"Stop! Big sister, stop fighting!"
The vermilion courtyard gate was shoved open. Holding up her skirts, Anna hurried into the courtyard, with Feya following close behind. Anxiety covered the young girl's face as she rushed straight between the two combatants, spread her arms in front of Lin Sheng, and tipped up her little face to shout urgently at the red-haired woman.
Just as fist and blazing light were about to collide, Sha Luo's brow twitched. The flames surging around her abruptly drew inward, and the flame mark between her brows rapidly dimmed.
She withdrew her fist and stepped back, steadying herself with a light tap of her toes against the bluestone ground. Her red hair lifted slightly with the momentum. The fierce edge of battle had left her face, leaving only a slight frown.
"You little girl, why did you follow me here?" Sha Luo brushed aside the red hair over her forehead, sounding somewhat helpless. "I only came to exchange a few moves with him and see how much weight he really carries. It's not as though I'd actually hurt him."
"Even if you wanted to spar, you couldn't just barge in!" Anna planted her hands on her hips and glared at her indignantly, then hurriedly turned to inspect Lin Sheng from head to toe. "Brother Lin, are you all right? Did you get burned? My big sister never knows how to hold back."
"I'm fine." Lin Sheng dispersed the flesh-and-blood power gathered over his fist and shook his head slightly. His gaze settled on Sha Luo with a hint of understanding. "And this is...?"
"This is my big sister, Sha Luo, the eldest daughter of our Crimson Lightning Company and its future successor." Anna quickly linked arms with Sha Luo, a touch of pride in her voice.
"My