Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"Tomorrow, gather three stalks of Purple Orchid Grass, two Marrow-Cleansing Flowers, and a first-tier wood-type magic core. The older the Purple Orchid Grass, the better; the rest can be of any quality. Leave the rest to your teacher," Yao Lao said, ignoring Xiao Yan's slightly dazed expression.

Xiao Yan's eyes widened, and he snapped, "Old man, do you think I'm some imperial prince? Where am I supposed to get the money for that? A single first-tier wood-type magic core would bankrupt me!"

"That's your problem, not mine. And call me 'Teacher,' you disrespectful brat," Yao Lao replied calmly.

Xiao Yan slumped, frustrated. What kind of lousy teacher is this? Others get techniques, skills, and resources when they take a master's. Why's it different for me? I've got to scrounge up materials myself?

His eyes darted, a sly glint forming. "Hehe, Teacher, now that I'm your disciple, shouldn't you, uh, show some goodwill? Like… a master's greeting gift?"

Yao Lao rolled his eyes. "Scram! I haven't even asked for your discipleship tribute, and you're eyeing my stuff?"

Seeing that avenue blocked, Xiao Yan turned to Xiao Bai, his eyes pleading. "Bai-ge…"

Xiao Bai shot him a withering look. "Get lost. I don't have money. I never use it—I'm not interested in gold."

Xiao Yan choked on the words, inwardly groaning. Of course, Bai-ge, the king of flair, always dripping with style.

He hesitated, then turned to Xiao Xun Er, his pride warring with necessity. I've never borrowed from a girl before, but this is for cultivation. Gritting his teeth, he threw dignity aside. "Hehe, Sister-in-law, could you… maybe lend me some coin?"

Xiao Bai stared at his shameless grin, itching to knock him out.

Xiao Xun Er, delighted by the "sister-in-law" title, glanced at Xiao Bai. Seeing his slight nod, she smiled. "How much do you need?"

"A thousand gold coins," Xiao Yan said cautiously.

Without a word, Xiao Xun Er waved her hand, and a small pile of gold coins appeared on the stone table.

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Sister-in-law! Thank you, Bai-ge! Hehe!"

Yao Lao palmed his forehead, mortified by his disciple's antics. Is this really my choice? The great Pill Venerable, top alchemist of Zhongzhou, stuck with a shameless apprentice. Sighing, he consoled himself. Fine, he's my pick. Gotta live with it.

Xiao Bai, having achieved his goal, didn't linger. Yao Lao likely had more to discuss with Xiao Yan. Standing, he smiled at the old man. "Senior, handle your affairs quickly. We'll set out in three months."

Xiao Xun Er rose, linking her arm with Xiao Bai's.

Yao Lao nodded. "Don't worry, kid. I keep my word."

"Bai-ge!" Xiao Yan called, uneasy at the thought of being alone with his new, unfamiliar teacher.

Xiao Bai pretended not to hear, leading Xiao Xun Er away. If this keeps up, Xiao Yan's gonna turn into a spoiled kid, and I'll end up his dad.

Along the path, Xiao Xun Er's eyes gleamed as she gazed at Xiao Bai. She had a thousand questions but didn't know where to start.

Today, she'd seen a new side of him—cunning, strategic, witty, and effortlessly confident. Despite being only a Dou Shi, he'd sparred verbally with a former Dou Zun. An eighth-grade alchemist held high status even in her clan, not some common commodity. Her peers, at the same age and rank, would bow respectfully to such a figure, remnant soul or not. Yet Xiao Bai had navigated the exchange with ease, a feat her clan's young talents couldn't match at the Dou Shi stage.

"Why's my little minx staring at me like that? Did I get even handsome today?" Xiao Bai teased, catching her intense gaze.

"Absolutely! Xiao Bai gege's super dashing today, and Xun Er loves it!" Xiao Xun Er seized the chance to pour out her feelings, her tone playful but sincere.

"Haha, my Xun Er's got great taste!" Xiao Bai laughed, then struck a mock-proud pose. "But your taste isn't quite as good as mine."

Xiao Xun Er's bright eyes blinked, a smile tugging at her lips. "Oh? How's my taste lacking compared to Xiao Bai gege's?"

Xiao Bai stopped walking, turning to face her earnestly. "Because your discernment only found Xiao Bai, while mine found a girl as wonderful as Xun Er. So, isn't my taste better?"

The simple words hit Xiao Xun Er hard. Her heart swelled with sweetness, tinged with a bittersweet ache. She wanted to laugh, yet tears pricked her eyes. Without a word, she threw herself into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, her voice muffled with a sob as she protested, "No way! Xun Er's taste is clearly better!"

Xiao Bai hadn't expected such a strong reaction. He wrapped an arm around her slender waist, gently patting her head. "Alright, alright. We both have great taste, okay?"

Xiao Xun Er nodded against his shoulder, murmuring, "Mhm!"

Xiao Bai chuckled. This girl is always competing, even over this.

After a long embrace, Xiao Xun Er pulled back, her eyes red-rimmed. Xiao Bai said nothing more, taking her hand and leading her slowly down the mountain.

___

Back at his courtyard, Xiao Xun Er had calmed down. She pulled Xiao Bai to sit at the table, her voice soft. "Xiao Bai gege, are you planning to learn alchemy?"

She usually respected his privacy, but his trade of a mature Strange Flame for an eighth-grade alchemist's inheritance piqued her curiosity. Strange Flames were rare, even among the great clans.

"Yeah, I'm thinking of giving it a try," Xiao Bai admitted.

His approach was unconventional—perhaps unprecedented in the Dou Qi Continent, using thunder techniques for alchemy. But he trusted Xiao Xun Er. While some secrets had to stay hidden, he could share this much.

"But you're…" Xiao Xun Er hesitated, trailing off.

Xiao Bai knew what she meant. Smiling, he raised both hands. On one, a cyan thunder spark crackled, exuding the essence of Yi Wood. On the other, crimson thunder coiled, radiating intense heat. Both carried a wild, untamed aura, and the crimson thunder was especially fierce.