Chapter 136: Do You Take Me for a Stick of Dynamite?

Seeing that the Great Recovery Pill had taken effect and the burns on Song Ta’er’s body were fading, Master Qingxu felt relieved. He turned to Yan Chixia and Bai Xiaoyue and said, "Danzi, Mingzi, since Chizi is alright, you two may continue your body tempering."

"Yes!" they both replied. They stepped back into the white jade basin, sitting face-to-face in the spirit spring water to resume their practice. They could clearly feel that the water temperature had risen significantly.

Seeing them continue, Tu Xiaomeng wanted to join in as well. She hurried to the edge of the basin and was about to step in when Master Qingxu stopped her. "Congzi, you cannot continue tempering. The water temperature in the basin has already exceeded what your body can withstand. If you were to enter now, you would surely be scalded."

Unwilling to give up, Tu Xiaomeng bent down and dipped her hand into the water. It was indeed far too hot, and she let out a cry of surprise. "How did the water get so hot, so fast? In the blink of an eye, I can no longer continue!" Feeling dejected, she sat down next to Song Ta’er, watching Yan Chixia and Bai Xiaoyue with envious eyes.

Master Qingxu’s assessment was correct. After grit-toothed perseverance for forty-five minutes, Bai Xiaoyue could no longer endure the rising temperature of the spirit spring. She stood up and leaped out of the basin.

"Sister Bai, you couldn't take it anymore either?" Tu Xiaomeng asked immediately.

Bai Xiaoyue gave a soft nod, her face flushed red, and sat down beside Tu Xiaomeng, Song Ta’er, and Master Qingxu to watch Yan Chixia.

Though the spirit spring water in the jade basin was now boiling violently, Yan Chixia sat unmoved, his expression calm as he continued his tempering. Time passed, and as the sun rose in the east, casting its golden light over the world, Yan Chixia had been tempering for a full hour. By this time, the water was boiling fiercely, and thick, white mist drifted up like clouds.

Amidst the swirling steam, Yan Chixia’s face glowed with a healthy red, his spirit vibrant. Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta’er were left speechless with astonishment.

Master Qingxu began to grow uneasy. He used his spiritual sense to examine Yan Chixia’s body and, finding nothing amiss, breathed a sigh of relief. A look of deep satisfaction appeared on his face as he continued to track the time.

A quarter of an hour later, Yan Chixia let out a loud shout, leaped from the basin, and landed gracefully before them.

Tu Xiaomeng exclaimed with admiration, "Brother Yan, you’re amazing! The time you spent tempering is many times longer than the three of us combined. I’m so envious of you!"

"Indeed," Bai Xiaoyue added with a bright smile. "Brother, congratulations on your success!"

"Thank you both for your praise," Yan Chixia laughed. He turned to the golden-faced boy and asked with concern, "Song Ta’er, how are you? Are you alright now?"

"Hehehe..." Song Ta’er chuckled bashfully. "Brother Yan, I’m fine now!"

"That’s good," Yan Chixia said, affectionately patting his shoulder. "Song Ta’er, next time, you must act according to the situation. Never force yourself recklessly!"

"I understand, Brother Yan!" Song Ta’er replied. Suddenly, he noticed that Yan Chixia’s undergarments were already dry, as if he had never been in the water. Bai Xiaoyue and Tu Xiaomeng’s clothes were also dry, yet his own remained soaked. He asked in surprise, "Wait, what’s going on? Master, why are Brother Yan’s clothes dry as if he hadn't been in the water? And Sister Bai and Xiaomeng’s clothes are dry too... yet I’ve been out for over an hour and mine are still soaking wet?"

Master Qingxu smiled. "Ah, Chizi, I didn't realize you were so observant. Danzi’s clothes are dry because his cultivation realm is high; his internal energy is vigorous, and the heat he radiates instantly dried his clothes. Mingzi and Congzi’s clothes are dry because they have attained a certain level in their practice, allowing them to store energy and generate heat, and since they have been out of the water for some time, they have dried naturally. As for you..."

"Oh!" before Master Qingxu could finish, Song Ta’er’s eyes filled with tears. "Master, I understand! I... I..." Overcome with emotion, he began to sob.

Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, and Tu Xiaomeng were startled and tried to comfort him. Master Qingxu stood before him, waving his palms to release a wave of heat that quickly dried the boy's clothes. He then spoke earnestly:

"Chizi, I understand your feelings. Do not be sad. Today’s tempering might seem like a failure on the surface, but in truth, it was a success! I had estimated you would last at most a quarter of an hour, but you exceeded that mark. Though you suffered burns, you reached the target I set for you. I am very pleased to tell you that today, just like the others, you have achieved a result that satisfies me completely."

"Really?" Song Ta’er wiped his tears and smiled. "Master, does that mean I didn't let you down today?"

"Indeed," Master Qingxu laughed heartily.

"Oh, that’s wonderful!" Song Ta’er exclaimed. In his joy, he grabbed Tu Xiaomeng and lifted her high above his head. "Xiaomeng, I’m so happy today! Hahaha!"

"Hey!" Tu Xiaomeng shrieked. "Song Ta’er, I’m a girl! How can you just grab me like that? And lifting me over your head? Do you think I’m a sack of explosives? How embarrassing! Put me down at once!"

"Yes, yes, of course!" Song Ta’er replied, quickly setting her back down on the grass.