As Xun'er and Xiao Jietian drew near, the group of women quickly inclined their heads in greeting.
Then, with warm smiles blooming across their faces, they stepped forward to meet the pair. Ya Fei and the others swiftly encircled Xun'er, their gazes sweeping over her from head to toe with undisguised admiration.
The Xun'er of today had long shed the tender greenness of youth. In its place bloomed an air of peerless nobility — regal and lofty, as though she were a sovereign who commanded the winds and clouds of heaven and earth.
"Xun'er, you grow ever more beautiful with each passing day," Han Yue said with genuine feeling. "No wonder our Junior Brother Xiao Tian is utterly bewitched by you. You should know — among all the portraits hanging in his study, yours outnumber them all."
At those words, Xiao Jietian secretly raised a thumb toward Han Yue in silent approval.
Yet in the very next breath, several soft yet firm bodies bumped against him in quick succession.
Caught off guard, Xiao Jietian staggered back several steps before regaining his footing. When he looked again, he found himself already separated from Xun'er's side.
The women had seamlessly closed ranks around her, forming an impenetrable fragrant wall.
Xiao Jietian stared at the scene, utterly dumbfounded.
How could he be so cleanly and ruthlessly excluded?
"No, why are you still standing there?" Yun Yun turned her head, casting him a sidelong glance filled with disdain. "Can't you see we're having a private conversation about women's matters? What gives you the face to eavesdrop?"
The others wore identical expressions.
Xiao Jietian inwardly scoffed.
Private conversation? You haven't even spoken a single word yet, and I'm already branded an eavesdropper?
Still, seeing the united front arrayed against him — and even Xun'er quietly standing among them with an innocent expression — he could only raise both hands in surrender.
"Fine, fine. Your reasoning is impeccable and your wickedness boundless. You set the rules."
"Ptooey, ptooey! You lecher, get lost already! Don't disturb our gathering!"
The moment the words left his mouth the women rolled their eyes in perfect unison, their synchronized contempt almost comical. They were far too familiar with Xiao Jietian's peculiar turns of phrase and instantly grasped the hidden meaning.
Only Xun'er remained puzzled, tilting her head slightly, clearly wondering why their reaction was so intense.
Xiao Jietian shook his head with a helpless smile and withdrew without further protest.
Let them bond with Xun'er for now. At the very least, it would help stabilize the harmony within his household. A harem where the sisters stood shoulder to shoulder was the true foundation he sought.
His gaze then shifted to the two old men standing a short distance away.
First things first — he needed to arrange proper lodgings for them. They could not remain lingering in the rear halls.
Xiao Jietian studied their attire, and an odd expression flickered across his face.
One old man clad in pitch-black robes, the other in snow-white — standing side by side they resembled nothing so much as the legendary Black and White Impermanence come down to the mortal world.
Sensing his scrutiny, the black-robed elder spoke first, voice carrying faint bewilderment.
"Young Master Xiao Jietian, is there something improper about our appearance?"
"No, no." Xiao Jietian immediately waved a hand. "I was merely overjoyed at seeing Xun'er return safely."
He had not lied — the sight of her truly lifted his spirits more than anything else today.
At those words, dark lines instantly crawled across the foreheads of both elders.
They were venerable old men, yet they still had to endure such blatant public displays of affection shoved straight into their faces.
"Many thanks to the two Seniors for escorting Xun'er safely this long journey," Xiao Jietian said, cupping his hands in a respectful salute. "May I have the honor of knowing your distinguished names?"
The white-robed elder waved dismissively. "This old man is called Gu Qing. Protecting the Young Lady is our bounden duty — no need for thanks."
"This old man is Gu Feng," the black-robed elder added with a slight nod.
Xiao Jietian's lips curved faintly.
Gu Qing… Gu Feng… Truly fitting.
"Are the two Seniors blood brothers?" he asked.
"No, no." Gu Qing shook his head lightly, curiosity rising in his eyes. "Why does Young Master ask such a thing?"
"I merely noticed that the Dou Qi fluctuations between you two flow with a rare harmony and mutual reinforcement — almost as though your auras were born to complement one another. Thus I wondered if you were kin by blood."
Of course, Xiao Jietian would never admit the true reason: that when placed together, their names formed the elegant phrase "Qingfeng" — Clear Wind.
"Hall Master Xiao's vision is truly sharp," the two elders exchanged a glance, clearly surprised he had perceived even that much.
They did not need to explain further; Xiao Jietian already understood.
Either their cultivation techniques were mutually complementary, or they had mastered some profound combined Dou Technique.
Such paired arts were far from rare across the Dou Qi Continent. Many great powers and ancient clans possessed them. Given the deep foundations of the Gu Clan, it would be stranger if they lacked high-grade combination techniques.
Especially since each of the Eight Ancient Clans maintained their own elite cultivator legions — legions drilled in grand combined formations to multiply their might. Without such arts, those legions would be little more than expensive cannon fodder.
"Come," Xiao Jietian said softly. "Allow me to arrange proper quarters for the two Seniors."
The elders glanced toward Xun'er, who was currently surrounded and laughing softly with Ya Fei and the others. Yet this was clearly Xiao Jietian's private residence — it was indeed inappropriate for them to remain here.
"Rest assured, Seniors. Xun'er is perfectly safe under my roof."
Hearing those words, the two old men shared another silent look.
Safe? Safe, my foot! It's precisely because she's with you that we're worried to death!
Look how docile and trusting the Young Lady was toward this man — and then look at the veritable garden of beautiful women he already kept!
They would probably have to sleep with one eye open tonight.
Naturally, such thoughts could never be voiced aloud.
"Very well. Lead the way, Young Master."
After Xiao Jietian departed with the two elders, Medusa soon returned, leading the two little girls by the hand.
The moment she stepped into the Eternal Heaven Palace, brilliant multicolored light erupted from her body. When the radiance faded, the majestic Queen Medusa had reappeared — peerlessly alluring, her aura cold and devastating.
She gently gathered the already sleeping Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng into her arms and glided toward the quarters where the Little Fairy Doctor and the others resided.
...
After settling Gu Qing and Gu Feng into the guest chambers of the front hall, Xiao Jietian prepared to take his leave.
"Hall Master Xiao, please wait a moment."
Gu Feng's voice halted him.
"Is there something the Seniors require? I can have it prepared at once."
Xiao Jietian turned back, expression calm.
Gu Feng's face grew solemn. He spoke slowly, each word heavy with gravity.
"I must speak plainly: the Young Lady… cannot yet lose her purity."
Xiao Jietian met his gaze evenly.
"I am well aware of the matter concerning Xun'er's bloodline. Rest assured — I will handle this with the utmost discretion."
With that, he gave the two elders a slight nod and strode out.
Gu Feng remained standing in place for a long moment before releasing a deep, weary sigh.
"I only hope nothing unexpected occurs…"
Gu Qing reached out and patted his shoulder gently.
"Set your heart at ease. From what I observe, this future son-in-law is not some lust-driven beast."
"Though the intelligence was correct — he indeed has many women — among those gentle ladies we just met, at least two remain untouched. At present, that is all we can rely upon."
"Moreover…" Gu Qing's tone turned wry. "Even if he truly wished to act, with our strength… do you believe we could stop him?"
Gu Feng's expression darkened as he recalled the faint yet bone-chilling sense of danger they had both felt emanating from Xiao Jietian earlier.
The other party's cultivation was clearly not inferior to their own.
And then there was that even more terrifying existence — the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python.
When her gaze had swept across him, every hair on his body had stood on end, and the shadow of death had pressed against his heart like an ice-cold blade.
"I hope you are right," Gu Feng murmured.
Gu Qing chuckled softly, his tone lighter than before.
"Relax. The situation is not as dire as you fear. However… I suddenly recalled something far more amusing."
"Oh?" Gu Feng raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"