Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

"I'm back!"

Xiao Bai's gaze softened as he looked at the graceful figure before him, his voice tender.

Xun Er's eyes locked onto the person she'd longed for day and night. A refined smile bloomed on her delicate face as she slowly approached.

"Xiao Bai gege!"

With a soft cry, she flung herself into Xiao Bai's arms like a swallow returning to its nest, clinging to him tightly. She breathed deeply, savoring the familiar scent that calmed her heart.

Xiao Bai gently encircled her slender waist, inhaling the faint fragrance radiating from her. A warmth spread through his chest.

"My Xun Er has grown up!" Noticing the girl in his arms had grown a bit taller, Xiao Bai murmured, a touch of sentiment in his voice.

At his words, Xun Er lifted her head from his embrace, her limpid eyes brimming with affection. She reached out a small hand, softly tracing the now more composed and commanding features of his face.

"My Xiao Bai gege has grown more mature, too!"

Xiao Bai gazed at her silently, words unnecessary. Holding Xun Er in this moment, he felt a serenity he'd never known.

After a long pause, Xiao Bai gently released Xun Er and turned to Xiao Yan. He sized him up briefly before nodding. "Nine-stage Dou Zhi Qi. Impressive."

Less than a month remained until the Xiao family's annual test. In the original story, Xiao Yan was only at seventh-stage Dou Zhi Qi at this point. Now, he was two stages ahead.

The Foundation Elixir I refined suits Xiao Yan's condition perfectly. The thunderforce and wood essence in it have sped up his recovery.

"Heh, Brother Bai, if you'd shown up a few days later, I'd already be a Dou Zhe!" Xiao Yan flicked his bangs, exuding confidence and a shameless grin.

"Oh? Perfect timing, then. Yao Lao and I have some business to handle—it'll take a month or two. Should we head out now and come back when you're a Dou Zhe?" Xiao Bai teased, smirking.

He'd crafted the Foundation Elixir himself. While its full effects were unclear, could it really sustain Xiao Yan that long?

"No way, Brother Bai! You just got back—how could you breeze past without stopping by? Come home first, let's sit and catch up!" Xiao Yan grabbed Xiao Bai's arm, flashing a fawning smile.

Though he knew it was a jest, Xiao Yan was genuinely worried Xiao Bai might leave. If that happened, the next month or two would be torture. Going from frugality to luxury is easy, but the reverse? Brutal. Who'd slog through bitter training after tasting the bliss of elixirs?

Xiao Bai chuckled and shook his head. This kid's shamelessness is reaching new heights. His expression cooled as he glanced at the middle-aged man and youth nearby.

"Little Yan-zi, fill me in. What happened?"

Xiao Yan recounted the earlier events in full detail.

"The Jia Lie family?" Xiao Bai eyed the two, his gaze steady, a faint sneer tugging at his lips.

Turning back to Xun Er, he extended his hand, his demeanor softening. "Come on, let's go home."

"Mm!" Xun Er took his hand, lacing their fingers together. A radiant smile lit her face as she nodded.

Xiao Bai looked at her with fond indulgence, letting her take the lead. Only when she nodded did he guide her toward Wu Tan City.

"Hai Lao, Little Yan-zi, let's move!"

"Bai-ge… what's the deal?" Xiao Yan hurried after them, confusion swirling in his mind. Is he just ignoring those two?

"I'm in a good mood today," Xiao Bai said without turning back.

Xun Er's decision to wait for him outside the city had lifted his spirits. He didn't want to mar the moment by spilling blood in her presence.

___

After they'd walked a few hundred meters, a thunderclap roared behind them.

Xiao Yan spun around, only to see the carriage splintered into fragments, faint flames flickering on the debris. Not a soul remained. His jaw dropped.

"Little Yan-zi, pick up the pace! Didn't you hear the thunder? Rain's coming!" Xiao Bai's voice called from ahead.

Xiao Yan glanced skyward. The sun blazed fiercely, not a cloud in sight. Speechless, he couldn't even begin to unpack it. Bai-ge's getting stranger by the day! Forget fire—thunder's where it's at. It's the ultimate way to steal the show!

Xun Er blinked, half-convinced her eyes were deceiving her. She rubbed them with her delicate hand, her gaze flicking to Xiao Bai's sleeve.

I could've sworn I saw a flash of golden light slip into Xiao Bai gege's sleeve.

Yet he seemed utterly unbothered. With his soul at the late Mortal Realm, there was no way he'd miss something like that.

Am I imagining things?

Noticing her adorable expression, Xiao Bai's eyes sparkled with amusement. He shook his sleeve, and a streak of golden light peeked out.

"Little Mistress, hi!" A tiny golden dragon emerged, waving a small claw at Xun Er.

"Xiao Bai gege, this… what is it?" Xun Er's lips parted in astonishment. It wasn't her imagination—there really was something there!

"We'll talk when we're home," Xiao Bai said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze and winking.

Xun Er glanced around. They were nearing the city gate, with people bustling about. She nodded, understanding at once.

"Bai-ge, you didn't do that on purpose, did you?" Xiao Yan caught up, sounding a bit grumpy.

"Do what?" Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow.

"Saving me at the last possible second!" Xiao Yan said, almost exasperated. "Bai-ge, if you keep cutting it that close, what if something goes wrong? You'd lose me, you know that, right?"

Xiao Yan had just recalled Xun Er's expression earlier. She'd clearly known Xiao Bai was nearby but waited until he was in real danger to act. Something felt off.

Reflecting on the whole sequence, Xiao Yan grew suspicious. Was he doing it on purpose?

Xiao Bai's eye twitched. He'd braced for something serious, not this. To think Xiao Yan would call me out for a last-second rescue. What's this world coming to?

Too lazy to argue, Xiao Bai brushed it off. If anyone was the king of dramatic rescues, it was Xiao Yan himself!

___

They bantered their way to the Xiao family's gates.

"Xiao Yan, this is Hai Lao. Arrange a small courtyard for him to stay in. If you have questions about Hai Lao, ask your teacher," Xiao Bai said, slipping off his ring and handing it to Xiao Yan. To Hai Bo Dong, he added, "This is Xiao Yan, Yao Lao's disciple."

After the two exchanged greetings, Xiao Yan led Hai Lao away.

Xiao Bai lingered, staring at the familiar gates of the Xiao family, lost in thought.

"Xiao Bai gege, what's wrong?" Xun Er noticed his distant look and gently shook his hand.

Snapping back, Xiao Bai ruffled her hair with a smile. "Nothing. I just realized I want a home of my own."

It had just dawned on him: without Xiao Yan, he'd have to ask permission to bring someone in. That felt… restricting.

I crave freedom. I don't like this sense of constraint. I want a place where I call the shots—a force of my own.

Xun Er paused, piecing together his identity and the earlier events. Clarity washed over her.

"Xiao Bai gege, you'll have a home of your own someday," she said softly, her heart aching for him.