Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Bai stood within the radiant pillar, slowly opening his eyes. A flicker of joy danced in them, tinged with a subtle trace of disappointment. He surveyed the chaotic scene around him—raging winds and oppressive black clouds—and his expression grew contemplative.

Sensing the ripples of this celestial phenomenon spreading rapidly into the distance, he frowned. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, a surge of five-colored energy burst forth, laced with faint thunder and glinting lightning. It sliced through the roiling, heavy clouds, disrupting their violent churn.

With a thought, the towering pillar of light, blazing with intense brilliance, dimmed slightly before gradually dissipating.

Only then could the crowd from Jia Nan Academy clearly discern the figure within the fading pillar.

Clad in a long, inky-black robe, his physique was tall and refined. Lustrous black hair cascaded naturally down his back and chest. His features were striking yet harmonious, exuding an effortless, natural charm. Most captivating were his eyes. Even from a distance, the onlookers could see five tiny, multicolored specks floating within his deep black pupils.

As they shifted subtly, they seemed to transform into visions of mountains and rivers, metals and trees, or blazing seas of flame. But upon closer inspection, they were merely a pair of starry black eyes, as if the earlier visions were mere illusions—an enigma of profound mystery.

"It's him, the great demon! No wonder he caused such a commotion!" someone whispered. Though Xiao Bai's appearance and aura had transformed, the familiar sharpness in his brow betrayed his identity.

"Look! It's the boss! Our leader!" a new student cheered with delight.

"He's grown stronger—immensely so," said a man with a giant spear strapped to his back, standing atop a massive tree branch alongside a few others. His gaze fixed on the distant figure in the sky, his expression grave.

"This is the Xiao Bai you called… a skirt-chaser?" A silver-haired woman turned to her starry-eyed friend, incredulous.

"Yep! Isn't he dreamy?" Mu Lan, dressed in a goose-yellow skirt, stared at the black-haired, black-robed youth in the sky, murmuring without turning her head. "Yue'er, how about we disband Moon Spirit and join Purple Sky instead?"

"Get lost!" Han Yue's face darkened, glaring at her traitorous friend with disdain. "You lovesick fool! Wipe that drool off your face!"

"Drool? This is the nectar of beauty!" Mu Lan retorted indignantly.

"Ugh!" Han Yue gagged, giving up on her hopeless friend. "We're done!"

"Fine by me!" Mu Lan waved dismissively. As Han Yue blinked, stunned by her nonchalance, Mu Lan continued, "We'll break up today and make up tomorrow. No big deal!"

"…" Han Yue was speechless.

___

At the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower:

"Such a figure… I was overthinking things," Great Elder Su Qian murmured, gazing into the void as if unburdening himself of a worry. A faint smile curved his lips.

He'd heard from the academy's dean about celestial phenomena, but witnessing this scene left him stunned for a long moment. To think Jia Nan Academy would nurture such a student!

To create a Tian Class technique or skill—such figures were always prodigies of unparalleled brilliance. Compared to Dou Sheng powerhouses, Xiao Bai's youth made his potential even more staggering.

Su Qian knew that an alchemist would only bond with one Heavenly Flame in their lifetime. A talent like Xiao Bai, even if seeking a Heavenly Flame, wouldn't waste his once-in-a-lifetime chance on a lower-ranked flame like the Fallen Heart Flame.

The Fallen Heart Flame seemed powerful, but that was only for those below Dou Zong. For Dou Zong and above, its tempering effects were negligible—a fact Su Qian and the Thousand and Hundred Elders knew all too well.

As Su Qian stood lost in thought, the invisible fire python sensed the alluring aura that had drawn it fading. Panic surged within it.

"Hiss!"

With an enraged screech, the massive pool of blood-red magma erupted. Torrents of scorching energy surged from the earth's depths, blazing red light surging with mountain-toppling force, crashing against the vibrant energy barrier.

"Pfft!"

The outer academy elders, seated cross-legged around the barrier to maintain it, flushed red. Those with lower cultivation spat blood, the droplets evaporating in the searing heat.

"Beast! How dare you!" Su Qian's face darkened, his voice a thunderous roar.

In a flash, he appeared above the python's head. His palm glowed brilliantly, faintly distorting the surrounding space, and he struck downward with devastating force.

Man and beast clashed in an instant.

___

Above the valley, the dark clouds slowly dispersed, and warm sunlight pierced through, casting flecks of gold across the dense forest below.

Xiao Bai felt the pillar beneath him crumbling, no longer able to support his weight. Just as he prepared to summon his energy wings, a jubilant voice rang out, approaching rapidly.

"My lord! You're finally out! Any longer, and we wouldn't have escaped!"

Golden light flashed, and a massive creature coiled beside him. Xiao Bai leapt lightly onto Little Gold Dragon's head, gesturing for it to descend before asking, "Explain. What do you mean, 'wouldn't have escaped'?"

"You don't know? Jia Nan Academy was invaded by a powerhouse—likely a Dou Zun! We need to grab the little mistress and Immortal Mistress and get out of here!" Little Gold Dragon urged frantically.

"…" Xiao Bai blinked.

He'd sensed the inner academy was calm—no signs of an invasion. The only disturbance was the intense fire energy erupting from the Heaven Burning Qi Refining Tower, likely the Fallen Heart Flame acting up.

"Xiao Bai-gege!"

"Xiao Bai!"

Two voices, brimming with longing and joy, called out as he landed. Two graceful figures rushed to his side.

Xiao Bai's gaze softened as it swept over their lovely faces. Extending his arms, he wrapped one around each slender waist, pulling Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian into his embrace.

After months apart, he'd missed these two dearly.

"Scoundrel!"

"Xiao Bai…"

Their cheeks flushed, and as they exchanged glances in his arms, a hint of shyness flickered in their eyes. This guy was getting bolder, embracing them both in broad daylight.

Sensing their half-hearted resistance, Xiao Bai's lips curved. "Xun Er, Xian'er, did you miss me?"

"As if!" Xun Er huffed.

"Exactly! Without a certain someone, Xun Er and I were perfectly carefree!" Xiao Yi Xian chimed in.

"…" Xiao Bai eyed the two stubborn girls, tempted to give each a playful spank. Keeping his warm smile, he said softly, "Well, I missed you both."

The two fell silent. Xun Er nestled closer, muttering, "At least you've got some conscience."

Xiao Yi Xian's eyes softened, a gentle smile playing on her lips. Without a word, she leaned further into his embrace.

"Xiao Bai-gege, your hair's back!" Xun Er's eyes lit up as she noticed the dark strands, relief washing over her. His white hair had always worried her, and now she could finally relax.

"Yep. This cultivation session brought big progress, and my hair's back to normal," Xiao Bai said, gently stroking her silky locks.

"That's wonderful! I'd even prepared—" Xun Er stopped, clapping a hand over her mouth, cutting herself off.

In her excitement, she'd nearly blurted out her "genius" plan from before.

"Prepared what?" Xiao Bai looked down at the girl, as delicate as a green lotus, amusement in his eyes. Knowing her concern for his lifespan, she'd likely prepared some restorative treasure.

His heart warmed. This girl truly gave him everything.

"Nothing… nothing!" Xun Er's eyes darted away, and she laughed awkwardly, shaking her head.

"Hmm?" Xiao Bai hadn't paid much mind before, but her rare flustered expression piqued his curiosity. His hand grazed her slim waist lightly. "Spill it."

"Haha, Xiao Bai-gege, that tickles!" Xun Er squirmed, giggling.

"Tell your Xiao Bai-gege, alright?" Xiao Bai teased, not stopping.

"Fine, I'll tell you! But no more shocking me!" Xun Er shot him a playful glare.

She couldn't stand the tingling sensation from his lightning Dou Qi tickling her waist. This infuriating guy, using his lightning on me!

Rising on her toes, she leaned close, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered.

Holding two exquisite figures, Xiao Bai inhaled their faint fragrance, the soft warmth of Xun Er's breath stirring his senses. For a moment, his thoughts wandered.

"What? Life-Devouring Pill?!"

His hands trembled, pupils shrinking. The fleeting distraction vanished, replaced by shock.

"How's that, Xiao Bai-gege? Isn't Xun Er a genius?" Xun Er giggled, her face beaming with a "praise me" expression.

Xiao Bai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This girl had planned to feed him a Life-Devouring Pill back when he was a Dou Shi.

Good grief! If I'd taken that cursed thing, the next two thunder seeds would've fried me to ash.

A wave of relief washed over him. Thankfully, his rapid cultivation had outpaced her scheme, or he'd be pushing up daisies by now.

"Good Xun Er," he said, voice trembling slightly, "next time you have a 'genius' idea, tell your Xiao Bai-gege first so I can brace myself. I'm not sure I could handle it otherwise, okay?"

He didn't blame her. Her heart was entirely devoted to him, and though her plan had nearly backfired, she hadn't known better.

How could he scold his precious girl, whom he couldn't bear to speak harshly to?

"Of course! Even with the Life-Devouring Pill, I'd have told you first," Xun Er said with a nod and a smile.

She wasn't foolish. Xiao Bai-gege was mysterious, and who knew how certain pills might affect him? Her earlier talk of tricking him was just a jest.

"Good, good!" Xiao Bai exhaled, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.

He'd been plotting grandly to reach Dou Di, yet nearly got derailed by Xun Er's pill. Almost went from White Emperor to wiped out mid-journey!

"Xian'er, why do you look upset?" Noticing the quiet figure in his other arm, Xiao Bai turned to see a hint of sadness on Xiao Yi Xian's face.

"Xiao Bai, do you dislike white hair?" Xiao Yi Xian's gaze fell on her own snowy locks, her voice soft and dejected.

She'd always cherished that their hair colors matched, a symbol of growing old together. But now, Xiao Bai seemed thrilled with his black hair.

"Who said that? I love white hair—er, I mean, white locks!" Xiao Bai straightened, his tone resolute.

"Hmph." A cool, crisp voice interrupted, laced with displeasure. "So, Xiao Bai-gege doesn't like black hair?"

"Of course not! I love both, both!" Xiao Bai's bravado deflated, and he laughed hastily.

"Pfft!" The girls burst into giggles at his exaggerated, teasing expression.

Xiao Bai sighed inwardly. Damn, embracing both is sweet, but it's exhausting!

"By the way, Xiao Bai-gege, what was that pillar? A technique or a skill?" Xun Er's excitement returned, her cheeks flushing as she asked eagerly.

A Tian Class technique or skill was a rarity, even in her clan—not some common commodity.

"Uh…" Xiao Bai's expression turned odd, unsure how to explain.

"Is it inconvenient to say? Then I won't ask!" Xun Er said quickly, assuming it was sensitive.

"Yeah, Xiao Bai, if it's hard to talk about, don't force it. We understand," Xiao Yi Xian added.

"It's not that it's inconvenient. I just don't know how to put it," Xiao Bai said with a light sigh.

"It's called the Great Five Elements Divine Light."

His eyes held both joy and a touch of disappointment. The name was familiar—strikingly so. It echoed the innate divine ability of Kong Xuan, the mightiest figure below the saints in the primordial myths. But its power? A far cry from the original.

Kong Xuan's Great Five Elements Divine Light could seize anything and break anything. When Xiao Bai first learned the name, he'd been thrilled, only to discover his version was a vastly downgraded imitation.

"The Great Five Elements Divine Light isn't exactly an offensive skill. It's designed to strip others' Dou Qi and temporarily bolster my own. Any Dou Qi within the five elements' derivatives can be absorbed to enhance my cultivation."

"Of course, this boost is only temporary."

"There's such a skill?!" Xun Er and Xiao Yi Xian's jaws dropped, stunned.

"Weaken the enemy, strengthen yourself!" Xun Er's eyes gleamed with shock. "And since the five elements encompass all Dou Qi attributes on the continent, doesn't that mean Xiao Bai-gege can fight across multiple realms?"

"Theoretically, I can tangle with anyone I can strip Dou Qi from," Xiao Bai nodded, then shook his head. "But everything has limits. If the cultivation gap is too wide, I can't strip anything."

"And relying on it to fight at the edge of my limits is suicidal. The higher the opponent's cultivation, the less Dou Qi I can take, and the weaker the effect. Charging in recklessly then is no different from seeking death."

"That's still incredible!" Xun Er huffed, eyeing his apparent dissatisfaction. "It's already stronger than some bloodline secrets!"

She didn't mention that even Dou Di bloodlines had limits on temporary power boosts. Xiao Bai's skill rivaled the secret arts of the ancient eight clans.

"Xiao Bai-gege, with your current cultivation, what level can you fight using this skill?" Xun Er asked, curious to compare it to her clan's bloodline secrets.

"No idea. Haven't tried it," Xiao Bai said, shaking his head. Technically, it was a skill, but it felt more like a divine ability.

Unlike Dou Techniques, which required cultivation and mastery, the Great Five Elements Divine Light had fused into his body. He could wield it with a thought, as naturally as moving a limb.

"Now that I think about it, it's kind of absurd," Xiao Bai mused, rubbing his chin. The skill's strength depended on the five elemental energies in his dantian. The stronger they were, the greater its power. But for now, he could only tap a fraction of its potential.

"I'll find a chance to test it. Even if it's not at Tian Class level yet, it won't disappoint me!"

____

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