His lips finally met hers.
Tender. Lingering. Filled with longing too long suppressed, with affection too deep for words.
The Little Fairy Doctor's body trembled—once, twice—then relaxed completely into his embrace. Her arms rose, winding around his neck, pulling him closer.
The world around them faded.
There was only the sound of their breathing, mingling. Only the warmth of their lips, pressed together.
When the kiss finally broke, she collapsed against his chest, her brows carrying the unmistakable languor of spring.
He lifted her—effortlessly, possessively—and carried her toward his palace.
"Put me down," she murmured weakly. "You should bathe first."
She had been in seclusion so long. Though cultivators did not soil as mortals did…
He did not put her down.
She understood. Her struggles ceased. She allowed him to carry her into the bath.
Under his ministrations, they soon faced each other with nothing between them—no pretense, no barriers.
He helped her into the water.
"Xian'er," he murmured, his fingers tracing her skin, "why does your skin feel even smoother than before?"
She rolled her eyes at him.
Then her hand moved downward.
"…Hmm? Why does this feel heavier?"
The surface of the water, once still, began to ripple.
Soon, the ripples became waves.
And the waves became towering surges.
The sun was high in the sky.
Xiao Jietian surveyed the ruins of his palace.
Not a single table or chair remained intact.
He touched his lower back.
The system-reinforced model really is something else. Great endurance. No back pain. No leg weakness. Can go all night till dawn without issue.
He glanced at the sleeping Little Fairy Doctor. Gently, he kissed her forehead.
Dou Qi swept through his body, cleansing away the traces of the night. Fresh robes replaced the old.
He stepped out of the room.
In the days that followed, Xiao Jietian divided his time carefully.
Mornings with Xun'er.
Evenings with the other four women.
With Ya Fei and Yun Yun, "accompanying" meant purely platonic rest. Nothing dangerous was permitted.
The others had all noticed Xun'er's restlessness—the way her gaze would drift, the occasional silences that stretched too long. But none of them asked. Tacitly, they yielded their time to her.
So Xiao Jietian took Xun'er sightseeing.
They walked through ancient forests. Sat on grassy slopes. Lay beneath starry skies so dense with light that the heavens seemed woven from silver thread.
The starry skies of this world… they're nothing like the ones I knew before.
He remembered his childhood, lying on the rooftop, counting the slowly vanishing stars. Wondering where they had gone.
Here, the stars never faded.
They found a high mountain, its peak crowned with lush grassland.
Xiao Jietian sat on the grass. Xun'er sat beside him, her head resting gently on his shoulder.
Before them stretched a sea of forest—endless, verdant, whispering in the wind.
They didn't speak much. There was no need.
The breeze passed between them, carrying a comfortable coolness.
Then, suddenly—
He pulled her into his arms.
"Don't move." His voice was low against her ear. "Let me hold you for a while."
Xun'er's body softened. Her resistance melted away.
She nestled into his embrace.
"Are you leaving?"
His voice was quiet. Calm.
But it struck her like thunder.
Her body trembled.
He knows.
Of course he knows.
She had been so careful. But he had always been able to see through her.
Her heart tightened. Reluctance flooded through her, so overwhelming she could scarcely breathe.
She had already postponed her return many times.
The clan's patience had finally run out.
"…Mm." Her voice was barely audible. All the worry, all the struggle she had buried so deep—it all surged to the surface, threatening to spill over. "Xiao Jietian Ge…"
Her voice cracked, carrying the faintest hint of a sob.
He held her tighter—so tight it seemed he wished to merge her into himself.
"Xun'er." His voice was firm. Unshakable. "I understand you. I know the mission you carry. Go back. Cultivate obediently in your clan."
He paused.
"And wait for me to come and fetch you."
She looked up.
His gaze met hers—steady, resolute, burning with quiet determination.
That strength poured into her like light into darkness. Like warmth into cold.
A warmth surged through her heart.
She leaned into his chest again, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"Xiao Jietian Ge." Her voice was soft, but clear. "You must protect the ancient jade in your possession. Before you have the strength to protect yourself… never let anyone know of it."
A pause.
"The implications behind it are too great."
He nodded silently.
Then his gaze lifted—toward the distant horizon.
Several auras were approaching.
Xun'er felt them too.
Her expression shifted. She seized his arm, trying to push him toward the nearby forest.
"Xiao Jietian Ge—hide! Now! Do not come out, no matter what!"
He didn't move.
His hand tightened around hers.
"I know you're worried." His voice was calm. "Don't be afraid. I'll see you off."
He looked at her.
"And let me see your clan's Black Annihilation Army."
She met his eyes.
She saw no fear there. No hesitation.
Only quiet, absolute confidence.
My Xiao Jietian Ge…
On the surface, he is gentle, amiable. But deep down, he is proud. Fiercely, unyieldingly proud.
He would never hide.
She said nothing.
But her hand, clutching his, spoke everything.
The black dots in the sky grew larger.
The wind howled. The surrounding trees creaked under the pressure of approaching power.
Then they arrived.
Not people—but beasts. Pitch-black demonic creatures, each bearing a silver single horn upon its head and four wings upon its back. With every flap of those wings, the faint sound of wind and thunder echoed through the air.
Upon each broad back stood a figure in purplish-black robes. Expressionless. Auras radiating power.
Xiao Jietian's gaze settled on the lead beast.
Upon it stood a young man of about twenty-four or twenty-five, his features rather handsome.
Ling Quan, Xiao Jietian identified inwardly. Deputy Commander of the Black Annihilation Army. Six-Star Dou Emperor.
His lips curved slightly.
Not particularly impressive.
I wonder… can he take a punch?
The dozen beasts hovered at the mountain's edge. Their gazes swept over the woman in the light purple dress standing upon the grass.
"Heh." The lead beast descended slowly. The young man atop it first glanced at Xiao Jietian—at their clasped hands—then respectfully cupped his fist toward Xun'er.
"Miss Xun'er. I have finally found you."
A pause.
"I am Ling Quan, newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Black Annihilation Army. By order of the clan elders, I am to escort Miss back to the clan."
Xiao Jietian's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it really is him.
Ling Quan's gaze swept over him once more—brief, fleeting.
But in that instant, a flicker of gloom, of barely concealed hostility, flashed through his eyes.
It was there and gone in a breath.
But Xiao Jietian caught it.