Yan Shaozhe cut off their conversation. "Enough. This is a joint decision. Xiaotao, you have to cooperate. This is also for your own good."
Ma Xiaotao looked reluctant, but under her teacher's threatening gaze, she could only suppress her dissatisfaction.
"Fine. Wang Feng, follow Xiaotao to the Inner Court. There's a special room that belongs to her—you can use it. Xiaotao, take Wang Feng there."
Ma Xiaotao walked toward the door. Without looking back, she said in a brisk tone, "Come on, hurry. Don't waste my time."
Wang Feng followed behind her calmly. He wasn't bothered by her tone. He could sense that an evil energy was swirling inside her body—this might be the evil fire Dean Yan mentioned.
Midway through the walk, perhaps out of impatience, Ma Xiaotao suddenly grabbed Wang Feng's hand and took off into the air with him.
Wang Feng was surprised, as her palm gripping his wrist felt searing hot—like a blazing flame. He glanced at her side profile; her face was flushed, and it looked like steam was rising from her body.
The night wind swept through their hair as they flew past the grand buildings and trees of Shrek Academy.
After flying for dozens of minutes, they finally landed in front of a house. Before Wang Feng could take a good look at it, Ma Xiaotao pulled him inside.
Without letting go of his hand, she hurriedly led him into a specific room. As soon as the door opened, she pushed Wang Feng inside, shut it tightly, and immediately activated a soundproof and detection-blocking formation.
Ma Xiaotao stood with her back to him, her shoulders rising and falling, her breathing becoming rapid. The hand that had just been holding Wang Feng was now clenched tightly into a fist, while hot steam began to radiate from her body, filling the air with an intense heat.
When she turned around, Wang Feng finally saw her expression clearly.
Her cheeks were burning red, her eyes glistening as if she was holding something back. Anger, despair, and shame were all mixed in her gaze.
"Let's just start already!" she hissed through clenched teeth. Flames danced at her fingertips, leaving scorch marks on the marble floor. "I don't know what your Lotus can do, but if my teacher trusts you, there must be a reason."
Wang Feng didn't delay. With a calm motion, he summoned his Martial Soul. The Ethereal Lotus slowly appeared behind him, its petals unfurling and releasing a soft green glow—soothing, in contrast to Ma Xiaotao's searing heat.
"Turn around," Wang Feng said flatly but firmly.
Ma Xiaotao bit her lower lip, hesitated for a moment, then slowly turned around, her back now facing Wang Feng.
Each time that burning heat surfaced, she felt like a beast within her was laughing—mocking her weakness. She hated it. Hated the fact that the only way to suppress it… was by letting someone else in.
Wang Feng, truthfully, also felt a bit embarrassed at the moment. Even though he had embraced that silver-haired woman back in the Great Star Dou Forest, the problem now was—Ma Xiaotao's body was very… well-developed.
He stepped forward and brought his palm close to the center of her back—the spot where the evil energy from her fire seemed most concentrated.
As Wang Feng's hand touched her back, Ma Xiaotao's body tensed instantly. The contact triggered an immediate reaction—the searing energy inside her surged up, almost as if it wanted to burn anyone who dared get too close. But in contrast, from Wang Feng's palm came a cool, calming sensation—like morning dew dousing raging flames.
The Ethereal Lotus vibrated softly. Its petals glowed a deeper green, and then expanded into light patterns like glowing roots, which seeped into Ma Xiaotao's body. Wang Feng closed his eyes, synchronized his breathing, and allowed his Lotus's power to search for and suppress the hidden evil energy within her.
Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth. Steam escaped through every pore on her body. Her back trembled, and her breathing grew heavier. But slowly, the flow of energy from the Ethereal Lotus began to quell the ferocity of the fire within her.
"Haah… haah…" Ma Xiaotao staggered slightly forward, but Wang Feng quickly supported her to prevent her from falling.
"Senior, how are you feeling now?"
Ma Xiaotao didn't respond right away. She tightly shut her eyes, trying to endure the internal turbulence that had begun to settle. Her shoulders still rose and fell with her breathing, not yet steady. But the intense heat that had filled the room moments ago had subsided significantly, replaced by an unfamiliar yet comforting coolness.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
"…Better," she whispered softly. "But the heat hasn't fully gone away. It feels like… something inside is trying to calm me down. But at the same time, it makes me want to… give in."
Wang Feng looked at her seriously, but remained calm. "That's the effect of the Ethereal Lotus. This Martial Soul doesn't just heal the body. It soothes, harmonizes… But for energy as violent as yours, once or twice won't be enough. You'll have to face this discomfort every time the healing process happens."
Ma Xiaotao took a deep breath, trying to suppress the scream in her throat. She had never let anyone get this close… had never felt so vulnerable in front of someone else.
"But this process will benefit you too. Your Martial Soul might slowly evolve into a true Phoenix as it's restructured by my Ethereal Lotus," Wang Feng continued, his tone serious but gentle. "The more often you let yourself be harmonized, the more stable the fire inside you will become… and maybe, you won't have to be afraid of losing control anymore."
For a moment, silence enveloped them. Only the sound of breathing and the lingering ripple of energy in the air could be felt.
Ma Xiaotao turned around and looked at Wang Feng up close. Their eyes met again, but now her gaze was calmer, though still clouded with confusion.
Wang Feng blushed slightly as Ma Xiaotao's face hovered just inches from his.
The air between them suddenly turned tense. Wang Feng could clearly see the way Ma Xiaotao's long eyelashes trembled, how beads of sweat ran down her slender neck, and how small flames still occasionally flickered at her trembling fingertips.
"What do you mean… 'more often'?" Ma Xiaotao's voice suddenly came out hoarse, lower than usual.
Wang Feng took a deep breath. "This isn't a one-time healing. It takes time. Maybe… weekly sessions."
Ma Xiaotao's fingers tightened around Wang Feng's arm, leaving scorched marks on his sleeve. "So you're going to keep… touching me like this?"
Wang Feng averted his gaze. "Yeah… probably."
The atmosphere in the room shifted. The air that had been filled with clashing heat and cold now turned heavy with something more… intimate.
Ma Xiaotao still clutched Wang Feng's arm, but her grip slowly weakened. "I can't believe I have to do this…" she muttered, her voice raspy.
Wang Feng tried to remain professional, though his heart pounded in his chest. "This is for your treatment, Senior. It's not like I'm doing it on purpose."
Ma Xiaotao closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her just-recovered mind.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze had become steadier, though a hint of unease still lingered in her sharp eyes.
"Fine," she said shortly, letting go of Wang Feng's arm. "But you can't tell anyone about this treatment."
Wang Feng nodded. "Of course. I've got secrets to keep, too."
Ma Xiaotao studied him closely, as if trying to read the thoughts behind his words. "And one more thing," she added, her voice dropping lower. "If I ever lose control again… you have to promise to stop me, no matter what it takes."
There was something dark in her tone that sent chills down Wang Feng's spine.
"I promise," Wang Feng replied quickly.
Ma Xiaotao stared at him for a few seconds, as if carving his face into her memory.