Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Yi Xian didn't notice, but Xiao Bai's lips curved slightly at her actions, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

Someone else saw it clearly. From the ring, Yao Lao chuckled, finally understanding Xiao Bai's earlier harshness. This kid's full of tricks.

Outside the cave, Xiao Bai didn't set Xiao Yi Xian down but carried her to the cliff's top. There, still holding her, their eyes met—her arms around his neck, the air charged with a fleeting intimacy.

After a moment, he gently placed her on the ground.

Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed. Avoiding his gaze, she fussed with her rumpled dress. A large hand extended toward her, and she looked up, puzzled.

"This storage ring has the Seven-Colored Poison Scripture you wanted, plus two hundred thousand gold coins. No herbs—they're still useful to me," Xiao Bai said. "Oh, and there are a few pills for injuries, internal and external. They're effective. Keep them for yourself—don't give them to others."

Xiao Yi Xian stared at the suddenly talkative man, not reaching for the ring, her emotions tangled. "You're leaving?" she asked softly.

Xiao Bai nodded.

"Take it. Weren't you crying over this stuff? What, don't want it now?" he teased, nudging the ring toward her.

"Who—who cried?" she huffed, face reddening, turning away with a pout. This jerk's so annoying!

Xiao Bai chuckled, grabbing her hand and pressing the ring into her palm. The low-grade ring was one of three he'd bought at Wu Tan City's Miteer Auction House—he'd have gotten more if they had them.

"Alright, those mercenaries down there are looking for you, right? Keep the ring safe—don't let it get stolen," he said.

Xiao Yi Xian glanced where he pointed, seeing nothing but trusting his uncanny senses. She'd been gone long enough for her group to worry and search. "Got my words? I'm off," he said, giving her a serious look before heading the other way.

Stunned by his abrupt departure, Xiao Yi Xian realized she'd never learned his name. After all this, I only know him as 'jerk.' Will we ever meet again? "Hey! You didn't tell me your name!" she shouted.

"Xiao Bai," came the reply.

"Little White," she echoed.

"Xiao Bai."

"Little White."

Turning back, exasperated, Xiao Bai said, "Come on, say it with me: Xiao Bai."

"Little White," she repeated earnestly.

Speechless, he asked, "Miss, where's that accent from?"

Noticing her serious face but mischievous eyes, he realized she was teasing him. Fine, I messed with her enough. Let her have this one. Waving, he said, "Call me what you want."

As his figure receded, she yelled, "I'm Xiao Yi Xian!"

The mountain wind roared, and she wasn't sure he'd heard. Stamping her foot, she cursed her forgetfulness. Then his familiar, infuriating voice echoed, "Got it!"

Her face broke into a smile, tinged with sadness. Looking at the ring, still warm from his hand, her eyes softened. In her sixteen years, she'd never met someone like him—domineering yet gentle, cold yet warm.

Hearing faint calls, she hurried to the crooked tree, untying the rope—his deceptive bait—and stored it with her spare in the ring. Hateful, but I'm keeping it.

"Xiao Yi Xian!" a mercenary shouted, spotting her silhouette.

Soon, a dozen mercenaries reached the cliff. A handsome young man approached, smiling. "We finally found you!"

"Master Mu Li, thank you for your trouble," she replied with a polite smile, then addressed the group. "I was foraging herbs and lost track of time, making you all worry. My apologies."

"No trouble! You've saved us countless times—when you vanished, we had to search. Right, everyone?" a burly man boomed.

"Yeah, don't be formal with us roughnecks!" another chimed.

"We've got strength to spare!" added a third.

Mu Li's smile held, but his eyes flashed coldly. Only Xiao Yi Xian's reputation in Qingshan Town kept him at bay—otherwise, he'd have acted long ago. Noticing her empty hands after half a day's absence, he scanned the surroundings thoughtfully.

___

Xiao Bai didn't leave the Magical Beast Mountain Range immediately. He needed a quiet spot to practice the flight Dou Technique—first-tier beasts, mindless and relentless, would pester him otherwise.

Using Thunder Light Step, he wove through the forest. An hour later, a distant rumble—not thunder—caught his ear. A big waterfall nearby. Elated, he followed the sound.

Soon, he reached a massive cascade, like a river of stars plunging from the sky, awe-inspiring. A cliffside cave, ten meters up, caught his eye. "Perfect," he said, racing toward it.

The cave, about ten square meters, was cool and dry despite the waterfall's roar. Scanning it, he found no beast traces—No surprise, with that constant noise. He set up a cultivation mat from his ring, sat cross-legged, and placed Yao Lao's ring aside. "Senior, please guard me."

"No worries, kid," Yao Lao said, floating out with a bearded grin.

Xiao Bai nodded, smiling back.

He withdrew the black scroll, unfurling it slowly.