Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Yi Xian sensed the warming air, her curiosity piqued. The heat emanated from the man ahead. With his cultivation, the cave's chill wouldn't faze him, meaning he was doing it for her—likely noticing her earlier shivering, even without looking back.

Trailing behind, she stared at Xiao Bai's back, astonished. This jerk has a gentle side? If only he didn't talk so infuriatingly or act so overbearing.

Emboldened, she tentatively reached for his robe's hem. She'd wanted to earlier but hadn't dared. The torch in his hand, blocked by his body, left her in near-darkness, heightening her fear.

Her fingers brushed the fabric, grasping lightly. When Xiao Bai didn't react, she exhaled, her nerves easing. Holding his robe, she felt less afraid.

Xiao Bai, aware of her actions, let her be. She's scared—let her hold on. Her timidity amused him. So bold sneaking into this cave alone, yet now she's skittish with me right here. He wondered if she'd chugged a vat of motivational broth to muster the courage initially.

After a dozen meters, he stopped, turned, and fixed her with a stern gaze, his face cold.

Startled, Xiao Yi Xian stammered, "W-what?"

"Let go," he said, glancing at her hand on his robe, voice low.

Hearing his calm tone, she released it, muttering with a mix of irritation and grievance, "Stingy. It's just a tug. Why so mad?"

Xiao Bai's forehead twitched. She's turned my robe into a flapping cape, making me lurch with every step. The uneven cave floor forced him to move gently to avoid tripping her. Sighing inwardly, he extended a hand.

Xiao Yi Xian stepped back, hands behind her, wary. "What? No touching! I'm not holding hands!"

Sure, he'd held her before, but that was necessity. Now, she could walk—even if it meant some nerves. Make me hold his hand willingly? No way! A girl's got her pride!

Xiao Bai sneered, spitting out two words through gritted teeth: "My sleeve."

She blinked, then realized he meant for her to hold his sleeve. A flush crept up her face—I overthought it. Hesitantly, she stepped forward, delicately grasping the wide, gold-trimmed black sleeve, stealing a glance at him.

Xiao Bai said nothing, turning to continue, one hand holding the torch, the other behind his back. Xiao Yi Xian followed closely, her eyes fixed on his tall figure, lost in thought.

Ten minutes later, Xiao Bai halted. Xiao Yi Xian stopped too, puzzled when he didn't turn. Peeking past him, she saw a stone gate ahead, glowing faintly yellow. We're here.

Xiao Bai approached, inspecting the gate. His soul force probed it—thick, rigged with earth-based trap mechanisms. No match for me.

"Look at that yellow glow—clearly an earth-based trap mechanism. I can help, you know! Just share a bit of what's inside. Deal?" Xiao Yi Xian's playful voice chimed beside him, her earlier caution replaced by a spark of liveliness.

"You know trap mechanisms?" Xiao Bai asked calmly.

"Ahem, just read some books on them. Not an expert, but I know a thing or two!" She cleared her throat, waving a hand modestly, though her smug expression betrayed her pride. Come on, jerk, beg me! Ask, and I'll open that gate!

Xiao Bai, seeing her cocky look, stifled a laugh, deciding to tease her. Frowning, he asked, "How much do you want?"

Her heart leapt, though she kept her face serious, cautiously raising one finger.

"One gold coin?" Xiao Bai feigned shock, then nodded firmly. "Deal. Open it."

Xiao Yi Xian nearly exploded. Half, you jerk! Who wants your lousy coin? "Half!" she snapped, shoving her finger in his face, teeth gritted.

His eyes twinkled with amusement at her adorable frustration. "Too much."

"Three-tenths?" she tried, undeterred.

He shook his head.

"Two-tenths! No less!" she insisted.

"Nope. One gold coin."

"Then open it yourself, jerk!" She stomped to the side, crouching in a huff, ignoring him. Her sidelong glances waited for him to beg, expecting sweet words to coax her into helping.

Before the cave incident, she'd given up on the cave's treasures, prioritizing her safety and dignity. But his unexpected kindness made her test him. He's not that bad. Yet, he was a miser, refusing to budge. * Stingy jerk! A few nice words wouldn't kill you!*

Xiao Bai ignored her sulking, studying the gate. Break it open? He reconsidered, wary of triggering a cave-in. His soul force scanned the gate, tracing its mechanisms to find the switch.

Moments later, he mapped the trap's pattern and located the trigger—near Xiao Yi Xian, just behind her.

Xiao Yi Xian, secretly watching, saw him approach. Knew he'd cave! Time to beg, huh? Smirking inwardly, she thought, No sweet talk, no help, jerk!