Xun'er's face flushed crimson at Xiao Tian's words, partly from the warmth of his breath near her ear, and partly from his teasing.
Xiao Tian ruffled Xun'er's hair, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Even if they do not come seeking me, I shall go seeking them. Some people are not meant for them to covet."
The faint, oppressive aura that bled from Xiao Tian stole the breath from everyone in the room. It was like facing a colossal, primordial beast—a heart-stopping, terrifying power.
A soft, delicate hand slipped into Xiao Tian's grasp. In an instant, the suffocating aura receded completely.
"It seems I still underestimated your strength. This time, my title as a Profound-rank Instructor is assured."
As a five-star Great Dou Master herself, Ruo Lin could sense Xiao Tian's terrifying power with far greater clarity. She even felt that she would be no match for him.
"Then I shall rely on you two brothers this time. It appears my efforts over this past year and more have not been in vain."
Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan both nodded, deeply grateful to Instructor Ruo Lin. She had taken an immense gamble on them, and Xiao Tian could not help but admire her courage.
"Alright, that covers the essentials. The selection matches begin tomorrow, so go back and rest well. Xiao Yan, you stay behind for a moment."
Instructor Ruo Lin waved her hand, her final words directed at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Tian shot Xiao Yan a look that plainly said, "take care," then led Xun'er out of the room. Xiao Yu hurried after them.
The moment the door clicked shut, Ruo Lin's questioning voice sounded from within, though her inherently gentle nature still softened it considerably.
"Haha, serves you right for taking so much leave!"
Xiao Yu cast a mischievous smirk toward the room. She had always dreamed of teaching that little rascal, Xiao Yan, a proper lesson.
"Hey, why are you perfectly fine? Did you not take just as much leave?"
"Perhaps it is because I am handsome. Or perhaps they let me off because I need to accompany Xun'er."
Xiao Tian cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yu, left that parting remark, and pulled Xun'er away.
Xiao Yu was left behind, staring as though she had witnessed a ghost. Xun'er rolled her eyes at Xiao Tian in sheer exasperation.
---
Led by Xun'er, Xiao Tian arrived at a mountain where she often cultivated. Night had already fallen.
The sky in this other world was truly extraordinary. The moon hung high and brilliant, and countless stars were scattered densely across the night expanse.
No one else was present. The place was exceptionally tranquil, with only the gentle rustle of leaves stirred by the breeze.
"Xun'er, do you usually cultivate here?"
Xiao Tian settled onto the grass, leaning back against a tree trunk, and asked Xun'er, who was seated before him.
"Yes. How did Brother Tian know?"
Xun'er sat down as well, nestling directly into Xiao Tian's embrace.
"I sensed your lingering aura here. Only by remaining in one place for a very long time would such a residue remain."
Xiao Tian rested his hand on Xun'er's flat stomach and propped his chin atop her head, speaking in a low, gentle voice.
"It is quieter here, perfectly suited for silent cultivation. So I usually stay in this place."
Xun'er lifted her gaze to the moonlit sky. "It has been so long since we last gazed at the stars together like this."
Xiao Tian's hand stiffened slightly at her words.
Memories of their shared past surged through his mind like an inexorable tide, stirring a complex swirl of emotions. They had often sat side by side beneath star-filled skies. Those moments were among their most precious shared memories.
"In truth, I knew a very, very long time ago that you were a philanderer. Did you truly believe I was ignorant?"
Xun'er abruptly seized Xiao Tian's hand and bit down hard on the web of his thumb, without the slightest hesitation.
"Ah~ You are killing me! Have mercy, my dearest Xun'er."
Though the bite barely pained him, he still cried out cooperatively.
He chose not to pull away, nor did he offer the faintest resistance.
Xun'er released him, a smear of blood staining her lips. Her eyes were red, and tears welled along their rims.
"Xiao Tian, you colossal scoundrel! When I was little, you often used my request for stories as a pretext, yet you always wove in tales about acquiring many women. At first, I noticed nothing amiss, but after a while, I realized something was very wrong."
"You are utterly rotten, yet you succeeded regardless. Who told me to fall for a wicked man like you?"
Ignoring the bleeding wound, Xiao Tian gently turned her body and used his other hand to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes tenderly. His movements were exquisitely light, as though he were handling a rare and priceless treasure.
"I also know your nature. You would never abandon them. If you did, you would not be the Brother Tian I adore. But still..."
Xun'er took Xiao Tian's bleeding hand, produced a handkerchief, and gently dabbed away the blood, murmuring to herself.
"You are the principal wife. You are the empress. You are the mistress of our household, and your word is absolute law."
Xiao Tian pulled Xun'er fiercely into his arms, holding her with crushing tightness, the words tumbling from his lips without a moment's thought.
Xun'er was startled for an instant. Then a faint, blissful smile curved imperceptibly at the corners of her mouth.
What was done was done. Causing a scene would only sow conflict between them. For a powerful man to possess multiple wives was exceedingly common across the Dou Qi Continent. Her own father was the sole exception.
"Hmph. That is more like it. Otherwise, I would not speak to you at all."
She folded away the handkerchief, wrapped her arms around Xiao Tian's waist, and nestled her head against his chest.
"As long as I dwell within your heart, that is sufficient. You must spend more time with me during this period. That is your punishment. Also, I wish to meet them."
Xiao Tian savored Xun'er's closeness. A profound warmth suffused his heart. He tenderly stroked her hair and murmured, "Very well. I promise you everything. You are the most important person in my life. Whatever you decree, I shall obey."
Xiao Tian released a quiet sigh of relief, deeply grateful for the meticulous groundwork he had laid with her long ago. Otherwise, this would have been an outright catastrophe.
No wonder Xun'er had regarded him with such peculiar looks for a time. She had already discovered the truth.
"You have probably uttered those same words to them countless times. Hmph."
A hint of playful reproach flickered in Xun'er's eyes. Her lips, soft as rose petals, pouted into a pronounced curve, as though one could hang an oil lamp from them.
Xiao Tian leaned in and pressed his lips directly against Xun'er's pouting mouth. Her eyes flew wide at the sudden kiss.
A moment later, as if jolted into awareness, her hands pressed gently against Xiao Tian's chest. But after a few feeble struggles, she yielded entirely.
Sensing Xiao Tian's fervent affection, Xun'er gradually became lost in the moment. Guided by his rhythm, the two shared a deep, lingering kiss.
"Brother Tian, you are so wicked..."
As their passionate kiss finally ended, Xiao Xun'er's breathing came in soft, uneven gasps. Her heart continued to pound for a long while afterward.
She cast a soft glance at Xiao Tian, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words—shyness, bewilderment, but most of all, a profound love for him.
Then she curled gently back into Xiao Tian's embrace. In that moment, the very air grew subtly sweet and thick with unspoken intimacy.
"And your hand is not behaving itself either. It is always like this. You are going to squeeze me to death."
"It is a natural reflex. It moved entirely on its own, so it is hardly my fault. Why do you not give it a few slaps?"
Xiao Tian rested his head on Xun'er's shoulder, his voice laced with roguish amusement.
"Hmph."
That entire night, the two remained nestled together, gazing up at the breathtaking starry sky. They spoke of all the varied and fascinating things that had occurred during their year-plus separation. For the most part, Xiao Tian recounted his tales while Xun'er listened in gentle silence.
They talked until midnight, until at last they erected a Dou Qi barrier and drifted to sleep in one another's arms.
---
The following morning.
"Oh! What are you doing? You... you take your hand out this instant!"
A tender voice, laden with infinite shyness, echoed across the hillside.