Wang Feng sat cross-legged in front of his senior, his palms extended toward Ma Xiaotao, who was meditating. A faint golden glow flowed from his fingertips, forming a gentle stream of energy that was slowly absorbed by the Evil Fire Phoenix within her.
"This time, it's just the two of us," Wang Feng muttered in his heart, his eyes occasionally glancing at the tightly shut door. Normally, Zhang Lexuan would always be present to supervise the process, but today she had to leave due to a sudden assignment.
Wang Feng took a deep breath. After several days of performing this ritual, he had begun to better understand the energy patterns within Ma Xiaotao. Although Zhang Lexuan had expressed doubt at first, recent progress showed that this method was truly effective, without any significant side effects. The usually unruly Evil Fire Phoenix now seemed calmer, as if it recognized Wang Feng's energy as something familiar.
"I need to speed this up a bit," he whispered while adjusting his sitting posture. He had promised to watch the final match between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, and Wang Feng was not the type to break a promise.
The energy stream he normally released slowly was now intensified. Cold sweat began to trickle down his temples as he forced himself to output more energy than usual. In front of him, Ma Xiaotao frowned slightly before calming again, her body receiving the additional energy smoothly.
Three hours passed without notice. Wang Feng finally withdrew his hands slowly, holding back a wave of dizziness from the intense energy output. He carefully observed Ma Xiaotao's face, which now looked brighter, her breathing calm and steady.
"That should be enough for today," he said softly as he stood up. There were still a few hours left before the final match began.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Wang Feng suddenly felt warmth on his back.
Ma Xiaotao hugged him tightly from behind.
"Senior…?" he said, his voice tinged with surprise.
Ma Xiaotao didn't answer. Her embrace tightened, as if she didn't want to let him go. Wang Feng could feel an unusual energy flowing from her body—a mixture of the searing heat of the Evil Fire Phoenix and a gentle warmth he had never felt before.
"Don't go yet…" Ma Xiaotao whispered, her voice hoarse and softer than usual. Her warm breath brushed against the skin of his neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
Wang Feng slowly turned within her embrace, now facing Ma Xiaotao directly. His eyes widened as he took in her condition—her usually pale cheeks were flushed, her pupils slightly narrowed, and her gaze... different. Very different from usual.
"Senior Ma, are you feeling unwell?" he asked with concern, instinctively placing his hand on her forehead to check her temperature.
But before he could feel anything, Ma Xiaotao suddenly caught his hand and held it there.
"Your energy…" Ma Xiaotao murmured, her eyes gleaming oddly. "It feels too good… I want more…"
Wang Feng felt a powerful surge from the Evil Fire Phoenix inside her, like a fire suddenly igniting. His own energy reacted—his Ethereal Lotus trembled as if responding to the call.
"Wait, Senior! This is going too far!" Wang Feng protested as Ma Xiaotao suddenly pushed him onto the bed.
Ma Xiaotao leaned in, her eyelids half-closed. "Just a little longer…" she whispered hoarsely, her trembling fingers starting to loosen Wang Feng's collar.
Wang Feng actually wanted to refuse, but two things stopped him: First, his concern that Ma Xiaotao, in this unstable state, might be discovered by someone else. Second... (though he didn't want to admit it) there was a strange feeling that made him reluctant to pull away.
Before he could make a decision, a loud ripping sound echoed.
"Krrkk—!"
Wang Feng flinched as the front of his shirt was torn, revealing his sweaty torso. His breath quickened as Ma Xiaotao's hot palm pressed directly against his skin.
"Senior, wait—" he weakly protested, but was cut off as Ma Xiaotao fully pinned him down.
He could feel Ma Xiaotao's rapid heartbeat pressing against his chest. Their energies interacted wildly—his Ethereal Lotus and Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire Phoenix danced in a strange yet intoxicating harmony.
"You... are too cold..." Ma Xiaotao murmured, her hot fingers tracing along Wang Feng's abdominal muscles. "I want to... warm you up..."
Wang Feng shook his head in panic. "No, senior! We have to stop—"
Suddenly, Ma Xiaotao pressed her lips against Wang Feng's neck.
The world seemed to spin. Wang Feng felt pure energy being rapidly drawn from his body through that point of contact. Not in a painful way, but... exhilarating. Too exhilarating.
"Ah! S-Senior!" he exclaimed involuntarily, his hands gripping the sheets tightly.
Ma Xiaotao lifted her face, her lips glistening with moisture. Her usually sharp eyes were now glassy, filled with wild emotions. "Feel me..." she whispered in a hoarse voice before pressing her forehead against Wang Feng's chest.
Suddenly, a small burst of fire erupted from Ma Xiaotao's back, burning part of the sheets. Wang Feng panicked, but before he could react, Ma Xiaotao's body trembled violently and then suddenly went limp on top of him.
"S-Senior?" Wang Feng carefully lifted Ma Xiaotao's body, which was now unconscious.
Ma Xiaotao's face, which had been flushed, was now pale again, but her expression was calm. Her breathing was steady, and most importantly—her Evil Fire Phoenix energy seemed balanced.
With trembling hands, Wang Feng adjusted Ma Xiaotao's position on the bed, then hurriedly grabbed a blanket to cover her half-naked body. He also tried to cover his own body, which was now in tatters.
"Damn it..." he muttered quietly, glancing at the clock. The match must have already started.
But just as he was about to leave, Ma Xiaotao's hand suddenly weakly grasped his wrist.
"Don't... leave me..." she whispered in a semi-conscious state.
Wang Feng sighed deeply. Between his promise to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong and his responsibility towards the vulnerable Ma Xiaotao, his choice was clear.
Reluctantly, he sat on the edge of the bed, allowing Ma Xiaotao to continue holding him. "Alright, senior. I'm here..."
Wang Feng could only imagine how Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong would react when they didn't see him among the audience.
"Tomorrow there will be a lot of explanations I have to give," he murmured while staring at Ma Xiaotao's sleeping face.
But for some reason, despite the chaos, there was a strange feeling tickling in his chest. A feeling that made him not truly regret what had just happened.
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