As if finding an actual living warrior (rather than the stone golem) to spar with didn't make him feel completely alive, Xena's hearty laughter made Kadaj realise just how much fun this encounter was. Of course he wouldn't analyse anything right then but the fact was fighting for him had always been what he simply did, and not something to experience for the fun of it.
Her instant reactions, her quick thinking, her ability to match his speed was wonderful! Kadaj acted and tried to anticipate what she might do as he countered her upward swing, not by blocking but by pushed from below with Souba to see if he could make her swirl around. There was much to learn about how she fought and he intended to enjoy every second.