"Excellent! That's how a leader should behave! Let them know the Academy isn't a place where mere freshmen can act so arrogantly."
The others nodded in agreement, some even standing to applaud, ensuring the atmosphere conveyed their admiration.
"It's getting late. Everyone, disperse. We'll discuss other matters tomorrow—same time, same place," Bai Cheng said, waving his hand. The core members of Bai Gang, including Bai Shan, filed out, their expressions a mixture of resentment and calculation.
Xiao Jietian, resting in his bedchamber, stirred as dawn's first light filtered through the window. His eyes drifted to Ya Fei, still asleep beside him, her face calm and peaceful. A tender smile crossed his lips as he gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Rising, he searched for his clothes, only to find them torn into shreds, scattered across the floor. He chuckled, reaching into his storage ring and retrieving a fresh set of garments. Using Dou Qi, he removed every trace of Ya Fei's scent from his body before dressing.
"Hmph, heartless man. Not even one more kiss before you leave?" Ya Fei murmured lazily, propping her head on her hand. Her phoenix-like eyes, half-lidded with longing, fixed on him, faint red marks visible on her neck.
Xiao Jietian approached and playfully flicked her nose. "Alright, with the utmost pleasure."
Her personality with him had changed noticeably—childlike, dependent, a young woman in love. Outside his presence, she remained the aloof and enigmatic figure everyone knew.
After a lingering, passionate kiss, he slowly released her. "Rest well. I'll come see you often. If you miss me, just appear and find me." He brushed a strand of hair from her face and pulled the blanket snugly over her.
"Hehe, alright… I'll let you off this time. Back to sleep for a bit," Ya Fei murmured with a smile, finally relaxing.
Xiao Jietian's gaze lingered on her lovingly before he waved his hand. The room instantly returned to its original immaculate state, and he stepped out.
Outside, Medusa was training Qing Lin by the lake in the martial arts training ground.
"Don't resist! The more you resist, the more excited I get!" Medusa commanded.
Xiao Jietian froze. That tone sounded all too familiar—he had said the exact words to Ya Fei during their playful moments. Peering closer, he realised Medusa had been eavesdropping—this Peeping Medusa, indeed.
"You scoundrel! Coming back and acting like this… Men only reveal honesty when cornered," Medusa said, appearing beside him with a mix of allure and irritation.
"Should I come find you? Are you jealous?" he teased, sweeping a bold glance over her figure.
"None of your business! Jealous of you? Who do you think you are! Hmph! Dare come near, and I'll snip you!" Medusa shot back, briefly glancing at a certain area before vanishing, leaving behind the faintest blush on her face.
Meanwhile, Qing Lin, mid-training, spotted Xiao Jietian. Her eyes lit up with pure joy, twin pigtails bouncing as she ran toward him.
"Young Master! I missed you so much!" she cried, voice brimming with affection and dependence.
Xiao Jietian opened his arms, and Qing Lin leapt into them, wrapping her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. Her azure eyes glimmered with the innate charm of her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, her scent intoxicating.
"I missed you too, Qing Lin," he murmured, capturing her mouth in a deep, longing kiss. He released her only when she gasped for air.
"I've been cultivating diligently, Young Master," she said proudly. Xiao Jietian assessed her aura: Three-Star Dou Ling. Her talent was exceptional, improving rapidly thanks to the Nine-Headed Serpent's soul energy she had absorbed daily.
"Little girl, don't cling to your Young Master. Return to cultivation," Medusa instructed, appearing beside them.
"I'll accompany you tonight," Xiao Jietian added. Qing Lin nodded happily. Medusa, seeing his urgency, pinched the back of Qing Lin's neck and returned to her martial arts training.
Xiao Jietian glanced at them one last time before leaving the Eternal Heaven World, returning to the hall. Medusa, watching where he had disappeared, remained silent, lost in thought.
"Sister Fei Yan, why is your face so red? Are you unwell?" Qing Lin asked, noticing Medusa's flushed appearance.
"Little girl, keep practicing. Don't pry into your sister's affairs," Medusa replied, turning away.
"I knew it! Sister Fei Yan… you've been looking at where Young Master left. You've fallen for him too, haven't you? Hmph, I knew it all along," Qing Lin murmured. Medusa's steps faltered, her composure shaken, and she hurried off.
…
Just as Xiao Jietian was about to leave the hall to find Xun'er, an ill-intentioned shout rang from outside:
"Xiao Jietian! People of Pan Gate, come out!"
Xiao Jietian sensed three Dou Ling auras, one a Six-Star, accompanied by multiple Da Dou Shi and the unmistakable malice of Bai Gang.
He stepped to the door and saw nearly twenty young men standing outside. The leading figure bore a resemblance to Bai Shan. Meeting Xiao Jietian's gaze, his eyes shifted into a practiced, cold smile.
"You must be Xiao Jietian, leader of Pan Gate. Bai Shan speaks of you often," Bai Cheng said, stepping forward with an extended hand.
At that moment, Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and other freshmen poured out of the pavilion, positioning themselves behind Xiao Jietian. The stage was set—Pan Gate ready to face Bai Gang's challenge.
"That would be me. May I ask what advice Bai Gang Leader has? Are you here to demand an explanation for yesterday's events?" Xiao Jietian said, taking Bai Cheng's hand in a firm handshake.