When Bai Jin returned to Spirit City, Hu Liena was taking a beating in the Training Ground.
She used neither her Martial Soul nor her Soul Skills. Armed only with a blunt short knife, she faced four Soul Emperors chosen by the Papal Hall.
The short knives clashed like a sudden downpour.
Hu Liena turned sideways to avoid a frontal slash and drove her hilt toward one opponent's Adam's apple. A gust rushed in from the right. With no time to look back, she ducked into a sliding step, her long leg sweeping across the ground to catch another opponent's ankle.
The third Soul Emperor grabbed her shoulders from behind.
Hu Liena did not struggle. She snapped her head backward. He cried out and let go, giving her the chance to turn and press her short knife against his heart.
The last iron staff came down at that moment.
Bang!
It struck Hu Liena's shoulder and drove her to one knee. Her short knife flew from her hand, and the skin of her palm split open.
"You lost again." Bai Jin leaned against the doorframe.
The four Soul Emperors immediately stopped and bowed.
Hu Liena rose, breathing hard, and retrieved her short knife. "Easy for you to say while you're standing there."
"I could sit, too."
Bai Jin actually brought himself a chair.
Hu Liena stared at him for two seconds, then ignored him and resumed her opening stance.
For the past two months, she had trained like this every day. Soul Skills could not be used in Slaughter City. A Soul Master could rely only on her body, her Martial Soul itself, and the most direct techniques for killing. Bibi Dong had not agreed to let her go immediately; first, Hu Liena had to prove she was ready.
Bai