"Mas… Master…" The female knight with a beige single ponytail stood dazed at the doorway, stunned by the scene that greeted her the moment the door opened.
Xia Mo’s eyebrows twitched involuntarily above her blue eyes. She wasn’t seeing anything shameful—just something utterly beyond imagination.
Morning light, still gentle, streamed pale gold through the window, bathing the two figures curled in the room’s corner.
Sunlit like twin lilies warming toward bloom, the little girls clung tightly together, bodies entwined—especially their legs.
Like four twisting vines, their slender, snow-white limbs were knotted inseparably, impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.
Their chests pressed close as if magnetized, clinging naturally even in sleep. Fingers interlaced, small arms pressed tight without rope or bind.
Only their attire contrasted sharply.
The vampire girl—silver-haired, skin unnaturally pale—wore the white nightgown Xia Mo had bought for her master’s "female form."
The other: a Succubus Curse with light-purple hair spiraling at the tips, twin black horns sprouting beside her head. She still wore an oversized men’s sweater—loose in places, clinging perfectly in others. One shoulder bared to the sun, skin gleaming softly.
Eyes closed, Zila’s long, thick black lashes—elegant far beyond ordinary—nearly tangled with Tongxi’s.
Yet none of it mattered. Nothing compared to the sweet intimacy of their lips.
Hair tousled, sun high, they slept soundly in golden light, lips gently kissing even in slumber.
"Mmm… gulp~"
Zila’s lips moved as if savoring dessert, bliss clear in her expression—and in the heart-shaped tail wagging wildly behind her.
"My Tongxi is so sweet… I love Tongxi… Mmm~"
Though their lips never parted and her words were muffled, Xia Mo understood perfectly.
Sensing Xia Mo’s presence, Zila blinked awake hazily, gazing at the girl she’d been kissing fervently. She gasped sharply, yanked her lips away. Her face flushed crimson like a ripe apple.
She turned to Xia Mo with wide, innocent eyes. "It’s not what you think, Sister Xia Mo, I—I—I…"
"Master, I understand. I *really* do. I won’t disturb you~ You continue. Bye~" Xia Mo smiled awkwardly, waving as she backed out.
Just as the door closed, something tugged her ankle. A pitiful, trembling voice followed: "Sister Xia Mo… it’s not like that! I was just hungry… waaah~"
Minutes later, after tidying up, Tongxi still hadn’t stirred—likely drained of energy. Zila, however, glowed with post-"meal" vitality. She sat beside Xia Mo at the bedside, hands covering flushed cheeks, voice hushed and shy: "I really was just… feeding. Not *that* kind of relationship…"
Zila explained: magic use left her ravenously hungry; she couldn’t resist feeding. Absolutely not a yuri thing between girls. Yet the image of them entwined was forever seared into Xia Mo’s mind.
"Mm. I understand. Truly." Xia Mo forced a smile. "As your disciple, I respect your choices."
"Thank goodness! I knew Sister Xia Mo would understand best!" Zila, misunderstanding completely, clutched Xia Mo’s hand with teary gratitude.
Later, in the trial ground’s waiting area, Ling Yu cradled the drowsy, lethargic Tongxi against his chest. Remembering her tearful panic upon waking, guilt pricked him. *Must be more careful next time. Avoid this entirely.*
His gaze shifted back to the field. "Xia Mo’s swordsmanship has improved."
Her silver-red blade danced in brilliant flames—fire obeying her will with masterful precision. Her forms wove in clear echoes of the Fist-to-Blade Technique. Gentle with trainees, yet every detail spoke volumes.
"The next challenger: Ling Yu. Step forward for Teacher Xia Mo’s trial."
As the prior trainee retreated, Ling Yu settled the sleeping Tongxi carefully into a side-sleeping pose on his seat. Whispers swirled as he walked.
"I heard Teacher Xia Mo is Xue Yu, the Second Knight’s disciple!"
"Now *this* is a showdown! Same sword style as my idol Xue Yu… versus Xue Yu’s own disciple!"
"Go, Teacher Xia Mo! Beat that brat! Woo-hoo~"
"Brother Ling Yu, take her down! Show us what you’ve got!"
Ling Yu walked on, unsure whether to sigh or laugh.
He entered the repaired barrier, stance ready.
"Ahem, ahem~" Xia Mo cleared her throat, voice booming with mock solemnity. "Is the challenger none other than Comrade Ling Yu?"
"Indeed!" Ling Yu replied, fists clasped.
"I’ve long admired your renown, Comrade Ling Yu. Your swordsmanship is truly impressive," she said politely, fists also clasped.
"How so?"
"Today, honored to—"
"…"
*What is she playing at?* Ling Yu’s patience snapped. "Enough! Start already—stop dawdling!" His tone held zero student deference.
Xia Mo said nothing. She simply drew her silver-red sword—obedient as a soldier receiving orders.
Ling Yu drew Twin Xu. But Xia Mo struck first.
Flames roared as her blade slashed a fiery X. Twin arcs of fire shot toward him.
As her master, Ling Yu twisted deftly aside. The blast slammed into the barrier—smaller in spread than the archer teacher’s Whirlwind Arrow, yet visibly far more potent.
Battle-hardened instinct screamed: *Watching the attack = showing an opening.*
"An opening!"
Xia Mo lunged, sword blazing.
*Thud!*
To her shock, Ling Yu—eyes averted—reacted instantly, blade already swinging.
"Fist-to-Blade Technique! Earthshatter Fist!"
Steel clashed. Flame erupted. Xia Mo braced hard, skidding back meters from the impact.
"Don’t be fooled by surfaces! Striking an opening is wise—but only after gauging your opponent’s true measure!"
The words struck home. *He left it on purpose.* Had he used full force, she’d be fifty meters away.
"Thank you. *Now* the real trial begins!" Flames reignited on her blade. She charged.
Steel flashed. Sparks flew. Clangs rang nonstop.
Ling Yu countered her original forms with Fist-to-Blade Technique, weaving in moves he’d once taught her.
"Your technique is sharp—fast, precise. But!" With one motion splitting into two, he deflected her strike and reversed the tide. "Your power still lacks refinement!"
"Fist-to-Blade Crescent Moon!"
"Blazing Dance: Crescent Moon!"
