Ling Quan no longer dared utter a single harsh word.
Deep in his heart he understood: one more defiant sentence, and he would surely die here today.
The more he thought about it, the more grievously wronged he felt.
Within the clan he had always been flattered and revered — never once treated with such contempt. Yet in his two brief encounters with Xiao Jietian, both times he had been beaten into a miserable pulp.
Anger and humiliation surged together. A mouthful of fresh blood sprayed from his lips — and then his vision darkened. He fainted dead away.
Xiao Jietian cast an indifferent glance down at the unconscious Ling Quan, then turned and walked away without another look.
As he passed, his gaze lightly swept over Yang Hao.
In that instant Yang Hao felt as though a primordial ferocious beast had fixed its eyes upon him. His throat tightened; he swallowed hard.
Only when Xiao Jietian's eyes moved on did Yang Hao quietly exhale in relief.
Thank the heavens I spoke slowly just now… otherwise I would be the one lying there right now.
To have one's hard-earned cultivation stripped away — that fate was worse than death.
Not only did recovery require an enormous amount of time, it also damaged the very foundation itself. Even if he managed to climb back up, his future ceiling would be forever lowered.
And in the Black Annihilation Army, strength was everything. Lose three stars… his position as Third Commander might not even survive the next review.
Xiao Jietian paused briefly.
With a casual flick of his wrist, a golden feather appeared between his fingers — delicate yet suffused with faint, terrifying spatial fluctuations.
He tossed it lightly toward Yang Hao.
"Take this red feather back to your Gu Clan elders," he said indifferently. "Tell them it is a personal message from the Xiao Clan."
Yang Hao caught the feather instinctively. The moment his fingers touched it, a chill ran down his spine — as though the feather itself carried an invisible blade pressed against his throat.
He dared not speak. He only bowed deeply, clutching the feather like it was a live scorpion.
Xiao Jietian returned to Xun'er's side.
Xun'er reached out with gentle fingers and carefully straightened the slight crease in his robe, her voice soft.
"Then Xun'er will return first. I will wait for you."
"En." Xiao Jietian smiled warmly, lifting a hand to rub her head affectionately. "It won't be long. The time is almost ripe — I won't keep you waiting too many days."
Xun'er blinked at those words.
They sounded oddly familiar.
After a moment of reflection, she remembered — and immediately shot him a charming, reproachful glare.
Xiao Jietian laughed quietly, took her small hand, and led her out of the palace.
Gu Qing and Gu Feng followed respectfully a few steps behind.
As they passed the Black Annihilation Army members, Xun'er paused briefly and spoke in an indifferent tone.
"Go."
Yang Hao and the others lowered their heads even further and silently followed.
Ling Quan was carried out like a sack of bruised goods.
The warriors of Boundless Heaven Hall pretended to return to their duties. Only a few remained behind to clean the blood- and saliva-stained main hall.
After all — they had aimed almost exclusively for mouths and faces during the "lesson."
At the palace entrance, one of the Black Annihilation Army members took out a bone whistle and blew a sharp note.
The Four-Winged Unicorns — which had scattered earlier during the clash between Shui Ye and Yang Hao — wheeled back from the distant sky, landing in disciplined formation.
Xun'er turned to Xiao Jietian.
"I'm leaving. I will wait for you."
She rose onto her tiptoes and pressed a feather-light kiss to his cheek — then swiftly pulled away, cheeks already blooming with faint crimson.
She feared if she lingered even a heartbeat longer, he would pull her back into his arms and kiss her senseless right there — in front of so many eyes.
Of course, her worry was entirely unnecessary.
Xiao Jietian understood her thin-skinned nature better than anyone. Even when he embraced her in front of Medusa and the others, she would blush faintly and grow shy.
Xun'er leaped lightly onto the back of a Four-Winged Unicorn.
She turned, gazing deeply at Xiao Jietian.
He returned a gentle nod.
Neither spoke — yet their eyes conveyed more than any words ever could.
A trace of reluctance flickered through Xun'er's gaze, but it quickly hardened into firm determination.
After all… the clan's grand ceremony was not far away.
Gu Qing and Gu Feng cupped their hands toward Xiao Jietian in sincere salute.
Over the past few days in the Eternal Heaven World, they had savored fine wines and rare delicacies, and even exchanged cultivation insights with Xiao Jietian. Both sides had benefited greatly.
"Many thanks to Hall Master Xiao for your generous hospitality these past days."
"No need for thanks." Xiao Jietian returned the salute with a faint smile. "Xun'er's safety rests with the two of you."
"Rest assured," the two elders replied in unison, expressions solemn. "The Young Lady's safety is our foremost duty. Even if it costs our lives, we will see her return to the clan unharmed."
Space around them rippled and distorted.
In the next breath, the two elders vanished from their spots — reappearing atop two of the Four-Winged Unicorns.
The remaining Black Annihilation Army members summoned Dou Qi wings and flew up to join them.
Xun'er looked down from her mount, a sweet smile curving her lips.
"Brother Xiao Jietian… when I return next time, make sure the Eternal Heaven Palace isn't too small to accommodate me."
Before he could reply, she waved her small hand lightly.
The Four-Winged Unicorn beneath her flapped its mighty wings, stirring up fierce gales, and shot away toward the horizon beyond Tianbei City.
Xiao Jietian stood silently, watching until the group became a distant black speck and finally vanished from sight.
Only then did he turn and walk back into the main hall.
The moment he stepped inside, the warriors who had participated in today's "beating competition" all reappeared — each one grinning from ear to ear.
"Hall Master, you were absolutely right. These people were arrogant beyond belief — looking down at everyone through their nostrils!"
Hai Bodong came to Xiao Jietian's side and asked cautiously,
"But today… we struck them down so ruthlessly…"
Xiao Jietian waved a hand dismissively, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"No matter. I merely wanted them to understand one thing: Boundless Heaven Hall is not a place to be trifled with. We do not seek trouble — but we fear no trouble either."
His gaze swept across the elders present.
Those who had acted today all wore triumphant expressions — some even looked as though they hadn't quite had their fill.
"Very well. Keep what happened today among yourselves. No matter who asks, simply say they provoked us first."
After speaking, Xiao Jietian looked toward Hai Bodong and Shui Ye.
"Old Hai, Old Shui — everyone who took action today will receive a Seven-Star reward."
The moment the words left his mouth, every face in the hall lit up with unrestrained joy.
The reward system of Boundless Heaven Hall mirrored cultivation tiers — divided into nine stars, one being the lowest and nine the highest.
A Seven-Star reward was already an extremely generous sum — high-grade medicinal pills, trial crystals, cultivation resources… how could they not be excited?
"Yes, Hall Master!"
Hai Bodong and Shui Ye immediately acknowledged the order.
Even Shui Ye — now a Dou Zun — could not completely hide the excitement in his expression.
Seven-Star rewards were no small matter.
"Thank you for your generous reward, Hall Master! Hall Master is wise!!!"
The elders clasped their fists in unison, voices shaking the dome of the hall with their enthusiastic roar.
Xiao Jietian smiled and nodded, then turned and stepped into the teleportation passage, vanishing from sight.
Once he was gone, a burly elder rubbed his hands together and chuckled.
"Grand Elder, next time there's a mission like this — be sure to call us again!"
"Exactly!" another elder laughed so hard his mouth refused to close, face creased like a blooming chrysanthemum. "This mission was truly exhilarating! Not only did we get to beat people senseless, but the rewards are this generous? I feel completely refreshed. Tonight I'm heading straight to Yichun Tower for a few rounds!"
"You wish," Hai Bodong scolded them jokingly, then added, "Enough chatter. First restore this place to its original condition. The rewards will be delivered to each of you tonight."
"Rest assured, Grand Elder!" The elders thumped their chests confidently. "We guarantee it'll be cleaner than before we started!"
The hall immediately bustled with activity — yet every face still carried the same satisfied, exhilarated grin.
This mission had been… truly refreshing.