Yu Xiaogang's signature short beard had completely disappeared, leaving his chin smooth.
His once somewhat messy eyebrows seemed to have been carefully groomed, appearing much more refined.
Most notably, his skin had become exceptionally pale and delicate, even taking on an unhealthy glow.
Coupled with his rare long hair, if not for Dai Chengfeng's familiarity with him and the lingering details in his eyes that still belonged to Yu Xiaogang...
Dai Chengfeng might have mistaken him for some mysterious woman with androgynous beauty.
"This… is this the power of the enhanced Soul-Shaping Pill I added ingredients to?"
Dai Chengfeng instantly understood and couldn't help but marvel inwardly.
Just as Dai Chengfeng was inwardly astonished, Yu Xiaogang also spotted them.
His gaze first landed on Dai Chengfeng, flashing a barely noticeable hint of wariness and hatred. Then, his eyes firmly locked onto Liu Erlong beside Dai Chengfeng.
That gaze was filled with indescribable emotions.
There was the bewilderment of a long-awaited reunion, the buried affection from the past, the sentiment of things changing…
Perhaps, there was also a hint of awkwardness and embarrassment due to his own transformation.
His lips quivered slightly, as if he wanted to greet them but didn't know how to begin.
Meanwhile, Dai Chengfeng's gaze fell on the other person beside Yu Xiaogang.
This glance almost made Dai Chengfeng lose control of his expression.
It was Tang San.
At this moment, Tang San's changes were even more astonishing than Yu Xiaogang's!
Tang San already had a delicate appearance surpassing many women due to his cultivation of the Xuan Tian Gong.
But now, he was far beyond just delicate!
His originally neat short hair had grown longer, tied into a simple ponytail at the back, with a few strands of bangs softly framing his forehead.
His face appeared even smaller and more refined, with translucent white skin that seemed fragile enough to break with a touch.
His already large eyes now looked watery, with long and thick lashes.
His nose was elegantly straight, and his lips naturally rosy.
He wore a set of blue tight-fitting clothes, which should have given him a sharp look. However, paired with his current appearance, it created a blend of masculine vigor and feminine beauty, making him look like a stunningly beautiful maiden!
If not for his flat chest and the subtle Adam's apple, Dai Chengfeng would have surely thought he was a meticulously trained peerless beauty from some sect!
"This... even Tang San..."
Dai Chengfeng felt his perceptions being challenged.
The sight of these two standing together—one effeminate, the other as beautiful as a maiden—was simply...
Too shocking!
Tang San obviously noticed Dai Chengfeng too. His eyes first flickered with surprise, quickly replaced by a strong sense of challenge and confidence.
His gaze towards Dai Chengfeng no longer carried the previous gravity and wariness, instead brimming with an eager challenge.
Tang San stepped forward, his intense gaze fixed on Dai Chengfeng, his voice clear yet carrying undeniable firmness:
"Dai Chengfeng, you've finally returned!"
"The previously agreed duel should be scheduled soon, right?"
He was full of confidence.
During this time, he underwent what could be called hellish training. Not only did he refine his control over Blue Silver Grass to perfection, but his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps and Mystic Jade Hand techniques from the Tang Sect also advanced further.
More importantly, he successfully crafted several new hidden weapons with greater power and unpredictability!
He was absolutely certain that under the conditions where both parties suppressed their soul power to around level thirty, Dai Chengfeng would no longer easily dismantle his attacks as he did last time!
This time, he was determined to redeem himself and show Dai Chengfeng, as well as everyone who underestimated him, the price of belittling Tang San!
Dai Chengfeng snapped out of his shock at Tang San's appearance upon hearing his challenging words, and his usual lazy smile returned to his face.
Nodding, he calmly said, "Alright. Let's set it for a week from now."
Dai Chengfeng's injuries from the fierce battle with the Dark Demon God Tiger in the Great Star Dou Forest had mostly healed after recuperation, but he hadn't fully recovered; some minor meridians still needed nurturing.
Although Tang San's soul power level wasn't high, his methods were bizarre and unpredictable, especially his elusive hidden weapons, which were indeed formidable.
Though confident, Dai Chengfeng was never arrogant.
Even a lion uses all its strength when hunting a rabbit.
A week was enough time for him to bring his physical condition to its peak.
Seeing Dai Chengfeng agree readily, Tang San's eyes lit up with joy, and he responded without hesitation:
"Good! It's a deal! See you on the arena in a week!"
He could already envision himself defeating Dai Chengfeng and basking in triumph.
At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's gaze turned to Liu Erlong again, as if he had finally mustered the courage to say something.
Perhaps he wanted to explain his transformation, perhaps he wanted to greet her, or perhaps... he just wanted to look at her again.
However, Liu Erlong's reaction was unexpected.
Upon meeting Yu Xiaogang's gaze, she first paused slightly, looking at this familiar yet strange, effeminate and handsome "Yu Xiaogang"...
Her eyes flashed with an extremely complex emotion—surprise, confusion, and perhaps a ripple she herself was unwilling to admit.
But all of this was quickly replaced by a sense of decisiveness.
Not only did she not avoid Yu Xiaogang's gaze, but she also actively moved closer to Dai Chengfeng beside her, naturally hooking her arm through his and leaning slightly towards him, adopting an intimate and dependent posture.
Then, she raised her eyes to look at Yu Xiaogang, her gaze calm and even tinged with a detached indifference, as if looking at an unimportant stranger.
This action, this posture, silently conveyed everything.
Yu Xiaogang's words died on his lips.
He watched Liu Erlong intimately holding Dai Chengfeng's arm, saw the seemingly indifferent yet possessive smile on Dai Chengfeng's face, and felt the strange changes in his own body. A surge of immense inferiority, bitterness, and helplessness welled up in his heart.
All his intended words became pale and laughable.
In the end, he said nothing, just deeply gazed at Liu Erlong once more. That gaze was difficult to describe, containing too many unspoken emotions.
Then, he reluctantly shifted his gaze, lowly saying:
"Xiao San, let's go."
His voice carried a barely noticeable hoarseness.
Tang San also noticed Liu Erlong and Dai Chengfeng's intimate gesture and his teacher's unusual reaction, frowning slightly.
But his mind was entirely focused on the upcoming duel in a week, leaving no room for other thoughts. He merely responded:
"Yes, Teacher."
And followed the dispirited Yu Xiaogang, merging into the crowd and gradually disappearing.
Liu Erlong maintained the posture of holding Dai Chengfeng's arm until those two figures completely vanished from sight, then, as if drained of strength, released her grip and swayed slightly.
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