Chapter 136 Who Is Lying?

Chapter 136: Who’s Really Lying?

Zhong Wan nervously gripped Lu Tang's hand, closed his eyes, and began attempting to establish a spiritual link.

But.

One minute...

Two minutes...

Even ten minutes passed.

Fang Ran watched as Zhong Wan's expression flickered—pale one moment, then flushed, then red again, with a fine sheen of sweat on his temples.

Did it fail?

This would mean Zhong Wan and Lu Wenchuan might actually be bonded.

Suddenly, a wave of panic washed over Fang Ran too—what if he and Fu Zhangzhou were also...

Lu Tang gradually sensed something was amiss and looked hesitantly at Zhong Wan. "Zhong Wan, was the spiritual connection... unsuccessful?"

By now, Zhong Wan was drenched in sweat.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze lowered, his expression a complex mix of shock, helplessness, yet subtly tinged with excitement.

"Zhong Wan," Fang Ran called out, "are you alright?"

Zhong Wan looked at him, released Lu Tang's hand, let out a long sigh, and nodded slightly.

Fang Ran understood, reaching out to pat his shoulder in comfort.

So it was true—they were bonded.

He remembered—

Lu Tang didn’t quite grasp the meaning of their interaction.

Seeing Zhong Wan’s expression, she assumed he was upset about the failed purification and reassured him, "It’s alright to have an occasional slip-up. After all, our compatibility isn’t exceptionally high."

"Shall we... try again?"

Zhong Wan shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sister Lu Tang. It seems my condition today... isn't suitable for purification."

Lu Tang offered him a comforting smile. "We're friends, no need for such formalities."

"But..." she hesitated, "Zhong Wan, given your situation, it would be best to see the medical team."

"Has your Spiritual Sea locked up? Almost as if you've been bonded..."

"......"

"Wait."

Lu Tang, being older and more experienced, quickly put the pieces together.

Her expression shifted, growing visibly more shocked.

"No way?"

Lu Tang’s face showed increasing astonishment. "Zhong Wan, you and Lu Wenchuan aren’t..."

As Lu Tang’s voice grew louder, Fang Ran quickly clapped a hand over her mouth.

Zhong Wan also grew anxious, glancing around before whispering to her, "Sister Lu Tang, please don’t tell anyone. Lu Wenchuan and I... didn’t report it to the higher-ups."

Lu Tang’s eyes widened in another wave of shock. She nodded slowly and pushed Fang Ran’s hand away.

"No wonder. You two clearly haven’t signed an exclusive contract yet."

She chuckled softly, then lowered her voice. "That Lu Wenchuan, huh? Usually so cold, I never expected him to be so proactive."

"My uncle... will probably be furious. But, Zhong Wan, don’t worry." She patted Zhong Wan’s hand reassuringly. "What’s done is done. Lu Wenchuan is responsible—he’ll definitely protect you."

"S-class Sentinels are so rare. Even if Central Command wants to punish you, it won’t be severe—probably just for show."

Zhong Wan sighed anxiously. "I hope so. I’m still completely bewildered."

Lu Tang raised an eyebrow. "Bewildered? Didn’t you plan this?"

Zhong Wan shook his head. "No, it was a total accident. That’s why I wanted to confirm it just now."

"Oh." Lu Tang nodded in understanding. "No wonder you sought out that silly kid Lu Wenbai. He probably wouldn’t have a clue what was happening."

"But," she turned to look at Fang Ran, "I always thought this would only happen between you and Fu Zhangzhou. Never expected Lu Wenchuan to beat you to it."

Lu Tang gave him a meaningful look. "That Fu Zhangzhou—the way he looks at you is practically predatory."

"Fang Ran, you’d better be careful."

Fang Ran froze at her words but could only offer an awkward smile.

"Really?"

Well, it was almost true. That scheming dog Fu Zhangzhou—Lu Tang wasn’t wrong. To some extent, he really was...

"Fang Ran, what are you thinking?" Lu Tang seemed to notice something and suddenly laughed. "Don’t tell me you’re also..."

She tossed her golden hair and winked at Fang Ran.

"Want to Purify me and confirm it while you’re at it?"

Lu Tang’s words struck a chord. Fang Ran hesitated and shook his head.

"I—"

Just then, Lu Tang’s terminal vibrated—a message seemed to have come through.

"Wait, let me check the assignment."

At the same time, footsteps echoed from outside the lounge.

Fang Ran looked up just in time to see Fang Liyu round the corner into the hallway, looking in their direction.

But when she noticed Sentinel Lu Wenbai standing like a statue by the door, she stopped in her tracks.

"Sentinel Lu Wenbai, what are you doing standing there?"

"......"

"Guides Fang Ran and Zhong Wan were insisting on performing purification on me, and I... was a bit scared."

"The two of them were insisting on performing purification on you?" Fang Liyu frowned, clearly skeptical. "Could there be some misunderstanding?"

"I'm not sure myself," Lu Wenbai quickly waved his hands. "After they performed purification on Second Cousin and Sentinel Fu Zhangzhou, they suggested performing it on me too."

"Fu Zhangzhou is back?" Fang Liyu glanced down at the time on her terminal. "That was quick, wasn't it? Was the battle that intense today? They're top-tier Sentinels, after all."

Zhong Wan vaguely overheard their conversation and grew anxious, quickly signaling Fang Ran with a look.

Fang Ran immediately understood and tugged at Lu Tang's arm.

"Lu Tang Jie, weren't you going to get purified? Sister Fang is here."

"Huh?"

Lu Tang looked up and, seeing Fang Liyu standing at the door, her eyes lit up. She stood and hurried over.

"A-Yu, you're finally back."

Fang Liyu looked at her. "Lu Tang, has the team from District 4 arrived already?"

Lu Tang nodded, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at her. "A-Yu, my purification hasn't been done yet."

Fang Liyu glanced at Fang Ran and Zhong Wan. "They didn't perform it for you?"

"They..." Lu Tang hesitated. "They didn't seem to be in good condition."

Condition not very good?

Fang Liyu looked at Lu Wenbai beside her, but this silly boy just said Fang Ran and Zhong Wan were insisting on performing purification on him...

Which one is lying?

Just then.

"Rumble—"

The entire cabin suddenly shook, and the sound of chaotic footsteps and screams erupted instantly.

There was some kind of disturbance outside.

Most people in the lounge jumped up in alarm. "What's going on?"

Fang Liyu's eyes gleamed. "Let's go, we should head to the main hall and see."