Xiao Jietian's reflexes were lightning-fast. He grabbed the small hand mid-reach and used his other hand to pluck the Di Zang Fruit.
The small hand struggled continuously, possessing immense strength despite its size. But Xiao Jietian's grip was even stronger, holding her firmly in place.
Following the slender arm to its owner, Xiao Jietian's eyes widened slightly.
Before him stood a little girl barely reaching his waist—delicate and exquisite like a porcelain doll dressed in pristine white robes. Her cheeks were impossibly fair and tender, and her light purple hair cascaded down to her waist. Most striking were her large, dark eyes that sparkled with intelligence.
Currently, those eyes were wide with surprise as she gritted her teeth and exerted force, desperately trying to pull her hand back.
Xiao Jietian immediately recognized her by her height, attire, and distinctive purple hair.
This was none other than the Inner Academy's infamous little tyrant, Zi Yan—a Void Ancient Dragon in human form.
'So cute... I really want to tease her.'
"Let go of me, or I'll get angry!" The little girl's mouth moved, emitting a clear, sweet, and tender voice.
"Little sister, I found this treasure first," Xiao Jietian said with amusement. "You were trying to snatch my item, which is why I caught you."
He leaned down slightly, his smile widening. "Besides, even if you get angry, you might not be able to beat me."
Xiao Jietian studied Zi Yan's adorable appearance, briefly wondering if she would cry for a long time if he actually punched her.
"I want to grow up. I need to eat them," Zi Yan stated calmly, though her voice carried endless longing.
Hearing her words, Xiao Jietian remembered her predicament. She'd accidentally consumed a Shapeshifting Grass and become trapped in this childlike form. Medicinal ingredients contained immense energy that could accelerate her growth—which was why she craved them so desperately.
More importantly, she possessed a unique sensing ability—an innate treasure-hunting talent that made her invaluable.
She also had natural mastery over spatial laws, allowing her to traverse space freely. Her mysterious appearance just now had been her stepping out of a spatial rift.
If not for his powerful soul strength and cultivation, she really would have succeeded in stealing the fruit.
"What are you staring at? Haven't you looked enough?"
Zi Yan felt increasingly annoyed by Xiao Jietian's scrutinizing gaze. If she weren't still holding another vine-like medicinal ingredient in her other hand, she would have already swung a punch at him.
Realizing she'd been caught by someone strong enough to restrain her—meaning he must be quite powerful—she made an unhappy face and lifted the vine medicinal ingredient, preparing to take a bite to soothe her irritation.
"Wait a moment!" Xiao Jietian released her hand and stopped her.
"What do you want now?" Zi Yan's small face instantly puffed up like a bun. "Are you trying to steal my stuff too? My head can be cut off, blood can flow, but medicinal ingredients cannot be lost!"
"No, no," Xiao Jietian said quickly, shaking the Di Zang Fruit in his hand. "I can exchange my fruit for your vine. Don't you think this fruit looks more delicious than yours?"
He smiled at Zi Yan, looking very much like a suspicious uncle luring a child with candy.
The item in Zi Yan's hand was exactly one of the medicinal ingredients for his Marrow Cleansing Pill—the Sky Star Vine.
Hearing his words, Zi Yan's large dark eyes blinked. They seemed to possess some special calming ability, instantly settling her emotions.
Her gaze darted back and forth between the medicinal ingredient in her hand and the one in Xiao Jietian's. Although her vine looked slightly better quality-wise, his fruit appeared far more appetizing.
She licked her lips and swallowed.
"Really? You'll really trade?"
Xiao Jietian didn't speak—he simply placed the fruit directly in front of her.
Zi Yan stared at the yellow-orange fruit, then quickly snatched it and threw the Sky Star Vine to Xiao Jietian, afraid he might change his mind.
Without hesitation, she popped the Di Zang Fruit into her mouth.
Xiao Jietian watched her with a mysterious smile.
The Di Zang Fruit was notoriously unpalatable. Its skin was bitter, its flesh sweet—but the bitterness was even more intense than raw Coptis root.
"Yuck~ So bitter! So disgusting!"
The moment it entered her mouth, Zi Yan's entire face scrunched up from the overwhelming bitterness. Yet despite her reaction, she didn't spit it out—medicinal ingredients helped her grow, after all. After forcibly swallowing, she frowned deeply and shouted at Xiao Jietian accusingly.
"You lied to me! How can this thing be so unpalatable? It's the worst thing I've ever eaten!"
"Isn't eating raw medicinal ingredients always unpalatable?" Xiao Jietian asked innocently.
Seeing his goal achieved, he stored the Sky Star Vine, then squatted down to her eye level and said gently, "They're all quite bitter when eaten raw."
"Yes, they're all terrible," Zi Yan admitted, enduring the lingering bitterness. "But I have to eat them anyway."
She was about to take another reluctant bite when Xiao Jietian stopped her hand and spoke temptingly:
"I can help you refine them. With some other ingredients added, they'll become very delicious."
"Refine?" Zi Yan tilted her small head, her large dark eyes lighting up with hope. "Are you an Alchemist?"
"Whether I am or not, just give me the item. I'll refine it for you right here and now—then you'll know for sure."
Zi Yan studied him carefully, then gritted her teeth and handed over the remaining Di Zang Fruit.
Xiao Jietian accepted it. His Heavenly Flame condensed into a makeshift medicine cauldron on the spot. He tossed the Di Zang Fruit inside, then retrieved several auxiliary medicinal ingredients that could alter the taste without affecting efficacy.
Zi Yan stared at the flames in alarm, instinctively dodging backward before sidling closer to Xiao Jietian—seemingly feeling safer near him.
Except for fire-attribute magical beasts, most creatures had a natural, faint aversion to flames.
Xiao Jietian glanced at her but continued his refinement without comment.
As the flames burned steadily, the Di Zang Fruit gradually separated and was incinerated into medicinal essence.
Xiao Jietian controlled several essences, merging them together before dividing them into small portions.
Pills gradually formed within the Heavenly Flame.
When he finally withdrew the flames, approximately forty pills floated in the air. Xiao Jietian collected them into a jade bottle.
"Here, try one."
Zi Yan, who had been standing beside him with increasingly eager eyes throughout the entire process, practically vibrated with anticipation.
She snatched the jade bottle, impatiently poured out a pill, and quickly threw it into her mouth.
Her eyes went wide.
"Delicious..." She immediately poured out another pill and ate it with obvious delight.
Watching Zi Yan's adorable, gluttonous expression, Xiao Jietian couldn't resist gently rubbing her small head.
"You won't grow tall if you keep eating like this without proper refinement."
Zi Yan shook her head unhappily, pushing his hand away with a chiding tone. "Don't pat my head!"
If anyone else had dared touch her like that, she would have slapped them until their bones shattered. Only Xiao Jietian—who had obtained delicious, high-energy treats for her—was granted this privilege.
"Are you also from the Inner Academy?" Zi Yan studied him curiously while munching on another pill. "Your strength seems even greater than mine. Why haven't I seen you before?"
"I'm a new student this year."
"What?! You're a new student?!" Zi Yan instantly jumped nearly two meters high, staring at Xiao Jietian with utter disbelief.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"There's a huge problem!" A delighted smile spread across her face. "It seems this year will finally be interesting!"
Zi Yan thought excitedly that she finally had someone who could serve as a worthy opponent. The prospect filled her with joy.
Xiao Jietian heard her words and immediately understood—she wanted to fight him. She was a magical beast in human form, after all, and magical beasts were inherently belligerent.
"Your strength is quite good," Zi Yan announced, crossing her arms in an old-fashioned manner that looked comical on her small frame. "In the Inner Academy, I'll look out for you. Even if you provoke Old Su, I can help sort it out. Also, you can use my number one cultivation room in the Heavenly Flame Training Pagoda."
She puffed out her small chest proudly.
"My name is Zi Yan. Old Su helped me choose it. What's your name?"
Xiao Jietian thought with amusement, 'As expected of the Inner Academy's little tyrant.'
The 'Old Su' she mentioned was Great Elder Su Qian, who had brought her back from the forest years ago. Although Zi Yan was the Inner Academy's notorious little tyrant and seemed very pampered and willful, she was actually quite emotionally intelligent.
Though she usually called him 'Old Su,' she cared deeply about Su Qian in her heart. And Su Qian, in turn, raised Zi Yan like his own granddaughter, doting on her immensely.
"My name is Xiao Jietian." He paused, then added knowingly, "So, what do you want in return?"
Xiao Jietian was very clear about her little scheme.
"You... you found me out~"
Zi Yan realized her hidden agenda had been discovered. She lowered her head, awkwardly rubbing her fingers together, the digits tapping against each other nervously.