It wasn't until Lin Xiao's figure disappeared from view that Ye Qingxian finally stopped her deliberate murmuring—just loud enough for him to hear. She wasn't sure whether he had fully understood her intent.
But as an elder, it was her role to guide the younger generation.
She had to make sure Lin Xiao knew:
The world of brothels and casual sex might appear glamorous on the surface—handsome men, beautiful women—but underneath, it was disgustingly filthy. Not morally, perhaps, but physically.
Only a physician truly understood the depths of that filth.
Unfortunately, doctors were bound by patient confidentiality. So most of the public remained unaware.
"If one day he can no longer bear it," Ye Qingxian whispered to herself, "then at least, remembering my words, he'll choose a proper woman to spend his life with, rather than losing himself in those smoke-filled pleasure dens."
In truth, Ye Qingxian admired Lin Xiao.
Otherwise, with her usual aloof and quiet nature, she would never have meddled in his affairs at all.
He was her daughter's friend, yes—
But not hers.
After tidying up her tools and closing the door, her thoughts drifted back to what Lin Xiao had said.
"Can he really undo the curse of the Nine-Heart Begonia?"
"Lingling's such a bold girl—demanding fifty percent certainty..."
"Even I would be satisfied with thirty."
With a soft sigh, she locked the door and went about her work.
"Even if Auntie Ye is a bit domineering, she has a kind heart," Lin Xiao thought. "Today she gave me inspiration for body-tempering with the evil fire, and even improved my whole plan."
"And what she said before I left—I know she meant well. It's not that she thinks I'd go to a brothel. She's just warning me about the risks. She's looking out for my safety."
Lin Xiao wasn't foolish.
He could tell genuine care from self-interest.
With Ye Lingling leading the way, Lin Xiao settled into a guest room at the Ye household. Dugu Yan, meanwhile, decided to share a room with Lingling.
The next morning.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling left for school.
Lin Xiao stayed behind, practicing the Five Animal Frolics in the courtyard.
He greeted them as they left, then resumed his training.
Ye Qingxian remained busy all day, sorting through medicinal recipes and modifying them based on Lin Xiao's specific condition.
"Lin Xiao? Come here a moment."
She suddenly called him over. "Take off your shirt. I want to feel your bones and test your physical strength to determine your dosage."
Lin Xiao obediently removed his shirt.
Facing Ye Qingxian always gave him a strange feeling—like he was back in a hospital, quietly following every instruction from a doctor.
After the examination, Ye Qingxian looked surprised.
"How did you build such a body? You're just a Soul Master, but your physique is already close to that of a Grandmaster. Remarkable."
Lin Xiao replied honestly:
"My top-tier beast martial soul gave me a strong foundation. Then, after one evil fire eruption, I used Five Animal Frolics to repair myself and that improved my physique. Later, when I absorbed a soul ring close to 600 years old, it strengthened me again."
He was fully transparent with her—even telling her about the Five Animal Frolics. Lin Xiao wanted to build a sincere bond with the Ye family.
Especially with a woman as intelligent as Ye Qingxian, playing clever games would only create distance.
Besides—
He had discovered the great secret of the Nine-Heart Begonia martial soul.
He still needed that "broken" soul to aid in his cultivation moving forward.
They were allies now.
Ye Qingxian nodded slightly. She didn't ask more about the Five Animal Frolics. She guessed it was the routine Lin Xiao practiced each day. It was his own method—she had no interest in stealing it.
That afternoon.
Dugu Yan and Lingling hadn't returned from school yet.
Ye Qingxian pointed to a large wooden tub.
"Undress and get in."
Considering Lin Xiao's mental maturity, she had hung a cloth curtain for modesty.
She sat on a small stool beside the tub, ready to apply healing at any moment. A carefully prepared medicinal meal sat on a nearby table.
Lin Xiao took in the scent of the herbs. After removing his clothes, he stepped into the steaming bath. At first, the heat was tolerable. Then comfortable.
Then—
The water didn't feel hot anymore.
He was the one overheating.
His face flushed red. The evil fire within him surged to the brink of chaos.
He immediately began chanting the Heart of Ice Technique.
The fire responded to the chant and began to flow more evenly.
"Auntie Ye! Medicinal meal—Nine-Heart Begonia!"
Ye Qingxian handed him the food, which he consumed in one gulp. Then she summoned her martial soul and began layering soul skills to heal him.
In the tub, Lin Xiao began practicing the Five Animal Frolics.
The medicinal food turned into pure energy within him, and the Nine-Heart Begonia's vast healing power flowed through his body, repairing and strengthening him in sync with his movements.
From head to toe, Lin Xiao looked like a boiled shrimp. His skin had turned bright red, and steam poured from his body.
"My mouth's dry..."
Ye Qingxian passed him a water jug.
He snatched it and drank deeply.
This familiar feeling… this familiar formula…
Just like last time when the evil fire had burned through him—
His internal organs felt like they were being roasted.
His flesh like it was boiling in a pot.
But this time, it was even worse.
The agony was enough to make a man want to live but be unable to,
To wish for death but be unable to die.
Lin Xiao clenched his teeth tightly.
Fearing he might bite off his tongue—or break a tooth—
Ye Qingxian handed him a towel.
"Bite this."
He bit down, his expression twisted with pain.
Ye Qingxian, seasoned as she was, had seen all manner of suffering.
But even she had to look away.
With a sigh, she whispered:
"To become strong... there is always a price."
"The Nine-Heart Begonia can keep you alive—but it cannot spare you the pain of being burned alive."
"In fact, because it continuously heals you, you'll suffer far longer than a normal fire eruption."
"Time and again, your body is broken like dry branches, and time and again rebuilt in agonizing rebirth. That's what they call a phoenix's nirvana."
"Except..."
She didn't finish the thought.
Only those who survive it are worthy of being called a true phoenix.
Only those who endure deserve to evolve into one.
Otherwise—what difference was there between a mutated chicken and a phoenix?
Another reason she chose to perform the treatment while Lingling and Dugu Yan were still at school—
She didn't want them to witness Lin Xiao's torment.
One glance at his writhing form was enough.
With a shake of her head, Ye Qingxian muttered:
"Good thing I took this on myself."
"If I'd let that girl Lingling handle it—she'd have panicked, probably passed out, and you would've suffered twice as much!"
By now, the evil fire inside Lin Xiao's body had calmed significantly.
Where once it had rampaged like a wildfire—
Now its fury dwindled.
No—
It wasn't weakening.
Lin Xiao's meridians and organs had grown tougher,
Reinforced by healing, tempered by pain.
This level of fire could no longer overwhelm him.