Hu Liena's Disguise

Qian Renxue's gaze flickered; she knew that the "level 62" Bibi Dong mentioned referred to Xiao Wu.

"Mentor, you might be mistaken," Qian Renxue said calmly. "According to the information I just received, Xiao Wu's current spirit power is at level 70, a Spirit Saint."

"Level 70?" A hint of surprise finally appeared in Bibi Dong's eyes. She clearly remembered that on the freshman roster, Xiao Wu was listed as level 62. How much time had even passed?

"Yes, level 70," Qian Renxue confirmed. "As for the 'colluding with outside forces' mentioned in Tang San and the others' letters, I haven't found any evidence yet. However..."

"However what?"

"However, those four have been very close lately. Moreover, the strength of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing seems to have improved as well. I need more time to investigate the specifics."

Bibi Dong fell silent.

Four people in one dormitory, all breaking through in such a short time?

If one was a genius, were all four? She did not believe in coincidences.

"This matter is left to you," Bibi Dong leaned back against the window frame, resuming her languid posture. "Remember, I only want the facts. Do not let anyone know that I was the one who asked you to investigate."

"Understood." Qian Renxue nodded and turned to leave.

"Wait." Bibi Dong called out to her.

Qian Renxue stopped and looked back.

"Any movements from Hu Liena lately?" Bibi Dong asked, seemingly casual.

Qian Renxue's eyes narrowed slightly. Hu Liena, her old rival and the direct disciple of Poseidon.

"She has been very quiet lately," Qian Renxue replied. "She spends most of her time cultivating and training. She hasn't been interfering much with Student Council affairs."

"Is that so?" A meaningful smile curled the corners of Bibi Dong's lips. "Being too quiet isn't always a good thing. That's all, you may go."

"Yes." Qian Renxue walked out of the dean's office, the door closing slowly behind her.

The corridor was empty, and the sunset light poured in from the window at the end, casting long shadows across the floor.

Qian Renxue stood in the light, her long golden hair tinged with a warm orange glow. She glanced down at the envelope in her hand, a flicker of subtle contemplation passing through the depths of her emerald eyes.

Investigating Xiao Wu and the others was just a minor task for her.

But Bibi Dong's final remark had piqued her interest.

Hu Liena... was she really as quiet as she appeared on the surface?

Qian Renxue decided that while investigating Xiao Wu and her group, she would also "keep an eye" on the movements of her old rival.

She first went to the academy archives and, using her authority as Student Council President, pulled up the detailed files of the four students in Dorm 666.

Their spirit power levels upon enrollment, their recent course schedules, and even their spending records were all laid out clearly.

Xiao Wu: level 62 at enrollment, now level 70.

Ning Rongrong: level 59 at enrollment, now level 61.

Zhu Zhuqing: level 62 at enrollment, current level unknown, but there was a record of Dai Mubai being beaten.

Bai Chenxiang: level 61 at enrollment, and the rumor of Ma Hongjun being scared to the point of wetting himself had already spread across half the academy.

Qian Renxue stared at the data on the light screen, her brows furrowed.

This was no longer "abnormal"; this was "bizarre."

Especially Xiao Wu, leaping from level 62 to 70—an entire major realm. For an ordinary person, it would be impossible to achieve this without two or three years of grueling effort.

Qian Renxue turned off the spirit tool and walked out of the archives.

Night had fallen, and the streetlights on campus were flickering to life one by one.

Instead of returning to her own dormitory, she headed toward the pedestrian street on the west side of the academy.

Her intuition told her that the source of the problem might not be within the academy itself.

As the night deepened, the pedestrian street outside the academy became increasingly lively.

Orange lanterns hung under the eaves, illuminating the bluestone path. The aroma of roasted meat, the clamor of taverns, and the hawking of vendors mingled together, filled with the vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

Qian Renxue walked through the crowd like a ghost out of place with her surroundings.

She had swapped her rigid Student Council uniform for a set of plain casual clothes.

A light gray long-sleeved jacket and dark trousers concealed her striking figure and golden hair.

She even used a spirit skill to alter the color of her hair and eyes; at this moment, she looked like nothing more than an ordinary passerby.

She walked slowly along the street, her emerald eyes scanning the crowd unobtrusively.

She was searching—searching for the source of those "anomalies."

And just then, a figure caught her eye.

Hu Liena.

Qian Renxue recognized her almost instantly, even though her attire today was a complete departure from her usual style.

Her signature rose-gold short hair shimmered with a captivating luster under the lights, the waves at the ends brushing against her bare shoulders and swaying gently with her steps.

She wasn't wearing a uniform, but had instead opted for an incredibly daring, tight-fitting crop top.

The white fabric clung tightly to her chest, which was so full it seemed ready to spill over, while her waist was cinched in so narrowly that it created a breathtaking curve.

Below, she wore a light purple pleated miniskirt, so short it barely covered her hips; as her waist swayed with each step, the scenery beneath the hem flickered in and out of view.

A pair of long, straight legs were completely exposed to the air, her skin glowing white under the lights. She wore black strappy sandals, her delicate ankles and petite toes painted with pale pink polish, and as she stepped onto the bluestone pavement, they made a crisp "clack-clack" sound.

She wore light makeup, the corners of her eyes slightly upturned, adding a touch of allure to her naturally captivating peach-blossom eyes. Her lips were coated in a glossy balm, making them look full and tempting under the light.

Qian Renxue's brows furrowed involuntarily. Was this really the Hu Liena she knew?

The woman who would sweat buckets on the training grounds, arguing until her face turned red with instructors over the smallest details of a spirit skill?

The woman who, during student council meetings, was sharp-tongued and stood toe-to-toe against her at every turn?

Her outfit today didn't look like she was heading to training, nor did it look like she was going to handle official business.

It looked more like... she was going on a date.

An absurd thought flashed through Qian Renxue's mind.

How could Hu Liena possibly be going on a date? She knew better than anyone that for people like them, men only slowed down the speed of one's blade.

Yet, the reality before her forced her to re-examine her judgment.

Hu Liena did not notice the scrutinizing gaze from the crowd; she kept her head down, walking quickly through the throng, heading toward a specific destination with clear purpose.

Qian Renxue followed her, keeping her movements subtle.

She wanted to see exactly what kind of man could make Hu Liena, this proud daughter of heaven, dress up like this and rush to a late-night rendezvous.

Hu Liena's footsteps stopped in the middle of the pedestrian street, in front of an inconspicuous shop.

Qian Renxue looked up at the sign above the door.

[~Happy Claw Machine~]

The five crooked characters were accompanied by two childish smiley-face doodles.

This was a... Claw Machine Shop?

Qian Renxue's mind was filled with question marks.

What was Hu Liena doing in a place like this? Playing claw machines?

She watched as Hu Liena pushed open the glass door and stepped inside. The lights were on, and there seemed to be someone inside.

Qian Renxue didn't follow her in immediately, instead stopping in the shadows across the street.

She waited patiently.

About five minutes later, the glass door was pushed open again.

Hu Liena walked out, and following behind her was a man.

Qian Renxue's gaze turned sharp in an instant.

The man was tall and well-proportioned, wearing an ordinary robe that made him look somewhat down-and-out. His appearance was utterly unremarkable—the kind you would never pick out of a crowd.

Most importantly, Qian Renxue could not sense a single shred of spirit power fluctuation from him.

He was a mortal.

A completely powerless, weak-as-a-kitten mortal.

Qian Renxue's brain completely stalled.

She saw a smile on Hu Liena's face that she had never seen before—a look bordering on fawning—as she spoke to the man.

The man seemed somewhat flustered, even nearly tripping over a raised stone slab while walking, only for Hu Liena to reach out and steady him with quick reflexes.

This action shattered Qian Renxue's last remaining illusions.

This was definitely not an act.

Hu Liena, the Vice President of the Spirit Academy, a level 79 Spirit Saint, and the personal disciple of Vice Dean Poseidon, was actually being this attentive to a mortal?

What had happened to this world?

Qian Renxue watched as the two walked away side by side, chatting and laughing as they turned into a high-end restaurant nearby.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

When things are abnormal, there must be a demon at play.

That man, or perhaps that Claw Machine Shop, definitely had something strange about it.

Qian Renxue adjusted her clothes and began walking toward the restaurant as well.

Tonight, she would uncover this mystery once and for all.