Yun Yun walked straight into the hall with graceful steps. Hu Jia immediately stood up and bowed respectfully. Even though she was extremely casual with Xiao Jietian, she was now a subordinate in the presence of Vice Hall Master Yun Yun.
Yun Yun flashed to her side in an instant, gently pressing down on Hu Jia's shoulder to stop her from bowing fully.
"Tian has mentioned you to us before. In private, we don't need so many formalities—just be yourself."
Yun Yun sized up the young woman before her. Hu Jia's appearance was indeed outstanding—vivid and alluring, with a figure that could rival her own. Her long legs and perfect curves carried a mature charm that belied her age.
Yun Yun subtly turned her head and shot Xiao Jietian a meaningful glare, as though silently accusing him of something.
From her own experience, she could clearly see the certain deeply hidden emotion flickering in the girl's eyes.
"You two chat. I'll take my leave. That official business gives me a headache." Xiao Jietian stood up, casually tossed a storage ring toward Hu Jia, and said, "Tiger Girl, everything inside is for you—including the tea you just drank."
Hu Jia caught the ring, pursed her lips, and carefully tucked it close to her body.
The two women watched as Xiao Jietian slowly walked out of the hall.
"Vice Hall Master Yun, I came on behalf of the Elder Council to report on the recent situation and matters. Is now a convenient time?" Hu Jia quickly collected herself, turned to Yun Yun, and asked politely. For some reason, she felt a faint sense of unease.
"In private, just call me Big Sister Yun Yun. No need to be so formal. Come visit more often when you have time."
Yun Yun sat down directly in the seat Xiao Jietian had just vacated, not immediately answering the report but instead gently correcting the way Hu Jia addressed her.
"Then… from now on, I'll call you Big Sister Yun Yun. Hello, Big Sister Yun Yun." Hu Jia was not one to hesitate. She immediately followed Yun Yun's lead and greeted her sweetly.
The two quickly fell into conversation. Under Yun Yun's subtle guidance, the topic naturally circled around Xiao Jietian. Hu Jia, without realizing it, fell right into the gentle trap.
…
After leaving the hall, Xiao Jietian went straight to Heavenly Beast Mountain and checked on Zi Yan's purple light cocoon.
The aura inside remained perfectly stable—no fluctuations, no danger.
Satisfied, he returned to the Eternal Heaven Palace.
There, he saw Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng diligently cultivating under Qing Lin's patient guidance.
Thanks to their special physiques, they each had innate cultivation methods. Xiao Jietian never needed to search for suitable techniques for them.
"Young Master, you're back!"
Qing Lin spotted him immediately. She came over with a soft smile and naturally hooked her arm around his, pressing her now fully matured figure against him.
Xiao Jietian glanced down at the soft, deep valley where his arm rested, then leaned over and kissed Qing Lin gently on the cheek.
Qing Lin had completely shed her former petite appearance. She now stood as tall as Yun Yun and the others, no longer frail. Instead, she exuded the full charm and grace of a mature woman.
Her long, jade-like legs gleamed softly, and her already generous bosom had grown even more prominent.
"Were the two little ones naughty while cultivating?" Xiao Jietian asked, looking at his daughters who were focused and serious in their training.
"No, Ling Ling and Meng Meng are extremely serious when they cultivate. They never slack off or get lazy," Qing Lin replied with genuine fondness.
When the girls played, they were like two little demon kings—no one could control them.
But the moment they began cultivating, they transformed into model students—gritting their teeth through exhaustion, never complaining no matter how hard or tiring it became.
"They said they want to cultivate hard so they can help you fight bad guys later," Qing Lin added with a soft chuckle, remembering how solemnly the two had declared it.
Hearing this, Xiao Jietian sighed inwardly.
His little "cotton-padded jackets" were truly warm and thoughtful—not "black-hearted cotton" at all.
Just then, Xiao Meng and Xiao Ling's small bodies trembled slightly. Their auras surged at the exact same moment.
Both broke through their realms simultaneously.
"Mother Qing Lin, we broke through!" The two opened their eyes, faces glowing with joy. Spotting Xiao Jietian beside Qing Lin, they immediately dashed over.
"Daddy! We broke through! Aren't we amazing? Hehe!"
Each latched onto one of his legs, boasting proudly, then burst into happy giggles.
"You two are the absolute best! Daddy is so proud of you." Xiao Jietian praised them lavishly, gently disentangled Qing Lin's arm, and scooped both daughters into his embrace.
"Hehe, Daddy is so amazing—of course we can't embarrass you!" The two said in unison, beaming with pride.
"What? Do you only have eyes for your Daddy?" Qing Lin leaned in close, pretending to be upset.
"Our best, dearest, most, most, most beautiful Mother Qing Lin—hug!" Xiao Ling immediately deployed her ultimate weapon: acting spoiled.
Xiao Ling already resembled a flawless porcelain doll. Even at her young age, it was clear she would grow into a peerless beauty. Combined with her current adorable, pouting expression, Qing Lin's heart melted instantly.
She reached out and took Xiao Ling from Xiao Jietian's arms, planting several kisses on her soft little face.
"Mother Qing Lin, Meng Meng wants one too!" Xiao Meng stretched her head out from Xiao Jietian's embrace.
Qing Lin promptly kissed her cheek as well. Both girls erupted into innocent, bell-like giggles—their laughter carrying a pure charm that could melt even the coldest heart.
At that moment, Xiao Jietian also leaned his face close to Qing Lin.
"Eww! Daddy is so shameless!" Xiao Meng's clear voice rang out first. Her little brows furrowed in playful reproach, yet the expression was endlessly cute.
Xiao Ling was not to be outdone: "Exactly! Daddy, shame on you!"
Hearing his two little rascals tease him in unison, Xiao Jietian couldn't hold back—he burst into hearty laughter.
"Oh my, you two little demons are bullying Daddy now?"
Xiao Meng and Xiao Ling remained completely unfazed, covering their mouths and giggling nonstop.
Qing Lin also gave Xiao Jietian a resounding kiss on the cheek, then gently flicked the noses of the two girls.
"You little rascals—be careful, or your Daddy might spank your bottoms later."
"No fear! If Daddy dares hit me, I'll cry—and then I'll make Mommy deal with him! Hehe." Xiao Ling declared fearlessly. "And Mother Qing Lin will definitely protect us, right?"
"I can't beat your Daddy either!" Qing Lin laughed.
Xiao Jietian pretended to raise his hand menacingly.
"Daddy is the best—he definitely wouldn't bear to, right, my dear Daddy!" Xiao Meng quickly turned her head, flashing an adorable smile and acting spoiled in his arms.
Xiao Jietian laughed even harder at her antics.
Seeing this, Xiao Meng breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly slipped down from his arms and tugged gently on Qing Lin's skirt.
"Mother Qing Lin, let's go make pastries! Meng Meng wants some."
Qing Lin instantly understood—this was her clever little excuse to escape before any "spanking" could happen.
"Alright, let's go!" Qing Lin readily agreed.
"Yay! I want to eat too!" Xiao Ling jumped down from Qing Lin's arms. "Meng Meng, let's go!"
Hand in hand, the two dashed toward the kitchen on their short little legs.
…
Days and months passed like flowing water.
Two months flew by in the blink of an eye.
Inside a cultivation chamber deep within Heavenly Beast Mountain—
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion rang out.