Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Xun Er thought Xiao Bai was just tired of sitting and wanted to wander the back mountain, so she hurried to catch up.

Hearing her, Xiao Bai paused, considering. He didn't refuse, waiting for the little minx to join him.

Bringing Xun Er along isn't a bad idea. I'm not sure if my soul strength can handle Yao Lao. With her here, it's an extra layer of insurance. If things go south, I can always furrow my brow and step behind her.

"Xiao Bai gege, let's stroll by the lake!" Xiao Xun Er said, her spirits high. It had been ages since she'd spent time with him.

Xiao Bai shook his head. "No, we're heading to the cliff today."

Seeing he wasn't just aimlessly wandering, Xiao Xun Er tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "The cliff? What's there?"

Xiao Bai grinned. "To comfort a wounded soul."

"Wounded? Who, Cousin Xiao Yan?" she asked.

"Uh… well… sort of," Xiao Bai replied, a bit uncertain.

That guy's about to soar. Comfort him? Yeah, right!

"Always so secretive!" Xiao Xun Er muttered, noticing his hesitation.

"Alright, you'll see soon enough. Let's go!" Xiao Bai took her hand, striding quickly toward the cliff.

___

Xiao Yan, after leaving the hall, wandered in a daze to the Xiao clan's back mountain cliff, gazing at the mist-shrouded Beast Mountain Range in the distance.

Nalan Yanran's arrogant words echoed in his mind, each one a dagger piercing his heart. He bit his lip, unaware of the blood pooling in his mouth, its metallic taste spreading.

Facing the empty cliff, he roared hoarsely, "Today's humiliation—I never want to feel it again. Not even once!"

Inside the ring, Yao Lao sensed the moment was ripe to reveal himself, ready to awe the boy into submission. But something made him pause, and he held back, frustration simmering.

Footsteps approached. Xiao Yan turned to see Xiao Bai, hand-in-hand with Xiao Xun Er, walking toward him.

"Bai-ge, are you here to comfort me?" Xiao Yan asked, his voice tinged with hope. He followed me so quickly—he must be worried. A wave of warmth rose in his chest.

Xiao Bai froze inwardly. Comfort? Nope. I know the plot—Xiao Yan's about to kick off his Flame Emperor legend. He doesn't need consoling. But he'd overlooked one thing: this was Xiao Yan's darkest moment, just before dawn.

Seeing those expectant eyes, Xiao Bai couldn't bring himself to say no. He nodded reluctantly.

"Bai-ge!" Xiao Yan's emotional cry, paired with teary eyes, sent a shiver through Xiao Bai, goosebumps prickling his skin.

Ugh!

As Xiao Yan moved to hug him, Xiao Bai thrust out a palm, barking, "Hold it! A seven-foot man doesn't act like a dainty maiden!"

Xiao Yan snapped out of his emotions, his earlier actions dawning on him. A flush of embarrassment colored his face.

Xiao Bai, seeing his expression, fought the urge to bolt. A grown man blushing like that? I didn't know you were this kind of Xiao Yan! But remembering his goal, he suppressed the nausea and stayed.

Gotta keep my distance from this guy. I'm a fine man with a world of beautiful women waiting for me to comfort. No way I'm starring in some Brokeback Mountain drama here!

Three years of setbacks must've warped his mind into something… perverse.

Xiao Yan caught Xiao Bai's odd look, initially confused. Then, a flash of insight hit, recalling past-life tales of certain… unique preferences. Realizing Xiao Bai might've misunderstood, he panicked.

"Bai-ge, I'm not that kind of person!" he blurted.

Xiao Bai's suspicions deepened, but he waved it off, eager to change the subject. Noted: avoid being alone with him. He nodded calmly, keeping his distance.

Xiao Xun Er watched, baffled, sensing they were discussing something bizarre.

"Enough chit-chat," Xiao Bai said, his tone serious. "Answer me: do you want to fix your disappearing Dou Qi?"

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, hope surging. His Dou Qi loss was a three-year obsession, a knot he longed to untie. "Bai-ge, you can solve my problem?"

He didn't doubt Xiao Bai's words. He might joke about small things, but he wouldn't mess around with something this serious.

"What if I said I knew the cause all along but didn't tell you? Would you resent me?" Xiao Bai's voice was soft, but it hit Xiao Yan like a thunderbolt.

Anger and sorrow surged within Xiao Yan. He'd once clashed with Xiao Bai, but now he saw him as a friend, a brother, a role model. Yet this person had known his problem and watched him suffer for three years?

Staring at Xiao Bai, his eyes wavering between tears and a bitter smile, he asked, "Why? Why? Because I used to give you trouble?"

Xiao Bai smiled, not answering. He walked to a nearby stone table, Xiao Xun Er following silently. She doesn't know why I'm doing this, but she trusts me.

He wasn't stirring trouble for no reason. Xiao Yan would learn the truth soon enough, so Xiao Bai chose to reveal it now, keeping control of the situation. He'd anticipated this moment and had his explanation ready—true or not.

With anyone else, Xiao Bai wouldn't care what they thought. My actions don't need justifying. But Xiao Yan was different, and the Xiao clan had been kind to him.

As for the future, Xiao Bai wouldn't touch Xiao Yan's destined opportunities, but unclaimed ones? That's fair game.

Sitting at the stone table, Xiao Bai gestured to a stone bench. "Sit. Take your time. It's early—we've got all day."

Xiao Yan, still reeling, calmed slightly. His eyes flickered with conflict, but he walked over and sat. "Why?" he asked, his voice heavy.

"Because I couldn't beat it," Xiao Bai replied.

"Couldn't beat it? You mean my Dou Qi loss was caused by someone?" Xiao Yan's eyes widened, shock and doubt mingling.

Xiao Xun Er's gaze flashed with surprise. When Xiao Yan's issue started, Uncle Xiao Zhan asked me to check, but Ling Ying found nothing!

Xiao Bai nodded.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao nearly burst out, cursing. You brat, spouting nonsense! You're the one who knocked me out for two months back then, nearly derailing my plan and letting Xiao Yan cultivate that technique to reach two-star Dou Zhe!