"Xiao Tian, you've finally finished cultivating. I've been so bored waiting."
A small figure darted in front of Xiao Tian, looking up at him with pitiful eyes.
Xiao Tian stood and stretched his body. "I finished refining them a long time ago. But you were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."
Zi Yan's small face flushed slightly. When she had woken up, she found her shoes neatly removed and a blanket tucked carefully around her. Xiao Tian's small gestures had touched her deeply. She felt a quiet sense of being cared for—and she truly, truly liked that feeling.
"Then take them out already. Let me see." Her eyes sparkled. Her face was full of eager anticipation.
Three jade bottles appeared in Xiao Tian's hand. "Here. These are yours."
"Wow! So many! I can eat them for a long, long time again!"
The moment she saw the three jade bottles, Zi Yan jumped with excitement and pounced straight at Xiao Tian. Her soft, small body crashed into his arms. Xiao Tian quickly caught her.
Her dark, clever eyes were overflowing with joy. "Quick, let me see them! I've been thinking about them for so long."
Xiao Tian held up two bottles. "Put these two away first. Keep them safe."
Zi Yan obediently stored the two jade bottles. Xiao Tian took the last bottle from his other hand—the arm still supporting her—and handed it over. "This one has a little less. Start with this."
Zi Yan snatched the bottle and, without a moment's hesitation, popped the cap open. A rich, fragrant aroma wafted out immediately. She brought her nose right to the opening and took a deep breath.
"So fragrant! It's that familiar scent!"
She tipped a pill into her palm, popped it into her mouth, and began chewing with relish. The taste of that wonderful pill spread across her tongue, and her face melted into an expression of pure intoxication—like she was eating some peerless delicacy. She had gone a whole day without one. She had truly missed this. It was just so delicious.
Watching her blissed-out expression, Xiao Tian couldn't help but smile gently.
As Zi Yan chewed, the pill dissolved into energy and began nourishing her body. She felt the energy flowing through her. Her eyes narrowed. She was just a little bit closer to growing up.
She planted a big kiss directly on Xiao Tian's cheek, then hopped out of his arms and grinned at him. "Xiao Tian, you're so good to me. Thank you."
She turned and walked toward the door. As she went, she tipped another pill into her mouth without missing a beat. But because she was walking away with her back to Xiao Tian, he didn't notice the slight blush spreading across her face.
"Eat slowly. Don't take too many at once, or your body won't be able to handle it—and you'll run out too fast."
Xiao Tian called out to her. Pills were far too easy to consume. Chewing raw medicinal herbs took forever, but pills could vanish in an instant. One herb produced around twenty pills, and if she wasn't careful, those twenty-odd pills could disappear in under half a minute. Even for Zi Yan—a Void Ancient Dragon in her infancy—that much at once wouldn't feel good.
"I know. It's just… I really need this energy. When I grow up, I'll protect you."
"When I run out, I'll come find you to refine more. You can't refuse me. Also… about that thing you asked me last time. I agree. But I want to stay by your side."
By the time she finished speaking, she had already stepped through the door and vanished from sight.
That last thing she mentioned—Xiao Tian recalled his earlier words about recruiting her. He understood immediately.
"I've finally tied this adorable little beast to my chariot. All that time spent refining medicine wasn't wasted."
His mood soared. Today was a double celebration. A bright gleam lit his eyes, and a confident, satisfied smile curved the corner of his mouth.
He wiped his cheek, where a small saliva mark from Zi Yan's kiss still lingered.
"Seriously. She even left a spit mark."
His voice carried a note of disgust, but the subtle smile on his lips had already betrayed his true feelings. Pah. Hypocrite. People like you should be drowned in a pig cage.
Outside Boundless Gate's main entrance, Zi Yan turned back to look toward Xiao Tian's room. Her dark, big eyes blinked a few times. Then a smile spread across her face. She skipped away.
---
After waving his hand to close the door, Xiao Tian entered the Eternal Heaven Realm. He told Yun Yun, Han Yue, and the other women that he would be entering seclusion for a while to break through his cultivation.
Except for Han Yue, all the women understood the special nature of Xiao Tian's cultivation technique. They knew he could not be disturbed at this time.
Ya Fei stepped forward and kissed him directly on the mouth. "That's encouragement. To cheer you on."
The other women silently cursed Ya Fei's sneakiness. In the end, each of them kissed a different part of his face.
Only Han Yue, who hadn't yet crossed that intimate threshold with Xiao Tian, who hadn't experienced the big scenes, who couldn't fully let go—only she stood there, shy and hesitant, not daring to step forward.
"Oh no. The wind just now was so strong, it almost blew me over."
Medusa, standing right beside Han Yue, swayed dramatically and bumped straight into her. Han Yue stumbled forward several steps and fell directly into Xiao Tian's arms.
Xiao Tian caught her instantly, embracing her soft, supple body. Even through her clothes, he could feel the smoothness of her skin.
Han Yue knew Medusa had done it on purpose—to create an opportunity for her. How could a natural gust of wind possibly knock over a Dou Zong?
She cast a grateful look at Medusa. Medusa haughtily turned her face away, as if to say, *Don't overthink it. I just couldn't stand firm because of the wind.*
Han Yue lifted her head and met Xiao Tian's eyes directly. She gathered every ounce of her courage, stood on her tiptoes, and leaned in to kiss his cheek.
But Xiao Tian wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity slip away. They had shared a brief kiss before, but only for an instant.
He shifted slightly. Their lips met squarely. Han Yue's eyes flew wide open.
Xiao Tian paid no attention to her surprise. He wrapped his arm around her waist and gently guided this complete beginner. Under his patient lead—and the love woven through every motion—Han Yue slowly closed her eyes. She gradually sank into the moment. Her lips began to respond without her even realizing it.
Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and the other women covered their eyes with their hands. But the gaps between their fingers were wide enough to reveal the bright, curious eyes behind them.
After a long, long moment, Xiao Tian slowly released her lips. Their gazes intertwined. Han Yue had completely forgotten about Medusa and the others standing right there. Her eyes glistened with a dewy light.
Xiao Tian gently stroked her cheek as though touching a rare and precious treasure. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Han Yue felt the deep affection in every movement. Her heart was impossibly sweet.
During that kiss, she had felt the change in Xiao Tian's body. She rose on her tiptoes, leaned close to his ear, and whispered something only he could hear.