Chapter 32: Nameless Fury and Fear
"Sigh."
Qian Ningshuang exhaled sharply, watching Hu Liena charge forward once more. Her patience had run out.
"I don't understand you people in the Pope Palace," she said coldly. "The Spirit Research Institute is overflowing with data and theory—why ignore it all?"
With a casual sweep of Black Abyss White Bloom, she sent Hu Liena flying across the arena.
"Instead, you cling to that fraud of a 'Master.' I've read Yu Xiaogang's so-called theories. Are you all blind in the Pope Palace?"
She stood motionless, sword in hand, as Hu Liena clutched her stomach and struggled to rise.
"Take you, for example—a spirit-type Spirit Master. Why gather only charm-based spirit skills? Not a single offensive one?"
Another kick sent Hu Liena crashing backward.
"Yes, specialization has merit. A full set of charm skills makes you invaluable in team battles."
Hu Liena dragged herself up again, trembling but unbroken.
"But have you ever considered? Life isn't always a tournament! There will come a time when you stand alone—no teammates, no support!"
This time, Qian Ningshuang didn't wait. She lunged forward and slammed Hu Liena into the ground with the flat of her blade.
"I don't think you're stupid. You should've realized all this."
She stared down at the girl writhing beneath her boot, trying yet again to rise.
"So why? Why trust that plagiarized nonsense? Why risk yourself on such garbage theory?"
At first, Qian Ningshuang had only wanted to show the gap between them. But now, watching Hu Liena refuse to stay down, a nameless fire surged within her.
Why?! Why must someone so strong-willed, so bright and capable, become that love-struck fool from the original story? Why believe in Yu Xiaogang's brainless drivel? Did you sleep through Spirit Academy?!
Her foot pressed down harder as she turned her glare toward Bibi Dong in the stands.
And you—Bibi Dong. I know you hate Spirit Hall. If it's just revenge, fine. But why act like a lovesick fool over and over? As if your world collapses without that trash of a man!
Love is a garnish in life—not its purpose!
Today, I'm calling out your so-called "white horse prince," your precious "moonlight" Yu Xiaogang!
For the first time since passing the Sixth Rakshasa Trial, Bibi Dong saw Qian Ningshuang clearly—no blur, no distortion.
But the eyes staring back burned with fury, as if to incinerate her where she stood.
Gone was the innocent, childlike adoration she'd once seen—like a cub nuzzling its mother.
Bibi Dong should have been shocked. She should have been enraged—at this Qian family girl, at her audacity to trample Hu Liena.
But she felt neither.
Only terror.
Not of Qian Ningshuang's power—a mere Spirit Scholar couldn't threaten a Super Douluo.
No. She was terrified because Qian Ningshuang looked too much like Qian Renxue: golden hair, ethereal beauty, an angel's grace… and now, that same searing anger.
And in that moment, Bibi Dong wondered: does Renxue look at me the same way?
She'd buried thoughts of her daughter for years, shoved them into the darkest corner of her heart. She'd refused to face them.
But now, seeing Qian Ningshuang's rage, the truth crashed down.
You can't erase what exists by ignoring it. After decades of neglect… had Renxue grown to hate her just as fiercely?
"Why?" Hu Liena finally choked out, still pinned beneath Qian Ningshuang's boot. "Because I believe in my teacher! I trust her!"
She coughed, blood mixing with tears. "I went to Spirit Academy! I never visited the Research Institute—but I read in Spirit City's library!"
"I know! I know his theories are patchwork trash—stolen from here, copied from there!"
"But it's what my teacher believes! It's what she asked me to do!"
"Do you even understand what she means to me? She's my mother! She pulled me and my brother out of that orphanage hell!"
"Yes, I know Spirit Hall runs orphanages—and I'm grateful. I've sworn my life to Spirit Hall!"
"But to me, that orphanage was still a pit! Starvation. Rags for clothes. Freezing nights huddled with my brother just to survive. Adults who beat us for fun. Other kids with parents who looked at us like we were filth. And my brother—always shielding me, always bruised and bleeding!"
"Then Master came. And suddenly—warm meals, soft clothes, a bed just for me, people who looked at me with respect… It felt like stepping into heaven from a nightmare."
"Do you know what that's like? To be dragged from hell into paradise?"
"Of course I'd trust her! With everything! Even if she told me to jump off a cliff—I'd jump!"
"Oh, right—I forgot. You're the Second Young Miss of the Hall of Offerings. Granddaughter of the Chief Offering. The jewel of Spirit Hall."
"You wouldn't understand. How could you?"
"You're just arrogant—just like Tian Yao!"
"Arrogant enough to stomp on me. Arrogant enough to judge my choices. Arrogant enough to insult my teacher—because no one dares punish you!"
"Just like Tian Yao, standing there like you're doing me a favor: 'Your talent is acceptable. You may join us.'"
"But who gave you that right?! You've never walked my path—so how dare you judge my life?!"
Qian Ningshuang froze.
The raw pain in Hu Liena's voice struck her like a physical blow. Slowly, she lifted her foot.
Who was she to judge?
Because she was a transmigrator? Because she knew the original plot? Because she'd read the endings of these characters' lives? Because of knowledge from another world?
But that knowledge never gave her the right to condemn others.
In fact, it taught her the opposite: *Do not advise others to be kind if you've never walked their road.*
She'd been arrogant. Was this the arrogance of a transmigrator?
"Sigh."
She turned away, heading for the edge of the arena. This outburst had been unwarranted. From now on, she'd think before acting. That transmigrator's pride needed to be reined in.
"Announce the result, Second Grandpa," she called toward the stands, her voice flat.
But Tian E didn't respond. He was still staring intently at the arena.
Qian Ningshuang paused—then turned back.
Hu Liena was standing again.
She should've been broken.
Blood streaked her face. She spat crimson onto the stone, wiped her tears and mouth with the back of her hand, and locked eyes with Qian Ningshuang.
"Second Young Miss," she said, voice hoarse but steady, "this match isn't over. Round two begins now!"