Observing the young man before her, who stood with proper deference and clear eyes, Long Ji also reined in her intention to probe.
With a flash of immortal light, Long Ji’s loose robe instantly transformed into a magnificent palace gown.
Compared to the subtle, almost irresistible allure she had exuded earlier, the current Long Ji appeared as the true sovereign of all demons!
Long Ji’s vertical pupils turned towards him with a hint of apology. "Forgive me, Young Master Chen. Long Ji's earlier probing, as well as the difficulties posed over the past few days, were all for my daughter's sake. I ask for your understanding." xxs1
Yes, Long Ji had deliberately released her charm, wanting to see what kind of person this Young Master Chen, who had always behaved so impeccably, truly was.
Ever since Linglong had taken matters into her own hands and purchased a furnace cauldron from overseas, the entire high echelon of Hanhai had been in an uproar.
Long Ji had not expected her daughter, after asking for her allowance as usual, to quietly undertake such a significant matter.
It wasn't until the Six Dragon Golden Chariot and Miaoyu’s Misty Cloud Pavilion returned to Hanhai that she received a message from Linglong, and she was utterly dumbfounded. While her daughter had grown up, she still appeared so young!
And it wasn't her estrus period, so why would she do such a thing?
However, considering Linglong’s situation, Long Ji hadn't even uttered a word of reprimand. She had merely silently opened the gates of the Hanhai Sky Curtain, allowing the Island Whale to pick up her daughter and that human of unknown origin.
Unlike the other Ascension Elders, who had naturally developed an immense liking for Chen Luo the moment they observed him, Long Ji, as the Lord of Ten Thousand Demons, possessed extraordinary mental resilience and had always maintained a degree of wariness towards Chen Luo.
The seven days of observation were born from this. She had cut off all channels for Linglong to obtain cultivation resources, only allowing Linglong to impart some universally known basic knowledge to Chen Luo.
During these seven days, Long Ji and the elders had been secretly observing Chen Luo. If Chen Luo had shown any resentment towards the treatment he received, or any ill will towards Linglong, they would have unhesitatingly expelled him.
The result, after a few days of observation, was that these elders had all defected. Simply watching Chen Luo read books daily had automatically filled their favorability meters to the brim.
Long Ji wore a smiling face but cursed inwardly. Yet, as someone with equally strong charm, she understood the overbearing nature of this special physique that made people feel affinity.
Therefore, Long Ji could only personally take charge and observe Chen Luo with even greater care.
Well, it was fortunate that Chen Luo no longer needed to use the restroom or bathe, and could remain spotless. Otherwise, Long Ji feared she would have had to conduct on-site surveillance for that as well.
In fact, Long Ji’s probing was not originally intended to end in just seven days.
But after observing for seven consecutive days, something happened that made even Long Ji feel a sense of dread. Deep within her heart, she had begun to subconsciously believe that this fellow was definitely a good person and would not harm her or her daughter.
Long Ji repeatedly visualized diagrams such as the Rising Sun Breaking Dawn, the True Dragon Suppressing the Abyss, and the Dragon’s Roar Across Ten Thousand Miles, but found that she still subconsciously felt Chen Luo was a good person and that her daughter was quite compatible with him.
This made Long Ji realize the gravity of the situation. This fellow’s appearance had likely reached the level of Dao charm.
Except for the old monsters at the Void Refinement stage, who could still withstand it, even she herself might fall if she continued to gaze upon him!
The Chen Luo she saw during the previous seven days was a gentle scholar, who was thirsty for knowledge and treated the Dragon Clan noblewoman who had come to him as an equal friend.
But what Long Ji distrusted most was human hearts! Yet, if she continued to observe, she herself would be influenced by this Dao charm-level attractiveness, potentially leading to biased conclusions.
However, for her daughter’s sake, no risk was permissible!
Thus, this led to today’s summons, Long Ji’s final test.
Her attire just now was the limit of what Long Ji could achieve. After all, being well-versed in human nature, she knew that the allure of the veiled maiden was the most captivating.
Long Ji even worried that this fellow might act too beastly due to the overly stimulating visual, so she had made sure to have her daughter avoid the scene beforehand.
However, the test results left Long Ji in disbelief, yet also extremely surprised.
To think that there was actually a human who merely appreciated her charm and did not seek to possess her. This left the human-nature-disbelieving Long Ji with a profound shock to her worldview.
Chen Luo had a vague sense of their intentions, but he didn't pay it much mind. After all, it was Linglong who had made the agreement with him. Since Linglong had fulfilled her end of the bargain, Chen Luo would certainly uphold his promise.
At this moment, regarding Long Ji’s apology, Chen Luo merely waved his hand to show understanding. "The hearts of parents are truly understandable. Since Lady Long Ji was worried about her daughter, I naturally have no intention of blaming you."
Looking at the young man before her, whose attitude remained consistently peaceful, Long Ji found him more and more pleasing to the eye.
The next moment, as if recalling something, Long Ji’s expression turned solemn. "Young Master Chen, did Linglong tell you her purpose in bidding for you?"
Chen Luo shook his head. "Miss Linglong said she hoped I could help her with her cultivation. This seems to involve the usage of a furnace cauldron. Although I was auctioned as a furnace cauldron, I don't actually understand the specifics, nor do I understand why Miss Linglong traveled such a long distance to bid for me."
After a sigh, Long Ji glanced sideways at the corner where Linglong was being kept apart. A trace of determination flashed in Long Ji’s eyes.
It seemed her daughter had truly given up on being a dragon, so she, as a mother, had to play the villain:
"To be frank, the furnace cauldron method allows you, Young Master Chen, to connect your vital energy with Linglong's. Furthermore, according to information from the Four Seasons Pavilion, your most prominent characteristic is the extreme purity of the spiritual energy you absorb, without any trace of foreign energy."
"Linglong's original intention was to help you cultivate to the ninth stage of the Dao Path, and then, using the method of connected vital energies, have you replenish her spiritual energy consumption during her Ascension Tribulation, thereby increasing her chances of successfully crossing it."
Chen Luo suddenly understood. No wonder both Miaoyu and Linglong had called it a great fortune for him. For cultivators in this world, having a direct disciple of one of the Ten Great Sects assist in their cultivation to the Dao Path realm would undoubtedly be like riding a rocket!
But, why had Linglong been unwilling to explain clearly?
A hint of hesitation flickered in Long Ji’s eyes, but looking at Chen Luo’s calm expression, she continued:
"Once the furnace cauldron method is activated, it naturally creates a master and a servant. The furnace cauldron's spiritual energy is entirely at the master's disposal for absorption, with no autonomy whatsoever."
"This one-sided absorption can only be halted if the furnace cauldron's cultivation realm completely surpasses the master's, or if the master voluntarily severs the furnace cauldron method."
"Moreover, for a furnace cauldron, there is another, even more brutal method of usage."
"That is a secret technique possessed by the top powers of the Primordial Earth!"
"Plum Blossom for Peach Blossom! A method of substitute death!"