The Dou Zong cultivator hovered in midair, his expression calm yet faintly guarded.
Seeing that Xiao Jietian offered no immediate reply, he cupped his hands once more and spoke again, voice steady and courteous.
"Your Excellency?"
There was little true impatience in his tone—only a trace of wariness.
He had already vaguely sensed that the aura surrounding Xiao Jietian was either equal to, or perhaps even slightly deeper than, that of certain exalted elders within their sect.
One must understand: those elders were all existences who had reached the pinnacle of the Nine Revolutions Dou Zun realm.
Thus it was clear—the youth before him was likewise a Dou Zun.
Xiao Jietian's gaze drifted across the mist-shrouded valley below before returning to the man.
"I have long heard that the Sound Valley is a realm of peerless beauty—mountains painted by immortals, waters clearer than jade, birdsong and floral fragrance in eternal harmony. It is even said that the natural music born of this land can cleanse the heart and quiet the soul."
As he spoke, his divine sense remained subtly fixed upon the Dou Zong before him, quietly probing that strangely familiar yet repellent aura, attempting to unearth its origin.
The Dou Zong's expression shifted slightly. After a brief pause, he replied in a clear, measured tone.
"Your Excellency, I must sincerely apologize. At present, our Sound Valley has sealed its gates to all outsiders. It is inconvenient to receive guests at this time."
"A pity," Xiao Jietian said lightly.
He turned to Hu Jia and Han Xue, who had been standing quietly behind him.
"Then let us depart. It seems the timing is not yet right."
The two women had remained silent and composed throughout the exchange. Upon hearing his words, they simply nodded in unison, offering no protest.
"Your Excellency, please take care on your journey," the Dou Zong said, bowing slightly with both hands clasped. "When our mountain gates reopen in the future, you will be most welcome to visit."
Xiao Jietian returned a faint nod, then turned and led the two women away from the valley's edge.
Only after their figures had completely vanished into the forest did the Dou Zong exhale softly. He turned and stepped back into the concealed entrance of the Sound Valley.
Yet the moment he turned, a wisp of faint black qi flickered deep within his pupils—like ink dropped into clear water—before swiftly disappearing without trace.
...
Once they had moved far enough from the valley, Hu Jia drifted closer to Xiao Jietian's side, studying his thoughtful profile.
"Xiao Jietian, what were you thinking about just now?"
"Do the two of you not find anything strange about this Sound Valley?" he asked in return.
Both women shook their heads.
Hu Jia's cherry lips parted slightly. "Not particularly. The only pity is that we could not see what lies inside. But truly—this place is shrouded in such profound mystery that even its entrance is hidden away."
"Indeed," Han Xue agreed. "It feels very much like certain ancient ruins… or perhaps a secret realm."
The instant those words left her mouth, Xiao Jietian's head snapped up.
He seized her shoulders, eyes sharp.
"What did you just say?"
Han Xue was startled by the sudden intensity. "I—I said… it feels very much like some ancient ruins… or a secret realm."
"Secret realm… secret realm…"
Xiao Jietian repeated the phrase softly, over and over, as though an invisible lock within his mind had finally clicked open.
Hu Jia sidled up to Han Xue, poking her waist and whispering, "Xue'er, what's wrong with him? He frightened me just now."
"I don't know either," Han Xue whispered back, rubbing the spot where he had gripped her. "He's been strange ever since we met that Dou Zong. Perhaps… he has an old flame hidden away in the Sound Valley?"
"Quite possibly," Hu Jia mused seriously. "Look at how distracted he became. What if some beauty from the Sound Valley once traveled to the Northwest Continent and captured his heart?"
"Unlikely," Han Xue countered. "My elder sister told me Xiao Jietian came to the Central Plains for the first time only recently."
"But what if someone from Sound Valley ventured west long ago?" Hu Jia persisted. "Look at him—does he not seem exactly like—"
Before she could finish, a large hand descended from above and rapped her sharply on the crown.
"Ow!"
A similar cry came from Han Xue as she clutched her own head with both hands.
"You dare speak ill of me right in front of my face? Truly audacious."
Xiao Jietian blew lightly on his knuckles, gazing down at the two women who were now rubbing their heads with aggrieved expressions.
"I didn't! I'm not! You're slandering me!" they chorused in perfect unison.
Xiao Jietian ignored their synchronized denial.
"Earlier I was merely contemplating our next destination. I have never met anyone from the Sound Valley—how could I possibly have an old lover there?"
"Thump! Thump!"
He delivered two more light raps to the heads that had once again leaned too close.
Hu Jia and Han Xue immediately retreated, glaring at him while cradling their scalps.
Yet Xiao Jietian truly had been lost in thought.
Han Xue's casual remark had jolted something loose in his mind.
Now the pieces were falling into place.
He could not yet say whether this was simple collusion between sects… or a cuckoo usurping another's nest.
Regardless, with his current strength it was inconvenient to force his way inside for answers.
He could only wait—wait until his cultivation advanced further—before returning to investigate properly.
The Sound Valley was one of the Three Great Valleys, and the most enigmatic among them. Its history stretched back into antiquity—unlike the half-baked Ice River Valley.
At present, the Sound Valley harbored at least one Half-Saint.
Whether this was due to their own accumulation or the result of some parasitic takeover, the implication remained the same: a Half-Saint dwelled within those mist-shrouded peaks.
Against such an existence, even a Nine Revolutions Dou Zun was no more threatening than a fledgling chick.
Xiao Jietian suddenly sensed the atmosphere shift.
He turned to find both women staring at him with furious expressions, teeth grinding audibly.
"What is it?" he asked mildly.
"Nothing at all," Hu Jia said through clenched teeth. "Only that rumor claims striking a person's head frequently promotes brain development and intelligence."
"Is that so?" Xiao Jietian slowly began to retreat a step. "Then perhaps I should assist the two of you in your cultivation as well?"
"Oh? Is that an invitation?" Hu Jia narrowed her eyes dangerously, cracking her knuckles. "Very well—allow us to help you cultivate first."
In the next instant, both women pounced.
Their small mouths opened wide, aiming straight for his arms.
"Ow—let go!"
Xiao Jietian cried out in feigned pain, even as his arms encircled their waists and drew them close.
With the resilience of his physique, their bites felt no more threatening than mosquito nibbles.
"No!" they refused in unison, refusing to release him.
Suddenly, a series of crisp, resounding slaps echoed through the forest.
"Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!"
Xiao Jietian strolled leisurely onward through the trees.
Behind him trailed two aggrieved women, each rubbing her backside with both hands.
Their expressions were a perfect blend—three parts shy embarrassment and seven parts righteous indignation.
"Bad Xiao Jietian! Who strikes a lady's bottom—and with such force!" Hu Jia grumbled, face flushed as she massaged the stinging area.
"Exactly! One strike was not enough—he delivered seven, eight, nine, ten!" Han Xue hissed, breathing unevenly. She did not even need to look to know the skin beneath her skirt must be bright red.
Xiao Jietian paused and glanced back at them.
"What? Shall I help rub them better?"
"In your dreams!" Hu Jia wrinkled her nose and snorted. "How could such a good thing fall into your hands? Besides—it was all your fault to begin with. Hmph!"
"Tiger Girl, is your backside itching for more?" Xiao Jietian asked mildly, slowly rubbing his palms together.
The only reply was two indignant snorts.
...
Seven days later.
Xiao Jietian and the two women arrived at a modest mountain range marking the border between the Southern and Western Territories.
During these seven days they had traveled unhurriedly through mountains and rivers, heading steadily southward.
Their relationship had warmed considerably—far closer now than when they first set out.
At the edge of this small range, Xiao Jietian suddenly raised a hand, signaling Hu Jia and Han Xue to halt.
His gaze fixed upon the seemingly empty void ahead.
"Since you have come, why hide yourself any longer?"