He finally experienced the suffering Qing Tan endured.
But this was only a fraction of Qing Tan's cold energy, not fatal.
With his strong constitution, he could endure the pain and refine it.
Gradually, the Yin energy blended into his dantian with his yuan power.
Success! A faint trace of Yin energy now lingered within his yuan power.
"As long as I strengthen the Yin energy within my yuan power, I can break through to the Earth Yuan Realm."
Confidence filled his face. Next step: spend more time with Qing Tan and collect more Yin Beads.
"But with me taking these Yin Beads, can Lin Dong still reach Earth Yuan Realm? I wonder how many he got from Qing Tan before. Hopefully enough for him…"
Lin Xuan sighed a little for Lin Dong, but quickly dismissed it.
He would never give Qing Tan to Lin Dong.
The Ancestral Stone opportunity he failed to seize — fine. But future opportunities would belong to whoever got them first.
If Lin Dong fell behind because of this, so be it. Lin Xuan would cover for him anyway.
---
Another month passed.
Lin Xuan had almost fully refined his pills and Yin Beads. Now he stood at the peak of Body Tempering Ninth Layer, his yuan power heavily infused with Yin energy. He was just one step from the Earth Yuan Realm.
That day, Qing Tan came again.
"Brother Lin Xuan, I feel my cold energy will flare up again. I'll stay with you the next couple of days."
"Qing Tan, your cold energy is erupting more often now, and stronger each time. Just how much power is hidden in that little body of yours?" Lin Xuan gently patted her head.
These days, he had gained many Yin Beads from her, and could clearly see her condition worsening.
"I don't know why it's so much." Qing Tan pouted, looking aggrieved. "But with Brother Lin Xuan's treasure, no matter how strong it gets, it can be suppressed."
Her lively nature quickly returned, and she smiled optimistically.
"You… always thinking about my treasure!" Lin Xuan said fondly.
After spending so much time together, especially within the alchemy furnace during her episodes, their bond had grown very close. They could now speak intimately and even share small affectionate gestures.
The next day, Qing Tan's cold energy erupted again.
Lin Xuan, practiced in the routine, blindfolded her and held her as they entered the furnace.
"Master, I can draw out more of her Yin energy. After refining it, I can transfer it into your body. You could use this chance to break through to Earth Yuan Realm," Chi Ling suddenly transmitted.
"Oh? That's possible?!" Lin Xuan was slightly surprised.
But he still asked first, "Will this hurt Qing Tan?"
"No. It only discharges her excess cold energy earlier, at most delaying her next eruption. She won't feel pain — but you will."
"Then do it!"
Pain? He could endure it.
Chi Ling began acting as a "conduit," refining Qing Tan's Yin energy through alchemy flames and passing it directly to Lin Xuan.
He sat cross-legged opposite Qing Tan as icy blue energy streamed from her body. Passing through a red flame barrier, it was purified and drawn into him.
A thin blue thread connected the two of them.
As time passed, Qing Tan realized the energy inside her was surging more violently than ever.
She grew frightened. This was two, even three times stronger than before.
"Brother Lin Xuan, there's so much! I'm scared!" she cried, instinctively reaching out to grasp him for comfort.
But when she touched his hand, it was ice-cold.
She was shocked.
In the furnace, Chi Ling carefully gave Qing Tan enough warmth so she wouldn't suffer, no matter how much energy surged out. But for Lin Xuan, who needed the cold energy for his breakthrough, no such warmth was provided.
Thus, his whole body became frozen, just like Qing Tan during her own eruptions.
"I… I'm fine… Qing Tan… it'll… it'll pass soon…" Lin Xuan stammered through chattering teeth.
The bone-piercing cold made his jaw tremble uncontrollably.
But hearing his trembling voice, Qing Tan froze.
This was the exact tone she herself used when writhing in pain from her eruptions.
Suddenly, countless thoughts struck her.
She wasn't cold. But he was cold.
She wasn't in pain. But he was in pain.
What did this mean?
Brother Lin Xuan's "treasure" must be transferring her suffering onto himself!
She recalled many details:
Why did he always remain silent before?
Why did he make her sit still, not touching anything?
Why did he always cover her eyes?
All of it — to keep her from knowing the truth!
Before, her cold energy had been weaker, so he could endure it without revealing anything. But this time it was too much, and even he couldn't hide it.
Her covered eyes grew wet with tears.
"Brother Lin Xuan… why are you doing this?" she cried softly, clutching his freezing hand, her heart overflowing with emotion. Nobody outside her family had ever treated her with such selfless care.
"Ah… Qing Tan… l-let me explain…" Lin Xuan panicked, thinking she had discovered he was absorbing her Yin energy, and wanted to clarify.
"You don't need to explain. I… I understand," Qing Tan interrupted gently, her voice full of understanding.
If he wasn't her family, yet treated her this well, what else could it mean but that he liked her?
"When I grow up…" she whispered, her tone tender and shy.
Just then, Lin Xuan received a system prompt:
[Mission: Capture Qing Tan's Heart. Reward: Charm +10, Innate Yin Energy. Completed. Claim reward?]
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