Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Sigh! "Bai-ge, do you think we're cursed or something?" Xiao Yan said with a heavy sigh.

Glancing at the dejected black-robed youngster before him, Xiao Bai replied calmly, "What? Losing hope already?"

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. "A little. Today, Father was hassled by some clan elders because of me again. I…"

He didn't finish, but Xiao Bai understood why this guy was out here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping.

For over two years, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan had been searching for solutions to Xiao Yan's condition, buying anything rumored to help, no matter the cost. Sometimes, he even dipped into clan funds. If these efforts had worked, no one would've complained—Xiao Yan's rise would've brought greater returns for the clan, benefiting everyone.

But Xiao Yan was like a bottomless pit. No matter how much was spent, his cultivation remained stagnant. This bred resentment among the clan. The Xiao clan's annual revenue was limited, and Xiao Yan's expenses meant less for others. As a result, Xiao Zhan's reputation as clan leader had plummeted, with several elders growing increasingly discontent.

Looking at the once-stubborn "iron-headed" kid now so downcast, Xiao Bai offered a casual reassurance. "Wind and snow may weigh on me for years, yet I laugh them off as light as cotton!"

Anything more? Sorry, none to give.

Xiao Bai mentally calculated the time. In less than five months, the Xiao clan's annual Dou Qi test would begin—the starting point of the original story. Xiao Yan was in his darkest hour before dawn, about to see the light. No need for long-winded motivational speeches.

"Wind and snow may weigh on me for years, yet I laugh them off as light as cotton. Heh, Bai-ge, you're still so carefree!" Xiao Yan said, a mix of admiration and envy in his voice.

Since his cultivation fell, Xiao Yan had always envied Xiao Bai's mindset—unfazed by honor or disgrace, calm and composed. That effortless attitude, as if nothing in the world could shake him, was something Xiao Yan aspired to but couldn't achieve.

In Xiao Yan's eyes, Xiao Bai had been stuck at stage nine Dou Zhi Qi for five years, yet he never seemed anxious. Unruffled by mockery or praise, he carried on as if the world's opinions left no mark on his heart.

Xiao Bai could sense another pair of eyes watching him—likely the old man in the ring. But since the presence wasn't probing with soul force as blatantly as before, he let it slide.

"Bai-ge, you okay? Why do you keep sweating?" Xiao Yan asked after a while, noticing beads of sweat on Xiao Bai's forehead.

"No big deal, just some aftereffects. It'll pass soon," Xiao Bai said calmly.

"I'm heading back. You staying here or…?"

"I'll walk you back," Xiao Yan offered, concern in his voice. He could tell something was off with Xiao Bai tonight.

"No need. I'm not so weak I can't walk," Xiao Bai replied, gritting his teeth to hide his struggle. He refused to let anyone see him in a pitiful state.

With that, he slowly stood and left the pavilion.

Xiao Yan watched his retreating figure, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He'd noticed Xiao Bai's movements were unusually slow tonight, his hands trembling slightly as if suppressing pain. Yet his voice remained steady, his gaze as calm as a still well, his posture upright like a pine unshaken by wind or snow.

___

Xiao Bai returned to his courtyard as dawn began to break.

After washing up and changing clothes, he sat quietly at a table, a cup of tea before him, its faint fragrance wafting in the air. He was waiting for someone. On his way back, he'd sensed Ling Ying's presence, meaning that little girl would likely show up soon. Once she arrived, he'd resume his cultivation.

As for sleep or rest? Not for the next few months. The pain was too intense to allow sleep, but with his strong spirit, a few months without rest was manageable.

Today's thunder seed had shown him that each one Fu Zhao bestowed was at least as powerful as a Dou Wang, perhaps even a low-tier Dou Huang. If not for the five streams of light Fu Zhao had granted at Dou Zhi Qi stage 9 to shield his five organs, he could never have contained these thunder seeds.

Compared to the current Bing Fire Yang Thunder, the Yi Wood True Thunder, which he'd once found challenging, was a breeze. Perhaps Yi Wood True Thunder was naturally milder, or maybe Fu Zhao had provided novice protection, allowing him to refine it so easily.

First wood, then fire. Next should be earth, metal, and water. Earth is steady and heavy, metal is sharp and deadly, water is gentle and yielding. Besides fire, I'll need to be extra cautious with the metal thunder!

I wonder if, after all five elements are complete, they'll fuse. If they do, what would it be called? Five Thunders True Law? Isn't that the signature skill of Dragon Tiger Mountain's Celestial Master Mansion?

Xiao Bai stared at his teacup, his thoughts a jumbled mess.

Knock, knock, knock.

A series of knocks pulled him back to reality. He raised an eyebrow. That girl got here fast.

"Come in, the door's unlocked," Xiao Bai said softly.

Though his voice was faint, it reached the person outside clearly.

Soul force? Xiao Xun Er was surprised, not expecting Xiao Bai's soul power to be so strong.

This was a small trick Xiao Bai used with his soul, inspired by a novel from his past life—sound transmission. Based on the principle of a phonograph, he could direct sound waves to a target's ear, allowing communication within his soul's sensory range, even without seeing them.

As Xiao Xun Er entered the room and saw Xiao Bai at the table, her eyes reddened instantly.

"Xiao Bai gege, what happened to you?" She rushed forward, her voice trembling with a sob.

Her jade-like hands shook as they touched his gray-white hair. Seeing his pale face and the loose, oversized clothes hanging on his frame, her heart ached fiercely.

"It's nothing, just a minor cultivation mishap. Don't worry, Xun Er. I'll recover in a few months at most," Xiao Bai said, taking her small hand and guiding her to sit beside him, his voice warm and comforting.

"Not worry? How can I not worry? Last time was an accident, and now this again! What kind of awful technique is this?" Xiao Xun Er felt the boniness of his hand, holding his gaunt fingers with a pained expression, her voice sharp with frustration.

"Let's stop practicing that technique. I'll find you a better one, okay?"

"You didn't like that Thunder Spirit Art last time. I'll get you a higher-grade one. Please stop cultivating this, okay?"

Her red-rimmed eyes gazed at Xiao Bai with desperate hope. Right now, she cared nothing for ancient inheritances or becoming a powerhouse. Let it all go to hell! All she wanted was for her Xiao Bai gege to be safe.

Xiao Bai looked down at the girl who'd asked him "okay" twice in a row, gently pulling her into his arms.

"Don't worry, Xun Er. I know what I'm doing. There's no danger. Don't make things hard for your Xiao Bai gege, and don't be sad, alright?"