Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Through his exchange with Yao Lao, Xiao Bai learned that Purple Sun Fruit, beyond promoting blood vitality, had a slight aphrodisiac effect.

The rabbit's convulsions were due to the lightning energy. The gushing blood stemmed from the pill's intense yang energy, causing a surge of heart-fire. The rapid wound healing was thanks to the wood spirit energy enhancing the pill's restorative properties. As for the rabbit's… vigorous behavior, it was the Purple Sun Fruit's properties, amplified by the heart-fire, acting like an aphrodisiac.

Relieved, Xiao Bai sighed. So my alchemy talent isn't warped after all! But Yao Lao's parting words left him speechless.

"Kid, tweak the recipe—swap in second- or third-tier herbs with similar effects to Purple Sun Fruit, add a wood-element magical beast core, and use your refining method. The resulting pill would heal and boost performance. It'd be a godsend for certain men. Wanna give it a shot? Heh heh!"

Recalling the old man's sleazy chuckle, Xiao Bai cursed inwardly. Shameless old coot! Was he the type to churn out blue pills?

Yet, the memory of those pills' popularity in his past life stirred a flicker of temptation. No, no! He wasn't strapped for cash. Why tarnish his reputation for that kind of money?

Imagine becoming a Dou Emperor, only for people to say, "Oh, that Dou Emperor who sold aphrodisiacs? Yeah, I know him—I bought his stuff!" That's a black mark for the ages, passed down for millennia. Shuddering, Xiao Bai crushed the idea.

"By the way, Xiao Bai, I have a favor to ask," Yao Lao said suddenly, as if recalling something.

"Speak, Senior," Xiao Bai replied, though his eyes held a trace of suspicion. This old guy isn't asking me to make those pills, is he? If so, he'd kick him out.

"I'd like you to use your special method to refine some Foundation Spirit Liquid for this brat in the next few days," Yao Lao said, gesturing at Xiao Yan.

After examining Xiao Bai's pill, Yao Lao had an idea. The pill's lightning-fire energy could temper the body and meridians, while the wood spirit energy repaired damage during the process. If a rabbit could handle the lightning-fire energy, Xiao Yan's meridians would have no issue. Combined with the Foundation Spirit Liquid's properties, it could accelerate Xiao Yan's progress in the Dou Zhi Qi stage.

Yao Lao's Bone Spirit Cold Flame couldn't achieve this. Though inspired by Xiao Bai's pill, he could replicate the effect by tweaking the recipe, but time and resources were lacking.

Xiao Bai glanced at Xiao Yan, who looked at him with eager anticipation.

"Fourth stage Dou Zhi Qi, close to the fifth," Xiao Bai noted, reading his cultivation level.

Xiao Yan nodded. "Yeah, I should break through to the fifth before you and Teacher leave. Feels slow, though."

Yao Lao fought the urge to smack him. Does this kid realize what breaking two stages in three months means? Unbeknownst to Yao Lao, Xiao Bai's influence had shifted the plot, raising Xiao Yan's ambitions. The three-year pact was just a milestone, not his focus. His true goal was catching up to Xiao Bai, though he didn't know Xiao Bai's exact realm.

Since learning Yao Lao was an eighth-tier alchemist and witnessing Xiao Bai's prowess, Xiao Yan had downplayed the Yun Lan Sect. They've got one Dou Huang, big deal. His teacher, a former Dou Zun, seemed unfazed by the sect, despite his current state. And Xiao Bai, his enigmatic big brother, even gave Yao Lao pause, making him seem unfathomably powerful.

To Xiao Yan, the Yun Lan Sect and Nalan Yanran were nothing special. Nalan Yanran? Meh. Yun Lan Sect? A bunch of nobodies. At the three-year pact, he'd storm Yun Lan Mountain with Yao Lao on his left and Xiao Bai on his right. Who'd dare raise their voice? He'd defeat Nalan Yanran, toss out a casual, "Heh, is that all?" and saunter off, leaving her with a view of his majestic back, regretting her choices.

Imagining the scene, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, a smug grin tugging at his lips. So cool. So damn cool.

Xiao Bai, catching his expression, shot Yao Lao a puzzled look. "What's with him?"

Yao Lao, reading Xiao Bai's glance, sighed helplessly. His disciple had been acting like this lately, and he had no clue why.

Xiao Bai didn't bother with the daydreaming Xiao Yan, turning to Yao Lao. "Give me the recipe."

Yao Lao retreated into the ring, reemerging moments later with a recipe.

He had no doubts about Xiao Bai refining a second-tier pill. Advancement as an alchemist hinged on experience and soul strength. Xiao Bai's soul strength was exceptional, and experience could be offset by talent. After witnessing Xiao Bai pioneer lightning alchemy, Yao Lao believed no one in the world surpassed his alchemical talent.

Xiao Bai studied the recipe, mulling it over. The herbs were the ones Yao Lao had Xiao Yan buy recently—nothing special. The challenge was the magical beast core, which he hadn't worked with yet. But it shouldn't be a big issue—just a matter of a few tries.

After reviewing, Xiao Bai gave Yao Lao a teasing wink. "Senior, you know the alchemist's code, right?"

Yao Lao's face twitched, a mix of annoyance and amusement. How long's it been since I heard that line? I'm the one who says it, not the other way around! Calming himself, he thought, Fine, fine. It's for my disciple—and my revival.

But glancing at Xiao Yan, still lost in his fantasy, Yao Lao's irritation flared. He lightly swatted the back of Xiao Yan's head. "Brat, snap out of it! Get the herbs out. What're you smirking about?"

Roused, Xiao Yan didn't mind the smack. At Yao Lao's command, he eagerly pulled over a dozen portions of herbs from his storage ring, placing them on the table with a grin. "Heh, thanks, Brother Bai!"