Upon returning to the Chaos Spiritual Forest, Tian Huo Zun-zhe, not wishing to disturb Xiao Hua and his two wives, quietly sought an unoccupied corner of the land to settle in. He would wait there in silence until Xiao Hua was ready to set out once more.
"I suppose I'll properly introduce Sister Azure and Sister Xue Yue to Tian Huo Zun-zhe when we head to the Central Plains."
Such a thought passed through Xiao Hua's mind as he watched Tian Huo Zun-zhe's silhouette fade into the distance.
Without lingering further, he turned and soared toward the wooden cabin, intent on spending his days in peace alongside Little Fairy Doctor, Cai Lin, and Zi Yan—naturally, Lady Azure and Xue Yue were included as well.
…
Upon arriving at the wooden cabin, Xiao Hua followed Little Fairy Doctor directly to the back garden. There, she guided him to a seat nestled between herself and Cai Lin, and the group began to converse in a gentle atmosphere.
"You wish to check on the Chaos Gate's current state?" Xiao Hua asked with a hint of curiosity. Her request had caught him slightly off guard, for he hadn't expected Little Fairy Doctor to bring up the matter.
"I'm curious about the first faction you ever established. Naturally, I'd like to see it with my own eyes," Little Fairy Doctor said with a gentle nod.
After a brief pause, she tilted her head slightly and added, "Aren't you curious as well? If I remember correctly, your cousin is currently leading the Chaos Gate, isn't she?"
"It would be a lie to say I'm not," Xiao Hua replied with a helpless smile. "But if memory serves, Cousin Xiao Yu is still in seclusion. She should exit her retreat in two days, so we'll likely have to wait until then."
Little Fairy Doctor gave another nod in understanding. Her gaze shifted toward Xiao Hua's empty teacup. Without a word, she rose gracefully, poured a fresh cup of tea, and returned to her seat, offering him a soft, affectionate smile.
A warmth stirred in Xiao Hua's heart. His expression softened, and he leaned over to place a light kiss on her cheek, drawing a quiet giggle from her lips.
Turning to Cai Lin, Xiao Hua asked, "How about joining us as well? It might be a refreshing change of pace to take a look around."
"I don't mind," Cai Lin replied with a nod. "It's true—I've been here for quite some time. A change of scenery would be welcome."
"I've seen it before," Zi Yan chimed in, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "After all, the Chaos Gate is built upon a natural treasure ground, overflowing with the dense energy of heaven and earth."
As she spoke, a faint glow flickered in her gaze—clearly recalling the precious medicinal herbs stored within the Chaos Gate's treasury.
"They have a vast collection of medicinal ingredients, then?" Cai Lin asked, her brows rising with interest at Zi Yan's words.
She had encountered many rare medicinal plants in the depths of the Chaos Spiritual Forest. Whenever she came across one that could benefit her people, she would carefully harvest and preserve it using the proper techniques.
Naturally, she understood the value such herbs held—many of them infused with rich natural energy, their worth immeasurable within the Jia Ma Empire.
"Unfortunately, Sister Xue Yue set up a formation around the treasury. No one can enter unless they possess a permission token held by the Chaos Gate's leader..." Zi Yan's voice trailed off as her spirits deflated. She had tried—and failed—to sneak into the medicinal warehouse.
Due to the overwhelming abundance of medicinal plants within the Chaos Spiritual Forest, it was impossible for the Inner Academy's storage to contain them all. As a result, a second warehouse was constructed within the Chaos Gate to accommodate the overflow.
Xiao Hua let out a soft sigh, shaking his head helplessly at Zi Yan's ever-hungry appetite. "In any case, we'll have to wait two more days. Once the time comes, I'll take you there—but you're only allowed to pick five. No more than that."
"Thank you, Xiao Hua!" Zi Yan's face lit up at once, her earlier gloom swept away by childlike delight. A soft giggle escaped her lips.
Though she had already been harvesting herbs from the Chaos Spiritual Forest, her instincts told her that the high-grade natural treasures lay stored within the medicinal warehouse of the Chaos Gate.
Xiao Hua shook his head again, a helpless smile tugging at his lips. Despite his original intentions, he couldn't deny it—he had spoiled the little glutton far too much.
The four of them continued their lighthearted conversation in the garden, undisturbed as time quietly slipped by.
…
Two days later, Xiao Hua and the three ladies made their way toward the edge of the Chaos Spiritual Forest, where the headquarters of the Chaos Gate stood tall and proud.
A sprawling villa now occupied the vast expanse of land, exuding a sense of stability and quiet strength. Since Xiao Hua's departure, the Chaos Gate had undergone a remarkable transformation—its influence had surged following a wave of student applications and the growing power it had accumulated within the Inner Academy.
Xiao Hua wasn't particularly surprised, though he was quietly impressed. He had anticipated such growth in his absence. In truth, this was the first time he was properly visiting the Chaos Gate since leaving Jia Nan Academy.
He already knew that the Chaos Gate was unique among student factions, maintaining two distinct branches—one for alchemists, and the other for fighters. Naturally, his curiosity was piqued. He wished to witness for himself just how far the faction had come.
At present, Xiao Hua and the three ladies stood just outside the entrance to the Chaos Gate's headquarters.
"This is… quite impressive," Little Fairy Doctor murmured softly, her gaze sweeping across the steady stream of students entering and exiting Chaos Gate's headquarters.
"Indeed," Cai Lin nodded, sharing the sentiment in her calm tone. "No wonder the Chaos Gate has become the most prominent student faction in the Inner Academy."
Everywhere she looked, at least one Dou Ling could be seen among every group of ten students. She knew full well—should these youths set foot in the Jia Ma Empire, powerful factions would scramble to recruit them.
But the amazement was mutual. The students passing by couldn't help but glance—then stare—at the unfamiliar yet striking group that had appeared at the gates. Their gazes, filled with awe and curiosity, fell upon Xiao Hua, Little Fairy Doctor, and Cai Lin.
With his distinct eyes, refined features, and noble demeanour, Xiao Hua drew countless flirtatious glances from the female students. Meanwhile, the quiet elegance of Little Fairy Doctor and the mesmerizing allure of Cai Lin stirred waves of admiration—and even longing—among the male students.
Though the students varied in age and background, nearly all of them wore the same expression: envy. The young men couldn't help but cast jealous glances at Xiao Hua, while the women looked upon Little Fairy Doctor and Cai Lin with envious stare within their hearts.
For those who had spent most of their lives in the sheltered environment of the Inner Academy, encountering such extraordinary individuals was enough to stirred desire in their youthful hearts.
Xiao Hua, Cai Lin, and Little Fairy Doctor seemed entirely unfazed by the countless admiring and envious gazes directed their way. Having long grown accustomed to such attention, they no longer spared it a second thought.
A moment later, the group passed through the crowd with composed ease, as they made their way toward the Chaos Gate's medicinal warehouse. Owing to the rarity and immense value of the ingredients stored within, its security far surpassed that of the Inner Academy's own warehouse.
Unlike the latter, this warehouse was guarded not only by five Dou Huang-class Elders at the entrance and interior but also protected from the shadows by two hidden Elders who had reached the Dou Zong realm. Such a location was strictly off-limits to students and ordinary elders.
However, upon catching sight of Xiao Hua, the guarding elders cupped their fists respectfully and stepped aside without a word. They had already received word from Xiao Yu regarding his imminent visit.
After offering polite greetings in return, Xiao Hua and his group proceeded into the warehouse. As they made their way through the dim hallway, a massive stone door gradually came into view—carved with intricate formations that pulsed faintly with energy.
A powerful formation was etched into the stone door, preventing it from being opened by ordinary means. Only the founders of the Chaos Gate—Su Qian, the First Elder, and Elder Huo—could open it directly. Others required a special token imbued with their spiritual imprint to bypass the formation's restrictions.
With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Hua released a cluster of five-colored energy that shot forward like a stream of flowing light. As it struck the door, the massive stone slab trembled, and a low rumble echoed through the corridor. A narrow crevice slowly formed at its center.
From the widening gap, a wave of rich medicinal fragrance surged outward. The scent was dense yet soothing, as if it could cleanse one's thoughts and calm the soul with a single breath.
"This place is amazing!" Zi Yan's eyes lit up like a starry sky, shimmering with countless gleams of excitement. She took a deep breath, greedily inhaling the fragrant air. Her throat bobbed with a gulp, and her small frame tensed as her legs grew restless, nearly bouncing in place with anticipation.
She turned to Xiao Hua, her gaze blazing with barely restrained eagerness. The moment he gave the slightest signal, she would charge in and start devouring the medicinal ingredients on the spot—without hesitation.
"Remember, only five medicinal ingredients," Xiao Hua reminded with a sigh, though he had little faith she would restrain herself. Knowing her gluttonous nature, he fully expected her to try for more.
With a flick of his wrist, five clusters of energy condensed and floated toward Zi Yan. Each contained his spiritual imprint—essential for safely retrieving the ingredients stored within the formation-sealed cabinets.
The moment they reached her, Zi Yan's eyes gleamed like twin stars. Taking it as her cue, she launched forward without hesitation, her gaze sweeping across the chamber with uncanny precision.
Rows upon rows of neatly arranged cabinets filled with rare treasures reflected in her eyes, and she zipped through the room, following her instincts to locate the most precious of them all.
Xiao Hua turned to Cai Lin and spoke with warmth in his voice, "If there's anything here that could aid your people, feel free to take some. I don't mind."
"It's fine." Cai Lin shook her head, her gaze sharpening as her tone turned cool. A cold smile played at her lips. "You've already given them plenty. If you keep indulging them, they'll grow dependent and complacent."
Xiao Hua blinked at her stern response, then let out a low chuckle. "I suppose you're right…" he murmured, a trace of helpless amusement in his voice.
Deep down, he couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for the Snake-People under Cai Lin's rule—truly, her cold strictness left no room for laziness.
Bang!
"Ah!"
Just as Xiao Hua was lost in thought, the chamber suddenly trembled with a muffled boom, followed by the pitiful yelp of a certain little dragon girl.
"…I knew it."
He turned around and let out a weary sigh. As expected, Zi Yan was suspended midair, ensnared by platinum-gold lightning chains that crackled furiously around her small frame. Arcs of lightning danced across her body as punishment from the defensive formation she had so recklessly triggered. Her greed had clearly gotten the better of her once again.
Even Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor shook their heads in quiet resignation. They weren't surprised, nor did they seem disappointed—after all, this sort of thing had become far too common where Zi Yan was concerned.
"P-Ple-Please… save me…!" Zi Yan whimpered weakly, her voice trembling and distorted, as if trying to speak mid-electrocution.
"I know, I know…" Xiao Hua muttered with a sigh full of resignation. With a casual wave of his hand, a stream of energy swept forward and enveloped Zi Yan. The moment it touched her, the platinum-gold lightning ceased its assault.
Xiao Hua beckoned with a flick of his fingers, and the energy surrounding Zi Yan gently guided her back toward him like a drifting feather caught in a breeze.
"Aha… ha… my bad…" Zi Yan landed lightly before him, scratching her cheek with a sheepish grin. She offered a guilty laugh as she looked up at Xiao Hua, whose eyes were filled with exasperation.
Without a word, Xiao Hua reached out and tugged at her soft cheeks, stretching them with mild irritation. "What did I say before, you little glutton? Only five. Five, Zi Yan! Not six of them!"
"I—I'm still growing!" she protested, her words slightly slurred from her stretched cheeks. "I need more nutrition if I'm going to grow bigger and stronger!"
"That doesn't mean you can go around stealing it, you damn brat!" Xiao Hua barked, his voice rising in mock frustration as he gave her cheeks another tug.
Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a knowing glance, their lips curling into soft, amused smiles.
This sort of banter between Xiao Hua and Zi Yan was nothing new—yet no matter how many times they witnessed it, the playful warmth between them always brought a quiet joy to their hearts.
"Cousin Xiao Hua!"
Just as their playful banter reached its peak, a clear female voice rang out from nearby, interrupting the lively scene. The voice carried a familiar warmth, tinged with excitement.
Xiao Hua released Zi Yan's cheeks and turned his gaze toward the source, only to see Xiao Yu approaching with graceful steps, a gentle smile adorning her face.
"Cousin Xiao Yu," Xiao Hua greeted with a warm smile of his own. The stern look from moments earlier had vanished entirely, replaced by a soft, welcoming expression. "Have you finished tending to your matters?"
Zi Yan, still rubbing her reddened cheeks, rolled her eyes exaggeratedly. She gave a light snort, clearly unimpressed by the sudden shift in Xiao Hua's demeanor. Though she was tempted to make a sarcastic remark, one glance at his now-gentle expression made her think twice.
After all, she knew that provoking him again would likely result in another light punishment—something she'd rather avoid so soon after being electrocuted.
"Should I take it that Senior Sister Zi Yan was the one who triggered the alarm?" Xiao Yu glanced briefly at Zi Yan before shifting her gaze back to Xiao Hua. There was a trace of resignation in her voice, as though she had anticipated this the moment the alarm activated—an alarm that, coincidentally, aligned with Xiao Hua's visit.
She had heard the stories from the others, after all—the infamous Demon King of Gluttony and Greed.
Students often returned from the Chaos Spiritual Forest grumbling in frustration, their hard-earned medicinal plants mysteriously vanishing, only to learn later that they had fallen victim to the little dragon girl's insatiable appetite.
Naturally, when the alarm went off, Xiao Yu already had her suspicions. Yet neither the First Elder nor Elder Huo moved to interfere. It seemed even they had long given up trying to restrain Zi Yan.
Zi Yan met Xiao Yu's gaze with a sheepish grin, scratching her cheek awkwardly. Surrounded by so many rare and energy-rich medicinal ingredients, she truly couldn't help herself.
Xiao Yu sighed and shook her head before turning back to Xiao Hua. "In any case, Cousin Xiao Hua, I had another reason for coming here."
"Is it about those students heading this way?" Little Fairy Doctor asked softly, her sharp gaze turning toward the path Xiao Yu had come from. In the distance, five students were steadily approaching.
Xiao Hua watched the five approaching students with a calm yet discerning gaze. He naturally recognized Lin Xiuya and Han Yue, but the remaining three were unfamiliar. Even so, he had a vague sense of who they might be.
Lin Xiuya and Han Yue wore faint smiles, their expressions respectful as they met Xiao Hua's gaze. It was clear they held him in high regard.
The two unfamiliar young men studied him with undisguised curiosity, their eyes subtly sweeping over his form, silently assessing his bearing, cultivation, and presence.
As for the last—a young girl—she appeared utterly captivated. Her steps slowed as her eyes widened, clearly dazzled by Xiao Hua's appearance and demeanor.
On the side, both Little Fairy Doctor and Cai Lin took notice of the girl's enamored expression. Sharing a glance, they sighed inwardly and shook their heads in quiet understanding. It was not the first time a girl had been charmed by Xiao Hua's presence, and likely not the last.
"Elder Xiao Hua!"
Lin Xiuya and Han Yue stepped forward and cupped their fists in greeting, their voices steady with respect. The remaining three quickly followed suit, mimicking the gesture.
Xiao Hua gave a small nod in response, his expression calm. His eyes briefly passed over the group, settling on the two unfamiliar young men while deliberately ignoring the mesmerized young lady.
"Elder Xiao Hua, these two are Senior Liu Qing and Senior Lin Yan. Both rank among the top ten on the Strong Ranking," Han Yue promptly introduced, noticing Xiao Hua's gaze fall upon the two unfamiliar men.
"And she," Han Yue continued, her tone calm and steady, "is Liu Fei, the younger cousin sister of Senior Liu Qing."
Liu Fei's delicate body trembled slightly at the mention of her name. With grace and respect, she offered a formal greeting to Xiao Hua. Yet, beneath her composed demeanor, her heart pounded uncontrollably. Her bright, pretty eyes were fixed intently on him—a man whose name had long left a lasting impression upon her soul.
She had learned of Xiao Hua when she first heard of the Chaos Gate, and the feats he and his sworn siblings had accomplished. Each tale, each victory, only deepened the image of him in her heart.
Though she had always viewed her older cousin brother, Liu Qing, as a proud and brilliant genius… she could not deny the overwhelming gap between him and Xiao Hua. One was a mountain; the other, a sky beyond reach.
'He's handsome… strong… and far too dazzling… The kind of man anyone would long for…'
She thought, cheeks flushing a soft red. Her teeth gently bit down on her lower lip, and her eyes—enchanted and unwavering—remained locked on Xiao Hua's striking features and the noble air he carried with ease.
Xiao Hua gave a slight nod at each introduction. His gaze only paused briefly on Liu Fei—whose dazed expression still lingered—before shifting to Liu Qing and Lin Yan. A faint, amused smile tugged at his lips as he chuckled lightly.
"I've heard of the two of you," he said calmly. "One is said to have given Lin Xiuya more than a few headaches… and the other bears the title of the most unrestrained madman in the Inner Academy. It seems my master's words weren't exaggerated after all."
"Thank you for the compliment, Elder Xiao Hua," Liu Qing and Lin Yan responded in unison, cupping their fists with solemn respect.
Though both young men were among the most outstanding students in the Inner Academy and carried themselves with the pride of the strong, such pride paled before the weight of Xiao Hua's achievements. Despite being younger, he had earned a status they could not help but revere. In their hearts, admiration far outweighed arrogance.
'Still… my craziness is more famous than my strength, huh…' Lin Yan thought awkwardly to himself, a wry smile twitching at his lips. He hadn't expected that Xiao Hua's first impression of him would center around his notoriety rather than his strength.
"Xiao Hua, let's go back already! I want you to refine these ingredients into pills!" Zi Yan, growing restless from boredom, could no longer stay still. She tugged at Xiao Hua's sleeve, her voice filled with urgency and impatience.
Xiao Hua let out a faint chuckle, a trace of helplessness in his eyes as he glanced at the little dragon girl. Though slightly embarrassed by her antics, he found it difficult to refuse her. Raising his hand, he gently rubbed her head, his action a silent gesture of agreement.
Turning toward Cai Lin and Little Fairy Doctor, he spoke with soft affection, "Since Zi Yan's growing impatient, why don't we head back for now, Cai'er, Xian'er? We can always explore more another day."
"With her like this, we might as well…" Cai Lin sighed lightly, her brows relaxing as she cast a quiet glare at Zi Yan, who shrank back slightly under her gaze.
"That's right. While she's sleeping, we'll have a peaceful moment to ourselves," Little Fairy Doctor chuckled softly, her voice warm as her gaze lingered gently on Xiao Hua.
She understood well that after consuming the pill from the five medicinal ingredients, Zi Yan would inevitably enter a short period of slumber to refine the medicinal energy within her.
That brief window would provide them with an opportunity to quietly explore Chaos Gate without disturbance.
Xiao Hua nodded, a sense of relief washing over him as he realized that Zi Yan's antics hadn't soured their mood.
Turning toward the others, he offered with a calm smile, "Since you're all here, why not let me observe your mastery of your Dou Techniques? I might be able to offer some guidance."
His suggestion caused Han Yue and the others to brighten visibly. While Han Yue was simply pleased by the thought of receiving Xiao Hua's attention, the others harbored hopeful thoughts—perhaps this rare opportunity might earn them a technique or a pill that could strengthening themselves.
As for Liu Fei, her thoughts ran deeper. For her, this was a precious opportunity not merely to receive guidance, but to spend time with Xiao Hua. She had already sensed the closeness between him, Cai Lin, and Little Fairy Doctor through the subtle harmony in their interactions.
Yet, that realization only gave her hope—if Xiao Hua did not mind having multiple companions, then there was a path forward. But she was no fool. The strength of those two women was terrifying, and without their acknowledgment, she knew she would never be accepted into Xiao Hua's heart.
'I will earn their approval… and one day, I will win Xiao Hua's heart!' Liu Fei swore silently, her gaze filled with determination.
Little did she know, no matter how fervently she tried, her efforts were doomed to end in disappointment. For Xiao Hua's heart, though calm and kind to many, held no interest in her.
His attention remained fixed on Han Yue and the others before him, but the true depths of his affection had long been anchored—forever reserved for Little Fairy Doctor, Cai Lin, Xun Er and Ya Fei.
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