Hu Liena and Xie Yue took the initiative to start a conversation. Yin Zhang was a little surprised at first, but as the three of them chatted while eating, everything went smoothly.
Yin Zhang soon realized that Hu Liena was quite different from the "love-brained" image he remembered.
That said, he could clearly feel the goodwill Hu Liena showed him through her words and attitude.
Does she like me?
Yin Zhang didn't dare jump to conclusions, but one thing was certain—Hu Liena's fondness for him was far from small.
Is my first romance about to begin like this?
He couldn't help but think.
Before his transmigration, many readers had criticized Hu Liena as a "love brain" because she caused the plan to capture Da Ming and Er Ming to fail for the sake of "Tang Yin," allowing Tang San to reap enormous benefits—two hundred-thousand-year spirit rings and a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone—instantly skyrocketing his strength.
But if Hu Liena were your girlfriend, then being a love brain wouldn't be a flaw—it would be a bonus.
What man wouldn't like a love-brained girlfriend?
Of course, that was assuming she was normal in every other way.
The only thing that made Yin Zhang feel helpless was the fact that Hu Liena was Bibi Dong's disciple.
The future Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall.
If Bibi Dong chose to interfere, things could become troublesome.
But then again, so what?
After all, she herself was a love brain.
Besides Hu Liena, there was also Xie Yue.
Xie Yue was Hu Liena's biological brother.
Although he had scoffed at Yin Zhang while they were lining up for food, his attitude improved noticeably after meeting Yin Zhang and getting to know him a bit—though he still kept a cold expression.
Yin Zhang didn't mind.
After all, he was about to take this guy's sister away. A bit of hostility was only natural.
He could slowly fix their relationship later.
With that thought, Yin Zhang arrived at the Spirit Hall Academy training grounds.
More than half of the academy was located outside Spirit City, and there were several training grounds alone.
They were divided into the Elementary Area, Intermediate Area, Advanced Area, and the Superior Area—the latter having the best conditions and the fewest people.
Yin Zhang had already learned in the morning that all afternoon classes would be held on the training grounds.
Aside from mandatory physical training and a few assigned tasks, the rest of the time was free—for cultivation, sparring, or independent practice.
As a transfer student who had just arrived that day, Yin Zhang naturally drew a lot of attention when standing in formation with the class.
The physical training instructor was a beautiful woman. Although her figure was average, her gentle temperament made her extremely popular among the students.
After completing the physical training, Yin Zhang—lightly sweating—was challenged to a spirit duel.
He didn't refuse.
He swiftly and cleanly defeated the first few challengers, causing a wave of astonished gasps. After that, no one dared challenge him again, so he began cultivating on his own.
Within a single day, stories about Yin Zhang spread further and wider.
Some claimed he was the Supreme Pontiff's illegitimate son, raised outside until the age of ten before being brought back.
Others said he was actually a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast in human form—otherwise, how could a ten-year-old possibly reach Rank 29?
Even if he ate growth supplements every day, that level of cultivation speed would still be impossible!
Because he was on the verge of breaking through to Spirit Elder, Yin Zhang wouldn't remain in Intermediate Class One for long. After Qiangu Yuan asked for his opinion, Yin Zhang chose to move directly into the Advanced Class dormitory and take an empty bed there.
As for Hu Liena—
After her afternoon classes ended, she was summoned by Bibi Dong to her chambers.
Does Teacher need me for something today?
Hu Liena wondered as she walked toward Bibi Dong's residence.
"Teacher sent for me!"
Standing guard were two tall, beautiful female knights. Their brows were sharp and valiant, and they wore light armor while holding exquisitely crafted spears with limited offensive power.
Seeing Hu Liena, the two said nothing and stepped aside.
"Knock, knock—"
"Teacher, it's me, Nana!"
Hu Liena stood on tiptoe and knocked on the door.
"Mhm."
Bibi Dong replied softly, opening the heavy door with her spirit power.
Clatter—
Hu Liena moved silently. After approaching Bibi Dong from behind, she tried to cover her teacher's beautiful eyes.
But such a trick was no different from a child's clumsy play in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Nana, I heard you met a boy at the academy today?"
There was a trace of anger in Bibi Dong's cold voice, but Hu Liena didn't notice anything unusual.
She said in surprise,
"As expected of Teacher—you found out so quickly."
"Tell me about it."
Bibi Dong turned around, folding her arms as she looked at Hu Liena coolly.
To be precise, her mood soured the instant Yin Zhang came to mind.
Her initial impression of Yin Zhang had actually been quite good.
But after finding Yu Xiaogang, she heard from him that Yin Zhang's so-called filial piety was nothing but empty words—that he had even spoken rudely and reproached him to his face, and more.
If not for Yin Zhang's unprecedented talent and his young age, Bibi Dong would have expelled him long ago.
Originally, she had planned to bring him back to Spirit Hall, nurture him, and turn him into a powerful enforcer.
But she had to admit—this time, she had been careless.
After returning, she hadn't taken sufficient secrecy measures regarding Yin Zhang.
Coupled with the fact that the former Supreme Pontiff, Qian Xunji, had already noticed him, the priests of the Hall of Worship inevitably became aware of his existence and forcibly took him out of her hands.
In truth, when the Hall of Worship first moved against her,
If Bibi Dong had directly taken Yin Zhang as her disciple, the situation could have been avoided entirely.
But just looking at Yin Zhang made her feel uncomfortable—let alone accepting him as a disciple.
"Alright, Teacher."
Hu Liena's voice was sweet. Even with Bibi Dong clearly upset, she still wore a smile.
"After the morning classes today, I heard from my desk-mate about that Yin Zhang. She said he's only ten years old but has already cultivated to Rank 29, and…"
The more Hu Liena spoke, the more excited she became, as though a sweet and happy future with Yin Zhang was already within reach.
Listening to her, Bibi Dong glanced at Hu Liena, who had clearly begun fantasizing.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Once upon a time, she had been just like Hu Liena—full of longing for the future.
"Mhm, that's enough, Nana. Remember to rest early when you return to the academy…"
"But Teacher, I want to sleep next to you tonight."
(Big eyes + Charm)
"Mhm… alright."
Late at night, Yin Zhang had just finished arranging his bed in the dormitory when a prompt sounded in his mind.
[Detected that the host is about to encounter love. The following choices have been triggered:]
[Option One: She's still just a child! You beast! Hu Liena is only eight years old! Reject Hu Liena's feelings—cultivation is the righteous path!]
[Reward: …]