Both Lin Dong and Lin Xia knew about Qingtan's chilling energy, yet neither could ease her suffering.
Lin Dong could use the Ancestral Stone to absorb that cold energy, but it only removed it—it couldn't relieve the agony she felt whenever it erupted.
The best solution was for Qingtan to learn to control it herself.
"Brother Lin Xuan, don't waste your strength. It's useless," Qingtan said softly, clutching his hand.
Though her face looked delicate and tender, her will was strong—she endured the pain and still forced a smile.
"Master, do you need my help?" a clear voice suddenly echoed in Lin Xuan's mind.
It was Chi Ling, the spirit of the Pill Refining Furnace.
They had already formed a spiritual connection.
"Chi Ling, you can help her? Tell me what to do!" Lin Xuan asked quickly, his heart aching as he watched Qingtan suffer.
Chi Ling responded without hesitation. "Master, place her inside the furnace's inner space. I can control the temperature and warm her body."
Lin Xuan hesitated. He didn't want to expose Chi Ling's existence yet.
After all, it was a divine artifact—no different from Lin Dong's Ancestral Stone—and had to remain a secret.
Even if Qingtan found out, it wouldn't be a problem; as a transmigrator, Lin Xuan could easily judge her character.
But the timing wasn't right. Their relationship hadn't reached that level of trust yet.
"Qingtan, I can help you," Lin Xuan said, "but I'll need to blindfold you. You can't look around until I remove it."
Time was running short. Qingtan suffered with every passing second.
Lin Xuan tore a strip of black cloth from his sleeve and gently tied it over her eyes.
"All right," Qingtan whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I trust you, Brother Lin Xuan."
She was curious—how could he possibly relieve the pain that had plagued her for so long?
Lin Xuan opened the Pill Refining Furnace. Under his will, it expanded to a size large enough for two people. Carefully, he lifted Qingtan and stepped inside.
At the same time, he triggered a new system mission:
Task: Help Qingtan relieve the pain of her chilling energy.
Reward: Charm + 2, Luck + 2.
Success!
Lin Xuan exhaled in relief. "Another useful task… Qingtan's catching up to Lin Dong already."
Inside the crimson furnace, glowing runes shimmered as the temperature rose.
Under Chi Ling's control, streams of gentle warmth flowed into Qingtan's body, melting away the biting chill within her.
"Brother Lin Xuan, what did you do? It feels… amazing!" Qingtan gasped.
The cold energy that had tormented her for years was dissolving completely under the soothing heat. Her body grew warm, and the pain vanished like snow under sunlight.
Overjoyed, she clung to Lin Xuan tightly, afraid that this blissful feeling might disappear.
"Don't worry," Lin Xuan said softly. "This is my treasure—it can ease your pain."
The experience felt like a miracle. Qingtan's curiosity blossomed.
"Brother Lin Xuan, will your treasure always help me?" she asked timidly.
"It will always be available to you," Lin Xuan promised with a reassuring smile.
Qingtan felt a wave of comfort and gratitude. "Thank you, Brother Lin Xuan."
As the warmth continued to flow, color returned to her cheeks, and the tension in her body faded.
"Can I see your treasure?" she asked curiously after a while.
"Not yet," Lin Xuan said firmly. "I can't show it to anyone—not even my family or Lin Dong."
"I was just curious…" Qingtan murmured softly.
Blindfolded, her other senses were heightened, and the all-encompassing warmth fascinated her. The more she felt it, the stronger her desire to see the treasure became.
But Lin Xuan refused. "No, it's not time yet."
They hadn't known each other long. Though they had grown close after several encounters, their relationship still needed time to deepen.
Even the mission to "capture Qingtan's heart" hadn't been completed yet—proof that her feelings hadn't fully matured.
The Crimson Spirit Furnace was Lin Xuan's greatest secret. Revealing it would be reckless.
Helping Qingtan this way was already pushing his limits.
Still, as a transmigrator, Lin Xuan knew Qingtan had a pure and simple heart. Even if she found out, she would never harm him.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn't even dream of letting them experience such a thing.
Yet Qingtan didn't feel disappointed by his refusal.
She had been an orphan, abandoned since birth and forced to endure loneliness and hardship.
But fate had blessed her—a kind family, a caring brother, and now Lin Xuan, who had taken away her greatest suffering.
How could she possibly ask for more?
She understood that Lin Xuan wasn't related to her by blood, yet he had done so much.
Her curiosity about his treasure was just a passing thought. Even if she never saw it, her gratitude wouldn't fade.
He had already done more than enough. Why should he share his deepest secret?
Their bond wasn't that deep yet.
Still, a faint thought slipped into her mind—If one day we were engaged, maybe he would finally open up to me.
That thought alone made her cheeks glow red.
"Brother Lin Xuan," she whispered shyly, "if my cold energy flares up again… can I use your treasure next time?"
Lin Xuan looked into her gentle eyes. "Yes, but only when it's just the two of us. I don't want anyone else to see it."
"Okay!" Qingtan nodded earnestly, her heart filled with warmth and trust.