Hu Liena, Full of Charm

By the time Hu Liena returned, Meng Xuanji had nearly polished off all the food on the table.

He had even used a small piece of steamed bun to carefully mop up the scraps on the plates before tossing it into his mouth.

"Burp... I'm more or less alive again."

Hu Liena stared blankly at the small bowl of rice porridge in the tray she had brought back.

She had truly never imagined that Meng Xuanji could eat so much!

"Y-you're still hungry? If it's not enough, I can get you more."

Hu Liena set down her tray and sat beside Meng Xuanji.

She had only eaten two buns that morning before feeling full. Where did someone with Meng Xuanji's build get such an appetite? Wouldn't he get fat?

"No need, thank you. I'm full already."

Meng Xuanji wiped his mouth.

"Thank you for the meal."

Meng Xuanji rose to his feet, bowed to the people around him, then strode out of the cafeteria.

Seeing Meng Xuanji leave, Hu Liena hurried after him.

"Meng Xuanji, wait for me! I have something to tell you."

Everyone stared dumbfoundedly at the spotless dining table.

Meng Xuanji had just eaten all their food! They had not even finished their meals yet!

"Is there anything left in the kitchen?"

Someone in the crowd asked.

"Probably not. That bowl of porridge Hu Liena brought back seemed to be the last one."

"Then what are we waiting for? Get it!"

Everyone who was still hungry immediately rushed forward.

Spirit Hall was a cruel place. Here, all those of the same age would sooner or later become one another's enemies, unless one could stand out from everyone else and become part of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.

Otherwise, the only fate awaiting them was ruthless elimination.

Xie Yue quickly joined the scramble as well.

In the end, after a fierce battle, Xie Yue stood atop the table with two dark purple-black circles around his eyes. The floor beneath the table was already covered in bodies.

"Pant... pant... I finally got something to eat."

Xie Yue could not help finding the bowl of rice porridge in his hand absurd.

He was a dignified genius of Spirit Hall, yet he had fallen so low that he had to fight over a bowl of rice porridge. If word got out, people would laugh themselves silly.

"It's all because of him."

Xie Yue drained the now-cold porridge in one gulp, Meng Xuanji's departing figure surfacing in his mind.

He knew that Spirit Hall would not be peaceful in the future.

With Meng Xuanji around, people like them would be doomed to scrape out a living from between his teeth. Anyone who dared defy him would end up just like Yan.

At the mention of Yan, a trace of regret flashed through Xie Yue's eyes.

Just last night, Yan had been unable to bear the blow and left Spirit Hall alone.

No one knew where he had gone. They only knew that he had completely left Papal City, left the sacred place he had once dreamed of reaching.

If I want to survive in Spirit Hall from now on, I must never offend this man, Xie Yue thought.

"Meng Xuanji, wait for me! Why are you walking so fast?"

Hu Liena caught up to Meng Xuanji, panting for breath.

"I-I still have some things I want to ask you."

Meng Xuanji stopped walking.

Although he did not particularly enjoy answering other people's questions, considering that Hu Liena had brought him food, he did not mind making an exception once.

"What is it?"

"Tomorrow, the first group to reach level ten soul power will head to the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt soul rings. Everyone will form their own teams, and whichever group obtains soul rings with the highest average age will earn Spirit Hall trial points."

"The number of points we earn will determine the cultivation resources we receive in Spirit Hall later on. You're so strong, so you'll definitely be able to obtain a powerful soul ring too, right? Why don't the two of us form a team? Then we can get the highest score together."

"To be honest, I'm really afraid of losing to you. If I'm not your teammate, I feel like I'll only get second place."

Hu Liena awkwardly poked at her fingers.

That last line sounded rather like a humblebrag to Meng Xuanji. What did she mean, if she did not team up with him, she would get second place? Did she really look down on everyone else that much, young lady?

Still, Hu Liena did not seem to be wrong. Her martial soul had mutated, and Xie Yue was now completely no match for her. As for Yan, Meng Xuanji had not seen him in the cafeteria. His cultivation resolve had probably shattered, and he had likely left Spirit Hall.

That meant that, aside from Meng Xuanji, Hu Liena probably could not find another worthy opponent in Spirit Hall.

They said the strong were drawn to one another. It seemed Hu Liena truly had good judgment.

"Fine. I agree."

"Really?"

"Of course. I never lie to pretty girls."

"Then let's pinky swear."

Hu Liena held out the little finger of her right hand.

"Then it's settled. From now on, we'll be teammates forever. Whenever there's any group activity, we have to consider each other first. Neither of us can keep all the benefits for ourselves. Whoever breaks this promise is a puppy."

Looking at Hu Liena's somewhat childish gesture, Meng Xuanji smiled helplessly.

Even so, he held out his little finger.

"Fine. Whoever lies is a puppy."

As the two made their vow beneath the sunlight, a stone in Meng Xuanji's heart quietly fell into place.

The first step of winning over Hu Liena had now been completed. Next came the longest and most crucial stage: developing their relationship.

Hu Liena's talent ranked among the best in the entire novel. With a little proper use, she would surely become a valuable source of support in the future.

Meng Xuanji had already obtained his first soul ring, but as long as he did not use his martial soul, who could discover his secret?

As for the soul ring's age? When the time came, he could simply have the Mysterious Record change its color. There was no need for a ten-thousand-year soul ring. A thousand-year soul ring would be enough for him to crush everyone and show off.

A thousand-year first soul ring—he refused to believe anyone could surpass him.

"By the way, Meng Xuanji, where are you going in such a hurry? Do you mind taking me with you?"

With her hands behind her back, Hu Liena leaned her delicate young face closer, the youthful aura unique to a girl brushing against Meng Xuanji's face.

"I don't know what I should do right now either. Just take me with you, okay?"

A girl's smile was always lethal. Even Meng Xuanji's firm resolve began to waver.

He was no saint. What man could remain perfectly calm when a girl took the initiative to invite him along?

Especially when that girl was a peerless beauty like Hu Liena, someone who possessed strength, background, and beauty all in one.

"F-fine."

Seeing Hu Liena's pretty face draw close, Meng Xuanji could not help blushing.

He had originally planned to take the Symbiotic Blood Lotus to the forbidden books section and test it again, but given the current situation, he would probably have to spend the day in the library.

"Huh? Did you just blush?"

"Ahem, where? Your face was obviously too close."

Meng Xuanji awkwardly retreated two steps.

"Hehe, you really are an interesting person. Talking to you makes it so easy to feel happy."

As the owner of the Nine-Tailed Fox, Hu Liena truly possessed absolute talent and allure when it came to grasping a man's heart.

Even without using her martial soul, she could easily make a man fall for her.

Meng Xuanji's heart pounded wildly. He truly felt as though his chest were burning, and he was having trouble catching his breath.

It looks like I need to focus on improving my spiritual power in the future. Otherwise, I won't even dare talk to this little fox.

The day I finally take her, I'll make sure she understands exactly how she tortures me every day. It's simply too maddening.