Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

In the Xiao Clan, within Xun Er's small courtyard, a soft glow illuminated her room.

At her desk, Xun Er carefully penned eight characters on a pristine sheet of rice paper: Cherish me, and we'll walk hand in hand.

Her handwriting was elegant and precise, each stroke revealing the care poured into it. Setting down her brush, she gazed at the words, a captivating smile curving her lips, her eyes brimming with tender affection.

Ling Ying stood nearby, hesitating, his expression caught between speaking and silence.

"Ling Lao, if you have something to say, say it," Xun Er said, her eyes still on the paper, as if sensing his unease without looking up.

Ling Ying bowed, clasping his hands. "Young Miss, a message from the clan."

He paused, glancing at her before continuing, "Lei Ying, the Lei Clan leader, personally visited the Gu Realm to propose a marriage on behalf of his son, Lei Dong."

"Lei Dong? The one said to have the Lei Clan's divine-grade bloodline?" Xun Er raised her head, her tone cool, stripped of the innocence and warmth she showed with Xiao Bai.

"Yes."

"And the proposal is for me?"

"Yes."

Xun Er nodded, unsurprised. If it didn't involve her, the clan wouldn't have sent word about a marriage alliance. But why relay this at all? Why hadn't the clan outright refused? Her brow furrowed, then a mocking laugh escaped her.

"Hah, quite the scheme. Let me guess—Lei Ying proposed uniting our divine-grade bloodlines to see if our offspring could surpass them, perhaps even break through to that realm untouched for ten thousand years?"

Though phrased as a question, her words carried unshakable certainty.

"Young Miss's insight is keen. That's exactly Lei Ying's pitch. Many clan elders are intrigued, eager to push this forward. They plan to settle the betrothal now and hold the wedding once Young Miss becomes a Dou Sheng," Ling Ying replied, unsurprised by her sharpness. The clan had groomed her as a potential future leader since childhood. Beyond cultivation and time with Xiao Bai, she buried herself in books and study.

Without Lei Ying's tantalizing proposal, the Gu Clan would never consider marrying her off. Among the remaining ancient eight clans, the Gu Clan's bloodline was the most intact, yet still precarious. Each clan yearned for a new Dou Di to sustain their legacy. If Lei Ying's plan succeeded, both Gu and Lei Clans would benefit—a new Dou Di with dual bloodlines could ensure their dominance for tens of thousands of years.

"What did my father say?" At the thought of Gu Yuan, a warmth softened Xun Er's icy gaze.

"The clan leader said it's entirely up to Young Miss. If you agree, he'll support you. If not, he'll refuse." Ling Ying paused, then added, "He also asked me to tell you not to sacrifice your wishes for the clan's future. Your happiness comes first. And he said…"

He hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

"Out with it, word for word. No need to hold back," Xun Er said evenly.

Ling Ying swallowed. "He said, 'I've been at the peak of nine-star Dou Sheng for years—think I don't know what-dot-comma how to get there? That old fox Lei Ying's up to no good, trying to trick my precious daughter into marrying his idiot son. Dream on!'"

Xun Er's lips curved into a gentle smile, warmth flooding her heart.

"Ling Lao, send word back to the clan. Tell them I'm still young and not ready to consider such matters. I'll decide after I become a Dou Sheng."

"Yes, Young Miss."

"What is it? Something else?" Xun Er noticed Ling Ying lingering, still standing there.

"Young Miss, forgive my boldness, but… Young Master Xiao Bai… he may not be worthy of you," Ling Ying said, bowing, his voice hesitant. Before, Xiao Bai had kept his distance, never crossing lines with her, so Ling Ying could turn a blind eye. But today, the boy had gone too far.

Xun Er's brow furrowed. She'd been in such high spirits today, she'd overlooked some things. She'd long prepared herself for the clan's pressure regarding her and Xiao Bai, but she hadn't expected it to come so soon. This was just Ling Ying—what would the clan's reaction be if they knew? They might not dare touch her, but they could target Xiao Bai, and that she would not allow.

"Ling Ying, how long have you served me?" Xun Er asked after a moment, her tone soft but heavy.

"Since you were three, Young Miss, when the clan leader chose me. I came to the Xiao Clan when you were four. It's been ten years," Ling Ying replied, wiping sweat from his brow, his heart pounding. Her tone's off. When a superior asked such a question, it often meant a demand for sacrifice. Surely Young Miss wouldn't trade me or… eliminate me for her beloved?

"What do you think of Brother Xiao Bai?" Xun Er asked, her face expressionless.

"Uh… Young Master Xiao Bai is a dragon among men, his talent peerless, his brilliance unmatched through the ages. He's destined to become a Dou Di!" Ling Ying gritted his teeth, declaring with fervent conviction, as if he hadn't just said Xiao Bai was unworthy.

Xun Er ignored his flip-flopping, letting out a cold laugh. "Hah, I know you—and others in the clan—will look down on him, thinking he can't compare to Gu Qingyang or the others. But even if he stays at ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi forever, he's the one I, Gu Xun Er, have chosen. I won't let anyone harm him!"

For a moment, she recalled her early days at the Xiao Clan, alone, her body wracked by the agony of the Golden Emperor Burning Flame. It was that white-robed boy who quietly stayed by her side, coaxing smiles from her, helping her through those dark days.

"And my Xiao Bai gege is no less than anyone!" Thinking of that white-clad figure, her gaze softened, a touch of pride in her expression, as she murmured inwardly.

She'd watched Xiao Bai closely these past years, especially today, when he'd astonished her. For five years, he showed no trace of anxiety despite not breaking through, remaining calm, as if he chose to linger at that stage. Her sharp mind sensed something, so she stepped back, only providing resources for his breakthrough while quietly worrying. Today, seeing him finally advance, she breathed a sigh of relief. No mishaps, thank goodness.

Then there were the stories he told her today. Some details, she suspected, weren't mere fiction. Take "Supreme," for instance. Over the years, she'd studied fragmented clan records that vaguely mentioned "Supreme," though she'd never understood what it meant.

But Xiao Bai's tale sparked a bold theory. Could there be an upper realm above the Dou Qi Continent? Is Supreme just a realm there? If, as Xiao Bai ge ge said, a Dou Di equals a Supreme, did that mean reaching Dou Di was the key to ascending to that upper realm?

The records were too incomplete to confirm. That's why she'd been so eager to interrupt him when he mentioned Supreme today, her curiosity burning.