Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Bai hurriedly stepped forward, grasping the wrists of the two women and gently separating them, their veiled hostility barely concealed behind their smiles.

Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian, sensing his intervention, released each other's hands, their expressions blank as they turned their gazes on the culprit.

Under the weight of their stares, Xiao Bai's scalp tingled. "Let's sit and talk," he said helplessly.

"Hmph!" The two huffed in unison.

"Sister Xiao Yi Xian, won't you invite me inside?" Xun Er's expressionless face transformed, a smile blooming as she spoke in a clear, sweet voice.

"Please, Miss Xun Er," Xiao Yi Xian replied, her delicate face thawing like spring. She gestured invitingly with a warm smile.

Xiao Bai gaped at the sudden shift to friendliness. If I'm not mistaken, they were about to clash a moment ago, weren't they?

"Brother Xiao Bai, you stay outside," Xun Er said as she passed him, her tone cool. "I know your soul force is strong, but no eavesdropping on our conversation!"

"Alright," Xiao Bai agreed after a moment's hesitation, nodding. He turned and headed toward the large boulder where he usually cultivated.

Xiao Yi Xian raised an eyebrow, surprised by his compliance. She knew Xiao Bai well—despite his calm, gentle exterior, he was fiercely proud and unyielding, never one to tolerate even a hint of grievance.

Xun Er watched his retreating figure, a pang of heartache flickering in her eyes. Today was the first time in years she'd spoken to him so coldly, and he bore it silently.

He's suffering, but am I not as well?

Having grown up together, she knew the pride in his heart. Only with her would he bend so much. If anyone else treated him this way, he'd likely brush them off without a second thought.

"Let's go," Xun Er said after a long pause, offering Xiao Yi Xian a strained smile.

Xiao Yi Xian looked at the girl before her. From Xun Er's earlier expression, she could tell her feelings for Xiao Bai ran deep. No wonder he was so attentive to her. A quiet sigh rose in her heart, tinged with a strange guilt, and she nodded.

___

Inside the thatched hut.

The two sat across from each other.

Xiao Yi Xian poured a cup of clear tea, gently sliding it toward Xun Er. Her voice soft, she said, "You don't need to be so guarded with me."

Xun Er's fingers curled around the teacup, taking a small sip. Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's words, her brow furrowed slightly, but she waited for her to continue.

"There's no future for him and me… or at least, it's a faint hope," Xiao Yi Xian said, hesitating before lowering her gaze.

"Why?" Xun Er's eyes lifted, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Have you heard of the Calamity Poison Body?" Xiao Yi Xian sighed, her expression dimming.

"The Calamity Poison Body…?" Xun Er's grip on the teacup tightened, her eyes narrowing in shock. "You mean you…?"

Recalling the gray mist from their earlier exchange, realization dawned. She's the Calamity Poison Body. No wonder—even a Dou Zhe practicing poison techniques wouldn't have such an otherworldly aura.

She knew of this constitution. Those with the Calamity Poison Body rarely met a good end—either killed early by others or doomed to die in solitude and agony when their poison fully matured.

"Exactly," Xiao Yi Xian said, her eyelids drooping to hide the shadow in her eyes. "So now you see why you don't need to be so wary of me."

Silence lingered.

"Does he know?" Xun Er's lips parted slightly, her voice sudden.

"He does," Xiao Yi Xian replied, her mood lifting as a gentle warmth flickered in her eyes. With a playful smile, she added, "Not only does he know, he's found a method to control the Poison Body. It's just…"

"The method is too difficult, with little hope of success. I don't have much confidence in it, and I don't want to disappoint him, so I've never shown my doubts in front of him."

"You don't need to doubt him on that," Xun Er said reassuringly. "I know him. If he says he can do something, he's confident in it."

Xiao Yi Xian blinked, puzzled. "Why…?"

"Wondering why I'm boosting your confidence?" Xun Er smiled, though a trace of sorrow tinged her expression. "Do you know how angry and disappointed I was when I learned about you and him?"

"But what could I do? Throw a tantrum in front of him, force him to kill you or leave you?"

"These past few days, I've been wrestling with this. Some people would love for me to walk away from him, but I know that's impossible. Since that's the case, some things have to be faced."

"So, you came here today to…" Xiao Yi Xian's voice wavered, a flicker of nervousness breaking her earlier calm.

"Can you tell me about what happened after he was injured?" Xun Er asked, sidestepping her question. It was something that had puzzled her for days.

Ling Ying's investigation had stopped at the Ten Thousand Medicine House. Beyond that, with Xiao Bai tight-lipped, only the girl before her knew the details.

"He didn't tell you?" Xiao Yi Xian asked, surprised. Seeing Xun Er shake her head, she continued softly, "He lost his memory."

"Lost his memory?!" Xun Er shot to her feet, pieces of her confusion clicking into place. After a moment, she slowly sat back down, murmuring, "No wonder… no wonder…"

She'd always wondered why, at the Ten Thousand Medicine House, when Xiao Bai was already mobile and knew she was upset—and why— he didn't return to the Xiao Clan. Instead, he followed Xiao Yi Xian and lingered for days.

That was one of the main reasons for her frustration with him lately, the question she most wanted answered. If there was no other reason, and he still chose to flirt with another woman in that situation, she'd have to seriously reconsider their relationship.

"When the mercenaries brought him to me, he was unconscious," Xiao Yi Xian explained. "He didn't wake until the next day, and when he did, he didn't even know his own name. But while he was out, he mumbled your name."

"Later, I was forced by the Ten Thousand Medicine House's manager to bring him here. One night, he suddenly regained his memory. He seemed to have something urgent and left in a hurry. You probably know the rest."

Xun Er nodded, a faint smile curving her lips. Everything was clear now. That night, he'd rushed off because of her.

Her worries from the past few days dissolved. Brother Xiao Bai hasn't stopped caring about me.

"Now I can answer your earlier question," Xun Er said, her tone lighter as she revealed her purpose. "I came here today to ask for your help."

In truth, she'd prepared for several outcomes today.

First, to understand Xiao Bai's feelings. Second, to understand Xiao Yi Xian.

Fortunately, the worst-case scenario hadn't come to pass.

Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's confusion, Xun Er continued, "Due to my own circumstances, I may not always be able to stay by his side. I'd like you to follow him and keep an eye on him."

"Don't let him go… entanglement with other women," she added, her voice turning sharp with a hint of resentment.

If that scoundrel's left unchecked after I leave, he'll probably end up surrounded by a flock of admirers. With Xiao Yi Xian around, he'll at least think twice.