Ye Qingxian noticed that although Lin Xiao's brow was still furrowed, the pain on his face had visibly eased. She knew the evil fire tempering had entered its final stage.
Still, she didn't let her guard down.
She continued pouring healing energy into him using her Nine-Heart Begonia while steadily adding fresh decoctions into the steaming medicinal bath.
"Your body's stabilizing—it's the perfect time to absorb medicinal essence. Start circulating your internal technique! This is the final stretch. Don't slack off!"
Lin Xiao had just begun to relax when her call reached him. Without hesitation, he resumed practicing the Five Animal Frolics within the tub, silently reciting his mantra.
His skin began to heat again—
But this time, it wasn't from internal fire.
It was his pores opening, greedily drawing in the medicinal energy rushing through the water.
Lin Xiao felt like his body had become a ravenous beast, opening its maw to devour every drop of healing essence.
For normal people, "medicine is three parts poison."
But in Lin Xiao's case, the evil fire inside him burned away all impurities. Only the pure essence remained, carried and distributed through his bloodstream.
Ye Qingxian had planned for this.
Now that the fire had calmed, she used her most potent mixture yet—
A blend so aggressive it would have been considered tiger-wolf poison for anyone else.
But evil fire tempering was, by nature, a tiger-wolf method.
What made it survivable was Ye Qingxian's presence—
As a Soul Emperor, she used her Nine-Heart Begonia to provide constant healing. Without that, no amount of internal techniques could have kept Lin Xiao from exploding.
The real MVP: Nine-Heart Begonia.
Inside the tub, Lin Xiao felt the water thicken.
What had once been fragrant and clear had now turned murky. A foul odor began to rise.
Ye Qingxian wrinkled her nose—
But then smiled slightly.
"Cleansed skin, reforged marrow—rebirth of the flesh."
A full cleansing of body and bone.
A transformation so profound that only Titled Douluo were said to achieve it. Yet it had just been accomplished… by a six-year-old.
Who would believe such a thing if they heard it?
This transformation—this "body rebirth"—was the very reason Titled Douluo could regain youth and extend their lifespans.
It was a dream countless Spirit Douluo spent their lives chasing in vain.
Still, as pleased as she was, Ye Qingxian also grew uneasy.
The Nine-Heart Begonia's abilities must never be revealed again.
It had already drawn heaven's envy—must it now provoke mankind's greed?
When this boy came out, she'd have to give him a stern warning.
Youthful pride often led to careless boasts.
Loose lips invite disaster.
Inside the tub, Lin Xiao slowly opened his eyes.
He clenched his fist—
Strength surged through his limbs.
I could flatten a Soul Master with one punch!
With my bare hands!
Thrilled, he caught a whiff of the smell rising around him.
Looking down, he realized the water had turned pitch black.
What had once been a clear, golden yellow broth now reeked like sewage.
Suppressing his gag reflex, Lin Xiao called out,
"Auntie Ye! Could I trouble you for a fresh bucket of water?"
"Cold is fine—I really need to rinse off. This smell is horrendous."
Since this process involved the Nine-Heart Begonia's greatest secret, the courtyard had been cleared of servants. Only Ye Qingxian had remained.
Lin Xiao felt a little awkward,
But he had no choice.
He couldn't exactly run outside naked.
He was only six, sure—
But his mental age was much older.
"There's a well right next to you," Ye Qingxian's voice called from outside the curtain. "Come out yourself. I'll fetch your clothes. I won't look."
Her footsteps faded into the distance.
It sounded like she was already leaving.
"…Auntie Ye? Are you still there?"
No reply.
Lin Xiao quickly climbed out of the tub, pushed aside the curtain, and made his way to the well—
Only to see Ye Qingxian leaning against the wall, smiling sweetly.
"OH COME ON!"
Lin Xiao covered himself, mortified.
"Auntie Ye! Didn't you say you were getting my clothes!?"
Ye Qingxian chuckled.
"Oh please. On the streets of Heaven Dou City, boys your age still wear split pants. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"I'm just training your shamelessness. If your skin's too thin, you'll suffer later."
"If not by a woman's hand, then by some shameless old bastard's."
If you grow up this bashful, how will you deal with women later? Or those shameless elders? This kid needed some toughening up.
She really was serious about it.
With a grin, she tossed over her shoulder:
"Even little girls aren't this bashful."
And with that, she turned and went to fetch his clothes.
Lin Xiao couldn't argue. Every word she said made sense.
With no choice, he quickly rinsed himself off and ducked back behind the curtain.
A short while later—
Ye Qingxian returned with his clothes. Seeing him hidden again behind the curtain, she shook her head slightly.
Still needs more training.
She handed him the clothes with a sigh, and moments later, Lin Xiao emerged, fully dressed.
Expressionless.
"…Are you mad?" Ye Qingxian asked, clearly amused.
"No."
He was just frustrated.
It wasn't that he was timid or effeminate—
It was because he saw himself as an adult.
From her perspective, maybe he was overreacting.
Just then—
A cheerful voice echoed from the courtyard entrance.
"Mom! Lin Xiao! I'm home!"
It was Ye Lingling.
All day at school, she'd been distracted thinking about Lin Xiao's body-tempering. She had barely paid attention in class. Now, at last, she was back.
She and Dugu Yan walked into the inner courtyard—
And froze.
There was the tub.
Water stains on the ground.
Medicinal meals and empty pitchers still nearby.
"Mom," Lingling pouted, "You said we'd do it together!"
"It was nothing major. I handled it myself," Ye Qingxian replied calmly.
"Wha—!" Dugu Yan gasped.
Ye Lingling followed her gaze—
And her eyes went wide.
"Wait, Lin Xiao—did you molt?!"
Lin Xiao had always been handsome. But due to his modest upbringing, his hands were rough with calluses, and his skin tanned by the sun.
Now, however—
What they saw was an entirely different boy.
His features were even sharper.
His skin glowed like jade—smooth, pale, radiant.
The calluses and dead skin on his hands were gone.
Had he even grown taller?!
Lin Xiao blinked in confusion and touched his face.
...So soft?
Ye Qingxian stepped in to explain:
"Evil fire body-tempering doesn't just rebuild your meridians. It drastically accelerates your metabolism. Of course it affects your appearance."
"You look good—too good, honestly. A real man should be a bit rougher."
That was her final verdict.