Zhong Zhongxiu heard Xia Luo's reply and couldn't help but flash an evil grin again, warning her sternly: "I absolutely despise anyone who deceives me. I hope you won't break your promise!"

"Don't worry, I always speak with certainty." Xia Luo had no idea what fate awaited her, yet she spoke with unwavering conviction.

"I hope you don't forget those words you just spoke!" After a pause, Zhong Zhongxiu changed the subject and asked, "So, are you planning to start today, or are you planning to start tomorrow?"

Xia Luo pondered briefly, figuring that since there was nothing else to do now, the sooner it started, the sooner it would end. So she replied, "Let's start today then!"

"Very well!" Zhong Zhongxiu chuckled darkly, then turned to the subordinates standing behind Xia Luo and said, "Since that's the case, all unnecessary personnel can leave now!"

"Huh?" What does that mean? Fern and the others blinked, momentarily stunned, staring blankly at Zhong Zhongxiu.

Seeing that these few people stood motionless, Zhong Zhongxiu added, "Was I not clear enough?"

Fern and the others exchanged glances. They hadn't expected that after just a few words, they were already being dismissed. This was too unkind! To be honest, they were looking forward to seeing what their leader would look like when acting as a sparring partner!

"Um... can we stand to the side and watch? We promise not to say a word!" one of them declared solemnly.

"No!" Zhong Zhongxiu's reply was curt and firm.

Never mind them promising not to speak; even if they promised not to breathe, Zhong Zhongxiu would not agree!

These few people were about to say more, but Xia Luo spoke up at that moment: "You all go back first. It won't take me long!"

Since the Captain had given the order, Fern and the others knew that saying anything more would be futile, so they had no choice but to retreat!

Seeing everyone leave, Zhong Zhongxiu suddenly shouted towards Anjiliya and Li Si, who were standing in the center: "Hey, little girl, little fellow, come here for a moment!"

Anjiliya and Li Si were very obedient, trotting over quickly. Although they didn't ask what was happening, their expressions clearly conveyed that silent query.

Moreover, their eyes kept glancing toward Xia Luo, as if they had already guessed that whatever Zhong Zhongxiu was about to say would involve this newcomer!

"This is the new sparring partner, Yue Hua. From now on, she will be responsible for being your practice dummy," Zhong Zhongxiu paused dramatically before adding, "And Robin too!"

Upon hearing the second half of Zhong Zhongxiu's sentence, Anjiliya nearly stumbled as she backed away, looking at Zhong Zhongxiu with eyes full of utter disbelief, as if demanding confirmation that her ears had deceived her!

To be Robin's sparring partner? She actually said to be Robin's sparring partner? Good heavens, wouldn't she be trained to death?

Anjiliya felt a pang of worry, and she glanced at Xia Luo. She didn't even dare to imagine what the scene between them would be like! Although she didn't know Xia Luo's actual strength, she was absolutely certain that she could never be a match for that little pervert, Robin!

Robin's strength was monstrous, something no mere human could possibly match!

In Anjiliya's mind, she had long ago formed this assessment: Zhong Zhongxiu is a big pervert; Robin is a little pervert! Neither of them can be measured by human standards anymore!

Xia Luo noticed the strange shift in Anjiliya's expression, but she couldn't fathom what Anjiliya was thinking. The main reason was that she held a preconception: even the strongest child couldn't be that powerful, especially a little girl!

Xia Luo didn't think this way due to any discriminatory attitude toward Robin; it was simply a common human assumption. However, we can state definitively that after today, this notion of hers would be shattered.

"Hello, my name is Xia Luo!" Out of courtesy, Xia Luo still introduced herself.

"Anjiliya!"

"I'm Li Si!"

"Good, since everyone knows each other, let's begin!" Saying this, Zhong Zhongxiu turned back to Xia Luo and asked, "Are you mentally prepared?"

Hearing this, Xia Luo didn't feel much, but Li Si instinctively recalled the same words Zhong Zhongxiu had said to him that day.

At that time, because he knew nothing, he hadn't grasped the true meaning of those words. Now, he finally understood what the so-called "mental preparation" truly implied!

Xia Luo smiled faintly and said, "No need. I'm ready anytime!" She had made the same mistake as Li Si initially did!

"You... you had better prepare a little," Li Si said somewhat weakly.

Xia Luo looked at Li Si with slight confusion. However, after thinking about it, she still felt preparation was unnecessary.

"I'm ready now!" Xia Luo replied with a smile.

"Then you practice with this little fellow first," Zhong Zhongxiu said, gesturing toward Li Si, while also instructing Anjiliya, "Girl, get ready. You're next!"

Anjiliya nodded slightly, her expression still not fully recovered, clearly still worrying about Xia Luo!

Li Si's expression flickered slightly; he hadn't expected to be the second one up. He cast another glance at Xia Luo, somewhat doubtful whether she could really handle the role of sparring partner, since he was already at the 'High-Level Ten' stage!

"Please go easy on me," Xia Luo appeared very natural.

"You too," Li Si replied as well.

The two walked to the center of the arena, a space specially designed by Zhong Zhongxiu a few days prior for "sparring." The surroundings were encased in a newly mastered barrier, absolutely durable!

At this moment, Xia Luo and Li Si stood opposite each other in a standoff, positioned on opposite sides of the arena. Xia Luo had already drawn her long saber, while Li Si, although having adopted a ready stance, hesitated to make the first move!

Xia Luo noticed Li Si's tension and said with a playful smile, "You can attack now."

"Hmph! Be careful!" Li Si murmured, then charged forward abruptly. It was evident that he still held some reservations, as his offensive was significantly weaker than usual!

With a sharp Clang, Xia Luo easily blocked Li Si's saber strike.

But Li Si wasn't as relaxed as she was. He hadn't expected this beautiful woman before him to possess such immense strength. That single block had instantly numbed his arms, and his saber nearly flew out of his grasp!

Xia Luo knew she was a sparring partner, not engaged in a true duel, so she didn't press the attack, maintaining her light, watery smile.

When two people exchange blows, a single touch is often enough to reveal their strength. At this moment, Li Si knew that the woman before him was formidable, certainly not as fragile as her appearance suggested. Perhaps her strength was comparable to that of Senior Sister Anjiliya!

Li Si was unaware that Xia Luo's strength surpassed Anjiliya's by several times; his initial concern about Xia Luo being crushed by Anjiliya was entirely superfluous!

Subsequently, Li Si attacked again, this time with no restraint, exerting his full power. However, Xia Luo maintained an air of effortless control throughout, easily neutralizing Li Si's every attack.

Originally, the exchange was back-and-forth, quite intense. However, a single sentence from Zhong Zhongxiu began to shift the dynamics of the fight.

Zhong Zhongxiu spoke in a suggestive tone: "No pain, no gain! If you haven't been hit, how can you hit others? Woman, you don't need to go so easy on him!"

"Huh?" What did that mean? Li Si almost lost focus because of Zhong Zhongxiu's comment.

Xia Luo glanced at Zhong Zhongxiu, nodded slightly. From that moment on, the trajectory of Li Si's subsequent moves was sealed...

Li Si was nearly driven to tears! He thought, why is it that the prettier the woman, the heavier her hand? He had thought Anjiliya was strict enough with him, but compared to Xia Luo, he now understood what "there is always someone stronger" truly meant!

In less than a moment, Li Si was bruised and battered, covered in bumps! But alas, his tragic fate had only just begun today!

"Alright, little fellow, come down. Next up is Anjiliya!" Zhong Zhongxiu's words reached Li Si's ears like a heavenly reprieve, granting him release from his suffering!

Anjiliya had been watching Xia Luo's prowess for quite some time. To be honest, she was deeply shaken. She hadn't imagined that such formidable strength was concealed beneath Xia Luo's beautiful exterior!

For some unknown reason, Anjiliya suddenly felt a sense of camaraderie toward Xia Luo. It wasn't just because Xia Luo was also a woman; there seemed to be some other reason, something she couldn't quite articulate herself!

"Please go easy on me," Anjiliya politely offered Xia Luo a warrior's salute.

"Please guide me," At this moment, Xia Luo also felt a strange impulse—she intensely desired to spar with this girl named Anjiliya, and the feeling was very strong!

"I'm starting!" Anjiliya warned with her mouth, and she was already charging forward.

Clash! Another collision of sabers, but the sound produced this time was distinctly different from the first.

"You're stronger than I anticipated," Xia Luo said with a smile after blocking the strike.

"You're even stronger than I imagined!" As she spoke, Anjiliya's saber struck again!

Even though Xia Luo wasn't using her full power, she was still beyond Anjiliya's current capability, especially in terms of raw strength, where Anjiliya was clearly lagging far behind!

However, Anjiliya's legwork slightly compensated for her shortcomings. Although she was knocked away by Xia Luo several times, she didn't end up as miserably as Li Si!

"Your legwork is very unique," Xia Luo commented after repelling Anjiliya.

"Your saber is very fast," Anjiliya didn't forget to compliment Xia Luo in return.

The two appeared like old confidantes, communicating through their sabers.

Their fight was fierce, far exceeding the clumsy attempts by Li Si!

At this moment, Li Si looked utterly dumbfounded. Firstly, he hadn't realized that Anjiliya never used her true strength when sparring with him. Secondly, he certainly hadn't imagined that this Xia Luo was actually much stronger than Anjiliya!

"Alright, girl, you can step down." Just then, Zhong Zhongxiu's voice rang out again.

Anjiliya was already glistening with sweat, and Xia Luo also seemed to have beads of perspiration forming!

"Next up is Robin," Zhong Zhongxiu then announced.

This statement froze Anjiliya in place, her face filled with horror, as if she were contemplating the terrible truth that awaited them all!