Upon hearing those words, a faint blush crept across Han Yue's snow-white cheeks, as though some forbidden memory had stirred within the depths of her heart.
Observing her elder sister's reaction, Han Xue immediately understood—last night, Han Yue and Xiao Jietian must have slipped away together to engage in certain… unspeakable "dual cultivation" activities.
She had heard it said that such acts could bring joy to both body and soul, refresh the spirit, and even bestow upon a woman a radiant, jade-like complexion.
The more Han Xue pondered, the deeper her thoughts wandered into forbidden gardens. Her fair face swiftly turned the crimson of a ripe autumn apple, heat rising from neck to ears.
"Yue'er… Xue'er, come back to your senses!" Han Yue reached out and gently shook her younger sister several times.
Only then did Han Xue startle awake from her daydream, blinking rapidly.
"Sister… what were you thinking about just now?" Han Yue tilted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she studied the younger girl's flushed features.
"N-nothing at all!" Han Xue hurriedly waved her hands. "I merely stood too long beneath the sun earlier… it's nothing more than sunburn."
Saying so, she grabbed Han Yue's slender wrist and practically dragged her elder sister toward the courtyard gates.
Han Yue cast a glance skyward. The weather was indeed fine, yet the sunlight remained gentle—hardly fierce enough to burn anyone's skin.
Combining this with the "miscellaneous cultural lessons" Xiao Jietian had imparted to her over time, Han Yue was no longer the pure and ignorant maiden of old. In an instant she comprehended exactly what wild thoughts had taken root in her little sister's mind.
"Little girl," she drawled, voice low and mischievous, "are you imagining something indecent?"
"I am not! I did not! You speak nonsense!!!" Han Xue denied thrice in rapid succession, shaking her head so vigorously that her hair fluttered like startled crows.
"Then why is your face redder than a sunset cloud?"
"It's… it's truly just sunburn! Nothing else—forget I said anything…"
Thus the two sisters bickered and teased one another as they strolled out of the rear garden, their voices drifting farther and farther away like spring orioles sporting among new leaves.
...
Meanwhile, Xiao Jietian walked with unhurried steps until he reached the main deliberation hall of the Han residence.
Han Chi was already seated inside, posture straight, gaze calm.
"Uncle Han." Xiao Jietian gave a slight cup of his hands in greeting.
"Son-in-law," Han Chi stroked his short beard and chuckled, "still addressing me as 'Uncle' at this point?"
"Father-in-law!" Xiao Jietian immediately corrected himself, tone respectful yet carrying a thread of natural ease.
"Hahaha—good, good, very good!" Han Chi laughed heartily, the sound echoing warmly through the hall.
After a few more courteous exchanges, the atmosphere gradually turned serious.
Xiao Jietian looked straight at Han Chi. "Presumably Yue'er has already informed Father-in-law of the matter we must discuss today?"
Han Chi nodded. "Indeed. After the Hong Clan's destruction, Yue'er came straight to me and spoke of it."
"What does Father-in-law think of this proposal?" Xiao Jietian asked with a faint, meaningful smile.
Before Han Chi could reply, an aged yet vigorous voice suddenly resounded from beyond the hall doors.
"The Han Clan is willing to merge unconditionally into Boundless Heaven Hall and become one of its branches."
"Grandfather!" Han Chi rose swiftly and hurried to the entrance to welcome the newcomer.
An old man clad in flowing azure robes stepped over the threshold—Han Fei, the Old Ancestor of the Han Clan, the very same venerable figure who had attended last night's banquet.
"Great-grandfather." Xiao Jietian likewise rose, offering a respectful salute with both hands cupped. Having been raised with proper etiquette, he naturally honored the elderly.
"Very well." Han Fei strode directly to the host's seat that Han Chi had previously occupied, sat down without ceremony, and repeated firmly, "Today I shall preside. The Han Clan merges unconditionally into Boundless Heaven Hall. No conditions. No hesitation."
Xiao Jietian was momentarily taken aback.
In the original tale, Han Fei had been an extremely cautious old fox—rarely showing himself, and even when the Fenglei Northern Pavilion pressed the Han Clan, he had dared not act rashly. Who would have thought the old ancestor would display such decisive boldness today?
Han Fei's sharp eyes caught the fleeting surprise on the young man's face.
"What? Did you not expect our Han Clan to make such a choice?" the old man asked with a hearty laugh, palm lightly striking the armrest of the rosewood chair.
"Truly… Great-grandfather possesses astonishing courage and vision," Xiao Jietian replied, genuine admiration flickering through his gaze. Then his expression turned grave. "However, such a decision may still be somewhat hasty."
Han Fei laughed again, the sound resonant and clear.
"Though my hair has turned white, my mind remains sharp. Forget the overall might of Boundless Heaven Hall—even your personal strength alone is enough to make our Han Clan willingly follow you to the ends of the earth."
He fixed Xiao Jietian with a burning stare.
"In this vast Central Plains, our Han Clan is but a slightly larger ant. Were it not for your intervention, who knows whether we would have already been devoured by the Hong Clan and their backer, the Fenglei Northern Pavilion?
"In this cruel world, only by clinging to a sufficiently powerful expert can one hope to survive and thrive. You are precisely that opportunity. Even if you had not raised the matter today, we ourselves would have come knocking at your door with the same proposal."
Xiao Jietian drew a soft breath.
Truly, the saying was correct—the older the ginger, the spicier it becomes. This old ancestor understood perfectly how to seize the fleeting moment when fortune presented itself.
"Very well," Xiao Jietian said quietly. "In a moment, do not resist. I will bring both of you to a certain place."
With a casual wave of his sleeve, spatial power surged.
In the blink of an eye, the three figures vanished from the deliberation hall and reappeared within the Eternal Heaven Small World.
Neither Han Fei nor Han Chi offered the slightest resistance.
It was not merely a question of trust.
They both understood clearly—if Xiao Jietian truly wished to harm them, he needed no tricks whatsoever. A mere thought could erase them from existence.
Once inside the Small World, both men's eyes widened in astonishment.
Pavilion after pavilion rose like immortal abodes amid misty peaks; grand cities stood proudly in the distance, their walls gleaming beneath auspicious clouds. The density of heaven-and-earth energy here was several times greater than even the most treasured cultivation grounds of the Han Clan.
"Great-grandson-in-law… no, Hall Master Xiao," Han Fei drew a long breath, "is this… a Small World?"
"Correct," Xiao Jietian answered with a faint smile, then began to calmly introduce them to the wonders and rules of the Eternal Heaven Small World.
Both old and middle-aged cultivators stood rooted in place for a long time, utterly stunned.
Just then, a streak of blue light approached swiftly from afar.
"Elder Hai, you've arrived," Xiao Jietian greeted with a nod.
The newcomer was none other than Hai Bodong.
Gone was the withered appearance of old; thanks to the Marrow Cleansing Pill, various supreme medicinal elixirs, and the abundant resources of Boundless Heaven Hall, Hai Bodong had regained the vigorous look of a middle-aged expert. His bearing was amiable yet carried the natural dignity of one long accustomed to command.
His cultivation had already reached the pinnacle of five-star Dou Zong—an astonishing second spring.
And this was despite the fact that he spent most of his days handling administrative affairs rather than closed-door cultivation.
"Hall Master." Hai Bodong arrived before Xiao Jietian and bowed deeply with utmost respect.
Whenever outsiders were present, he insisted on observing proper etiquette—to preserve the Hall Master's prestige.
"Elder Hai," Xiao Jietian said warmly, "allow me to introduce you. This is Yue'er's father, Han Chi, and her great-grandfather, Han Fei."
He then patted Hai Bodong's shoulder lightly.
"And this is Elder Hai Bodong—the true pillar and Great-grandfather of our Boundless Heaven Hall from the very beginning. The swift rise and stability of the Hall today owe everything to Elder Hai's tireless efforts."
At these words, Han Fei and Han Chi both revealed expressions of deep respect.
To command such praise from Xiao Jietian himself—this Elder Hai was clearly no ordinary figure.