Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Xiao Bai was set to take Qing Lin to an inn, intending to buy her new clothes, when he felt a tug on his sleeve. Looking down, he saw her timid face. "Young Master, can I go back to get some things?" she asked softly.

Realizing he hadn't inquired about her home, he nodded. There was no need now—he'd see for himself. With Qing Lin leading, he and Hai Bodong headed toward the city's outskirts.

Along the way, passersby shot Qing Lin scornful glares. Her small frame trembled, her delicate face clouded with gloom, clutching a corner of Xiao Bai's robe. "Lift your head. Ignore those looks. You owe them nothing, and you don't live for them—you live for yourself," Xiao Bai said calmly.

His words startled her, her nose twitching as a spark lit her eyes. Yes, I don't have to cower anymore. I have Young Master. Someone cared, someone who'd stand up for her. Live for myself? she thought, gripping his robe. And for Young Master, too.

At Qing Lin's home—a patched-up wooden shack in a desolate courtyard, far from sparse neighbors—Xiao Bai gained deeper insight into her hardships. Qing Lin went inside to gather her belongings, while Xiao Bai and Hai Bodong waited at a wooden table in the yard, respecting her privacy.

Soon, she emerged, eyes red, clutching a small bundle, her mood low. "Young Master, I'm ready," she said softly.

Xiao Bai nodded, about to leave, when a sensation made him pause. He sat back down, a playful smirk forming. "Qing Lin! Are you here?" a woman's voice called from outside.

"It's Sister Xue Lan!" Qing Lin exclaimed.

A bold female mercenary burst in, her skimpy outfit barely covering her chest and hips, revealing a bronzed waist and long, toned legs. "Huh? Who're you?" Xue Lan asked, spotting the white-haired old man and youth at the table, surprised anyone else visited Qing Lin.

Xiao Bai ignored her, eyeing the youth behind her—Xiao Li, in mercenary gear, tall and strong, with a faint smile masking ruthless eyes. Xiao Li frowned, sensing familiarity. "Xiao… Bai?" he ventured.

No wonder—Xiao Bai had changed drastically since Xiao Li's departure. Once warm and scheming, he now had white hair and a stern air, making recognition tricky. "Heh, long time no see, Xiao Old Two," Xiao Bai teased.

"Xiao Old Two?" Xue Lan gaped, glancing between them. She knew Xiao Li was the second son, but no one dared call him that—he loathed it. Even the First Commander used "Second Brother." Who's this guy? Not afraid of being crushed? Wait—Xiao Bai, and "long time no see"? A clansman?

"Still a bastard, huh!" Xiao Li growled, glaring at Xue Lan. Xiao Yan's letters had softened their grudge; after his fall, only Xiao Bai spoke to him, unlike others who shunned or mocked. Years of adventuring matured them, diluting their feud. But Xiao Bai's mocking tone reignited his urge to brawl.

"Three-star Dou Shi! Not bad for a few years out," Xiao Bai said, eyeing Xiao Li with mock approval.

Xiao Li's fists clenched. Screw letting go! "Know what happens when a ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi provokes a three-star Dou Shi?" he snarled, assuming Xiao Bai remained at ninth-stage from Xiao Yan's last letter.

"Ninth-stage?" Qing Lin blinked at her Young Master. Though unpracticed, she knew ranks. His street rescue showed far greater power. Puffing her cheeks, she glared at Xiao Li, her indignation more cute than fierce.

Hai Bodong sighed. How does he mistake Xiao Bai for ninth-stage? Does he think I lost to a weakling? Xue Lan pitied the youth, wondering who gave a ninth-stage such boldness.

"Tch, no clue. Show me, Xiao Old Two," Xiao Bai taunted, recalling past threats.

"Die, bastard!" Xiao Li roared, lightning crackling as he charged, holding back to avoid killing Xiao Bai.

"Too easy," Xiao Bai smiled, catching the electrified fist effortlessly, neutralizing the lightning. "Enough to numb a three- or four-star Dou Zhe," he noted, sensing restraint.

Xiao Li gaped, his fist immobile, lightning vanishing. His cultivation's way past mine! "Sly old coin!" he cursed, trying to pull back, but Xiao Bai held firm. What's his realm?

"Don't be scared—it'll be quick," Xiao Bai said, winking. Probing Xiao Li's meridians, he asked, "What grade's your technique?"

"Low… Xuan Class," Xiao Li gritted out, feeling a potent lightning Dou Qi surge through him, shattering his own fragile energy. Numbness spread, and he marveled at Xiao Bai's strength.

Xiao Bai nodded, releasing him. Having read about Di Class techniques and now sensing a Low Xuan Class one, he grasped the continent's technique tiers better. Curiosity sparked for Tian Class lightning techniques—likely held by the Lightning Clan, but not yet accessible.

"Not bad, Xiao Old Two. Picked up some fortune out here," Xiao Bai teased, noting the Xiao Clan's best lightning technique was only High Huang Class.

Xiao Li rolled his eyes, exasperated. Couldn't beat him then, can't now. His dream of thrashing Xiao Bai faded. "What're you doing in Stone Desert City?" he asked, sitting, irked.

"Came to check on you guys," Xiao Bai grinned.

Xiao Li softened—years away made home precious, and seeing Xiao Bai stirred unexpected warmth. "But seeing you doing well? Kinda disappointing," Xiao Bai added, feigning regret.

"Damn it!" Xiao Li's anger flared. Warmth, my ass. Still a bastard.

Xue Lan, watching Xiao Li's shifting expressions, pitied him. Her cold, ruthless commander, so rattled by this youth, was a first. This guy's infuriating! Even she, an outsider, felt the urge to punch him, but Xiao Li's defeat deterred her, a mere Dou Zhe.

Breaking the tension, Xue Lan recalled her purpose. "Second Commander, this is Qing Lin, the one I mentioned—"

Xiao Li, calming, glanced at Qing Lin beside Xiao Bai. "Fine, she can join the corps as a maid," he said casually, unbothered by her hybrid status or "curse" rumors, foreign to him as a non-local.

"Thank you, Sister Xue Lan, but I'm Young Master's maid now. I can't join the corps," Qing Lin said, bowing softly, declining. Without Xiao Bai, she'd have accepted, but now, despite Xiao Li's lack of disdain, the corps' others might not be so kind.

"You took her as a maid?" Xiao Li asked, surprised.

"Got a problem?" Xiao Bai shot him a flat look.

Xiao Li shook his head. "Your call." A girl meant little; he'd come at Xue Lan's behest, and her choice didn't matter.

"Since you're here, want to see our corps?" Xiao Li offered, setting aside old grudges despite the irritation.

Xiao Bai nodded, accepting. Xiao Li's gesture showed he'd moved on, and refusing would seem petty—though Xiao Bai had never dwelt on their feud.

___

Night, Desert Iron Mercenary Corps Base

In a guest room, Xiao Bai taught Qing Lin the basics of Dou Zhi Qi cultivation. After arriving with Xiao Li and meeting Xiao Ding—now mature and welcoming, unlike Xiao Li's instant brawl—he settled in. While guiding Qing Lin, he conversed with Yao Lao via soul transmission.

"Senior, know much about the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?"

"Not much. It's too rare. I only know they boost strength by taming snake beasts. This is my first time seeing it," Yao Lao said, awed. This kid's luck! Out for a Heavenly Flame, yet picks up a top-tier physique by the roadside.

He'd sensed the soul anomaly during the day, shocked but silent since Xiao Bai noticed it. Waiting for questions, he was surprised Xiao Bai already knew the physique, deepening his mystery.

"The northwest's Sky Serpent Mansion likely knows more. Legend says their founder, the first mansion lord, had the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils, reaching Half-Saint. Without a Dou Saint snake beast to tame, they might've gone higher," Yao Lao added.

"Sky Serpent Mansion, huh?" Xiao Bai mused noncommittally. He knew it from the novel—Qing Lin was taken there, rising to Dou Zun in a decade. But he hesitated to send her, wary of the mansion's sparse depiction and her rough past. If she'd suffer there, better she stays with me.

"How's it feel?" Xiao Bai asked warmly as Qing Lin opened her eyes.

"Young Master, I didn't sense the qi you mentioned. Is my talent too poor?" Her clear eyes dimmed, voice heavy with disappointment. Sensitive and self-conscious, she felt inept beyond chores.

Xiao Bai was speechless.

Yao Lao was speechless.

A top-tier physique calling herself talentless? What does that make us—scraps? Suppressing his thoughts, Xiao Bai ruffled her hair. "Don't rush. First tries are like that. It took me days to succeed."

"Really?"

"Really!" Xiao Bai nodded, smiling, fibbing to spare her feelings. Her struggle likely tied to the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Though unsure how to proceed, he wasn't worried—the Fire Spirit Snake in the magma depths awaited. He could test the novel's method later.

Relieved, Qing Lin's excitement from starting cultivation returned. She'd hoped to aid her Young Master better through practice, fearing his disappointment. "Qing Lin will work hard and won't let Young Master down!" she vowed silently.