*Smack!*
Hearing Xiao Huiying's bold declaration, Xiao Jietian's face instantly darkened. He slapped her right on her most forbidden and prominent spot.
"You're rebelling against the heavens! You actually dare to supervise your own master?"
Xiao Huiying's face turned crimson in an instant, her whole body curling up like a cooked shrimp.
Although her master often bumped into and slapped that area in private, this was the first time she had been disciplined like this in front of so many people.
She panicked and immediately buried herself deeper into Xiao Jietian's arms, mumbling incoherently, "It's not like I haven't rebelled before… I even rode on your face earlier."
"…"
The other women were momentarily stunned, then covered their mouths and chuckled softly. They had all done similar things in the past.
Only Hu Jia looked around in confusion, feeling completely lost, as if she had drawn her sword and found herself surrounded by fog.
*No… is there something I don't know?*
???
She usually pinched Xiao Jietian's face quite often, and his expressions back then had indeed been very funny.
*Is this the world of women? As a girl, I really don't understand it yet.* No wonder people said that once you became a woman, you would be completely reborn. But she would soon join their ranks.
After the group finished discussing the trip to the ancient ruins, Xuan Yi looked at Xiao Jietian. "Xiao Jietian, the Pill Gathering will begin in about two months after the ruins. Do you want to participate?"
"It depends on the situation," Xiao Jietian replied, spreading his hands with an invincible yet lonely expression. "After all, if I participate, I might not have any worthy opponents."
"Your information has already been leaked," Xuan Yi said, a hint of embarrassment and anger on her face. "This time, I heard the Hun Clan will be sending someone. According to the news, it might be Hun Xuzi's disciple…"
The anger was directed at Hun Xuzi. He had once been a disciple of the Little Pill Tower's Master, but his identity was later exposed. He had conspired with experts from the Hun Clan to ambush and kill the Tower Master, even stealing many of the Little Pill Tower's secret Dou Techniques.
"Interesting." Xiao Jietian hadn't expected the Hun Clan to interfere with the Pill Gathering. He wasn't sure whether it was the clan's arrangement or the participant's own decision.
"However, I need to see the opponent's strength first and whether it's worth my time. After all, alchemy is very tiring," Xiao Jietian did not directly agree to participate.
If it was profitable, he would act. If not, he would simply watch the show. In any case, his younger brother would definitely take part. No matter how strong Hun Xuzi's disciple was, he couldn't surpass Xiao Yan by much. As the Son of Destiny, Xiao Yan would grit his teeth, unleash his potential, and handle it.
Xuan Yi rolled her eyes at Xiao Jietian helplessly. After communicating so deeply so many times that their souls had resonated, she could see through his thoughts in an instant.
*You want me to participate? Fine, but you'll have to pay more!*
Xuan Yi had no objections. She secretly began thinking about how to convince Xuan Kongzi and the Little Pill Tower to increase the champion's reward. It was time to make those old fellows bleed a little.
"Should I add a bit more?" Hu Jia muttered to herself, holding a jade bottle while looking at the ingredients in front of her.
Finally, she gritted her teeth, poured out half a bottle of the powder, and began her preparations.
After spending half an hour, Hu Jia finished everything and left with the items she had made.
"Hehe~ I'm coming, my precious."
…
That night, Xiao Jietian sat in a chair, waiting for the little white lamb—rather, Tiger Girl—to arrive.
*Creak!*
The door to Xiao Jietian's bedchamber suddenly opened. Hu Jia poked her head in like a thief with a guilty conscience.
"Come in if you're here. It's just me—no one else," Xiao Jietian said with a laugh when he saw her cautious appearance.
Hu Jia quickly slipped inside and placed the items in her hands in front of him. "How is it? Does it look good?"
"Is this a snack?" Xiao Jietian asked, staring at the small tiger-shaped pastries in confusion.
*I waited so long, and you bring me this? Is this supposed to test a cadre?*
"Yes, I worked really hard to make these. This is just the appetizer. The better stuff will come after you finish them."
Hu Jia pushed the pastries closer, her eyes filled with seven parts anticipation and three parts nervousness as she prayed silently.
Xiao Jietian rubbed one of the snacks. It was soft and bouncy. The little thing was quite unique.
Under Hu Jia's expectant gaze, he picked one up and took a big bite.
Hu Jia's eyes flashed with a hidden smile when she saw him swallow.
"It tastes good," Xiao Jietian praised after finishing the last bite.
Once he had eaten everything, he suddenly felt a warmth spreading in his stomach, and his entire body began to heat up.
"Of course. I made them with many nourishing medicinal herbs," Hu Jia said, tilting her head with pride as she looked at him.
She suddenly heard heavy breathing and looked up to meet Xiao Jietian's slightly reddened gaze.
Hu Jia felt a little scared by his predatory stare, but she reminded herself that this was her plan. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and she had to give him a proper "head wash" tonight.
"The appetizer is finished. The main course is about to be served."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Jietian appeared right in front of her.
The moment their eyes met and she saw that he had already lost his self-control, Hu Jia felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.
*Gulp!*
She trembled inwardly with nervousness and swallowed hard, cheering herself on.
*Be brave, Hu Jia. Don't be afraid of difficulties.*
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed her. Her body tensed up instantly. Just as she was about to speak, Xiao Jietian's kiss silenced her. He then kissed her cheek, her ears, and her neck.
From an angle Hu Jia couldn't see, a clear light flickered in Xiao Jietian's eyes, which had seemed to have lost their awareness.
Dou Qi surged in his hands, and Hu Jia's clothes were instantly torn to shreds, scattering everywhere.
…
As the sun rose high in the sky, Xiao Jietian glanced at Hu Jia, whose eyes still carried dried tear stains. He gently brushed the stray hairs from her forehead.
He had gone a bit too far.
He kissed her forehead, took out a golden-red ring, and slipped it onto her ring finger. Then he fused a physique card into her body.
After doing all this, Xiao Jietian got dressed and left.
…
Several hours later, Hu Jia slowly opened her heavy eyes. Although she had slept for a long time, she still felt exhausted. Yet she didn't regret it at all.
She recalled everything from last night. During the second half of the night, Xiao Jietian had fused the physique card into her; otherwise, she would have been completely ruined.
After all, she had practiced sound-wave Dou Techniques all night, and her throat was almost hoarse.
Her gaze swept around the room and landed on a floating jade bottle. She reached out and grabbed it.
Suddenly, she noticed the golden-red ring on her finger.
She froze, staring blankly at the ring, even forgetting to breathe.
When she came back to her senses, her fingertips gently caressed the ring's surface. It felt warm and smooth like jade, yet carried the unique coolness of metal.
"Xiao Jietian…" she murmured unconsciously, her voice hoarse and unfamiliar. Tears of emotion welled up in her eyes.
She put away the pills in the jade bottle without taking them. She still had things to do later. Touching the ring, she giggled foolishly while lying on the bed.