Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Qingshan Town, nestled at the foot of the Magical Beast Mountain Range, was also known as Beast Town. Though small, it thrummed with life. Countless mercenary bands and squads called it home, eking out a living from the mountains.

Nearly half of the Jia Ma Empire's herbs and magical beast cores came from here. The range was teeming with beasts and danger, but it also offered unmatched opportunities. With grit and guts, one could harvest rare treasures, herbs, and cores. A stroke of luck might even lead to a fallen powerhouse's resting place, yielding techniques, Dou skills, pills, or recipes—catapulting the finder to greatness.

Overnight success, overnight riches—these were no mere dreams here. Dream-chasers flocked to Qingshan daily, their numbers never dwindling.

As dusk settled, a white-haired youth in a black robe, travel-worn, arrived at the town's entrance. He gazed up at the three characters on the gate: Qingshan Town.

So this is it. A must-visit spot in the Dou Qi Continent. Skipping this would make my transmigration feel incomplete. After a moment's pause, Xiao Bai snapped out of his reverie and stepped inside.

The sky darkened as he strolled along the town's cobblestone streets. Shops on both sides glowed with lamplight, their bustle undeniable. The streets teemed with mercenaries—some with children on their shoulders or women by their sides, whispering sweetly; others in rowdy groups, debating the best brothels, the strongest ale, or the fiercest beasts.

A few cast curious glances at the stern-faced, white-haired youth in black, but Xiao Bai ignored them, heading toward the town center.

He scanned the shops, not out of interest—their rugged charm, distinct from Wu Tan City's, held no allure. This wasn't a tourist trip. He was searching for Wan Yao Zhai.

At last, he spotted it by the central square. The sprawling herb shop's roof and walls were adorned with moonlight stones, illuminating it like daylight. Inside, it buzzed with activity, clerks darting about, too busy to notice Xiao Bai as he entered.

He wandered the shop, eyes peeled for her. Without her signature white hair yet, he didn't know her face—only her reputation as the "finest waist in Battle Through the Heavens." Find the slimmest waist, and that's probably her.

A quick scan yielded nothing, though it earned him a few glares as if he were a lecher. Two bold female mercenaries, their figures striking, noticed his handsome face despite his gray hair and tossed him coy winks. Xiao Bai ignored them, silently pitying their male companions.

"Huh?" Yao Lao's surprised voice echoed in his mind.

"Kid, do me a favor—grab that piece of Yellow Lotus Essence, quick!" Yao Lao urged via soul transmission, marking one piece among dozens with his soul force to ensure Xiao Bai got the right one.

Sensing the fluctuation, Xiao Bai swept his soul force over the pile. He nearly rolled his eyes. I thought arriving a year early would skip the "treasure hunt" cliché, but here we are. Yao Lao's choice glowed under soul perception, flashing like a beacon—the standout in the heap.

A young male clerk passed by, and Xiao Bai grabbed him. "Get me one of those herbs," he said, pointing.

The clerk glanced at the Yellow Lotus Essence, lips curling slightly, but said nothing and headed to the counter. He tossed a piece onto it, yawning. "Yellow Lotus Essence, low-tier herb. One hundred gold coins."

It wasn't the marked one. Noting the clerk's attitude, Xiao Bai shook his head, smirking. "Too skinny. Not this one."

The clerk's face twitched, but recalling the employee handbook's first rule—the customer is king—he swallowed his irritation and grabbed the largest piece, slamming it down.

"Too fat. Nope," Xiao Bai said.

The clerk's fists clenched, but handbook rule fourteen—no assaulting customers—flashed in his mind. Fine, I'll endure. About to pick a medium-sized piece, he paused, wary. "Sir, just tell me which one you want. I'll get it," he said through gritted teeth, thinking, Pick it yourself—no more complaints.

Xiao Bai's lips curved. Pointing to Yao Lao's marked piece, he said, "That one's just right."

The clerk grabbed it, inspecting it with a scowl. Damn it, it's basically the same as the first one! This kid's messing with me for my attitude. Sneering inwardly, he pegged Xiao Bai as a poser—dressed sharply but too poor for anything pricier. Low-tier herbs like this sell for a single piece, no commission. You expect warm service? Dream on.

Handbook be damned—breaking a rule cost ten days' wages. He tossed the herb to Xiao Bai, barely hiding his impatience. "One hundred gold coins."

Xiao Bai didn't care, storing the herb and handing over the coins. Casually, he added, "By the way, I heard Wan Yao Zhai has a Xiao Yi Xian. Is she here?"

The clerk's disdain deepened. A broke guy chasing our shop's flower? Bet he blew his savings on that outfit to impress her. Before he could respond, a drunken burly man staggered over, spitting as he bellowed, "Pretty boy, you wax-headed weakling, daring to eye Xiao Yi Xian? Believe I'll break your legs?"

Xiao Bai stepped back, irritation flickering in his eyes.

"You dodging me?" The man lunged, reaching for him.

The shop's patrons smirked, having overheard the man's accusation. Xiao Yi Xian had saved many of Qingshan's mercenaries, including some of them, and they weren't pleased.

Xiao Bai's patience wore thin as the man pressed closer. Anger flared.

"Scram!" His voice, laced with soul force, thundered in the man's ears like a muffled explosion.

The man's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

The crowd stared, shocked. The shop fell silent.