Gu Feng's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"What is it that amuses Elder Brother so?"
Gu Qing let out a hearty laugh, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Imagine if the ancient clan's many proud young heavenly geniuses were to witness our Young Lady right now — nestling meekly in a man's embrace like a little bird seeking shelter. I daresay their Dao hearts would shatter on the spot, and half of them would spit blood in rage."
Gu Feng stroked his snow-white beard and chuckled in agreement.
"Indeed. From the day the Young Lady returned to the clan until this very moment, she has worn an icy demeanor that repels all comers. Never once have I seen her smile so freely and warmly from the depths of her heart, let alone allow any man to hold her so intimately. If those arrogant young masters could merely approach within three zhang of her without being frozen by her gaze, they would consider it the greatest fortune of their lives."
He paused, then added with genuine appreciation,
"Still… the Young Lady's taste is truly excellent. Judging from the aura this Xiao Jietian exudes, I fear most of those so-called geniuses in the clan are no match for him."
Gu Qing nodded slowly, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Then there will be quite the spectacle to watch in the days to come."
…
Night had fallen, deep and quiet.
Within Xiao Jietian's private bedchamber in the Eternal Heaven Palace.
Xiao Jietian reclined lazily across the wide bed, one arm propped behind his head, the corners of his lips curved in faint amusement as he gazed toward the tightly shut main doors.
"You've come all this way, yet you linger outside like a thief afraid of discovery. Why not enter?"
His voice had barely faded when the carved doors responded as though moved by an invisible hand, gliding open with a soft creak.
A slender figure clad in flowing jade-green robes leaned lightly against the doorframe. Xun'er's beautiful eyes carried a trace of playful resentment as she spoke.
"Our great romantic Hall Master Xiao has so many lovely wives and concubines sharing his bedchamber. If this humble one were to barge in uninvited, wouldn't I ruin your enjoyment… and perhaps witness something I ought not to see?"
She knew full well that this innermost palace was Xiao Jietian's exclusive domain — a sanctuary understood and respected by all his women. That was the unspoken harmony among them.
The distinct sour note of jealousy threaded through her words did not escape him.
In the blink of an eye Xiao Jietian vanished from the bed and reappeared before her. His long arms encircled her slender waist, drawing her soft body flush against his chest. Warm breath brushed the sensitive shell of her ear as he murmured teasingly,
"Oh? What is this scent? So sour it could curdle fine wine."
Xun'er's earlobes instantly flushed a vivid crimson. Heat bloomed across her cheeks. She tried to step back, but his hold on her waist was firm yet gentle — her retreat only pressed her closer into his embrace.
"Tian-ge… your hand…" Xun'er's voice trembled slightly as she felt his palm resting against the small of her back.
Xiao Jietian's lips curved higher.
"Strange… Xun'er's body seems to be growing warmer by the moment."
His fingers traced lightly along the curve of her waist, feeling the rising heat even through the thin silk of her robes.
Xun'er immediately pressed down on his wandering hand, glaring at him with feigned anger — though the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her. She knew very well how much he delighted in teasing her precisely because she was so thin-skinned.
Xiao Jietian laughed softly, low and magnetic.
Then, without warning, he bent and swept her up into his arms in a princess carry.
Xun'er let out a startled gasp and instinctively looped her arms around his neck, clinging tightly.
"I believe it is my duty as your beloved to personally check whether this 'sourness' has spread to your mouth as well."
Lowering his head, he captured her soft, petal-like lips.
His tongue gently yet dominantly parted her teeth, plundering with the familiarity of long acquaintance. At first Xun'er stiffened in shy surprise, but under his patient guidance she gradually softened, her small tongue timidly responding until the kiss deepened into something fervent and consuming.
Ten full minutes passed before their lips finally parted.
Xiao Jietian gazed down at her — eyes misty with passion, cheeks flushed like sunset clouds, breath coming in shallow pants.
"Diagnosis complete," he said solemnly, though mirth danced in his eyes. "The condition is quite serious. It cannot be cured at present… but after your bloodline fully awakens at the next clan grand ceremony, I shall administer the proper treatment. You will simply have to endure a little longer. Agreed?"
By the end his voice had dropped to a husky whisper.
Xun'er's entire body seemed to have turned the color of cooked shrimp. She buried her burning face against his chest, voice growing softer and softer.
"En… then after the ceremony… when Xun'er's bloodline awakens completely… Tian-ge may… help Xun'er cure it. Until then… you must wait patiently… alright?"
Xiao Jietian felt the frantic beating of her heart against his palm and the rapid rise in her body temperature. He smiled tenderly.
"Very well. When that day comes, I will be there to watch my Xun'er shine brighter than any star in the nine heavens."
…
Later that night.
After a quiet dinner together, Xun'er nestled contentedly against Xiao Jietian's side.
He reclined half-sitting against the head of the bed, one arm encircling her slim waist while his broad palm rested gently on the soft, slightly rounded curve of her lower abdomen, massaging in slow, soothing circles to aid her digestion.
An unprecedented laziness and satisfaction softened Xun'er's features. She leaned trustingly against his chest, her expression tender and unguarded.
Above them, the vaulted ceiling of the palace had vanished at Xiao Jietian's will, revealing the vast, glittering sea of stars.
Many halls and chambers within the Eternal Heaven Palace were shaped by his very thoughts — created and altered at a whim.
Xiao Jietian lifted his free hand and gently stroked her silky black hair.
"Xun'er… do you blame me? For coming to the Central Plains yet never once setting foot in the Ancient World to find you?"
Xun'er shook her head without hesitation.
"No. Xun'er does not blame Tian-ge. This time… I simply missed Tian-ge too much. That is why I secretly slipped away."
She paused, then continued in a softer voice,
"Moreover… Xun'er wishes to wait until Tian-ge possesses strength sufficient to stand unopposed before the Ancient Clans. Only then can I follow you openly, never to be parted again. A brief separation now… is worth an eternity together later. Xun'er believes it is worth it. And Xun'er has always believed in Tian-ge — he would never deceive me."
She lifted her head slightly, placing her small hand over his heart, feeling the steady, powerful beat beneath her palm.
"Xun'er has always known that Tian-ge's love for Xun'er will never change… just as Xun'er's love for Tian-ge will endure for all eternity."
In her heart she silently added:
Only by fully awakening my divine bloodline can Xun'er obtain the power and talent needed to one day stand side by side with Tian-ge… or even walk ahead of him. Only then can I make him "eat soft rice" as I teased when we were children…
Xiao Jietian saw through her little scheme at once.
They had grown up together; how could he not understand every twist and turn of her thoughts?
He tightened his embrace, pulling her closer still.
"Xun'er… very soon, I will go to the Gu Clan to bring you home. Wait for me."
He already had a complete plan for how to take her away from that ancient fortress of pride and power — but the time was not yet ripe. He needed to wait for a certain person's return… and for his own cultivation to reach a terrifying new height.
Only then could he storm the Ancient World without fear.
Xun'er lifted her face, eyes shimmering with stars and boundless affection.
"Then Xun'er will wait patiently… for the day Tian-ge comes to take me away."