Battle Through the Heaven: Purple Heaven

For a clan to thrive and endure, it must maintain fresh vitality. This vitality comes from the new blood within the clan—only through a steady stream of emerging talents can a clan ensure its lasting legacy.

Thus, in the Dou Qi Continent, every clan places great importance on its coming-of-age ceremony, and the Xiao Clan is no exception. As a prominent family in Wu Tan City, the Xiao Clan's ceremony draws the attention of many local forces, with allied factions even invited to observe.

Having just returned from the Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Bai was greeted by the bustling scene at the Xiao Clan's main gate, where people came and went in a lively throng.

"Xiao Bai?" A hesitant female voice called out.

Turning, he saw a pair of long, slender legs. The woman's face bore traces of travel-weariness.

"Xiao Yu!"

"It's really you!" Xiao Yu's eyes widened in shock. How has he changed so much in just two years?

Gone was the ever-present white robe; now he wore a black one. His hair had turned ashen, his demeanor steady, with a faint air of authority in his brow. A peculiar rune on his forehead amplified that commanding presence.

Is this still the refined, gentle Xiao Bai from before?

Xiao Bai gave her a faint nod before turning to enter the gate. He wasn't in the mood to admire legs right now. Lately, he'd been on edge, feeling like Yao Lao's jinxed words were coming true—his "backyard" was showing signs of catching fire.

For the past ten days, he'd been rushing between two places: two days in the Beast Mountain Range, then two days back at the Xiao Clan.

He couldn't stay away from the Beast Mountain Range for too long without worrying, but he also couldn't be absent from the Xiao Clan for extended periods, or he'd have no way to explain himself to Xun Er.

He'd prepared excuses for Xun Er's inevitable questions, but her reaction was oddly indifferent. She didn't ask where he'd been disappearing to every other day.

If not for her unchanged warmth toward him upon his return, he might've suspected she knew something.

Xiao Yi Xian, on the other hand, was gentle and understanding. She never questioned his comings and goings, welcoming him with quiet joy when he arrived and bidding him to take care with soft concern when he left.

At the clan's plaza, a massive platform had been erected in the open space. Xiao Bai knew it was built specifically for the coming-of-age ceremony.

His gaze drifted to the crowd below the platform, where representatives from various Wu Tan City factions were seated. Among them, a woman in a red dress stood out, her alluring figure accentuated by the clinging fabric. She was chatting with someone, her smile radiant and her curves subtly teasing—an enchanting sight.

A soft huff came from beside him. "Brother Xiao Bai, enjoying the view?"

Cough! Xiao Bai subtly shifted his gaze, inwardly exasperated. I wasn't staring on purpose—it was just where my eyes landed, and Xun Er happened to show up!

Xun Er glanced at him, her tone cool. "That woman's no simple beauty. Plenty of young lords have thrown fortunes at her for her looks, only to get nothing in return. If you've got any ideas, Brother Xiao Bai, you'd better be careful."

Xiao Bai choked, unsure how to respond. Xun Er's attitude had been strange lately, hard to pin down. He managed a dry laugh. "I'm no young lord with money to burn!"

"Oh? Just because you're short on funds?" Xun Er's lips curved slightly, a chilly glint in her eyes. With a half-smile, she added, "Need Xun Er to sponsor you?"

Xiao Bai clamped his mouth shut. This girl's on the offensive today. No matter what I say, it's wrong. Better not poke the hornet's nest!

Seeing him back down, Xun Er's gaze softened, but after a moment's pause, she shot him a fierce glare and huffed, letting the matter drop.

"Brother Bai! Brother Bai!" An excited voice broke the odd tension, calling from a distance.

Turning, Xiao Bai saw Xiao Yan jogging toward them, his face alight with enthusiasm, clearly thrilled about something.

As Xiao Yan drew closer, Xiao Bai raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Not bad! You've broken through to Dou Zhe!"

"Heh, just last night!" Xiao Yan boasted, puffing out his chest. "Pretty impressive, right?" It had taken him only a year to go from the third stage of Dou Zhi Qi to Dou Zhe.

"Not bad," Xiao Bai nodded. It was about a month faster than in the original story.

"Not bad?" Xiao Yan's face fell, dissatisfied. He'd hoped to shock Xiao Bai today, but all he got was a lukewarm "not bad." Gritting his teeth, he said, "Brother Bai, I'll give you one chance to rephrase that!"

Xiao Bai smirked, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Oh, I'll give you a chance to rethink how you talk to me."

Has this kid gotten cocky, or does he think I, Xiao Bai, can't handle him anymore?

"Haha, just kidding!" Xiao Yan caught that familiar look and shivered, memories of past beatings flooding back. Not today—not in front of everyone! I'd die of embarrassment!

"Xiao Yan, I never thought you'd make a comeback. Quite the surprise," Xiao Yu said, striding over with her long legs, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"Mind your own business!" Xiao Yan snapped, his mood souring at the sight of her.

"Your mouth's still as foul as ever," Xiao Yu scoffed, dismissing him. Turning to Xiao Bai, a complex look flickered in her eyes. "Xiao Bai, Jia Nan Academy will be recruiting in Wu Tan City soon. Make sure to sign up. It might help with your… issue."

Xiao Bai gave a faint smile and nodded. "Thanks for the heads-up."

Xiao Yu nodded back, then smiled at Xun Er. "Cousin Xun Er, it's been a while!"

"Cousin Xiao Yu," Xun Er replied, her lips pursing slightly. She subtly looped her arm through Xiao Bai's, greeting her with a polite smile.

Xiao Yu glanced at the pair, smiled, and walked off, shooting Xiao Yan a sharp look as she passed.

Xiao Bai grinned down at the small hand on his arm, earning a dramatic eye-roll from Xun Er. "Feeling proud, are you?" she huffed.

"No, just happy," Xiao Bai said, playfully tapping her nose.

"Yan Er, you alright?" Xiao Zhan, the clan leader, approached, his face tinged with concern. He'd seen Xiao Yu near Xiao Yan and hurried over.

"Fine. That woman's got issues," Xiao Yan muttered, shrugging.

"Steer clear of her. She's a three-star Dou Zhe—you'd be at a disadvantage in a fight," Xiao Zhan said helplessly. Turning to Xiao Bai, he smiled. "Xiao Bai, you've been elusive lately. I've looked for you several times but couldn't find you!"

"Clan Leader, is something up?" Xiao Bai asked, puzzled. He'd been keeping a low profile in the Xiao Clan lately.

Xiao Zhan didn't respond immediately. Instead, he adjusted his robe and bowed deeply to Xiao Bai.

"Clan Leader, what's this about?" Xiao Bai stepped aside, caught off guard.

"This is a father's gratitude," Xiao Zhan said, his eyes warm with appreciation. "Yan Er told me everything. His recovery is entirely thanks to you. I tried to find you after I heard, but you were never around."

Xiao Bai shook his head, smiling. "No need for that, Clan Leader. It was a small effort."

Xiao Yan, watching his father's gesture, felt his eyes sting. I never realized Father would go this far for me.

"What's a small effort to you is a monumental favor to us!" Xiao Zhan laughed heartily. "Come, Xiao Bai, Yan Er, let me introduce you. This is Miss Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Miteer Auction House!"

He stepped aside, revealing the enchanting woman in the red dress.

"Sister Ya Fei!" Xiao Yan greeted her with a shy smile.

"Miss Ya Fei," Xiao Bai said, his gaze steady and composed, fully aware of the small hand poised at his waist, ready to pinch.

Ya Fei, who'd overheard their conversation, was intrigued. The Xiao Clan's two rumored "geniuses"—one recovered, and the other even more extraordinary, responsible for Xiao Yan's comeback.

Her eyes curved into a smile as she studied them, her alluring face radiant. "A pleasure to meet you both," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "I've long heard of the Xiao Clan's two prodigies but never had the chance to meet. Today, my wish is fulfilled—truly, dragons among men!"

"You're too kind, Sister Ya Fei," Xiao Yan replied.

"Overpraised," Xiao Bai said simply.

Ya Fei's sharp eyes assessed them. She'd glimpsed them from afar years ago and misunderstood their situation, but now she realized her mistake.

Years of experience had honed her judgment. Xiao Yan, despite his shy demeanor, had a calm depth in his eyes. Xiao Bai was even more striking, his commanding presence unlike anything she'd felt, even from the elders who held power in her clan.

Looks like we need to strengthen ties with the Xiao Clan and build a good relationship, she decided, her eyes gleaming with intent.

"Alright, the ceremony's about to start. Do your best and don't embarrass your father!" Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, smiling warmly. He glanced at Xiao Bai.

"Clan Leader, you're not expecting me to participate, are you?" Xiao Bai frowned. He'd seen the ceremony before—tedious and overly formal. He had no interest in enduring it.

"Fine, fine! If you don't want to, you don't have to," Xiao Zhan said with a wry smile. This kid didn't stand out before, but now he's as mysterious as that girl beside him. No wonder they've been inseparable since childhood!

As they turned to leave, Xiao Bai spoke up. "Miss Ya Fei, could we have a word in private?"

Xiao Yan's jaw dropped, his eyes darting between Xiao Bai, Xun Er, and Ya Fei. Is Brother Bai dropping the act?

He was all proper at the Miteer Auction House before, but now he's showing his true colors! So bold, right in front of Cousin Xun Er!

Xun Er, however, remained unruffled, her expression calm. I don't believe Xiao Bai would flirt with another woman in front of me.

Ya Fei studied Xiao Bai for a moment, then smiled. "Of course."

They stepped to a quiet corner of the plaza.

"What does Young Master Xiao Bai wish to discuss?" Ya Fei asked.

"I need a large quantity of toxic medicinal ingredients and beast cores. Can the Miteer Auction House provide them?" Xiao Bai got straight to the point.

"Toxic ingredients and beast cores?" Ya Fei's brow furrowed. "We have some, but not many. You may not know, but such items typically flow to the Chu Yun Empire. There's little demand for them in the Jia Ma Empire."

"Then I'll take whatever you have. Going forward, please keep an eye out and collect more. If you come across rare, highly toxic ingredients, I can trade with elixirs."

Xiao Yi Xian had nearly depleted the valley's stock of ingredients. Though she hadn't mentioned it, Xiao Bai knew the valley's supply couldn't sustain her cultivation.

Running into Ya Fei was perfect timing. With the Miteer Auction House's network, they could gather enough ingredients from the Jia Ma Empire to support her for a while.

"Oh? What grade of elixirs can you offer?" Ya Fei's eyes lit up. Raw materials had low profit margins, but elixirs were another story. If he could provide high-grade ones, it would give her leverage in her clan's internal politics.

"Anything below fifth grade, depending on the value of the ingredients you provide," Xiao Bai said calmly. With his soul force at the peak of the Mortal Realm, refining elixirs below seventh grade was well within his ability.

He hadn't focused on alchemy lately, as Xiao Bing was occupied suppressing the Geng Metal Tribulation Lightning. Once that was resolved and Xiao Bing was free, he'd advance his alchemy skills.

"Fifth grade?" Ya Fei's body trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief. She covered her mouth, letting out a soft gasp.

"What, you don't believe me?" Xiao Bai's brow creased slightly.

"Forgive me, Young Master Xiao," Ya Fei said with a wry smile. "It's not that I doubt you, but at your age… fifth grade?"

"Who said I'm an alchemist?" Xiao Bai rolled his eyes. Does having fifth-grade elixirs automatically make me a fifth-grade alchemist? That's a low bar.

Ya Fei instantly understood. She'd seen him buy large quantities of ingredients at the auction house and assumed he was an alchemist. Now, it seemed he had a fifth-grade alchemist backing him.

Her heart raced, and her gaze toward him shifted. She knew better than to pry—digging into someone's secrets was a dangerous move. A fifth-grade alchemist was a top-tier figure in the Jia Ma Empire, someone even the Miteer Clan would strive to befriend, not offend.

"My apologies for the misunderstanding," Ya Fei said, giving a slight bow. "Rest assured, I'll compile a list of the ingredients you need when I return. Within three days, I'll send you an initial batch. The rest will take time, as we'll need to source from other branches."

Sending a batch first was also a test to see if Xiao Bai could deliver on his promise of trading with elixirs.

"Very good," Xiao Bai said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. Having capable people to handle things is so much better. One word, and what I need will be delivered—no need to waste time searching myself.