"Same as always, Nana initiates control, Yan engages in close combat, and I deliver the finishing blow!" the three of them had been working together for years and quickly devised their strategy in a matter of breaths.
After speaking, Xie Yue suddenly remembered Lu Leng was also present. "Lu Leng, just focus on protecting yourself."
Since Nana didn't want Lu Leng's help, he didn't press the matter.
Lu Leng didn't mind. If they wanted him to be a bystander, he'd play the part perfectly. He casually pulled out a reclining chair and a watermelon from his ring.
"Alright, good luck to you all."
The three of them: "..."
Xie Yue shook his head with a wry smile, never expecting Lu Leng to be so calm.
Focusing back on the task, the trio quietly approached the Pink Peach Fox. When they were about thirty meters away, the fox's keen senses detected their presence.
"Now!"
At Xie Yue's shout, Yan charged forward, his body instantly encased in a rocky state. Simultaneously, Hu Liena activated her control ability.
"Fox Charm!"
With a soft cry, Hu Liena's body transformed, her fox spirit manifesting. Two fluffy fox ears sprouted from her head, and a faint pink aura enveloped her. She lightly touched her red lips with her fingertips, her eyes glowing with a mesmerizing pink hue. The Pink Peach Fox, thirty meters away, froze in place as if entranced.
"Damn, that's alluring!" Lu Leng's gulped as he unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of watermelon juice, quickly turning his face away. And this is just her second soul skill. If she becomes a Titled Douluo, wouldn't a single glance from her cause people to explode?
Meanwhile, everything was going according to Xie Yue's plan. Yan closed the thirty-meter gap in less than two seconds.
Xie Yue summoned his Moon Blades, gripping one in each hand, and charged forward, flanking the fox alongside Yan.
"Granite Armor!"
"Flame Rock Fist!"
Yan's fists roared through the air as he activated both his first and second soul skills, aiming to take down the fox in one strike. Similarly, Xie Yue's Moon Blades gleamed coldly in his hands.
The Pink Peach Fox was a soul beast with formidable control abilities but relatively weak attack power. Xie Yue and his team were confident in their victory, as long as they avoided the fox's control skills.
But then, something unexpected happened. The previously entranced fox suddenly regained clarity, its eyes locking onto Hu Liena's with a hint of mockery.
"Not good, this fox is toying with me!" Hu Liena realized her Fox Charm had been broken. For the fox to dispel her charm so easily, it must be over two thousand years old, not just a thousand!
"Be careful!"
Hu Liena urgently warned the trio, but it was already too late. The Pink Peach Fox's body emitted a pink glow as its tail unfurled, and its piercing eyes instantly overwhelmed the trio.
Yan's movements abruptly halted, his gaze becoming unfocused. Instead of attacking the fox, he turned and swung his fist toward Xie Yue.
Xie Yue, equally affected, retaliated with his Moon Blades, and the two began grappling with each other.
At the same time, a red fox suddenly darted out from behind the Pink Peach Fox.
The red fox moved with incredible speed, its target clear: Ignoring Xie Yue and Yan, it charged straight toward Hu Liena.
With a swipe of its claw, carrying a bloody stench, Hu Liena bent backward, narrowly avoiding the sharp claws that grazed past the tip of her nose. But before she could even feel relieved, she was struck by the tail that followed, sending her body flying backward.
Hu Liena let out a muffled groan as she collapsed to the ground, unable to get up from the force of the blow.
"Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox!"
Recognizing the red fox, Hu Liena's eyes filled with terror and despair.
"And it's a three thousand years old!"
Her heart skipped a beat. A two-thousand-year-old Pink-Faced Peach Fox was already more than they could handle, and now a three-thousand-year-old Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox had suddenly appeared!
Unlike the Pink-Faced Peach Fox, the Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox was highly aggressive and extremely cruel, with a particular fondness for devouring soul masters alive. Hu Liena's eyes dimmed with sorrow. She had never imagined that these two foxes could hide their true nature so well.
Suddenly, Hu Liena realized that the Pink-Faced Peach Fox had deliberately lured them out, setting a trap. The Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox and the Pink-Faced Peach Fox were working together, likely as a mated pair.
One was responsible for luring, the other for ambush.
"What a cunning plan!" "Brother, Yan, wake up!"
Hu Liena knew she was no match for the Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox. Her only hope now lay with Xie Yue and Yan. If they could wake up, there might still be a chance to fight back.
But Xie Yue and Yan were already under control, unable to hear her pleas.
Xie Yue's attacks were powerful, while Yan's defenses were strong. One was a level 30 Soul Douluo, the other a level 28 Soul Grandmaster. Though there was a clear gap in their strength, their martial souls countered each other, resulting in a stalemate. However, both were severely injured.
Hu Liena watched in desperation, her heart filled with anxiety and helplessness. If this continued, they would all be dead within a minute.
The Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox's eyes gleamed with cruelty as it slowly, deliberate steps toward Hu Liena, instilling a sense of dread. Its cunning eyes and sneering mouth seemed to mock her.
Seeing this, a wave of despair washed over Hu Liena. She never thought that a disciple of the esteemed Pope of the Spirit Hall could be outsmarted by a mere spirit beast.
Helplessness was written all over Hu Liena's face.
"Ah!"
At that moment, both Xie Yue and Yan let out a cry of pain. Hu Liena turned to see that both had released their martial souls, but they were covered in wounds, bleeding profusely, and lying on the ground, unconscious.
"Brother!"
Hu Liena cried out in anguish, her heart wrenching at the sight. A deep sense of regret surged within her as she bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
She pounded the ground, overwhelmed by regret. She regretted not listening to her teacher, insisting on hunting spirit beasts on her own. She regretted sneaking out without informing Yueguan and asking for his protection.
It was all her fault. If she hadn't been jealous of Lu Leng for being favored by their teacher, she wouldn't have left the city. If she hadn't selfishly left the city, her brother and Yan wouldn't have ended up like this.
She truly regretted it.
"Lu Leng, run! Tell the teacher I'm sorry," Hu Liena knew she couldn't escape now. Her only hope was that Lu Leng could get away.
After all, Lu Leng was the hope of the Spirit Hall. Given the teacher's attitude toward Lu Leng, if it came down to choosing between her and Lu Leng, the teacher would undoubtedly want Lu Leng to survive.
The Bloodthirsty Crimson Fox had already closed in on her, raising its sharp claws to slash at her neck.
Hu Liena closed her eyes in despair.
But at that very moment, a cold voice suddenly rang out beside her ear.
"Draw—Blade Slash."
Hearing the voice, Hu Liena's eyes snapped open. She saw a figure leap over her head, and as she tilted her face upward, she caught a glimpse of Lu Leng's face and those icy eyes.