Asymmetric Battle

On the Sparring Platform, Qian Ningshuang looked at Hu Liena across from her.

Perhaps it was true that people in the Douluo world matured early; this girl, who was roughly five years older than Qian Ningshuang, already had a budding figure and long black hair. At first glance, she didn't seem particularly beautiful, but upon closer observation, one could sense a unique charm.

Hu Liena was also sizing up Qian Ningshuang.

For certain reasons, Bibi Dong had not described Qian Ningshuang's appearance to Hu Liena yesterday, only mentioning that Qian Ningshuang was stronger than Tian Yao. She had hair the same golden color as Tian Yao's, but unlike Tian Yao's shoulder-length cut with longer side bangs, Qian Ningshuang had tied her dazzling golden hair into a high ponytail at the back of her head.

Her attire was also quite strange; she wore a long-sleeved white top that exposed her entire waist, and black tight-fitting shorts that revealed her thighs, giving her an air of capable, heroic spirit.

But compared to Hu Liena, who was dressed in a battle skirt, Qian Ningshuang looked more like she was out for a picnic.

Of course, Hu Liena dared not truly treat Qian Ningshuang as a young lady out for a picnic. She had the confidence to win, but to underestimate this Second Miss of the Qian Family—whom Bibi Dong had described as far stronger than Tian Yao—would not be confidence; it would be arrogance.

"Both sides, salute. The match begins!"

Without giving them more time to size each other up, Tian'e announced the start of the battle.

"Spirit Avatar!"

As the soft shout fell, Hu Liena's entire temperament and image changed instantly. That strange charm, which previously required careful observation to perceive, was now amplified to the point where anyone who looked at her would feel their mind sway. Her image became extremely beautiful, and a large, fluffy tail sprouted from behind her.

The yellow, yellow, and purple spirit rings, along with the fluctuating spirit power, told everyone that she was already a level 32 Spirit Grandmaster.

At the same time, apart from a few people, a chorus of gasps echoed throughout the Martial Practice Arena.

Do not misunderstand; it was not because of Hu Liena. A spirit master reaching level 32 at this age was rare, but not unheard of.

It was because of Qian Ningshuang, who stood opposite Hu Liena. Hu Liena herself was staring at the two spirit rings on Qian Ningshuang in a daze, even forgetting that they were in the middle of a match.

Although only two spirit rings floated around Qian Ningshuang, that purple and black combination was blindingly dazzling.

This spirit ring configuration was not just a matter of being rare; it was unheard of!

Bibi Dong gripped her scepter tightly. Although Qian Ningshuang appeared as a blur of light in her eyes, she could tell from the reactions of the crowd in the stands and Hu Liena's state that the situation was not looking good for Hu Liena.

"Snap out of it, we're in the middle of a match."

Qian Ningshuang said to Hu Liena with a sigh. She knew this day would come; previously, only the Elders and those close to her knew about her spirit and ring configuration. This was the first time she had dropped so many jaws, and she figured there would be more in the future—she had to get used to it.

Hu Liena, having regained her senses, bit her lip. With that purple-black ring configuration, she was no longer so confident.

But fortunately, it wasn't impossible to win. At least the spirit power fluctuations on Qian Ningshuang indicated she was only a level 24 Spirit Grandmaster. An eight-level gap in spirit power should not be bridged by a disparity in spirit ring configuration alone.

After comforting herself, Hu Liena took a deep breath, her three spirit rings flashed in sequence, and her eyes turned red. Charm, activated.

That's it? Qian Ningshuang looked at Hu Liena, expressionless. She didn't feel a thing; if not for the flashing of Hu Liena's spirit rings, she would have thought Hu Liena was still standing there without moving.

Well, she did feel a little something—the Hu Liena opposite her seemed even sexier and more alluring. But for a transmigrator who spent her past life posting lewd images in group chats every day, it was just whatever!

Watching Qian Ningshuang, who hadn't even swayed, Hu Liena bit her lip again. She had been too arrogant; how could Qian Ningshuang, who could defeat Tian Yao, fall to her Charm?

However, all three of her spirit skills had been obtained based on Bibi Dong's suggestions, and all were related to Charm.

But fortunately, she hadn't spent the last three years just getting beaten up by Tian Yao for nothing. She understood that once Charm failed, she would be in a situation of being relentlessly pummeled.

Over these three years, she had constantly thought about how to deal with situations where Charm was ineffective. Then, following Bibi Dong's advice, she had crazily honed her melee skills, not seeking to defeat her opponent with close-quarters combat, but merely to drag out the time until her opponent had a lapse in concentration.

Furthermore, she still had the hidden trump card that Bibi Dong had given her yesterday.

Action followed thought. Hu Liena rushed toward Qian Ningshuang, using grabs, kicks, and tail strikes, exhausting every close-combat technique she knew to circle Qian Ningshuang.

Qian Ningshuang's response was simple: stepping back, turning sideways, she always managed to dodge Hu Liena's attacks with ease. If she truly couldn't dodge, she would casually use the Abyss Flower in her hand to parry before continuing to evade. Even calling it dodging, there wasn't a hint of clumsiness in her movements; she was like a golden butterfly dancing among flowers.

"Tsk, this little vixen isn't bad. She's already level 32 and even thought of how to respond when her Charm doesn't work. It's a pity, though, her opponent today is Shuang'er. But really, how bored is Shuang'er to be playing along like this?"

In the stands, Tian Yao clicked her tongue in wonder. She had been surprised that Hu Liena reached level 32; if she had followed a normal cultivation speed, she would have lost very miserably today. But unfortunately, for someone by Qian Ningshuang's side, the cultivation speed was never normal.

Others in the stands also shook their heads one after another. Anyone with eyes could see that unless Qian Ningshuang made a mistake, Hu Liena wouldn't be winning today.

"Interesting."

"What is it, Sister Na?"

"Nothing."

Looking at Tian Yao, who had turned toward her, Gu Yuena shook her head. She had just sensed a trace of divine power—not the Angelic divine power, nor the Blood God aura of Qian Chongling, but a completely cold and evil divine power.

If my senses are correct, it is that one—the black hand from the God Realm reaching into Wuhun Hall that Mr. Qian Chongling spoke of.

I suppose you are using your divine power to look at Shuang'er, but it would be a miracle if you could actually see her.

Gu Yuena squinted her eyes again and looked at Bibi Dong in the other direction.

Bibi Dong was indeed using the Rakshasa divine power, but not to take anyone out; she was simply trying to confirm one thing again.

The result was as she expected: Qian Ningshuang, who was normally a blur of light in her eyes, vanished from the sparring platform the moment she used the Rakshasa divine power. The person fighting Hu Liena appeared to her as Tian Yao.

Moreover, Tian Yao was about to lose, which was completely different from the situation everyone else saw, where Hu Liena was at a disadvantage.

"I say, if you continue like this, just trying to drag things out with close combat, you might as well step down and concede."

"The Wuhun Research Institute is not short on research records of spirit-type spirit masters, nor are we short on combat predictions for them."

"I understand your plan, really. If you don't have any special means, you should step down and concede; it would at least be more dignified."

After dodging one of Hu Liena's tail strikes, Qian Ningshuang looked at Hu Liena earnestly. She meant no harm; this really wasn't interesting. In such a hopeless situation, being dignified was better for everyone.

As for why she only dodged and didn't counterattack, it was just to show Hu Liena that the gap between them was immense.

Hu Liena did not reply, only continuing to rush forward with her head down.

It's not time yet, endure a little longer. So what if you know my plan? You certainly don't know that I possess a spirit bone! As soon as the timing is right, that will be the moment you fall!

As she rushed forward, Hu Liena thought to herself.