Chapter 138: Eighteenth Birthday
Hearing She Mei'er's mournful weeping, the Fairy of Nine Heavens felt a pang in her heart. She knew full well why She Mei'er was shedding tears and feeling such sorrow at this moment. Overcome with sudden emotion, the Fairy of Nine Heavens almost burst into tears herself. She hurriedly wrapped her arms around She Mei'er's slender waist and gently consoled her:
"Mei'er, do not cry! You have been scalded by the water of the 'Spiritual Spring', and weeping will only upset your state of mind, which will inevitably hinder the healing of your burns!"
Hearing this, She Mei'er instantly checked her sobs. Raising her head, she gazed through tear-filled eyes at the Fairy of Nine Heavens' breathtakingly beautiful visage, her voice choking with emotion:
"Master, Mei'er... has let you down!"
"Not at all!" The Fairy of Nine Heavens raised her right hand, gently wiping away She Mei'er's tears as she smiled, "My Mei'er is my pride and joy! I could never be disappointed in you, Mei'er. Being scalded just now must have hurt terribly, didn't it?"
"Mm-hmm," She Mei'er replied with a flushed face. "Master, it was all my fault for letting my mind wander just now! The next time we undergo 'Body Tempering', Mei'er will certainly not let this happen again..."
"Good," the Fairy of Nine Heavens nodded. "To recognize one's shortcomings and strive to be better shows true character; my Mei'er is a girl of great promise!" Seeing that the burns all over She Mei'er's body were fading at a visible rate—a sign that the "Great Return Pill" was taking effect—she felt immensely relieved and comforted.
About half a quarter of an hour later, the redness and swelling all over She Mei'er's body vanished completely. Consequently, her curvaceous and exquisitely flawless figure was once again fully displayed in all its unblemished glory.
Seeing this, the Fairy of Nine Heavens could not help but sigh inwardly with secret admiration: "This child's physique is maturing day by day! Her heart is set entirely upon Yan Chixia, yet he remains completely unmoved... I truly wonder where things will end up between my Mei'er and Yan Chixia? If only Yan Chixia could gradually grow fond of my Mei'er over time, and the two of them could become cultivation companions, how wonderful that would be? Alas, although Mei'er's heart is completely filled with Yan Chixia, his heart holds no place for her... Ah!"
At this thought, the Fairy of Nine Heavens let out a soft, involuntary sigh.
"Master, what is wrong?" She Mei'er asked immediately. "For no reason at all, why are you sighing, Master?"
"Ah?" The Fairy of Nine Heavens was slightly startled, then waved her hand and said, "It is nothing. Mei'er, the temperature of the 'Spiritual Spring' water has far exceeded what your body can bear now... You can no longer continue the 'Body Tempering'. Put your clothes back on quickly. Now, it is time for me to continue my 'Body Tempering'."
***
"Yes, Master," She Mei'er acknowledged, walking toward the pile of garments resting on the grass.
Those were the clothes She Mei'er had removed before the "Body Tempering"—some large, some small, every single piece a fine garment crafted from exquisite silks and satins. Standing there, she put them on one by one. Before long, she was fully dressed. Glancing over, she saw the Fairy of Nine Heavens sitting cross-legged with eyes closed in the "Dome Furnace" for her own "Body Tempering." Not wishing to disturb her, She Mei'er quietly departed, following the path sprinkled with "Dew-Condensing Jade Nectar" and walking straight toward the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion" not far ahead.
In a short while, She Mei'er stepped into the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion." Standing alone and leaning against the balustrade, she felt an empty and profound sense of boredom, her large, crystalline, sapphire-like eyes gazing aimlessly into the distance.
It was currently the height of spring, a season of blooming flowers. The garden was a riot of vibrant colors and clustered blossoms; all manner of climbing vines twisted and intertwined in novel ways beside the trees, along the stream, and atop the cliffs, growing in fierce competition; countless bees busily bustled among the fragrant stamens; and pairs of colorful butterflies fluttered gracefully and contentedly amidst the sea of flowers...
Gazing afar from the railing, She Mei'er watched the pairs of butterflies, and her heart began to stir with springtime longing... Suddenly, she found herself uncontrollably thinking of Yan Chixia. Immediately, a warm sensation bloomed in her chest, flowing through her like a gentle current and bringing her immense comfort. As a result, her peach-blossom-pink cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
"Yan Chixia, I like you!" She Mei'er murmured involuntarily. "I will find every possible way to make you like me too—we shall be together from dawn till dusk, just like those pairs of butterflies, dancing gracefully and never parting!"
***
After undergoing their round of "Body Tempering," Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er all experienced significant enhancements in their physical constitutions. Filled with joy and emboldened with renewed confidence, they devoted themselves even more diligently and wholeheartedly to their cultivation.
***
Time flew by, and three years passed in the blink of an eye.
By this time, Yan Chixia's cultivation had entered the final stage of the "Golden Elixir" realm. Not only had his magical power in setting up "protective barriers" greatly increased, but he had also mastered the [Fire Control Technique]. Furthermore, his [Paper-Talisman Sorcery] grew increasingly potent, his alchemy skills became more and more refined, and his [Crimson Hero Sword Technique] had reached the realm of perfection—its sword Qi was so formidable that it could snap a tree in half from a hundred paces away. His [Qi-Governing Soaring Technique] was now as swift as a startled swan, as fast as flight itself.
Meanwhile, Bai Xiaoyue's cultivation had entered the early stage of the "Foundation Establishment" realm, and her [Paper-Talisman Sorcery] was also growing progressively stronger. Tu Xiaomeng had advanced to the eighteenth layer of Qi Refining, while Song Ta'er had finally achieved a breakthrough from zero, entering the tenth layer of Qi Refining.
***
True Person Qingxu saw all the varying degrees of progress made by Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er, and his heart swelled with joy.
Ever since he had acquired the "Spiritual Spring" water from the ancient ruins, True Person Qingxu had arranged for Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er to undergo "Body Tempering" once every year. Through each successive, increasingly intense fiery baptism, their physical bodies were continually purged of impurities and strengthened. At the same time, True Person Qingxu refined precious medicinal herbs such as millennium-old ginseng, glossy ganoderma, fleeceflower root, and caterpillar fungus into various golden pills, which he frequently gave to Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er to consume. These potent cultivation resources played a crucial role in advancing their cultivation realms.
In addition, True Person Qingxu was meticulously crafting a magical treasure called the "Tiangang Defensive Invisibility Robe," using "Sea Soul Cloth" as its primary material. He intended to finish forging it and bestow one upon Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er respectively, for them to keep within their "Storage Rings" as a safeguard for self-protection at critical moments.
***
Today was the first day of early summer in the eighth year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty.
To others, this day held no special significance. But to Yan Chixia, it was exceptionally important, for today marked his eighteenth birthday.
Therefore, even before the morning star appeared in the eastern sky, and while Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er were still fast asleep in their respective rooms, Yan Chixia rose and dressed in the hazy moonlight. Swiftly and deftly pulling on his clothes, socks, and shoes, he walked over to the desk. Facing the sesame-oil lamp, he raised his right hand and gave it a sudden flick imbued with magical power. Instantly, with a flash of golden light, a small fireball burst from his fingertips and landed on the lamp wick. With a soft *whoosh*, the sesame-oil lamp flared to life, casting a brilliant, warm glow across the entire room.
After using the [Fire Control Technique] to light the lamp, Yan Chixia quietly washed up. Then, with a fluttering heart, he sat down at the desk, picked up a brush laden with cinnabar ink, and began to draw upon a sheet of talisman paper...
Today, Yan Chixia intended to use his [Paper-Talisman Sorcery] to conjure up a lavish array of delicious delicacies to share with Bai Xiaoyue, Tu Xiaomeng, and Song Ta'er in celebration of his eighteenth birthday.