A sudden turn of events, unforeseen even by Shen Qi. By the time he reacted, the furiously growing branches had transformed into pliable vines, coiling around Lu Zhi’s slender waist and snapping open three of his shirt buttons, attempting to burrow further in.
Shen Qi's gaze darkened, and he teleported to Lu Zhi's side.
At this moment, Lu Zhi's face was a mask of panic and helplessness. He pressed down on the branches burrowing into his embrace, his opened shirt revealing a vast expanse of his chest. Bathed in sunlight, it became entangled with the golden vines, creating a visually striking contrast of holiness and allure.
Shen Qi seized the mischievous vines and said in a cold, deep voice, "Let go."
The branches, which had been trembling and growing wildly, seemed to have their vital point grasped by an archenemy. For a moment, Lu Zhi felt as though the Tree of Life emanated a sense of grievance.
Shen Qi's silver-gray eyes narrowed, a dangerous aura emanating from him. The hand gripping the vine began to tighten, and he stated coldly, "Then die."
Lu Zhi's heart jolted; he could feel the truth behind Shen Qi’s words.
The branches, which had been clinging to Lu Zhi with all their might, trembled. With a whoosh, they rapidly retracted, but Lu Zhi let out a soft moan.
Shen Qi's sharp gaze landed on Lu Zhi’s momentarily flushed cheeks. He lowered his eyes, quickly scanning his wide-open chest. The vine's embrace had left faint red marks, and the retreating foliage seemed to have inadvertently brushed against his sensitive points.
Shen Qi's eyes darkened. He reached out to fasten his buttons, but his gaze fell upon a transparent square diamond at the location of Lu Zhi's heart. His soul was shaken, and a piercing pain shot through his head.
The vines slowly withdrew, finally clinging to Lu Zhi’s finger with reluctance. A small vine coiled around Lu Zhi’s index finger, snapped off with a click, and condensed into a lustrous emerald ring.
Lu Zhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His attention shifted from the Tree of Life, and he was startled to find Shen Qi helping him with his buttons. Embarrassed, he pressed down on Shen Qi’s hand and quickly said, "I, I can do it myself."
As Lu Zhi fastened the last button, Shen Qi suddenly grasped his hand. Just as Lu Zhi looked at him with confusion, Shen Qi skillfully unfastened the button he had just tied.
Lu Zhi: …
The other three, who had been observing for a long time: !!!
"What are you doing?" Lu Zhi didn't narcissistically suspect Shen Qi of improper intentions. As Shen Qi undid his second button, he immediately sensed Shen Qi's unusual actions, and his heart began to beat erratically.
He had seen it!
He must have seen it!
Shen Qi clearly captured the fleeting panic in Lu Zhi's eyes and felt Lu Zhi’s nervously clenched fingers on the back of his hand. He suddenly turned to look at the three stunned individuals and ordered, "Get out."
The three were startled and fled without hesitation, abandoning Lu Zhi.
Damn it, Teacher Shen's gaze was too terrifying.
Lu Zhi, who had half-raised his hand to call for help: …
"Is this the secret you've been hiding?" Shen Qi gave a gentle tug, and the buttons, having suffered the 'violence' twice, finally popped off the shirt, landing on the ground with a faint rolling sound.
The already loose and ill-fitting shirt was roughly torn open, half-hanging at his elbow. His porcelain-like skin gleamed white in the sunlight. The transparent diamond captured the sunlight but did not absorb any color. The scarlet seedling within the diamond became a unique hue, dazzling and striking.
Lu Zhi’s mouth twitched. He thought, if he were a woman, he would have already screamed and yelled about assault. Didn’t Shen Qi’s actions resemble those of a hooligan?
Moreover, as a man being stared at his chest like this by another man, he felt completely uncomfortable.
"Teacher Shen, let me explain." Lu Zhi’s voice hitched on the last two words as Shen Qi, without his consent, reached out to touch the diamond.
The warmth of that finger seemed to pass through the diamond and flow into his heart, causing him to tremble uncontrollably, as if lightly touched by a feather.
*Snap—*
Lu Zhi unceremoniously slapped away Shen Qi's hand. He raised his eyes, meeting Lu Zhi's ashamed and angry face, his dark eyes now shining with indignation. Shen Qi's chaotic and anxious emotions suddenly calmed down. "What are you so nervous about?"
Lu Zhi snatched the shirt Shen Qi was holding and pulled it up, covering his exposed skin. He took a step back, took a deep breath, and asked, "Teacher Shen, you seem to… know something."
Shen Qi clearly sensed Lu Zhi's wariness. That step back made him inexplicably displeased. He said expressionlessly, "You don't know?"
Lu Zhi shook his head, quickly thinking about how to face the situation. Then he heard Shen Qi utter words that shocked him: "Is this why you survived the ruins?"
"How do you know!" Lu Zhi exclaimed in shock.
Shen Qi walked closer, cupped his chin, and said in a calm, deep voice, "Lu Zhi, you're too naive. From the cage tomb to the ancient civilization ruins, humanity has gone through thousands of years. Technological civilization has already covered the globe. All known ancient civilization ruins are under state supervision. Any ripple can attract significant attention. Moreover…"
Lu Zhi's mind went blank for a moment, his thoughts becoming confused. He didn't bother to dwell on the intimacy of Shen Qi's actions and subconsciously asked, "Moreover?"
"From the moment you walked out of the ancient civilization ruins alive, you have been under state surveillance, including the global guilds, and the entire process of you reuniting with Lu Chengxuan." Shen Qi's words were like a bomb, shattering Lu Zhi's entire being.
Shen Qi's fingertips caressed the corners of Lu Zhi's eyes, his voice a gentle murmur, "Are you scared? If you're scared, tell me what happened in the ruins, including the divine imprint on your body. Which true god is it from?"
Lu Zhi's pupils contracted abruptly. He suddenly pushed Shen Qi away, retreating several steps with vigilance, and asked in astonishment, "No, that's wrong. You're lying to me. You, you're hypnotizing me?"
Lu Zhi now looked at Shen Qi with a trace of fear and trembling. If it weren't for the ring gifted by the Tree of Life on his index finger waking him up, he would have already revealed all his secrets, including the fact that he wasn't the real Lu Zhi but an outsider from beyond the book.
Shen Qi's gentle expression vanished instantly, replaced by his usual cold indifference. He clicked his tongue, his gaze falling on the ring on his index finger. "Troublesome thing."
Seeing the distrust in Lu Zhi's eyes, Shen Qi suddenly lifted his hair back. His handsome features, merely changed by his hairstyle, became aggressive. His cool demeanor turned instantly dangerous and oppressive. His silver-gray eyes slanted sideways, and the corner of his lips curled into a seductive arc.
In the instant Lu Zhi was dazed, Shen Qi suddenly appeared before him.
Lu Zhi's pupils constricted. The next second, his hands were pinned above his head, his back slammed against the wall, and one of his legs was pressed against the wall between Lu Zhi’s legs. Their faces were extremely close, and Lu Zhi inhaled Shen Qi’s scent with every breath. His jaw was firmly grasped, and he met those emotionless silver-gray eyes.
Shen Qi's icy voice, as if wrapped in frost, asked, "Who exactly are you?"