I've also recently started a new translation, please check it out and show your support! Douluo: Seven Kill Shock the World
----------------------
"Pfft—"
Yu Tianheng, who had been sipping soup, nearly choked and quickly covered his mouth.
The Shi brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, revealed expressions of "so that's how it is" and "as expected."
Dai Chengfeng, holding his wine glass, shook his head and chuckled but didn't refute the claim.
Inwardly, he even gave Oslo a silent thumbs-up: "Good boy, you've always kept quiet, but I didn't expect you to be so promising! Excellent!"
"Oslo!"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she stole a glance at Dai Chengfeng. Her icy voice carried a hint of barely noticeable embarrassment and irritation.
Hu Liena, on the other hand, blushed faintly and glared at Oslo, whether from the effects of alcohol or anger: "What nonsense are you spouting?! Who's your sister-in-law?"
However, though both women were refuting the claim, their tone somehow lacked conviction.
Instead, it seemed more like they were flustered by having their feelings exposed.
The rest of the Imperial Battle Team were all sharp individuals, born into noble families where reading between the lines was second nature.
Thus, they had long noticed that Dai Chengfeng's relationship with the two women was far from ordinary friendship.
Moreover, given Dai Chengfeng's extraordinary strength and status, he had no need to hide anything. His attitude alone spoke volumes.
Furthermore, seeing Oslo bring it up and Dai Chengfeng only smile without stopping him, even showing appreciation in his eyes, left no room for misunderstanding his intentions.
Instantly.
Yu Feng quickly chimed in, raising his glass: "Though Oslo's words were blunt, there's truth in them."
"Boss, two sisters-in-law… ahem, it's an honor to meet the three of you today."
"I'll toast to the three of you, congratulating Boss on his significant improvement in strength, and thanking you for going easy on us and the generous hospitality!"
He cleverly blurred the term "sister-in-law," but the toast clearly included all three, leaving the meaning unspoken yet obvious.
Shi Mo and Shi Mo also raised their glasses with hearty smiles: "To Boss, and to the two… ladies."
After all, in their circles, having multiple wives was the norm, while monogamy was rare.
"…"
Everyone except Yu Tianheng followed suit in toasting.
"Good, let's put past grievances behind us. From now on, we're all friends."
Dai Chengfeng laughed heartily, feeling quite pleased, and raised his glass: "Come, let's drink this cup together!"
His words tacitly accepted the group's teasing but left some room for ambiguity, not directly addressing it.
Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Dai Chengfeng's smiling profile, seeing he hadn't denied it, a faint flicker of complex emotions crossed her eyes. But ultimately, she said nothing, merely raising her teacup silently.
Hu Liena huffed softly, casting a sideways glance at Dai Chengfeng, half-angry, half-playful.
She also picked up her wine glass, though a subtle blush began to spread from her earlobes.
After finishing the cup, the atmosphere became even livelier.
Oslo proudly winked at Yu Feng, as if he'd accomplished something great.
Yu Feng returned a look saying, "You got lucky."
After several rounds of drinks and numerous dishes, Hu Liena, perhaps to change the topic or out of genuine concern, lightly tapped the table with her fingertip.
She looked at Dai Chengfeng, her voice returning to its usual flirtatious tone but with a hint of seriousness:
"Hey, I think it's about time we leave, don't you?"
"Don't forget what's important. The Netherworld White Tiger was just the first step; the Triple Fusion Technique is the key."
"And though your fusion earlier was impressive, there was significant energy leakage, and control was rough—it's still far from perfect mastery."
Mentioning the main goal, Dai Chengfeng also sobered up, nodding: "Mm, I know."
Zhu Zhuqing softly echoed with an "Mm," indicating agreement.
Upon hearing this, the members of the Imperial Battle Team exchanged glances.
Their hearts were filled with awe.
As teammates of Yu Tianheng, they were well aware of the immense power of the Golden Holy Dragon Triple Fusion Technique.
Now, an incomplete Netherworld White Tiger had already wiped them out…
If Dai Chengfeng, Hu Liena, and Zhu Zhuqing truly mastered the Triple Fusion Technique, what terrifying power would it hold?
For a moment, their assessment of the trio rose even higher, and their desire to befriend them intensified.
The banquet continued in a subtle yet harmonious atmosphere, with everyone thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Only occasionally, when Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena exchanged glances, invisible sparks seemed to ignite in the air. Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng sat calmly in the middle, relishing this enviable "trouble."
...
After a few more rounds of drinks, noticing the evening growing late, Hu Liena spoke up again, this time with a more serious tone.
Knowing the importance of the matter, Dai Chengfeng stood up accordingly.
"Today has been delightful with all of you, but there will be more opportunities in the future." Dai Chengfeng raised his glass, making a final conclusion.
Yu Tianheng and the others also rose. After this battle and feast, any lingering resentment had vanished, replaced by a newfound respect bred from their clash.
The Imperial Battle Team escorted Dai Chengfeng and the two women to the entrance of the restaurant.
"Boss, and the two… ladies, take care."
Yu Feng grinned and gave a playful bow, deliberately pausing on the title, earning him a glare from Hu Liena, which only made him grin wider.
Oslo, being more straightforward, earnestly said: "Looking forward to our next sparring session."
Shi Mo and Shi Mo bid farewell warmly.
Yu Tianheng's emotions were the most complex, but he eventually let go, nodding: "Take care."
Dai Chengfeng smiled in response, then turned and left with Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena, disappearing into the bustling streets of Spirit City under the newly lit lanterns.
On the way back to the Spirit Hall, the moonlight shimmered like water, casting elongated shadows of varying lengths on the cobblestone road.
Dai Chengfeng walked in the middle, flanked by Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena on either side.
After a brief silence, he was the first to speak, his voice regaining its usual steadiness, carrying a tone of summation.
"Today's battle yielded better results than expected."
Hu Liena nodded, twirling a strand of hair around her finger, adding: "Mm, the initial power of the Netherworld White Tiger has been demonstrated. Though still crude, the direction is correct."
Zhu Zhuqing's cool voice chimed in, "The energy surge during the fusion instant saw each of us bearing nearly thirty percent of the impact. That's a significant waste, indicating insufficient control."
"The coordination of soul power during the subsequent maintenance and attack phases was also lacking, otherwise, the fusion state wouldn't have dissolved so quickly."
Dai Chengfeng cast an approving glance at the two women.
"Zhuqing is right; energy leakage and rough control are the main issues."
He slowly continued, "The concept of the Triple Fusion centers around extreme compression and perfect circulation of energy."
"It requires our soul power, mental strength, and even martial soul attributes to reach a state of high resonance, akin to moving one's limbs naturally."
"Today's Netherworld White Tiger was just forcibly squeezing two forces together, achieving form but lacking essence."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two strikingly different yet equally beautiful girls beside him, and continued: "But this first step has indeed been taken."
"It proves that our martial souls possess the potential for higher-level fusion."
"The rest is a matter of meticulous effort—grinding, understanding, and mastering…"
The evening breeze blew gently, bringing a touch of coolness but unable to dispel the certainty and fervor in Dai Chengfeng's words.
"Believe me," his voice wasn't loud, but carried a reassuring confidence, "the future will be better."
"Not just the Triple Fusion Technique, but our strength, our… everything."
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)