From within Xiao Yan's mind, Venerable Skyfire's voice suddenly rang out as he flew ahead:
"Xiao Yan, is that truly your biological older brother?"
"Yes, same mother, same father. Why do you ask?" Xiao Yan was slightly startled by the question, then answered casually.
"Your older brother… is terrifying. And he's not simple at all…" Venerable Skyfire's tone carried a rare trace of apprehension.
Even though he no longer possessed his former cultivation, his judgment of people remained razor-sharp. Despite Xiao Jietian only appearing to be a Dou Zong, the venerable felt an indescribable sense of dread from him—like being targeted by some ancient, unfathomable terror.
That brief, seemingly unintentional glance Xiao Jietian had cast toward the white storage ring where his soul resided had made the venerable's non-existent heart skip a beat.
In reality, it was merely the spiritual pressure Xiao Jietian had subtly released by quietly circulating his cultivation technique and physique—a casual show of strength meant as a quiet warning.
Xiao Yan simply smiled and said nothing more. He had no intention of revealing any details about his big brother.
After swiftly flying out of the cave entrance and landing on solid ground, Xiao Yan took a long, deep breath of the fresh outside air and exclaimed dramatically:
"I've never felt air taste so sweet in my life!"
At that moment, Xiao Jietian also emerged from the cave.
Both he and Great Elder Su Qian watched Xiao Yan's exaggerated monkey-like antics with identical expressions of mild amusement.
"Ahem…"
Noticing the two pairs of eyes staring at him like he was a performing monkey, Xiao Yan gave a light cough to cover his embarrassment. He quickly cupped his hands toward Su Qian.
"Great Elder!"
Su Qian walked over, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder heavily, and said with genuine relief:
"Good… it's good that you're safe."
"Thank you for your concern, Great Elder." Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Fortunately, I didn't fail the mission. Everything has been settled."
Just as he was about to take out the Fire Gathering Pot to present the infant Fallen Heart Flame, Xiao Jietian calmly interrupted.
"Great Elder, I know you're in a hurry, but please don't rush. First, reseal this place—no one must be allowed to enter."
Su Qian immediately understood the deeper meaning behind those words.
This cave concerned far more than just the Fallen Heart Flame. The ancient secrets hidden deeper within—especially anything related to Tuoshe Ancient God's dwelling—could not be treated lightly.
Moreover, although the Flame Lizardmen served as guardians, who could guarantee they would never find a way out?
They weren't dealing with some unlucky fellow who had been deliberately trapped inside forever.
Zhukun (somewhere very far away): *You're scolding me again!!*
Without hesitation, Su Qian quickly formed hand seals. The massive barrier once again enveloped the cave entrance, resealing it completely.
"You two can handle the rest of the matters. I won't participate."
After speaking, Xiao Jietian directly left the sealed zone.
He had no interest in the subsequent handover or discussions. He simply left everything for Xiao Yan to manage.
Before leaving, he sent a quiet voice transmission to Xiao Yan.
Su Qian also forcibly suppressed the wild excitement in his heart. With a wave of his sleeve, he flew toward his study with Xiao Yan in tow.
Once inside the study, the two immediately began their discussion.
Xiao Yan took out the Fire Gathering Pot containing the infant Fallen Heart Flame.
Su Qian's eyes shone as he examined the pot over and over, watching the tiny flame inside pulse rhythmically like a living heartbeat. His hands trembled slightly with emotion.
After leaving the sealed area, Xiao Jietian headed straight for Pan Gate.
Pan Gate had grown stronger day by day. It was now the undisputed leader among all factions in Jia Nan Academy. Entering Pan Gate had become an honor that countless students dreamed of.
Xiao Jietian had no intention of showing his face publicly. Instead, he observed everything from the shadows.
The original pavilion he had once used as a base had been greatly expanded. The entire structure was now surrounded by new buildings, forming a sprawling complex.
People constantly came and went around the pavilion, all proudly wearing Pan Gate's emblem on their chests, faces filled with confidence and pride.
In one of the studies, he saw Hu Jia diligently handling various affairs of Pan Gate.
However, Xiao Yu and Wu Hao were nowhere to be seen.
Xiao Jietian directly appeared inside the room, sat down on a chair, and casually released a wisp of his aura.
"Who's there?!"
Hu Jia instantly sensed the extra presence in the room and shouted in a low, alert voice.
Xiao Jietian waved his hand, isolating all sound from escaping the room. Otherwise, countless people would probably rush in within seconds.
When Hu Jia looked up and saw that familiar, handsome, refined face, she froze completely.
Then she rolled her large, beautiful eyes and drawled sarcastically:
"Oh my, how does such a busy person suddenly have time to grace us with his presence?"
Despite her tone, joy still flickered deep in her eyes.
After all, Xiao Jietian had always been her goal to chase after—and the person who had truly allowed her to establish herself in the Inner Academy.
Back in the Outer Academy, she had been known as Little Enchantress. But without Xiao Jietian's support and resources, it would have been impossible for her to reach her current position.
Still… whenever she thought about how he always treated her like a free workhorse, the joy instantly dimmed.
"Tiger Girl, in the academy you should address me properly by title. Understand?" Xiao Jietian looked at the sarcastic Hu Jia and shot back without politeness.
"Elder Xiao, Elder Xiao, Elder Xiao!" Hu Jia deliberately dragged out the words, seeing his "call me properly or else" expression. She could only reluctantly repeat it several times. "Satisfied now? Also—don't call me Tiger Girl! My name is Hu Jia!"
"Alright, Tiger Girl."
"I heard you, Tiger Girl."
"I can't take it anymore! Watch me bite you to death!"
Hu Jia finally exploded. She unleashed her movement technique and pounced straight toward Xiao Jietian, baring her small tiger-like teeth as though she really intended to take a chunk out of him.
But in front of him, her speed was laughably slow—like a snail trying to sprint.
Xiao Jietian casually froze her in mid-air, then reached out and gently pinched her chin.
"Don't get your saliva on me. Also, why is your temper so hot? That's not good for a lady."
"Mmmph! Mmmph mmmph!!"
Hu Jia desperately wanted to retort, but with her chin held and body restrained, she could only produce muffled, indignant noises.
Xiao Jietian flicked his finger.
A medicinal pill flew straight into her open mouth, instantly melting on her tongue.
Only then did he release her from the binding.
"What did you just feed me?!"
Hu Jia rubbed her sore face and mouth, glaring at him suspiciously.
"Aphrodisiac!" Xiao Jietian said seriously, trying to scare her.
"Then shouldn't I be blushing and burning with desire right now?"
Hu Jia raised an eyebrow. She wasn't so easily fooled—but deep down, a tiny flicker of panic still appeared.
Xiao Jietian looked at her feigned calmness and secretly chuckled. He leaned back in the chair and said lazily:
"It's not time yet. Just wait a little longer."
"Then your medicine is really trash—it even needs time to take effect."
Hu Jia rolled her eyes speechlessly.
But right after she finished speaking, she suddenly felt her body growing faintly warm, as though something was slowly igniting inside her.
"No… are you serious?!"
Hu Jia's expression instantly turned flustered.
"Of course…" Xiao Jietian deliberately dragged out the word.
Hu Jia's face grew even more panicked.
"Of course… not." Xiao Jietian finally finished with a laugh. "This is a Marrow Cleansing Pill. It improves your cultivation aptitude."
The pill he had given her was none other than the seventh-grade Marrow Cleansing Pill he had recently refined.
Yun Yun and the others had already taken it, but for those with special physiques, the effect was minimal. For ordinary people, however, the benefits were enormous.
Hu Jia, Xiao Yu, and Wu Hao were his friends. They had worked tirelessly managing Pan Gate for him—this was his way of rewarding them.
"Ahhh!! I'm going to fight you to the death! Watch me bite you!!"
Realizing she had been teased again, Hu Jia shrieked in fury and once again pounced like an enraged little tiger.
Xiao Jietian flashed aside effortlessly. With a casual wave of his hand, Hu Jia's body uncontrollably floated back to her original seat.
"Give these two pills to Wu Hao and Xiao Yu."
After speaking, Xiao Jietian directly vanished, leaving only a final teasing voice transmission:
"Also… little tiger teeth aren't just for biting people, you know~."
Hu Jia froze mid-shriek.
She wasn't naive. After a moment of thought, she immediately understood the implication behind those words—and became even more furious.
"Get out! Get out! Get out of here!!"
"Hmph! I'll let you off this time because of the pill… but don't let me catch you again, or I'll really bite you to death!"
Of course she knew Xiao Jietian had teased her on purpose to make her feel less guilty about accepting such a precious pill.
But even so—she still gritted her teeth in resentment.
Feeling sticky and smelling faintly unpleasant from the impurities expelled by the pill, Hu Jia immediately turned and dashed toward her private room.
What Xiao Jietian didn't know was that, in the future, this aphrodisiac joke would come back to bite him—hard—and not just once.