Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

As the moon dipped and crows cawed, a faint white glow crept across the Tagore Desert's horizon, heralding a new day.

A weathered mercenary, face etched with excitement, dashed to the dune's base, shouting, "Commander, Commander! We've found an underground passage!"

"Well done, everyone!" Xiao Ding's heart leapt. Dismissing the man, he glanced at Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai had sensed the breakthrough the moment the passage was cleared, detecting waves of fire energy seeping out. "Qing Lin, Qing Lin, time to wake up!" he called, gently shaking the girl cradled in his arms, a hint of helplessness in his tone. Last night, she'd refused the tent, insisting on staying by her Young Master's side, only to succumb to sleep.

Qing Lin blinked groggily, rubbing her eyes, momentarily disoriented. Realizing where she was, she scrambled up, twisting her fingers nervously. "Young Master, Qing Lin, Qing Lin—"

"It's fine, don't worry," Xiao Bai said, standing and patting her head warmly. To Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Hai Bodong, he added, "Let's go check it out."

They headed toward the tunnel, Qing Lin trailing Xiao Bai's back, biting her lip in self-reproach before hurrying after him. "Such dense fire energy!" Hai Bodong, who'd been a silent shadow these days, marveled at the dark tunnel mouth.

"Means we're on the right track. Let's go," Xiao Bai said, thrilled by the abundant energy, leading Qing Lin inside.

The passage sloped downward, steep but trivial for them, akin to flat ground. "Big Brother, you go down with him. I'll guard the entrance to keep anyone from collapsing it," Xiao Li said earnestly to Xiao Ding.

"Good thinking, Second Brother. I'll take a few scouting experts. Be careful up here," Xiao Ding replied, patting Xiao Li's shoulder, pleased by his caution—when not provoked by Xiao Bai.

"Be careful down there, Big Brother. And… warn that arrogant jerk," Xiao Li added, hesitating before gritting his teeth.

Xiao Ding stifled a laugh, nodding. Those two. He called a few men and followed.

In the tunnel, moonlight stones lit the darkness, leading to the dig's end—a rocky layer with over a dozen branching paths. "Should I send some men to scout these forks?" Xiao Ding asked, stepping forward.

"No need. Follow me," Xiao Bai said, shaking his head and guiding Qing Lin onto one path.

Xiao Ding sighed, exasperated by Xiao Bai's casual choice. "Keep up—he's right," Hai Bodong said, passing by, noting Xiao Ding's hesitation. A Dou Wang could sense external energies, and though sealed, Hai Bodong's Dou Huang perception remained, guiding him to the densest energy. He trusted Xiao Bai's pick.

Xiao Ding gave a wry smile and was humbled. I pride myself on strategy, but I'm useless here. These guys are all enigmas. As they ventured deeper, the tunnel grew swelteringly oppressive. Xiao Bai, sensing the magma's proximity, paused. The men Xiao Ding brought were drenched in sweat, faces flushed, at their limit.

"You've done well. Head back. I've placed moonlight stones at each fork—follow them," Xiao Bai announced. He hadn't stopped them earlier, unsure if their skills were needed, but now, with the magma located, they'd only suffer.

"Can you keep going?" he asked Xiao Ding, whose face glistened with sweat.

"I'm fine," Xiao Ding replied.

Xiao Bai nodded, then checked Qing Lin, who, despite her first-stage Dou Zhi Qi, seemed calmer than the five-star Dou Shi Xiao Ding. A chilling energy flowed within her, shielding her from the heat—a marvel of her physique, likely tied to her Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. What a remarkable ability, Xiao Bai thought. Initially, he'd assumed she'd need his protection, but she was unfazed, earning frequent glances from Hai Bodong.

Qing Lin was essential for this descent, though her resilience surprised him. After a moment, the four quickened their pace. Roughly an incense stick's time later, a faint red glow appeared around a bend. "We're here," Xiao Bai said, striding toward the crimson-lit tunnel end.

At the passage's end, a small platform overlooked a vast underground chamber. The group stood, awestruck, before a molten red world. Rivers of magma flowed slowly, punctuated by massive bubbles that burst with muffled pops, flinging fiery arcs like scarlet fireworks.

"Who'd have thought, beneath Stone Desert City's sands, there's such a magnificent magma realm?" Xiao Ding, shrouded in deep green Dou Qi, wiped sweat from his face, marveling.

___

Outside the Tunnel

Xiao Li, guarding the entrance, spotted several red foxes on a dune a kilometer away, eyeing the site. Desert Fire Foxes, common first-tier fire-attribute beasts, drawn to dense fire energy, often nesting in such spots. Fire cultivators trailed them to claim their lairs. Harmless, feeding on scorpions and snakes, they posed no threat. Xiao Li glanced and dismissed them.

Unnoticed, one fox's forehead fur hid a faint snake-shaped mark, glowing with a subtle purple hue.

A thousand li away, amid endless sands, a voluptuous, enchanting figure spun toward Stone Desert City. Her regal phoenix eyes narrowed, sensing a surge from her triggered seal on the fire fox. "Such intense fire energy… could it be a Heavenly Flame?"