Palace Master Jiantian

Xiao Jiantian gathered the Palace Mistress and Seven Fairies to establish a few ground rules.

"Soo, firstly, I'm not too interested in micro-managing everything." He turned to Gong Yuxian. "That means that your role remains unchanged. Secondly, as the Palace Master, I have several concerns regarding the Frozen Cloud Art you all use. From my observations, I've concluded that it is far too harmful to its users... even, no, especially in the long run."

He emphasised the word 'especially'.

"What will you do about it, then?" Chu Yueli inquired, doubting that he had a solution.

"I'll simply create my own Frozen Cloud Art, one that isn't so flawed, and have everyone learn it." Xiao Jiantian replied as if creating profound arts was no big deal. "Thirdly, I require a volunteer or three among the Seven Fairies to accompany me."

"For what reason?" Gong Yuxian inquired.

"Well, it never hurts to have more beauties by your side... however! The true reason is that I intend to personally strengthen some of Xiao Clan's most talented subjects from both the young and old generations. This effort will eventually lead to the Xiao Clan having even stronger foundations and catching up to the forces of the other Six Nations... excluding my own strength."

"Hmm, who will accompany him, then?"

"Damn, that sounded quite passive-aggressive. I don't bite, you know." Xiao Jiantian chuckled.

"I'll do it." Chu Yueli stepped up, turning to Xiao Jiantian indifferently. "Don't even think of trying anything foul, however."

"Pfft... do you honestly believe that this King would have any designs on you?" Xiao Jiantian scoffed. "If anything, you'd be the senior who'd try something foul on this handsome and inexperienced junior..."

"You... hmph." Chu Yueli gave no true reply, turning her gaze away from him.

"I'll go as well, in that case." Chu Yuechan decided. "Having broken through into the Emperor Profound Realm, you should have some pointers in regards to how to make that step."

"You're only a half-step away." Xiao Jiantian nodded. "This is good, you'll be perfect. Alright... so-"

"I'll join you, too!" Feng Hanxue stated in an enthusiastic manner that was unlike most of the other Seven Fairies.

"Me too!" Feng Hanyue added.

"Uhh..." Xiao Jiantian scratched his hair. "I'm not sure you're the best types to go outside, you know? You two seem a little... how should I say this-"

"I see how it is." Feng Hanxue pouted a little. "You prefer the more 'mature' Fairies?"

"Well... you're not wrong-"

"Hmph, I knew it!"

"Hanxue, Hanyue, you two will remain in the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace." Gong Yuxian decided. "Unless our Palace Master says otherwise."

'I kind of like her... she has that secretary type of energy.' Xiao Jiantian nodded. "Well, I have one last thing to say. My dear wife, Qingyue, will return to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace as the Young Palace Mistress and so, will represent this sect in the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament. Also, the sectoral rule regarding love will be adjusted a little to make this work."

Afterwards, Xiao Jiantian spent a week reworking the Frozen Cloud Arts using his understanding of Water Laws. The Seven Fairies doubted his ability but he surprised them once again, creating a far more stable Frozen Cloud Art. Due to it being somewhat similar to its predecessor, it was simple for members of the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace to (re)learn it.

"Xiao Jiantian... Palace Master, you are far from ordinary." Yong Guxian complimented him. "This Frozen Cloud Art of yours is, indeed, an improvement from the last... and a tremendous improvement at that."

"You can call me Jiantian or Big Daddy Xiao if that's the way you want it." Xiao Jiantian winked before turning serious. "Anyway, I want my version of the Frozen Cloud Art to completely replace the outdated one. I will leave the task of distributing it to you, my Seven Fairies!"

"It will be done, supreme Palace Master." Murong Qianxue had no objections and neither did any of the other Seven Fairies as they dispersed. Something about Xiao Jiantian made them feel in a way that Gong Yuxian could not... or the Grand Palace Mistress, for that matter. In the end, not even all the God-Emperors of the Primal Chaos Dimension could combine to match even a fraction of his charisma when he truly tried.

"Yuxian, come here for a moment." Xiao Jiantian waved his hand towards himself. "Closer, don't be shy now."

"... What is it?"

"Stay still and close your eyes for a short while, I'm going to give you a special present." Xiao Jiantian traced his index finger across her chest... well, profound entrances. At first, she wanted to back away but it was not long until she started to feel the result of his actions.

Once he was done, all her profound entrances were open.

"You can open them now."

"I... how did you manage to do that? It doesn't matter... I don't know how to repay you for this act."

'You could give me hea-.' Xiao Jiantian looked at his little brother, Lord of lust, acting up. 'I'm a married man...'

"Just keep serving me well as Palace Master... I don't need much else, honestly." Xiao Jiantian shrugged. "I just wanted you to look younger and even more beautiful, haha."

"I see... well, I will dedicate myself to making the most of your heavenly gift."

"That settles that. See you around, Yuxian."

He also visited the Grand Palace Mistress afterwards, who was somewhat ancient relative to her profound strength. Xiao Jiantian has always hated old age as it was a constant obstacle every time he reincarnated... except this time, of course. He opened her profound entrances while also procuring a pellet to advance her cultivation speed.

"You could've used this for yourself... why?"

"Eh, I don't need it as much as you. I'm only sixteen and have all the time in the world..."

"I am truly grateful for this gift, Xiao Jiantian." Feng Qianhui bowed respectfully. "I've also been hearing that you've created an improved Frozen Cloud Art that doesn't have the flaws of self-harm. I have no idea how you managed to do it... but it is the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's greatest blessing to have you as its owner and benefactor."

"Ah... it was no big deal. The Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's success is my success, after all."

He opened the profound entrances of the Seven Fairies afterwards. As a result, they were especially grateful to him. When all fifty-four profound entrances were opened, a mortal would attain the Heavenly God's Spiritual Veins and wouldn't encounter a single bottleneck under the Divine Origin Realm... so it was quite the gift (understatement).

~

"Grandfather Lie, are you aware that Xiao Che doesn't share our blood?" Xiao Jiantian inquired as he watched Xiao Lie pay respects to the grave of his son, Xiao Ying. It was a rather quiet place with no one else around.

"What makes you think this?" Xiao Lie stood up and faced Xiao Jiantian.

"When I was repairing Che'er's profound veins, I realised that his veins were likely damaged from birth. As his supposed twin, shouldn't I also have been born with damaged veins?" Xiao Jiantian replied calmly.

Xiao Lie sighed. "You are right, Che'er does not share our blood. This is a secret I've struggled to keep close to myself for a long time... but-"

"Do not worry, grandfather, I'll still protect him until he grows his own wings. But you must know the whereabouts of my true twin brother... right?"

"I do not know where they came from but it was most certainly not from the Profound Sky Continent."

"Do you have a name, perhaps?"

"The surname Yun." Xiao Lie nodded.

"Hmm... I might have an idea where to find them." Xiao Jiantian nodded. "Thank you for sharing this information with me, grandfather. I will one day reunite our family... I swear it!"

'I wonder... what is his temperament like?'

"Hahaha... I'm sure you will, Jiantian." Xiao Lie smiled when he saw Xiao Jiantian act with enough resolve to shake mountains.

~

After placing both the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace and Xiao Sect under his wing, Xiao Jiantian's influence and dominion over the Blue Wind Empire was becoming alarmingly significant. In the Blue Wind Empire, there wasn't a single person who was nearly as controversial as him. The previously trivial and small Floating Cloud City began to rapidly expand in many ways, from its greater quality of resources to the endless number of visitors. The Xia Clan profited greatly from this expansion, being able to sell local goods while also purchasing new goods from the visiting merchants.

Xiao Jiantian observed his set of personnel from the Xiao Sect and Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace that he had chosen. He stood at the front entrance of his palace, above the rest who were lined up shoulder to shoulder. Only his wife, Xia Qingyue stood beside him.

"As all the simple Xiao Sect matters will still be handled by the somewhat capable Xiao Juetian, you two will accompany me. After all, the very reason you went into isolation is to focus solely on cultivation... isn't that right?" Xiao Jiantian addressed Xiao Wuqing and Xiao Wuyi first.

"Yes, that is correct... Big Daddy Xiao." Xiao Wuqing nodded, clearly still not used to the new title. Or better yet, embarrassed.

"Then you naturally won't disagree to travelling with this King." Xiao Jiantian nodded, turning to the three disciples to the side of Xiao Wuqing. "And these three are the ones who were going to participate in the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament a year and a half from now?"

"Yes, Big Daddy Xiao." Xiao Wuqing turned to the three Xiao Sect disciples and they all stepped forward without much hesitation, bowing before Xiao Jiantian. "Introduce yourselves."

"Disciple Xiao Nan, greets Big Daddy Xiao!"

"Disciple Xiao Zhen, greets Big Daddy Xiao!"

"Disciple Xiao Kuanglei, greets Big Daddy Xiao!"

"So..." Xiao Jiantian slowly paced from one side to the other of the three young profound practitioners. "Do you three think you can beat that Ling Jiantian, who ranked first in the last Blue Wind Ranking Tournament at the age of seventeen?"

'This is what happens when you're a legend, everyone starts naming their children after you...'

"No, that wouldn't be possible." Xiao Kuanglei honestly replied. "My father, the Sect Master, always said that we shouldn't even dream of the first position."

"In that case, do you three WANT to beat him?" Xiao Jiantian inquired, although he knew the answer already. He simply wanted to hear it.

"Yes, of course!"

All three replied with yesses.

"Not good enough. I want this entire hill to shake with enthusiasm...!"

"I WANT TO DEFEAT LING JIANTIAN IN THE BLUE WIND RANKING TOURNAMENT!" Xiao Kuanglei shouted, having gathered his loudest voice beforehand.

"I WANT TO DEFEAT LING JIANTIAN AND BRING GLORY TO THE XIAO SECT AND XIAO CLAN!" Xiao Nan added.

"YES, BID DADDY XIAO! I WANT TO SMASH LING JIANTIAN'S ARROGANT FACE INTO THE GROUND AND ADDRESS THE XIAO CROWD WITH PRIDE!"

Xiao Jiantian nodded several times before patting Xiao Zhen's shoulder. "I like your energy the most."

Then, he withdrew and returned to his original spot. "Know that, if you truly dedicate yourself to the profound way under my supervision, this Ling Jiantian will be but a simple afterthought!"

"Big Daddy Xiao is too kind to offer such an opportunity!" Xiao Zhen stated.

"You may all rise now and withdraw." Xiao Jiantian moved his gaze to the Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace's section of the line. "You already know what I had in mind... no need to repeat myself."

"First, we will spend three months in my palace. That time will be spent improving your foundations, the profound arts you use, profound strength, developing new skills, building chemistry with each other and all that other sweet stuff. After that three month period, we will venture out into the wider world and make ourselves known!"

There was a loud cheer among the disciples of the Xiao Sect, led mainly by Xiao Zhen. "The name Xiao Clan shall resonate across all of the Sky Profound Continent!"

"All hail Heavenly Lord Xiao!"

'Man, this guy could very well be the ideal morale boost...' Xiao Jiantian smiled approvingly. "Well, without further ado, allow me to give you all a tour of my humble abode!"

Xiao Jiantian turned around gracefully and opened the entrance to his personally-built palace. It seemed as if the entire world lost its colour when compared to the luminous light that flowed from the palace's opening.