The three of them began to explore the mountain range.
They wandered without hurry, stopping whenever something caught their interest. What started as three gradually grew—Yun Yun and Ya Fei even joined in. A family picnic, spreading laughter and joy through the wilderness.
Three days.
They played for three full days, covering virtually the entire mountain range.
During this time, through persistent persuasion and an unshakably thick-skinned offensive, Xiao Jietian also engaged in… outdoor body tempering technical exchanges with them. Excluding Yun Yun and Ya Fei, of course. One by one.
The details?
You can imagine for yourselves. You're all experienced enough.
Throughout this period, countless magical beasts became their food. The more intelligent, higher-tier beasts learned quickly—they hid themselves deep, praying not to encounter this group of fiends.
Afterward, led by Little Fairy Doctor, they flew at high speed. Half a day later, they arrived outside Maple City.
Xiao Jietian gazed at the city before him. It was even larger and more prosperous than Eternal Heaven City.
Truly lives up to its reputation as the central city of the Black-Corner Region.
"Xian'er." He turned to Little Fairy Doctor, his expression pitiful. "Are you sure you won't reconsider?"
"Impossible." Her voice was firm, resolute. "Don't even think about it. Go find them."
She deposited him at Maple City's gate and vanished into the Eternal Heaven World—to accompany Yun Yun and Ya Fei. Both could give birth at any moment. The other sisters stayed by their side constantly.
Another reason she fled, Xiao Jietian suspected, was that during the flight, he had grown even more shameless—constantly taking liberties, even suggesting a mid-air 'exchange.'
She had refused. Quickly.
The mountain range had been one thing. Stimulating, yes. But now?
Absolutely not.
Xiao Jietian watched her disappear and chuckled softly.
Her refusal was firm. But with a little more persistence…
It shouldn't be a problem.
He patted the dust from his clothes.
A flash, and he bypassed the crowd, entering Maple City.
With his strength, why bother with the gate?
Along the way, he randomly selected a 'lucky' individual and learned that the entire Maple City had already been taken over by Boundless Heavenly Hall.
Many factions had tried to claim a piece. They had been… discouraged. Thoroughly.
On that day, Maple City's sky had seemed covered in dark clouds. The scent of blood had filled every street.
Xiao Jietian sensed the location of Boundless Heavenly Hall's personnel. His body moved like a ghost toward that direction.
The 'lucky' individual watched him depart, legs trembling.
"Damn. Terrifying. But… I'm alive."
A pause.
"Who peed my pants? I need to change."
At that moment, Hai Bodong—Great Elder of Boundless Heavenly Hall—was buried in work at his desk.
He was happy.
His life had once been lived on thin ice. Now, he wielded immense power.
Is this the joy of a successful angel investor?
"Old Hai." Xiao Jietian's voice materialized in the study. "You seem to be in a very good mood."
He appeared in the chair opposite Hai Bodong.
Hai Bodong shot to his feet, instinctively preparing to bow.
"Old Hai." Xiao Jietian pressed his hand through the air. Invisible force spread, interrupting the gesture. "Between us, no need for formalities."
Hai Bodong could only sit back down, helpless but warmed.
He hasn't changed.
Hai Bodong was the first to follow Xiao Jietian. Even now, he and Xiao Ding jointly managed Boundless Heavenly Hall. They complemented each other perfectly—Hai Bodong steady and experienced, Xiao Ding young and sharp. Both decisive. The current scale of Boundless Heavenly Hall was considerable.
And Xiao Jietian…
He didn't want to become a solitary figure just because he sat at the top.
Power was meaningless without friends to share wine and laughter.
"How was the conquest of Maple City?" Xiao Jietian sipped the tea Hai Bodong had poured. "Smooth?"
"At first, many wanted a piece." Hai Bodong chuckled lightly. "But under our military deterrence, they've all become very cooperative."
Absolute power. That's the only reason it went so easily.
He remembered something.
"Oh, right. We captured three leaders of first-rate gangs who tried to establish themselves here during the chaos. All Dou Huang realm. Would you like to see them?"
In the Black-Corner Region, only gangs with Dou Huang experts qualified as first-rate forces. Those with only Dou Wangs were second-rate.
"Which three?" Xiao Jietian's interest piqued.
Could it be the trio from the original story?
"Heavenly Yin Sect. Rakshasa Gate. Mad Lion Gang."
Xiao Jietian's eyes flickered.
The trio indeed.
These three forces were the closest to Maple City, positioned at its four corners along with Jia Nan Academy.
"Take me to see them. They might be useful."
Under Hai Bodong's guidance, they arrived at a guarded location. Old Mo stood watch.
Xiao Jietian nodded to him and entered.
Inside, three people with pale faces sat, constantly sighing. Their Dou Qi had all been sealed.
A voluptuous beautiful woman. A middle-aged burly man. A sinister old man.
Xiao Jietian found the combination faintly amusing.
Like some kind of 'Hum-Ha' trio.
The door opened. A handsome young man walked in.
All three immediately stood.
The sinister old man—Old Yin Bone, Sect Master of Heavenly Yin Sect, Five-Star Dou Huang—scrutinized him. He had been captured long enough. The person appearing now might be the one in charge. And the man who had given orders earlier walked a step behind him.
"May I ask who this esteemed guest is?"
The middle-aged burly man and the voluptuous woman studied him as well. The woman's eyes brightened when she saw his immortal-like appearance. She looked ready to drool.
The burly man—Tie Wu, leader of the Mad Lion Gang, Four-Star Dou Huang.
The woman—Su Mei, leader of the Rakshasa Gate, Four-Star Dou Huang.
"You may call me Hall Master Xiao." Xiao Jietian sat in the chair before them, his tone indifferent.
Surprise flickered across their faces. Their expressions froze.
Before they could fully process their astonishment, his next words landed.
And their entire demeanor shifted for the worse.