"All right then, Lin Xiao, when do you want to begin body-tempering?"
"I'm free after school!"
Ye Lingling pumped her fists, full of enthusiasm.
She had never wanted Lin Xiao to die.
Now that he even offered her hope of breaking the curse of her martial soul, she was eager—almost impatient to begin.
Lin Xiao thought for a moment.
The principle of evil fire body-tempering was to draw out the fire within him, letting it rampage through his body while using the Heart of Ice Technique, Five Animal Frolics, and the healing powers of the Nine-Heart Begonia to repair the damage. It was a strategy of destruction before rebirth.
The Heart of Ice Technique kept his mind clear, preventing madness and helping control the fire to limit harm.
The Five Animal Frolics guided the body's energy, strengthening the meridians, internal organs, and entire body.
The Nine-Heart Begonia provided immense healing, repairing injuries and enhancing the body in tandem with the frolics.
"Hmm, we can start any time."
"But I'll need to prepare a medicinal bath, some highly nutritious food, and a steady supply of drinking water. Once that's ready, we're good to go."
Ye Lingling clapped her hands.
"That's easy! We have medicinal bath recipes and herbs at home. As for food, we've got ginseng, lingzhi, and plenty of other tonics. And water? No problem!"
"Then let's do it tomorrow night, after school!"
Lin Xiao nodded and was about to finalize the plan—
"I'll handle it."
A gentle, graceful voice interrupted.
Startled, Lin Xiao turned around and saw Ye Qingxian smiling softly.
"Lingling is still just a Grandmaster," she said, "and the evil fire in your body is far too ferocious. This kind of body-tempering is extremely dangerous. If her healing can't keep up, or her soul power runs low, the consequences could be dire."
"Also, while high-nutrition foods are important, you must be careful not to overdo it—especially with ginseng, which heavily stimulates blood circulation. I'll prepare a more balanced medicinal diet for you."
"As for the medicinal bath, I know which formulas suit you best. We'll start with cooling herbs, then gradually try warming ones. That way it's safer."
Ye Qingxian truly lived up to her reputation as a master healer.
In just a few words, she had pinpointed the flaws in the plan Lin Xiao and Ye Lingling had devised—and offered thorough, reasonable improvements.
Ye Lingling, however, was a little upset.
He came to me for help, Mom. Why are you stealing the job?
But there was no arguing—Ye Qingxian's points were sound, and frankly, she was more capable.
Lingling could only pout.
"Then I'll assist you, Mom!"
Lin Xiao hesitated slightly, then said, a bit embarrassed,
"Auntie Ye, you're already so busy… I really shouldn't trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all," she replied calmly.
"Most soul masters who come to me just have minor injuries. Real life-threatening wounds are rare. They can seek treatment elsewhere."
The world keeps turning, with or without me.
Heaven Dou City doesn't have just one medical clinic.
Ye Qingxian had always seen that part of life clearly.
"Oh, right," she added smoothly, "will it be difficult for you to trigger the evil fire yourself?"
Her tone was composed, but there was a slight pause, and a faint awkwardness in her expression.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling might not know what the evil fire truly was. But as a seasoned healer, Ye Qingxian certainly did.
Evil fire—also known as kidney fire—relates directly to one's primal essence.
The most common method of release?
Continuous generation and expenditure of that essence.
She glanced subtly at Lin Xiao.
A boy this young, already burdened with such a fierce fire. He clearly has the capacity for intimacy, yet never once suggested resolving it through carnal means.
Anyone else would have jumped at the chance to indulge under the excuse of "treatment."
Such restraint… it suits the bearer of a Phoenix spirit.
Lin Xiao's face stiffened.
"Uh… it shouldn't be too difficult?"
Damn. The evil fire doesn't exactly come out on command...
Do I have to be on standby at all times, just waiting for it to explode?
It really is inconvenient…
Ye Qingxian's cheeks flushed slightly. She forced a calm expression and said,
"No matter. I'll add a few aphrodisiacal herbs to your bath. That should naturally bring the evil fire out."
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling looked puzzled.
But seeing that there was a solution, they didn't think too hard about it.
Only Lin Xiao turned beet red and bowed.
"Thank you for your trouble, Auntie Ye."
He couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Did she really have to say it like that?
"Stimulate the six desires," she said.
But everyone knows the Seven Emotions and Six Desires go hand in hand.
Which means:
Stimulating the Six Desires = Stimulating the Seven Emotions = An aphrodisiac.
Ye Qingxian had spelled it out—elegantly, but unmistakably.
Luckily, she had said it so subtly that Dugu Yan and Lingling didn't catch on.
At least Lin Xiao's dignity had been spared.
Ye Qingxian nodded.
"You're Lingling's friend, so this is something I ought to do. Besides, I rather like your character. I hope you'll continue to stay true to yourself."
If Lin Xiao had been the lascivious type, Ye Qingxian wouldn't have spared him a glance—
She'd have told him to solve the problem on his own and forbid any contact with Lingling.
Not out of prudishness—
But out of a parent's natural instinct to protect their child.
"Auntie Ye, when should we start?" Lin Xiao asked.
She thought for a moment.
"I need tonight to prepare the bath and medicinal meals. I'll also get some items ready in case your soul power needs replenishing. I'll send for you tomorrow."
"I heard from Lingling that you're an orphan, and came to Heaven Dou City alone?"
"In that case, there's no need to inform your family. Do you have anything left at the Dugu estate that you need to retrieve?"
"No. Nothing left. Thank you again, Auntie Ye."
Lin Xiao gave a polite bow.
And just like that, Ye Qingxian took charge, moving him out of Dugu Yan's house and into the Ye residence.
Lin Xiao quickly noticed—
Though Ye Qingxian appeared soft-spoken and gentle, she was also strong-willed and firm at her core.
Yes… she gave a sense of security.
Just now, when he had shared his plan, she had immediately improved it with precise adjustments. She'd considered every angle.
On the side, Dugu Yan stood silently: "…"
She watched as Lin Xiao was smoothly transferred from her home to Ye's—
And felt something wasn't quite right.
She wanted to speak up…
But looking at Ye Qingxian, she didn't quite dare.
In the end, she could only lower her head with a sulky frown.
As Lin Xiao stepped out of the room—
He suddenly heard Ye Qingxian muttering to herself from behind.
"Speaking of which… the other day, a few patients came to me reeking with festering STDs. I kicked those scoundrels out on the spot and had to disinfect my entire clinic…"
Lin Xiao froze mid-step.
Then continued walking without a word.