Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Time slipped by like water through fingers, and several months passed in a blink.

___

Beast Mountain Range, within the small valley.

Xiao Bai sat cross-legged, eyes closed, inwardly observing as the last traces of the Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning vanished. The refined essence coursed through his meridians for three cycles before settling into his lungs.

A sense of completion radiated from the fully refined Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning. Then, the Yi Wood True Lightning, Bing Fire Yang Lightning, and Wu Earth Nether Lightning each returned to their respective places.

His liver, heart, spleen, and lungs began to emit faint glows in sequence. When the light in his lungs flared, it seemed to await something.

A dim flicker sparked in his kidneys, but the light was too feeble. After a few struggles, it faded away.

The other glows lingered briefly, as if unanswered, before dimming as well.

Xiao Bai watched this calmly, his heart steady. The Five Elements were interconnected, their interplay of creation and destruction perfectly natural.

With the Five Elements incomplete, this outcome was expected. Once he broke through to Dou Wang, he anticipated some intriguing changes.

Exiting his inner vision, Xiao Bai slowly opened his eyes. A flash of electric light streaked across his gaze, accompanied by the faint rumble of thunder.

"Five-star Dou Ling," he murmured, assessing his current cultivation. He shook his head. This was the result of months of secluded cultivation in the energy-rich valley, combined with refining the Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning.

"It's starting to slow down," he said softly, a sense of urgency rising within him.

As his cultivation advanced, the energy feedback from the lightning seeds was no longer as potent as it had been in the Dou Zhe and Dou Shi stages. It's time to venture out and see the wider world.

___

Xiao Clan.

Xun Er emerged from her cultivation, a golden glint fleeting in her eyes.

Her gaze fell on the lotus platform beneath her, a wave of longing in her expression. Since that day in the valley, she hadn't seen that scoundrel.

She gracefully stepped off the platform, storing it in her storage ring. After freshening up, she headed to a nearby courtyard and pushed open the door.

Inside, a woman in a white skirt sat at a stone table, her gentle demeanor serene as she studied a seven-colored scroll with focus.

Hearing the sound, the woman looked up. Seeing Xun Er, a soft smile spread across her delicate face.

"Xun Er, you're here!"

Noticing Xiao Yi Xian's increasingly white hair, Xun Er sighed lightly. "Xian Er, maybe you should try to control it?"

Since their meeting in the valley, Xun Er had brought Xiao Yi Xian back to the Xiao Clan. Over these months, as they grew to understand each other, their relationship had become surprisingly harmonious.

At first, Xun Er felt wronged, but after accepting the situation, she harbored no ill will. Xiao Yi Xian's gentle, unassuming nature made it impossible for even Xun Er's proud, aloof disposition to muster any hostility.

That scoundrel has good taste, she thought, inwardly cursing Xiao Bai. A girl like this—beautiful, talented, and with such a kind heart—would stand out anywhere!

"It's fine. It's just my hair turning white. There's still plenty of time before the Calamity Poison Body erupts," Xiao Yi Xian said, tucking away the scroll with a carefree smile.

"Up to you," Xun Er said, shaking her head as she sat at the table. "I've only heard of this constitution and don't know much about it. Since he hasn't objected, he must have a plan."

"Missing him?" Xiao Yi Xian poured her a cup of tea, her voice teasing.

A faint blush colored Xun Er's refined face. She shot Xiao Yi Xian a glare before murmuring, her gaze distant, "I wonder how he's doing."

After that day, Xiao Bai had said the valley's dense energy was ideal for secluded cultivation and had remained there until now, leaving her a bit worried.

"Don't worry," Xiao Yi Xian said, her eyes flickering with complex emotions as she looked at the delicate, lotus-like girl. "The Jia Nan Academy recruitment is just days away. He said he'd be back before then."

In her time with Xun Er, she'd come to see the depth of this girl's feelings for Xiao Bai—a devotion that made her feel inferior. She thinks what he thinks, feels what he feels… even loves what he loves.

"Jia Nan Academy, huh?" Xun Er sighed softly. Her time was running short. Since breaking through to Dou Zhe, her clan had been pressing her to return, but she wasn't ready to leave.

Two more years with him, she vowed silently. Once I leave, I'll be in seclusion. Who knows when we'll meet again?

Lost in her melancholy, Xun Er's expression suddenly shifted, joy lighting her face.

"Both here, huh?" An awkward yet warm voice called from the courtyard entrance.

"Brother Xiao Bai!" A smile broke across Xun Er's face as she stood, but it quickly turned into a pout. "Someone's been gone so long without checking in. I thought some other girl had stolen you away!"

Xiao Bai gazed at the elf-like girl, his eyes full of affection. Stepping forward, he gently pulled her into his arms.

Despite her complaints, Xun Er wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, savoring the familiar warmth that felt etched into her bones.

Feeling a teasing gaze, she remembered Xiao Yi Xian's presence. Her cheeks flushed, and she pushed Xiao Bai away slightly, whispering shyly, "Not now… Xian Er's here!"

Xiao Bai, thick-skinned as ever, didn't mind. Turning to Xiao Yi Xian, who stood gracefully nearby, he stepped over and wrapped an arm around her slender waist. "Settling in alright?"

"It's nice," Xiao Yi Xian said with a soft smile, not resisting his embrace.

Mindful of Xun Er, she gently pushed him away after a moment. "Alright, I'll go make dinner. You and Xun Er haven't seen each other in months—catch up."

"Great! I've been choking down dry rations for months. I'm dying to taste your cooking, Xian Er!" Xiao Bai said, feigning misery.

"Got it," Xiao Yi Xian replied with a warm laugh.

Once she entered the house, Xiao Bai took Xun Er's hand and sat at the table, gazing at the girl whose eyes held a mix of grievance and jealousy.

"Feeling guilty?" Xun Er glared at him, huffing. "You should! Let's see if you dare be such a flirt again!"

On this point, Xiao Bai had no defense.

He looked at her tenderly, her indignant expression like that of a wife scolding an errant husband. I'm lucky to have met her.

"What's your cultivation now?" Xun Er asked, softening at his silence. She shifted topics, curious about his progress. That scoundrel always masks his cultivation with soul force—I can't tell where he's at!

"Five-star Dou Ling," Xiao Bai answered honestly.

Xun Er's heart stirred with surprise. She still remembered the day he broke through to Dou Zhe. It had only been about two and a half years, and he'd reached five-star Dou Ling.

Even among the Ancient Clan, such a pace from Dou Zhe to five-star Dou Ling was rare, regardless of age.

Proud as she was of him, her lips teased, "Not bad, but you've got to keep at it, Brother Xiao Bai. I hear some prodigies on the continent are already Dou Zong at your age!"

"No more flirting—focus on cultivating, got it?"

Xiao Bai laughed, caught between amusement and exasperation. This girl's not the starry-eyed admirer she used to be. Now she's like a wife nagging her slacking husband!

"You're right, Xun Er," he said, his face mock-serious. "I'll train hard, crush all those prodigies, and claim the title of Dou Di!"

"Well said! There's hope for you yet!" Xun Er nodded sagely, her expression comically approving before she burst into giggles.