Chapter 33: A Very Foolish Person
No one understood why Hu Liena kept rising—despite the glaring gap in strength and her grievous injuries.
Was it her burning desire for the Saintess title? Or her unwillingness to disappoint Bibi Dong?
No one knew. Not even Qian Ningshuang. And frankly, she didn't care.
"I don't know why you keep getting up," she said flatly, "and I don't want to guess."
"But let me be clear: I don't need the Saintess title. I only entered this match because Grandpa Tian E ordered it—and because I wanted to see what kind of disciple the Pope treats like her own daughter."
"To be honest? I'm disappointed. I expected at least one thing about you to impress me."
"But I saw nothing. Just an ordinary spirit-type control Spirit Master."
"In fact—a control Spirit Master who's taken the wrong path entirely."
Yes, deeply disappointed. Where was the famed "Golden Generation" of Spirit Hall? Qian Ningshuang saw none of it.
And this girl—this ordinary, misguided girl—was the one Bibi Dong chose as Qian Renxue's replacement? By what merit?
At first, Qian Ningshuang had wanted to crush Hu Liena in front of Bibi Dong—to vent for Renxue. That earlier burst of anger had carried that very intent.
But when she saw the tear-streaked, trembling figure beneath her boot, the urge vanished. It felt… meaningless.
In that moment, she'd elevated Hu Liena to Renxue's level in her mind.
But Renxue would never cry like this. She'd never be reduced to writhing helplessly on the ground.
If Bibi Dong was blind enough to make that comparison—so be it. Qian Ningshuang wouldn't waste her breath.
"Your childhood may have been harsh," she continued, voice calm but firm. "But countless others suffered worse. At least you and your brother had someone to pull you out. Many never get that chance—they remain trapped in the abyss forever."
"You were lifted from hell into heaven—and you're grateful. Fine. But does that gratitude mean you must walk a path you *know* is wrong? Risk your life for a lie?"
"You're free to choose your life. To give everything for your teacher. That's your right."
"But remember this: you can't hide under her wings forever. One day, she may need *you* to protect *her*. And if you've walked the wrong path… what then?"
Yes, disappointment lingered. Heaven or hell—those were *her* cards to play.
No matter the hand dealt, one should play it well.
Yet Hu Liena chose to follow a delusional fool's fabricated "path for elites"—a route designed only to inflate Yu Xiaogang's ego.
Knowing it's wrong and walking it anyway isn't gratitude. It's irresponsibility—to yourself, to your loved ones.
"Of course, your willpower deserves praise."
"But that's all."
Just that. In Qian Ningshuang's past life, history books were filled with figures of far greater resolve. This? It wasn't extraordinary.
From the stands, Gu Yuena watched silently, listening to Qian Ningshuang's unusually lengthy speech.
'So this Hu Liena stirred something in Shuang'er,' she mused. 'Otherwise, she'd never talk this much to someone she just met.'
But it didn't matter. As long as Qian Ningshuang wasn't in danger, Gu Yuena would support whatever she chose.
"The Hall of Offerings has no interest in the Saintess title—it'll inevitably go to your faction."
"In fact, I can even ask the Offerings to endorse you. I, Qian Ningshuang, swear it."
"But I won't forfeit. The Offerings won't allow it. And my competitive sister? She'd never forgive me for surrendering without reason. Even if she wouldn't punish me, the lectures would be endless."
"So please—just lie down already!"
Qian Ningshuang leapt into the air. Flames erupted along her lance.
With a mighty thrust, she hurled it toward the ground four meters from Hu Liena.
"Divine Judgment!"
It was her first spirit skill of the match—the ultimate technique of her Radiance series, granted by her first spirit ring.
Unlike ordinary Spirit Masters—who gained one skill per ring unless it was a 100,000-year ring—Qian Ningshuang received entire skill sets.
She held back, of course. This was a match, not a death duel. The lance struck the earth beside Hu Liena, not at her.
But the shockwave alone was enough to send her crashing down once more.
Qian Ningshuang recalled her lance and stared across the scorched crater.
Hu Liena lay at the edge of the blast zone—burned, battered, unconscious.
Then—impossibly—she stirred.
Blind from pain or smoke, she stumbled… and fell straight into the crater.
Yet again, she clawed her way up, squinting through swollen eyes at Qian Ningshuang.
Qian Ningshuang was speechless.
*Again?!* Are Spirit Masters really not bound by human limits?
Ugh! Can't you just stay down?!
Who are you trying to impress with this shonen protagonist act?!
Do you even realize how much this makes *me* look like the evil villain?!
For the second time that day, someone had ignited her temper.
But beneath the irritation, something else stirred—excitement.
The thrill of battle.
True, only Hu Liena's willpower was noteworthy. But when pushed to its absolute limit? That was something.
Even if this opponent was leagues beneath her—utterly outmatched, only ever on the receiving end—
That unbreakable spirit, that refusal to stay down no matter how many times she was felled… wasn't that exhilarating?
"Hu Liena, right?" Qian Ningshuang called out, voice sharp but charged with energy. "You're a fool. A *very* foolish one. But fine—I'll make sure you lose with no regrets!"
The spectators watched in silence.
They saw the girl who rose again and again, battered but unbowed.
Were they moved? Stunned? Yes—but more than that, they felt a deep, nameless complexity.
They'd seen tenacious Spirit Masters before. Some among them had been that stubborn in their youth.
But perseverance only made sense when victory was possible.
Here? The gap was cosmic. No one in the stands—no Spirit Ancestor, no Spirit King—could imagine defeating Qian Ningshuang at 24 levels, even with a powerful assault-type martial soul.
Yet Hu Liena fought on, though hope was gone.
Was it foolish?
Absolutely.
But it was also awe-inspiring. Stirring. Noble in its futility.
"Second Brother," Third Offering Yin Long murmured beside Tian E, "since Xue'er's away on assignment, and Shuang'er and Yao'er refuse the title… perhaps we should give the Saintess position to Hu Liena?"
Tian E sighed. "After this match, she'll be Spirit Hall's Saintess—jointly recognized by the Hall of Offerings and the Pope Palace."
He gazed at Hu Liena with newfound respect. He'd once dismissed her potential.
But now, witnessing her indomitable will, he had to admit: even without a true master, as long as she corrected her path and avoided disaster, such a spirit would carry her far.
Saintess? Yes.
Pope? Never.