Battle Through the Heavens: Starting with Cao Ying as an apprentice

Su Baichen was like a tireless gambler, each time he spoke, he carried a subtle expectation, and each time he received a response, he returned to calm.

He wasn't in a hurry; he just mechanically bought, opened, examined, and placed the items.

Gradually, the empty space beside the bed was filled with various items: three pairs of stockings of different colors, seven packets of seasonings of unknown composition, five useless books, a dozen or so ordinary clothes, several sets of tea sets and bowls, a few combs and mirrors, and even a few potted ornamental plants that could survive without soil.

When Su Baichen opened the seventy-third blind box and received a straw sun hat, he paused for a moment.

He gently placed the hat on top of the pile of "collectibles" and continued speaking.

"System, buy another one."

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained a wool scarf!]

……

The number is gradually approaching one hundred.

When the 108th blind box yielded a peach wood comb, Su Baichen finally raised his hand and rubbed his temples.

There was barely any room to step inside, with all sorts of clutter piled up like mountains.

He took a deep breath, his voice carrying obvious emotion for the first time: "Xiao Jin, did you swallow my reward?"

After a pause, he said in a deep voice, "How could we not have found anything good!"

[The host's bad luck has nothing to do with this system. Please do not slander this system!]

Upon hearing this, Su Baichen twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "Alright, let's continue."

Then the command was given again.

From the 109th time, to the 150th time, and then to the 180th time...

Su Baichen only gave up when Cai Lin finally called him to eat.

Chapter 245 Zi Yan, who endured hardship and bided her time!

A few days later, everyone gathered together in the courtyard!

"With this matter settled, the remaining forces of the Black Corner Region are no longer a threat." Su Baichen's voice was calm yet carried an undeniable power.

"But to cut the weeds, you must remove the roots; to gather, integrate, and clean up—these things need to be done by reliable people."

His gaze slowly swept across the audience.

Cai Lin stood at the very front. She knew that Su Baichen would not take everyone to Zhongzhou with him—the rear must be secured, and she was the most suitable person to guard the rear.

Yun Yun stood beside Cai Lin; she had been assisting Cai Lin for the past few years.

Little Ice and Little Fire stood side by side.

The two sisters, one in blue and one in red, had very different temperaments but shared the same heart. They clasped their hands in unison and said, "Master, rest assured, not a single one of the remnants of the Black Corner Region will escape."

“Cai Lin.” Su Baichen looked at the purple figure.

Cai Lin stepped forward, her voice clear and cold like the clash of jade: "My husband, rest assured, I will handle the matters between the Black Corner Region and the Gama Empire properly."

She paused, a barely perceptible hint of tenderness flashing in her purple eyes.

"Be careful on the road."

Su Baichen nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Yun Yun.

Yun Yun gave a slight bow, her voice gentle yet firm: "I will discuss and handle all matters concerning the Empire with Sister Cai Lin. I will ensure that there is no chaos in the rear that could disrupt your path."

"Okay." Su Baichen uttered only one word, but it carried immense weight.

He finally looked at Xiao Bing and Xiao Huo: "You two assist Cai Lin and Yun Yun, and be decisive in dealing with matters."

"Yes!" the two sisters replied in unison, their eyes filled with fierce fighting spirit.

Su Baichen, meanwhile, took Cai Die and Zi Yan with him to Tianya City.

Tianya City, a key hub city connecting the Black Corner Region and the Central Plains!

Located in the Tianqing Mountains, it is the only prosperous place within a thousand miles that has a wormhole leading to the Central Plains.

…………

On an unnamed mountain path outside Tianya City.

Su Baichen stopped on the mountain path outside the city, his white robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze.

He looked up, his gaze passing over the towering city walls and landing on the faintly rippling space deep within the city.

That is the gateway to Zhongzhou.

"Su Baichen!" Zi Yan's voice suddenly rang out, filled with obvious dissatisfaction.

"Is this the road to Zhongzhou?"

Zi Yan flexed her wrists and ankles, tilting her head back to glare at Su Baichen beside her, her amethyst eyes filled with accusation: "All you did on the way here was choke me on the back of the neck! I'm a grown woman, don't I have any dignity?"

As she spoke, she subconsciously touched the back of her neck, as if the sensation of being lifted still lingered there.

When she set off this morning, Cai Lin, Yun Yun and others came to see her off. Cai Lin's usually cold and beautiful face was clearly hiding a smile, and her shoulders were trembling slightly—Zi Yan saw it all clearly!

Su Baichen glanced down at her, a faint smile curving his lips, but said nothing.

"Ziyan!" Caidie came over with a grin and ruffled the little girl's hair without any hesitation.

"My brother-in-law is originally from Zhongzhou, he knows this road very well!"

She was in an exceptionally good mood today. Her older sister, Cai Lin, had been left behind in the Black Corner Region to oversee the overall situation, leaving only the three of them on this trip—which meant that this little girl, who had been constantly trying to sneak away to pick medicinal herbs, was completely under her "suppression"!

Zi Yan rolled her eyes in frustration as her hair was ruffled.

[A temporary older sister!] she thought angrily to herself.

【wait for me……】

But as soon as the thought crossed my mind, a sense of powerlessness washed over me.

She looked down at herself—the purple outfit accentuated her petite figure, but her height… was about the same as those ten-year-old children on the street! She was as short as a nail!

What's even more deadly is strength.

She is now a nine-star Dou Zong, considered a powerful figure in the Black Corner Region. However, Cai Die has already stepped into the Dou Zun realm. After the ancient Heavenly Serpent bloodline was fully awakened, her cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds.

And what about her? The Dragon Emperor bloodline of the Ancient Dragon of the Void has not yet awakened, and she must return to her clan for a ceremony. Before that, her cultivation speed is nowhere near that of Cai Die.

Thinking of relying on pills to make up for it? Zi Yan's heart bled as she thought of the strictly controlled pills in her storage ring.

Because of the "accident" that almost caused her to explode from stealing food last time, Su Baichen now only gives her enough pills for four meals a day—that's her food!

"When I awaken my Dragon Emperor bloodline..." Zi Yan clenched her small fist and secretly vowed.

I will definitely suppress you and make you the elder sister! I'll make you spit out all the pills you stole from me!

"Zi Yan?" Cai Die's voice suddenly came close.

What are you thinking about?

Zi Yan was startled and looked up to meet Cai Die's smiling eyes.

The next moment, she was lifted up – the butterfly held her firmly in its arms, raising her to eye level.

“I feel like…” Cai Die narrowed her eyes, her sweet smile sending a chill down Zi Yan’s spine.

What unpleasant things are you thinking about?

"How could that be!" Zi Yan quickly waved her hand, her eyes darting around, her face instantly filled with worry.

“I was thinking about my dad… He’s trapped there all by himself, how lonely he must be.”

[Dad, I'm sorry, but could you please block my way for me?]

Your daughter is in trouble for now, but I will make it up to you properly once you get out!

Cai Die frowned. She knew a little about Zi Yan's father's situation—Su Baichen had only mentioned that the man was trapped somewhere, but had not specified the details.

She knew a little more than others, but that was all she knew.

Looking at Ziyan's "sincere" eyes, Caidie felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't find any fault with it.

"Okay." She tilted her head and suddenly smiled.

"Then I'll punish you by making you go shopping with me—I'll treat you, but you'll have to pay."

"What?!" Zi Yan's eyes widened as she struggled to get up.

"That's not fair! I didn't do anything wrong, why should I be punished? And what do you mean by 'you treat, I pay'?"

Buying things! Those are her elixirs! Her lifeblood!

"Why should I?" Cai Die put her back on the ground, raised her fist, and smiled brightly.

"I'm stronger than you right now. Might makes right, don't you understand?"

She bent down, leaned closer to Zi Yan, and said in a voice so gentle it could melt your heart: "What, do you think... you're stronger than me?"

Ziyan looked at the fist the size of a sandbag in front of her, then at Caidie's smiling face, and her little face scrunched up.

Waaaaah, you just wait...

"Hmm?" Butterfly drawled out the last syllable.

Zi Yan's shoulders slumped, and she nodded resignedly, squeezing out two "happy" tears from the corners of her eyes.

"That's a good girl." Cai Die straightened up with satisfaction, rubbed Zi Yan's head, and felt very happy.

[It's true that you should discipline your younger sister early on,] she thought to herself.

Otherwise, once this little girl grows up and her bloodline awakens, I'm afraid we really won't be able to fight her anymore.

“Husband.” Cai Die turned to look at Su Baichen, who had been standing quietly by the side, her voice softening.

"May I take Ziyan to the city for a stroll? It won't take too long."

Su Baichen withdrew his gaze from the sky above Tianya City and nodded slightly: "Come find me at the City Lord's Mansion before sunset."

"Okay!" Cai Die's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Zi Yan's hand and ran towards the city gate.

"Let's go! I heard there are lots of novelties from Zhongzhou in Tianya City!"

"Slow down! My pills... my money!" Zi Yan's wails faded into the distance.