After Xiao Jietian's gentle words of comfort, the reluctance in Zi Yan's heart gradually melted away.
"Big guy, let's go!" she called out, walking straight up to Hei Qing.
Hei Qing nodded respectfully. Then his gaze shifted to Xiao Jietian, igniting with fiery battle intent. "I can sense that you are extraordinarily powerful. Unfortunately, I have a mission to fulfill today. The next time we meet, if fate allows, shall we exchange pointers?"
A subtle sense of danger radiated from the youth before him, stirring Hei Qing's blood. *Are the youngsters of this era all this monstrously strong?* It had been many years since he had encountered an opponent worthy of his full strength. Most were either too weak or ancient monsters who could crush him in an instant.
"If Senior Hei Qing wishes it, this junior would be delighted to spar," Xiao Jietian replied with a faint smile. He rather admired the man's straightforward character—violent temper aside, Hei Qing was upright and honorable.
"Big guy, don't take this the wrong way, but you might get beaten quite badly," Zi Yan added, tilting her head up at Hei Qing with an expression that clearly declared Xiao Jietian the strongest under the heavens.
Her red-rimmed eyes and serious little face only made her look impossibly adorable.
"Yes, yes, Your Highness is absolutely right," Hei Qing answered quickly, already learning how to handle the little dragoness.
Zi Yan sniffled, then waved at Xiao Jietian. "You must come find me! And when those peaches ripen, remember to save some for me!"
"Rest assured," Xiao Jietian replied, waving back. "I'll keep plenty just for you—so many you'll never finish them all."
After speaking, Hei Qing subtly moved his palm. A spatial rift tore open silently in the air.
"Your Highness, please enter. This path leads directly to Dragon Island."
Zi Yan cast one final glance at Xiao Jietian before stepping into the tunnel. The four subordinates followed closely behind her.
As Hei Qing prepared to leave, he turned back to Xiao Jietian with a booming laugh. "Xiao Jietian, you are always welcome on Dragon Island! I truly look forward to our duel—hahaha!"
His laughter echoed as he stepped into the rift. The spatial tear slowly sealed itself until it vanished completely.
Watching Zi Yan and the others disappear, Xiao Jietian finally summoned the system.
"System, check in!"
"Ding! Successful check-in at the Southern Domain of the Central Region! Rewards: two drops of Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python essence blood, one drop of Five-Clawed Golden Dragon essence blood, and one bottle of Heavenly Earth Spirit Void Sacred Liquid."
A look of pleasant surprise flashed across Xiao Jietian's face.
With a flicker of his hand, three exquisitely crafted jade bottles appeared in his palm. Two contained drops of nine-colored blood that shimmered with divine radiance; the third held pure golden liquid. Even through the special sealing jade, an incomparably noble and ancient aura leaked outward.
The two drops of Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python essence blood were exactly what he needed. The nine-colored raw stone he would encounter later at the Central Province Spatial Trade Fair was clearly inferior. Evolving into a true Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python through the stone alone would require far too many harsh conditions.
However, his interest was piqued by the dozens of Seven-Colored Sky Swallowing Python souls slumbering beneath the Nine Nether Yellow Springs.
He already knew who would receive the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon essence blood—though with her current cultivation, she could not yet withstand its power.
When his eyes fell upon the final reward, genuine excitement lit up his expression.
**Heavenly Earth Spirit Void Sacred Liquid**: A heavenly spiritual treasure that absorbs the creative power of heaven and earth. It can only form within a spiritually abundant void and requires a full thousand years to condense a single drop. This sacred liquid dramatically increases the chances of breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm.
The entire bottle contained roughly twenty drops.
The Pill Tome recorded a special formula that could perfectly harmonize with this liquid, maximizing its effects. Once Fei Yan and the others reached the Half-Saint stage, this treasure would allow them to step into the Dou Sheng realm in one swift leap.
Xiao Jietian took a deep breath, calming the surge of emotion. He was destined to become an Emperor—how could a mere Dou Sheng stir him so deeply?
"System, open my panel."
Host: Xiao Jietian
Physique: Primordial Chaos Thunder God Body, Primordial Ancestral Dragon-Phoenix Body, Nirvana Demon Emperor Soul, Nine Godly Venis;
Bloodline: Chaos Five Elements Thunder Dragon Bloodline;
Realm: Peak Three-Star Dou Zun;
Cultivation Technique: Primordial Nothingness Qi Method, Chaos Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art, Netherworld Dragon-Phoenix Soul Art;
Heavenly Flame: World-Destroying Apocalyptic Flame, Crimson Emperor Burning Divine Flame, Void Devouring Purifying Lotus Flame, Life Spirit Flame, Eight Desolate Destruction Flame, Nine Nether Golden Ancestor Flame, Nine Dragon Lightning Flame, Sea Heart Flame.
Alchemy: Intermediate Seventh-Grade Alchemist;
Items: …, Peak Dou Huang Experience Card ×1, Space Lock Talisman ×2, Soul Control Talisman ×1, Physique Card ×3, Heaven-Smiting Ancestral Sword, Heavenly Poison Pearl, Heaven-Slaying Sword, Eternal Heaven Sword, Eternal Heaven Bell, Void Breaking Mirror, Void Refining Cauldron, Sun-Moon Twin Cauldron, Deep Sea Spirit Cauldron.
Once his heart was steady, his figure slowly dissipated from the spot, reappearing inside the Eternal Heaven World.
Beneath the Heavenly Enlightenment Peach Tree, the Little Fairy Doctor and the others were quietly cultivating their soul power. The moment they sensed his arrival, they opened their eyes.
Seeing everyone awake, Xiao Jietian calmly informed them that Zi Yan had been taken away by members of the Void Ancient Dragon Clan.
Although they had long known this day would come, hearing the confirmation still brought a wave of reluctance and faint worry.
"Don't worry," Xiao Jietian comforted them gently. "With Zi Yan's status, once she returns to Dragon Island, she will be the one doing the bullying. No one would dare lay a hand on her."
He continued with a smile, "However, she will have a mountain of things to learn. I suspect it won't be long before she sends a message stone cursing my name."
Han Yue chuckled. "That does sound like Senior Sister Zi Yan. She's always bullying others—only Junior Xiao Tian can ever bully her."
The Little Fairy Doctor thought of Zi Yan's lively personality and laughed softly. "With her temperament, I wouldn't be surprised if she sneaks out before finishing her studies."
Xiao Jietian glanced at her. *A prophet has appeared.* In the original timeline, Zi Yan had indeed slipped away before completing her training.
"You think so too?" The Little Fairy Doctor covered her mouth, eyes sparkling with amusement.
"It is exactly the sort of thing Zi Yan would do."
"Then why didn't Mother Zi Yan come back to say goodbye?" Xiao Ling tugged on Xiao Jietian's pant leg, eyes slightly red.
"Exactly! She's not loyal at all!" Xiao Meng pouted, arms crossed.
Though there was a generational gap, the three of them had always been the closest playmates. Despite being over a thousand years old, Zi Yan's heart remained that of a mischievous child.
"She said she had to leave early so she could return early," Xiao Jietian explained, lifting one girl in each arm with a smile. "And she also said that when she comes back, if your strength hasn't improved, she will spank your bottoms until they hurt for days."
"Daddy is a bad guy! He's definitely lying!" Xiao Meng crossed her arms, face full of disbelief. "Mother Zi Yan would never say that. She doesn't have Daddy's weird habits. Only Daddy would do something like that."
"That's right! And Daddy always bullies Mother and the others!" Xiao Ling added, striking the same pose.
Xiao Jietian looked at them in confusion. "Me? I bully your mothers?"
Even the Little Fairy Doctor and Han Yue exchanged surprised glances.
"Yes!" both girls declared, leaning forward to scrutinize him. "Mother Zi Yan told us herself. She said she often saw Daddy bullying Mother and the others, making them wear strange clothes, and bullying them until they cried terribly!"
Xiao Meng and Xiao Ling stared at him with identical accusing expressions.