Xiao Jietian was surprised to see a familiar figure sitting by his bed. Normally, Xun'er insisted on leaving as soon as night fell. Was he really that intimidating? He wouldn't eat her.
"Tian Ge, don't you want me here? Should I leave?" she asked, a playful smile on her face.
Xun'er had only recently parted from him. Xiao Jietian, though taken aback, replied, "I'm just surprised you came to my room."
"My coming is exactly what you wanted, isn't it? You've been hinting that you had something to tell me."
She poured him a cup of water, sitting down with bright, curious eyes.
"Weren't you curious about how I know so much, even your identity?" Xiao Jietian asked.
Xun'er's expression tensed immediately. "Tian Ge, I didn't mean to hide it."
He pulled her gently into his lap. "I'm not blaming you. I know you were forced to come, but it seems they didn't expect to lose everything."
Xun'er's heart relaxed. She patted his chest playfully and leaned on his shoulder.
"Is this what you were looking for?" Xiao Jietian asked, showing a jade piece.
"Is this the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade?" she exclaimed, astonished.
"The part of the key the Xiao Family controlled turned out to be this jade," he explained, pinching her cheek.
"Tian Ge, do you know something?"
He nodded. Her expression grew serious. "Keep this safe. Don't let anyone know about it. If it's exposed, powerful forces will come after it. Only you, I, and my father know. I trust you the most."
Xun'er smiled, clearly delighted by his trust.
Xiao Jietian then shared what he had told Xiao Zhan, explaining about her ancestor Xiao Xuan and warning her about the Hall of Souls.
"I'll be careful," Xun'er promised.
"I know your true identity and the power behind you, but I will prove that your judgment is correct. You are mine, and no one can stop it," he said firmly.
Xun'er's gentle voice replied, confirming her support and love.
"Xun'er, I like you," Xiao Jietian said.
She blushed, flustered, and quickly left his room, activating a movement technique to vanish from sight.
Xiao Jietian muttered, exasperated, "I just wanted to hug you to sleep. I wouldn't dare do anything else. Your father would probably chop me up."
He resigned to his second plan: returning to the Eternal Heaven World and telling them Xun'er wished to meet eventually.
That night, Xiao Jietian tended to the few who were slightly pouting and checked his own cultivation. After refining two Thunder Origins, he now had six and a half strands of Deep Water Lightning. His alchemy reached the sixth-grade realm, though Dou Ling Pills still had a high failure rate.
He cultivated through the night, replenishing his body and absorbing Dou Qi from the world around him.
In the morning, sunlight bathed everything in warmth.
"I'm at the peak of a Seven-Star Dou King. A breakthrough is near," Xiao Jietian thought, feeling more refreshed than after a normal sleep.
After washing, he went to find Xun'er, then followed Instructor Ruo Lin to the square. Today was the busiest day in the Outer Court and the most anticipated in years.
Powerful contenders like Hu Jia, Bai Shan, Wu Hao, Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Jietian, and Xiao Yan had all shown exceptional strength. The ultimate victor remained unknown, heightening the crowd's excitement.
As they entered, Bai Shan's cold, hostile gaze met Xiao Jietian's disdainful look, as if he were a clown. Bai Shan's anger nearly distorted his features, but he forced himself to calm down.
Xun'er noticed and her impression of Bai Shan worsened. Where she once ignored him, now she didn't want to see him at all.