Body Tempering Transformation

Early the next morning, Ling Qianxue took Xiao Hanye to the medicine shop to purchase the auxiliary medicinal materials needed for body tempering.

"Blood Ginseng, Thousand-Year Polygonum, Purple Lingzhi..." The shopkeeper looked at the list in surprise. "Miss, these are all premium medicinal materials. Are you planning to refine some pills?"

"For medicinal bath preparations," Ling Qianxue said indifferently.

"I see," the shopkeeper understood. "These medicinal materials together will cost three hundred taels of silver."

Ling Qianxue paid without hesitation. This money was nothing to her now. Not to mention the harvest from slaying demon beasts over the past month - helping Xiao Hanye improve his strength was what mattered most.

Back at Ling Manor, Ling Qianxue immediately began preparations.

"Hanye, go prepare a large wooden tub that can hold a person," she instructed.

"Right away!" Xiao Hanye immediately went to handle it.

Ling Qianxue began processing the medicinal materials. Her techniques were skillful as she mixed various herbs according to specific proportions, then slowly simmered them with spiritual fire.

The entire courtyard was filled with rich medicinal fragrance.

"Qianxue, what are you doing?" Ling Tianhua came following the scent.

"Preparing a body tempering medicinal bath for Hanye," Ling Qianxue said while stirring the medicinal liquid.

"Body tempering?" Ling Tianhua's eyes lit up. "It seems Hanye's physical cultivation talent is indeed quite good."

"Mm, he has great potential," Ling Qianxue nodded.

Watching his daughter's serious expression, Ling Tianhua was thoughtful. He could see his daughter's special feelings for this young man, but he didn't expose it, only nodding secretly.

Though Xiao Hanye was a servant's son, as their family had fallen, he had never abandoned Qianxue. He was a good child. If in the future... that wouldn't be bad either.

Two hours later, the medicinal liquid was finally prepared.

"Move the wooden tub here," Ling Qianxue pointed to an empty space in the courtyard.

Xiao Hanye placed the large wooden tub, and Ling Qianxue poured the scalding medicinal liquid into it.

"It's too hot now. Wait until the temperature is suitable before getting in," she said. "Remember, the first body tempering is most crucial. You must endure the pain."

"I understand," Xiao Hanye nodded seriously.

Half an hour later, the medicinal liquid temperature had dropped to a suitable level.

"It's ready," Ling Qianxue tested the temperature. "Eat all the Bone Tempering Fruits, then immediately enter the medicinal liquid."

Xiao Hanye took a deep breath and swallowed all twenty Bone Tempering Fruits.

Instantly, a scorching power erupted within his body, as if countless small knives were cutting his meridians.

"Quick, get in!"

Xiao Hanye gritted his teeth and jumped into the wooden tub.

"Ahh!"

The intense pain made him cry out involuntarily. The medicinal liquid penetrated his skin, interacting with the medicinal power inside his body, beginning to transform his physique.

"Hold on!" Ling Qianxue watched him worriedly. "Circulate the"Indestructible Diamond Body", guide the medicinal power to temper your body!"

Veins bulged on Xiao Hanye's forehead, sweat pouring like rain. Following Ling Qianxue's instructions, he began circulating his cultivation technique.

Gradually, his skin began seeping black sweat - the impurities being forced out of his body.

A foul smell spread, but Ling Qianxue didn't mind at all. Instead, she observed his condition even more attentively.

"Very good, keep it up!" she encouraged.

Time passed minute by minute, the pain Xiao Hanye endured growing ever greater. His consciousness began to blur, wanting to give up several times.

But whenever he was about to break, Ling Qianxue's gentle voice would sound in his ears.

"Hanye, you can do it!"

"Keep going!"

"I believe in you!"

These voices moistened his soul like sweet dew, giving him the strength to continue persisting.

After two full hours, the medicinal liquid's color changed from deep brown to clear pale yellow, indicating the medicinal power had been completely absorbed.

"You can come out now," Ling Qianxue said.

Xiao Hanye slowly stood up, his entire body covered in black filth, emitting a foul odor.

But Ling Qianxue's attention wasn't on that.

After the body tempering, Xiao Hanye's physique had become even more perfect. His already solid muscles now had more defined lines, each containing explosive power. Though his skin was still covered in filth, she could see it had become tighter and smoother.

What made Ling Qianxue's heart race most was the pure masculine energy emanating from him.

'So... so robust...' Her face unconsciously reddened, her heart thumping wildly.

"Sister Qianxue?" Xiao Hanye noticed her unusual state and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Your face is so red."

"N-nothing!" Ling Qianxue hurriedly averted her gaze. "You... you go wash up quickly!"

"Oh." Xiao Hanye scratched his head, completely unaware of how much impact his current appearance had on a girl experiencing first love.

After Xiao Hanye left, Ling Qianxue covered her burning cheeks, her heart racing like a startled deer.

'What's wrong with me?' she asked herself inwardly. 'Just seeing Hanye's physique, why am I so... so flustered?'

She recalled the image of Xiao Hanye standing up, that perfect physique, those power-filled muscle lines...

'No, no!' She shook her head vigorously. 'Ling Qianxue, you must be reserved!'

But the more she tried to forget, the clearer those images appeared in her mind.

"Sister Qianxue, I'm done washing!"

Xiao Hanye's voice pulled her back from her wild thoughts.

She turned around and saw the renewed Xiao Hanye, becoming stunned again.

After washing away the filth, he radiated a special charm. His skin had become smooth as jade, his features seemingly more three-dimensional and handsome. Most importantly, that vitality emanating from him made one want to get closer involuntarily.

"Sister Qianxue, I feel my body is full of power!" Xiao Hanye excitedly clenched his fist. "And my body feels so light!"

He casually waved his hand, creating a gust of wind.

"The effect is very good," Ling Qianxue tried to keep her voice calm. "But this is just the beginning. Next, you need to take the Body Tempering Golden Fruits."

"Take them now?"

"No, you need to first consolidate your current state," Ling Qianxue said. "Let's go to the Demon Beast Forest and familiarize yourself with your new power through actual combat."

"Great!"

The two came to the Demon Beast Forest again.

Shortly after entering the forest, they encountered a group of Swift Wind Rabbits.

"Let me try!" Xiao Hanye was eager to test himself.

He charged into the rabbit group, his speed more than doubled from before. Those Swift Wind Rabbits known for their speed seemed to move in slow motion before him.

"Bang bang bang!"

In just a few breaths, over a dozen Swift Wind Rabbits were all knocked down.

"Too easy!" Xiao Hanye said in pleasant surprise.

Seeing his happy expression, Ling Qianxue's heart softened.

'He's really working hard for me,' she thought, the corners of her mouth unconsciously rising.

Next, they encountered several more waves of demon beasts. Iron Armor Boars, Venomous Fang Snakes, Shadow Hawks... These demon beasts that previously required effort to deal with, Xiao Hanye could now handle easily.

"Hanye's progress is really great," Ling Qianxue praised sincerely.

"It's all thanks to Sister Qianxue," Xiao Hanye grinned. "Without you, I couldn't have achieved what I have today."

Looking at his sincere eyes, warmth filled Ling Qianxue's heart.

"We're partners after all," she said softly.

"Not just partners," Xiao Hanye suddenly said seriously. "Sister Qianxue is the most important person to me."

Ling Qianxue's heartbeat skipped.

"Fool..." she murmured softly.

Just then, the sky suddenly darkened.

"It's going to rain," Ling Qianxue looked up. "Let's find somewhere to take shelter."

But before they could find a suitable place, torrential rain poured down.

The two were instantly drenched.

"There's a cave there!" Xiao Hanye pointed ahead.

They quickly ran into the cave.

"Phew..." Ling Qianxue breathed a sigh of relief. "This rain came so suddenly."

She was about to cast fire element spells to dry their clothes when her expression suddenly changed.

"Not good! There are demon beasts!"

As soon as she finished speaking, several figures appeared at the cave entrance.

They were demon beasts formed from condensed water, varying in form but all emanating dangerous auras.

"Water Spirit Beasts!" Ling Qianxue's expression turned serious. "They specifically appear on rainy days, taking water as form, very difficult to deal with."

She immediately cast fire element spells to attack, but the effect was minimal. The flames were extinguished upon contact with the Water Spirit Beasts.

"Damn, completely countered by their element!"

The Water Spirit Beasts launched their attack - water arrows, water blades, water pillars... Various water element attacks came overwhelming.

Ling Qianxue desperately dodged but was still hit in the shoulder by a water blade.

"Ah!" She cried out in pain, blood staining her clothes.

"Sister Qianxue!"

Xiao Hanye was shocked and immediately rushed forward to support her.

"I'm fine..." Ling Qianxue said through gritted teeth, but her pale face showed she was seriously injured.

"Damn it!"

Xiao Hanye was enraged. Seeing Ling Qianxue injured, he felt his heart was about to shatter.

"Get away from her!"

He erupted with all his power, charging at the Water Spirit Beasts like a fierce tiger descending the mountain.

His powerful body tempered through the process played its role now. Water element attacks hitting him could only cause minor damage.

"Diamond Break!"

His fist, carrying a breaking sound through the air, smashed hard into a Water Spirit Beast.

"Splash!"

The Water Spirit Beast was directly scattered, turning into splashing water.

But soon, it condensed again.

"Can't these things be killed?" Xiao Hanye frowned.

"Water Spirit Beasts have cores moving within their bodies. You must shatter the core to truly eliminate them," Ling Qianxue said weakly.

"I understand!"

Xiao Hanye concentrated, carefully observing the Water Spirit Beasts' bodies. Indeed, he discovered each Water Spirit Beast had a blue point of light moving inside.

"Found it!"

He changed tactics, specifically attacking those points of light.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

One Water Spirit Beast after another was truly eliminated.

Watching Xiao Hanye's valiant fighting figure, strange feelings surged in Ling Qianxue's heart.

'He really has become stronger... Fighting to protect me, he looks so handsome...'

Her face reddened, but this time not from injury, but from her racing heart.

'I really want... really want to be held in his arms...' Once this thought appeared, it couldn't be dismissed.

Finally, the last Water Spirit Beast was eliminated.

Xiao Hanye immediately ran back to Ling Qianxue's side. "Sister Qianxue, how are you?"

"I..." Ling Qianxue was about to speak when she suddenly felt dizzy.

Her wound was still bleeding, and she had consumed a large amount of spiritual power earlier. She was about to faint.

"Sister Qianxue!" Xiao Hanye anxiously pulled her into his arms.

Feeling that warm, broad embrace, Ling Qianxue's heart beat even faster.

'So warm... so safe...' she thought to herself. 'I really want to be held by him like this forever...'

"Let me stop the bleeding first." Xiao Hanye carefully tore open the clothing at her shoulder.

Seeing that deep wound, his eyes reddened with heartache.

"I'm sorry, I failed to protect you," he said self-reproachfully.

"It's not your fault," Ling Qianxue comforted softly. "I was too careless."

Xiao Hanye took out healing medicine, carefully cleaning the wound, applying medicine, and bandaging it.

His movements were very gentle, afraid of hurting her.

This feeling of being cherished and cared for made Ling Qianxue's heart melt.

'Hanye... do you know? I really... really like you so much...' she said silently in her heart.

After bandaging the wound, Xiao Hanye carried her to a dry place deeper in the cave.

"Sister Qianxue, rest for a while. I'll go guard the entrance," he said.

"Don't go..." Ling Qianxue subconsciously grabbed his hand.

"Sister Qianxue?"

"Stay with me for a while, okay?" Her voice was very small, with a hint of coquettishness.

Xiao Hanye's heart softened. "Alright."

He sat beside her, letting her lean on his shoulder.

The rain continued outside, thunder rumbling. But inside the cave was exceptionally warm.

"Hanye."

"Mm?"

"You said you'd always stay with me. Is that true?"

"Of course it's true!" Xiao Hanye answered without hesitation. "I swear, I'll stay by Sister Qianxue's side my whole life!"

Ling Qianxue smiled, that smile beautiful enough to intoxicate.

"Then you must keep your word."

"Definitely!"

The two quietly leaned against each other like this, listening to the rain outside, enjoying this unique tranquility.

Gradually, Ling Qianxue fell asleep in his arms.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, Xiao Hanye's heart filled with tenderness.

'Sister Qianxue, I will definitely become stronger, strong enough to protect you for a lifetime,' he vowed silently in his heart.

The rain continued falling.

But with each other's company, no storm was frightening.