Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Evening settled over the small valley.

Xiao Bai opened his eyes on the boulder, withdrawing from cultivation. He exhaled a turbid breath slowly.

These past few days, as if driven by instinct, he refined the Geng Metal Calamity Thunder by day and cultivated the Heavenly Heart Sensing Chapter by night.

As his soul steadily recovered, fragmented images flickered through his mind—disjointed, incomplete, stirring confusion. What are these glimpses?

Shaking his head, he set the mystery aside. The fragments were growing more frequent. One day, I'll piece together who I am.

Leaping off the boulder, Xiao Bai headed toward the hut.

"Hungry? Just a moment—it's almost ready!" Xiao Yi Xian, hearing his approach, turned, brushing back a strand of hair. Her smile was warm and gentle.

Xiao Bai leaned against the doorframe, watching her bustle with a faint smile. It wasn't that he refused to help—she wouldn't let him. Every time he stepped in, she'd shoo him out, claiming his presence would only make a mess.

But she was undeniably skilled. Her cooking, though made from simple ingredients, was surprisingly delicious.

Her delicate, jade-like hands moved like a graceful dance, and soon, fragrant dishes adorned the table. A phrase surfaced unbidden in Xiao Bai's mind.

"With slender hands, she stirs the broth, shyly awaiting her lord's taste."

He recited it aloud. Xiao Yi Xian froze, her cheeks flushing. Rolling her eyes playfully, she teased, "Trying to charm me to death?"

This guy! I thought he was a blockhead after losing his memory, but he's got a romantic streak.

At the dinner table, Xiao Yi Xian's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Is it good?"

Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow. Her cooking's amazing—does she really need to ask every meal?

Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Yi Xian's question stemmed from fear—fear that one day, no matter how delicious her food, Xiao Bai might refuse it. Each time he ate her cooking, her heart lifted, craving his praise to momentarily drown out her worries.

"It's great! Whoever marries you will be a lucky man," Xiao Bai said, switching tactics. After days of compliments, he was running out of ways to praise the food directly.

"Marry me?" Xiao Yi Xian's gaze dimmed, fixed on him. Who would share a bed with a poison girl, tainted by toxins?

"What, afraid no one will have you? Don't worry—a girl like you, who wouldn't like you? Worst case, if no one steps up, I'll take the hit and take you in," Xiao Bai teased, noticing her sudden gloom.

"You're the one no one wants, stupid Xiao Bai!" Xiao Yi Xian shot him a mock glare, her voice soft. "Eat already—it's getting cold!"

After dinner, Xiao Yi Xian tidied up, then hesitated, looking at Xiao Bai. "Xiao Bai, can you skip cultivating tonight?"

___

Night fell slowly over the valley. Near the hut, on a flat stone, Xiao Bai sat beside Xiao Yi Xian, who hugged her knees, her arms wrapped around her slender legs.

"You brought me here to admire the night?" Xiao Bai asked, a touch exasperated. He'd thought she had something important to say, but since sitting down, she hadn't spoken.

"Xiao Bai, let me tell you a story," Xiao Yi Xian said, her lively eyes tinged with faint sorrow, her voice ethereal and distant.

Without waiting for his reply, she began, her gaze lost in memory. "There was a quiet little village with just over twenty households. No cultivators lived there. The villagers rose with the sun and rested at dusk."

"In the village lived an old man, a skilled physician, deeply respected and called 'Medical Immortal' by the people. One day, he took in an orphaned baby girl, and from then on, the grandfather and granddaughter relied on each other."

"As the girl grew, influenced by the old man, she developed a love for healing. He taught her all his medical knowledge, and she studied diligently, mastering it in just a few years."

"But there was one rule: the old man forbade her from touching poisons. Once, while gathering herbs, she found a rare plant and proudly showed it to her grandfather. Instead of praise, he scolded her for the first time, furious. The girl, terrified and confused, cried all night, not understanding why."

Xiao Yi Xian's voice softened, her eyes fixed on the starry sky, faintly red-rimmed, yet her lips curved in a wistful smile.

"The next day, weary, the old man explained solemnly that the herb was toxic and she must never touch it. But he didn't say why."

"The girl trusted him and obeyed, never touching poisons again."

"As the old man aged, unable to treat patients, the girl took his place, healing the villagers. Her skill earned their gratitude, and they honored her with her grandfather's title. She was overjoyed."

"She took pride in her work, but the old man, wary of arrogance, told her of alchemists—masters of miraculous arts. Humbled, she grew fascinated by their craft, dreaming of becoming one."

"She was naive, believing her talent made it achievable. Her grandfather only smiled kindly, never discouraging her."

"Days passed. She cared for her grandfather and healed the villagers, fulfilled by their thanks and his proud gaze. She thought life would always be this way."

"But one morning, she woke to find… her grandfather gone." Her voice broke, tears glistening as they slid down her pale cheeks.

Xiao Bai sighed softly, wrapping an arm around her slender shoulders, gently wiping her tears.

Xiao Yi Xian leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. She sniffled, steadying herself.

"After he left, life resumed. She continued healing, but the seed of becoming an alchemist took root. She yearned to leave the village and learn that wondrous art."

She fell silent, exhausted, leaning against him. The craving for poison gnawed at her soul, eroding her resolve.

She was nearing her limit. Once she succumbed, it would be time to leave. She couldn't let Xiao Bai see her consume poison.

Tonight, she wanted his company, to share her simple story. No matter what happens, I want him to remember the girl who dreamed of being an alchemist, healing others—not a feared poison girl.

"Xiao Bai, I'm cold," she whispered, eyes closed.

Feeling her tremble, Xiao Bai slid an arm under her knees, lifting her into his embrace, his hands encircling her slim waist.

Xiao Yi Xian kept her eyes shut, letting him hold her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder, silent.

Time drifted by. Noticing her steady breathing, Xiao Bai thought she'd fallen asleep and moved to carry her to bed.

"Xiao Bai," she murmured softly, almost dreamlike.

"When my hair reaches my waist, will you marry me?"

Xiao Bai froze, unsure if it was sleep-talk or meant for him.

But his keen intuition caught the slight quickening of her heartbeat, revealing the truth.

After a long pause, feeling her tremble in his arms, he answered softly yet firmly, "Yes."

At that word, her arms tightened around his neck, and a faint, fleeting smile curved Xiao Yi Xian's lips.