Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

Beast Mountain Range, within a secluded valley.

Inside a thatched hut, faint wisps of smoke curled through the air. On a simple bed, a woman in white lay with her eyes tightly shut. Her once rosy cheeks now shimmered with an eerie, seven-colored hue.

She lay still, as if no longer breathing, her hand clutching a small pouch of black powder. Traces of the same powder lingered on her red lips. To any onlooker, it would seem she had taken poison to end her life.

Moments later, the rainbow-like colors on her face gradually faded. Xiao Yi Xian's eyes fluttered open, a fleeting haze of confusion giving way to clarity.

"Was the dose too much?" she murmured, lifting the pouch to examine the remaining powder. This was the first time she'd fallen unconscious from consuming poison.

Ever since Xiao Bai had told her he didn't mind her Calamity Poison Body, assured her there was a way to control it, and expressed her desire to help him, Xiao Yi Xian had thrown caution to the wind. No longer restraining her intake of poisons, she consumed whatever her body could handle, embracing the most toxic substances she could find.

She hadn't expected this newly concocted second-grade poison to hit so hard, knocking her out cold.

"I need to be more careful next time," she said, tapping her forehead lightly. "Xiao Bai's not here. If something went wrong, with his temper, he'd never let me stay here alone again."

"You're darn right about that!" A voice called out, growing closer.

"Xiao Bai!" Xiao Yi Xian's face lit up with delight. She started to rush toward the door but paused, suddenly remembering something. Fumbling for a handkerchief, she hurriedly wiped her lips clean.

"No need to wipe—I already saw!" A figure pushed open the door, stepping inside with a teasing grin.

"You're back!" Xiao Yi Xian said, her gentle face breaking into a wide smile. Worried he might scold her, she darted to his side.

"Silly girl," Xiao Bai sighed, gently patting her head. "You trusted I'd find a solution so much that you ate enough to pass out? This is the Beast Mountain Range! Aren't you afraid a magical beast might wander in? It's dangerous!"

"I'm not scared!" Xiao Yi Xian tilted her head, her eyes curving into crescents as she looked up at him. "Little Blue's keeping watch nearby!"

Xiao Bai was speechless. A first-tier magical beast eagle? What good is that?

Maybe I should find a stronger beast in the Beast Mountain Range, tame it, and station it in the valley, he thought, rubbing his chin.

"Xiao Bai, what are you thinking about?" Xiao Yi Xian poked his chest with a slender finger.

"Nothing much," he said, shaking off the thought. He pulled a gray scroll from his storage ring and waved it at her. "Guess what this is?"

"Is… is that…?" Xiao Yi Xian's eyes sparkled with excitement, her voice trembling as she stared at the scroll.

"Take a look." Xiao Bai smiled, handing it to her.

Her hands shook as she took the scroll, carefully unrolling it. Her eyes scanned the text, but the initial spark of excitement gradually dimmed.

Xiao Bai noticed her fading enthusiasm and chuckled. "Pretty tough, huh?"

"Yeah…" Xiao Yi Xian nodded absently, still lost in her disappointment.

"Don't worry," Xiao Bai said confidently, his voice firm to bolster her spirits. "I've got leads on everything listed here. I wouldn't have brought you this method if I didn't."

"Really?" Her eyes brightened, gazing at him with hope.

"Have I ever lied to you?" Xiao Bai nodded.

Xiao Yi Xian shot him a playful glare. "Oh, please. The first time we met, you tricked me, you big liar!"

"Haha…" Xiao Bai rubbed the back of his neck, a bit embarrassed.

"Hmph!" Xiao Yi Xian huffed, but as she recalled their first meeting, warmth flooded her heart. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his chest. "Xiao Bai," she whispered, "why are you so good to me?"

"I don't know," Xiao Bai said, encircling her waist. After a moment's thought, he murmured, "Maybe it's fate."

"Fate…" Xiao Yi Xian paused, closing her eyes as she inhaled his familiar, comforting scent. In a soft, almost dreamlike voice, she said, "In this life, if you do not fail me, I shall never fail you."

Xiao Bai froze, caught off guard by her words. A tender warmth flickered in his eyes. Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Xian Er, I think I want to test the poison myself."

Xiao Yi Xian blinked, confused. Test the poison? What poison? Does he want to eat some too?

Then she felt his hands shift on her waist, and realization hit. Her face flushed crimson, a mix of shy indignation rising within her. This scoundrel!

"Pervert!" she huffed, wriggling out of his embrace. Glaring at his amused eyes, she thought, How did I miss this side of him?

Testing the poison, he says—so refined! As if I'd call you out on it!

"Hey, hey, Xian Er, what's that look for?" Xiao Bai protested.

"Oh, you want to test the poison?" Xiao Yi Xian smirked, pulling a vial of Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake venom from her storage ring. She eyed him playfully. "Don't worry, Xian Er will be very gentle."

"You're trying to murder your husband, you know that?" Xiao Bai grumbled.

"Relax, it's not murder," she said, her voice sweet but her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You eat as much as I do. Fair, right?"

"…" Xiao Bai gave her a thumbs-up, admitting defeat. Who in their right mind would compete with a Calamity Poison Body in eating poison? Looking to die early?

"See who's the tough one now!" Xiao Yi Xian laughed triumphantly, though a shadow of sadness crossed her heart. Her body was steeped in poison—she had to be cautious even getting close to him, let alone anything more.

She knew Xiao Bai was just playing along to ease her worries, but as long as her constitution remained uncontrolled, that knot in her heart wouldn't unravel.

He'd given her hope today, but she held little confidence in it. The requirements were daunting. Gathering three Heavenly Flames was already a miracle, let alone fusing them. And the other two materials—ones she'd never even heard of—were likely just as rare.

Her knowledge was limited, but she understood the challenge. The scroll even noted that throughout history, multiple Calamity Poison Bodies had appeared on the continent, yet none had succeeded in mastering it.

Would she be the exception?

"You're the tough one, alright!" Xiao Bai said, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow and nodding quickly.

Xiao Yi Xian watched his exaggerated act, a mix of amusement and gratitude swelling within her. She stepped closer, her delicate hand gently tracing his handsome face.

Her eyes shimmered with affection as she said softly, "Xiao Bai, if Xian Er is fortunate enough to see that day, everything I am will be yours."