Xiao Jietian materialized directly in Yun Yun's practice chamber. The moment he appeared, a golden-red blade slashed through the air toward him.
His hands clamped down on the slender sword, halting it mid-strike. "Yun'er, are you trying to murder your husband?"
"Who told you to sneak around like that? Hmph!" Yun Yun huffed, though there had been little true force behind her blade.
"I was missing you," Xiao Jietian said with a roguish grin, pulling her into his arms. "The moment I returned, I came to find you first."
His fingers traced gentle patterns along her cheek.
"Then I'll forgive you this time."
Yun Yun's longsword shimmered, transforming back into a ring. She pressed herself against him, nestling into his embrace, and whispered softly, "I miss you too."
"Then let me see just how much you've missed me."
Without waiting for a response, Xiao Jietian scooped her up and strode toward the inner chamber. Yun Yun offered no resistance, contentedly resting in his arms.
"I want the fruit of our love," she murmured, gazing up at him with hopeful eyes.
Xiao Jietian's heart softened at her vulnerable expression. He nodded solemnly.
Joy and excitement flooded Yun Yun's features. A radiant smile bloomed across her face as she said tenderly, "You're so good to me. I love you, Xiao Jietian."
"Tonight, let's play cards."
Just as the words left her lips, another voice—sultry and teasing—echoed through the room.
"Oh? Playing without me? Tonight we're playing Dou Dizhu."
A figure in a form-fitting black cheongsam appeared, her curves accentuated by the silken fabric. Under the soft lamplight, Ya Fei's stunning face came into view, her eyes dancing with mischief.
Xiao Jietian naturally had no objections. The three of them settled in for a night of Dou Dizhu.
The two women teamed up as the 'farmers,' while Xiao Jietian was perpetually forced into the role of 'landlord.' Sometimes the 'landlord' was even overthrown by the combined forces of the 'farmers,' completely suppressed and dominated.
After several intense hours, Xiao Jietian's superior card skills ultimately triumphed over their coordinated cheating.
Playing cards was mentally exhausting work, requiring constant strategy and wit. Both Yun Yun and Ya Fei were thoroughly spent, succumbing to sleep. Xiao Jietian tidied up before slipping out of the room.
* * *
He arrived at another palace within the Eternal Heaven Realm.
Finding Qing Lin sound asleep, Xiao Jietian tiptoed to her bedside. With a mischievous grin, he extended his hand and gently pinched her nose shut.
"Mm~" Unable to breathe, Qing Lin made a soft sound and struggled lightly. Her eyes fluttered open to see a familiar face hovering above her.
The anger on her features instantly melted away. She sat up abruptly, pouting adorably. "Young Master~ You're so naughty! Bullying Qing Lin the moment you arrive!"
Xiao Jietian's eyes gleamed appreciatively. Qing Lin wore only a thin silk nightgown, the sheer fabric revealing tantalizing glimpses beneath—a hazy beauty that stirred the imagination.
During this period, Qing Lin had grown considerably taller, now approaching the height of Little Fairy Doctor and the others. No longer the petite girl she'd once been, her figure had developed curves that suggested a mature, 'older sister' type. Perhaps it was due to her increasing cultivation level.
Yet her personality remained unchanged—sweet, affectionate, and endearingly easy to tease.
Xiao Jietian pulled her directly into his arms...
* * *
An hour later, Xiao Jietian carried the sleeping Qing Lin back to Yun Yun's chamber.
Of course, what he'd given her had been carefully controlled. Though she was technically an adult, her body was still adapting to her rapidly increasing strength.
Yun Yun and Ya Fei remained unconscious, occasionally murmuring words of surrender in their sleep.
It seemed tonight's card game had been a complete and utter defeat for them.
* * *
Early the next morning, Xiao Jietian reappeared in the forest depths of Jia Nan Academy.
He wandered aimlessly in search of medicinal herbs. The deeper regions indeed contained many precious specimens, though most were guarded by Magical Beasts.
Some were even protected by Fifth-Rank Magical Beasts. Xiao Jietian directly subdued them and claimed the herbs right before their eyes. The beasts could only watch pitifully as their beloved treasures were taken away, powerless to resist.
Eventually, he discovered a relatively secluded mountain cave. The entrance was surrounded by jagged rocks and appeared quite desolate—the sort of place people would naturally avoid.
The entire cave looked damp, with no signs of habitation. Xiao Jietian sealed the entrance, then created a ventilation hole from another location.
He placed four moonstones on the ceiling, flooding the interior with bright light. A sweep of flames from his hand dried the entire cave instantly.
The Purple Heaven Cauldron appeared before him. He placed flames inside to slowly warm the medicinal cauldron, then waved his other hand. A complete set of Dou Ling Pill ingredients materialized neatly on the ground.
Xiao Jietian tossed the Sky Flame Flower into the cauldron. The flames surged instantly, engulfing it with crackling sounds as the material burst and broke down.
Next came the Blood Python Ganoderma, Dew Cold Bamboo...
After nearly two days of refining all the medicinal essences, Xiao Jietian began the delicate process of fusing the liquids together using the Strange Fire.
As the flames roasted them, the medicinal liquids rotated and merged continuously. Remaining impurities fell to the bottom of the cauldron.
Gradually, the liquid in the flames formed the shape of a pill, transforming from irregular to perfectly round.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A pillar of light erupted from the medicinal cauldron, piercing through heaven and earth itself!
Waves of powerful energy fluctuations spread outward in all directions, shaking the very air.
* * *
In the Inner Academy, a black-robed elder sitting behind his desk suddenly stood, his usually calm eyes widening in shock.
He appeared on the rooftop in an instant, gazing toward the Inner Academy forest with a grave expression.
"A Heaven and Earth Anomaly from a Sixth-Rank pill formation?" His voice was tight with tension. "There's only one person in the entire Inner Academy capable of this. Could he have infiltrated us?"
The black-robed elder's face grew grim. If that person had snuck into the academy, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the void. His figure flickered several times, rapidly shrinking into the distance.
* * *
Xiao Jietian knew someone would arrive soon. He accelerated the final stages of refinement.
With a swift grab, he snatched the Dou Ling Pill from within the pillar of light and sealed it in a jade bottle, coating the seal with a layer of flame.
As the pill was secured, the heaven-piercing light pillar vanished.
Xiao Jietian had no time to waste. He quickly stored the Purple Heaven Cauldron, shattered through the cave wall, concealed his entire aura, and with his golden wings vibrating powerfully, shot away at maximum speed.
Just over ten breaths after his departure, a black-robed figure materialized out of thin air before the mountain cave.
"May I ask which fellow Daoist is refining pills within my Jia Nan Academy?" The elder's deep voice echoed across the sky, lingering for a long moment. "Would you be willing to show yourself?"
Time passed. No response came.
The elder frowned and entered the cave where Xiao Jietian had been refining.
"He's already left." The elder bent down, gently picking up black ashes from the ground. He whispered thoughtfully, "This aura doesn't match Han Feng's. So who exactly is this Sixth-Rank Alchemist?"
His expression grew troubled. "The Black-Corner Region is becoming more chaotic and perplexing by the day."
The elder's body gradually faded from sight. Approximately five breaths later, he reappeared at the cave entrance one final time.
"Truly gone..." he murmured before vanishing completely.
* * *
Xiao Jietian ran for a considerable distance before finally stopping. Though he knew the person who'd arrive would likely be the Inner Academy's Great Elder, he still had no intention of meeting with him.
He resumed his search for medicinal herbs.
Finally, in a location guarded by a Fifth-Rank Magical Beast, he discovered an extremely rare specimen—a Di Zang Fruit.
Xiao Jietian subdued the beast and was about to pluck the fruit when—
A small, slender hand shot out from the side, reaching for the Di Zang Fruit.