"Ah?!!!"
Xiao Ling let out a startled cry and immediately threw the jade rod away. She burrowed straight into Xuan Yi's arms like a startled little rabbit, burying her face in her chest.
"Mother Xuan Yi, save me! Daddy is going to spank me!"
Xuan Yi hugged the little girl tightly, gently stroking her back while glaring at Xiao Jietian with a mix of amusement and helplessness. "Look at what you've done. You scared her."
Xiao Jietian laughed heartily, his stern expression instantly melting away. He reached out and gently pinched Xiao Ling's chubby cheek. "Alright, alright. Daddy was just joking. How could I really spank my precious little princess?"
Xiao Ling peeked out from Xuan Yi's embrace, her big eyes still watery. She pouted and said in a wronged voice, "But… but I really broke your treasure… I didn't do it on purpose…"
"It's fine. That beetle wasn't the real treasure anyway," Xiao Jietian said with a smile. He picked up one of the tiny black stones the size of a rice grain and held it between his fingers. "These four little stones are the real good stuff."
Xuan Yi and the two little girls looked at the ordinary-looking black grains with doubtful eyes.
"These… are the treasure?" Xiao Meng tilted her head, clearly skeptical.
Xiao Jietian nodded. He flicked his finger, and a wisp of Sea Heart Flame gently wrapped around one of the black stones. Under the high temperature of the Heavenly Flame, the black stone slowly began to melt, revealing a faint, crystalline luster inside.
"This is called Soul Nurturing Crystal. Even a tiny piece can greatly nourish and strengthen the soul. For alchemists, it's an extremely rare and precious treasure. Four pieces together are enough to refine several high-grade soul-nourishing pills."
Xuan Yi's eyes lit up instantly. As an alchemist, she understood the value of soul-related treasures better than anyone. She stared at the small black stone with undisguised greed and longing.
"Such a small thing… can have such a powerful effect?"
"Not only that," Xiao Jietian continued, "when refined properly, it can even help break through soul bottlenecks. For someone at your level, it would be very useful."
Xuan Yi's breathing quickened slightly. She looked at Xiao Jietian with shining eyes, her voice carrying a rare trace of excitement. "Then… can you give me one?"
Xiao Jietian smiled and directly handed two of the black stones to her. "Take two. One for you, and one for future use. The remaining two will be kept for Ling Ling and Meng Meng when they grow up."
Xuan Yi carefully received the two Soul Nurturing Crystals, holding them as if they were the most precious treasures in the world. She looked at Xiao Jietian with soft, grateful eyes. "Thank you…"
Xiao Ling, who was still nestled in Xuan Yi's arms, suddenly perked up. "Daddy, since the beetle wasn't the treasure, does that mean my butt is safe?"
Xiao Jietian pretended to think seriously for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, your butt is safe… for now."
"Ehehe~" Xiao Ling immediately smiled happily and hugged Xuan Yi tighter. "Mother Xuan Yi is the best! Daddy is the meanest!"
Xiao Meng also climbed onto the bed and joined the hug, giggling. "Daddy is so bad. He always scares us."
The room was instantly filled with laughter and warmth.
Xuan Yi looked at the harmonious scene and felt a surge of happiness in her heart. She gently stroked the two little girls' heads while glancing at Xiao Jietian with tender eyes.
At this moment, she truly felt like she had a complete family.
Xiao Jietian watched the three of them with a soft smile, his heart full of contentment.
However, just as the atmosphere was warm and peaceful, a faint but extremely cold killing intent suddenly flashed through the air outside the Pill Tower.
It was so subtle that even Xuan Yi almost missed it.
Xiao Jietian's eyes narrowed slightly. He gently placed his hand on Xuan Yi's shoulder and transmitted his voice directly into her ear.
"Someone is watching us… and the target seems to be the two little ones."
Xuan Yi's expression changed instantly. Her gentle aura turned cold in a flash as she hugged the two girls tighter. "Who dares?!"
Xiao Jietian stood up slowly, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.
"Kill the child… kill the child…"
A faint, eerie whisper seemed to echo in the wind outside, carrying a chilling murderous intent aimed straight at Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng.
Xiao Jietian's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Interesting… Someone actually dares to target my daughters right under the nose of the Pill Tower."
He turned to Xuan Yi and said softly, "Stay here and protect them. I'll go take a look."
Xuan Yi nodded firmly, her eyes filled with killing intent. "Be careful."
Xiao Jietian's figure flashed and disappeared from the room in an instant.
Outside the Pill Tower, in the shadows of the night, a black-robed figure hidden in the darkness slowly retracted his gaze, a cruel smile appearing on his face.
"Hehe… two little Dou Emperor brats… such perfect vessels…"
"Kill the child… kill the child…"
The eerie whisper continued to drift in the wind.
But before the black-robed figure could make another move, a calm yet ice-cold voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"You want to kill my daughters?"
The black-robed figure's body stiffened. He turned around in shock, only to see Xiao Jietian standing not far away, looking at him with indifferent eyes.
"You… how did you—"
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jietian raised his hand. A terrifying crimson flame of Eight Desolate Destruction Flame surged forth, instantly engulfing the black-robed figure.
In just a few breaths, not even ashes remained.
Xiao Jietian stood in the night sky, his expression cold.
"No one… can touch my children."
He glanced once more in the direction where the killing intent had come from, then turned and returned to the room.
Inside, Xuan Yi and the two little girls were waiting anxiously.
Seeing Xiao Jietian return safely, Xuan Yi immediately asked, "How was it?"
"Taken care of," Xiao Jietian said lightly. He walked over and hugged the three of them. "No one will dare to touch you."
The two little girls didn't fully understand what had happened, but they could feel the warmth and protection from their daddy. They snuggled closer to him happily.
Xuan Yi leaned against Xiao Jietian's chest, her eyes filled with trust and reliance.
At this moment, she felt safer than ever before.