Just as Xiao Jietian and Han Yue were deeply engrossed in their private matters…
Han Chi sat alone in the patriarch's exclusive courtyard. Several jade boxes given by Xiao Jietian lay open before him.
He had already opened them all—and was utterly stunned.
After a long silence, he slowly picked up a special sheet of paper from one of the boxes. Written on it were the exact grades and effects of every pill inside.
As he read line by line, Han Chi felt his throat growing drier and drier. He swallowed hard, then carefully returned the paper to its box and closed the lid with trembling fingers.
Even after sealing the boxes, he could still feel his hands shaking—from sheer, overwhelming delight.
He could hardly believe what he had just seen.
A pile of sixth-grade pills… and several seventh-grade pills.
Sixth-grade was already rare—he had seen a few in his lifetime. But seventh-grade? He had barely glimpsed any, let alone owned one. Acquiring even a single seventh-grade pill usually required begging, pleading, and relying on the favor of powerful alchemists.
He hurriedly stored the jade boxes away, swept his soul sense around to confirm no one was watching, then relaxed slightly.
Without delay, he hurried toward the Han Family's ancestral grounds—using a movement technique the entire way.
He arrived before a sealed stone chamber deep within the ancestral lands and respectfully knocked on the heavy door.
This was the secluded cultivation chamber of Han Fei, the Han Family's Old Ancestor.
For ordinary matters, Han Chi would never dare disturb him. Even though Han Fei had emerged from seclusion earlier tonight, Han Chi still felt nervous every time he approached this place.
"Enter!" A hoarse, aged voice came from inside. The stone door rumbled open.
Han Chi stepped inside quickly. The moment he entered, the door sealed shut behind him with a heavy boom.
About three breaths later, a sharp gasp echoed inside the chamber.
Han Fei's aged hands trembled violently as he clutched one of the jade boxes.
When he learned these pills had been personally refined by his great-grandson-in-law, his excitement only grew. He muttered in disbelief:
"This… this is a blessing so great even our ancestors' graves would smoke green with envy."
…
Late at night. All was silent.
A slender purple figure quietly slipped from the neighboring courtyard toward Han Yue's residence.
Under the soft moonlight, the newcomer's face was revealed—Han Xue.
At this moment, Han Xue only wanted to secretly observe her elder sister and brother-in-law—who had been apart for so long—and eavesdrop on what they might talk about.
She had read in storybooks: after a long separation, when lovers reunite, it was like dry wood meeting fierce fire—igniting at the slightest touch.
Han Xue arrived at Han Yue's courtyard and found every light extinguished. Her heart pounded wildly: "Could it be…"
She considered turning back, but her feet honestly carried her forward—quietly, even forgetting to breathe.
Only when she reached the wall outside Han Yue's bedroom did she realize there was no sound at all. She pressed her ear to the wall—still nothing.
Boldly, she extended her soul sense… and found the room completely empty.
"Strange… no one's here. Did sister and brother-in-law go out?" Han Xue suddenly covered her mouth as a thought struck her. "I remember a storybook saying some people like to go to secluded places where no one can see… They wouldn't be…"
The more she thought about it, the more convinced she became. Otherwise, how could both of them be missing at the same time?
Han Xue smacked her right fist into her left palm, looking like a genius who had just solved a great mystery.
…
Early morning.
Xiao Jietian took Han Yue for a "morning exercise" session before the two of them finally emerged from the Eternal Heaven World.
Today, both had their own plans.
Han Yue intended to find Han Xue for shopping and some sisterly girl talk.
She hadn't been back in Tianbei City for several years. She wanted to scout out the best places with Han Xue first. Otherwise, when she later brought her other sisters here to play, she wouldn't even know where to take them.
It was also a chance to subtly test Han Xue's feelings. Although Xiao Jietian hadn't agreed last night, he also hadn't outright refused.
She was genuinely worried for her little sister.
As for Xiao Jietian, he planned to discuss future matters with Han Chi. Han Yue had already revealed some information to her father beforehand.
She hoped the Han Family—like the Mittel Family and the Snake-People Tribe—would directly merge into Boundless Heaven Hall and become a true branch of it.
What was the point of being the hegemon of Tianbei City? Merging with Boundless Heaven Hall would at least grant them elder-level status.
After a lingering farewell kiss at the courtyard gate, Han Yue sent Xiao Jietian a soul transmission:
"Are you really not considering it? Double the pleasure… and Xue'er and I look six or seven parts alike~"
Xiao Jietian was nearly caught off guard by the sudden question. He quickly recovered and replied via transmission:
"I am the most upright gentleman under heaven! How could I possibly have such thoughts!!"
After speaking, he subtly glanced toward a large rock not far away.
The highest realm of a playboy: cast the net and bait, let the fish swim in, and eventually—the fish reel themselves in.
"Alright, alright, go handle your important matters first." Han Yue stopped teasing him. She didn't want him to drag her back inside for another round of "military training." She helped straighten his clothes.
Xiao Jietian ruffled Han Yue's hair affectionately, then turned and headed toward Han Chi's location.
Watching his departing figure, Han Yue's eyes flickered with hidden thoughts. Then she withdrew her gaze, walked over to the large rock nearby, and spoke in an annoyed tone to the figure hiding behind it:
"Xue'er, stop hiding. Come out already. Is peeking fun?"
When she and Xiao Jietian had been kissing goodbye earlier, Han Xue had already quietly hidden there, watching.
"Hehe, Sis, what are you talking about? I don't understand. I was just passing by," Han Xue walked out, hands behind her back, expression unnatural.
"Is that so?"
"Of course!!" Han Xue mentally added: If we're talking about peeking… I only had that thought last night—and I even acted on it.
"I was planning to find you anyway. We agreed yesterday to go shopping and have fun. What is Xiao Jietian going to do?" Han Xue asked Han Yue.
After learning Xiao Jietian's true identity yesterday, when Han Xue reappeared, it was as though she had made some internal decision. She no longer called him "brother-in-law"—she used his given name directly.
Before knowing who he was, she had always referred to Han Yue's beloved as "brother-in-law."
Her behavior in front of Han Yue was now an open secret—like Sima Zhao's ambition written all over her face.
"My junior brother has some matters to discuss with Father." Han Yue patted Han Xue's head and started walking outside.
"Oh… alright then."
"What? Do you feel wronged going shopping with me?" Han Yue noticed Han Xue suddenly pouting and pretended to be angry.
She could tell Han Xue had put on makeup today. Even her outfit and accessories had been carefully chosen.
"Of course not! I love shopping with you the most—it's super fun!" Han Xue immediately hugged Han Yue, rubbing her face against her sister's.
"Sis, why does your skin feel even better now? So smooth and tender. Did you secretly eat something good?"