Chapter Seventeen: Purification of the Marrow

In the serene and elegant courtyard of Rong Yue Garden, a mysterious atmosphere now hung heavily in the air. Upon entering the room, everything was meticulously arranged and impeccably clean. Yet, a faint mist lingering in the air cast a hazy veil over the entire space.

Suddenly, a suppressed, agonizing sound emerged from the depths of the mist. Though low, the voice sent a chill through the heart. Any unwitting intruder at this moment would likely be overwhelmed by the intense metallic scent of blood, dizzy and unsteady on their feet.

At this very moment, Ouyang Xiaoyue was submerged entirely in a massive bathing tub. But the water was no ordinary liquid; it shimmered with a faint, ominous black hue, exuding a chilling, dreadful aura that set the nerves on edge.

Ouyang Xiaoyue’s eyes were tightly shut, brows furrowed, teeth clenched as she struggled to steady her rapid breathing. She knew well that she was undergoing a trial of rebirth—the Purifying Tendon and Marrow Cleansing elixir was rapidly seeping through her dilated pores. The excruciating pain was like a thousand ants gnawing at her heart, magnified a hundredfold, a thousandfold, with every inch of her skin and every nerve wracked by unbearable torment.

Then, she felt her body ignite as if engulfed in fierce flames, her entire being burning hot and feverish beyond measure. This scorching sensation quickly spread through her limbs and bones, nearly unbearable.

Yet she understood this was the elixir's effect, working to cleanse her entire tendon and marrow system, purging old impurities and blockages to reconstruct her sinews and bones. The process was undeniably torturous, as if her tendons were repeatedly shattering and reforming.

Each fracture brought soul-rending pain, and each reconstruction demanded immense willpower to endure and overcome. Gritting her teeth, despite the bone-crushing agony within her tendons, she remained silent. Her petite frame bore the continuous assault, her skin splitting open, blood dripping into the tub, the metallic scent lingering thickly in the air.

The Purifying Tendon and Marrow Cleansing was an extremely perilous and mysterious challenge. Success meant a phoenix-like rebirth, a complete transcendence from her former frail constitution—a genuine transformation of body and soul. But failure could only result in catastrophic consequences: every tendon broken, her body pulverized to dust, a descent into irreversible ruin.

Though the external world was shut out, the profound spiritual bond between Xiao Ling and Ouyang Xiaoyue persisted. Even separated by space, Xiao Ling could vividly sense the soul-crushing pain she endured, the agony so intense it seemed to pierce his very soul.

Anxiety and worry surged within Xiao Ling, battering his fragile nerves. Yet, his bright eyes shone with unwavering resolve—a deep trust in Ouyang Xiaoyue and wholehearted support.

Time passed slowly amid endless suffering and prolonged anticipation. The once-clear water in the tub gradually darkened into a murky black, emitting a foul stench that filled the room, suffocating and persistent.

Suddenly, the calm surface rippled as if stirred by an invisible hand moving the stagnant water. Then, with a loud splash, thick mist burst outward in all directions, water droplets flying through the air.

Ouyang Xiaoyue’s once radiant face had turned pale as paper, devoid of any color. She gripped the edge of the tub tightly, summoning every ounce of strength to struggle upright. Each subtle movement was agonizing, as if her body no longer obeyed her will.

Exhausted from the life-and-death ordeal, she was utterly spent, utterly weak. Even the slightest shift sent waves of dizziness crashing over her, the world spinning uncontrollably.

Just as she felt herself about to fall back into the dark, foul-smelling water, a strong, powerful arm suddenly appeared, swiftly encircling her slender waist as if it might shatter under the grip.

With a tremendous force, she was lifted from the water and held tightly within a warm embrace. Her face, already drained of color, was now as pale as a sheet of white paper, save for her tender lips, which at some unknown moment had been stained a vivid red with blood.