Hearing Yao Lao's voice, Xiao Yan frowned.
"Teacher, what happened to Tian Ge?" he asked.
"He seems to have already reached the Dou Huang realm. Although he's hidden it well, he probably broke through within the last day or two. So he hasn't fully concealed it," Yao Lao explained.
Xiao Yan stiffened at the words and suddenly stood up. Lin Yan, sitting beside him, nearly choked on his water, patting his chest frantically to catch his breath.
"Cough… cough… Xiao Yan, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"Nothing… just remembered something," Xiao Yan muttered, hiding the tension in his gaze.
Leaving the pavilion, Xiao Jietian moved like lightning toward the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda.
With the enhancement of Void Piercer Art, the trip took only seven or eight minutes. He passed through the main gate without hesitation.
"Was that… Demon King Xiao Jietian just now?"
"Yes! I finally saw my idol—he's handsome and powerful! Simply the perfect partner!"
Excited whispers erupted as he disappeared down into the Qi Refining Tower. He headed straight for the sixth floor, leaving cultivation room number thirty-four—his reward from defeating Bai Cheng—for Xun'er.
The sixth floor glowed a faint red, warm and spacious. The Fallen Heart Flame burned more densely here than on the lower floors.
"As expected of a cultivation area reserved for the strong ranking," Xiao Jietian muttered, sensing the intense energy.
Only a handful of people were scattered across the floor. Four or five of them froze as Xiao Jietian approached.
"Who is this? Why can't I sense his aura?" one black-robed youth muttered, frowning.
"Why does he seem familiar… like I've seen him before?"
"Kid, this isn't a place for you! Leave!" a feminine voice rang out. A young man in a red robe, flanked by several followers, strode toward the resting area.
"Brother Yao, he seems to be the Demon…" one follower started, only to be silenced instantly.
A terrifying aura pressed down, forcing all the followers to their knees. The young man in red struggled against the invisible weight, his seven-star Dou Ling Dou Qi barely holding him upright.
Xiao Jietian continued calmly toward them, his presence growing ever more oppressive.
When he reached within five steps, the young man could bear it no longer and collapsed to his knees. His followers lay prostrate, unable even to lift their heads.
"You told me to leave? I honestly don't know how. Why not demonstrate?" Xiao Jietian said, his voice calm but laced with dominance.
He had no fondness for Yao Sheng and saw this as the perfect opportunity to teach him a lesson.
"I know who he is! The biggest sensation in the Inner Academy recently… Demon King Xiao Jietian!"
The black-robed youth cried out in surprise, recalling the portrait he had seen earlier.
Yao Sheng's heart sank. A Demon King at Dou Wang strength… he had thought this would be an easy display of dominance, but now he realized he'd walked straight into a trap. Crushing him would be like stepping on an ant.
"Sect Master Xiao… it was my ignorance that offended you…" Yao Sheng tried a trembling, forced smile. His voice quavered with fear, his body shaking.
"Xiao Jietian, what are you doing here?"
A clear, tender voice interrupted. A little girl in a white dress stepped forward—Zi Yan.
"I came to ask for Cultivation Room Number One," she said innocently.
Xiao Jietian smiled. "Zi Yan is Zi Yan… what's the meaning of adding 'Xiao'?"
Zi Yan put her hands on her hips indignantly.
"You're still small. I'll change it when you grow up. You're a little devil… but cute."
Xiao Jietian reached out and gently rubbed her head. The onlookers couldn't help but feel a pang of awe. Previously, no one dared touch her. Even Yao Sheng, kneeling in fear, secretly wished for a fight—but none came.
Zi Yan shook her head lightly, patting Xiao Jietian's hand away.
"What's the use of being cute? I just want to grow up. I'm tired of this appearance."
"And these people—did they provoke you? Do you want me to teach them a lesson? But you have to give me a little something in return," Xiao Jietian teased, looking at Zi Yan.
Zi Yan's eyes brightened as she glanced at Yao Sheng. She clasped her hands, expectant.
"No need. Thank you for the offer," she replied.
"Alright then, but if you ever need anything, you must find me."
Zi Yan patted her chest with a look of righteousness… though a hint of slyness twinkled in her eyes.
"Finished your pills?" Xiao Jietian asked softly.
Zi Yan shook her head. "Still many left." She poured a pill from her jade bottle into her mouth and chewed with satisfaction, eyes narrowing with delight.
"Aren't you going to Cultivation Room Number One? I'll take you there," Zi Yan said, leading Xiao Jietian by the hand toward the deepest part of the sixth floor.
The kneeling group on the floor had long been forgotten.
Yao Sheng exhaled shakily, feeling as if he had narrowly escaped death. He resolved to live honestly from now on.
Attempting to rise, he discovered the oppressive aura still pressed down, even after Xiao Jietian's departure.
Gritting his teeth, he circulated his Dou Qi to resist—but it was futile. Xiao Jietian's warning was unmistakable.
Yao Sheng finally surrendered, kneeling silently. His followers, uncertain what to say, could only remain beside him.
"Yao Sheng… what happened to you?" one whispered nervously.