Han Yue, like the others, addressed him as "Junior Xiao Tian" in public. Just as Ya Fei called him "Little Brother Xiao Jietian" and Qing Lin called him "Young Master." I wonder if this is their peculiar preference.
Han Yue then informed Little Fairy Doctor and the others about her newly awakened physique. Ya Fei, absolutely delighted, immediately latched onto her.
Their physiques and cultivation techniques were identical, which meant they could learn from each other's experiences and insights. The same cultivation method, practiced by different individuals, would yield unique sensations and understandings.
"What are you still doing here?"
Little Fairy Doctor's gaze fell upon Xiao Jietian, who was standing idly to the side. Her meaning was unmistakable.
Seeing the overwhelming opposition—six against one—Xiao Jietian chose to withdraw. Besides, he had things to attend to.
"Yue'er, this is for you." A golden-red ring materialized in his palm. He took Han Yue's right hand and gently slid it onto her ring finger. "They'll explain how to use it."
Still shy, but with a look of pure happiness on her face, Han Yue gazed at the ring. She had noticed that Little Fairy Doctor and the others all wore similar rings, the only differences being their styles and patterns.
After helping her put it on, Xiao Jietian departed. The women continued their conversations, shared cultivation experiences, and began introducing the uses of the Cloud Dream Phoenix metal to Han Yue.
Xiao Jietian, having left the women, went directly to the Beast Mountain.
In the central space of the Beast Mountain, two Monster Eggs rested.
Both pulsed with a strong aura of life.
These two eggs were precisely the Mysterious Monster Egg and the Monster Egg that now contained the separated soul of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
"It seems they won't take much longer to hatch."
Xiao Jietian placed his palm on the Mysterious Monster Egg, continuously sensing the aura emanating from within.
He could feel that the being inside was already fully formed. Hatching was imminent.
He was intensely curious about what kind of monster was inside. The aura it emitted was incredibly powerful, and he couldn't probe its interior at all.
"Hatch quickly. I'll take you out to play then."
Hearing his words, the Monster Egg trembled a few times, as if responding to him.
Xiao Jietian chuckled. After touching the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python's egg, he departed.
The scene shifted.
When Xiao Jietian reappeared, he was back in the Jia Nan Academy.
"Xiao Jietian! You're finally here! You've been gone for half a year!"
Hu Jia's eyes widened when she saw his figure. She gnashed her teeth in anger. In the past, when he was a hands-off manager, he'd at least show up occasionally. Now, he'd been completely absent for six whole months.
"I was in seclusion for half a year." He paused, then smoothly added, "But Pan Gate is doing fine with you all managing it. I'm completely at ease. You truly are the most outstanding Hu Jia."
He showered her with praise.
Hearing his words, much of the anger in Hu Jia's heart dissipated.
As for Han Yue's faction, Moon Spirit, although Han Yue spent most of her time in the Eternal Heaven World now, she still occasionally emerged to manage their affairs.
Moon Spirit was now half-integrated into Pan Gate. Its members had no objections—their leader had already been 'abducted'. All they could do was accept it. Besides, aligning with Pan Gate wasn't a bad thing. Pan Gate was currently a dominant force within the Jia Nan Academy.
"Then I'll entrust Pan Gate to all of you from now on. I am now an Elder of the Inner Academy. It's no longer appropriate for me to hold the title of Gate Master."
He gently patted Hu Jia's shoulder. "Pan Gate will grow and flourish in your hands."
"With your strength, you really don't need to stay in the academy anymore."
Hu Jia thought of his Dou Huang-level strength and couldn't help but grind her teeth again. It was a truly despair-inducing existence to contemplate. Xiao Jietian had been evaluated as the most outstanding person since the academy's founding—unprecedented, unrivalled. No one else could even approach his level.
"Don't worry." Hu Jia puffed out her ample chest heroically. "This young lady will take excellent care of Pan Gate for you."
Xiao Jietian curiously surveyed her. In terms of pure physique, Hu Jia was in a league of her own. A devilish figure, without question. It was a pity she was a lesbian. No man would ever pluck this delicate flower.
"Alright, I trust you completely. Pan Gate is counting on you, Big Sister Hu Jia~"
He drew out the last words in a teasing tone, then quickly fled before she could react.
Hu Jia's face instantly flushed with rage. But Xiao Jietian had already vanished. Frustrated, she could only stomp her foot angrily.
With her movement, her ample bosom swayed. Had anyone been watching, they would surely have been envious.
"What an annoying guy! Still so unreliable! And I'm not that much older than you!"
After cursing under her breath, she remembered the way Xiao Jietian had looked at her when he said those last words. The meaning behind his gaze slowly dawned on her.
A faint blush crept onto her cheeks.
What a scoundrel! She cursed inwardly. Handsome and talented, sure, but this young lady doesn't like men!
Leaving Pan Gate, Xiao Jietian went directly to the place where the Fallen Heart Flame was sealed. After greeting the guarding elder, he stood at the edge of the seal, peering down into the cave entrance. He could see nothing.
"I thought you had just taken the Elder title and immediately disappeared."
Su Qian's voice came from beside him. He appeared with a soft chuckle.
"No. I just had some small gains recently and chose to go into seclusion for a while."
Hearing this, Su Qian's gaze sharpened. He scrutinized the young man beside him. Previously, he simply couldn't sense Xiao Jietian's cultivation level. Now, although he still couldn't pinpoint it, there was an added sense of fatal threat emanating from him.
Su Qian sighed. "It seems you gained a great deal from this seclusion. As expected, the future belongs to you young people. We old ones are getting on in years. It's time for us to retire to the background."
"Not at all, Great Elder." Xiao Jietian smiled. "You are still going strong. And it seems you've also made considerable progress."
He had noticed that Su Qian's aura was much stronger. His cultivation had already reached Four-Star Dou Zong. The previous battles must have brought him significant gains. He should now be able to shed that embarrassing title of 'Weakest Dou Zong'.
"You certainly know how to talk, kid." Su Qian stroked his beard, clearly pleased with Xiao Jietian's observation.
"Great Elder, what's the situation inside now?"
"There have been no abnormalities for the past six months. It's been very calm." Su Qian paused. "However, it's no longer possible to capture any Heart Flame projections from inside."
He thought about these past six months—the most peaceful half-year he could remember. No constant worry about the Fallen Heart Flame erupting. More manpower available for the Inner Academy. Unlike before, when they had to station numerous elders to monitor the situation daily.
Now, he could even cultivate with peace of mind. So much of his time had once been wasted here.
Xiao Jietian processed this information.
Xiao Yan has probably already begun refining the Fallen Heart Flame inside.
In the original story, it took a full year of confrontation to subdue it before the refining could even begin.
"In that case, Great Elder." Xiao Jietian turned to him. "You can be completely at ease. There should be no more problems."
Su Qian's eyes lit up. He didn't doubt Xiao Jietian's words for a second. Everything this young man had ever predicted had come true before his eyes.