Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"There's no issue with controlling it. As for fusion…" Xiao Bai paused, his brows furrowing slightly. Instead of continuing, he shifted gears, asking with a hint of curiosity, "Senior, do you know why both the Poison Body and the resurrection method require three Heavenly Flames?"

Yao Lao stroked his beard, his expression thoughtful. "I've pondered this before. It likely has to do with the potency of Heavenly Flames. I'm not sure what level of power is needed, but fusing three Heavenly Flames would undoubtedly provide more than enough strength to ensure success."

"Exactly!" Xiao Bai nodded, his eyes glinting with agreement. "My thoughts align with yours, old man. It's possible the creator of this method wielded three Heavenly Flames during their experiments, so they recorded it as such. But maybe a single high-ranking Heavenly Flame from the Flame Ranking could suffice!"

Xiao Bai suspected that the creator of the Poison Pill Method to control the Calamity Poison Body had encountered someone who cultivated the Flame Mantra. After all, aside from the Flame Mantra, only Xiao Xuan, to his knowledge, had ever possessed three Heavenly Flames simultaneously.

Yet, with Xiao Xuan's cultivation and strength, suppressing the toxins within a Calamity Poison Body as described in the scroll wouldn't require three Heavenly Flames. A mere flick of his wrist would've sufficed.

"That's a possibility," Yao Lao mused, nodding. "But we can't rule out that fusing three Heavenly Flames might produce some unique effect."

"Oh, right!" Yao Lao's eyes suddenly lit up with enthusiasm. "You haven't mentioned whether your lightning can be fused!"

In the past, he'd refrained from prying into Xiao Bai's lightning abilities. But now, with the conversation flowing, a spark of excitement hit him. If three Heavenly Flames could be substituted with lightning… The thought sent a thrill through him.

Xiao Bai, he speculated, likely possessed five types of lightning, each corresponding to the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. If Xiao Bai succeeded in fusing them, it might prove even more suitable than the three Heavenly Flames for crafting a new body for his resurrection.

"Not yet," Xiao Bai replied, catching the eager glint in Yao Lao's eyes. He knew exactly what the old man was thinking—resurrection, as always.

Though he was curious about what might happen once all five elemental lightning seeds were gathered, whether they could fuse remained a mystery.

"Not yet, huh?" Yao Lao's eyes sparkled, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Haha, I get it, I get it!"

You get nothing! Xiao Bai thought, rolling his eyes inwardly. The old man was clearly overinterpreting his words.

"Let's talk about the Poison Pill Method once you've figured out fusion. Besides, gathering those materials won't be easy," Yao Lao said, his tone shifting to one of anticipation. "But if you manage to use lightning for the resurrection method and succeed, don't forget about me!"

There was genuine hope in Yao Lao's eyes. This kid was full of ideas. After trading the resurrection method to Xiao Bai, he believed there was a real chance. Though Xiao Bai wielded the Flame Mantra, Heavenly Flames were no trifling matter—one misstep could lead to catastrophic failure. Yao Lao wasn't entirely confident in his own path, but if Xiao Bai pulled it off, he might benefit, reviving sooner.

"Deal!" Xiao Bai nodded decisively. Yao Lao had handed over the Poison Pill Method without hesitation today. If the resurrection method worked, crafting a body for the old man was a small price to pay.

"Haha, excellent!" Yao Lao laughed, his spirit form drifting slightly with joy. He hadn't expected this pleasant surprise today. Though success was uncertain, an extra path meant an extra sliver of hope, didn't it?

After chuckling for a bit, Yao Lao's expression turned peculiar as he glanced at Xiao Bai. At first, he hadn't noticed, but now, reflecting on it…

This kid's got secrets!

Ever since he'd given Xiao Bai the resurrection method, certain things had gone unspoken between them. Xiao Bai clearly knew Yao Lao could control three Heavenly Flames, yet today, he hadn't once asked for his help. Instead, he was researching alternatives.

"Your friend… she's a girl, isn't she?" Yao Lao's words were phrased as a question, but his tone was certain.

The Poison Pill Method required the person with the Calamity Poison Body to be completely unclothed during the process. For Xiao Bai to go to such lengths to find a substitute method, it could only mean one thing—a relationship close enough to warrant such care.

Otherwise, with Xiao Bai's thick skin, he'd have asked Yao Lao for help outright instead of painstakingly researching, as if afraid of any misstep.

"Heh, Senior, some things are better left unsaid!" Xiao Bai winked, chuckling to deflect.

"Tch, tch." Yao Lao shook his head, amused. The kid was asking him to keep quiet.

"You'd better watch yourself, kid. Look at the kind of people you're getting tangled with. One day, your backyard might catch fire and burn you down!"

Yao Lao's head ached just thinking about it. That mysterious little girl from the Xiao Clan, the fully evolved queen from the desert, and now someone with a Calamity Poison Body—none of them were easy to handle!

"Backyard catching fire?" Xiao Yan, who'd been listening in a fog of confusion, perked up with interest. Grinning mischievously, he sidled up to Xiao Bai. "Brother Bai, I've got wine! Come on, spill your stories!"

"Spill what?" Xiao Bai rapped Xiao Yan on the head, a playful glint in his eyes. "I hear… Nalan Yanran's broken through to Dou Shi. Meanwhile, a certain someone's still lingering at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi, yet has the leisure to gossip?"

"Ugh, Brother Bai, that's a low blow! Don't mention her, and we're still brothers!" Xiao Yan clutched his chest, feigning heartbreak.

"Nalan Yanran's a Dou Shi now," Xiao Bai said again, his voice calm but his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Aaagh!" Xiao Yan let out a dramatic yell, charging at Xiao Bai. "I'll fight you, Xiao!"

"Nalan Yanran's a Dou Shi," Xiao Bai repeated, like a relentless echo. With a casual wave of his hand, he pinned Xiao Yan in place, rendering his struggles futile.

"Xiao Bai, just you wait! When I become a Dou Di, I'll knock your head crooked!" Unable to break free, Xiao Yan fumed, spitting out a fierce threat before storming back to his room to cultivate.

"Heh." Yao Lao stroked his beard, watching the scene with a satisfied smile. He was delighted, secretly wishing Xiao Bai would come by daily to prod Xiao Yan. The results were spectacular!

"Seeing your disciple so spirited, are you pleased, Yao Lao?" Xiao Bai asked, unbothered by Xiao Yan's outburst. The kid had been making grand threats since he was ten, from surpassing him as a Dou Zhe to a Dou Shi, and now a Dou Di. At this rate, he'd probably claim to reach the Sovereign Realm next!

"Spirited is good," Yao Lao said, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze drifted into the distance, his tone tinged with melancholy. "I don't expect him to become a Dou Di. As long as he respects his master, that's enough."

"Don't worry," Xiao Bai said, sensing Yao Lao's nostalgia. He smiled reassuringly. "That kid may have been a handful when he was younger, but he's got a good heart."

"I hope so," Yao Lao replied, a faint smile returning to his face.