With Dugu Bo away for the foreseeable future, Lin Xiao settled down temporarily at the Dugu residence.
The following days passed peacefully.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling continued attending school as usual, while Lin Xiao stayed behind at the estate to cultivate. In the evenings, the three would gather and spend a little time together.
That evening, after a sudden downpour earlier in the morning, the courtyard was still slick with moisture.
Under the covered veranda, Lin Xiao practiced his martial forms.
His steps were solid and steady, his movements a perfect balance of stillness and motion. There was an unspoken rhythm to his every gesture—sometimes like an ape climbing a tree, other times like a crane spreading its wings. He mimicked a tiger roaring in the forest, or a deer sipping from a stream...
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had already returned.
But neither of them made a sound.
They simply stood at a distance, quietly observing Lin Xiao's form practice.
Whether it was because Lin Xiao was naturally handsome, or because his movements carried the essence of true martial arts, there was something inexplicably captivating about his performance. Rather than awkwardly imitating animals, his movements embodied grace and strength.
"Yan Yan, what style is Lin Xiao practicing?"
"No idea. Looks pretty impressive though."
"By the way, when's the Poison Douluo coming back?"
"No clue. But whenever Grandpa leaves, he's usually gone for months. I've asked what he's doing, but he never gives a straight answer."
Dugu Yan couldn't help but feel a tinge of concern.
Though Dugu Bo always put on a relaxed front whenever he departed, she had noticed moments when he furrowed his brows, as if enduring pain.
Still, he'd gone out like this many times before.
And each time, he came back safe and sound.
Ye Lingling tilted her head curiously.
"Lin Xiao said his spirit has a flaw too, but he never mentioned what it is. What if one day he just drops dead? Should we take him to my place and have a look?"
"My mom might be able to help."
Ye Lingling's mother, Ye Qingxian, was the previous bearer of the Nine-Hearted Begonia, a Spirit Emperor-level healer. Not only did she possess soul skills that could raise the dead and regenerate flesh, but she was also a master physician.
While a congenital spirit flaw wasn't something medical knowledge could fix, she could at least help suppress its negative effects.
Dugu Yan nodded in agreement.
"Sounds good, Lingling."
"When should we go?"
Ye Lingling thought for a moment, then smiled brightly:
"No time like the present. Let's go tonight."
"My house has plenty of rooms. Yan Yan, you should come too and let my mom check your body as well."
Previously, Ye Lingling hadn't known that Dugu Yan's spirit had a flaw—not even Dugu Yan herself had known. So it made sense that Ye Qingxian hadn't been consulted earlier.
Now that they were aware, it was worth checking—whether it helped or not.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao had just finished his practice.
He felt heat coursing through his meridians, as if a warm current was steadily enhancing his physique. Though subtle, the improvement was constant and persistent.
Compared to when he first awakened his spirit, his physical condition had vastly improved.
Clenching his fists, Lin Xiao thought to himself:
"I can't stop training. I have to strengthen my body. Only by doing so can I resist the next eruption of that evil fire… and suppress its even more ferocious surge."
Judging by the time, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling had likely finished school.
Lin Xiao turned his head—and sure enough, there they were, waiting.
"Sister Yan Yan, Sister Lingling."
He stepped forward and greeted them.
Ye Lingling smiled and said:
"Lin Xiao, we're going to my house today. I'll have my mom check both you and Yan Yan. If there's a solution, great—but don't get your hopes too high."
Lin Xiao nodded.
The Nine-Hearted Begonia was known as the strongest healing spirit on the continent—so powerful, in fact, that it was said to be cursed by the heavens. At most, only two users could exist at once.
Naturally, it had extraordinary abilities.
"Alright. I'll head over after I shower."
Training was sweaty business.
After several rounds of Five Animal Forms and Eight Brocade Exercises, his clothes were soaked through.
Once he'd cleaned up, Lin Xiao followed Ye Lingling to the Ye household.
The Ye residence was located in one of the most prosperous areas of Heaven Dou City.
It was even near the imperial palace.
But considering the might of the Nine-Hearted Begonia, that wasn't surprising.
Upon arriving, Lin Xiao was introduced to Ye Lingling's mother, Ye Qingxian.
She wore a palace robe and veiled herself with white silk, exuding an almost celestial aura. Even without seeing her face, one could tell she was a breathtaking beauty.
"Mother, these are my two friends," Ye Lingling said.
"This is Lin Xiao and Yan Yan. Both of their spirits have serious flaws. Can you take a look?"
Ye Qingxian glanced their way.
She already knew Dugu Yan, so her gaze lingered a bit longer on Lin Xiao. Then she nodded.
"Come with me."
Her voice was nearly identical to her daughter's—like an older, colder, more refined version of Ye Lingling.
They entered a quiet, sparsely decorated room and sat down.
Ye Qingxian asked:
"Tell me—what flaws do your spirits have?"
Lin Xiao and Dugu Yan each explained their situations in full.
Ye Qingxian's face remained composed, but she sighed inwardly.
Though the Nine-Hearted Begonia was unrivaled as a healing spirit, it was helpless when it came to congenital spirit flaws. If it weren't, the Dugu clan would've come asking long ago.
Still, she decided to try.
"Nine-Hearted Begonia—release."
A soft fragrance filled the air as a beautiful flower bloomed in Ye Qingxian's hands. Its petals were a mix of soft pink and white, vibrant and elegant.
As she poured soul power into the flower, two beams of white light shone on Lin Xiao and Dugu Yan. The moment the light touched them, it transformed into pale blossoms and entered their bodies.
Lin Xiao immediately felt a soothing warmth.
Just like the aftereffects of his martial training, a warm current flowed through his body, searching for injuries and healing them.
Then, Lin Xiao's eyes widened.
The internal damage caused by his last episode of the evil fire—mostly healed by his exercises—still had lingering remnants. But under the Begonia's effect, those parts recovered rapidly.
His mind exploded with clarity!
"I get it now!"
"I know what I need to do moving forward!"
He had found his path to cultivation.
The light of the Nine-Hearted Begonia slowly faded.
Ye Qingxian let out a soft sigh—disappointed, but unsurprised.
"I'm sorry. There's nothing I can do to fix your spirit flaws."
"These are congenital issues—not injuries. Unless you never awaken your spirit or never cultivate, the problems will eventually surface."
Dugu Yan lowered her eyes, disappointed.
"It's alright, Auntie Ye. You did your best."