Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"Where's the cauldron? I'd like to see it," Xiao Bai said to the shopkeeper, suppressing the unease stirring in his chest.

"This way, young masters!"

The blacksmith led Xiao Bai and Xiao Yan toward the back courtyard, deepening Xiao Bai's suspicion. Why go to the back just to retrieve a cauldron?

Something was off. Xiao Bai's soul force rippled outward, scanning the surroundings.

Though confident in his strength, he knew better than to be reckless when trouble was brewing. The shopkeeper's overly enthusiastic display at the front could have been explained away, but now it was as if the man had "I'm up to no good" carved on his forehead. While Xiao Bai wasn't worried about danger, he needed to understand what was happening.

After probing with his soul force, a faint smile curled on Xiao Bai's lips. So that's the game. Clever plan.

The shopkeeper, leading them to the courtyard, said, "Please wait a moment, sirs. I'll fetch the cauldron."

With that, he hurried toward a small building at the back.

Xiao Bai watched the man's performance, unbothered. He'll be a dead man soon enough.

"Kid, you've made some enemies?" Yao Lao's voice suddenly echoed from the ring, speaking directly to Xiao Bai's mind.

"Some people are in a rush to die, and I can't stop them. What can I do?" Xiao Bai replied with a shake of his head.

He hadn't held any deep grudges before, but now someone was plotting to kill him. He couldn't fathom why.

"One five-star Da Dou Shi, one three-star Da Dou Shi, and three high-tier Dou Shi. That's quite a lineup for Wu Tan City," Yao Lao remarked from the ring, though he held no hope for these foes. They were no match for Xiao Bai, even without his intervention.

Just as Yao Lao finished speaking, five figures emerged from the shadows. It was Jia Lie Bi, the patriarch of the Jia Lie Clan, accompanied by every elder in his family.

Xiao Yan flinched, recognizing them instantly. The murderous intent radiating from the Jia Lie Clan's leaders made his heart race, but then he reconsidered. Why am I nervous? Brother Bai's calm as ever, and Teacher's in the ring. Relaxing, he settled in to watch the show.

"Haha! What luck! We came for Xiao Bai, but it's buy one, get one free!"

Jia Lie En, the Jia Lie Clan's grand elder, laughed, his excitement barely contained.

For the past year, they had investigated the Xiao Clan thoroughly. They knew Xiao Bai's strength was concealed, a secret likely known only to the Xiao Clan's top figures. As for Xiao Yan, they had dismissed him as a talentless nobody, stuck at the third stage of Dou Zhi Qi. This was thanks to the public humiliation of the Xiao Clan's annulled engagement with the Nalan family, which had revealed Xiao Yan's weakness.

Since their last encounter, Jia Lie Bi had ordered his men to monitor the Xiao Clan while digging into Xiao Bai and Xiao Yan's activities, hoping for a chance to eliminate them. But for a year, neither had left the Xiao Clan's grounds, leaving him frustrated.

Such a deed had to be done in secret. Clan rules allowed for deadly rivalries among peers, but using superior strength to crush another clan's prodigy was taboo. It would invite retaliation, with their own juniors vanishing one by one.

So Jia Lie Bi had bided his time. Two days ago, his men reported that Xiao Bai had finally left the Xiao Clan to visit a blacksmith, commissioning a cauldron to be picked up in three days. This sparked hope of eliminating one threat, though Jia Lie Bi hesitated.

The Xiao Clan's public disgrace over the annulled engagement yesterday had solidified his resolve. If the Xiao Clan had two geniuses, dealing with just one wouldn't be enough without a perfect opportunity to take both. But now, it seemed the heavens were on his side. The Xiao Clan had only one true genius, and this was the ideal moment to strike.

The western district was chaotic and far from the eastern noble quarter. Once the deed was done, they could dispose of the bodies under cover of night. Who would trace it back to the Jia Lie Clan? Even if suspicions arose, Wu Tan City had three major clans, not two. Who could the Xiao Clan pin it on?

Jia Lie Bi eyed Xiao Bai with a sinister grin. Xiao Yan was just a bonus—nice to have, but not essential.

Yet Xiao Bai's composure was unnerving. To ensure success, Jia Lie Bi had brought every trusted fighter in the clan, but the boy seemed utterly unfazed by their presence.

"Patriarch Jia Lie, you've got some nerve," Xiao Bai said calmly. "But if you all perish here today, won't that spell the end of the Jia Lie Clan?"

"Haha! Arrogant brat! Even if you've hidden your strength, do you really think you can take us all down?" Jia Lie En scoffed before Jia Lie Bi could respond.

"No need for chatter. End this quickly before complications arise," Jia Lie Bi growled, his unease growing at Xiao Bai's unshakable demeanor. This matter couldn't leak out, and the faster it was resolved, the better.

At his command, the elders, who had been ready to taunt further, attacked in unison, unleashing their Dou Techniques toward Xiao Bai.

This had been their plan: strike with full force for a swift, decisive kill.

Xiao Yan, standing to the side, felt no fear, only anticipation. Xiao Bai's display the previous day had left an impression, but Xiao Yan didn't know the extent of his strength. When he'd asked Yao Lao, the old man had been vague. Now, he'd finally get to see it firsthand.

Xiao Bai glanced at the oncoming attackers and shook his head. His soul force surged outward, and in an instant, the assailants froze, their eyes glazing over as if struck by an invisible blow.

Terror gripped Jia Lie Bi and the elders. It felt as though a massive hammer had smashed into their minds, leaving them dazed and empty.

Silver-white lightning crackled beneath Xiao Bai's feet, and he vanished, reappearing before Jia Lie Bi in a flash. A spark of crimson lightning danced at his fingertip as he tapped the patriarch's forehead.

One by one, he dealt with the Jia Lie elders in the same manner before returning to his original spot.

Xiao Yan's heart pounded with shock. He saw only fleeting images of Xiao Bai appearing before each Jia Lie member before vanishing. The Jia Lie fighters stiffened, then collapsed backward, a blackened mark scorched into their foreheads.

As for Xiao Bai, he stood calmly, adjusting his sleeves as if he hadn't moved at all.

"That's it? I watched all that for nothing!" Xiao Yan grumbled inwardly, annoyed at how quickly it ended. These guys were pathetic! Look at Brother Bai—not a drop of sweat, not a hair out of place.

But then he remembered his father, Xiao Zhan, was also a five-star Da Dou Shi, on par with Jia Lie Bi. A pang of pity for his father crept in.