"Brother Tian, I can finally see you. Xun'er has missed you so much."
The shadow reported that Xiao Tian had appeared in Peace Town and was already heading toward Jia Nan City.
As the shadow gradually receded, Xiao Xun'er rose to her feet and gazed in the direction of Peace Town.
---
Xiao Tian arrived at Jia Nan City in less than three hours. Guided by the road signs within the city, he entered Jia Nan Academy.
The moment he stepped into the academy grounds, Xiao Tian spotted a graceful figure in green darting swiftly toward him at the entrance.
The instant he recognized the figure clearly, Xiao Tian opened his arms and embraced her as she rushed into them.
It was Xun'er, from whom he had been parted for over a year.
Xiao Tian held Xun'er tightly, feeling the depth of her emotion. He, too, was overjoyed to see her again. He gently stroked her hair and spoke with soft tenderness.
"Xun'er, I have come for you. I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long."
"It is alright, Brother Tian. It is enough that you have come to me. Xun'er has missed you so terribly."
Nestled in Xiao Tian's embrace, Xun'er's body trembled faintly, as though giving voice to its owner's overwhelming emotion. Her words carried a trace of a sob, but more than that, sheer joy.
"Xun'er, I have missed you too."
Xiao Tian gently patted her back, soothing her with infinite care.
The two clung tightly to one another. Passersby stared with mouths agape, their expressions as though they had witnessed an apparition.
"Cough, cough..."
A cough sounded beside Xiao Tian and Xun'er. Hearing it, Xun'er lifted her head toward the source, immediately flushed with embarrassment, and wriggled free of Xiao Tian's arms, ducking behind him.
The one who had coughed was a beautiful woman who appeared as gentle as water—none other than Instructor Ruo Lin, who had been present when Xiao Tian first registered.
"Instructor Ruo Lin."
Xiao Tian looked at Ruo Lin before him, scratched his head, and spoke with an awkward air.
Though he had known it would be over a year before he could reach the academy, actually facing her now still filled him with apology.
"I was wondering who could make Xun'er relay something to me in such a frantic state and then dash off. So it is the Third Young Master of the Xiao family, whom I have not laid eyes on in over a year."
Instructor Ruo Lin fixed her gaze on this fellow who had requested a single year's leave but had, in reality, been absent for nearly two. She could not suppress the irritation in her voice.
Hearing Instructor Ruo Lin's sarcastic tone, so entirely at odds with her usual gentle demeanor, Xiao Tian could not help but curl his lip. "Certain matters delayed me. The moment they were settled, I came straight over."
Behind Xiao Tian, Xun'er could not suppress a pout, silently cursing to herself.
"And where is your younger brother, Xiao Yan?" Ruo Lin rolled her eyes at Xiao Tian helplessly. Seeing only him, she could not resist asking.
"He is likely en route as well."
Xiao Tian had contacted Xiao Yan when he departed Peace Town. Xiao Yan had said he was currently in Mu City, inside Xiao Tian's small world. Xiao Tian had told him to remain within the small world for the time being.
"It is good that you both have returned. Tomorrow marks the start of the Inner Academy selection competition. You have arrived just in the nick of time."
"Last year, Xun'er helped me register your names as well, yet neither of you came. If you do not give me a pleasant surprise this time, just wait for me to settle scores with you later."
Seeing Instructor Ruo Lin's indignant expression, Xiao Tian produced a jade bottle.
"I learned from the instructor in Peace Town that you expended considerable effort on behalf of our leave—mine and Xiao Yan's. And because of us, you have been unable to advance to an Earth-rank instructor. This is my apology to you: a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill. You must accept it."
Xiao Tian pressed the jade bottle directly into Ruo Lin's hand and continued, "You will certainly advance this year. I guarantee it."
Upon hearing that it was a Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill, Instructor Ruo Lin's slender, fair hand trembled involuntarily. She opened the bottle cap. "Is this the highest-grade Three-Pattern Azure Spirit Pill?"
"Yes. I obtained it by chance. Please accept it. Otherwise, I shall refuse to participate in the Inner Academy selection competition."
Xiao Tian knew well that Instructor Ruo Lin possessed an upright character and would never accept gifts from students. He therefore threatened her in jest.
"Sigh. I truly cannot handle you. I shall not disturb your young lovers' reunion any longer. Come find me tonight, and I will brief you on the matters requiring attention during the competition."
Ruo Lin glanced at the jade bottle in her hand, then at Xiao Tian. She sighed with a complicated expression, waved her hand, and departed.
Hearing Ruo Lin's words, Xun'er's small face instantly flushed scarlet, as though on the verge of dripping blood.
"Brother Tian, allow me to show you around Jia Nan Academy."
Xun'er stepped before Xiao Tian, tilting her head up, her eyes glimmering as she gazed at him.
"Of course, Xun'er."
Xiao Tian smiled faintly and caressed her delicate face, his eyes brimming with tenderness and affection.
A blush spread across Xun'er's cheeks. She did not shy away. In truth, she eagerly anticipated every intimate moment with Xiao Tian. She clasped his hand and happily led him deeper into the academy.
The two strolled leisurely through the grounds. Along the way, Xun'er eagerly introduced the academy's buildings and recounted various amusing anecdotes. Xiao Tian listened with a smile, responding here and there. Laughter, bright and joyful, frequently burst from both of them.
Naturally, during this time, several of Xun'er's suitors, upon witnessing their intimate closeness, attempted to stir up trouble.
A hidden, oppressive stare was cast directly at these insignificant characters. They instantly felt as though some terrifying entity had fixed its eyes upon them. Their bodies stiffened abruptly, rooted to the spot, utterly incapable of movement.
After Xiao Tian departed, they all collapsed to the ground, their faces flooded with sheer terror.
"So... so terrifying."
Had those bothersome flies drawn too near and disrupted his and Xun'er's mood, would it not have sickened him to death?
Throughout the walk, both Xiao Tian and Xun'er were utterly content and smiling, without the faintest trace of awkwardness despite their separation of over a year.
At last, Xun'er guided Xiao Tian to an elegant pavilion.
"Brother Tian, this is Instructor Ruo Lin's residence. Cousin Xiao Yu and I usually live here as well."
Xun'er, still holding Xiao Tian's hand, giggled as she pulled him inside and came to a stop before a door.
"This is the temporary lodging Instructor Ruo Lin arranged for you. You will stay here for this period. And... and also, my room is right next door."
Xun'er's voice dwindled to a near whisper as she uttered the latter half. Her face burned red. Were she not a cultivator, her words would surely have been entirely inaudible.
"Alright, Xun'er. I understand."
Seeing Xun'er in such a state, Xiao Tian could not resist teasing her.
"Do not overthink it! I... I had no other meaning. You... do not let your imagination run wild."
Unable to endure another moment, Xun'er fled back to her room, her face as red as a ripe apple.
"I have already tidied your room for you. I... I shall come find you later."
Xiao Tian watched Xun'er flee in a fluster, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. *This little girl is still so easily teased. Yet she is truly a fine helper. As expected, she is among the most suitable candidates to become a wife. She has already arranged everything for me. Anyone blessed with her would proclaim her wonderful.*
Xiao Tian entered the chamber. The interior was simply yet warmly arranged, every detail revealing the thoughtfulness Xun'er had poured into its preparation.
---
Xiao Tian vanished from the room in a flash, arriving within the Eternal Dream Realm. As for Xun'er, Xiao Tian intended to soothe her first before bringing her inside. Otherwise, it would become an outright death arena.
Xiao Tian materialized directly before Xiao Yan, who was cultivating within his palace chamber.
"Brother Tian, you have come."
Xiao Yan, forewarned by Old Yao, sensed Xiao Tian's arrival. He opened his eyes and addressed him.
"Also, Brother Tian, next time do not appear here so abruptly. What if..."
"What if your head! If you had a girlfriend, I would enter through the front door. Do... you... have... one?"
Xiao Tian delivered a light smack to his head, a mischievous grin playing at his lips, and posed a soul-piercing question.
"..."
"That stings, Brother Tian."
Xiao Yan sank into instant dejection. It was nothing less than salting his wounds.
Siblings were always the ones who twisted the knife the hardest.
"I heard..."