Xiao Jietian watched the two small figures disappear into the distance and let out a soft, amused chuckle. Strangely enough, it felt… unexpectedly pleasant.
"Mother Zi Yan, I'll tell you a secret: Mother and the others all say you're Daddy's absolute favorite," Xiao Ling whispered into Zi Yan's ear. In her little heart, she silently added: …one of them, anyway.
"Really? I don't believe it. Your daddy only ever bullies me."
"But Mother said that when a boy teases and bullies a girl, it means he likes her! Look—Daddy never bullies the other girls. He doesn't even glance at them twice."
"Isn't that right, Mother Zi Yan?"
"Everything you're saying sounds perfectly logical… so why does it feel so wrong?"
"It's fine! Let me tell you more…"
Their voices gradually faded into the wind as they walked farther away.
The more Xiao Jietian listened, the more twisted his expression became. Is a person's reputation really so easily exaggerated the moment they step outside? Where on earth did my daughter learn these tricks?
Poor Zi Yan. She was probably going to be completely led astray.
"Master~!"
A figure suddenly launched herself at him in a full-body pounce, crashing straight into his arms.
Hearing that familiar, soft way of addressing him, Xiao Jietian immediately knew who it was.
He reached out comfortably and began stroking Xiao Huiying's long silver hair, tied into twin ponytails.
The sensation was entirely different from when he had looked down at her from above earlier.
"Master, when are we leaving?" Xiao Huiying raised her head, gazing up at his face with eyes brimming with adoration.
She loved traveling with Master the most. Every trip brought new, eye-opening experiences.
"We'll set off after your Sister Xian'er wakes up," Xiao Jietian replied with a gentle smile, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
"Master… it's still daytime! I—I—I… Ling Ling and the others just called me to come play…"
Xiao Huiying's cheeks flushed crimson as she squirmed shyly in his arms.
"Then go play. I'll come find you when it's time." Xiao Jietian withdrew his wandering hand—his auto-aim had accidentally triggered again.
"Thank you, Master~!"
Xiao Huiying suddenly leaped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Xiao Jietian supported her hips with both hands, guiding her naturally into a deep, lingering French kiss.
A long while passed before their lips finally parted.
After catching her breath in his embrace, Xiao Huiying reluctantly slid down. She had a feeling that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to leave at all.
Today she had a mission: to drag her sisters into the same "boat" so they couldn't laugh at her anymore.
Zi Yan: "We said we wanted to be good sisters forever… but you actually only want to be good sisters for one night."
"Go on," Xiao Jietian said with a smile, giving her bottom a light pat.
Xiao Huiying nodded obediently and scampered off in the direction Zi Yan and the others had gone.
…
Meanwhile, atop Yunlan Mountain in the Jia Ma Empire.
Yun Shan stared blankly at the sky, his expression indescribably complicated.
The former Sect Leader and the prospective Sect Leader of his sect… both had been "abducted" by the Xiao Clan.
It hurt. It hurt too much.
What infuriated him the most was the parting message that little brat had left behind:
"Sect Leader Yun, you're still of an age where hard work pays off. You can still cultivate another one."
…
High in the sky, a massive cloud drifted slowly from the Jia Ma Empire toward the Tagor Desert.
Xiao Jietian reclined lazily on a chair sculpted from cloud, eyes half-closed in contentment. His hand moved idly in rhythm with his relaxed mood.
The Little Fairy Doctor knelt half-crouched nearby, focused on… tinkering with something.
Xiao Huiying stood at the edge of the cloud, carefully controlling its stability and direction. Every so often she stole glances at the Little Fairy Doctor, her eyes shining with eagerness to learn.
Earlier, the Little Fairy Doctor had promised to teach her some "powerful techniques" before they departed—and she just so happened to be in desperate need of improvement.
Although she had received Master's personal guidance last time, she had still been clumsy and performed poorly. Now she could observe and learn more directly.
Time passed quietly.
Eventually, the Little Fairy Doctor stood up slowly.
At this moment, she looked as though she had reaped an enormous harvest. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her flame-red lips slightly swollen, her white-purple hair tied up with a black ribbon, a few stray strands clinging softly to her fair face.
"You've worked hard, Xian'er."
"No hardship at all. As long as I can help you, it makes me the happiest."
The Little Fairy Doctor straightened her clothes, lifted her slender white neck, swallowed with an audible gulp, then turned and gave Xiao Jietian a radiant smile. Her purplish-brown eyes sparkled, unintentionally radiating an endless seductive charm.
After finishing, she beckoned to Xiao Huiying.
In a flash, Xiao Huiying appeared at her side, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"Huiying, how was it? Did you learn anything?"
Xiao Huiying nodded vigorously. "Sister Xian'er, I think I've got it."
"Good. Next time, try it yourself. Just do exactly as I did."
"Okay… but I'll still need Sister Xian'er to help guide me."
"Of course." The Little Fairy Doctor had no intention of refusing. Anything that concerned Xiao Jietian, she was more than willing to do.
Xiao Jietian watched their exchange with quiet approval.
Mutual improvement was always a good thing.
Both girls were utterly devoted to him. He had no doubt that if he were ever in mortal danger, these two would be the first to throw themselves in front of him without hesitation.
And if he ever wanted someone dead, they would be the first to hand him the blade—and then quietly dispose of the corpse afterward.
"Since you learned so well, here's your little reward."
With those words, the Little Fairy Doctor gently lifted Xiao Huiying's chin, parted her red lips slightly, and pressed them softly against hers.
"Mmm~"
Xiao Huiying let out a soft sound.
Xiao Jietian, watching from the side, was utterly stunned.
He immediately took over control of the cloud to keep it steady.
Was this really something the Little Fairy Doctor would do?
Had she picked up too many of Medusa's habits after spending so much time together?
Now that he thought about it… yes, it did seem so.
Medusa had always done this sort of thing to the Little Fairy Doctor—though usually far more outrageously. She even gave it a fancy name:
"Good sisters should know how to share. One for each of us."
Xiao Huiying's eyes were wide open, her mind completely blank.
Warm lips pressed against hers, carrying the Little Fairy Doctor's unique medicinal fragrance… and also the familiar scent of her Master.
Her entire body froze in place.
After two or three breaths, the Little Fairy Doctor slowly pulled away.
Xiao Huiying's cheeks burned. Her heart pounded so fiercely she thought it might leap out of her throat.
"Si—Sister Xian'er…"
The Little Fairy Doctor took a few steps back, then nestled comfortably into Xiao Jietian's arms. Looking at Xiao Huiying's dazed expression, she chuckled softly.
"Huiying, this is the reward you deserve. There wasn't much this time, but next time I'll make sure to share half with you."
She tossed her hair with captivating grace.
Xiao Jietian reached over to help tidy her loose strands and sighed.
"You've become quite mischievous."
"It's all because you and Fei'er taught me. But I have to admit… this feeling is actually quite fun."
The Little Fairy Doctor giggled, clearly in high spirits.
Indeed—happiness is often built on the foundation of others' "suffering."
She wasn't the type to hoard things. Whatever she had, her good sisters should have too.
Xiao Huiying finally snapped out of her daze and quietly swallowed what remained in her mouth.
This was a reward from both Sister Xian'er and Master—she couldn't possibly waste it.
Hearing the Little Fairy Doctor's words, her gaze grew even stranger.
Several names flashed through her mind in quick succession:
Zi Yan. Zi Yan. And still Zi Yan.
The Little Fairy Doctor pulled Xiao Huiying closer. The two of them snuggled into Xiao Jietian's embrace and began whispering back and forth, exchanging experiences.
In roughly ten more months…
The reserves would head to the battlefield to kill enemies.