"I'm back!"
The usual loud declaration echoed once more in the long-silent apartment.
But this time, there were no panicked footsteps.
A phantom image of a pink fox, moving like lightning, a flash of pink light, appeared before Wang Zhong in an instant from upstairs.
The phantom dissipated, revealing a tall, slender girl with shoulder-length golden hair, wearing a golden and silver-white dress. She stood before him, exquisitely beautiful and alluring.
Her features were like a painting, her skin as smooth and delicate as milk, appearing as if it would burst with a touch. Her captivating fox-like eyes trembled slightly, glowing with an inner light. She gently bit her pink lips with her pearly white teeth, her pitiable and moving appearance capable of driving anyone to madness.
"Nana, I'm back."
Looking at the girl before him, Wang Zhong tilted his head and smiled gently, his tone warm and soft.
This familiar scene, which he had longed for for so long, made Hu Liena unable to suppress her emotions any longer. She lunged into Wang Zhong's embrace, holding him tightly, her soft body trembling slightly.
She was so afraid, so afraid that this moment was just another one of her countless dreams.
But this time, Hu Liena felt it. She felt the presence and warmth of the young man before her. This was not a dream! He had truly returned!
"Cough! Cough!"
From the passage on the left side of the first floor, a forceful cough suddenly sounded.
A young man with the same height as Wang Zhong, dressed in silver-white and black, appeared. He was handsome with a hint of mischief, leaning against the wall with one foot, watching the two embrace for a long time without any intention of separating. He forcefully reminded them of his presence.
Hearing the cough, Hu Liena's pretty face blushed slightly as she pulled away from Wang Zhong's embrace. She glared at the exceptionally handsome young man with displeasure.
She muttered, "Troublemaker!"
Hearing her complaint, the young man's footing slipped, and he nearly fell.
Seeing his awkward state, Wang Zhong burst into laughter. "Xie Yue, it's been four years since I've seen you, and your body seems to have weakened! You can't even stand for a short while anymore."
Xie Yue walked up to Wang Zhong, gave him a hug, and then slapped his shoulder heavily. He gritted his teeth and said, "What nonsense are you spouting!"
"You know yourself why I can't stand!"
"Even though I'm quite unhappy, I still welcome you back!"
His gritted teeth transformed into the joy of welcome, and Xie Yue gave Wang Zhong another heavy hug.
"Wang Zhong, welcome back!"
Behind Xie Yue, Yan, a tall and robust young man, had a joyful expression as he happily welcomed Wang Zhong's return.
After Xie Yue moved aside, Yan opened his arms and also gave Wang Zhong a tight hug, feeling genuine joy for their reunion.
Looking at his three companions, who had all grown up, Wang Zhong smiled back and once again spoke in a cheerful tone, "Hello, everyone, long time no see."
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
The hearty laughter and the joy of reunion reached their peak at this moment.
Four years had passed, and their friendship had not diminished in the slightest with the passage of time. Instead, it had become even more profound and steadfast.
"Zhong, I want to eat what you cooked."
Just like that night in the past, Hu Liena raised her hand and excitedly made her request.
"We want to too!"
Xie Yue and Yan exchanged a smile and happily followed suit.
Wang Zhong naturally had no objections and agreed.
"Okay, okay."
"I understand."
"Let me cook today!"
As he spoke, Wang Zhong walked towards the kitchen he remembered. Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan also followed behind with smiles, ready to help.
Before long, the sounds of busy activity and laughter emanated from the kitchen, and the enticing aroma of food slowly drifted out.
In the main hall, a long table was laid out with abundant food. Hu Liena and Wang Zhong sat on the left, while Xie Yue and Yan sat on the right. The four of them picked up their chopsticks simultaneously, put their favorite dishes into their mouths, and ate with satisfied smiles.
"Zhong, did the Pope's decree lift your punishment early for you to return today?"
Beneath the table, Hu Liena's long, slender, and shapely legs were intertwined, swaying back and forth. She bit her chopsticks and asked curiously.
Wang Zhong swallowed the fish in his mouth, nodded, and replied with a calm smile, "Yes. I thought I wouldn't be able to return until another half a month, but I didn't expect Elder Ghost Douluo to pick me up yesterday."
"I think it's because the annual all-grade competition is about to begin, and His Holiness doesn't want me to miss the decisive battle with Teacher Ying, so it was moved up."
When the challenge against Ying Yanyang was mentioned, Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan all looked grave.
This battle was not just Wang Zhong's alone; they were all members of this challenge.
Seeing their expressions, Wang Zhong asked at this moment, "By the way, what are your cultivation levels now?"
This question brought a hint of pride to the three of them, but it quickly turned into helplessness.
Hu Liena idly picked at the rice in her bowl and said with a heavy tone, "I have the highest soul power among the three of us, level forty-six."
"Brother's soul power is level forty-three, and Yan just broke through to level forty-one not long ago."
"Although the three of us have cultivated diligently over these four years and reached the Soul Ancestor realm, Teacher Ying is an extremely powerful Soul Sage. The gap between us and him is far greater than what the surface levels suggest."
Despite their solemnity, Wang Zhong expressed his clear astonishment. He exclaimed with a smile, "You've all improved so much!"
"Your soul power has increased by at least twenty levels in four years, you're almost catching up to me."
"?"
"?"
"?"
Three question marks floated above the heads of Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
Anyone in the Spirit Hall Academy who knew about Wang Zhong's growth would have exclaimed, "Monster!" In two years, he had advanced twenty levels. Who dared to say they could catch up to him?
"Zhong, what do you mean by that?" Hu Liena's bright eyes were now filled with deep suspicion.
To this, Wang Zhong shrugged and smiled lightly, "I mean exactly what I said."
"My current soul power is level fifty-two."
"Fifty-two! How is that possible!" Hu Liena exclaimed immediately. This wasn't shock at Wang Zhong's soul power level being too high, but rather surprise at it being too low.
They, as his companions, understood Wang Zhong's cultivation speed very well. He was far ahead of them, at least twenty levels behind.
A Soul King at twelve years old was indeed something that would shake the entire continent. But you must know that Wang Zhong was already around level forty, a Soul Ancestor, four years ago!
After not seeing him for four years, based on their predictions, Wang Zhong should at least be a Soul Emperor! After all, his past cultivation progress was evident, and no one doubted Wang Zhong's ability to achieve such a feat.
"There's nothing impossible about it. You all consumed immortal herbs, your foundations are stable, and your innate talent has greatly improved. Catching up to me is not an unbelievable feat."
Wang Zhong, however, remained calm amidst their surprise.
"No, no! Even if we consumed immortal herbs and our talents improved astonishingly to reach your level, we couldn't have caught up to you to this extent."
"We are improving, and you are also improving! Unless..."
Hu Liena's eyes scanned Wang Zhong continuously. Being as intelligent as she was, she had thought of some possibilities.
Wang Zhong's body had a problem!
Meeting Hu Liena's worried gaze, Wang Zhong could only nod and admit, "Yes, my body has a problem!"
Hu Liena's expression changed instantly. She nervously put down her bowl and chopsticks and tightly grasped Wang Zhong's hand, saying anxiously, "Zhong, what's wrong with your body? Are you injured, or is there some other hidden illness? Why didn't you tell the Pope about this! She could definitely help you!"
Xie Yue and Yan also shot up from their chairs in shock, pressing for answers.
"Wang Zhong, what's wrong with your body!"
"Have you sought medical attention!"
For someone's talent to decline so drastically, it could not be a minor ailment!
Returning the grip on Hu Liena's soft hand, Wang Zhong gave a reassuring smile and, with his other hand, pushed back Xie Yue and Yan, who had leaned their heads in front of him.
"My body does have some issues, but these problems are not detrimental; in fact, they are of great benefit to me."
"For certain reasons, I cannot tell you about this for now."
"But you can rest assured about one thing: I'm fine!"
However, this answer was not enough to reassure the three of them. They knew Wang Zhong's nature very well. No matter what happened, he would never worry those around him; he preferred to bear everything alone.
The team battle with those four people in their fourth year was the best example.