Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Clan, Xiao Bai's Courtyard

In the courtyard stood a robust Golden Fire Peach tree, now in full bloom. Its flowers, pink at the center with golden-edged petals, were prized for their beauty, a favorite among the wealthy.

Beneath the tree sat a stone table, adorned with a pot of fragrant tea, its aroma soothing and refreshing.

At the table, a handsome young man read an ancient book with focus. Occasionally, golden-pink petals drifted down, settling on his clothes.

Xiao Bai hadn't relaxed like this in nearly three months.

Since refining his first pill, he'd stopped pouring all his energy into alchemy day and night. Instead, he refined pills by day and cultivated Dou Qi and soul force by night, while refining the dwindling Bing Fire Yang Lightning in his body.

Yesterday, he'd finally mastered it, reaching the eight-star Dou Shi realm.

With only a few days left before departing with Yao Lao, he decided to take today to unwind.

Cultivation required balance—effort and rest. Xiao Bai didn't want to become a mindless cultivation drone. A break now and then could even boost his progress.

The book in his hand was borrowed from Xun'er. The girl often curled up with a book in her spare time, and Xiao Bai, intrigued, had asked for a few. These texts on cultivation basics were his teachers, broadening his perspective and clarifying his path and principles without a mentor.

Knock, knock, knock.

A tapping came from outside the courtyard.

"Come in! The gate's open," Xiao Bai called without looking up, his soul sense identifying the visitor.

As expected, a graceful figure pushed open the gate.

Xiao Xun'er stepped inside, her eyes briefly captivated by the poetic scene before her. Then, with a playful tease, she said, "Xiao Bai gege, you've finally come down from the mountain!"

"You little imp, I take one day to relax, and you come to poke fun at your Xiao Bai gege?" Xiao Bai set down the book, lifting his gaze to the beaming girl nearby. With a warm smile, he beckoned her over.

"Hmph, who told Xiao Bai gege to vanish for nearly three months? If I didn't know you were at the back mountain, I'd have posted missing person notices!" Xiao Xun'er sat beside him, giving a dainty huff.

Since meeting Xiao Bai, she'd never gone so long without seeing him. She knew he was at the back mountain but hadn't visited, wary of intruding on his secrets. So she'd held back.

Xiao Bai understood why she stayed away. Despite her youth, this girl, raised in a great clan, was refined and tactful. Being around her was effortless, like a spring breeze.

"Alright, little one, don't be mad. Your Xiao Bai gege will spend these next few days with you, okay?" Xiao Bai said, pouring her a cup of tea and chuckling at her mock pout. Seeing her throw a rare tantrum was oddly endearing.

Xiao Xun'er's feigned sulk melted into a radiant smile. Taking the tea, she chirped, "That's what you said, Xiao Bai gege! I didn't force you!"

Xiao Bai gave a fond laugh, playfully tapping her pert nose, saying nothing.

"Xiao Bai gege, are you leaving soon?" Xiao Xun'er's eyes narrowed, her joy dimming as a reluctant murmur escaped. She'd noticed how busy he'd been this past year, rarely seeing him. It wasn't like when they were kids, always together. Though she knew this day would come, she'd thought it would wait until she was older. Its sudden arrival caught her off guard.

Mature for her age, the fourteen-year-old had arrived at the Xiao Clan as a naive child. Since growing up, she'd never faced true separation or sorrow. Now, a quiet sadness settled in.

Is this the cost of growing up? she wondered silently.

Seeing her mood dip, Xiao Bai seemed to sense her thoughts, his own heart growing heavy.

With a soft sigh, he patted her head gently, his voice tender. "I'm only leaving for a while. I'll be back soon. The bright moon is my heart, the breeze my will. If you miss your Xiao Bai gege, look at the moon or feel the mountain breeze—they'll carry me to you, alright?"

Unable to hold back, Xiao Xun'er threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

After a long moment, she nodded against his chest, whispering, "Mm."

Xiao Bai held her gently, saying nothing, letting the quiet embrace linger.

"Brother Bai! You're finally off the mountain?" A lively, slightly cheeky voice shattered the courtyard's tranquility.

A black-clad youth swaggered in, freezing at the sight before him. His eyes darted mischievously, a sly grin spreading as he raised his voice, "Huh? Where's my Brother Bai? Not home? Tch, so careless, leaving the gate wide open!"

With that, he turned to bolt.

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Xun'er calmly rose from Xiao Bai's arms, settling onto the stone bench. She sipped her tea, poised and unruffled, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Xiao Bai rolled his eyes. Spotting Xiao Yan at the gate, he barked, "Get back here!"

Xiao Yan froze mid-step but didn't turn. Glancing around as if confused, he muttered, "Huh? I swear I heard my dear Brother Bai, but I don't see him. Must be my imagination. Yep, imagination!" Nodding to himself, he sauntered toward the gate.

"Take one more step, and you're dead," Xiao Bai said coolly.

Xiao Yan halted as if petrified, still refusing to turn. Raising his ringed hand, he mused, "Weird, I heard Brother Bai again. Teacher, am I hallucinating from over-cultivating?"

Yao Lao, in the ring, was speechless. Having raised Xiao Yan and spent months with him, he hadn't realized his disciple was such a drama queen.

"Heh." A low, chilling laugh came from behind.

Xiao Yan shivered, knowing the jig was up. Any more theatrics, and he'd get a beating. Spinning around, he flashed an exaggerated grin. "Well, look at that! My dear Brother Bai! Sorry, sorry, been cultivating too hard—head's all fuzzy. Didn't see a thing just now, nope!"