The Little Fairy Doctor gave Hu Jia a casual wave of her hand, a faint, meaningful smile playing at her lips.
She thought to herself: When this little tiger officially takes her place among us… there will be far more "shocking" trials awaiting her.
With that, she stepped onto the Mysterious Wind Step. Her figure blurred for an instant; in just a few graceful strides she had already crossed hundreds of meters, vanishing toward the outer reaches of Eternal Heaven Palace like a drifting cloud.
Hu Jia watched her departing silhouette, rubbing the sore spot on her head with a pout. Envy flickered in her bright eyes.
"Sister Xian'er's figure is simply too perfect… that waist is impossibly slender. Truly a great bargain for that big rogue Xiao Jietian."
She lowered her gaze to appraise herself. By Xiao Jietian's exacting standards, she could no longer see her own toes — yet compared to the Little Fairy Doctor, she still fell short in every graceful curve and line.
If Xiao Jietian could hear her thoughts, he would surely cast her a disdainful glance and snort: The difference between ripened fruit and unripe green fruit — how could a little girl like you possibly understand? Do you comprehend the true weight and allure of a mature woman?
"Moreover… she came straight out of Xiao Jietian's palace. That big bad wolf definitely wasn't doing anything proper last night."
A small, secret longing stirred in her heart — wondering when the day would come that she, too, could walk out of those chambers with that same flushed, satisfied glow.
Hu Jia had only just emerged from closed-door cultivation when Xiao Jietian and the others were enjoying breakfast. Drawn by some inexplicable impulse, she had wandered straight toward his palace — only to be caught red-handed by the Little Fairy Doctor.
She rubbed the tender bump on her crown again and muttered under her breath:
"It hurts so much… Xiao Jietian must pay this debt. A wife's grievance is the husband's to settle — perfectly reasonable. I'm going to collect it right now!"
With that self-justifying thought, a surge of righteous vigor filled her. Whether by the Little Fairy Doctor's deliberate oversight or simple carelessness, the grand doors of Xiao Jietian's palace stood slightly ajar.
Hu Jia crept to the threshold, leaned cautiously against the frame, and peeked inside.
This was the first time she had ever stepped foot into his private chambers.
The moment she crossed the threshold, her heart began to race wildly — half excitement, half nervous tension.
Her footsteps were feather-light, every movement careful and deliberate, terrified of making even the slightest sound.
Once inside the front hall, she tiptoed forward while glancing around curiously.
Contrary to her expectations, the palace was not the extravagant, gilded extravaganza she had imagined. Instead it exuded an austere elegance — ultimate simplicity. Golden patterns traced the walls and pillars like faint veins of sunlight; soft, pure-white Moonstones provided gentle illumination; tables, chairs, and sparse furnishings were crafted from rare spirit woods and jade, each piece priceless yet restrained. The entire space felt clean, open, and strangely tranquil.
"I never imagined it would be so… plain. Almost the same as my own palace — just a little bigger."
Her initial curiosity quickly faded. A mischievous thought crept in.
Could he still be sleeping? Could it be that he was with Sister Xian'er all night…
She recalled the obvious, satisfied flush on the Little Fairy Doctor's cheeks when she emerged earlier — like someone who had feasted on the sweetest nectar.
Suddenly remembering all the times Xiao Jietian had "bullied" her before — and now even the Little Fairy Doctor had tapped her head — Hu Jia ground her small tiger-like canines together, a wicked little plan forming in her mind.
Unbeknownst to her, a tall figure had silently materialized behind her like a wraith.
The corners of Xiao Jietian's mouth curled into a faint, amused smile. He was deeply curious to see just what this little tiger intended by sneaking into his lair.
Believing him still asleep, Hu Jia's courage swelled. Her previously hunched, tiptoeing posture straightened at once; her entire demeanor brimmed with spirited audacity.
She advanced deeper into the palace, whispering evaluations as she went.
"These Moonstones are really bright… almost like daylight. The layout isn't bad either… but the color scheme could use a bit more warmth…"
Hidden in the shadows, Xiao Jietian watched her appraise his home like a picky artist critiquing a gallery. He could not help but smile wider — then vanished once more.
Hu Jia seemed to sense something. She paused, turned her head slightly, and glanced suspiciously toward the spot where he had stood moments before.
Fortunately the palace was bathed in the gentle, even glow of Moonstones — no gloomy corners or dark alcoves to fuel paranoia — otherwise her heart might have leaped into her throat.
Shrugging it off, she continued forward.
As she rounded a corner, she suddenly collided with something solid and unyielding.
Before she could react, a large hand seized the back of her collar. Her feet left the ground.
Hu Jia instinctively summoned her Dou Qi to resist — only to discover her meridians had been completely sealed. She could only flail helplessly, kicking and twisting like a captured kitten.
"Tiger Girl," came a low, teasing drawl from above her head, "what exactly are you doing sneaking around in my palace?"
Xiao Jietian held her suspended in midair, gazing down at the little figure flapping arms and legs with a half-smile that was equal parts amusement and danger.
The moment she heard that familiar, infuriating nickname, Hu Jia froze. Her gaze lifted to meet his — and instant mortification flooded her face.
It was no different from being caught red-handed stealing sweets from the kitchen jar.
She dangled there like a trapped beast, mind racing desperately for an escape.
"I… I was just passing by…" she stammered, eyes darting everywhere but his face.
"Passing by?" Xiao Jietian raised an eyebrow, drawling the words with exaggerated emphasis. "This is the inner sanctum of my palace. How exactly does one 'pass by' here?"
Hu Jia inwardly cursed her own stupidity. Even a fool wouldn't believe that excuse. She lowered her head, staring fixedly at the floor, wishing desperately that a crack would open beneath her so she could crawl inside and disappear.
"I just came out of seclusion… my head was dizzy… so I went the wrong way. Yes, that's it, that's exactly it." Her voice lacked all conviction. After finishing, she clasped her hands together in supplication. "C-Can you… put me down first? This position looks terrible… and it's squeezing too tight…"
Indeed, her generous chest was pressed uncomfortably against the fabric of her robe. Thankfully the material was of excellent quality — otherwise it might have already torn.
Xiao Jietian's brow arched, but he did not release her immediately. Instead he turned her sideways in his grip.
From this angle, the view was… quite striking.
As the old poem said: Viewed head-on, a mountain ridge; viewed from the side, a soaring peak.
Hu Jia lifted her head in confusion. "What… what are you going to do?"
"For now… nothing."
The answer only deepened her bewilderment. She stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes — clear and guileless as any sheltered young academy student.
Xiao Jietian smiled softly.
This was the fundamental difference between a little girl and a mature woman. If it had been the Little Fairy Doctor or Medusa in his grasp, a light pat on the rear would have immediately conveyed his meaning — and they would have responded accordingly.
Under Hu Jia's dazed gaze, he slowly raised his free hand.
She seemed to guess his intention. The motion was not unfamiliar — he had "disciplined" her like this before.
Yet before she could protest, the hand descended.
The target: the tender junction where thigh met the fullest, most rounded curve, wrapped taut by her skirt.
Pa—!!
A crisp, resounding slap cracked through the silent, luxurious hall — sharp as sudden thunder in a clear sky!
The sound echoed again and again off the high walls, lingering in the empty space.
"Ugh…!"
A short, strange, involuntary whimper escaped Hu Jia's lips.