On this day, by the riverbank, the flames of the Red Lotus continued to burn, showing no signs of subsiding for a long time.
If it weren't for the usual scarcity of visitors in this area, this scene would undoubtedly arouse suspicion.
In these circumstances, Shana underwent an entire day of training, guided by Fang Li to harness the new strength she had unleashed within herself.
The results were pleasing, to say the least.
Under Fang Li's guidance, Shana had become proficient in controlling the flames.
Of course, even with Fang Li's guidance, a day's worth of time only allowed for this level of progress.
When the flames of the Red Lotus began to dim on the riverbank, everything was declared finished.
"Hu..."
Fang Li and Shana both took a breath simultaneously.
Shortly afterward, the two exhibited entirely different behaviors.
"Is it already evening?"
Fang Li glanced at the sky, looking at the setting sun under the dusk, seemingly oblivious to how quickly time had passed.
As for Shana, she had completely stiffened.
Because Fang Li's recently exhaled aura happened to hit Shana's ears, prompting her to finally remember one crucial detail.
She had essentially been embraced by Fang Li for an entire day.
Realizing this, Shana's body emitted a soft "thud," a sound audible only to herself.
It was the noise produced by Shana's heartbeat suddenly accelerating.
The next moment, almost instinctively, Shana forcefully turned around, facing Fang Li behind her, and swung her katana fiercely.
"Chi—!"
A faint breaking of space sounded.
This indicated that Shana's slash had cut through the air.
In the nick of time, Fang Li sensed Shana's movement, took a step back, and, at a somewhat perilous angle, evaded the fiercely swung katana. The sharp blade grazed past his nose.
In this situation, Fang Li retreated while calmly speaking.
"After helping you with a day of special training, is this the thank you I get?"
Upon hearing this, Shana seemed to realize what she had just done and she appeared somewhat at a loss.
Observing Shana, who seemed subtly flustered, Fang Li found it amusing and continued teasing.
"Are all Flame Hazes this ungrateful?"
Rather than being sarcastic, his words seemed deliberately challenging, leaving Shana at a loss for words.
Seeing this, Fang Li finally smiled.
This smile caused a surge of shame in Shana's heart.
"I... I didn't ask you to help me!"
This statement sounded somewhat petulant and it looked as if she was throwing a tantrum.
Perhaps sensing this, her charming face couldn't help but turn red.
As Fang Li's gaze became increasingly teasing, Shana erupted in anger.
"Anyway, I didn't ask for your help! I won't thank you either!"
In the midst of this childish quarrel, Shana, in a fit of anger, raised Nietono no Shana and swung it down towards Fang Li.
However, this time, Fang Li did not dodge or evade. With a tranquil expression on his face, he watched the swiftly descending katana and casually uttered a line to himself.
"Aren't you almost at your limit?"
The words had just fallen, and Shana's blade came to a halt.
"Hu..."
The flame-like Flame-Haired suddenly cooled, returning to its pitch-black hue.
"Zheng..."
The high-temperature Burning-Eyed abruptly dimmed, returning to their original state.
Shana felt a wave of fatigue surging within her body, leaving her startled on the spot.
Only at this moment did Alastor's voice ring out.
"You've overexerted your power."
Alastor's voice carried a hint of reproach as he continued, "Such behavior is not acceptable. You should be aware of that, right?"
Shana fell silent instantly.
Unlike Crimson World Denizens who use the Power of Existence taken from humans in the Crimson World, Flame Hazes, while also using the Power of Existence in battle, consume their own power.
More accurately, it should be said that they consume the power of the Crimson Lord residing within their bodies.
When a Crimson World Crimson Lord forms a contract with a Flame Haze, the total amount of their 'Existence' is fixed upon entering the contractor's body.
So, when a Flame Haze uses power, the Power of Existence from the Crimson Lord within their body is consumed, similar to how a person's stamina is depleted. However, it can recover to the fixed total amount after a period of rest.
This is both a good and a bad thing.
The good part is obvious – Flame Hazes don't need to devour the Power of Existence from humans like other Crimson World Denizens. Otherwise, Flame Hazes would lose their reason for existence.
The bad part is that once the Power of Existence is consumed, it still affects their combat ability until it fully recovers.
Therefore, for Flame Hazes who might engage Crimson World Denizens in battle at any time, unrestrained consumption of their own Power of Existence is a detrimental thing.
It's precisely for this reason that Alastor rebuked Shana.
Of course, this was a bit of hindsight.
If Alastor genuinely believed Shana shouldn't do this, he would have warned her from the beginning.
The reason for not doing so was probably due to the presence of Fang Li nearby, right?
In the battles against 'Thousand Changes' and the 'Hunter,' Fang Li had already demonstrated combat prowess and willpower beyond anyone's imagination. Not only Shana but even Alastor, unconsciously, began to acknowledge Fang Li, placing a certain level of trust in him.
However, Shana needed to be reminded and Alastor would still remind her of this.
"Although it's rare for Denizens to appear consecutively in the same place, theoretically, there shouldn't be any more enemies in this city. But this time is different; the 'Reiji Maigo (Midnight Lost Child)' is here, and that 'Cosmetic Dance Party' might attack at any moment. If you don't pay attention to preserving your power, it will be troublesome in case of a battle. You've been a Flame Haze for more than a day, be conscious of this aspect."
Shana immediately lowered her shoulders, and she looked like a child who had done something wrong, obediently bowing her head.
Wasn't this a display only seen when facing Alastor?
After all, for Shana, Alastor was a guardian figure, both a mentor and a friend. Such behavior naturally only emerged when facing Alastor.
Facing Shana in this state, Alastor's voice softened.
"Rest well today. Don't engage in this level of training again, at least remember to preserve enough power for battle."
Upon hearing this, Shana nodded somewhat unwillingly.
Unfortunately, Fang Li chose to add insult to injury at this moment.
"Don't worry, even if you're an ungrateful Flame Haze, I'll still help you with your training. No need to thank me."
Shana finally erupted.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
The sunset sank beneath Shana's outburst, welcoming the night.
...