Meanwhile, on the other side, Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were having a quiet conversation inside the ring.
"You should sign up for Jia Nan Academy," Yao Lao advised.
"I probably won't learn much there, right? Teacher already has all the cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques I need."
"Jia Nan Academy possesses a Heavenly Flame ranked fourteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking — the Fallen Heart Flame. If you can obtain it, your Burning Technique will undergo a huge evolution. After signing up, you can take a leave of absence for more than a year. I will take you to the Magical Beast Mountain Range to train. That environment is far more suitable for you. Only by constantly seeking opportunities can you grow faster. Following a fixed routine is not your path."
Xiao Yan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
Outside the ring, the night air over the Xiao Family grounds was cool and quiet. Most of the clan had already retired early, saving their energy for the enrollment tomorrow. Xiao Tian, however, found sleep impossible. The quiet conversation of Xiao Yan and Yao Lao still echoed faintly in his mind through the spiritual connection, but his body felt restless. After a while he rose, pulled on a thin outer robe, and slipped out of his courtyard.
He walked without real purpose, following the mountain path that wound behind the Xiao Family residence. The further he went, the denser the trees became, until the sound of gently flowing water reached his ears. A small natural pond nestled among the rocks, fed by a thin stream from higher up the mountain. Moonlight silvered the surface.
Xiao Tian stopped at the edge of the trees.
A slender figure stood waist-deep in the water.
Xiao Yu.
Her long black hair was unbound, cascading down her back like a dark waterfall. Water droplets slid along the elegant curve of her spine. She had already removed every piece of clothing; the pale moonlight painted her bare shoulders, the soft swell of her breasts, the narrow waist, and the full, smooth lines of her hips. She cupped water in her hands and poured it over herself, eyes closed, clearly believing she was alone.
Xiao Tian did not look away.
For several long breaths he simply watched. Then he stepped out from the trees, making no effort to hide the sound of his footfalls.
Xiao Yu's eyes flew open. She spun around, arms instantly crossing over her chest, water splashing around her thighs. Panic and disbelief warred on her face.
"Xiao Tian?! W-what are you doing here?!"
"Taking a walk," he answered calmly, stopping at the water's edge. His gaze traveled openly over the parts of her body she could not fully hide. "I didn't expect to find my cousin bathing under the moonlight."
"Turn around! Leave!" Xiao Yu's voice trembled. She tried to sink deeper, but the pond was not that deep. "I'm your cousin! Your sister!"
Xiao Tian's lips curved. He began untying the sash of his outer robe.
"You are not my biological sister. The blood between us is thin enough that it does not matter. A true sister would not need to hide her body from me… and she would not look this beautiful while doing so." His voice was low, steady. "Besides, a sister who only scolds and never helps is not much of a sister at all."
Before she could answer he discarded the outer robe, leaving only the thin inner trousers, and stepped into the water. The cool liquid rose to his waist as he walked straight toward her. Xiao Yu backed away until her shoulders touched the smooth rock wall of the pond. There was nowhere left to go.
Xiao Tian stopped behind her. His bare chest pressed lightly against her wet back. One arm slid around her waist, the other rose and gently pried her crossed arms away.
"Don't…" she whispered, but the protest lacked force.
His hands closed over her soft breasts. The warm, slick flesh filled his palms perfectly. He squeezed, kneading slowly, then caught both nipples between his fingers and rolled them with deliberate pressure. Xiao Yu's breath hitched; a soft, involuntary sound escaped her throat. Her head tipped back against his shoulder.
"Xiao Tian… we can't…"
He ignored the words. One hand stayed on her chest while the other traveled lower, sliding over the flat plane of her stomach, then down the long, smooth length of her thigh. He bent slightly, both hands now cupping the firm, rounded cheeks of her ass, squeezing and spreading them. The hard length of his cock, still covered by the thin wet cloth of his trousers, pressed firmly against the soft cleft between her cheeks. Xiao Yu felt every ridge of it. Her legs trembled.
His fingers slipped between her thighs from behind and found the soft, already slick folds of her pussy. He stroked once, twice, then pushed a single finger inside her. Xiao Yu's whole body jolted. A broken moan left her lips as he curled that finger and began to thrust slowly, steadily, his thumb circling the sensitive pearl above. Her inner walls clenched around the intrusion. Water lapped around them with every movement.
"Xiao Tian… ahh…"
He kept the rhythm relentless, the heel of his palm pressing against her clit while his finger worked deeper. Her breathing grew ragged. Her legs shook harder. Suddenly her body tensed, a soft cry muffled against her own hand as she came, pulsing tightly around his finger. Xiao Tian held her upright through the waves of pleasure, feeling every tremor.
When the last aftershock faded he withdrew his hand, turned her around, and lifted her easily into his arms. Water streamed from both their bodies as he carried her out of the pond. Xiao Yu buried her burning face against his neck, too spent and too shy to speak. He retrieved their discarded clothes, draped his outer robe around her, and walked back through the quiet mountain path toward the Xiao Family residences.
No one saw them.
He took her all the way to her own courtyard, pushed the door open with his shoulder, and laid her gently on the bed. For a moment he simply looked down at her—flushed cheeks, wet hair, the robe half-open over her still-heaving chest—then he leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to her forehead.
"Sleep. Tomorrow is the enrollment."
He left as quietly as he had come, returning to his own room. The night remained silent.
The next morning everything appeared usual.
Xiao Tian set out early to pick up Xun'er and head to the Jia Nan Academy enrollment area. The Xiao Family grounds were unusually quiet today — most people had already gone to participate or watch the event.
When the two arrived at the main gate, they saw Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei, and several others already waiting.
Xiao Yu's eyes met his for only a fraction of a second before she quickly looked away, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She cleared her throat and forced her usual teasing tone.
"Oh? Our great genius Xiao Tian is finally here? Hurry up. The instructor in charge of enrollment this time is my teacher. I'll take you through the back door. Otherwise, you might still be waiting in line until tomorrow."
After speaking, Xiao Yu led everyone toward the back of the enrollment plaza. Yet every time Xiao Tian walked a little closer, her steps became slightly hurried, and she refused to meet his gaze for long.
Under her guidance, Xiao Tian and the group smoothly entered the central area.
The moment Xiao Yu appeared, a group of female students swarmed around her, chattering excitedly.
"Xiao Yu, long time no see!"
Suddenly, a male voice rang out. A young man in a greyish-white robe walked over with a fake smile plastered on his face. His gaze burned with intense heat as it landed on Xiao Yu.
"Luo Bu, long time no see," Xiao Yu replied politely, though her tone was distant. Even so, she seemed grateful for the distraction; anything was better than feeling Xiao Tian's calm eyes on her back.
"Are these the new students you brought? Then let them take the test first." Luo Bu glanced at Xiao Xun'er, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes, before taking out a testing crystal.
Seeing that gaze, Xiao Tian narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"This is a testing crystal. As long as your Dou Qi exceeds eight segments of Dou Zhi Qi, it will light up and you'll pass," Xiao Yu explained with slight hesitation. Her voice was steady, but the tips of her ears remained faintly red.
One by one, Xiao Tian and the others stepped forward. Without exception, everyone passed the test easily.
"Since you've all passed, stay here and stand in the sun for half an hour," Luo Bu said, pointing at the group of new students already baking under the scorching heat.
"Luo Bu, what do you mean by this? These are the people I brought!" Xiao Yu glared at him angrily.
"These are academy rules. New students always have sharp edges that need tempering. I'm just helping them build character."
"You just want to bully new students! Don't use that excuse on the people I brought!"
"Since they were tested under my supervision, I have the right to oversee them temporarily. Of course… if you agree to have a meal with me, I can let them off."
"You're dreaming. Don't even think about it," Xiao Yu refused without hesitation.
"Oh? Big Brother Luo Bu, it seems things aren't going smoothly. Do you want me to help teach them a lesson?" A grinning young man walked out from a nearby tent, speaking in a fawning tone.
Luo Bu glanced at Ge La and thought for a moment. "Since they were brought by Xiao Yu, if one of you can defeat any of our senior students, you won't need to undergo this trial."
"Oh? Then allow me to experience a senior student's excellent moves," Xiao Tian said calmly. He gently pulled Xiao Yu aside and stepped forward. His fingers brushed her wrist for the briefest moment; she flinched as if burned, then quickly composed herself.
"Xiao Tian, you…" Xiao Yu looked worried at first, but then remembered his true strength and relaxed—though the memory of last night made her heart race all over again.
Luo Bu noticed the fleeting worry in Xiao Yu's eyes and felt a surge of jealousy, especially after seeing Xiao Tian's closeness with the stunning Xiao Xun'er. He winked at Ge La.
Ge La immediately stepped up with a smug grin. "Kid, let this senior teach you what it means to respect your elders."
"I'm not interested in fighting you. You're only a one-star Dou Practitioner — too much of a good-for-nothing. I'd feel like I'm dirtying my hands." Xiao Tian glanced at Ge La dismissively, then looked at Luo Bu. "I wonder if Senior Luo Bu dares to fight me instead?"
Ge La's face twisted in anger. "You… you dare call me a good-for-nothing?!"
Xiao Tian ignored him and continued, "You don't dare?"
"What's there to be afraid of? I'm a four-star Dou Practitioner. Fighting you will end in your miserable defeat," Luo Bu said coldly.
"If you want to fight, then fight. If not, admit defeat and get lost."
"You're asking for death!"
Luo Bu's four-star Dou Practitioner aura surged. He condensed his power into his right fist and swung it toward Xiao Tian's head with full force.
Seeing him use such heavy power against a new student, many onlookers frowned.
Xiao Tian simply extended his hand and casually grabbed Luo Bu's fist. "Senior Luo Bu, did you not eat breakfast? Or is your cultivation fake? Why is there so little strength?"
"How is this possible?! What is your actual strength?!" Luo Bu struggled desperately but couldn't free his hand.
Xiao Tian looked at the red-faced senior and said calmly, "Some people are not for you to covet." Then he raised his right leg and kicked out.
Luo Bu quickly blocked with his free left arm, but the moment it connected, he felt as if he had been struck by a raging beast. With a loud crack, his body was sent flying backward, slamming hard into a wall. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and fainted on the spot.
The entire plaza fell into dead silence.
Xue Ni, standing beside Xiao Yu, stammered, "Yu'er… your cousin… what exactly is his strength? Is he really your cousin? That was terrifying…"
Xiao Yu's gaze lingered on Xiao Tian for a heartbeat longer than necessary. The memory of moonlight, cold water, and his hands on her body flashed through her mind. She quickly looked away, cheeks coloring once more.
"I don't know either. He never mentioned it, but his talent has always been better than mine since we were young."
Meanwhile, Ge La looked at the fallen Luo Bu and secretly felt relieved. Thank goodness Xiao Tian looked down on me earlier. Otherwise, I might not even have half my life left.
"Hehe, this little fellow's strength is truly impressive. It seems I've found a real treasure this time."
A gentle, intoxicating voice drifted over. Everyone turned to see a beautiful woman in green robes appearing beside Luo Bu. Pale blue Dou Qi flowed from her hand, instantly covering Luo Bu's body. Under the nourishment of her water-attribute Dou Qi, he slowly woke up, then stood awkwardly, his eyes flashing with fear as he looked at Xiao Tian.
"Instructor Ruo Lin, Yu'er missed you so much!" Xiao Yu exclaimed happily and rushed forward to hug the woman's waist—grateful for any excuse to put distance between herself and the man who had seen every inch of her the night before.
"Yu'er, did you enjoy your holiday?" Instructor Ruo Lin smiled warmly after embracing her for a moment, then released her. "The people you brought this time seem quite excellent."
"Of course! If they weren't good, I wouldn't have brought them," Xiao Yu said proudly, puffing out her chest. Yet the moment her eyes accidentally met Xiao Tian's across the plaza, the proud posture faltered for half a second, and a shy flush returned to her cheeks.
"Alright, new students, everyone come inside now," Instructor Ruo Lin said gently to the group still standing under the scorching sun.
Xiao Tian walked past Xiao Yu as the group moved forward. He did not speak, but the faint curve of his lips told her he remembered everything. Xiao Yu bit her lower lip and kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, ears burning, determined to pretend that the previous night under the moonlight had never happened.
Yet every time his presence brushed against her senses, her body remembered.