn't know what I was doing!"
"You… you're not allowed to think about it! And don't you dare assume… assume that I…"
She hesitated for a long time, unable to say "like you" or anything else. Finally, she stamped her foot and emphasized:
"In short! It was all an accident!"
"It was just a temporary measure to help me handle the drug's effects!"
"Yes, a temporary measure! Do you understand? I'm… I'm not that kind of person!"
Watching her desperately trying to distance herself while appearing even more endearing due to her embarrassment, a faint smile flickered in Dai Chengfeng's eyes.
Of course, he understood this little troublemaker's thoughts. She simply couldn't bear to lose face and wanted to maintain her dignity as the mischievous princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Clan.
He obligingly nodded, his tone calm and detached, deliberately creating distance:
"Miss Ning Rongrong, rest assured. I understand the situation."
"What happened earlier was out of necessity, a temporary measure to help you absorb the medicinal energy and prevent any danger from the drug's potency."
"I am not an unreasonable man. I will not use this to bother you or spread rumors."
"Just consider it… a dream."
This "thoughtful" yet "business-like" response should have reassured Ning Rongrong.
But for some reason, hearing him so cleanly draw the line and dismiss everything as "necessary," "a temporary measure," and "a dream," a faint, barely perceptible sense of loss and frustration welled up in her heart.
"You… you understand, good!"
She held her head high, trying to maintain her last shred of pride, but her voice involuntarily softened. "I… I'm leaving!"
With that, she could no longer endure the strange atmosphere and almost fled, pulling open the door of the cultivation room.
She rushed out like a gust of wind, her retreating figure radiating panic and embarrassment.
Dai Chengfeng watched her graceful silhouette disappear at the end of the corridor. He made no move to stop her, merely shaking his head lightly with an enigmatic curve on his lips.
He lowered his gaze, looking at his own palm as if he could still feel the delicate waist, soft touch, and scorching heat of her skin…
"A dream, huh?"
...
On the other side, Ning Rongrong ran all the way back, her heartbeat pounding like a drum, her cheeks burning hot.
She didn't dare stop, fearing someone might see her in this state—especially Zhu Zhuqing or Hu Liena.
Almost on instinct, she rushed back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. Leaning against the cold door, she gasped for breath.
Only after confirming that she was alone and safe did her tightly wound nerves finally relax, and her body slid down the door until she sat on the floor.
In the silent room, only her rapid breathing and thunderous heartbeat could be heard.
In her mind, scenes from earlier uncontrollably replayed over and over, each detail painfully vivid.
Dai Chengfeng's hot breath, his domineering yet gentle kiss, the warmth of his hands, and her own shameful, eager response…
"Ah—!"
Ning Rongrong buried her burning face into her knees, letting out a muffled, tear-filled whimper.
So embarrassing!
Absolutely mortifying!
How am I ever going to face that guy Dai Chengfeng again?!
Yet beneath the overwhelming shame, another emotion quietly began to take root.
Unconsciously, she raised her hand, gently touching her slightly swollen lips. They still seemed to carry a unique trace of Dai Chengfeng's presence—his faintly aggressive scent.
A strange, tingling sensation, like a faint electric current, coursed through her limbs.
She recalled his final "business-like" words and felt that inexplicable frustration bubbling up again.
"A temporary measure… a dream… Hmph! He makes it sound so easy! I'm clearly the one who got the short end of the stick!"
Unable to resist, she muttered softly under her breath, her tone carrying an unconscious hint of playful scolding.
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