Tai Long hurriedly tugged Niu Bai's arm and said quietly,
"What are you doing? Xiangxiang didn't mean any harm."
Then he turned to Bai Chenxiang and said gently, "Don't take it to heart, Xiangxiang. Niu Bai just got worked up. He didn't mean to snap at you."
Niu Bai also realized that his tone had been harsh. He scratched his head and turned his face away awkwardly.
"I... I wasn't snapping at you. It's just..."
He couldn't quite explain it himself. He had simply felt that Bai Chenxiang's words carried a hint of doubt toward Su Yu, and the words had slipped out before he could think.
Su Yu's gaze swept over Bai Chenxiang's slightly reddened eyes, then flicked toward Niu Bai, who stood at a loss, his face flushed crimson. He spoke evenly.
"All right, Niu Bai was just caught up in the moment, so his tone was a little harsh. Don't take it to heart."
He shifted the subject slightly, looking at Bai Chenxiang with the faintest trace of a smile on his lips.
"But Tai Long was right. With my strength, defeating a Soul Saint really is fairly easy."
The certainty in his words made Bai Chenxiang instantly forget her earlier hurt.
She pursed her little mouth and stared at Su Yu with wide, almond-shaped eyes, a stubborn hint of defiance in them.
"Young Master Su Yu, I want to compete against you!"
"Oh? Compete against me?" Su Yu raised his eyebrows, seemingly a little surprised.
"Yes!"
Bai Chenxiang nodded firmly, lifting her chin slightly, a competitive gleam in her eyes.
"We'll compete in speed! Our Speed Clan's Sharp-Tailed Swift martial soul has never feared anyone when it comes to speed!"
"This Training Ground happens to be big enough. We'll run from this end to the other,