Inside the Cold Pool, Ling Fei continuously guided the Cold Chi Dragon Qi to temper his bones.
This Cold Chi Dragon Qi, though very thin, was still abnormally wild and domineering, as it came from a descendant of a Dragon Child.
The pain brought by each wisp of Cold Chi Dragon Qi entering his body was unbearable for an ordinary person.
But Ling Fei gritted his teeth and persevered, all because of the dream of becoming a powerful expert that he held in his heart.
For nearly eight years, ever since he began tempering his skin, membranes, flesh, and sinews with Cold Chi Dragon Qi, he had lost count of how long he had endured this agony.
Now, Ling Fei's willpower and determination had long surpassed those of his peers.
Only after he had circulated the Cold Chi Dragon Qi through his body for twelve Circulations to temper his bones did his tightly shut eyes finally open.
At the same time, Ling Fei relaxed from his cultivation posture.
'The sky is getting dark. I should head home. Adoptive Father has probably already prepared the medicinal bath for me to soak in and recover.'
Ling Fei glanced at the sky and stood up.
He pushed off a rock with the soles of his feet and, with a nimble leap, landed gracefully by the edge of the pool.
As he landed, water streamed down his robes, immediately turning into ice crystals, yet his skin was not frozen.
Ever since he started practicing the True Dragon Body Refining Technique, Ling Fei's resistance to the Cold Qi had become extraordinary.
In fact, residual traces of Cold Chi Dragon Qi even remained within his flesh, blood, and meridians.
Although this residual Cold Chi Dragon Qi would dissipate on its own, it could protect him for a while.
After stepping out of the Cold Pool, Ling Fei scanned his surroundings. Seeing that no one was around, he quickly made his way out of the valley.
As careful as he was, Ling Fei had no idea that the moment he stopped cultivating, a figure had already transformed into a streak of light and flown away from this place.
Longtan Town wasn't large. Ling Fei moved with swift steps, and in less than half an hour, he arrived in town.
By now, the households in Longtan Town had already lit their candles, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.
Ling Fei could even faintly hear the prayers of some ordinary people.
"Great Nine Heavens Lady, please bless my son so he can reach the Nine Layers of Body Tempering soon and enter the Divine Academy…"
"Great Buddha, please grant that my old man's illness gets better!"
...
Hearing these voices, Ling Fei's brows furrowed slightly.
'Divine Spirits may be high and mighty, and they might occasionally grant the requests of mortals, but mortals can ultimately never escape birth, aging, sickness, and death. Take my adoptive father, for example. He's a Physician himself, yet he can't cure his own illness. If you want to banish pain and illness, if you want longevity, you have to rely on your own efforts. You can't just keep begging others.' Ling Fei saw things with perfect clarity.
Ling's Medical Clinic was located in a remote part of town.
It was an exquisite estate with an outer courtyard serving as the clinic and an inner courtyard where Ling Fei and the others lived.
Crossing the snow-covered ground and passing through the corridor, Ling Fei headed towards his own small courtyard.
Just as he was about to reach his bedroom, he saw a young woman in a long, white, quilted coat standing by the corridor, eagerly waiting.
The woman had a delicate face, features as pretty as a painting, and lively, expressive eyes that seemed to speak. Her elegant, straight nose was so charming it made one want to lean in and steal a kiss.
It was hard to imagine such a beauty existed in this world, and this young woman was none other than Ling Fei's adoptive sister.
She, too, had been adopted by Elder Ling. Her name was Xue Xi, and she had just turned fifteen, only three months younger than Ling Fei.
"Brother Ling Fei, you're here!" Before Ling Fei could even reach her, the stunningly beautiful girl broke into a sweet smile and spoke softly.
Then, with graceful steps, she walked straight to Ling Fei, her jade-like hands taking his arm as they walked together.
This was a force of habit.
When they were young, Ling Fei had been frail and sickly. At four or five, he could barely walk without stumbling. Seeing her brother's condition, the well-behaved little Xue Xi would often support him as he walked. Over time, she had developed this habit, even though Ling Fei's health was gradually improving now.
As his sister held his arm, a flicker of emotion crossed Ling Fei's eyes, and a hint of awkwardness mixed with his wry smile.
The girl beside him was no longer the child she once was.
Although Xue Xi was only fifteen, she had already blossomed into a tall and graceful young woman of about 1.65 meters—an absolute beauty.
Her chest, like a new lotus bud, was just beginning to show its shape, and the contact stirred an unfamiliar feeling within him.
"Sister Xue Xi, is the medicine ready?" Ling Fei was quite fond of his adoptive sister, and he asked with a smile.
"The medicine was ready a long time ago!" Xue Xi beamed, her limpid eyes looking Ling Fei up and down.
"What are you looking at, Sister Xue Xi?" Being scrutinized by his sister like this, Ling Fei couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Brother, you look much better today than you did yesterday!" Xue Xi said, batting her long eyelashes.
After stepping into the Bone Tempering Realm, Ling Fei's complexion had indeed improved a great deal.
"Mm," Ling Fei's eyes showed his resolve as he said, "It won't be long before my body is completely recovered."
He could feel the changes in his own body.
Once his Bone Tempering was complete, he could truly recover.
"That's wonderful! Once brother recovers, you can become a powerful Martial Artist." Hearing this, Xue Xi's eyes lit up, and she spoke with excitement.
"Then, no one will dare to make fun of you anymore."
When he was young, Ling Fei had been as weak as a willow in the wind and was often ridiculed by other children his age. Xue Xi had always stood up for him.
Although Ling Fei was strong-willed and had never given up on himself, she knew just how much grievance he had endured.
Now, the fact that her brother could recover was simply the best news imaginable.
"Of course." Seeing the girl's joyful expression, Ling Fei's heart warmed. He reached out and playfully scraped her charming, straight nose, saying with a laugh, "Then I'll protect you, and you can just be the princess who gets protected. How about that?" As he spoke, Ling Fei couldn't help but recall things from their childhood.
Back then, a delicate little girl would stand in front of him, fending off those mean kids for him.
It was hard to imagine where a girl found the courage to face the bullying of those boys.
For this reason, Ling Fei's affection and care for his adoptive sister came from the bottom of his heart.
"Okay!" Xue Xi nodded happily. Then, batting her long eyelashes, she said playfully, "I want to be the little princess behind my brother."
Ling Fei smiled and patted the back of her head.
Side by side, they walked towards the house in front of them.
Just as they reached the door, an elder in a green robe, leaning on a mahogany cane, emerged with some difficulty, dragging his legs.
This elder's temples were gray, and his dry, wispy hair fluttered messily. His eyes were cloudy, like an old man whose oil had run out.
However, when he looked at Ling Fei, those cloudy eyes filled with affection.
This elder was none other than Elder Ling, who had appeared by the Cold Pool earlier.
"Fei'Er, you're back!" Elder Ling's eyes narrowed into a fond smile.
"Yes, Adoptive Father!" Seeing his adoptive father walk out, Ling Fei's expression turned solemn, and his somewhat youthful, handsome face immediately took on a more mature air.
His gaze flickered, and as he looked at his adoptive father, a pang of sorrow hit him.
His adoptive father was truly old now, looking as if his life was a lamp running out of oil.
'I must train hard to become a Divine Guard, get a Celestial Essence Pill for Adoptive Father, and cure his illness.' Seeing his adoptive father's increasingly haggard face, Ling Fei clenched his fists. His eyes shone with unshakable determination. 'The Celestial Essence Pill. No matter how precious, I must obtain it.'
In fact, eight years ago, after accidentally seeing his adoptive father spit out a mouthful of black blood, Ling Fei had been determined to find a cure for him.
For this reason, he had consulted many sources and asked many people, finally learning that the Celestial Essence Pill could cure a hundred ailments and should be able to help his adoptive father recover.
If he became a Divine Guard, he would have a chance to obtain this pill.
This was why he was so determined to become a Divine Guard!
"This child!" The sudden flash of determination in Ling Fei's eyes was clearly seen by Elder Ling. He nodded with deep satisfaction.
Ling Fei's changes over the past eight years had not escaped Elder Ling's notice.
Originally, in his youth, Ling Fei had fallen into despair over his frail and sickly body, even giving up on himself.
But ever since seeing that his adoptive father was also gravely ill and even coughing up black blood, he had become strong and sensible.
"Come, Adoptive Father has already prepared your medicinal bath. Just persevere for a few more days, and your body will gradually recover," Elder Ling said with a smile.
"Yes!" Ling Fei nodded obediently and followed his adoptive father into his bedroom.
Looking at his adoptive father's slightly stooped back, Ling Fei's lips moved. Several times he wanted to speak, to tell his father about his encounter at the Cold Pool.
To tell him that he would definitely become a powerful expert in the future and cure his illness.
However, he ultimately kept his mouth shut.
Because, at the very least, he had not yet become a powerful expert.
He didn't want his adoptive father to think he was making empty boasts.
'Adoptive Father, just you wait. I will definitely give you a surprise,' Ling Fei thought to himself.
Then, Ling Fei and Xue Xi helped Elder Ling into the room.
They entered the bathroom within the bedroom.
The moment they stepped inside, a refreshing fragrance wafted over them.
The scent was invigorating, making one feel clear-headed and refreshed.
Various medicinal herbs were steeping in a wooden tub.
Ling Fei walked to the medicinal tub and took off his boots.
Beside him, Xue Xi skillfully helped him remove his still-damp clothes.
Then, Ling Fei stepped into the wooden tub.
As he submerged himself, Ling Fei immediately felt a medicinal power surge into his body as a stream of energy.
This medicinal power began to nourish his flesh, blood, and meridians, making him feel incredibly comfortable.
For some reason, every time he returned from the Cold Pool and soaked in the medicinal liquid, he felt his body become stronger and more solid.
This was, in fact, something Elder Ling had specifically arranged.
"Brother, what book do you want to read today?" After Ling Fei sat cross-legged in the medicinal tub, Xue Xi asked with a smile, her bright eyes blinking.
"Bring me that copy of Divine Demon Chronicles," Ling Fei said.
"Okay!" Xue Xi obediently retrieved an ancient, string-bound book from a nearby shelf.
Ling Fei then took the ancient tome and began to read.
In the Great Tang Empire, Martial Arts were prevalent. Young people had to learn both martial and literary arts, so their burdens were heavy.
Therefore, these youths were unwilling to waste their evening hours.
Ling Fei also squeezed out his spare time to study and read.
He had been well-read in the classics since he was a child.
Of course, Ling Fei was most well-versed in books like the Medicinal Manual, Nine Needle Secret Technique, as well as Ancient Emperors' Records and Divine Demon Chronicles.
He studied the Medicinal Manual and Nine Needle Secret Technique in hopes of curing his adoptive father.
He read Ancient Emperors' Records and Divine Demon Chronicles to understand this Martial Arts World.
Elder Ling habitually stayed by his side.
Whenever Ling Fei came across something he didn't understand, he would ask Elder Ling.
"Adoptive Father, why do all mortals experience birth, aging, sickness, and death?" Ling Fei suddenly looked up and asked.
"The heavens and the earth have their own rules of operation, which even Divine Spirits cannot change much." Elder Ling stroked his long beard and said seriously, "Therefore, if you wish to escape birth, aging, sickness, and death, you must rely on yourself."
Ling Fei nodded slightly, as if committing it to memory. Then, he looked up again and asked, "Then can a mortal become a god?"
"Divine Spirits are far beyond our reach. However, the path is at your feet. If you don't take it step by step, you will never reach the end. If you have set your sights on the path ahead, you must persevere. Perhaps one day you will find the path you seek. Therefore, whether a person can become a god is not important. What's important is whether you have the unwavering heart of an expert," Elder Ling said.
"The heart of an expert?" A resolute light shone in Ling Fei's eyes.