Chapter 1 The Beginning
"First Spirit Ability, Charm!"
A cute, soft, and fluffy fox appeared beside Hu Liena. As the first spirit ability was activated, a large amount of pink mist emanated from the spirit, filling the entire arena in just a few breaths.
"First Spirit Ability, Ice Soul!"
Zhao Shi followed closely, quickly using his first spirit ability. Feeling a wave of coolness in his mind, his expression changed from tense to calm.
But his calmness was soon shattered.
After manifesting her spirit, Hu Liena immediately activated spirit possession, dramatically boosting her physical fitness. She sprinted towards Zhao Shi at an extreme speed.
Her vision was already obstructed by the mist. Hu Liena's sudden appearance left Zhao Shi no time to react.
A slender and fair fist struck Zhao Shi's jaw. With a crack, Zhao Shi's jaw was instantly shattered.
The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth. The intense pain caused Zhao Shi to writhe on the ground. He wanted to howl, but due to his shattered jaw, only a muffled "heh heh" could escape.
"A battle between spirit masters is not just about spirits! Physical fitness is equally important!"
"Your spirit may counter me, but don't forget, I am a beast spirit owner."
Looking down at Zhao Shi, who was rolling on the ground, Hu Liena's small face turned exceptionally cold.
She had always been arrogant and excessively proud. To be defeated so miserably in the grand competition half a year ago, she had been waiting for this day.
While the demon fox spirit's primary means was indeed charm and control, a fox was still a fox. Agility and speed were also its strengths.
Already emphasizing physical fitness under Wang Zhong's influence, Hu Liena's physical prowess was further elevated with spirit possession. Though not comparable to Wang Zhong, it was still far beyond what Zhao Shi could withstand.
"Honestly, in spirit master duels, there are wins and losses. If someone wins, someone must lose."
"My talent is passable, but not top-tier. I can accept my defeat because there will always be someone stronger than me."
"But you should not have, should not have, let me reveal such a pathetic state in front of him!"
A roar of extreme suppressed rage burst from Hu Liena's throat. She lunged forward, kicking out with a fierce blow to Zhao Shi's abdomen.
The arena beneath her feet cracked from the impact.
*Pfft!*
A large mouthful of dark blood spewed from Zhao Shi's mouth, appearing starkly against the freshly rebuilt white arena.
"In front of him, I should always be proud, beautiful, radiant, and confident. The impression I leave on him should always be the most beautiful."
"But in the last competition, I actually lost in such a miserable and disheveled state."
"Zhao Shi, you deserve to die!"
She lunged forward again, appearing beside Zhao Shi, who was clutching his abdomen with wide eyes. Hu Liena raised her foot high and brought it down with force.
The sound of bones breaking echoed. Zhao Shi's right leg was instantly crushed. The intense pain caused him to pass out immediately.
Hu Liena stared at him expressionlessly, her eyes colder than ice.
"This little girl looks harmless, how can she be so ruthless? Truly impressive."
On the high platform, beside Bibi Dong's throne, Yue Guan watched everything that happened within the mist on the arena and exclaimed in amazement.
Although the pink mist had the ability to obscure vision, Hu Liena's strength was still too weak to prevent a Title Douluo-level expert from using spiritual perception.
"Your Excellency, Hu Liena's actions already constitute intentional injury to a fellow student."
"Should we issue a warning and punishment?"
Gui Mei, standing beside him, was unfazed by Yue Guan's praise. Instead, he saw a different meaning in Hu Liena's current behavior.
From a tactical standpoint, Hu Liena had already won with the first strike. The subsequent moves were less a duel and more an act of violence.
Such behavior violated school regulations.
"Old Ghost, your words are quite pointless."
"This is an arena battle, not child's play. Injuries are inevitable. Moreover, didn't that young man Zhao Shi do the same last year? And he never surrendered."
"Since he didn't surrender, the fight naturally has to continue."
Yue Guan chuckled, offering an explanation for Hu Liena. However, his words, filled with blatant partiality, made Gui Mei shake his head in exasperation.
"You're just trying to twist the facts. Let's not even discuss last year. But right now, that young man Zhao Shi's jawbone is shattered. How can he possibly surrender?"
"Without rules, there can be no order."
Gui Mei said this not because he had any issues with Hu Liena. Regarding Wang Zhong's matter earlier, he had also spoken his mind. As for Hu Liena's loss to Zhao Shi last year, it was something even the two of them hadn't anticipated.
The disparity in strength was too obvious. Hu Liena, with her absolute advantage, should have won. They hadn't expected Zhao Shi's spirit to have a counter effect. Furthermore, Zhao Shi was inferior to Hu Liena in spirit power. Since the opponent hadn't surrendered, a spirited victory against a weaker opponent was understandable, even with fierce tactics.
But now, Hu Liena was humiliating her opponent with an absolute advantage. This was somewhat inhumane!
"Your Excellency, what do you think?"
Yue Guan, who had been listening to Gui Mei's reasoning with a smile, directed the question to Bibi Dong, who was leaning back in her chair, silently listening to everything.
This was their customary approach before Bibi Dong. Controversial matters were presented and reasoned out through casual conversation, leaving the decision to Bibi Dong. Whatever the outcome, it would be attributed to the two elders, and they would bear the consequences.
Hu Liena's situation was a perfect example.
If Hu Liena were just an ordinary student in Class A, even with her talent, such a violation of school rules would warrant at least a minor punishment, though not a severe one.
But the problem now was Hu Liena's close relationship with Wang Zhong. They were childhood sweethearts with deep affection. Wang Zhong was also Bibi Dong's chosen future disciple, making the situation considerably more complex.
If Hu Liena were punished, Wang Zhong would undoubtedly have some reservations, which would inevitably affect Bibi Dong's decision to accept him as a disciple.
If she were not punished, then school regulations would become meaningless. In the future, everyone would use Hu Liena's example as an excuse, and the academy would descend into chaos.
If Bibi Dong punished Hu Liena, then Gui Mei, who proposed the idea, would become the target of Wang Zhong's dissatisfaction.
If Bibi Dong did not punish Hu Liena, then Yue Guan, who chose to shield her, would become the guarantor of Hu Liena's actions.
Regardless of the outcome, it would have no bearing on the supreme Pope and the beloved principal, as these would be presented as the decisions made by the two elders.
Bibi Dong remained silent for a moment, then said, "Those with talent will receive more tolerance and indulgence from me."
"Wang Zhong is like that... Hu Liena, too."
"Yes, Yue Guan understands."
Yue Guan nodded in assent. He then took a few steps forward, standing at the edge of the platform, looking at the arena where the red mist had now dispersed, revealing the pathetic Zhao Shi and the unharmed Hu Liena.
Amidst the clamor and arguments of the crowd, he announced loudly,
"Hu Liena, you intentionally injured a fellow student and cruelly brutalized your opponent. Do you know that this is unacceptable according to school rules?"
Looking towards Yue Guan on the high platform, who stood with his hands behind his back and a stern expression, Hu Liena pursed her lips, placed a hand on her shoulder, and calmly said, "Hu Liena knows she was wrong."
Yue Guan nodded with satisfaction, then continued.
"Very well, it's good that you know your mistake."
"Considering it's your first offense, and Zhao Shi's spirit power level is higher than yours, it was understandable that your methods were somewhat intense in order to win."
"However, school rules must be upheld, and a punishment is still necessary."
"Ying Yanyang, you are Hu Liena's homeroom teacher. This matter will be entrusted to you!"
With that, Yue Guan quietly stepped back.
Some astute individuals in the plaza understood the implied meaning but did not make it public, as this was a decision made by an elder, and they were not at liberty to comment.
Those less perceptive, however, would lament Hu Liena's punishment, feeling she was unlucky to have reached this point in a challenge match.
Ying Yanyang stepped forward, placed his hand on his chest, and said, "Ying Yanyang understands."
The matter was treated with a raised hand but a gentle placement, and thus, it was concluded.