Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

The next morning, dawn broke softly.

Xiao Bai sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes opening as he exhaled a turbid breath, concluding his night of cultivation.

After rising and washing up, he prepared to head to the Xiao clan's reception hall.

Today was the day Nalan Yanran would arrive, a moment Xiao Bai had anticipated for months.

Ever since Xiao Xun Er gave him those pills, an idea had taken root: Could I become an alchemist?

Alchemists were a revered profession in the Dou Qi Continent, capable of refining rare materials into pills with miraculous effects—boosting cultivation, healing wounds, and more.

To become an alchemist, three conditions were required: fire and wood attributes, a fire seed, and exceptional soul perception.

Those born with both fire and wood attributes in their soul were rarer than one in a billion across the Dou Qi Continent. Even then, they needed to practice a fire-attribute technique to produce a fire seed. And beyond that, outstanding soul perception was essential.

These stringent requirements elevated alchemists to a status that could rival even Dou Shi—a profession of unparalleled prestige.

Initially, knowing his thunder attribute, Xiao Bai hadn't been keen on alchemy. But now, things were different. He saw a path forward.

Wood Attribute: The Yi Wood True Thunder carried the essence of Yi Wood.Fire Seed: The Bing Fire Yang Thunder contained Bing Fire, a form of flame.Soul Perception: He had no worries here—his soul perception could match a sixth-grade alchemist, perhaps even surpass it.

With fire and wood attributes and a powerful soul, it seemed feasible in theory. But both attributes were tied to thunder, not standalone. Would the thunder element interfere with refining? That uncertainty gnawed at him.

So, he had to involve himself in today's events. He needed Yao Lao's eighth-grade alchemist inheritance.

Originally, he'd planned to just watch the engagement annulment drama unfold, but with this new goal, he'd been quietly scheming while refining the Bing Fire Yang Thunder. Today was his best chance. If all went well, he could achieve his aim and do a favor in the process.

___

Xiao Bai arrived at the reception hall, which was already filled with people. At the head sat Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the four elders. To the left were the clan's influential seniors, with promising younger members seated behind them. On the right were three guests: an old man, a young man, and a young woman.

The old man wore a moon-white robe, exuding vitality. A small, colorful sword embroidered on his sleeve marked him as a member of the Yun Lan Sect. On his chest, a silver crescent moon dotted with seven golden stars proclaimed him a seven-star Da Dou Shi.

Xiao Bai, seeing this for the first time, was bemused. Who wears their strength so blatantly on their chest? In my past life, the sneaky types and schemers would've loved this.

Beside the old man, the young man and woman wore similar moon-white robes. The man, around twenty, was average-looking by Xiao Bai's mirror-honed standards, but some Xiao clan girls seemed smitten—not just by his looks but by the five stars on his chest, marking him a five-star Dou Zhe.

The young woman, presumably Nalan Yanran, had striking features and a cold, haughty demeanor. Three stars adorned her chest, but her eyes brimmed with pride, almost overflowing.

She had every right to be proud in the Jia Ma Empire. As the direct granddaughter of one of its three great families, the Nalan clan, and the favored disciple of the Yun Lan Sect's leader, she could walk unchallenged through the empire.

As Xiao Bai studied them, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning, he saw Xiao Xun Er, the little minx.

She pulled him to a corner to sit, her expression teasing. "Xiao Bai gege, is that girl pretty?"

Xiao Bai furrowed his brow, pretending to ponder seriously. "Hmm… defined features, fair skin, icy charisma, slim waist, long legs…"

He snuck a glance at Xiao Xun Er, whose face darkened with every word. Undeterred, he piled on more praise until she looked ready to erupt, then pivoted smoothly.

"…but she doesn't hold a candle to my Xun Er!"

Xiao Xun Er's scowl instantly melted into a smile, her lips curling as she shot him a playful glare. He was teasing me all along!

As they bantered, Xiao Yan appeared in the hall.

The scene unfolded as expected. Xiao Zhan invited Xiao Yan to sit, but a quick glance showed no seat reserved for him. As the central figure today, sitting in a corner would make him—and the clan—a laughingstock.

Xiao Bai watched coldly, shaking his head inwardly. I can't stand these elders' antics.

To him, clan disputes should stay internal. In front of outsiders, unity—even if feigned—was essential. Humiliating a clan member publicly only invited ridicule, not just for Xiao Yan but for the entire Xiao clan.

Once among the eight ancient clans, nearly their leader under Xiao Xuan, the Xiao clan has fallen so far. No wonder why. Without a destined hero like Xiao Yan, the clan might not survive a few decades, let alone rise again.

Xiao Zhan, seated at the head, noticed his son's predicament, fury rising. These old fools are deliberately embarrassing my son—and me—in front of outsiders. What do they gain?

"Xiao Yan, come here!" A low voice echoed through the hall.

All eyes turned to Xiao Bai in the corner. The elders started to protest, but spotting Xiao Xun Er beside him, they shut their mouths.

Xiao Yan, relieved someone had stepped in, joined Xiao Bai and sat, whispering, "Thanks, Bai-ge."

Xiao Bai nodded slightly, saying nothing.

What followed was the Yun Lan Sect elder, Ge Ye, announcing the intent to annul the engagement. Xiao Zhan's anger flared. Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan set a three-year challenge. Provoked by Nalan Yanran's haughty words, Xiao Yan, in a surge of grief and rage, shouted his famous line:

"Thirty years east, thirty years west—don't bully the young and poor!"

He wrote a divorce letter and stormed out.

Seeing Xiao Yan leave, Xiao Bai knew it was time to act. If I wait too long, that old man will show up. Approaching Yao Lao after he took Xiao Yan as a disciple was possible but far too complicated.

And Xiao Bai? I don't do complicated.

He stood, stretched lazily, and strolled out unhurriedly.

"Xiao Bai gege, where are you going?" Xiao Xun Er asked, puzzled.

"To the back mountain," Xiao Bai replied, waving without looking back.

"Wait for me! I'm coming too!"