Teacher, Would You Mind a Teacher-Student Romance?

"Teacher-student romance?" Bibi Dong pondered, seemingly judging Mimis's character.

Lu Leng continued, "Teacher, do you think age is a problem between two people?"

With those words, Lu Leng was testing the waters for himself.

"Age, heh..." Hearing this, the flush on Bibi Dong's face faded somewhat, and she looked disdainful. "Titled Douluo typically live for several hundred years. A difference of a few decades might create some distance at first, but what about after a few more decades? That distance will only grow smaller and smaller. Or rather, for people like us, age simply isn't qualified to be a problem."

Hearing that, Lu Leng smiled happily and continued, "Then what does Teacher think about the teacher-student relationship? Would it be something the world cannot tolerate?"

"Tolerate?" At that, Bibi Dong's expression suddenly turned cold, as though it had stirred up unpleasant memories. "Some people do not even care about cousins. What does a teacher-student relationship amount to?"

"Teacher, I understand." Lu Leng felt thoroughly relieved upon hearing her answer.

Age was not a problem, and their relationship was not a problem. Then there was no problem at all.

"Understand? What do you understand?" Bibi Dong stared at him in surprise. Seeing the boy look as though everything had suddenly become clear, she froze for a moment. "Could it be that you're the one who confessed to Mimis?"

"Of course not! Teacher, don't talk nonsense. I'm still so young." Lu Leng jumped in fright. How could Bibi Dong think that?

"Hmph. You have the heart of a thief, but not the nerve." Bibi Dong snorted disdainfully.

"Teacher, have another cup. This is good for your skin."

Seeing Bibi Dong drain her cup in one go, Lu Leng sneered inwardly. Whether I have the nerve or not, you'll find out in a few years.

The atmosphere inside the pavilion was intense, but things outside were rather awkward.

At that moment, Yan stood before Hu Liena, his expression sincere. "Nana, I want to spend this Valentine's Day with you."

Hu Liena's heart skipped a beat as she realized what he meant. Smiling, she said, "Aren't we already spending it together? Hurry back. Lu Leng and the others are probably waiting anxiously."

Yan hesitated, having understood Hu Liena's meaning. But he did not want things to end like this. Suddenly gathering his courage, he said, "That's not what I mean. I mean that I hope to spend Valentine's Day with you in the future too—next year, the year after, the year after that, every year!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Liena's gentle expression abruptly turned cold. She stared at Yan, her gaze suddenly becoming utterly unfamiliar. "I don't like you."

Five simple words—clean, decisive, cold, and merciless—leaving Yan no room to maneuver.

The flowers in Yan's hand drooped. His face went pale as he looked at Hu Liena in disbelief. He staggered back two steps, as though all his strength had been drained away.

He truly had not expected Hu Liena to be so ruthless, to reject him so completely. In his mind, even if Hu Liena rejected him, she would not have been so blunt. At the very least, she would have put it more tactfully.

That way, he could still have retained a sliver of hope. But Hu Liena's words were icy and resolute, clearly leaving him no chance at all.

"Do you hate me that much?" Yan asked dejectedly.

"It isn't that I hate you. I just don't like you."

"I thought you would at least leave me some dignity." Yan gave a bitter smile.

"The old me might have, but now..." Hu Liena paused, her gaze unconsciously shifting toward Lu Leng. "I won't!"

I won't!

The words had been spoken plainly, yet to Yan, they were unbearably sharp, piercing his heart until it bled.

Looking at the devastated Yan, Hu Liena's heart was filled with resolve.

I'm sorry. I cannot accept ambiguity with someone else. Not knowing how to refuse is no different from betrayal.

Afterward, she ignored Yan and headed straight toward the pavilion.

When she reached the entrance, her expression changed, and her mood returned to normal. "What are you drinking? You have something good and didn't wait for me?"

As she spoke, she went up to Lu Leng, snatched the wine from his hand, and drank it in one gulp.

"Hey..." Lu Leng tried to stop her, but it was already too late. He could only watch helplessly, his heart bleeding inside.

With you people drinking it like this, how the hell am I supposed to win over Bibi Dong? There wasn't much to begin with, and it's already been diluted. Now I have even less of a chance.

"Tasty. Another cup!" Hu Liena raised her cup.

"What do you think this is, a lottery? Another cup?" Lu Leng said irritably.

"Quit talking and hand it over." When Lu Leng refused, Hu Liena simply reached out to snatch it.

"Give it to me."

"No."

"Give it!"

"I said no..."

The sight of Hu Liena and Lu Leng chasing and playfully fighting landed in Yan's eyes, and his already wounded heart was once again rubbed with salt.

Two months later, Lu Leng stood in the academy arena. Opposite him stood a purple-haired woman.

This purple-haired woman was named Zi Menghan. Although her surname was Zi, she had nothing to do with Zi Qingyang. She was the strongest member of the Sacred Class, second only to Jin Zhengyang in the academy, and ranked second on the strength rankings.

"Once I defeat you, I can face Jin Zhengyang tomorrow." Lu Leng said calmly.

Zi Menghan had forty-seventh-level Soul Power. That was fairly good, but in Lu Leng's eyes, it was not enough.

"I concede." Zi Menghan said indifferently.

"What did you say?"

"I concede." Zi Menghan emphasized it again.

"Mm, at least you know your limits." Lu Leng had won and headed down from the stage.

Zi Menghan grew anxious and called after him, "My concession doesn't mean I admit you're stronger than me. I just hope you can defeat him in perfect condition!"

"Got it." Lu Leng waved a hand, leaving her only with his carefree back as he muttered mercilessly, "You already conceded, yet you're still trying to save face."

"This guy!"

Zi Mengyao had clearly heard that remark, and she clenched her teeth in anger. Hmph, if it weren't for the fact that you're helping Teacher Mimis vent her anger tomorrow, I'd definitely make you suffer today.

With this victory, Lu Leng had now achieved sixty-five consecutive wins. His points had risen to second place, and in the next match, he would qualify to challenge Jin Zhengyang.

And he had chosen the final day precisely so he could slap Zi Qingyang's face hard.

Time passed quickly. The next day, dawn had only just begun to break.

Yet beneath Arena One's fighting stage, students had already begun taking their seats one after another.

Some held breakfast in their hands, some wore slippers, and some even carried pillows. They came in all sorts of appearances, but without exception, every face was filled with eager excitement.

Because today was the day Lu Leng challenged Jin Zhengyang. The king of rising stars challenging a veteran god of war.

If he failed, they would witness the birth of a Holy Son!

If he succeeded, they would witness the rise of a Holy Son!