Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"Everyone, you may leave."

After the others departed, the woman stood alone by the window. Her enchanting face was clouded with worry as she gazed at the distant sky, murmuring softly, "Must I, Miteer Ya Fei, truly accept this fate?"

In the great clans, a man without cultivation talent might face mockery but would still live comfortably, supported by the clan. The clan might even arrange an early marriage to produce heirs, hoping for offspring with superior talent.

For a woman, it was different. Without cultivation talent, she was little more than a commodity, her value measured by her beauty. The more beautiful, the higher her worth—useful for forging alliances or attracting powerful figures.

Ya Fei refused to accept this. She knew her comfortable life came from the clan, and she was willing to contribute, but not like this.

The Miteer Clan was a mercantile powerhouse, and Ya Fei, immersed in commerce from childhood, had shown remarkable business acumen after learning she lacked cultivation talent. She hoped this would prove her worth and spare her from being sacrificed for the clan's gain.

But her striking beauty was deemed more valuable by the clan's leaders, a tool for greater profit.

Unwilling to yield, she had come to Wu Tan City.

"Can a woman without cultivation talent ever stand on her own? Must she be a pawn for others to control?" Her voice, heavy with defiance and sorrow, echoed in the opulent top floor of the Miteer Auction House. No one answered, for no one could.

___

As Xiao Bai stepped out of the auction house, he sensed eyes on him, coming from the top floor.

Glancing up, he caught sight of two figures—a man and a woman. He knew the woman was likely Ya Fei, and the elder beside her could only be Gu Ni, the second-tier alchemist.

"What's up, Brother Bai?" Xiao Yan asked, noticing Xiao Bai's glance.

Following his gaze, Xiao Yan spotted the alluring, mature figure at the window. A grin spread across his face. "Brother Bai, why don't we go back and chat with their mistress? She wanted to 'build a connection' earlier. Maybe I can play matchmaker and set you two up?"

Xiao Bai shot him a look and spat out a single word: "Scram!"

With a flick of his sleeve, he strode off.

"Brother Bai, don't be shy! Let your little brother handle it! Wait up!" Xiao Yan called, chasing after him.

Xiao Bai ignored the suddenly shameless, swaggering Xiao Yan, pretending not to hear as he headed back to the Xiao Clan.

The two returned, one trailing the other. Xiao Yan noticed Xiao Bai lingering at the clan's entrance instead of going inside and hurried over, grumbling, "Brother Bai, why'd you walk so fast? If you didn't want to go, fine, but why run?"

Xiao Bai gave him a glance. He'd stopped here to wait for Xiao Yan—he had something to say.

"Follow me."

They went to Xiao Bai's courtyard and sat at the stone table. Xiao Bai looked at Xiao Yan, his tone serious. "What happened at the blacksmith shop today—you tell no one, not even your father. Understood?"

"Why not? The Jia Lie Clan's top figures are all dead. The Xiao Clan could swoop in and take over their businesses in Wu Tan City. As for the Oba Clan, with you around, we've got nothing to fear!" Xiao Yan replied, confused. He'd been planning to tell his father so they could seize the Jia Lie Clan's assets before anyone else reacted.

Xiao Bai had anticipated this, which was why he'd brought Xiao Yan here to set things straight.

"Until your three-year pact is fulfilled, the Xiao Clan should avoid drawing attention. Don't ask why—just do as I say," Xiao Bai said, waving a hand.

His caution wasn't baseless. At this point in time, Yun Shan of the Yun Lan Sect was likely already under the Soul Hall's influence. The Xiao Clan couldn't afford to make big moves now.

Better safe than sorry—that was Xiao Bai's guiding principle. The original story was a novel with a protagonist's halo, but this was reality. He couldn't rely on the plot's progression. Who knew what changes his presence might cause?

Besides, he needed time to plan and prevent—The Oba Clan, backed by the Intel Clan, one of the empire's three great families, couldn't be handled like the Jia Lie Clan. Not yet.

"Brother Bai, why do you care so much about the three-year pact? It's my annulled engagement, not yours!" Xiao Yan said, sensing Xiao Bai's fixation on the date.

Even Yao Lao, in the ring, was puzzled. Xiao Bai was always calm, even in his presence, yet he seemed wary of the Yun Lan Sect. The sect supposedly has just one Dou Huang. Why's he so cautious?

"Kid, you know something, don't you? Spill it. Maybe this old man can lend a hand," Yao Lao said, materializing from the ring and stroking his beard. Though past his prime, his experience might prove useful.

Xiao Bai inwardly rolled his eyes. You think you're some kind of hero? You'd be lucky not to get us all killed. "No need to discuss it now. Just follow my lead, and you'll understand later."

Seeing he wouldn't budge, the two dropped the subject.

Xiao Bai handed Xiao Yan a storage ring. "Your herbs are inside. Take it."

Xiao Yan recognized it as the one he'd taken from the Jia Lie Clan's grand elder. He toyed with it, probing it with his soul force. Sure enough, his herbs, packed in boxes, were there.

After retrieving them, he offered the ring back.

Xiao Bai waved it off. "Keep it. Consider it a gift for your fresh start."

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, though he hesitated. "Brother Bai, it's too valuable…"

"It's just a low-grade storage ring. It seems precious now, but once you leave the Jia Ma Empire, you'll find it too small," Xiao Bai said dismissively. He hadn't owned one until today, but he didn't place much value on it.

Seeing Xiao Bai meant it, Xiao Yan didn't argue—whether Xiao Bai was bluffing or not. Grinning, he slipped the ring on, gleefully moving his herbs in and out, thoroughly entertained.

"Heh, thanks, Brother Bai!" he said, beaming.

"Alright, get lost. I've got things to do," Xiao Bai said, shooing him away. He was eager to start experimenting with alchemy and had no time for Xiao Yan's goofy grin.

"Oh, right, Brother Bai! Dad said there's an auction at the Miteer Auction House in a couple of days, hosted by that woman we saw upstairs. You going?"