A week later, at the first light of dawn, Xiao Hua and the rest stood in the quiet and empty flying station within Jia Nan City, awaiting the arrival of Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning. As they waited, they engaged in quiet discussion.
"I'm sorry, Hua'er," Mei Ling said with a downcast expression. "My medicinal pills could only summon eight-colored Pill Lightning. If I hadn't been in such a rush, I might have been able to summon nine-colored Pill Lightning!"
"You're still far ahead, Sister Mei Ling," Wei Jie sighed, his tone tinged with disappointment. "I could only manage six-colored Pill Lightning. It seems I have a long way to go before reaching the standard I've set for myself."
"Don't worry about it, Second Brother, Sister Mei Ling," Xiao Hua said, shaking his head reassuringly. "There's no problem at all. Sister Mei Ling and Brother Wei Jie have done well."
His words were neither a lie nor just empty reassurance. Thanks to their efforts, he could initiate the trial of Heavenly Judgment Lightning at any moment.
Meanwhile, the other four who were listening to the conversation exchanged puzzled glances.
"Is it just me, or does their conversation feel completely incomprehensible?" Ming Cheng whispered to Xun Er and the others, his tone tinged with mild bewilderment.
"If those eighth-tier medicinal pills were to be left outside, countless Dou Zuns would risk their lives just for the chance to trade for them," Xun Er replied with a wry smile.
"Forget it. Those two were personally taught by Lady Azure. To them, producing anything of lower quality would be considered a disgrace," Xin Yu sighed, sympathizing with their sentiments. Having been mentored by Xue Yue herself, she fully understood the pressure of maintaining perfection to avoid dishonoring one's teacher.
"Regardless," Li Mei interjected, her eyes slowly shifting toward the entrance, "the two people we've been waiting for have finally arrived."
The group followed her gaze, turning their attention to the door that led to the inner area of the flying station.
With Xiao Hua's refinement of Serene Soul Pills, the Spiritual States of Ming Cheng and the others had reached the Soul State, significantly sharpening their spiritual perception. Combined with their cultivation advancements to Dou Zong class—thanks to the gifts Xiao Hua had provided—their physical and spiritual senses were keener than ever.
Although Mei Ling and Wei Jie hadn't joined the others in their cultivation breakthroughs due to their focus on alchemy, their perceptions as skilled alchemists rivaled those of Dou Zong experts.
As a result, all of them could easily detect the two presences and the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from within the building.
Moments later, the door burst open, and two figures—a young man and a young woman—stepped through, their breaths slightly labored from rushing.
"Cousin Xiao Hua, we're here!"
"Sorry for keeping you waiting!"
The two were none other than Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu. Having been informed of Xiao Hua's arrival at the flying station, they had hurried over without pause.
"It's fine, Cousin Xiao Yu. It is my fault for not informed our arrival beforehand." Xiao Hua said, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he reassured her. His gaze swept over the pair before shaking his head helplessly at their flustered state.
Xun Er chuckled softly, her gentle laughter easing the mood. Clapping her hands lightly, she announced, "Since everyone is here, let's depart right away. Cousin Xiao Yu and Cousin Xiao Ning can rest during the journey."
...
High above the clouds, a colossal shadow drifted gracefully beneath the vast, clear blue sky. As it glided forward, the space beneath it rippled gently, like the tranquil surface of a lake disturbed by a falling stone.
For those with keen eyesight, the silhouette of an enormous ship emerged—an ethereal vessel traversing the sky with effortless poise.
Its shimmering hull, crafted from materials that exuded soft hues of lavender and pale blue, reflected the sunlight like a dream made tangible. The ship's smooth, cloud-like frame was adorned with intricate runes that pulsed faintly, and a radiant spirit crystal at the bow emitted a calming light.
The Cloud-Void Steering Ship, as it was named, moved with an elegance reminiscent of drifting clouds, leaving a trail of faint, misty remnants in its wake. This vessel was not just a marvel of craftsmanship but a relic of an ancient sect from millennia past, now under Xiao Hua's possession, courtesy of the System.
Unlike ordinary flying ships, the Cloud-Void Steering Ship possessed a unique capability: it could transform into a Spatial Ship, traversing the void with unrivaled stability. Its speed was exceptional, and the comfort it provided far exceeded that of any typical Space Boat.
Yet, its true allure lay in its remarkable efficiency. The ship consumed minimal energy, drawing power from the natural energy of its surroundings once activated. This made it an invaluable treasure for long journeys across both sky and void.
Thanks to the unparalleled speed and reliability of the Cloud-Void Steering Ship, Xiao Hua and his companions reached the Jia Ma Empire without encountering any obstacles or delays along the way.
"This artifact is truly astonishing…" Xiao Yu muttered, her voice tinged with awe and disbelief as she marveled at the incredible speed of the Cloud-Void Steering Ship. "To think we returned to Jia Nan Academy in just four hours—a journey that would normally take several days, even with a Griffon Carrier…"
She had always believed the Griffon Carrier to be one of the fastest modes of transportation, yet this Flying Ship completely shattered her expectations. What shocked her even more was that such an extraordinary artifact belonged to her cousin.
Turning her gaze, Xiao Yu looked at the handsome young man seated leisurely on a finely crafted chair. Beside him sat a stunningly beautiful young woman, her every movement exuding an otherworldly grace as she poured tea for everyone on board. Even in the tranquil atmosphere of the Flying Ship, the pair seemed to shine, like celestial beings who had descended into the mortal world.
"I wonder where you found such a remarkable artifact, Cousin Xiao Hua…" Xiao Yu inquired curiously as she stepped forward, seating herself at the table and taking a sip of the fragrant tea.
Xiao Hua's lips curled into a gentle smile as he raised his cup, his movements elegant and refined. "Well, I've ventured into my fair share of ancient ruins. Naturally, I've come across a few high-grade treasures and medicinal ingredients that caught my interest."
His tone was calm, almost casual, but his words carried an air of mystery. In truth, Xiao Hua's explanation was a carefully constructed lie—one he spoke as naturally as he breathed. The existence of the System was an incredibly sensitive matter, one he was bound to keep secret.
"Of course, with Cousin Xiao Hua's status, such treasures shouldn't be surprising, Elder Sister!" Xiao Ning declared confidently, nodding as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
However, his words trailed off as his gaze shifted to a peculiar sight—a little girl sleeping peacefully nearby. His brow furrowed as he glanced at her, his expression tinged with curiosity. "But what intrigues me more is… her."
The girl he was referring to was none other than Zi Yan, who lay curled up like a cherubic angel, her small frame rising and falling gently with each breath. Yet, despite her serene appearance, her noticeably rounded stomach betrayed her gluttonous eating habits.
Xiao Hua followed his gaze, letting out a soft chuckle. "She's just being herself."
During their journey, Xiao Hua had noticed Zi Yan growing increasingly restless. Knowing her mischievous tendencies, he had anticipated that she might sneak off and stir up trouble. To keep her occupied, he had given her countless Yaowan crafted from his vast stock of medicinal ingredients, a luxury Xiao Yan in the original novel could scarcely afford.
But even Xiao Hua knew that feeding her ordinary Yaowan wouldn't be enough to keep her out of mischief. To ensure a peaceful journey, he had gone a step further, refining high-grade medicinal pills infused with immense natural energy and presenting them to Zi Yan.
As expected, the moment she consumed the pills, the overwhelming energy overwhelmed her small, immature body. Unable to refine the vast amount of medicinal strength quickly, she had no choice but to fall into a deep, restorative sleep, leaving the group to travel in uninterrupted peace.
Xun Er shook her head in disbelief, a wry smile tugging at her lips. "Only you, Brother Xiao Hua, could afford to come up with such a strategy…"
"What exactly is she…?" Xiao Ning asked, his voice tinged with bewilderment. Although Xiao Hua had mentioned that Zi Yan was the adopted child of the First Elder, nothing he had seen so far could explain her nature.
His mind replayed the scene from earlier when a pack of flying Magical Beasts had foolishly attempted to attack the Cloud-Void Steering Ship. What followed was nothing short of terrifying. Xiao Ning had witnessed firsthand the sheer, unrestrained brute strength that resided within the small frame of this seemingly innocent child.
It was a strength so overwhelming that it defied logic. For a moment, he imagined himself on the receiving end of that monstrous power, and a shudder ran down his spine. He knew, without a doubt, that a single blow from her could leave him teetering on the brink of death.
"She's a Magical Beast that has consumed a 'Body Transformation Grass,'" Xiao Hua replied calmly, noticing the confusion in Xiao Ning's eyes. "So don't underestimate her just because she looks like a little girl."
"I see…" Xiao Ning muttered absentmindedly, still grappling with the implications of Zi Yan's strength. His thoughts wandered as he pondered what kind of race could possess such terrifying power.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu seemed entirely uninterested in the conversation, her thoughts elsewhere. Her gaze lingered on Xiao Hua, her expression dazed and entranced.
'Cousin Xiao Hua has grown so handsome… even more than when he was a child,' she thought silently, her heart fluttering at his striking profile.
From a young age, Xiao Hua had captured the attention of the children within Xiao Clan, long before his talent became apparent. His fame back then wasn't due to his strength or skill but rather his delicate, almost ethereal looks, which even Xiao Yan had acknowledged when they met at the Dou Technique Hall.
In a world where strength commanded the highest respect, such traits often went unnoticed, especially by adults. But among children, it was a different story. Xiao Yu vividly remembered how Xiao Hua had been surrounded by other children his age, drawn to him like moths to a flame.
Her lips curved into a helpless smile as another thought surfaced.
'It's no wonder that little vixen Xue Ni became so infatuated after catching a glimpse of Cousin Xiao Hua when he came to look for me. She hasn't stopped her dirty talk since…'
The memory of Xue Ni and her classmates giggling and making risqué remarks about Xiao Hua's appearance made Xiao Yu sigh inwardly. Those mischievous girls had even started pestering her relentlessly to introduce them to him.
"It seems the two of you have changed quite a bit over the years, especially you, Cousin Xiao Yu. You've grown even more beautiful," Xiao Hua remarked with a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu.
As he observed them, memories of their childhood together surfaced. While he had anticipated changes, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise at how much they had matured, particularly Xiao Yu, whose beauty now stood out.
"Ah!" Xiao Yu gasped, startled by the unexpected compliment. Pulled abruptly from her daydream, her face turned crimson, the heat of embarrassment spreading rapidly. The vivid, risqué images that Xue Ni had planted in her mind earlier only made her situation worse.
Noticing her flustered state, the others exchanged curious glances and sighed, shaking their heads. They silently wondered what could have caused such a reaction.
However, Xiao Yu's thoughts didn't escape Xun Er's sharp perception. She had long been aware of the gossip and antics of Xiao Yu's classmates after they caught a glimpse of Xiao Hua. A subtle, icy chill filled the air as Xun Er's gaze locked onto Xiao Yu, her usually gentle demeanor momentarily replaced by an unmistakable aura of warning.
The sudden oppressive feeling made Xiao Yu shiver involuntarily, snapping her fully back to the present. She avoided Xun Er's eyes, her heart racing as she silently berated herself for letting her thoughts run wild.
"Speaking of which, I've heard about Third Young Master's predicament." Xiao Hua's tone grew serious as he shifted the topic, his piercing gaze resting on Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning.
Both of them flinched visibly, their bodies tensing as though a heavy weight had settled over them. They were well aware of Xiao Yan's situation and the fact that the ones bullying him were from their grandfather's faction, the First Elder's camp.
While they couldn't deny harboring scorn toward Xiao Yan after he lost his talent, their actions had never crossed a certain line. Unlike the more ruthless members of the Xiao Clan, their harassment had been restrained, though shame still lingered in their hearts.
When Xiao Tao and Xiao Yang declared Xiao Yan under Xiao Hua's protection, they had immediately ceased all antagonism, focusing instead on their cultivation with the hope of one day joining Jia Nan Academy and proving their worth and follow Xiao Hua's footsteps.
"I'm not here to reprimand you, so you don't need to be so tense," Xiao Hua said with a soft sigh, sensing their unease.
"Understood, Cousin Xiao Hua," Xiao Yu replied, nodding quickly. Despite her response, a faint quiver in her voice betrayed her lingering anxiety.
Xiao Ning, on the other hand, remained silent, his gaze lowered. Though he said nothing, his heart pounded rapidly in his chest, fear and apprehension entwined.
"What I'm curious about is the First Elder's animosity toward Xiao Yan and your involvement in harassing him," Xiao Hua said, his voice steady yet probing.
Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu exchanged glances before nodding silently to each other. They could tell that Xiao Hua's question stemmed from genuine curiosity rather than an intention to reprimand, which made it easier to speak.
"To be honest, we don't know much," Xiao Ning began, his tone subdued. "What we do know is that Grandfather believes resources shouldn't be wasted on Xiao Yan since he's lost his talent."
Xiao Yu hesitated, her gaze flickering toward Xiao Hua. His expression remained calm and impassive, offering no hint of judgment. Encouraged by his demeanor, she continued cautiously.
"Things escalated when Grandfather discovered that Uncle Xiao Zhan had been secretly requesting medicinal recipes and pills from you, Cousin Xiao Hua, in an effort to cure Xiao Yan's condition. He felt indignant, believing it to be a waste of effort. He thought it would've been better to trade the recipes for higher-level resources to benefit the clan."
Xiao Hua rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his brows knitting together. While her explanation aligned with what he had already heard from Xun Er and Xue Yue, however, Xiao Hua understood the reason for his fixation on Xiao Clan's growth.
'The First Elder and Second Elder must be aware of the Xiao Clan's history,' Xiao Hua mused inwardly. 'They must know about the Tuo She Ancient God's Jade.'
His thoughts turned to the novel, where the two elders, before their deaths, had quietly instructed Xiao Li to warn Xiao Yan to never let go of the jade heirloom. It was a subtle yet clear indication that they understood its significance.
"In addition," Xiao Yu spoke again, breaking his train of thought, "the younger generation of the clan became divided after the annoucement that Xiao Yan was under your protection, Cousin Xiao Hua."
"Divided?" Xiao Hua's brows lifted in surprise. This was news to him. He turned to Xun Er for clarification, but she shook her head, indicating she was equally unaware.
"It's not a significant issue," Xiao Yu quickly reassured, waving her hands dismissively. "The elders have deliberately stayed out of it and are simply observing from the sidelines."
She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "The division among the younger generation stems from differing opinions. Some believe that, with your return to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan's talent might recover, so there's no need to scorn him. Others, however, are envious of the protection you've extended to him."
As her words trailed off, Xiao Yu grew tense, her eyes flickering toward Xiao Hua, trying to gauge his reaction. Yet his face betrayed nothing, his calm gaze steady as ever.
Internally, however, Xiao Hua was taken aback. 'My mere words caused a division among the younger members of the Xiao Clan?' he thought, incredulous.
It was an unexpected development. Fortunately, the elders had acted as he anticipated when he declared that Xiao Yan is under his protection, refraining from interfering and leaving the matter to resolve itself among the youth.
Meanwhile, Ming Cheng and the others remained silent. This was a matter between Xiao Hua and his clan, and unless Xiao Hua specifically sought their advice, they had no intention of interfering or speaking out of turn.
After a moment of contemplative silence, Xiao Hua withdrew his gaze from the horizon and turned to Xiao Yu. "I've also heard that the two of you harassed Xiao Yan. Was this under the First Elder's orders?"
"This…" Xiao Yu's cheeks flushed a vivid crimson, the color deepening as a particularly mortifying memory surfaced. She lowered her head slightly, unable to meet Xiao Hua's eyes.
Her reaction didn't go unnoticed. Everyone could tell that her reason for harassing Xiao Yan was different from the other clan members, and it was clear that it involved something she found deeply embarrassing.
Xiao Hua shifted his gaze to Xiao Ning, who immediately raised his hands in mock surrender. "Don't look at me, Cousin Xiao Hua. I only harassed Cousin Xiao Yan because Elder Sister asked me to," he said with an exasperated tone, as if washing his hands of the matter.
"So…" Xiao Hua's gaze returned to Xiao Yu, who now seemed to shrink under his calm scrutiny. Her blush deepened further, betraying the awkward memory that continued to haunt her.
"If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine," Xiao Hua sighed, his voice softening. "I'm not here to judge you."
"No, it's fine." Xiao Yu coughed lightly, regaining her composure. After a brief pause, she spoke calmly. "Do you remember the time you warned me about the snakes near the back mountain and advised me to take a maid with me to the hot springs?"
"You mean when we were kids?" Xiao Hua crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. He recalled that moment clearly. After finishing his bath and before heading to Xiao Yan's residence to stop his nightly cultivation mishaps, he had encountered Xiao Yu planning to take a late-night bath.
At the time, Xiao Hua had cautioned her about the snakes in the area. Although the snakes were non-venomous and common, there had been occasional reports of children being bitten, and while not dangerous, the bites could still be painful. He'd advised her to bring a maid next time for safety.
While Xiao Hua gave her his warning with good intentions, he couldn't see how this memory was connected to his current question.
Xiao Yu nodded in affirmation. Then, she gnashed her teeth in frustration. "I didn't encounter any snakes, but I ran into a wolf!"
"A wolf?!" Xiao Ning exclaimed in shock from beside her. "Elder Sister, are you okay? Were you bitten?!"
"A wolf?" Mei Ling leaned closer to Xun Er, whispering with curiosity. "Does your clan even have wolves?"
"I don't think so…" Xun Er tilted her head, her expression equally puzzled.
She had scoured every corner of the Xiao Clan, including the back mountain, while searching for the Tou She Ancient Jade. She was confident there wasn't a single wolf to be found anywhere in the vicinity.
'Wolf… Xiao Yan… Ah… That's why she suddenly brought this up…'
Xiao Hua's thoughts churned for a moment before a wry smile appeared on his face. He rubbed his temple in an incredulous manner.
'No wonder she harassed Xiao Yan. Thankfully, it didn't escalate into something more extreme thanks to it being intercepted early on…' Xiao Hua mused silently.
He recalled reading about this incident in the novel: Xiao Yan had 'accidentally' stumbled upon Xiao Yu bathing and, in an unfortunate turn of events, 'accidentally' touched her leg. He hadn't expected that his casual warning about snakes would inadvertently lead to Xiao Yan's antics being discovered.
However, he silently thanked his past self for his intervention. Without it, Xiao Yu's reaction could have been far worse—she might have turned into a vengeful whirlwind, relentlessly hunting Xiao Yan down. Her harassment, already a nuisance, could have escalated to something extreme.
Noticing the confusion on everyone's faces, Xiao Yu hurriedly clarified, her cheeks turning crimson as embarrassment bubbled to the surface.
"It was a lecherous wolf!" she blurted.
Xiao Ning and the others immediately grasped her meaning, their expressions lighting up with realization. Xiao Yu's flushed cheeks and mortified demeanor made it clear that this "wolf" had more human traits than animal ones.
"So, this Third Young Master of yours was peeping on you while you were bathing?" Xin Yu sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose with a mix of disbelief and frustration.
"That's correct, Lady Xin Yu." Xiao Yu nodded, her expression dark with lingering resentment.
Despite Xin Yu, Li Mei, and Mei Ling repeatedly insisting that Xiao Yu didn't need to use honorifics with them, her admiration and respect for the trio remained unwavering, leading to her steadfast refusal to address them informally.
"Doesn't he understand the gravity of such behavior?" Xin Yu asked, her voice tinged with irritation.
"After his talent was discovered, Xiao Yan became insufferably arrogant, walking around with his nose perpetually in the air!" Xiao Yu huffed coldly, her displeasure evident in her tone.
"He claimed he accidentally entered the hot spring by mistake, but such an excuse is hard to believe—especially when he almost never ventured into the mountains before!" Her eyes flashed with indignation at the memory.
'That's a fair point,' Xiao Hua thought with a resigned sigh. 'Even I must admit that Xiao Yan deserved to be chased around by Xiao Yu for that incident.'
While it might have been believable if Xiao Yan had merely stumbled upon her bathing spot by accident, the claim that he "accidentally" touched her leg afterward was far-fetched, to say the least. Only a fool would believe such an excuse—especially those aware that Xiao Yan was a reincarnator!
...
"So that damn, perverted brat is still as lecherous as ever, huh…"
Ling Ying, who had been silently perched on the flagpole, concealing his presence from Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu, clicked his tongue in irritation and muttered softly under his breath.
Ming Cheng and the others had long noticed his presence but chose to remain silent. They understood that Ling Ying was there solely to guard Xun Er, ensuring no harm came to her. Not that she needed much protection—given her current strength, there was no one in the Jia Ma Empire capable of threatening her.
Ling Ying's frustration stemmed from a past failure involving Xiao Yan. Although the situation had been salvaged thanks to Xiao Hua, he couldn't help but harbor a slight grudge against Xiao Yan.
'Even though Young Master Xiao Hua resolved the situation, what happened afterward was even more astonishing. And because of that… Young Miss and Young Master are now a pair,' Ling Ying thought, shaking his head wearily as memories of the past resurfaced.
However, since Xun Er's brief return to the Gu Clan, she had become the object of countless suitors' admiration. Many among the clan's younger generation had redoubled their efforts in cultivation, believing that only those with strength rivaling hers could even dream of being worthy of her.
If it were ever revealed that Xun Er's heart already belonged to someone, the news would undoubtedly cause an uproar within the clan, especially among the ambitious young talents.
"I've seen many talented individuals in the clan, but none rival Young Master Xiao Hua. If the younger generation ever thinks they can prove themselves worthy in Young Miss's eyes by defeating him and attempting to take her hand, I fear they will only face an inevitable and devastating defeat..."
Ling Ying sighed quietly, his understanding of Xun Er's personality deepening his pity for the younger generation. Even if, by some miracle, Xiao Hua were defeated, Xun Er would not waver in her loyalty or affection.
He could only shake his head at the relentless, futile efforts of these young people. Their aspirations, however earnest, would never bear fruit. Xun Er's heart, attention, and love had already been wholly claimed by a single man—one who was not even part of the Gu Clan.