The Vixen's Gambit: Tonight We Hunt

Hua looked endearingly nervous, reminding Lee of a certain immortal who once choked her, practically trying to snap her neck. Were they really the same person?

Meanwhile, Hua seemed even more anxious after learning Lee's identity. "You… you know me…?"

Had her poor performance become so infamous that even Fire Moth's renowned hero knew about it?!

"Don't worry, I remember everyone in Fire Moth," Lee said with a smile. "After all, each of them is undertaking a grand mission to save the world, so their deeds and names should be remembered, shouldn't they?"

Remember everyone's name?

Hua was surprised. Such a prominent hero in Fire Moth would actually pay attention to insignificant people like her? If Lee hadn't actually said her name, Hua might have thought she was joking.

Could she do that? Hua tried to recall, but realized she didn't even know the name of the cafeteria lady who served her meals.

So this is what a true hero is like? Not only powerful, but also cares about everyone regardless of their status…

[Target Hua's favorability increased. Current favorability: 3]

[Current target charging efficiency: 270%]

Ah, this normal goodwill interface is so much better. Crimson Empress's interface, full of garbled text, was creepy.

Successfully raising Hua's goodwill a few levels, Lee's smile softened. "Why aren't you training in the main training area? The facilities there are much better."

"I… I'm not used to crowded places," Hua mumbled, lowering her head.

Hua wasn't sociable. In fact, her introverted personality often earned her labels like "country bumpkin" and "mute." While she was good-natured and wouldn't argue, it didn't mean these taunts didn't sting.

Unfortunately, even after joining Fire Moth, the situation hadn't improved much.

After joining the Fifth Squad, while her captain, Himeko, was kind to her, she struggled to connect with her teammates. They had little in common, and being the youngest and slightly weaker than the others only widened the gap.

So, Hua developed the habit of training alone in deserted areas.

Knowing Hua's difficulties with her teammates, Himeko had brought her along on this trip to headquarters rather than leaving her behind.

With the average combatant at headquarters stronger than those in the Australian branch, Hua, not wanting to be ridiculed, naturally sought out an empty training room—and ran into Lee.

"I see… But training alone can make it difficult to correct your own mistakes. Like your practice just now, without someone else pointing them out, it would be very hard to improve."

Hearing Lee's assessment, Hua lowered her head further. She knew this, but…

She didn't have anyone to train with.

"If you don't mind, would you like to spar with me?"

"…Huh?" Hua looked up, blinking in confusion.

She had expected to be criticized and sent to the main training area to awkwardly try and find a training partner, but Lee was offering to spar with her?

No, with the vast difference in their strength, it wouldn't be sparring so much as Lee offering guidance…

That's Lee, the strongest human, the hero who single-handedly defeated three Herrschers, and rumored to be the most skilled fighter in Fire Moth… Such a prominent figure was willing to guide her?!

"It… It would be my honor!" Hua's face flushed with excitement.

[Target Hua's favorability increased. Current favorability: 6]

[Current target charging efficiency: 540%]

Ah, youngsters are so easy to fool. A few words and they're practically worshipping you.

Smiling, Lee removed her uniform jacket and unbuttoned a few buttons on her shirt for easier movement.

Technically, she should change into proper training attire, but Hua wasn't worth that much effort. Maybe if it were Kevin or Elysia…

"Hua, attack me with all your might. Don't hold back," Lee said, facing Hua on the training grounds and beckoning her with a gesture. "Let me see what you're capable of."

"Yes!"

Hua's fundamentals were solid. Her movements were so fast they almost blurred, impressive enough to awe most ordinary people.

But in Fire Moth's elite combat unit, this level of skill was merely adequate, and in Lee's eyes, it was like slow motion.

In the next moment, Hua unleashed a flurry of attacks, a storm of fists and feet, yet none posed the slightest threat to Lee.

Lee lightly deflected Hua's spear-hand strike: "Your techniques lack precision."

She effortlessly blocked a punch that could shatter stone: "Your punches lack power."

Seeing an opening in Hua's stance, Lee lightly tapped her upper abdomen, disrupting her breathing: "Erratic breathing is a major problem."

Finally, as Hua's movements became frantic, Lee tripped her and pinned her to the ground: "Unsteady footwork is even more fatal."

"Overall, there's a lot of room for improvement~"

Taking down Hua was as easy as catching a chick. It made Lee wonder if that's how Fu Hua felt when she beat up Lihua 50,000 years later… But Lihua's beating had nothing to do with her~

"But I think I see where your problems lie. Now we can work on improving those areas." Lee smiled, extending a hand to the downed Hua. "Get up. You're not someone who gives up easily, are you?"

"…Right!"

Gritting her teeth, Hua grabbed Lee's hand and stood up, ashamed of her earlier thoughts. She actually thought she might last a minute against Lee…

"How… How did you become so strong?" Hua couldn't help but ask.

Good question. Because this account was worth five million.

Thinking this, Lee offered a cryptic smile. "Maybe it's just… a difference in physique…"

"But that's not important… I have a combat technique that I think would be perfect for you. Do you want to learn it?"

If she taught Hua Cun Jin - Sky Shatterer (what ever the text you already now the meaning right?), a technique from the future, the culmination of Crimson Empress's millennia of martial arts, would that mean Crimson Empress would then have ten thousand years of martial arts experience?

Lee was curious.

Making Hua stronger was obviously beneficial. A strong teammate was always welcome, especially when fighting the Honkai. As for whether this was why Lihua got beaten up so badly…

Lihua's misfortune has nothing to do with me.