"Wow, he's Wang Zhong! So handsome!"
"Yes, not only handsome, but also incredibly strong."
"Only twelve years old, and already a Soul King, he even defeated the homeroom teacher of class A in the first year, Ying Yanyang."
"That was a Soul Saint!"
"A direct disciple of His Holiness the Pope! He's bound to rule the Spirit Hall in the future! So cool, it's intoxicating just thinking about it!"
"Stop daydreaming. Wang Zhong is already taken. Hu Liena from class A in the second year, they're childhood sweethearts, grew up together, and are incredibly close."
"You don't stand a chance!"
"Hmph, who says? So they grew up together! As long as they aren't married, anyone has a chance, right?"
"Exactly, exactly."
"Hu Liena's looks are average. Isn't it just because her spirit awakened with immense power, which stained her own being, leaving a trace of fox-like charm? Her actual looks aren't even as good as mine!"
"Moreover, how could a monstrous prodigy like Wang Zhong be solely devoted to her?"
"One day, he'll get tired of her and leave."
...
Every word pierced through Hu Liena's heart like a thorn, causing her to tremble and her face to turn pale.
Wang Zhong never hid anything from her, not even crucial matters like his twin spirits or the Pope's intention to take him as a disciple. He told her everything without reservation.
Hu Liena was aware of Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan's existence.
Actually, Hu Liena didn't care about the people speaking those words. Having grown up together, she knew Wang Zhong's personality and feelings very well.
Anyone approaching him with ulterior motives wouldn't even get a chance to interact with him in the first place.
What truly made Hu Liena's face turn pale were Qian Renxue and Dugu Yan!
These two, who entered Wang Zhong's heart as elder sisters and friends, were the source of her trembling and fear.
She was afraid these two would snatch Wang Zhong away from her.
Especially the former, Qian Renxue, with her Angelic Spirit and the surname Qian, her identity and status were clear.
The daughter of the previous Pope, the little princess of Spirit Hall!
Coupled with the admiration and smile in Wang Zhong's eyes when he mentioned Qian Renxue, it made her feel jealous.
Already wary, and then provoked by those words, Hu Liena's feelings, which had surfaced since childhood and never subsided, even intensifying, could no longer be suppressed.
So, she cut a lock of her long hair and wove it into a ring, wanting to express her feelings. However, after gathering her courage, she found that Wang Zhong was not in the room, nor was he in the small wooden house.
Staring at the large gap in the roof of the small wooden house, and a golden feather she saw by the river outside, Hu Liena guessed.
Qian Renxue had come and taken Wang Zhong away!
This discovery made Hu Liena inexplicably flustered.
She stood in the small wooden house for a long time, thinking deeply. Thus came the bold and passionate kiss and confession from before!
Love requires taking the initiative!
The kiss was a pledge of love, the confession was a declaration of her heart, and the bracelet woven from her golden hair was a declaration of ownership!
In this way, Hu Liena told those little vixen that the man before them was already taken!
A girl's thoughts are delicate and ever-changing; even Wang Zhong, no matter how sensitive, could not possibly capture everything clearly.
You like me, and I like you too!
"Nana, I like you too!"
Wang Zhong responded with the most passionate reply, a gentle smile on his face.
This passion truly turned Hu Liena into a soft pool of water, melting into Wang Zhong's embrace. If he hadn't held her waist with both hands, she might not have had the strength to stand.
Her beautiful eyes were hazy, shimmering with moisture. Hu Liena rested her head on Wang Zhong's shoulder, inhaling the fresh scent emanating from him as if intoxicated.
She felt incredibly happy and fulfilled.
Did Wang Zhong like Hu Liena? Yes. Their relationship since childhood, their innocent companionship, their childhood sweethearts bond, how could he not like her?
But if you asked Wang Zhong if he liked Qian Renxue or Dugu Yan?
The answer would still be the same: yes! If he didn't like them, how could they be friends?
Because of scarcity, he cherished. And because he cherished, Wang Zhong was loyal, even to the point of greed and possessiveness!
He would never allow what he had obtained to leave him, whether it was snatched away by outsiders or if they themselves wanted to leave, Wang Zhong would not permit it.
Mine, mine, all mine!
This way of treating emotions and his personality made those who loved Wang Zhong both laugh and cry, feeling helpless and angry. It also made those who hated Wang Zhong grit their teeth and despise him to the bone.
Hu Liena's confession was just the beginning. Later, many more people would receive this kind of response, and it was precisely because of this response that Wang Zhong understood what it meant to be unable to resist those tender scolds and playful complaints, even with immense power and divine abilities, and could only bow his head and be obedient.
"Nana, I might have to leave the academy for a while."
Holding Hu Liena in his arms, Wang Zhong revealed his future plans.
"Leave? You just came back and you're leaving again!" Hu Liena frowned, her slender eyebrows knitted, and said with great reluctance.
"Yes, I can only become stronger by traveling the world, and only then can I better protect you all." Wang Zhong tightened his embrace around her warm and delicate body, his tone firm and determined.
"Travel the world! Zhong, how long will you be gone!" She had initially thought it would be just a short period, like before, perhaps a month, or half a year, or even a year, she wouldn't have been surprised.
But traveling the world was definitely not something that could be accomplished in one or two years.
"I want to go with you!" After just confessing her feelings, to be separated again, how could Hu Liena accept it?
Wang Zhong pursed his lips and shook his head very solemnly. "No!"
"You cannot come with me!"
If it weren't for meeting the Human-Demon, Wang Zhong would have happily taken Hu Liena with him, traveling the world like an outing.
But after that near-crushing battle, and the scene where Qian Renxue almost sacrificed her life to save him, Wang Zhong absolutely could not let Hu Liena accompany him on his adventures.
The little fox had also said that in the years to come, whether he wanted it or not, he would be entangled with the people of the Holy Spirit Cult.
Without enough power to protect the people around him, Wang Zhong would not let Hu Liena follow him.
Spirit City was the safest place.
"Zhong!"
"I've waited for you for four years, and I felt like every day was a year, my heart filled with longing. I really don't want to leave you again."
Hu Liena bit her red lip, her eyes glistening with a faint moisture.
Under such a gaze, even hardened steel could melt like soft silk. But Wang Zhong had already made up his mind.
He would not let the events in the forest happen anywhere else again!
"No!" Wang Zhong shook his head firmly, his gaze filled with unshakeable persistence.
Hu Liena's eyes flickered, and she intended to use her usual charming way to force Wang Zhong to yield.
But before she could speak, Wang Zhong kissed her lips heavily, making her eyes hazy.
After a long while, their lips parted.
"Zhong!"
"No!"
Another kiss.
"Zhong~"
"No!"
A kiss...
Their lips met and separated, they kissed countless times, and finally, Hu Liena felt Wang Zhong's determination and unchangeable resolve, and could only give up.
Outside the window, the moonlight flowed like water, and the stars twinkled.