Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Reflecting on his amnesia, Xiao Bai's face darkened. Moments ago, he'd vowed to hunt down whoever caused it, only to realize the culprit was his own newly awakened Geng Metal Calamity Thunder.

It had targeted the black mist in his soul. Though he still didn't know what the mist was, he now understood its origin.

This brought to mind his first cultivation of the Heavenly Heart Sensing Chapter. He'd thought he'd fallen asleep, but now he realized his consciousness had been suppressed by that void, leaving him oblivious.

His soul's leap from mid-Mortal Realm to late-Mortal Realm must have been triggered by the void's chaotic airflow—how else could he explain the black mist in his soul?

Some old questions were answered, but new ones arose. What is that void? The original story never mentioned anything like it.

He sifted through every scrap of knowledge he had, but found no clues. Reluctantly, Xiao Bai set the mystery aside. His past life taught him that some secrets remained hidden until one's strength reached the right level. When I'm powerful enough, these veils will lift.

Shifting focus, he turned to the rune on his brow.

He was certain it was tied to the Heavenly Heart Sensing Chapter. Since appearing, the rune had been dormant, but during his amnesia, it grew active.

Reflecting on the difference between his pre- and post-amnesia states, he pinpointed the key: his state of mind. The serene, unburdened mindset of his amnesiac self had resonated with the rune, activating it.

Now, he sensed a faint connection to the rune, as if he could wield it.

Following that mystic intuition, he channeled a portion of his soul force into the rune.

Buzz!

The moment the soul force entered, the rune sprang to life. A soft hum, audible only to the soul, echoed. Lines on the rune lit up one by one, emitting a gentle, soothing glow.

As the lines fully illuminated, they formed a peculiar vertical pattern. The pattern became a small vortex, voraciously draining his soul force.

Xiao Bai gritted his teeth. The consumption was staggering—his Mortal Realm Perfection soul couldn't sustain it long. Yet, having come this far, he was loath to stop.

When his soul force was nearly depleted, the vertical pattern reached a tipping point. It split open, and a mysterious light flashed briefly.

A vertical eye appeared on Xiao Bai's forehead. Its interior swirled with chaos, emitting no light, yet it exuded an aura of majestic nobility, cold indifference, and vast mystery. The sensation was complex, eerie. Though its presence wasn't overpowering, anyone who saw it would feel the same awe.

Xiao Bai's vision transformed, utterly unlike normal sight. The world brimmed with colorful ions—various elemental energies filling the air. These must be the heaven-and-earth energies.

Unlike the vague impressions of soul perception, he now saw them clearly. The world felt intimate, as if he'd merged with it.

As he savored this sensation, his perspective soared—from his immediate surroundings to the entire valley.

He saw Xiao Yi Xian in the hut, wrestling with a packet of poison, her expression torn.

Despite the hut's walls, his vision pierced through, clear as day. If I wish, I can see anything.

Before he could process, his view ascended further. The Magical Beast Mountain Range unfolded—beasts resting or prowling in the night, all vivid in his mind.

His perspective widened again. Qing Shan Town appeared, with Yao, the Wan Yao Zhai master, brooding darkly.

Expanding further, the Xiao family came into view. Xiao Yan soaked in a medicinal bath, Yao Lao hovering nearby, stroking his beard, scrutinizing him.

Suddenly, Yao Lao glanced upward, eyes flickering with uncertainty.

Xiao Bai paid it no mind, his focus elsewhere, heart racing with urgency.

He saw Xun Er, wracked with pain, her face snow-white, dazed, murmuring faintly.

He strained to hear: "Xiao Bai gege, Xun Er hurts so much!"

As he prepared to exit this state, darkness swallowed his vision. A fierce dizziness struck, and all sights vanished.

On the boulder, Xiao Bai clutched his forehead. His soul force, fully at Mortal Realm Perfection, was drained dry in mere moments, leaving him reeling.

That state consumes too much.

As the dizziness faded, he stood, resolve hardening. I need to get back to the Xiao family—Xun Er's pain is worse than ever.

Unlike past episodes, she'd never been delirious. This time, the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame's torment was fiercer.

He flashed to Xiao Yi Xian's door, knocking. A flurry of panicked tidying came from within.

"Stop fussing—it's just poison. What's the big deal?" Xiao Bai called, exasperated.

Without his memories, he might've been puzzled, but now? I've even planned how to solve her Woeful Poison Body. Does she need to be so secretive?

If I didn't want her to awaken it, I wouldn't have given her the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture!

Silence fell. The door creaked open. Xiao Yi Xian stood, head bowed, sneaking glances at his face, gauging his reaction.

"No need to stare. It's just a Woeful Poison Body—why would I care? I'm not going to hate you," Xiao Bai said, cutting through her unease to spare her overthinking.

"How… how do you know?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, startled.

"Forget who gave you the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture?" Xiao Bai's gaze softened. He reached out, gently wiping a smudge of brown powder from her lips, chiding softly, "Sneaking poison and not even wiping your mouth? Such a dummy."

Seeing the speck on his thumb, Xiao Yi Xian's dazed face flushed. She fumbled for a handkerchief, wiping her lips, then huffed, "Who're you calling a dummy, Xiao Bai?"

Realization hit. Her eyes widened. "You… you've recovered your memories?"

She'd been too shocked by his mention of her Woeful Poison Body to think clearly, but now it clicked—he'd referenced the Scripture. He remembers!

"Heh, someone treated me like a kid while I was amnesiac. Guess who, my dear Xian'er?" Xiao Bai's eyes glinted dangerously, his voice half-grinding.

The memory of her coaxing him to drink medicine stung with embarrassment.

"W-well…" Xiao Yi Xian's gaze darted away. "A physician's kindness, you know! No need to thank me!"

"We'll settle that later," Xiao Bai said, flicking her forehead lightly. "I've got urgent business and need to leave. Pack up and come with me."

Xiao Yi Xian froze, her eyes locking onto his. She didn't move to pack.

"No need to pack? Let's go, then." He extended a hand.

But she shook her head, her gaze mingling reluctance and resolve, quickly masked by a smile. "Xiao Bai, I'll wait for you here in the valley, okay?"

Xiao Bai frowned, suspicion flickering. She's not planning to run off to the Chu Yun Empire like in the original story, is she?

"You wouldn't force me, right?" Xiao Yi Xian stepped closer, adjusting his collar with gentle, firm hands, her eyes steady.

Xiao Bai sighed, conflicted. For Xun Er, Xiao Yi Xian, and Cai Lin—women close to him—he loathed compelling them unless absolutely necessary. Each had her own will.

He couldn't impose his own, even if he believed it was the best path.

"I know you're worried about the Woeful Poison Body, but it's not unsolvable. I know a way to cure it. Come with me, alright?" He stroked her hair, voice soft.

Xiao Yi Xian paused, then grinned impishly. "What, if I stay here, you won't help me? No way!"

"Fine," Xiao Bai relented, seeing the determination in her eyes. Patting her head, he growled, "But if I come back and you're gone, you'll regret it!"

"Got it, nag!" Xiao Yi Xian wrinkled her nose, feigning annoyance, but her eyes sparkled.

Still uneasy, Xiao Bai pulled a pile of vials from his storage ring. Selecting one, he handed it to her. "This is venom from the horn of a Tier-6 Eight-Winged Black Emperor Serpent. Use it for defense or to boost your strength—you know better than I how to handle it."

"These pills—each bottle's label lists its effects. Sort them and store them in your ring."

Xiao Yi Xian ignored the items, staring at the man fussing over her. Her eyes reddened, and she threw herself into his arms. "Xiao Bai…"

"Hey, I'll be back in a few days. Wait for me, don't wander off alone. And that method to control the Woeful Poison Body? It's real. I know you're skeptical, so I'll grab it to prove it," Xiao Bai said, holding her slim waist, patting her back.

"Mm," Xiao Yi Xian nodded against his chest, murmuring, "Be careful. Don't end up like this time, all battered. If that method's real but hard to get, let it go for now. When I'm stronger, we'll get it together. No risks, got it?"

"I know, I know. I've got to go—urgent business." She nuzzled into him, then pushed him away.

Xiao Bai shook his head, giving her a deep look. "No need for Little Blue. Stay safe here alone. Wait for me."

Purple energy wings unfurled behind him. With a leap, he shot into the sky.

Xiao Yi Xian's wistful gaze turned to shock as she watched him soar. All this time together, and I didn't know he's at least a Dou Wang?

At most a year or two older than her, she'd guessed Da Dou Shi—already generous after the golden dragon incident. Qing Shan Town's only Dou Shi was decades old.

So strong? She murmured, watching his shrinking figure. And I was worried about him, thinking with the Woeful Poison Body's potential, I'd catch up and help.

She'd even cautioned him against risks, citing the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture. Now, her face burned. If he's a Dou Wang or Dou Huang, even with my constitution, catching up is a pipe dream.

His talent was terrifying—he wouldn't stagnate. Helping him might take forever.

She laughed through tears, her reluctance easing. Though she grumbled, her heart swelled with joy. The stronger he is, the safer he'll be. That's a relief.

When he'd urged her to leave, she'd wavered, but quickly suppressed it. He might not mind her poison, but others would. She didn't want to burden him.

The Seven-Colored Poison Scripture detailed the Woeful Poison Body's tragic fate. Not everyone, like Xiao Bai, could speak of it so lightly or treat her genuinely despite knowing.

She trusted him, but not others. She dreaded facing cold disdain, revulsion, or self-righteous crusaders claiming to protect the world. That would pain her—and trouble him.

So, she'd met his gaze, silently pleading to stay.

And Xiao Bai understood. Unlike their first domineering meeting, he respected her choice.

That filled her with joy and surprise. When the world might fear or hate you, but the one you love doesn't—and he understands and respects your heart— isn't that worth cherishing?