"No, Xun'er's real name isn't Xiao Xun'er. It's Gu Xun'er," Xiao Jietian said, shaking his head gently.
"Ah?"
Ya Fei's cherry lips parted slightly in confusion. "What's going on? I'm a little lost here. Isn't Xun'er your childhood sweetheart? Didn't she grow up with you in the Xiao family compound? And when I was gathering information back in Wu Tan City, everything pointed to her having lived there since she was a child."
Xiao Jietian gave a faint smile. "Xun'er is the young mistress of the Gu Clan—one of the Ancient Eight Clans. Her father is the Clan Head, and his cultivation has already reached the peak of nine-star Dou Sheng."
The moment the words left his mouth, Yun Yun, Medusa, Little Fairy Doctor, Ya Fei, Han Yue, and the others shot to their feet in unison, eyes wide with shock.
"Peak… nine-star Dou Sheng?" Yun Yun breathed. "That's the absolute pinnacle on the entire continent. With that kind of background, how could someone like Xun'er ever come to the Jia Ma Empire?"
Xiao Jietian's expression grew slightly more serious. "I'll explain the full story later—the implications run deep. The short version is that our Xiao Clan was once one of the Ancient Eight Clans. But over time we declined. Our bloodline withered completely, and we lost our former glory."
He went on to recount the painful history: the desperate choice made by their ancestor Xiao Xuan, the heavy blow dealt by the Hun Clan, the curse of the exhausted Dou Emperor bloodline, and how the clan had been forced to scatter and hide in the outer regions.
When he finished, the room was quiet for a long moment.
Little Fairy Doctor was the first to speak. She stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I don't care about Dou Di bloodlines or ancient glory. I only know that if anyone can bring the Xiao Clan back to its feet, it's you. Look at how much it's already recovered. Soon it will be strong enough to return to the Central Plains."
The others nodded quietly, each offering soft words of comfort and support.
Ya Fei suddenly smiled, reaching out to take Xiao Jietian's hand. "Little Brother Jietian, I really never imagined your background was this grand. It seems this elder sister has truly latched onto a treasure, hehe." Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "With your talent… who knows? You might even break through to Dou Di one day. When that happens, will we all become Imperial Consorts?"
Though Xiao Jietian treated everyone with equal warmth, they all understood their positions clearly. The main wife would only ever be Xun'er. After spending time together, they had long since accepted and even respected her rightful place.
And Xun'er herself had never shown much jealousy toward the others. From childhood, Xiao Jietian had subtly shaped her worldview—gently teaching her that love didn't have to be exclusive. The people one grows up around leave the deepest marks.
Xiao Jietian then gave them a brief overview of the Ancient Eight Clans' current strength.
"Among the Eight Clans, the Hun Clan stands at the very top with two nine-star Dou Shengs. The Gu Clan follows with one nine-star Dou Sheng. Next are the Lei Clan and Yan Clan, each with late-stage eight-star Dou Shengs. After them come the Yao Clan, then the Shi Clan and Ling Clan."
Yun Yun listened carefully and summarized, "So even Jia Nan Academy carries such a deep background. I never realized the Headmaster was actually an elder of the Lei Clan."
Han Yue nodded, a trace of surprise still on her face. "I only went to Jia Nan Academy for its cultivation resources and environment back then. I had no idea…"
Xiao Jietian chuckled lightly. "These are the true peak powers of the Central Plains. Just keep an eye out. If anything goes wrong, run straight to the Eternal Heaven World. You'll be safe there."
"Hmph!" Zi Yan suddenly planted her hands on her hips, puffing out her small chest. "When I grow up, I'm going to challenge every single force in the entire Central Plains!"
Pfft—
Laughter rippled through the room.
The sight of the tiny dragon girl declaring war on the whole continent was simply too adorable.
Xiao Jietian reached over and fondly ruffled her hair. In his heart, he couldn't help thinking—if Zi Yan ever fully awakened her ancient Taixu Ancient Dragon bloodline and brought forth that legendary "daughter-doting father" mode from her clan's legends… she really might be capable of it.
"Alright, alright. I believe you," he said with a warm laugh.
"Hmph hmph!" Zi Yan smugly burrowed deeper into his embrace, popped a medicinal pill into her mouth, and declared, "I'm going to start cultivating seriously right now. Just wait and see!"
The others exchanged knowing smiles. The heavy atmosphere that had settled after hearing about the Central Plains' terrifying powers quickly dissipated.
Little Fairy Doctor and the rest shared a glance, eyes burning with quiet determination. They nodded to one another—no words needed.
They would work hard. They would become strong enough to stand beside him, to help him manage Boundless Heaven Hall properly. He had given them new aptitudes, new strength, new lives. In return, they would be the steadfast support behind him.
After all, he had once casually said he quite liked the idea of being a "kept man." So they were determined to cook the softest, most delicious "rice" possible—so he could eat it with complete peace of mind.
…
Five days later.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host—the eldest son has been born. Rewards: Physique Card ×6, Heart of Thunder ×1, Xuanhuang Nine-Turn Pill ×2, Heaven-tier Low-grade Dou Technique: Thunder Breaks Rivers and Mountains, Eternal Heaven Bell, Eternal Heaven Sword]
The long-silent system prompt rang in Xiao Jietian's mind.
He paused for only a moment before gently stroking the pale, exhausted Little Fairy Doctor beside him. Right now, nothing else mattered.
In Yun Yun's arms lay a newborn infant wrapped in soft cloth—the child Little Fairy Doctor had just given birth to.
"Mother, let us see our little brother!" Xiao Ling tugged anxiously at Yun Yun's skirt, bouncing on her toes. Xiao Meng stood beside her, equally eager.
Yun Yun smiled and carefully placed the baby onto the prepared soft bed.
The two little girls immediately tiptoed over, peering into the crib with wide eyes.
"Why is little brother so ugly?" Xiao Ling pouted, wrinkling her nose.
Smack!
Xiao Meng lightly smacked the back of her sister's head. "Silly! Newborns always look a bit like that. He'll get cuter as he grows. Besides, with Mother Xian'er's beauty and Father's handsomeness, little brother is definitely going to be an extremely good-looking boy later!"
Ya Fei and the others weren't surprised by Xiao Meng acting like the elder sister anymore—it happened often. Somehow the roles had naturally reversed: Xiao Meng was steady and sensible beyond her years, while Xiao Ling was the lively, mischievous one.
"I just get sleepy whenever I try to read," Xiao Ling grumbled, rubbing her head. Then she grinned ingratiatingly. "From now on, you handle the brains, and I'll handle the strength. Together we'll be invincible—courage and wisdom combined!"
Han Yue and the others watched the two bicker with fond, aunt-like smiles before turning their attention back to the baby.
"Can't tell yet whether he looks more like Father or Mother Xian'er," Xiao Ling muttered, squinting as she studied the tiny face.
"You'll know when he grows up a little," Zi Yan piped up, squeezing between them. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she stared at the sleeping infant, clearly plotting something.
"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Ling asked suspiciously.
"Oh~" Zi Yan blurted without thinking, "I'm thinking about how to train him into a proper little troublemaker."
The words had barely left her mouth before she froze.
Slowly, stiffly, she turned her head.
Xiao Jietian stood right behind her, arms crossed, expression calm but dangerous.
"I—I suddenly remembered I have something to do! I'll head back first!" Zi Yan squeaked. Her short legs churned as she tried to bolt.
But before she could take two steps, the world tilted.
Xiao Jietian had simply reached down and lifted her by the back of her collar like a kitten.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
A crisp series of smacks echoed through the hall.
A few moments later, Zi Yan lay sprawled facedown across a chair, hands covering her now burning backside, glaring at Xiao Jietian with tears of grievance in her eyes.
"How hateful! You hit so hard! Just you wait—someday I'm going to rise up and make you sing my victory song! Hmph hmph!"