Chapter 21: A Change of Heart

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Liu Erlong's heart was a whirlpool of conflicting emotions.

The man who had helped her so much, even saving her life, was the same man she had once rejected when he confessed his feelings.

And the man she deeply loved? Every day he acted as if the world had wronged him, pretending to be profound while always hiding behind Flender and her during difficult times.

It wasn't until they developed their three-way spirit fusion technique that he finally became useful. His head was filled with nothing but theories and basic soul master knowledge, and his actions were marked by cowardice.

Moreover, they were cousins—unable to be together. Even if Liu Erlong didn't care, Yu Xiaogang certainly would. He was obsessed with appearances. Did Liu Erlong really want to endure being labeled a seductress who lured her own cousin?

Liu Erlong was still young, having reached Spirit Emperor in her early thirties. With her talent, she was certain to reach Spirit Sage before turning forty. She was already close—just this month, in fact.

Her crimson dragon martial soul had undergone a beneficial mutation, and her innate spirit power was at level eight. Liu Erlong's talent was undeniable—it was just that her thoughts of a certain unfaithful man had slowed her cultivation.

"Erlong, where are we going? We've already passed the school area. Why are we heading toward the forest?"

Flender asked casually, but to Liu Erlong, his words carried a different weight. Her heart was pounding fiercely.

"Uh… um… Big Brother Flender, this leads to my secluded place. I usually stay there."

Liu Erlong nervously finished her sentence. She didn't dare look at Flender now; she felt deeply ashamed.

She had developed feelings for the older brother she had once rejected. She felt as though she was betraying Yu Xiaogang and also letting Flender down. After all, she had rejected him, yet he still supported her.

And the man she loved? He had vanished without a trace, as if he had evaporated from the face of the earth, abandoning her just to save face.

Upon closer reflection, though she and Yu Xiaogang had gone through the formalities of marriage, they were cousins. The rumors and family disapproval made their union impossible. Would Flender despise her for it?

Soon, they arrived at Liu Erlong's small wooden cabin. The environment here was serene, free of any signs of human habitation, with only tranquility surrounding them.

"Big Brother Flender, there's not much to offer you. Let me go make some tea."

Liu Erlong hurriedly excused herself and ran off.

"Principal, it seems your charm knows no bounds. Aunt Erlong has already started self-rationalizing her feelings for you. The way she looks at you is completely different now—gratitude, apology, affection—all mixed together.

I told you, a little makeover would do wonders! You're not unattractive—you just never took care of yourself. Tsk, tsk, tsk, it seems it won't be long before we have another principal's wife around."

Li Luochen transmitted his voice to Flender telepathically since Liu Erlong was still inside the house, and speaking aloud might be overheard. Soul masters could use spirit power to transmit sound once they reached level 25 (according to Baidu, let's consider this secondary lore).

"You brat, stop talking nonsense, or I'll beat you up."

"Just tell me—do you like Aunt Erlong or not?"

"Yes."

"Then what's the problem? If you like her, pursue her! No need to confess directly. Slowly live with her, work together, chat together, and let her get used to your presence. She'll rationalize her feelings on her own."

At the right moment, Li Luochen planned to give Flender and Liu Erlong a little "push." After years of studying medicine, he knew how to make colorless, odorless aphrodisiacs.

If the timing was right, Li Luochen wouldn't hesitate to lend a hand. After all, the idea of cousins being together was too explosive. Flender wasn't inferior either—it was just that Li Luochen detested Yu Xiaogang, who pretended to be a great master.

Li Luochen intended to gift Yu Xiaogang a very green hat—one that he couldn't complain about even if he wore it. If he dared say anything, it would only prove he coveted his own cousin.

Not long after, Liu Erlong returned with the tea. She sat opposite Flender, avoiding his gaze. She feared that looking at him would shake her resolve, filling her with guilt.

Flender, however, didn't mind. Though he was nervous, like when he first pursued Liu Erlong, his thick skin and straightforward nature meant he didn't dwell on guilt. If he liked someone, he simply liked them—no complications.

As for Yu Xiaogang? Flender looked down on him. Back then, he had handed her over almost literally, and yet Yu Xiaogang couldn't even hold onto her. Who was to blame for abandoning her to face the gossip alone? Flender wanted to punch Yu Xiaogang in the face.

Li Luochen thought to himself, 'Am I being a third wheel here? Maybe I should slip away. But where to? Ah, whatever—I'll just wander around. Staying here feels like I'm interfering with their progress. Alright, time to leave.'

"Uh, Principal, Aunt Erlong, I'm going to explore Tian Dou City for a bit. You two keep chatting—I'll be off."

Li Luochen fled like his life depended on it, leaving the two staring at each other awkwardly.

"..."

"Big Brother Flender."

"Erlong."

...

"You go first." ×2

The atmosphere grew unbearably awkward. Eventually, they began making small talk, though the specifics of their conversation remain unknown. Both hearts, long dormant, stirred with newfound emotion.

Liu Erlong began to see Flender in a new light. Comparing the two, she realized how unfair she had been to him. Aside from her mother, Flender was the only one who truly cared for her.

Yu Xiaogang was obsessed with his theories, driven solely by ambition. In the past, blinded by love, Liu Erlong saw him through rose-tinted glasses. Now, thinking clearly, she realized he had never brought her anything. It was her own one-sided devotion that had consumed her.

Meanwhile, Flender felt useless. He had loved Erlong deeply but never dared to express it. He had willingly stepped aside for Yu Xiaogang's sake, only for Xiaogang to abandon her.

Hiding in some small town, he never once inquired about his wife's well-being. What kind of man takes someone's heart and then runs away? Did Erlong deserve to love such a person?

Though their feelings were shifting—from platonic friendship toward something more—their mutual affection remained unspoken. The atmosphere was strange, but time was on their side. The longer Li Luochen stayed in Tian Dou City, the better.

---

On the other hand—

Li Luochen, having fled Blue Tyrant Academy, stared back at the school gates, feeling as though everything that had just happened was surreal.

'Isn't Liu Erlong supposed to be an incurable romantic, hopelessly hung up on that useless Yu Xiaogang? Why did she blush so shyly upon seeing the revamped Principal?'

'Principal now has a scholarly air, and Yu Xiaogang, the so-called "Master," also has a scholarly vibe. Could it be that Liu Erlong has a thing for this type?'

'Anyway, things seem to be going smoothly. If necessary, I'll add a little more fuel to the fire. Let me handle the dirty work—it's fine as long as they're happy. I want them to end up together. Not even the gods themselves could stop me.'

'But on second thought, drugging them might be too dirty. Hmm, given their personalities, unless explicitly pointed out, it'll be hard for them to get together. Liu Erlong may seem bold, but she's actually quite shy.'

'And Principal is a quiet guy—he probably can't handle it. Let's wait. When Liu Erlong goes to obtain her seventh soul ring, I'll have Principal accompany her. That'll give them a chance to bond.'

Lost in thought, Li Luochen walked toward the bustling part of Tian Dou City. Little did he know that daydreaming while walking could lead to trouble.

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(A/N: The author wants to pair Flender and Liu Erlong together because the idea of cousins being together is just too explosive. Wow, I really dare to write this! Anyway, I've rewritten it—Flender and Liu Erlong are evenly matched in strength, and their relationship has always been excellent. They both have the potential to become Title Douluos.

Yu Xiaogang has no chance of breaking through to level 30. At best, he'll cling to life for a few more decades. Title Douluos live for at least two hundred years. Should Liu Erlong remain a widow for nearly a century? Forget it.

The Golden Iron Triangle will inevitably fall apart. Yu Xiaogang is nothing but dead weight—kick him out. Besides, I want to see him wear that bright green hat, seething with rage but unable to say a word. Hahahaha!)

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