Four small hands.
They rested lightly against Xiao Jietian's waist, fingers warm, the faint hum of Dou Qi lingering at their fingertips.
Cold sweat erupted across his back.
Think. Think faster.
His mind raced through possibilities, excuses, tactical retreats. Each option was considered—and each was summarily discarded.
He and Han Yue had not yet defined their relationship. But she had already entered his heart. And he was almost certain he occupied a place in hers.
He refused to lie to them.
One lie would only birth ten more.
"Hehe." Ya Fei covered her mouth, eyes curving with amusement. "You look so adorable like this, you know?"
Qing Lin's voice carried a playful lilt. "Actually, Sister Xun'er already told us everything. With your main wife's approval… we naturally have no objections."
A pause.
"Haha!"
The girls around him burst into laughter.
Xiao Jietian looked up.
Every single one of them wore the same expression—mischievous, knowing, thoroughly entertained.
They teamed up to tease me.
"Oh?" His voice dropped. "You dare to joke at my expense? It seems I need to demonstrate my authority as the head of this household."
He moved to grab them—
But they were faster.
Little Fairy Doctor. Qing Lin. Medusa.
They immediately positioned themselves in front of Yun Yun and Ya Fei, shielding the pregnant women with their bodies.
Xiao Jietian stared at the formation before him.
Holding the emperor hostage to command the lords? Really?
He looked at Yun Yun and Ya Fei, standing at the forefront like fiercely protective mother bears. He looked at the three women flanking them, tilting their heads with feigned innocence.
A helpless chuckle escaped him.
They've found my weakness.
He sighed dramatically, lowering his hand.
"So this is how it is." His voice was wounded, betrayed. "All of you… ganging up to bully me."
The girls exchanged glances, barely suppressing their smiles.
Even Medusa's lips curved—just slightly, just at the corner.
Smack. Smack. Smack.
Three strikes. Perfectly aimed.
"Ow! That hurts!"
Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin clutched their backsides, turning to glare at him with resentful eyes. Medusa's face had flushed a delicate pink; she refused to meet his gaze.
"You cheated!" Little Fairy Doctor accused.
"You didn't specify the rules." Xiao Jietian had already pulled Yun Yun and Ya Fei onto his lap, one on each knee. His tone was innocent. "So would you like me to… rub them better for you?"
"Pah!" Little Fairy Doctor's expression clearly said, Do you think I'm stupid? "Don't think I don't know what you're really trying to do!"
Medusa snorted softly, leaning against a pillar. Her gaze drifted to the scenery outside the window—anywhere but at him.
"Hmph. You wish. You want to have your cake and eat it too."
They talked for a while longer.
When night fully descended, Xiao Jietian rose.
He picked up Qing Lin. He picked up Little Fairy Doctor.
And he walked toward his palace.
The night's rigorous studies began.
Morning.
Xiao Jietian materialized in his room at the Jia Nan Academy.
He made his way to the main hall. Xiao Yan and Cousin Xiao Yu were already seated.
Today was the day of Heart Flame Body Tempering. He had already informed Cousin Xiao Yu that he would transfer his opportunity to her.
Cousin Xiao Yu glanced behind him. Frowned.
"Where's Xun'er?"
The others turned, curious. They had all noticed her recent strangeness.
"Xun'er has returned to her clan." Xiao Jietian's voice was quiet. Steady. "She may not return to the academy for some time. Perhaps… not at all."
"Returned to her clan?"
Cousin Xiao Yu and Xiao Yan exchanged glances. Memories surfaced—their elders' words, long ago. Xun'er was not truly a member of the Xiao family. She had merely been… placed there.
Wu Hao was stunned.
Hu Jia looked as though her world had just collapsed.
"Then… then I won't be able to see such a beautiful Xun'er anymore?"
Her voice was small. Devastated.
Xiao Jietian reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You might see her again soon. Going back doesn't mean never coming out, Tiger Girl."
"…Tiger Girl?!"
The devastation vanished. Replaced by incandescent rage.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! AHHHHHHH!"
Hu Jia lunged.
Xiao Jietian extended one arm and pressed down on her head. Her flailing limbs couldn't close the distance.
The heavy atmosphere that Xun'er's departure had cast over them slowly dissolved, chased away by Hu Jia's indignant shrieks.
"Alright." Xiao Jietian's tone shifted. "Cousin Xiao Yu. Xiao Yan Zi."
Both of them straightened.
"Are you ready?"
"No problem." Xiao Yan's voice was firm. "We've already adjusted our states. We're just waiting for today."
Wu Hao and Hu Jia watched with barely concealed envy.
Xiao Jietian patted Hu Jia's head again—gently, this time.
"At your current growth rate, next year's top ten will definitely have a spot for you."
Hu Jia's anger instantly evaporated. Her little enchantress demeanor returned, and she puffed out her considerable assets.
"Of course! I only lost because I'm younger! Give me time, and I'll definitely—!"
"Then let's set out." Xiao Jietian cut her off smoothly. "It should be about time."
He had already secured the rights to the number one cultivation room.
Well. "Secured" was one way to put it.
After some friendly negotiations involving a certain quantity of medicinal pills, Zi Yan had amicably agreed to lend him usage rights whenever she wasn't using it.
Which was most of the time.
The day they'd finalized the arrangement, Zi Yan had skipped away, eyes curved into crescents, clutching over a dozen jade bottles.
When Xiao Jietian led the Pan Gate members to the Heavenly Flame Training Tower, a crowd had already gathered.
He spotted Liu Qing's Mountain Splitter Gang. Lin Xiuya's Wolf Fang.
The moment the crowd noticed Xiao Jietian's approach, they parted. A path cleared all the way to the best vantage point.
Xiao Jietian exchanged a glance with Xiao Yan.
Just as we discussed.
He nodded amiably toward Lin Xiuya and Liu Qing.
Both returned the gesture immediately.
"Xiao Jietian!"
A familiar voice, bright and impatient.
Zi Yan appeared at his side, clad in her usual white dress. Her face was scrunched in boredom.
"You're so slow! I've been waiting forever!"
Xiao Jietian smiled and patted her head.
"You just came too early. Besides, this Heart Flame Body Tempering might help you grow."
"It does!" Zi Yan perked up slightly. "Every time I absorb the energy inside, I feel like I'm getting a little closer. It's just that Old Su is so stingy. If he hadn't hidden the good stuff so well, I would've eaten it all by now."
She pouted, smacking her lips wistfully.
If Su Qian could hear her, Xiao Jietian thought, he'd probably have a heart attack.
It took the Inner Academy ages to gather those resources. If Zi Yan got her hands on them, they'd vanish without a trace.
He shook his head, still smiling at her adorable, greedy expression.
"Junior Xiao Tian!"
A voice called out from behind.