Xiao Hua's body froze for a brief moment before it was engulfed by an even more intense and lustful flame. Seizing the opportunity as Xun Er's slender body tensed and Little Fairy Doctor's frame quivered in his arms, he deepened the kiss—his tongue boldly invading like a bandit looting a forbidden treasure trove.
Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor were both stunned by Xiao Hua's sudden boldness. Their minds grew hazy, their clarity slipping away amidst the waves of emotion. Only after Xiao Hua had crossed that line did their instincts stir, prompting them to resist—yet their efforts were weak, like falling leaves in a storm. The fearsome strength that could suppress even elite Dou Zuns had seemingly vanished in that moment, seeming to melt away like snow beneath the sun.
The fire in Xiao Hua's chest blazed ever hotter. His hands—resting upon the curves of Xun Er's slender waist and Little Fairy Doctor's graceful form—gradually slid upward, eventually brushing against a softness that made even his heart quiver.
That gentle contact was like a spark upon dry grass, igniting the flames to a new peak. With deliberate movements, Xiao Hua quietly loosened Xun Er's green robes, revealing snow-white skin that glowed with a gentle light. He did the same with Little Fairy Doctor's violet garments, unveiling skin as pure and smooth as finely carved jade.
Just as he was about to bare more of the ethereal beauty in his embrace—
"Dou. Sheng."
Just as Xiao Hua was about to peel away the final layers concealing the ethereal beauties in his arms, a voice rang out within their minds—a heavenly voice, as gentle as spring water. Though melodious, it carried an unmistakable sternness, its spiritual strength crashing into their souls and shattering the fog of desire that had enshrouded them.
In that instant, the three awoke as if doused by a bucket of cold spiritual essence—pulled forcefully out of their entranced state, breathless and dazed.
After regaining their senses and dispelling the haze of desire, Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor became aware of their current posture—entangled closely with Xiao Hua, their robes loosened, revealing snow-white, jade-like skin beneath.
In an instant, their faces turned crimson, so red it seemed as though blood might seep from their cheeks. Two pairs of eyes—dark and filled with embarrass and reproach—glared at Xiao Hua. Though overwhelmed with embarrassment, they still mustered the strength to pull a nearby blanket over themselves, wrapping it tightly around their exposed forms.
Xiao Hua, too, had come to his senses. He looked at the angry yet flustered gazes directed at him and could only raise his hands helplessly, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
"…That… was my fault. I lost control," he said awkwardly, his voice low and remorseful.
Lowering his head in defeat, Xiao Hua sighed inwardly. There was no excuse—he had indeed lost himself. Even he hadn't expected his self-restraint to crumble so easily before Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor. Though his heart was sincere, it was clear that desire had gotten the better of him.
Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor exchanged a quick glance. Upon seeing Xiao Hua lower his head in such a dispirited manner, a sweet smile unconsciously appeared on their enchanting, snow-lotus-like faces.
However, the smile vanished just as swiftly. Both of them ducked beneath the blanket, hurriedly slipping their clothes back on amidst the soft rustle of shifting fabric.
A moment later, Xun Er's gentle voice, tinged with playful reproach, drifted out from beneath the covers.
"You little rascal… to think you'd be harboring such indecent thoughts..."
Xiao Hua raised his head, hands lifted in mock surrender. With a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his lips, he muttered, "What can I possibly do... when Xun Er's elegance and Fairy Doctor's allure strike directly at my soul? But didn't you girls also…"
"Don't say it!"
Both their faces flushed a deeper shade of red. Little Fairy Doctor, flustered, quickly reached out to silence him. But before her hand could cover his mouth, Xiao Hua caught it gently.
She stilled for a moment, wary he might misbehave again—only to find herself meeting those heterochromatic crimson-cyan eyes of his, glowing with a deep, unspoken affection that made her heart tremble slightly.
The bright flush on Little Fairy Doctor's face gradually faded beneath the intensity of Xiao Hua's gaze. She bit her lower lip, hesitation flickering across her misty eyes. Then, as if gathering courage from somewhere deep within, she suddenly leaned forward and planted a light, fleeting kiss on his cheek—like the brush of a petal against the wind.
Xiao Hua was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected such boldness from the usually reserved Little Fairy Doctor. As warmth spread across his heart, he shook his head softly and murmured inwardly, "Thank you… Sister Azure, for bringing me back."
"You'd best be grateful, foolish child…"
Lady Azure's exasperated voice echoed faintly in his spiritual sea before fading once more into its depths.
Guilt crept quietly into Xiao Hua's chest. He was well aware of the unique conditions that burdened both Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor—any form of intimacy beyond the surface could provoke a severe backlash that might endanger them. The thought of his earlier recklessness made his heart tighten slightly.
He was truly grateful. Had it not been for Lady Azure's timely warning, he might have made the gravest mistake of his life—one born of lost control rather than true intention.
Just as he was lost in reflection, a soft, almost inaudible whisper drifted to his ear.
"Xiao Hua… Sister Fairy Doctor and I… we can't cross that boundary. Not until we've stepped into the Dou Sheng realm… Only then will it be safe for us... Alright?"
Xiao Hua's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He turned his head, only to see that the usually crystal-clear earlobes of Xun Er were now a brilliant, fiery red.
The instant the words left her lips, Xun Er felt as though her mind had exploded. She never imagined she would speak such things aloud. Her heart pounding in chaos, she dared not look him in the eye. With a flustered breath, her body flickered and darted out of the room like a startled butterfly.
Little Fairy Doctor's reaction followed a similar pattern. As Xiao Hua's gaze shifted toward her, her head lowered even more, and her ears turned an even deeper shade of crimson. Without a word, she quickly followed after Xun Er, vanishing into the distance with hurried steps.
Xiao Hua raised his hand and swept his hair back, a faint, helpless smile playing on his lips.
"Those two... truly know how to test my self-control," he muttered under his breath.
While he muttered quietly to himself, the door suddenly creaked open, and Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor hurriedly stepped out of the room.
Creak…!
"Xun Er, you've finally come out."
Waiting just outside were four figures—Gu Nanhai, Gu Qing Yang, Mei Ling, and Wei Jie. Gu Nanhai, Gu Qing Yang, and Mei Ling wore expressions of deep concern, while Wei Jie stood calmly, arms crossed and eyes thoughtful.
As Xun Er closed the door behind her, both her and Little Fairy Doctor's faces—despite their efforts to maintain a cool and indifferent demeanor—were tinged with an uncontrollable blush.
Even so, Xun Er's voice was calm and composed. "Elder Gu Nanhai, Sister Mei Ling… why is everyone gathered here?"
The corner of Gu Nanhai's mouth twitched slightly before he spoke, his voice somewhat hesitant. "Xun Er... you and Xiao Hua didn't… do anything improper, did you?"
"That's right," Mei Ling chimed in, looking toward Little Fairy Doctor with evident worry. "You didn't let things go too far, did you, Xiao Xian?"
A flush of bright red once again surged onto both Xun Er's and Little Fairy Doctor's faces the moment they were questioned so directly.
"What nonsense are you all imagining?!"
Xun Er shot a fierce glare at Gu Nanhai, her eyes filled with embarrassment and indignation. Meanwhile, Little Fairy Doctor lowered her head, unable to hide her flustered expression—clearly, a trace of guilt lingered in both their hearts.
Without another word, Xun Er shoved past the four and, with a quick tug on Little Fairy Doctor's wrist, dragged her back toward the room in a flustered hurry.
Gu Nanhai watched her departing figure, sensing her aura carefully. After a moment, he exhaled in quiet relief. "Judging by her aura, there doesn't seem to be any irregularity… It's likely they didn't cross that final line."
"Still, from her reaction…" Gu Qing Yang murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's obvious they were dangerously close. With Xun Er's usual composure, there's no reason for her ears to burn red unless something happened."
Wei Jie let out a dry laugh and rubbed the back of his neck as he watched the two girls disappear from view. "Haha… Elder Gu Nanhai, it seems your worries weren't entirely unfounded after all."
He had initially tried to assure them—firm in his belief that Xiao Hua would never lose control. But after witnessing what just happened, even Wei Jie had to admit… that concern now felt entirely justified.
"That damn brat…!" Mei Ling growled through clenched teeth as she pushed the door open with force, startling Xiao Hua, who had just finished changing.
"Sister Mei Ling?! What are you doing—?"
"You little rascal, you actually dared to lose control!" Mei Ling's eyes burned with fury. "If this elder sister doesn't teach you a proper lesson today, she's not worthy of the title!"
Without waiting for an explanation, she slammed the door shut behind her and charged forward—her palm already raised in righteous indignation.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Calm down, Sister Mei Ling! I didn't cross the line!" Xiao Hua's distressed voice rang out as muffled impacts echoed through the room.
"If you had, I'd have beaten you half to death!" Mei Ling roared furiously. "This is already the lightest punishment I could give, you damned rascal!"
"Sister, you really need to reconsider your definition of 'light'..." Xiao Hua's pained voice came between the sounds of discipline. "And this isn't even our place—it's Burning Flame Valley! You'll destroy the room and make it seem like we're a bunch of barbarians!"
"You're worse than a barbarian!" Mei Ling snapped, her strikes unrelenting. "You dared to nearly cause trouble for my two little sisters, and now you have the gall to lecture me?!"
"Well, I hope this eases your heart a little, Elder Gu Nanhai…" Wei Jie said with a faint, helpless smile, gently pushing the door open just enough to catch a glimpse of Xiao Hua suffering under Mei Ling's 'discipline.'
Gu Nanhai and Gu Qing Yang exchanged a glance, unsure whether to laugh or sigh. Still, watching Xiao Hua get thoroughly punished brought a subtle sense of satisfaction to their hearts.
…
After Mei Ling's so-called 'light' punishment, the Gu Clan's group and the Moonlit Chaos Mansion's group departed from the residence temporarily assigned to them by Burning Flame Valley. Together, they made their way toward the main hall to bid farewell to Tang Zhen.
Ancestor Huo Yun and Tang Huo Er were absent, having entered closed-door cultivation to refine the medicinal pills Xiao Hua had given them.
"It seems the rest of you are preparing to leave as well…" Tang Zhen said, clearly understanding their intentions the moment they entered the hall.
He rose to his feet and approached with a warm and courteous smile. "Then, this Valley Chief shall not hold you back. If you ever have time in the future, do not hesitate to visit Burning Flame Valley again. As long as I, Tang Zhen, still stand as Valley Chief, all of you will be honored guests here."
Xiao Hua and the others smiled in response to his kind gesture. They cupped their fists in salute, offering respectful farewells. A moment later, their figures soared into the sky, flying gracefully toward the valley's exit—leaving behind the warmth of hospitality and the lingering heat of recent events.
Just as their figures soared into the sky, Tang Zhen called out with a light smile, "I shall see you again in the coming months, Alliance Leader Xiao."
The way Tang Zhen addressed him nearly caused Xiao Hua to falter mid-flight. He instinctively turned, about to ask for clarification, but before he could open his mouth, Wei Jie and Mei Ling hurriedly urged him onward.
…
After leaving Burning Flame Valley, the group did not linger. Once they crossed the boundary of Roasting Fire Mountain, Xun Er and the others gradually came to a stop. Sensing the shift, Xiao Hua and the rest of his group also slowed down—it was clear that the moment of parting had arrived.
A deep breath escaped Xiao Hua's lips, but it did little to ease the heaviness in his chest. He turned to Xun Er, who stood quietly beside him, her gaze as calm as still water. Yet, he could feel the undercurrent of emotion hidden beneath her silence.
A soft ache stirred in his heart as reluctance welled up within him.
"Are you leaving now?" He asked, his voice low and steady, though the weight behind it could not be hidden.
Xun Er gently nodded.
Though she had only reunited with Xiao Hua briefly, she had already received multiple summons from the clan during the time she waited for him to awaken. If she lingered any longer, the next to arrive would likely be someone ranked even higher than Elder Gu Nanhai.
If they came simply to escort her back, it would be one thing. But if the one dispatched was among those who disapproved of her relationship with Xiao Hua, their arrival would surely bring trouble.
After all, while most of the Gu Clan's elders had chosen to adopt a wait-and-see approach, not all of them shared that restraint. Should an opportunity arise to sever the budding connection between her and Xiao Hua, some would strike without hesitation.
Seeing this, Xiao Hua sighed softly and refrained from saying anything to make her stay. He understood all too well—he had yet to meet the expectations of the Gu Clan.
Even having refined a Tier 9 Treasure Pill and officially stepped into the ranks of a Tier 9 Treasure Alchemist, all it did was force the clan to take a single step back. It did not mean they had accepted him.
Only by reaching the Dou Sheng realm would he wield enough power for the Gu Clan to no longer interfere in their relationship. A Dou Sheng's strength was enough to overlook the matters of bloodline—such unions would no longer endanger the purity of their descendants.
Even though the title of Tier 9 Treasure Alchemist was enough to shake the ancient clans, when it came to bloodline and legacy, the Gu Clan would not yield. For that reason, Xiao Hua could only wait… until the day he stood at the summit, and no one could challenge his qualifications to stand beside her.
"Wait for me at the Gu Clan for a while. Once I obtain that thing, I'll come find you," Xiao Hua said with a faint smile, his eyes calm yet resolute.
"Fu fu… If you truly appear after obtaining that, the Gu Clan wouldn't dare block your path. In fact, they might not even hesitate to call you their son-in-law."
Xun Er giggled softly at his words, her voice as melodious as spring rain, gently washing away the heavy atmosphere between them.
Seeing Xiao Hua's serious expression, a sweet smile bloomed on her face. She tilted her snow-white chin slightly and whispered, "Xun Er will wait for you…"
Having said that, she lingered for a moment, quietly studying his face, as if wishing to imprint it into her heart. Then, without dragging the moment any longer, she turned and gave a light nod to Gu Nanhai.
Receiving the signal, the space behind them began to ripple in an unusual manner. With a graceful sweep of Gu Nanhai's sleeve, their figures were slowly swallowed by the spatial tunnel.
"Brother Xiao Hua, take care and don't be reckless…"
A gentle voice drifted with the wind, lingering faintly before reaching Xiao Hua's ears.
Xiao Hua's gaze remained fixed on Xun Er's silhouette, watching as it gradually blurred and then vanished into the depths of the spatial tunnel. Beneath his sleeves, his hands slowly clenched into fists.
Just as his fingers tightened, a soft, cool sensation brushed against his hand. Lowering his gaze, Xiao Hua saw a snow-white hand gently holding his own. That touch lifted his hand slightly, and when he looked up, he was met with Little Fairy Doctor's serene smile—her eyes filled with warmth and silent affection.
"Rest assured… we will meet Sister Xun Er again," she said softly, her jade-like fingers gently tightening around his. Her voice, gentle as a spring breeze, carried both comfort and unshakable belief.
Feeling the warmth of her gentle affection, the heaviness in Xiao Hua's heart gradually eased, and the gloom in his expression began to lift. He nodded with a soft smile and said with deep affection, "When the time comes, I will hold a grand marriage—for you, Xun'er, Cai'er, and Sister Ya Fei."
Little Fairy Doctor's eyes widened slightly, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. Then, with a sweet smile blooming on her lips, she replied, "Then I shall look forward to that day with all my heart."
Xiao Hua let out a light chuckle, his mood truly lifted. Turning toward Mei Ling and Wei Jie, he grinned and said, "Shall we be on our way, Sister Mei Ling, Brother Wei Jie?"
The two exchanged a glance and nodded with a smile, clearly relieved to see Xiao Hua in better spirits. More than that, they felt genuinely pleased by his heartfelt promise to marry Little Fairy Doctor, Xun Er, Cai Lin, and Ya Fei—four women whom they had already come to see as their cherished younger sisters.
Although they had yet to meet Cai Lin and Ya Fei in person, the communication jade had allowed them to speak from afar. Through those exchanges, a bond had formed—and their choice to refer to them as 'little sisters' was proof enough of their acceptance.
Without a word, Wei Jie waved his sleeve, and a flying ship appeared before them. It was the same Cloud-Void Steering Ship that Xiao Hua had entrusted to them when they were about to travel toward the Central Plains.
One by one, they leaped onto the massive vessel. With a gentle motion of Wei Jie's hand, a circular energy barrier unfurled like ripples on water, wrapping the entire ship in a veil of light—concealing it from the eyes of others. In the next instant, the ship trembled slightly before surging forward at an astonishing speed.
Swoosh—!
With a sharp whistle, it tore through the vast sky, vanishing into the seemingly endless horizon, heading straight toward the Moonlit Chaos Mansion.
"I can't wait to meet the disciples of the Moonlit Chaos Mansion…"
Xiao Hua murmured in his heart as a wave of anticipation stirred within him. A faint glimmer flashed through his eyes—the kind that only surfaced when desire and excitement began to burn quietly from within.
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