"Zhou Hong, the Emperor of the Supreme Empire, has rescinded his decree bestowing you upon me."
"This was to be expected. Now, how will you choose? Will you choose me, or will you choose Zhang Wenbo?"
"I'm sorry, Zhou Hong. Zhang Wenbo has shown me true sincerity, and his family is very supportive, which I didn't expect. Therefore, after much consideration, I believe I will choose Zhang Wenbo, who has a significant background."
"Heh, a fine choice, someone with a grand background," Zhou Hong let out a cold laugh.
"My decision is for your own good, Zhou Hong. Otherwise, it would be harming you."
Zhou Hong said, "If you had truly chosen to be with me, I would have guaranteed that no matter how great the hardship or how powerful the enemy, I would have fought them to the very end."
"Apologies, there's no need for that. After all, to put it bluntly, this is only our third meeting, and we have no emotional foundation between us. I've known Zhang Wenbo for a significantly longer time than I've known you. Apart from having my body, you have nothing else. I believe my choice is not wrong." Ye Ziran's demeanor was resolute.
"Ye Ziran, you've seen my talent, are you so sure?" Zhou Hong asked, slightly unconvinced.
"That's right, your talent is indeed formidable. But this world doesn't entirely rely on talent. Without cultivation background and resources, you'll find yourself unable to advance further. Many geniuses with greater talent than you end up utterly ordinary."
Just then, a man approached from not too far away. It was Zhang Wenbo. He walked up to Zhou Hong with the air of a victor.
"Zhou Hong, I told you, someone from a backwater village like you, few women would truly choose you. No matter how strong your talent, it will only be a pity." Zhang Wenbo said this with the gaze of someone looking at a dead man, especially when he uttered the word 'pity.'
Because Zhou Hong wouldn't live much longer.
Zhang Wenbo had contacted his family. His family was very supportive of him taking Ye Ziran as his girlfriend. It wasn't that they particularly coveted Ye Ziran. Rather, his family was concerned that Ye Ziran might have left a mark on Zhang Wenbo's heart. If this desire were left unfulfilled, it could evolve into a demon of the heart, thereby ruining Zhang Wenbo's life.
However, Zhou Hong had once possessed Ye Ziran's body. Therefore, Zhang Wenbo's family could not tolerate Zhou Hong still being alive. Furthermore, Zhou Hong himself possessed considerable talent. To eliminate any potential future threat, Zhang Wenbo's family decided to find a way to get rid of Zhou Hong.
However, the Taigu Academy could not be involved directly, so they would have to find a way to lure Zhou Hong out of Taigu City and, once an opportunity arose, to kill Zhou Hong outright.
Originally, Zhang Wenbo's family had decided to send a powerful expert to secretly carry out this task. But Zhang Wenbo said that this would attract too much attention, and moreover, Zhou Hong didn't deserve such treatment. He would personally handle it once an opportunity presented itself.
Ultimately, even if the Taigu Academy found out, they would likely not do much, as Zhang Wenbo was also a super genius.
Unfortunately, the power gap between Zhou Hong and Zhang Wenbo was too vast. Otherwise, Zhang Wenbo could have simply issued Zhou Hong a challenge to a life-or-death duel, which would have been far simpler.
At the Taigu Academy, if two students truly harbored a mortal enmity, they could issue a life-or-death challenge. Whoever died would bear the consequences themselves.
However, this type of situation was generally only accepted by individuals of comparable strength. If one party was clearly seeking death, the challenge would certainly not be accepted.
Zhang Wenbo believed that Zhou Hong would not accept, otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to resort to other methods.
"Ziran, let's go." Zhang Wenbo said, putting his arm around Ye Ziran's shoulder.
"Mm."
At this moment, Zhou Hong quickly called out, "Ye Ziran, you will definitely regret this."
Zhang Wenbo glanced back at Zhou Hong and sneered, "Idiot bird."
Zhou Hong became enraged. "Zhang Wenbo, speak with some respect! Calling someone an idiot bird, I think you're the biggest idiot bird. Since Ye Ziran chose you, then I'll give her to you. We've slept together anyway, so take this worn-out shoe if you want it."
As expected, the muscles in Zhang Wenbo's face twitched. Although he said he didn't mind, no man truly wouldn't. It was just that compared to losing her, he had certainly chosen not to mind. Now that he possessed her, he would undoubtedly feel regret.
"Zhou Hong, you'd best not provoke me. You can't afford to provoke me," Zhang Wenbo warned.
"What, are you relying on your powerful family background to act recklessly within the Taigu Academy? Is the Taigu Academy run by your family? No matter how great your family's influence, it's confined to your trash Longwind Empire."
"You dare call my country trash?" Zhang Wenbo exploded with rage. He was a fiercely patriotic individual and could not tolerate Zhou Hong calling the Longwind Empire trash.
"I will say it, what of it? The Longwind Empire is trash and will be destroyed sooner or later."
"Zhou Hong, you're courting death. Do you truly believe I have no way to deal with you?"
Zhou Hong sneered, "Do you also truly believe I have no way to deal with you? Although your current realm is much higher than mine, it's not that easy to deal with me, Zhou Hong."
"Such a big mouth. Alright then, if you have the guts, duel me to the death. I'll issue you a life-or-death challenge. Do you dare to sign it? If you do, I'll concede, but you're just all talk. When it comes to truly risking your life, you'll scurry away faster than a monkey."
Zhang Wenbo seemed intent on provoking Zhou Hong. If Zhou Hong willingly signed the life-or-death agreement, he could kill Zhou Hong openly. In the future, even if he recalled that Ye Ziran had been slept with by Zhou Hong, he would feel at ease and wouldn't have any demons of the heart.
"Life-or-death challenge?" Zhou Hong furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly hearing of it for the first time.
"Yes, if you have the guts, accept my life-or-death challenge. If you don't, then stop acting arrogant in front of me."
"Accept it, accept it. Who's afraid of whom?" Zhou Hong agreed without thinking, appearing reckless and impulsive.
"Zhang Wenbo, don't joke with him." Ye Ziran saw that Zhou Hong had indeed agreed under provocation and didn't want to see Zhou Hong killed by Zhang Wenbo. She hurriedly tried to stop Zhang Wenbo.
However, Zhang Wenbo completely ignored Ye Ziran's plea. Perhaps fearing that Zhou Hong would regret it or regain his senses, he quickly bit his finger, tore a piece of white cloth from his person, and hastily scribbled out a life-or-death challenge.
"Come on, sign it if you have the guts. Don't blabber if you don't," Zhang Wenbo threw the challenge to Zhou Hong, simultaneously continuing to provoke him, making Zhou Hong foolishly sign his name.
As long as Zhou Hong truly signed his name, regardless of whether it was done impulsively or out of irrationality, even if Zhou Hong later regretted it and didn't dare to step onto the stage, Zhang Wenbo could still secretly eliminate him. The Taigu Academy would not dare to say anything.