Another Round

“Again!”

The next moment, unwilling to concede, Bai Xia charged toward Mo Bai once more. With her body nearing overload, Bai Xia’s speed and fighting skills surpassed her previous performance, as if she had transformed into a different person. Every aspect of her abilities showed remarkable improvement.

The girl landed a punch on Mo Bai’s sword, and in the next instant, she followed up with a fierce side kick. Mo Bai could already see the crimson energy gathering on her fist and slender leg, exploding outward in an instant and forcing him to retreat several meters.

Mo Bai was undoubtedly shocked. After all, Bai Xia had only trained for a few hours, yet she was already capable of pushing him, who was nearing the Second Stage. If this continued, he would have to take things seriously.

Facing the charging white-haired girl, Mo Bai no longer remained on the defensive but instead wielded his sword and darted toward Bai Xia. His talent was at the legendary level of the Extreme Sword. If he couldn’t defeat his own little maid, it would be a joke.

In the next moment, a fight almost worthy of a wuxia drama erupted between them. Bai Xia’s fists and kicks repeatedly clashed with the sword, sparking bursts of energy. Her techniques were sharp and precise, a stark contrast to her previous performance. Her blood-red pupils no longer showed ripples—only pure concentration.

This idiot… does she even know what she’s doing?

Mo Bai furrowed his brow. This seemingly calm state was even more dangerous. He could already sense that the crimson energy, though fierce, was unstable and restless.

This can’t go on.

Mo Bai used his sword to push Bai Xia back a few steps, then slashed a silver-white arc of sword energy toward her, forcing her to dodge. Seizing the opportunity, he rushed to her side and pulled the girl—surrounded by agitated crimson energy—into his embrace.

If this continued, the girl’s body might not be able to endure it. During the fight, Mo Bai could already see that Bai Xia was growing dizzy, as if being controlled by something else.

“That’s enough, Bai Xia…”

The girl’s petite body rested in his arms, and through the thin white shirt, Mo Bai could feel her rapid heartbeat and slightly feverish temperature.

However, perhaps because she sensed her master’s presence, the restless crimson energy miraculously calmed down, slowly receding and returning to her body. Her blood-red eyes, which had been glowing, gradually cleared, and she blinked in confusion at the boy holding her, still processing what had just happened.

Wasn’t she just fighting Mo Bai a moment ago? How did she suddenly end up in his arms?

Bai Xia’s ears turned slightly red, and she instinctively tried to struggle free, only to be held tighter.

“Mo-nii…”

“You’ve overexerted yourself. Stay still.”

Mo Bai’s voice carried a hint of reproach, causing the girl in his arms to wilt and stop struggling, burying her flushed face in his chest.

Thinking back, it seemed Mo Bai was right.

As the fight progressed, Bai Xia had felt her consciousness growing increasingly hazy, as if her body was being controlled by another instinct. Those precise evasions and techniques were not things she could perform on her own—it was as if another self within her had taken control.

“I… I think…”

“You need to control your power better, you fool.”

“…”

Bai Xia shrank her neck guiltily, burying her face even deeper, until Mo Bai lifted her into a bridal carry.

“That’s enough for today. You have school tomorrow.”

“I think we could practice every day, Mo-nii.”

“You’ve had enough.”

The white-haired girl, dressed in her school uniform, was held in his arms. Her small feet, clad in lace-trimmed white socks, fidgeted nervously. Her pleated skirt fluttered with her movements, occasionally revealing a glimpse beneath, causing Bai Xia to blush and protest:

“Mo-nii, put me down!”

Aside from the embarrassment of being seen like this outside the training room, the position itself made her toes curl in shame.

Bai Xia struggled to get down, but Mo Bai held her tighter.

“Now you’re afraid?” Mo Bai raised an eyebrow, deliberately loosening his grip. The sudden shift made the girl gasp and cling to his neck, her skirt flipping slightly.

However, once they left the training area, Mo Bai stopped teasing her.

By the time they got into the car driven by Old Chen and headed back to their usual apartment, the fatigue from training finally caught up with them like a tide.

Though the training session felt brief, it had actually lasted quite a while. Combined with the time spent on registration procedures, dusk had already settled outside the car window.

Bai Xia leaned her head against the window, her eyelids growing heavy, not even noticing when Mo Bai gently pulled her against his shoulder.

Her warm breath brushed against his neck, her hair carrying a faint, clean scent. At this moment, he only needed to lower his head slightly to see the sleeping girl resting there. Her snow-white hair cascaded over her petite frame, making her look like a small creature nestled in his shadow.

This can’t be comfortable…

Mo Bai slowly adjusted Bai Xia onto his lap. His gaze drifted downward, catching a glimpse of her delicate collarbone and a hint of white lace beneath her loose collar. He swallowed unconsciously.

The girl’s unguarded state was far too tempting. If she hadn’t met him, who knew what might have happened.

“Young Master, should I have the staff prepare dinner?” Old Chen’s voice came from the front seat.

The two had left early in the morning and hadn’t eaten lunch. While skipping a meal wasn’t serious, the intense training meant they shouldn’t go without food any longer, especially with evening already setting in.

“Tell them to start preparing dinner,” Mo Bai murmured, his gaze still resting on the girl’s peaceful sleeping face.

Perhaps because she was in her master’s arms, Bai Xia slept especially soundly, even unconsciously nuzzling closer to his chest. The soft warmth in his embrace made Mo Bai tense slightly, but seeing the faint smile on her lips—as if she had found the safest place—he relaxed.

Today had truly been exhausting for his little sweetheart.

Originally, he had only planned to test her abilities, but the session had gone on far longer than expected.

Still, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The more energy she expended, the easier it would be to “replenish” his little blood maiden later that night.