Xu Ran had noticed Tang San and Hulena's arrival long ago.
While surprised by Hulena's appearance, Xu Ran also found it ridiculous, "Tang San is such a dumbass."
He could see that Hulena had lost all interest in Tang San, yet Tang San kept pestering her relentlessly, just like a desperate bootlicker.
But he could understand, Tang San's life had been so miserably screwed over by him, giving him a headache. He had snatched his girls one after the other, and now Tang San was obviously in a hurry, wanting to beat him to the punch and get Hulena first.
However, hitting on girls is one thing, slandering his reputation is another—that's just not right.
"Tang San, you really have the nerve to spout nonsense with your eyes wide open. Haven't seen you in days, and although your other skills haven't improved much, your ability to talk rubbish sure has," Xu Ran said leisurely as he slowly stepped forward.
Hulena was very beautiful, her fox-like eyes were quite attractive. With just a bit of training, she might well become a devastatingly enchanting beauty. Hulena was still young, her face slightly cold and somewhat pure, which made her look somewhat incompatible with her temperament.
However, Xu Ran knew that Hulena practiced Charm Techniques. Her Martial Soul seemed to possess psychic attacks too, which, combined with her Charm Techniques, could lead to unexpected effects. Hulena's Martial Soul was the Demon Fox, and upon Unleashing Martial Soul, it's likely that Hulena displaying Charm Techniques would present a whole different scene.
Especially when her fox tail bursts forth from her body.
Tsk, that's when the true fox tail is revealed.
"Hmm?" Hulena looked up and made eye contact with Xu Ran.
Hulena's beautiful eyes were filled with shock as she beheld Xu Ran's appearance, remaining frozen in place for a moment.
Having spent her life in Martial Soul Hall, she had come across all sorts of people, but she had never seen someone as handsome as him.
The aura about him was so manly, very appealing.
Now, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say, every organ, every cell of Xu Ran's body had an immense attraction for women, capable of stimulating their hormones, rendering them unable to extricate themselves.
Even when Xu Ran held back, he could not avoid the aura he naturally exuded.
"I wonder if Xu Ran is always this handsome and extraordinary," Hulena thought to herself, realizing she had been staring at Xu Ran all this time, which was quite impolite, so she quickly looked away. However, the flush on her face still betrayed the turmoil inside her.
Soon, Hulena regained her composure, as she wasn't the type to judge by appearance.
What she cared about was inner beauty, like Xu Ran, whom she had not met yet, but she was certain that Xu Ran must embody noble qualities, a true epitome of inner beauty.
But Tang San was now losing his composure.
"Damn it, how did this bastard Xu Ran show up?"
"This scoundrel, Xu Ran really is like a haunting ghost. Can't I smoothly hit on a girl in peace?"
Seeing Xu Ran arrive, Tang San's face darkened. He had slowly nurtured a resentment towards Xu Ran, to the point of nearly crying. Was Tang San having it easy? Why did Xu Ran always have to show up when he was trying to hit on a girl?
This was simply brotherly behavior!
Can't we settle our scores after I've finished hitting on the girl?
"Xu Ran, what are you doing here? Get lost quickly, I don't want to see you." Tang San was nearly depressed to death; his confidence had dissipated quite a bit after being beaten up by Xu Ran at the city gates. Seeing Xu Ran now made his scalp tingle.
In their countless past encounters, he had always lost to Xu Ran, suffering a miserable defeat. Just counting the times he had been trampled and tormented by Xu Ran on the ground felt overwhelming.
And then there was the incident with the Huanhuan Yuan—that was a truly tragic lesson.
Even now, he felt as if he could still experience the throbbing pain in his chrysanthemum.
"Xu Ran?" Hulena exclaimed softly, immediately understanding who the person before her was upon hearing how Tang San addressed him.
So this is Xu Ran?
Hulena stared at Xu Ran closely, her heart pounding uncontrollably, a indescribable sense of infatuation washing over her.
At least in terms of looks, the Xu Ran standing before her was the embodiment of perfection she imagined, flawless and unable to find fault—handsome and very masculine.
"Nana, hello, I've heard about you from Xue'er," Xu Ran said with a slight smile, greeting Hulena. His demeanor contrasted with that of Tang San, making it clear to anyone the gap between the two men.
"Xue'er..." Hulena was somewhat lost in thought. She knew who the Xue'er mentioned by Xu Ran was—that was none other than the Young Master of the Martial Soul Hall, the future helmsperson Qian Renxue, right? By bloodline, Qian Renxue was the most entitled to succeed as the Spirit Hall Pope. Plus, she was the daughter of her own teacher, Bi Bidong.
She both knew and was unfamiliar with Qian Renxue. Qian Renxue was her teacher's daughter, and she had heard much about her. Moreover, Bi Bidong had previously shown poor attitude toward Qian Renxue because of Qian Xun Ji, and as a disciple, she naturally did not dare to get too close to Qian Renxue.
When Qian Renxue's whereabouts were hidden by the Elders and her death was announced to the public, Hulena had been only five or six years old.
But none of that mattered now. She realized that Xu Ran and Qian Renxue might already be together; otherwise, there's no way Xu Ran would let Tang San off so easily for assaulting him.
Qian Renxue's status was far above theirs, even practically on par with her teacher's.
For a moment, Hulena's mind was a whirlpool of complex thoughts, countless ideas tangled and in disarray.
As for Tang San, he didn't have as many thoughts. Seeing Xu Ran, enemies glaring with particular venom, he wished nothing more than to tear Xu Ran apart, but felt utterly powerless, unable to get at Xu Ran.
"Tang San, you still get so easily angered, I see," Xu Ran said with a chuckle. "It seems my previous lessons haven't really sunk in yet." He just loved to see Tang San get angry yet powerless to do anything about it.
However, Tang San's sudden boost in confidence must mean that he had found a way to deal with him. All schemes and tricks are nothing but illusions in the face of true power.
"Xu Ran, shut your damn trap, is that what you call teaching? That's just humiliating me!" Tang San's face turned red with anger, infuriated by Xu Ran's words, which triggered his painful memories and instantly made him seethe with blind rage, grinding his teeth at Xu Ran. He wished he could eat Xu Ran's flesh, drink his blood, take his woman, and have Xu Ran die in agony.
"Isn't bullying you just the norm?" Xu Ran revealed a villainous 'hehehe' smile, giving Tang San goosebumps all over. Damn it, who was the real villain here, him or Xu Ran? Why did it seem like Xu Ran was more badass?
Despite being the successor of the Rakshasa God, with the guidance of the Rakshasa God's thoughts, and the promise of the Destruction God King to help him with his divine power... all these combined should have allowed him to thrash Xu Ran. Yet, facing Xu Ran, he still felt something was amiss.
"Xu Ran, this is the territory of the Martial Soul Hall, and I am now the Martial Spirit Hall Holy Son. I will not tolerate your arrogance. Last time you escaped thanks to two Elders, but if you dare to act this time, I will definitely have you locked up in the Soul Hall's prison."
"Oh."
The next moment, Xu Ran made his move.