Hu Liena's Fox Charm vs. Wang Qiu'er's Eye of Destiny

"Hm?"

Faced with Hu Liena's flat refusal, Wang Qiu'er frowned. Her expression turned cool as she looked at Huo Yuhao. "Is that so?"

It was just one look.

Huo Yuhao was at a complete loss.

Perhaps it was the guilt in his heart, but he read displeasure and accusation in Qiu'er's eyes.

"Ahem."

Huo Yuhao cleared his throat awkwardly, then said with a mild rebuke, "Nana, don't talk nonsense. The Soul Tool Department has never judged applicants by their Soul Master profession. As long as their Spiritual Power meets the admission threshold, they can become qualified Soul Engineers."

"Teacher Yuhao..."

Hu Liena gave a petulant huff and turned away, too angry to look at Wang Qiu'er again.

Because of her Martial Soul's nature, Hu Liena had received specialized training in charm since she was very young. She had absolute confidence in her allure. Wang Qiu'er might be prettier, but no girl could possibly be more captivating than her.

Besides, Huo Yuhao was gentle and easygoing, and he had always treated her tenderly. She had never expected him to scold her for the first time over a newcomer.

It left a bitter taste in Hu Liena's heart.

"'Nana'... 'Teacher Yuhao'..."

Wang Qiu'er gave a cold snort and shot Huo Yuhao an icy glance. "What a deep bond you two share as teacher and student. In that case, I can't be bothered to join the Soul Tool Department."

With that, Wang Qiu'er turned to leave.

She was as proud as ever, unwilling to bow her head to anyone.

"Qiu'er."

Seeing Wang Qiu'er angry, Huo Yuhao panicked. He forgot everything else and hurriedly called after her. "Would you be willing to join the Soul Tool Department?"

Qiu'er?!

That sounded... so intimate!

Hu Liena's eyes widened. She stared blankly at Huo Yuhao, her gaze full of confusion.

She was hardly alone. The students watching nearby were just as astonished, privately wondering what sort of relationship Huo Yuhao and Wang Qiu'er had.

What was going on?

The way he called her Qiu'er didn't sound like they'd only just met!

Wang Qiu'er shuddered too, a faint ripple passing through her pupils. Only she understood the weight of that call.

Huo Yuhao had never called her Qiu'er in front of others. Only when she had sacrificed herself as she lay dying had he cried out, "Qiu'er, don't!" How did he dare do now what he had never dared before?

Because.

Huo Yuhao had already endured the torment of losing Wang Qiu'er once. This time, he had come to Douluo I carrying that regret across time and space. Even with others present, he would no longer hide anything he felt for her.

Though his words touched her, Wang Qiu'er remained aloof. "You really want me to join the Soul Tool Department?"

Before Huo Yuhao could answer, Hu Liena was the first to object. Her cheeks flushed as she declared, "I don't agree!"

You don't agree?!

What does her joining the Soul Tool Department have to do with you?

As the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, murmurs rose from the surrounding crowd.

What was going on?

Why was Hu Liena getting so worked up over Wang Qiu'er?

Was this... jealousy?

Quite a few students glanced toward Yan, who had only just recovered a little, and immediately felt sorry for him.

Yan was the most miserable one here, wasn't he? Anyone would have trouble taking this!

"No," Hu Liena said, realizing she had sounded a little too eager. She hurried to explain. "Teacher Yuhao established a rule: every student entering the Soul Tool Department must undergo a Spiritual Power test. There have been no exceptions, and you won't be one either!"

Huo Yuhao said, "Nana, don't talk non—"

"If that's what you say."

Before Huo Yuhao could finish, Hu Liena had already ignited Wang Qiu'er's pride. Wang Qiu'er could also tell that Hu Liena's attitude toward Huo Yuhao was rather intimate. Annoyed, she retorted, "Then I'm definitely joining the Soul Tool Department!"

"You..."

Hu Liena frowned, her competitive spirit flaring to match Wang Qiu'er's. "Fine. Then compete with me in Spiritual Power. If you win, I won't stand in the way of your joining the Soul Tool Department. But if you lose, you'd better give up the idea forever!"

Wang Qiu'er said, "Anytime."

Huo Yuhao: "..."

The Golden Generation: "..."

Everyone else: "..."

What had just happened?

They were going at it already!

That damned competitive streak. Wang Qiu'er seemed to have acted a little rashly, though.

A Power Attack System Battle Soul Master competing in Spiritual Power against a control-system Battle Soul Master? Wasn't she simply asking for a beating?

She might not know that Hu Liena had already advanced to Soul King and been awarded a Purple Record Medal by His Holiness the Pope. What was more, Hu Liena's Martial Soul was the Demon Fox, which possessed an extraordinarily powerful charm ability. All five of her Soul Skills focused on charm and were renowned for their use of Spiritual Power.

Wang Qiu'er might be in for a nasty surprise!

"Hmph! You asked for this!"

Seething, Hu Liena summoned five Soul Rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—beneath her feet. Without another word, she launched a Soul Skill straight at Wang Qiu'er. "First Soul Skill: Fox Charm!"

Fox Charm.

It was Hu Liena's control skill. Released through her own Spiritual Power, it could force a target into a three-second stun.

Almost instantly, two beams of purple light, seemingly solid, shot from Hu Liena's eyes straight into Wang Qiu'er's.

Wang Qiu'er felt a shudder run through her body, but she was not stunned. Purple-gold light flashed in her eyes. Hu Liena, as though struck by the backlash, let out a muffled groan and stumbled back several steps before regaining her balance.

Holy shit!

What was going on?!

Every student watching was stunned.

Not only Xie Yue and the other members of the Spirit Hall Academy team, but even Yan was startled.

Nana's... Fox Charm had failed.

Someone who hadn't even released a Soul Ring had broken it with a single look?

Even Yan could not accept that result.

Nana's Soul Skills specialized in control. And her Primordial Top-Tier Beast Martial Soul, the Demon Fox, alone placed her beyond ordinary Soul Masters. Add the specialized charm training she had received since childhood, and she could captivate men and women alike.

That was mental control taken to the extreme!

The sight left not only Yan speechless, but everyone watching as well.

"How could this be?"

Hu Liena steadied herself and stared at the calm-faced Wang Qiu'er in disbelief. "How could your Spiritual Power be stronger than mine? Fifth Soul Skill: Ambiguous Eyes!"

Xie Yue shouted, "Nana!"

Huo Yuhao shouted, "Hu Liena!"

Several voices called out in warning. Huo Yuhao and Xie Yue both wanted to stop Hu Liena before her anger got the better of her.

Xie Yue did not want Hu Liena to blow this out of proportion. It was only a test; there was no need to use her fifth Soul Skill and hurt someone. After all, he had experienced that skill firsthand.

Ambiguous Eyes.

It was a single-target control skill. Once activated, it made one target, male or female, fall completely in love with her and obey her unconditionally. While controlling the target, she could use all of that person's Soul Skills. It was the strongest single-target control ability, and it would not end unless the target's Spiritual Power far exceeded hers or her own Soul Power was exhausted.

Xie Yue feared Hu Liena would lose her sense of proportion in the heat of the moment.

Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, feared the exact opposite. He was not worried about Wang Qiu'er. He was afraid Hu Liena would push Qiu'er too far and suffer consequences she could not bear.

This was bad!

Hu Liena had gone mad!

Women really were terrifying when jealousy struck.

Everyone at Spirit Hall Academy had seen Hu Liena's strength, and many knew exactly what her fifth Soul Skill meant.

For a moment, every eye fell on Wang Qiu'er.