"Hall Master, your words honor this old man far too much. I merely do what little I can." Hai Bodong waved his hand dismissively, expression casual, yet a warm glow of pride flickered deep within his eyes.
Han Fei and Han Chi exchanged a subtle glance, inwardly astonished.
From Xiao Jietian's respectful tone and earnest praise, they now understood clearly: the middle-aged man before them was no mere elder—he was one of the true pillars upholding the entire Boundless Heaven Hall.
The three exchanged formal salutes, courteously introducing themselves. In but a few moments, an air of familiarity had already settled among them.
"Elder Hai," Xiao Jietian said with a faint smile, "the Han Clan intends to merge into our Boundless Heaven Hall. I shall entrust all the details of this matter to you."
He had deliberately summoned Hai Bodong ahead of time precisely because he himself had no patience for such琐碎繁杂 trifles. Administrative affairs had always been Elder Hai's domain.
Hai Bodong gave a helpless chuckle upon hearing this.
Once again, his Hall Master was playing the part of the carefree sovereign who delegated everything and reaped the rewards.
Truly, having such a Hall Master left one not knowing whether to laugh or to weep.
"Very well, leave it in this old man's hands." Hai Bodong rubbed his forehead with mock exasperation. "Sometimes I even suspect you deliberately raised my cultivation realm so that you could exploit me more effectively."
"How could that be possible?" Xiao Jietian denied without the slightest hesitation. "Elder Hai, you truly misunderstand my intentions."
Seeing the youth's swift and righteous rebuttal, Hai Bodong inwardly confirmed: yes, that was exactly the case.
Still, the task was hardly onerous. He had managed similar integrations before. After all, what his Hall Master lacked least in this world… were beautiful wives and doting companions.
"Ahem, ahem. Father-in-law, Great-grandfather," Xiao Jietian said, cupping his hands once more, "Elder Hai shall discuss the remaining details with you. I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first."
With those words, his figure shimmered and vanished from the spot in an instant.
"Gentlemen, this is no place for prolonged discussion. Please, follow me to the main Deliberation Hall. Fresh spiritual tea has already been prepared." Hai Bodong extended an inviting hand.
"Many thanks for your guidance, Great Elder." Han Fei stroked his beard and gave a gentle laugh.
"Please, come this way. On the journey, I can also introduce you to the various wonders of our Eternal Heaven Small World."
Thus Hai Bodong led the two venerable guests slowly toward the grand Deliberation Hall at the heart of Boundless Heaven Hall, all the while pointing out famous sights and explaining the marvels of this immortal realm.
"ROAR!!"
Suddenly a deep, resonant beast cry rolled across the firmament.
A colossal black serpent streaked through the distant clouds, eight wings unfurled like dark banners, hurtling toward them with terrifying speed.
Instinctively, both Han Fei and Han Chi assumed defensive stances, profound energy quietly circulating.
"Gentlemen, there is no need for alarm." Hai Bodong smiled mildly. "This is one of our Hall-Protecting Divine Beasts."
Only then did the two slowly exhale, tension easing from their frames.
The primary reason for their wariness was the sheer oppressive aura radiating from the giant serpent—Han Fei himself felt a chill in his heart, certain he was no match for such a creature.
As the black serpent drew nearer, its true form finally came into clear view.
It was none other than the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor—Bai Ya.
At present, Bai Ya had already reached the peak of high-grade Tier Seven, teetering on the verge of Tier Eight. In terms of battle power, he was roughly comparable to an eight-star Dou Zong.
Only then did the two elders notice the two exquisitely carved little girls perched atop the serpent's broad head—adorable as carved jade dolls, yet each radiating astonishing fluctuations of profound energy.
Han Fei's pupils contracted sharply.
In his perception, one little girl possessed the cultivation of a seven-star Dou Wang, while the other stood at six-star Dou Wang.
Even this was the result of Xiao Jietian deliberately suppressing their growth. Otherwise, with the density of spiritual energy in the Eternal Heaven Small World and the various heaven-defying resources at their disposal, their cultivation would have long since soared beyond reason.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Jietian allowed them to play freely, only stipulating that Xiao Meng must practice sword techniques and movement arts for a set period each day, while Xiao Ling devoted herself to refining pills under the guidance of the alchemy elders.
Han Fei and Han Chi stood utterly dumbfounded.
Children who appeared no older than three or four years… already possessing Dou Wang cultivation?
Were these even mortal children?
This simply defied the natural order of heaven and earth.
They themselves clearly remembered how many arduous decades it had taken them to reach the Dou Wang realm—yet these little girls had already surpassed that milestone before they could even tie their own sashes properly.
"Grandpa Hai~"
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng rose to their feet atop Bai Ya's head and gave respectful bows, voices sweet and clear.
Though the pair were usually mischievous little fiends, they never faltered when it came to proper etiquette and filial respect.
Hai Bodong's face softened into a warm, grandfatherly smile.
"Ah, it's our Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng. Where did you two little princesses go adventuring today?"
Xiao Ling opened her mouth to answer truthfully, but Xiao Meng swiftly covered her sister's lips with a small hand and spoke first in a crisp voice:
"We went searching for medicinal herbs. This was a task Daddy assigned us."
Before Hai Bodong could respond, she continued:
"Grandpa Hai, you're busy with important guests, so we won't disturb you. Mother Xian'er is waiting for us to return and help with the pill furnace."
With that, she gently patted Bai Ya's enormous head.
The Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor immediately understood.
"Hold tight, Little Princesses. Time to fly!"
With a powerful beat of his eight wings, Bai Ya soared skyward, streaking toward the distant silhouette of the Eternal Heaven Palace like a bolt of black lightning.
After the two little figures disappeared into the horizon, Hai Bodong shook his head with fond exasperation.
"Elder Hai," Han Fei stepped closer, gaze still following the fading serpent, "may I ask—who exactly are those two little girls?"
"The two Little Princesses of our Boundless Heaven Hall," Hai Bodong replied with a smile. "They are the Hall Master's own beloved daughters."
"The Hall Master's daughters?" Han Fei and Han Chi exchanged startled looks. "Then wouldn't that mean…"
Hai Bodong immediately understood their concern and chuckled softly.
"No, no. They are not born of Lady Han Yue."
Thereupon he calmly related the full story of the Eternal Heaven Palace, of the Hall Master's various consorts, and of the harmonious immortal court that had formed within its jade halls.
After listening, father and son-in-law shared a wry glance, traces of helplessness and amusement in their eyes.
They had not expected Xiao Jietian to command such an abundance of romantic fortune.
Yet they raised no objections.
In this world, the strong reigned supreme. Whoever possessed the greatest fist spoke loudest.
Moreover, the Han Clan was already climbing to unimaginable heights simply by attaching itself to Xiao Jietian—how could they possibly find fault?
From Hai Bodong's introduction they also learned that one of the Hall Master's consorts was none other than the only daughter of a supreme elder from one of the Central Plains' most ancient and powerful sects.
Since even such a mighty clan raised no objections, how could the Han Clan possibly dare to do so?
With that understanding, any lingering worry swiftly dissolved.
Still, upon hearing certain phrases in Hai Bodong's casual recounting—"the ladies are as close as blood sisters," "they frequently travel together hand in hand," "the Hall Master's rear palace is peaceful and harmonious"—Han Chi's eyelid twitched faintly.
An idea, tiny at first, quietly took root in the depths of his heart.
Like a seed planted in fertile soil, it began to sprout, to stretch delicate tendrils through his thoughts.
And the more he pondered, the more vigorously it grew—until it became nearly impossible to suppress.
Thus the three continued onward, conversing and laughing as they walked.
Meanwhile, back at the front plaza of the Eternal Heaven Palace…
Xiao Meng and Xiao Ling leapt lightly down from Bai Ya's head.
"Careful, Little Ancestors…" the serpent rumbled in concern, lowering his massive frame so the two children could descend safely.