Han Yue finished the last sip of soy milk, carefully cleaned the tableware, then rose and walked to the basin to rinse her mouth.
The two of them stepped out of the palace together. Xiao Jietian scooped up his daughter, chatted idly with the other women for a short while, then opened a spatial passage and departed for Eternal Heaven World.
He arrived at Pan Gate's station and spotted Xiao Yan right away.
"Xiao Yan Zi, how are things going?"
"Not bad. It all depends on their future decisions now."
Xiao Yan gave a relaxed smile. He had always done his utmost to follow Xiao Jietian's arrangements. The two strange flames he currently possessed had only come into his hands thanks to Xiao Jietian's guidance and help.
Moreover, it was Xiao Jietian who had told him the truth: Han Feng—his so-called Senior Brother—had colluded with the Hall of Souls to assassinate their master, only to eventually meet his own end at the hands of that same organization. Xiao Jietian had played a major role in exposing and orchestrating that outcome.
Every time Xiao Yan thought of that "master-killing Senior Brother," he itched to drag the man's soul back from the underworld just to kill him again.
The task Xiao Jietian had given him was simple yet crucial: spend more time around the Alchemy Department, make the names of Pan Gate and Boundless Heaven Hall widely known.
That way, when the Alchemy Department's students graduated, they would naturally consider joining Boundless Heaven Hall.
Those who could enter the Alchemy Department were all top-tier talents. With a little grooming, they would become the backbone of any force.
Alchemists were indispensable to any faction. Without its own dedicated group of pill refiners, a power could be easily strangled at a critical moment.
At present, Boundless Heaven Hall's Alchemy Department was personally overseen by Xiao Yan. He had no complaints whatsoever—setting aside gratitude, the department's vast collection of ancient formulas and rare ingredients alone was enough to keep him immersed for years.
"Good. No need to rush this matter. Take it slow and steady."
Xiao Jietian picked up a cup of tea and took a small sip.
"In that case, everything's in your hands. Do you want to enter Eternal Heaven World?"
As he spoke, his gaze flicked toward the plain white storage ring on Xiao Yan's finger. A wisp of soul transmission slipped inside.
"I'll go in. I have something to discuss with Father."
Xiao Yan nodded. He had originally been looking for Xiao Jietian anyway. Without Xiao Jietian present, he couldn't enter Eternal Heaven World on his own—he would have had to fly all the way back to Eternal Heaven City first.
"What, going to talk about the marriage proposal?"
Xiao Jietian noticed the slight awkwardness and hesitation on Xiao Yan's face and couldn't help but smile.
"Exactly. Even though it started as a misunderstanding, I still have to take responsibility. And… she and I already have feelings for each other."
Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head, his eyes firm and resolute.
"As long as you've thought it through, Father and all of us will support you."
Xiao Jietian nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly let out a low chuckle.
"Tian Ge, what's so funny?"
Xiao Yan looked at him in confusion.
"I just thought… Second Brother is probably about to get lectured again today."
Hearing that, Xiao Yan immediately burst into laughter as well.
"Hahaha! Second Brother is going to be miserable this time. Kneeling in the ancestral hall is unavoidable!"
"You go in first. I still have something to handle."
With a casual wave of his hand, Xiao Jietian sent Xiao Yan into Eternal Heaven World, then his figure flickered and vanished in another direction.
Xiao Yan appeared directly inside his private palace. A translucent phantom immediately floated out to greet him.
"Was that your brother just now? Your blood-related brother?"
Venerable Skyfire hovered in midair, tone serious.
Xiao Yan glanced at him, thinking of his own teacher.
After helping him subdue the Fallen Heart Flame, Yao Lao had fallen into a deep slumber. Thanks to the resources of Boundless Heaven Hall, Xiao Yan had gathered many soul-nourishing medicines and given half to his teacher and half to Venerable Skyfire. Yet Yao Lao still had not awakened.
What Xiao Jietian did not know was that Yao Lao had actually regained consciousness long ago. Sensing another soul body residing within Xiao Yan, he chose to remain hidden, silently observing the other party's intentions. If anything seemed amiss, he could still launch a surprise attack.
"Yes, what about him?"
"Your brother… is extraordinarily mysterious. I couldn't detect the slightest detail about his cultivation or background—and he clearly discovered my existence."
"Also, what exactly is this place? The energy here is so pure. My recovery speed has increased dramatically since I arrived."
Xiao Yan briefly explained the nature of Eternal Heaven World.
After listening, a trace of solemnity flashed through Venerable Skyfire's eyes. As a former Dou Zun expert, he was extremely familiar with spatial manipulation. Even at his peak, he could only create very small pocket dimensions—nothing on the scale of a true small world.
Seeing his reaction, Xiao Yan understood: Xiao Jietian had indeed noticed Venerable Skyfire's presence and had already issued both a warning and an incentive.
Xiao Yan was correct.
The soul transmission Xiao Jietian had sent just before leaving was a classic carrot-and-stick approach:
Malicious intent → utter annihilation.
Loyal assistance to Xiao Yan → help in forging a new physical body.
Venerable Skyfire had initially been skeptical.
Now, standing inside Eternal Heaven World, he no longer doubted a single word.
He even began to suspect that—if anyone would actually help him forge a body—it would be Xiao Jietian himself, not Xiao Yan.
…
Jia Nan Academy's back mountain forest.
Xiao Jietian stood lightly on the branch of a towering ancient tree, quietly watching the battle unfolding below.
One side was a fifth-tier magical beast; the other was a petite white-haired figure.
The fight ended swiftly.
With a single ferocious punch, Zi Yan sent the beast flying, claiming victory.
She jogged over to the defeated creature's original spot, happily collected the medicinal herbs it had been guarding, and stored them in her ring.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
"Not bad, Little Zi Yan. Your strength has improved quite a bit. That punch was incredibly violent."
Xiao Jietian applauded from the branch, then stepped down and appeared directly in front of her.
"Xiao Jietian! You finally showed up! Where have you been? I missed you so much!"
The moment Zi Yan saw him, her eyes lit up. She leaped forward and pounced straight into his arms.
Xiao Jietian hurriedly caught her small frame.
"I don't think you missed *me*. I think you missed me refining pills for you, right?"
"Hehe~" Zi Yan laughed awkwardly, her secret exposed. "You're imagining things. I'm not like that at all."
"Really? Then why are you clutching a storage ring stuffed full of medicinal herbs?"
Xiao Jietian glanced teasingly at the ring dangling from her hand.
Zi Yan's face immediately flushed. She averted her eyes, mumbling:
"I don't know… it just appeared by itself. I didn't take it out on purpose. It's definitely not my fault."
Xiao Jietian nearly laughed out loud at her blatant denial.
Zi Yan saw him mocking her and clenched her small fists in frustration. But then she remembered two very important facts:
One—she currently needed his help.
Two—she couldn't beat him.
How infuriating! But there was nothing she could do. Still… this young lady would definitely find a chance for revenge someday. Hmph hmph!
Xiao Jietian watched her face cycle through a dozen different expressions—better entertainment than any grand opera.
"Alright, stop fantasizing about beating me. You can't." He knew exactly what she was thinking; this little girl never forgot a grudge. "Hand over the storage ring. I'll refine all those herbs into pills for you. Afterward, you'll come with me to a certain place."
"Smack!"
The moment she heard those words, Zi Yan's eyes sparkled. Without hesitation, she leaned forward and planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
She had been worried sick that her pill supply was running low and she still hadn't found Xiao Jietian. If that happened, she'd be forced to chew raw, bitter medicinal herbs again.
Going from luxury back to poverty was the hardest thing in the world.
After getting used to perfectly refined pills, raw herbs tasted like torture. And it was all this guy's fault for spoiling her in the first place!
"That's your reward," Zi Yan declared proudly, looking at the momentarily stunned Xiao Jietian. "You're the first person this young lady has ever kissed."
The reason she had acted so boldly was simple—