"Leave?"
Xiao Jietian looked at Xun'er with an expression of pure bewilderment, as though he genuinely could not understand why she would ask such a thing.
Xun'er immediately saw through his act. She knew better than anyone how thick this man's skin could be.
"I'm going to use the medicinal bath you prepared for me," she said, voice growing smaller with each word. "If you stay here… I… I…"
She covered her face with both hands, fingers trembling slightly. Even though the two of them had long since bared their hearts to one another, she was still unbearably shy when it came to such intimate moments. The words simply refused to come out.
Xiao Jietian's lips curved into a soft, understanding smile. He had only meant to tease her a little — he knew very well how thin-skinned she was.
"Alright, I'll stand guard outside. If anything feels wrong, or if the medicinal power surges too violently, you must call me immediately."
He spoke gently, all traces of teasing gone.
Xun'er slowly lowered her hands. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with emotion as she looked at him.
"Brother Xiao Jietian… thank you. You're always so good to me."
"Silly girl." Xiao Jietian reached out and lightly rubbed the top of her head. "You are my future wife. Of course I'll be good to you — for a lifetime."
Those simple words struck straight into Xun'er's heart.
Her eyes instantly grew misty. Without thinking, she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
The kiss was soft at first, then deepened with quiet urgency. Only when both of them were nearly breathless did they finally separate.
Xiao Jietian gently reheated the water in the tub with a thread of Dou Qi, making sure the temperature remained perfect.
"Go ahead and absorb it now," he said softly. "I'll be right outside."
He turned and walked out, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.
Inside the room, Xun'er stood motionless for several long seconds.
She reached out and dipped her fingers into the water — warm, comfortable, carrying the faint emerald glow of the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid.
A sweetness like honey spread through her chest.
Slowly, she let her outer robe slip from her shoulders.
Her clothes pooled at her feet like fallen petals.
Her skin, fair as mutton-fat jade, was revealed — perfectly proportioned, slender yet soft, glowing with a faint luster under the warm lamplight.
Xun'er stepped into the tub and sat cross-legged in the water.
The moment the medicinal liquid touched her skin, a warm current flowed into her meridians.
She formed a hand seal.
Her breathing gradually steadied.
She entered a deep cultivation state, slowly guiding the medicinal power through her body.
The formula Xiao Jietian had prepared — refined according to an ancient alchemical text — was gentle and nourishing, completely unlike the brutally cold method Xiao Yan had once endured. There was no pain, only a comfortable warmth that spread from her limbs to her dantian.
Outside the door, Xiao Jietian leaned against the wall with arms crossed.
He extended a wisp of soul perception, carefully sensing the fluctuations inside.
Xun'er's aura was stable — even, calm, rising steadily.
Only then did he truly relax.
From the neighboring rooms came faint Dou Qi fluctuations as well — Xiao Yu, Wu Hao, Hu Jia, and the others were all refining their portions of the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid.
Time passed quietly.
After an unknown period, a faint pressure suddenly emanated from Xun'er's room.
It carried an ancient, majestic aura — supreme and noble, as though an immemorial divine beast had briefly opened its eyes.
Xiao Jietian's expression softened.
This was the awakening of Xun'er's ancient clan bloodline.
In truth, she did not need to cultivate as diligently as ordinary people. As her physique matured and her bloodline gradually purified with age, her cultivation would rise naturally — like a divine spring slowly bubbling forth.
Xiao Jietian had long suspected that the Gu Clan had placed a gentle seal on Xun'er when she was young — allowing the bloodline power to release slowly and steadily, preventing any sudden surge that could damage her foundation.
Many possessors of Di-grade or higher bloodlines chose a similar path: deliberately suppressing their cultivation in youth, cutting off meridians if necessary, and re-cultivating from scratch to forge an incomparably solid foundation — just as the legendary Milk Heavenly Emperor had once severed his own Supreme Bone to turn it into nourishment, breaking through his limits.
Xun'er's current cultivation had already quietly reached the Dou Ling realm — and not at the lower end.
Divine-grade bloodline… truly terrifying.
The later stages would be her time of explosive growth — like a rocket piercing the heavens.
Sensing that Xun'er was absorbing the medicinal power steadily and safely, Xiao Jietian let a relaxed smile touch his lips.
To him, Xun'er was not only the Gu Clan's most precious treasure — she was *his* greatest treasure.
No mistakes could be permitted.
"Creak."
The door opened softly.
Xun'er stepped out.
She wore the pure white dress Xiao Jietian had once bought especially for her — a rare departure from her usual green, purple, or blue robes.
Clad all in white, she looked like an immortal fairy who had just descended from a moonlit pond — clean, ethereal, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.
Xiao Jietian stared, momentarily dazed.
Seeing his expression, Xun'er revealed a gentle, almost shy smile.
*A man dies for his confidant; a woman adorns herself for her beloved.*
"Xun'er… you are so beautiful," Xiao Jietian said softly, voice filled with undisguised awe and adoration. "So beautiful that no word in this world can describe you properly."
Xun'er's cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She lowered her gaze, but the joy in her eyes could not be hidden.
"Brother Xiao Jietian… you always say such things."
Xiao Jietian stepped forward slowly, closing the distance between them.
He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear.
"What I said comes from the heart. It isn't the dress that makes you look like a celestial maiden — it's you who gives the dress its soul."
Xun'er's heartbeat quickened.
Under his focused, tender gaze, the blush on her cheeks spread — to her earlobes, then down the slender column of her neck.
She felt an indescribable sweetness swelling in her chest, so intense it almost hurt.
"Brother Xiao Jietian… you only know how to make me happy," she murmured, voice soft and trembling with shyness. "Why do you always say such embarrassing things?"
Xiao Jietian smiled.
He lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Because every word is true."
Xun'er linked her arm through his.
The two walked together toward the open platform of the pavilion.
Xiao Jietian told her about the amusing things he had encountered in the forest — the greedy little fire spirit that tried to steal his herbs, the old ape who had challenged him to a staring contest and promptly fallen asleep.
Xun'er listened with rapt attention, occasionally letting out soft laughter or gently scolding him for being reckless.
The two figures leaned close together — quiet conversation, playful banter, Xun'er's soft rebukes — painting a vivid scroll of youth, vitality, and deep affection.
From nearby rooms, the others who had finished their cultivation watched the scene with approving smiles.
They talked tirelessly until night fell.
Eventually, Xun'er grew drowsy. She fell asleep peacefully in Xiao Jietian's arms.
Xiao Jietian carefully lifted her and carried her to the bed.
But even in sleep, Xun'er refused to let go of his hand.
She clung tightly, as though afraid he would disappear.
Xiao Jietian looked down at her peaceful sleeping face, sighed helplessly, and lay down beside her.
Of course — it was only chaste sleep.
Xun'er's bloodline had not yet fully awakened. He understood the consequences of acting rashly and had no intention of harming her.
…
Morning light filtered through the window.
Xun'er slowly woke.
She had deliberately held onto Xiao Jietian's hand last night.
It was her small, shy reward to him — for preparing such a precious medicinal bath.
Her Brother Xiao Jietian was perfect in every way… except that his hands were very dishonest when he slept. They wandered.
Xun'er quietly removed his palm from her waist and sat up.
After glancing around, she noticed something.
Her Brother Xiao Jietian was already awake — but he was pretending to still be asleep.
Xun'er lowered her head in thought for a moment.
Then she pursed her lips, made a small decision, and leaned down.
…
The scene shifted.
Xiao Jietian lay on the bed, stretching comfortably.
Hearing his movement, Xun'er — who had just finished gargling — turned and glared at him "fiercely."
Xiao Jietian immediately put on a fawning expression. He slipped behind her, hands gently massaging her shoulders and arms.
"Ahem… that was just a subconscious action, you know."
Xun'er rolled her eyes at him — but the look was filled with infinite charm, nearly causing Xiao Jietian to lose his soul.
She reached out and poked his forehead.
"Haven't you seen enough, you blockhead?"
"Not enough," Xiao Jietian answered seriously. "A lifetime of looking wouldn't be enough."
He leaned down, kissed her forehead softly, then turned toward the door.
Less than a minute after he left, a knock sounded.
"Cousin Xiao Yu, wait a moment."
Xun'er's voice floated out.
She opened the half-closed window for ventilation, then stepped outside.
"Xun'er, let's go. We have to catch up to that guy Xiao Jietian soon."
Xiao Yu took Xun'er's hand and walked toward the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda.
Xun'er nodded firmly.
Although her bloodline was awakening bit by bit and her cultivation speed would soon become terrifying, she still had not yet caught up to Xiao Jietian.
But she was confident.
One day, she would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him — or even walk ahead.
For now, the three of them — Xun'er, Xiao Yu, and occasionally Wu Hao — took turns managing the daily affairs of Pan Gate.
And so the days passed — warm, peaceful, and filled with the quiet promise of a bright future.