As he spoke, Dai Chengfeng gently steadied Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders.
"After all, god force (power) is divine-level power."
"Even a trace of its essence… is far beyond what you can safely handle right now."
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively nodded. Dai Chengfeng continued, his tone grave:
"If I lose control—or if your body rejects it during adaptation—you could be injured. Even your cultivation foundation might suffer."
"So the choice is yours."
"If you're unwilling, we'll pretend today never happened. I'll keep searching for other ways to suppress the god force and explore alternative paths to fusion."
He spoke sincerely, giving her full agency.
Zhu Zhuqing fell silent.
She looked down at her hand—the spot where it had touched his still seemed to hum with the warmth of his palm and the lingering echo of their soul power exchange.
The sensation hadn't been unpleasant. In fact… it had felt almost soothing.
Like sinking into a perfectly warm hot spring—every pore opening, every tension melting away.
Power.
Greater power.
She thought of the brutal competition within the Star Luo Imperial Family, the weight of her responsibilities, the hidden currents swirling around Dai Chengfeng.
If she could grow stronger—if she could stand beside him as an equal, not just someone he shielded…
"How dangerous is it?"
She lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes directly.
Dai Chengfeng hadn't expected that question first. He paused, then answered earnestly:
"If you fully cooperate—and I strictly control the flow and dosage of the god force—the risk can be minimized."
"But accidents can always happen. All I can promise is this: I'll do everything in my power to protect you. You won't be harmed."
"Then… how do I cooperate?"
Zhu Zhuqing asked, ears burning crimson—but forcing herself to stay composed.
"At first, simple palm-to-palm contact—like just now—is enough."
"We'll set a fixed time each day to sit quietly and guide our soul powers to interact, gradually increasing duration and contact area."
Dai Chengfeng explained carefully. "Once your body adapts sufficiently, we can try broader contact—like back-to-back alignment. That's closest to your core soul circulation nexus, so the effect will be much stronger."
"And later… if progress continues smoothly, we might attempt…"
He stopped, leaving the rest unsaid.
But Zhu Zhuqing understood.
More intimate contact.
Perhaps even… going beyond the kiss they'd just shared.
For a moment, her face burned so hot she could've fried an egg—but inside, her decision was already made.
"I agree."
"Really?"
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath. "Yes. But… no one else can know we're training like this."
Dai Chengfeng smiled. "Of course. It's our secret."
She nodded, rising to her feet and brushing fallen leaves from her clothes.
Her training outfit was still damp, clinging uncomfortably—but her mind was entirely consumed by their discovery.
"So… what do we do now?"
She looked at him, slightly lost.
Dai Chengfeng stood and stepped forward, offering his palm upward. "Let's start with the simplest method."
"Give me your hand. We'll consciously guide the soul power flow—not rely on instinctive attraction from physical contact."
Zhu Zhuqing stared at his outstretched hand. After a few seconds of hesitation, she slowly placed hers upon it.
The moment their palms met, the sensation of soul power intertwining returned—clearer, smoother than before.
"Close your eyes," Dai Chengfeng instructed, his voice low and steady, guiding her. "Calm your mind. Follow the path of my soul power."
"Don't resist. Let it enter your body, complete one full cycle, then return to me."
"Like tides—flowing in and out."
Zhu Zhuqing obeyed, shutting her eyes and focusing past the distracting warmth of their joined hands, directing all attention inward.
She felt Dai Chengfeng's soul power—warm, dense, like a mighty river—gently entering her meridians.
Her own energy instinctively braced to repel it, but under her conscious command, she relaxed her defenses, allowing the foreign force passage.
Their soul powers began moving side by side, merging within her.
She could clearly distinguish them:
Hers—cool, swift, like wind in the dead of night;
His—scorching, domineering, like the midday sun.
And at the core of his power lingered a thread of something razor-sharp and exalted—that must be the Asura God Force (Power).
Faint as it was, its presence was overwhelming.
The moment it entered her meridians, she felt subtle pressure—as if countless fine needles were testing the boundaries of her soul energy.
Yet strangely, the sensation wasn't painful. It felt like tempering.
With each touch, her soul power grew denser, more resilient.
After one full cycle, the blended stream—now carrying a trace of her "speed" attribute—flowed back into Dai Chengfeng's palm.
"Good," he murmured, approval in his voice. "For your first conscious guidance, that was remarkably smooth. Your control is better than I expected."
"Now, try the reverse—send your soul power into me."
Zhu Zhuqing focused, gathering her energy toward her palm and slowly pushing it into his hand.
This was harder—overcoming her soul power's instinctive fear of his overwhelming strength.
She gritted her teeth and forced it forward.
His energy didn't reject hers. Instead, it welcomed it, actively guiding her power inward.
She felt her own soul force refined as it circulated through him—purified by his energy and that sliver of divine essence.
When the full cycle completed, they opened their eyes simultaneously.
Zhu Zhuqing felt a strange exhaustion—not physical, but mental, from intense concentration.
Yet at the same time, she felt refreshed, as if emerging from a rejuvenating bath, every cell revitalized.
"How do you feel?"
Dai Chengfeng asked, still holding her hand.
"A little tired… but good," she admitted honestly. After a pause, she added, "And my soul power feels… sharper."
"That's the refining effect of the god force," he said with a smile, finally releasing her hand. "That's enough for today."
"The first session shouldn't be too long. We'll continue when we have time."
"As your adaptability improves, we'll gradually extend the duration."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Will this help me advance in soul rank?"
"Not directly in terms of level progression," Dai Chengfeng explained. "But it'll vastly improve your soul power's quality, density, and control—far more than ordinary cultivation alone."
"And if your soul power truly adapts to the god force, absorbing soul rings or breaking through bottlenecks in the future may become easier."
"After all, even a trace of divine essence operates on a plane far above ordinary soul power. It can trigger qualitative transformation in your energy."
That prospect solidified Zhu Zhuqing's resolve.
"Then we'll continue tomorrow."
She turned and walked toward the courtyard gate. After a few steps, she paused—without looking back.
"And… I haven't forgiven you for this morning yet."
Dai Chengfeng blinked—then laughed softly.
"Understood. I went too far."
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