The rustling of leaves accompanied the silence that enveloped the forest where they were. Wang Feng slowly helped Ma Xiaotao sit up straight, still supporting her with one hand to prevent her from falling.
"Thank you... Wang Feng. If you weren't here, I fear I would... completely lose control," Ma Xiaotao continued softly, her voice still weak but much more stable. Her eyes, now gleaming red again, looked at Wang Feng with deep gratitude.
Wang Feng nodded slowly. "You need to be careful from now on, Senior. It seems like the condition of your Martial Soul is entering an unstable stage. If left unchecked, it could be dangerous."
Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath and nodded. "I know. But usually, even when I lose control, it takes months to accumulate before my evil flames flare up. But now, after just one day of training, my evil flames erupted. This has never happened before."
She touched her chest gently, feeling the lingering warmth of Ethereal Lotus still within her body. "Is that the power of your Lotus...? Or is there another reason...?"
Wang Feng paused for a moment, then replied calmly, "The power of my Ethereal Lotus might indeed be suitable to calm destructive energy. But... there could be another possibility." He looked Ma Xiaotao in the eye seriously. "I believe, your Martial Soul... is trying to evolve."
Ma Xiaotao's eyes widened slightly. "Evolve?"
"Yes. But not in the usual way. It's... like a spontaneous reaction happening because your energy is interacting with mine. Perhaps because of that, your body is becoming unbalanced," Wang Feng explained as he stood up.
Ma Xiaotao fell silent, contemplating Wang Feng's words. Then, in a soft but firm voice, she said, "If that's the case... maybe I should be closer to you more often."
Wang Feng blinked. "Are you sure? You know, this might have side effects. I don't even know what will happen, since this is the first time I've used my Martial Soul to help someone else's Martial Soul evolve."
Ma Xiaotao gave a faint smile, though still tired. "If there are side effects, we'll figure it out together. I'm not the type to back down just because there's a risk."
Wang Feng gazed at her for a moment, then sighed softly. "You really are stubborn, Senior."
"And you're too cautious," Ma Xiaotao teased lightly. "But... I guess that's not a bad thing either."
She tried to stand on her own, and although still unsteady, Wang Feng remained by her side, ready to support her if needed. The morning sunlight began to filter through the gaps in the leaves, illuminating her red hair, which was damp with sweat.
Wang Feng looked at her with a serious expression. "If you want to continue this, we'll need someone to supervise. I can control the energy of my lotus, but we don't know what the long-term effects will be if your Martial Soul absorbs my lotus energy."
"I might be able to help you both," a sudden voice said from within the previously silent forest.
The sound of footsteps approaching indicated that this person was nearby. It was a young woman around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with long black hair flowing down to her waist. Her sharp and determined face appeared beautiful and flawless, and she had bright and wise pupils. Her eyes gazed at the two of them with a keen, attentive expression.
"Sister Lexuan?" Ma Xiaotao murmured, surprised but also somewhat relieved.
"Sister Lexuan?" Ma Xiaotao murmured again, surprised yet looking a little relieved.
"Yes, it's me." Zhang Lexuan's voice was calm, yet carried a subtle hint of concern. She stepped closer, the morning sunlight softly reflecting in her wise eyes. "I happened to see you leave the training grounds earlier this morning, Xiaotao. You looked different... like you weren't in a stable condition. That's why I decided to follow you quietly, just in case something happened."
She stopped a few steps in front of them, gazing at Ma Xiaotao, who was still being supported by Wang Feng.
"Seeing you now\... I guess I made the right decision."
Ma Xiaotao lowered her head slightly, a hint of embarrassment in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you worry..."
Zhang Lexuan shook her head gently, then turned her gaze to Wang Feng. "I overheard part of your conversation. If it's true that Xiaotao's Martial Soul is trying to evolve and it needs your help, then I'll try to assist."
Wang Feng looked at Zhang Lexuan with slight surprise but immediately nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Senior. Even though this is our first time meeting, your help will be greatly appreciated. The situation is still uncertain, but it's better for us to be cautious."
Zhang Lexuan nodded calmly. She turned her gaze to Ma Xiaotao.
"You know, Xiaotao... even though you're strong, not everything has to be carried by you alone. If your body really reacts to Wang Feng's energy, we need to track every small change."
"I understand," Ma Xiaotao replied softly. "I just... don't want to burden anyone. But I guess now I can't avoid it anymore."
Wang Feng looked at both women and then spoke in a calm tone, "In that case... how about we start with a basic check-up first? I can channel a small portion of Ethereal Lotus energy into Senior Xiaotao's body in a more controlled manner, and for you, Senior, you can observe the fluctuations and effects directly."
Zhang Lexuan looked at Wang Feng for a moment and then nodded in agreement. "That's a good approach. If something unusual happens, I will stop you immediately."
Wang Feng nodded. "Understood."
Wang Feng then sat cross-legged on the grass, focusing his breath and forming a simple mudra with both palms facing upwards. The Ethereal Lotus energy, pure, serene, and calming, radiated from his hands.
"Senior Ma Xiaotao, please sit in front of me. Don't resist the energy I give; let your body experience the reaction on its own," Wang Feng said calmly.
Ma Xiaotao nodded, slowly sitting in front of Wang Feng. She closed her eyes and tried to center herself.
Wang Feng placed his palm on Ma Xiaotao's smooth back and began channeling the lotus energy into her body.
When the lotus energy entered Ma Xiaotao's body, strangely, there was no unusual reaction. Ma Xiaotao only felt a comfortable sensation, and then... nothing else.
Zhang Lexuan squinted slightly.
"... No fluctuation at all?" she murmured softly. "Could it be that the assumption about Xiaotao's Martial Soul evolving is wrong? But... maybe I'll observe further."
Wang Feng continued channeling the lotus energy into Ma Xiaotao. He could sense that Ma Xiaotao's Martial Soul still desired the energy, but for some reason, there was no reaction. It seemed as if the energy was simply flowing without direction, not being fully absorbed.
After a while, Ma Xiaotao slowly opened her eyes. "Wang Feng, stop for now."
Wang Feng immediately halted the flow of energy and withdrew his hand. "What's wrong, Senior? Did you feel something off?"
Ma Xiaotao gently shook her head. "It's not that. It's just... it seems pointless to continue now. No matter how much energy you give, my body can't take any more today."
Wang Feng furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?"
Zhang Lexuan interjected, her voice calm but sharp. "Because her Martial Soul can no longer absorb your energy. Simply put, today... she has reached her limit."
Wang Feng looked at Zhang Lexuan, slightly surprised by her statement.
"At first, I thought your assumption about Xiaotao's Martial Soul evolving might be wrong," Zhang Lexuan continued slowly. "But after seeing her reactions, or rather, the lack of any bodily reactions, and hearing Xiaotao say that her body can't accept your energy anymore today, I'm more convinced."
She turned to Ma Xiaotao and then slowly looked back at Wang Feng. "Her Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul is most likely undergoing an evolution. But that process can't be completed all at once. Her Martial Soul can likely only absorb a limited amount of your lotus energy each day. Perhaps it's because the Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul itself isn't yet able to hold more."
Wang Feng nodded slowly, now understanding the situation more clearly. "So, I need to inject my lotus energy into Senior Ma Xiaotao regularly so that her Martial Soul can evolve."
"Exactly." Zhang Lexuan replied. "The process may take time. But don't worry, every time you do it, I'll make sure to be nearby to monitor."
Ma Xiaotao looked at Zhang Lexuan and Wang Feng alternately. "Thank you... both of you. Especially Wang Feng, sorry for troubling you this much. I just wanted to train in peace."
Wang Feng only gave a faint smile. "You don't need to apologize, Senior. I'm also responsible for causing you to go through this. Besides, I've been entrusted by Dean Yan to heal you. I can't let you be consumed by that evil fire."
Unknowingly, the sky had darkened, and it was already late afternoon. The first match between Wang Dong and Huo Yuhao in the New Student Assessment had begun.