Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Stone Desert City

Nestled in the desert, Stone Desert City bore a rugged, earthy charm compared to the empire's refined urban centers. Its yellowed walls, weathered by relentless sandstorms, stood mottled and desolate, etched with the passage of time.

At the city gate, two figures lingered—one old, one young. The elder, clad in simple blue robes, had a weathered face, impassive yet marked by a fierce scar. The youth, in a black robe, was handsome with stern brows and a distant expression.

"Xiao Bai, what's our next move?" Hai Bodong asked, his cloudy eyes on the youth. Though he'd drawn the map, it only marked a vague area. The Tagore Desert was vast—without precise coordinates or special means, finding their target could take ages.

"Let's find an inn to settle in. Tomorrow, we'll scout the direction you marked," Xiao Bai said after a moment's thought. Rushing was futile; if Heavenly Flames were easy to find, they'd have been claimed long ago.

As for the Desert Iron Mercenary Corps' Xiao Ding and Xiao Li in the city, Xiao Bai had no plans to seek them out. In the novel, their reasons for adventuring were unclear, but in this timeline, Xiao Bai knew exactly why they'd left—it was his doing. After he disciplined Xiao Yan, the brothers stormed to confront him, seeking justice for their sibling.

The two complemented each other: Xiao Li, brash and ruthless; Xiao Ding, cunning and sly. Xiao Li openly challenged Xiao Bai under a guise of honor, aiming to thrash him. Xiao Ding played dirtier, spreading rumors of Xiao Bai's arrogance and disdain within the clan. Their tactics, though, were juvenile to Xiao Bai, who brushed them off as amusements. But their persistence—undeterred after each failure—grated on him.

Finally fed up, Xiao Bai orchestrated a public spectacle, framing himself as a clan leader's son intolerant of non-Xiao blood. The stunt nearly fractured the clan, alienating retainers and guards, threatening its unity. Left with no choice, Xiao Zhan and the elders sent the brothers away to cool tensions and appease the clan. Meant to return after months, they'd stayed gone for over three years.

Recalling the past, Xiao Bai smirked, thinking of Xiao Li's bloodshot-eyed threats before leaving. Tch, wonder if they've grown any wiser.

Walking Stone Desert City's streets, the once-cobbled paths were buried under thick sand, with only patches of stone peeking through. Passersby exuded a fierce aura, tinged with bloodlust—hardened mercenaries who'd seen death, tougher than those in Qingshan Town.

"Ah!" A faint cry reached Xiao Bai's ears, followed by a torrent of curses.

"Get lost, you filthy half-breed! Cursed blood, blind little mongrel, daring to block my path?"

Looking over, Xiao Bai saw a bare-chested, scar-riddled brute with a brutal face, hoisting a terrified little girl like a chick and flinging her toward the roadside. Her head was on a collision course with a stone step. Xiao Bai shifted two steps, catching her gently and setting her down.

The girl, fear still in her eyes, expected a harsh fall. Feeling someone cushion her, curiosity mixed with panic. She stole a glance at the black-robed man beside her, whispering timidly, "Thank you."

Noticing the crowd's scornful stares and the brute's ongoing tirade, she crouched, hugging her knees, burying her head, bracing for the usual beating. Xiao Bai scanned the onlookers' mix of disgust and fear, then the trembling, frail girl. He guessed her identity.

"Heh, that dirty little thing again—a cursed sinner. How's she got the gall to live?" a bystander sneered.

"Exactly! Heard her mother died half a year ago, cursed by her. She still dares show her face? Why not end it quietly somewhere?" another added.

"Curious how she's survived this long. No one in Stone Desert City would hire her," a third mused.

"I heard Xue Lan from the Desert Iron Corps pitied her, gave her sewing and washing work for a few coppers. Tch, Xue Lan's not afraid of filth or getting cursed!" someone scoffed.

"Pity. Xue Lan's a fiery beauty. If she got cursed, what a waste! If I had her… heh," another leered.

The brute, still fuming, stomped toward the girl for another thrashing. Xiao Bai, hearing the crowd's chatter, looked at the cowering girl, her trembling ingrained, a heartbreaking reflex from repeated abuse. Pity stirred, and he sighed.

"Scram!" His voice, laced with soul force, boomed through the street.

The gossiping crowd flinched, dizzy from the sonic force, their wary eyes turning to the white-haired, black-robed youth. "Three breaths. Stay, and you die," Xiao Bai declared, his tone brimming with killing intent.

The crowd froze, breathless, sensing his overwhelming power. These death-hardened mercenaries, keen on danger, knew they were outmatched. They scattered like startled beasts, wishing for extra legs.

"Heh, looks like someone's got a death wish, lingering here. Since you're asking, I'll oblige," Xiao Bai said coldly, eyeing the brute who'd approached the girl.

The man stood rigid, his fierce face drained white, inwardly wailing. I'm not staying—I can't move! When Xiao Bai issued his three-breath ultimatum, he'd tried to flee, but an invisible pressure locked him in place, his feet rooted.

Xiao Bai ignored him for now, turning to the girl. She peeked up, cautiously scanning her surroundings like a startled fawn. Bending down, he said softly, "Stand up. With me here, no one will touch you."

She glanced at him, timid but reassured by his gentle tone and warm smile despite his stern face. Rising, she clutched a paper bag tightly, sand dusting its opening, as if it held something precious.