"Teacher, I..."
Dai Chengfeng looked at the suddenly appearing and extremely anxious Bibi Dong, hurriedly opening his mouth to explain.
After all, perhaps Chen Xin didn't know—or only suspected—that the technique he had just used was the Exploding Ring, a secret skill from the Hao Tian Sect's Great Sumeru Hammer.
But!
Bibi Dong definitely knew. After all, Tang Hao had once used the Exploding Ring to severely injure Qian Xunji.
"Don't speak!"
However, Bibi Dong directly reprimanded him, cutting off Dai Chengfeng's words. Then, with her delicate hand, she firmly grasped Dai Chengfeng's wrist, carefully sending a wisp of soul power into his body to check his injuries.
"What is she doing?"
Dai Chengfeng stared blankly at Bibi Dong, her face so close to his.
The moonlight poured down behind her, casting a silvery glow over her pale skin. Those phoenix-like eyes, which always carried a hint of coldness, now appeared unusually gentle.
"Is she worried about me?"
For a moment, Dai Chengfeng felt something strange stirring in his heart.
"Phew!"
Soon, after her soul power circulated through Dai Chengfeng's body, Bibi Dong let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness, thank goodness…"
"Though the injuries are severe, they haven't truly damaged his core essence. It's just that his soul power will likely vanish for ten days or half a month."
A flicker of relief seemed to pass through Bibi Dong's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by sternness.
Her voice turned abruptly cold. "Dai Chengfeng, do you even know what you were doing?"
"Do you really think you're so talented that you could invent such a technique on your own?"
"Do you not care about your life?"
"Do you even realize what's happening inside your body right now?"
"You were almost completely ruined, doomed to live as an ordinary person for the rest of your life. Do you understand?"
In Bibi Dong's questioning tone, there was a faint quiver, barely noticeable.
Looking at the worried Bibi Dong, though Dai Chengfeng didn't know whether she was concerned because she feared he wouldn't be able to absorb Asura Power again or if she genuinely cared for him—
At this moment, her scolding was undoubtedly born out of concern.
For a while, Dai Chengfeng didn't argue back.
He had a trump card. Even if he were seriously injured, he could use the immortal grass to heal himself—but Bibi Dong didn't know that.
Therefore, in Bibi Dong's eyes, the situation just now had indeed been incredibly perilous.
"I'm sorry, Teacher, for worrying you."
Dai Chengfeng slightly bowed his head toward Bibi Dong.
"Now you know you were wrong?"
Bibi Dong gazed at Dai Chengfeng's pale face and his clothes soaked with blood and cold sweat. A flicker of pain—perhaps unnoticed even by herself—flashed in her eyes as she sternly asked:
"What were you thinking just now?"
"In order to use this soul skill, you nearly threw away your future. Did you even stop to think about your loved ones?"
"Teacher, I truly know I was wrong. It won't happen again."
As Dai Chengfeng spoke, he subtly took advantage of Bibi Dong's distraction, gently grabbing her tender hand and lightly shaking it.
"Hmm?"
Bibi Dong's entire body stiffened instantly.
Though she and Dai Chengfeng had shared many moments far more intimate than holding hands, those had all occurred while Dai Chengfeng was under her 'hypnosis,' completely devoid of consciousness.
But now, Dai Chengfeng was fully lucid.
This kind of intimacy… was their first time.
For a moment, an unfamiliar feeling welled up in Bibi Dong's heart. She pursed her lips, and an inexplicable blush crept onto her earlobes.
In an instant, Bibi Dong swiftly pulled her hand back and instinctively took half a step backward.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, masking the fluster in her gaze. "Don't think this will get you off the hook!"
Dai Chengfeng watched Bibi Dong's flustered expression, inwardly chuckling with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
'Bibi Dong… interesting!'
Then, he pursed his lips, offering a weak smile before reaching out again to grasp Bibi Dong's fair hand. "Teacher… I promise I won't do it again. Please forgive me, okay?"
Seeing Dai Chengfeng 'pouting' like a child, for some reason, this time Bibi Dong didn't push him away. She even found herself at a loss for words when it came to rebuking him.
She realized she actually felt… shy…
Finally, Bibi Dong sighed helplessly, a trace of indulgence lingering in her eyes.
Although she thought Dai Chengfeng's actions this time were somewhat reckless, at least the outcome was good—he had successfully used the Exploding Ring under the extreme pressure given by Sword Douluo.
But it was still somewhat impractical…
Back when Tang Hao used the Exploding Ring, it lasted long enough for an entire battle.
But Dai Chengfeng's Exploding Ring…
It only lasted an instant before losing control, causing his soul power to vanish and his meridians to sustain serious damage.
Still, Bibi Dong understood—it was just the beginning.
Tang Chen, the creator of the Exploding Ring, probably also started from this step, gradually perfecting it until it reached full maturity.
Thinking this, a flicker of admiration and relief passed through Bibi Dong's eyes: 'Dai Chengfeng's talent is truly monstrous!'
'If he were my enemy, I wouldn't be able to sleep or eat peacefully without eliminating him first… Fortunately, he's my disciple.'
Sighing inwardly, Bibi Dong shook her head at Dai Chengfeng, whose eyes brimmed with a pitiful expression. "You…"
"This time, I'll let it slide, but next time, absolutely no more reckless behavior. Understand?"
Dai Chengfeng looked at Bibi Dong and obediently nodded earnestly. "Don't worry, Teacher."
"Come with me and rest."
With that, Bibi Dong prepared to take Dai Chengfeng away.
Dai Chengfeng, seeing this, said, "Teacher, wait a moment."
Then, he turned to Sword Douluo, giving a slight bow. "Thank you, Uncle Sword, for your guidance."
After all, without Sword Douluo, he wouldn't have been able to execute the Exploding Ring so smoothly. Moreover, Sword Douluo had held back in the end. Otherwise, facing that sword strike while his soul power was depleted would have resulted in much more than just serious injuries…
Sword Douluo chuckled, patting Dai Chengfeng's shoulder and shaking his head. "No need to be polite. You called me Uncle Sword—how could I not help you?"
"You should go rest. You must be tired."
Dai Chengfeng gave another respectful bow to Sword Douluo, then followed Bibi Dong upstairs.
His heart was filled with anticipation.
"Two months from now, it will be my rematch with Tang San and Shrek Academy. If I defeat Tang San, I'll get to see Tang Hao perform the Great Sumeru Hammer in person. By then…"
"There are still some things I don't fully understand about the Exploding Ring technique, but I should be able to fully verify them."
Soon, the figures of Dai Chengfeng and Bibi Dong disappeared down the inn's corridor.
Back at the scene—
"Grandpa Sword, why did you say Dai Chengfeng won?"
Ning Rongrong looked in the direction Dai Chengfeng had left, still puzzled, and asked again.
Upon hearing this, Sword Douluo suddenly let out a long sigh, thinking of Dai Chengfeng's final move. He shook his head. "Because…"
"His talent and ingenuity surpass yours truly by many times."
"If we were truly at the same level, I… would undoubtedly lose!"
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