"Tsk, tsk. Meng Meng, look at Mother Zi Yan—she's so pitiful, it almost makes my heart ache. Hehehe!"
Xiao Ling glanced at Xiao Meng beside her as she spoke, but halfway through the sentence she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Oh, you dare laugh at me? I'll make you pay your father's debt!"
Zi Yan sprang to her feet and lunged at Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng, who immediately scattered and ran.
The three of them began chasing each other through the hall, tacitly keeping a safe distance from the crib in the center of the room.
Xiao Tian had named his eldest son Xiao Ze.
Because his birth phenomenon was the Thunder Marsh—the dwelling place of the Thunder God—he was given the single character Ze meaning marsh.
Though he had only just been born, he was unlike other newborns. His bright eyes darted around, curiously observing his surroundings and the people gathered to see him.
When he heard the name Xiao Tian gave him, he even clapped his tiny hands, as if delighted.
Back to Jia Nan Academy
The next day, Xiao Tian climbed out from the pile of people, dressed neatly, washed up, and stepped outside.
Through the teleportation channel, he arrived at the Boundless Heaven Divine Palace's outpost in the outside world.
Just as he reached the entrance, an urgent shout came from behind him.
"Xiao Tian, are you going back to Jia Nan Academy?"
"How did you know?" Xiao Tian turned to see Hu Jia jogging toward him.
"I have my channels. Don't ask." Hu Jia took a few deep breaths, steadying herself.
"Oh? You've grown capable, have you?" Xiao Tian looked her up and down, teasing.
"Let's go. I haven't seen Grandpa in a long time."
Hu Jia shivered under Xiao Tian's gaze and quickly raised her voice, which came out slightly squeezed.
"Don't squeeze your voice. It doesn't suit you. You're not the soft, delicate type."
Hu Jia: !!!
"My goodness…" She instantly exploded, hands on her hips, eyes blazing with fury.
"Yes, yes—just like that. That's the real you." Xiao Tian pretended to sigh in relief.
"You really are a—"
Hu Jia caught the dangerous glint in his eyes and immediately cut herself off.
"What were you going to say?"
"Nothing!" Hu Jia shook her head, then pushed at his chest. "Let's go. How are we traveling?"
"Walk."
"You're not joking, are you?"
"No. I'm serious."
At the entrance, Xiao Tian directly used Dou Qi to support Hu Jia's body, then stepped into the void. They rapidly ascended and shot toward Jia Nan Academy.
Although he could tear space and teleport, he wanted to enjoy the scenery along the way.
"Ahhh!! Xiao Tian, slow down! It's too fast—I can't take it!"
Hu Jia's vision suddenly expanded to a hundred meters above the ground, and she panicked completely. Her first instinct was to leap onto Xiao Tian, clinging tightly to his body.
"No, what are you afraid of? I'm protecting you. Besides, you can fly too. Why are you climbing even higher?" Xiao Tian asked helplessly.
"It's… I mean, I haven't tried flying without wings before. And girls are always a little afraid of heights, aren't they?"
"You're a girl?" Xiao Tian glanced at her as if he'd heard something incredible.
"Why wouldn't I be? What part of me doesn't look like a girl? Tell me."
All fear vanished instantly. Instead, Hu Jia propped her hands on Xiao Tian's shoulders, forcing him to look at her properly.
She had originally been tucked against his waist, but with this push, her prominent features moved even closer. Xiao Tian lowered his head slightly and caught a dazzling glimpse of snow-white skin.
"Yes, yes—you're a girl. A little girl," he said casually, brushing her off.
Hearing the word "little" again, Hu Jia seemed to recall previous events—and completely exploded inside.
*Impossible,* she thought. *I've found many secret recipes recently, and when I measured myself, I've definitely grown quite a bit.*
"What are you thinking?" Xiao Tian asked, watching her constantly examine herself in puzzlement.
"Nothing!"
"Feeling inferior?" he teased.
"No! Get lost."
Hu Jia lightly slapped Xiao Tian's shoulder, then suddenly remembered she was still being carried by him. "If I get down, I won't fall, will I?"
"No. My Dou Qi is supporting you."
Hu Jia first released her legs, then carefully slid down while still hanging onto Xiao Tian. Once she felt the sensation of solid ground beneath her feet, she fully relaxed and let go.
"Is this what it feels like to walk on air?" she asked, envy shining in her eyes.
"Your talent isn't low. Reaching Dou Zong is completely within reach, and Dou Zun is also promising for your future."
In the original story, Hu Jia could reach Dou Zong. Now, with the Boundless Heaven Divine Palace's cultivation methods and resources, plus the Dou Zun experiences of Little Fairy Doctor and the others, there should be no major obstacles at all.
This was also one of the Boundless Heaven Divine Palace's defining features: everyone at Dou Huang and above would record some of their realm breakthroughs, insights, and Dou Technique understandings, then deposit them in the Scripture Repository.
This method was something Xiao Tian had adapted from the martial arts sects of his previous life, ensuring future generations could avoid detours and inherit knowledge more effectively.
Suddenly, as the two figures rapidly advanced through the sky, their bodies sank.