Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"Roar! Make way, you lot! Your dragon lord has arrived!"

A dragon's cry pierced the skies above the Inner Academy. Under the awestruck gazes of the students below, a golden dragon descended from the heavens.

Xiao Bai stood atop its head, looking down at the scene below with an air of command.

His gaze settled on a sunken terrain where a massive black tower stood. The tower was peculiar—only its spire and a single pitch-black entrance were visible above ground, while the rest of its body was buried deep beneath the earth.

"So, this is the Heaven Burning Refining Tower?"

After more than a year at Jia Nan Academy, this was Xiao Bai's first time truly seeing the tower in person.

"Exactly! Xiao Bai gege, take a closer look. Doesn't the space around the tower feel familiar?" Xun'er, clinging to his arm, smiled brightly and nodded toward the structure.

At her words, Xiao Bai's eyes swept over the tower's surroundings. The space there shimmered with faint distortions and ripples, identical to those around the Library Pavilion.

"A spatial lock!"

"That's not all!" Xun'er's eyes curved into crescent moons as she explained softly. "The spatial lock is just to keep outsiders from entering. Inside, there's also a spatial seal that only a Dou Zun could create, and it's directed inward. The dean of Jia Nan Academy must have gone to great lengths for this tower back then."

"Quite the knowledgeable little lady!" Xiao Bai teased, his eyes warm as he looked at the charming girl beside him.

"Hehe, Xun'er's just read a few more books, that's all. I only know a bit!" Xun'er's gaze darted away playfully, feigning innocence in response to his teasing.

Xiao Bai didn't call her out on it. He shook his head with a chuckle. "Let's go. Down we go."

With that, he wrapped an arm around each girl's waist, tapped his foot, and gracefully descended to the ground.

Standing before the tower, even with only a single layer and its spire exposed, the structure loomed immense, exuding an oppressive aura.

Approaching the spatial ripples, Xiao Bai eyed the sealed black tower door and sensed the surging heavenly flame energy within. Taking a deep breath, he called out in a resonant voice, "Xiao Bai requests an audience with the Great Elder!"

His voice thundered, echoing both inside and outside the tower.

"What's that demon up to? Doesn't he know the Heaven Burning Refining Tower has been sealed for days, with strict orders barring any student from approaching?"

"Who knows? But he's a sixth-tier alchemist—his status surpasses some elders. He's no ordinary student anymore!"

As some students whispered among themselves, the elders within the tower exchanged surprised glances at the sound of his voice. Their eyes turned to the haggard, elderly figure standing in midair atop the energy barrier.

The old man abruptly turned, his gaze piercing upward as if he could see through the tower's walls to the black-clad youth outside.

"Xiao Bai? Didn't he just cause a massive commotion? Instead of meditating on his insights, what's he doing here?"

Su Qian's brows furrowed. After a moment's hesitation, he glanced at the restless Fallen Heart Flame below, a headache brewing.

Outside, Xiao Bai stood calmly before the silent tower. His expression unwavering, he called out again, "Xiao Bai requests an audience with the Great Elder and hopes to enter the tower for a discussion!"

A long, weary sigh echoed from within, its tone laced with exhaustion. "Come in."

As the words fell, the spatial ripples around the tower glowed faintly, undulating like water. Moments later, the space before Xiao Bai twisted, forming a portal just wide enough for one person.

"Xun'er, Xian'er, I'm going in," Xiao Bai said softly, turning to the two girls behind him.

"Mm. Brother Xiao Bai, be careful!" Xun'er stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him. Her head nestled against his chest, reluctant to part so soon after their reunion.

"Xiao Bai, don't be reckless in there. Remember, we're still waiting for you at Jia Nan Academy," Xiao Yi Xian added, stepping up to smooth his collar, her voice gentle.

Xiao Bai nodded, his gaze shifting to Little Gold Dragon. "Shrink down. You can't fit through the door like that."

He was certain the dragon could manage it—this creature could shapeshift into anything, so shrinking was no issue.

"What kind of lousy tower is this? Not even built big enough to accommodate my majestic form!" Little Gold Dragon grumbled, casting a reluctant glance at its massive body. Golden lightning arced across its sleek frame, and with a flash of light, it shrank and darted into Xiao Bai's sleeve.

Xiao Bai gave the two girls one last look before stepping through the portal. As he entered, the spatial door contracted and sealed shut, restoring the tower's original state.

"Xun'er, are you really not going to tell him?" Xiao Yi Xian asked softly, watching Xun'er's dazed expression.

"No. The later Xiao Bai gege finds out, the less he'll worry," Xun'er replied, shaking her head. Noticing Xiao Yi Xian's concerned look, she smiled warmly, taking her hand. "Xian'er, don't let that scoundrel fool you!"

"Brother Xiao Bai is sharp as a tack. He notices even the slightest change in our moods. But just now, when you were so obvious, he didn't even ask. Don't you think… something's off?"

"You mean he knows you're leaving?" Xiao Yi Xian blinked, startled.

"Who knows? That scoundrel's gotten so inscrutable lately—I can't tell what's on his mind anymore!" Xun'er pouted, waving her fist in mild frustration.

As the person who knew Xiao Bai best, she'd noticed a significant change in him this time—not just in his appearance but in his demeanor. There was a natural, almost effortless charm radiating from him now, unlike before.

"Then you…" Xiao Yi Xian began, but Xun'er cut her off.

"Oh, Xian'er, don't overthink it!" Xun'er pinched Xiao Yi Xian's cheek playfully, laughing. "As long as he's still my Brother Xiao Bai and your Xiao Bai, and he doesn't go chasing after every flower, that's enough!"

"Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. Knowing too much can be exhausting!" Xun'er stretched lazily, her graceful figure curving elegantly before she waved a hand dismissively.

"…" Xiao Yi Xian was speechless.

This was supposed to be a game for three, so why do I feel like the odd one out? She realized both Xiao Bai and Xun'er were masters at playing dumb.

Looks like I've got a lot to learn, Xiao Yi Xian thought, her eyes gleaming with quiet resolve.

___

Inside the tower, as Xiao Bai crossed the threshold, a strange flame flickered to life within him.

Formless, colorless, born from the heart, and traceless—this must be the Fallen Heart Flame.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. With a sweep of his mind, his five-colored Dou Qi surged, snuffing out the flame effortlessly.

Too weak.

Xiao Bai shook his head. The flame couldn't even withstand his Dou Qi's impact, let alone refine it. The fire element in his dantian seemed utterly uninterested, not bothering to stir.

The exchange happened in an instant, and Xiao Bai's steps didn't falter. As he walked, his eyes scanned the tower's interior.

The hall was vast, its cylindrical walls encircling a massive black pit at the center. The air above the pit shimmered with distortion, and an intense heat radiated outward.

At the tower's base, the elders maintained the energy barrier while keeping a close eye on Xiao Bai. They were curious to see how long this, the most exceptional student in Jia Nan Academy's history, could withstand the heart flame's influence.

"It's his first time in the tower, right? How is he completely unaffected by the heart flame, especially during the Fallen Heart Flame's outbreak?" an outer academy elder exclaimed, watching Xiao Bai's steady stride.

Typically, a student's first encounter with the heart flame in the Heaven Burning Refining Tower served as a test of potential. The longer one endured, the greater their resistance, and the more they'd benefit from cultivating in the tower. While not foolproof, the method had proven reliable over the years.

But Xiao Bai? How did he fit into this?

His calm demeanor made some elders wonder if the omnipresent heart flame was somehow sparing him, neglecting to invade his body.

"He's a sixth-tier alchemist. He might have some method to dispel the heart flame," another elder mused after a moment's thought.

Many nodded in agreement, but Elder Huo rolled his eyes, casting a disdainful glance at his ignorant colleagues. Go find a sixth-tier alchemist without a Heavenly Flame and see if they can pull this off!

"What's he doing?" an elder gasped, eyes wide as he watched Xiao Bai's actions.

"He's not planning to jump into the tower's pit, is he?"

As they spoke, a streak of five-colored light plummeted from above.

"…" The elders were stunned.

In all their years, they'd never seen such a novel way of descending the tower.

"Well, look at that—familiar faces all around!" Xiao Bai landed lightly beside the energy barrier, scanning the group with a grin. "Elders, long time no see!"

"Haha, Master Xiao, it's been a while. You're even more impressive than before!"

"Student Xiao Bai, you've changed quite a bit. I bet the girls at the academy will be swooning over you!"

"Xiao Bai…"

The elders exchanged glances before greeting him warmly.

"You… you're that big skeleton?" A clear, childish voice, tinged with uncertainty, caught Xiao Bai's attention.

Zi Yan's large, curious eyes studied him, her small nose twitching. His aura felt slightly unfamiliar, but she could faintly detect the same scent as the giant skeleton from before.

"Little Zi Yan, what are you doing here?" Xiao Bai asked, surprised to see the white-clad girl in such a place.

"This little troublemaker sneaked in on her own," an elderly figure said, approaching with a helpless sigh.

Zi Yan's talent made her a ghost when it came to slipping through barriers, unnoticed by the elders. Elder Hao, who managed the medicinal stores, had complained endlessly about her pilfering—and her occasional threats.

"Greetings, Great Elder!" Xiao Bai saluted as Su Qian approached.

"No need for formalities," Su Qian said, his gaze complex as he studied the young man.

This youth had just unleashed a phenomenon with a Tian-class Dou Technique, yet he'd rushed straight to the Heaven Burning Refining Tower without pause. Though Xiao Bai likely had no interest in the Heavenly Flame, Su Qian couldn't shake his curiosity about his motives.

"Speak. What brings you here?" Su Qian asked, eyeing Xiao Bai's slightly disheveled state.

After a brief hesitation, Xiao Bai replied, "I wish to enter the underground magma below. I hope the Great Elder will permit it."

"You want to go down there?" Su Qian's eyes flickered, his brows knitting. Is he interested in the Heavenly Flame after all?

"Great Elder, rest assured, I have no interest in the Fallen Heart Flame," Xiao Bai said quickly, sensing Su Qian's concern.

"You already knew there was Fallen Heart Flame beneath the Heaven Burning Refining Tower?" Su Qian's eyes narrowed, studying Xiao Bai with an enigmatic tone.

Judging by Xiao Bai's demeanor, he wasn't surprised by the presence of the Heavenly Flame. And now, requesting access to the magma below, he seemed to have another goal in mind.

"The Heaven Burning Refining Tower's extraordinary properties are easy to deduce for someone familiar with Heavenly Flames and who's experienced it firsthand. I happen to know a thing or two about both," Xiao Bai replied, his words logical but sidestepping whether he'd known about the Fallen Heart Flame before arriving at Jia Nan Academy.

"As an alchemist, you're not even a little tempted?" Su Qian didn't dwell on Xiao Bai's evasive answer, instead fixing him with a steady gaze, his expression calm.

"Haha!" Xiao Bai laughed boldly, clasping his hands behind his back with an air of confidence. "Great Elder, you underestimate me. Before I was ten, I had the chance to claim the eleventh-ranked Bone-Chilling Flame. At fifteen, I personally acquired the Green Lotus Core Flame, which I traded for something else."

"I'm not saying this to boast, but to make it clear: the Fallen Heart Flame doesn't catch my eye."

With that, Xiao Bai unleashed his aura, a majestic presence reverberating through the tower's depths.

"Peak Dou Wang?!"

"Didn't he just have Dou Ling cultivation before? How long has it been, and he's already jumped from Dou Ling to Peak Dou Wang?"

"Damn, comparing ourselves to him is infuriating. We've been wasting our lives!"

"And he's a sixth-tier alchemist, spending most of his time on alchemy. If he focused solely on cultivation, his current level would probably…"

The elders were stunned, their unfinished thoughts even more daunting.

In that moment, they were struck with awe. As elders of Jia Nan Academy, they'd once been prodigies themselves, but they'd never seen someone progress so rapidly.

"No wonder he created such a Dou Technique phenomenon. A true genius. The northwest continent won't be his stage—his future lies in places like Zhongzhou!" Su Qian sighed inwardly.

Though his doubts about Xiao Bai weren't fully resolved, they no longer mattered. Whether or not he was connected to the dean, this was a prodigy Jia Nan Academy needed to befriend.

And based on his words, Xiao Bai was someone blessed with great opportunities. Ordinary cultivators might struggle their entire lives to encounter a single Heavenly Flame, yet he, at such a young age, had crossed paths with several—and even acquired them, only to dismiss them as beneath him, including ones ranked above the Fallen Heart Flame.

"Very well. If you're set on going, I'll allow it," Su Qian said after a moment's thought, nodding.

He didn't know what Xiao Bai was planning or how he intended to handle the invisible fire python below. With Xiao Bai's soul strength, he surely sensed the danger, yet he was determined to proceed. Su Qian chose not to dissuade him.

To reach such heights at his age, Xiao Bai was no reckless fool. He likely had some means to deal with the Fallen Heart Flame.

A glint of anticipation flickered in Su Qian's weathered eyes.

____

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