The colossal Angelic Sacred Sword, spanning heaven and earth, descended from the sky like a meteor, its blade ablaze with an inferno that trailed an endless fiery tail.
This holy and pure power ripped through the surging blood and vital energy of the Human-Demon, cleaving down in a single strike. The crimson-gold spirit ring shattered instantly, dissolving into scattered stardust.
The world fell silent. The Human-Demon's surging aura abruptly ceased, his body freezing in place. Strands of white hair drifted upwards, severed with a clean, smooth cut.
Within his bell-like eyes, a hint of astonishment and unwillingness, the Human-Demon looked up at Wang Zhong and Qian Renxue, who stood hand-in-hand in the sky.
His face contorted with regret and hatred. "If only I had known their Martial Souls would fuse and erupt with such immense power, I wouldn't have been so arrogant."
Recalling his earlier cat-and-mouse demeanor, the Human-Demon was consumed by extreme remorse.
"A twelve-winged Angelic Martial Soul has never appeared since antiquity! The reason for that transformation was that brat's Wood Martial Soul."
"The Angelic Martial Soul is not to be feared, but that brat must die!"
A torrent of flames erupted from his body, engulfing him completely. In Wang Zhong's sight, Huai Wu's body split in two, divided by a line across his brow.
The flames surged from this dividing line.
Within the sea of fire, one of the Human-Demon's severed halves actually raised an arm and pointed at Wang Zhong from a distance.
An extremely obscure and insidious energy silently enveloped Wang Zhong's body, unnoticed even by himself.
The flames raged, fierce and intense. In mere moments, the Human-Demon's body was incinerated.
Watching the Human-Demon's body gradually vanish, Wang Zhong let out a deep breath.
This so-called elder of the Sacred Spirit Religion was terrifyingly powerful, filling Wang Zhong with a sense of despair.
His whisk could not absorb pure physical strength and was useless in this battle.
Although his spirit skills were greatly enhanced in Immortal Mode, Wang Zhong had personally experienced the opponent's power and knew his spirit skills had little effect, so he decisively abandoned them.
After all, the counter to Wood Martial Soul spirit skills was pure strength; elemental damage was not as feared.
Under such dire circumstances, Wang Zhong was forced to rely on Bajitian and the Eight Inner Gates to fight head-on.
Of course, the outcome was obvious: he was utterly defeated!
In terms of physical prowess and strength, he was far from a match, completely crushed by the opponent.
"My Bajitian and Eight Inner Gates have not reached their limits, and my body still has untapped potential. One day, I will become stronger than him!"
He clenched his fist, applying a slight force. Unexpectedly, he was still holding Qian Renxue's exquisitely formed delicate body, her waist slender and fitting perfectly in his embrace.
Because his arm had previously encircled her soft waist to hold her, Wang Zhong's exertion caused her supple body to press tightly against his.
With a coquettish gasp, a pair of eyes, violet like a starry sky, met a pair of emerald green eyes like gemstones.
A blush of shyness spread across her perfect face due to such an intimate contact. The heat radiating from Wang Zhong made her delicate body tremble. Qian Renxue's jade-like hand, which had been around his back, now rested on his shoulder.
Her ruby lips parted slightly, and she said with a charming pout, "Why are you still holding me! Let go."
Her gentle, shy words lacked any trace of her former imposing presence, making her a completely different person from when she first entered the forest with such fierce energy.
But Qian Renxue underestimated her own charm and Wang Zhong's impetuous nature, one that dared to do whatever he pleased.
Her soft body exuded a comforting warmth, and a fragrance, as delicate as orchids, constantly wafted from her, seeping into his heart. As her lips parted, a scent like that of orchids emanated, intoxicating his senses.
Wang Zhong was twelve years old, an age considered semi-adult on this continent. Coupled with his body, which had developed much faster than his peers, he already possessed the primitive desires and impulses between men and women.
His emerald green eyes held a hint of fervor. Wang Zhong blinked, and before Qian Renxue's widening eyes, he kissed her rosy lips.
Her jade hand, resting on his shoulder, instinctively tightened with nervousness. Her mind went blank as she felt the warm, moist sensation on her lips. Flashing before her eyes was the erect, unwavering back of the man who had stood in front of her, even when he was on the verge of death, his spine exposed and his internal organs gone.
Her violet, starry eyes narrowed, a hint of intoxication within them.
Within the Imperial Palace, a place that had been dark, lonely, and cold for her, a place that made her shiver, she now found warmth because of the image of one person in her heart.
As their two figures converged, a unique warmth and passion surged from their hearts to their minds, causing Qian Renxue's body to tremble. This warmth and passion permeated her entire body, leaving her feeling weak and boneless, a tingling sensation reaching her bones.
Unconsciously, the jade hand holding Wang Zhong's back slowly tightened, pulling him even closer.
Qian Daoliu, who had been flying rapidly and finally arrived at Wang Zhong and Qian Renxue's location, smiled and shook his head as he saw the two figures in the air, lost in their mutual warmth.
"Little Xue, you once said you didn't want Grandpa to arrange a marriage for you. But look now."
"I did nothing, interfered with nothing, yet you fell for him."
"Angel, Light, Life, Hope! They rely on and entrust themselves to each other."
"But, Little Xue, his talent – can you truly control him securely?"
With his hands clasped behind his back, Qian Daoliu's expression was complex.
He was aware of all the publicly known information about Wang Zhong. Although he didn't always get it immediately, there were very few omissions.
Qian Renxue's talent was unquestionable; within the entire Angelic race, no one could match it. But compared to Wang Zhong, the gap was truly too apparent.
Qian Renxue was a peerless genius of the Angelic race, while Wang Zhong was a monstrous prodigy unprecedented on the entire continent.
He sighed and sensed the approach of Bibi Dong, Yue Guan, and Gui Mei from a distance. Qian Daoliu let out a heavy cough and said gently, "Little Xue, Little Wang Zhong, someone is coming!"
In the sky, Qian Renxue's arms, tightly embracing Wang Zhong, suddenly trembled. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed as if burning.
Her two pairs of angelic wings beat fiercely, pushing Wang Zhong away. Qian Renxue glanced at Qian Daoliu standing with his hands behind his back and a gentle smile on the ground below, feeling utterly flustered.
Being caught by her own grandfather in such a moment of first love, she was almost unbearably embarrassed.
Compared to Qian Renxue's shyness, Wang Zhong appeared quite natural. He licked his lips, savoring the taste.
Hmm, sweet, a bit like orchid cakes!
"Sister Xue, it tastes like orchids!"
He gave a thumbs-up, smiling brilliantly. His calmness and tenderness made Qian Renxue even more embarrassed.
The Angelic Sacred Sword appeared in her hand, and Qian Renxue pointed it at Wang Zhong, saying with a charming pout, "Say that again!"
However, with her misty, enchanting eyes and the slight tremor in her hand holding the sword, she lacked any imposing aura.