The Forged Body

After that, Xiao began Yan's training. Since it was about physical enhancement, it was inevitably related to body refinement. But as things stood, this was the fastest method available.

The sect had a specialized body refinement facility. According to Senior Brother Xiao, it was modeled after the Divine Pool in the Heterodox Clan's Imperial City. However, the last Divine Pool in the Imperial City was previously rendered useless by the tenth of this generation—the Guardian Duke, the Emperor Jin's half-brother. Now, only the one here remains functional.

After explaining the theory, Xiao told Yan to jump into the Divine Pool.

"Senior Brother Xiao, shouldn't we do a medicinal bath first?" Yan was still puzzled, floating on the surface of the pool and looking up to ask.

"No need! That wastes too much of the medicine's efficacy! And this is a Divine Pool—it doesn't require a medicinal bath!" Xiao let out a sinister chuckle. As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately cranked the power to maximum. At the same time, he dumped several chests of pills and various body-tempering immortal medicines into the pool. The medicinal liquid quickly spread throughout the Divine Pool. Under high pressure and rapid abrasion, Yan's body sustained continuous damage, yet because he was constantly immersed in the medicinal liquid, the injuries were rapidly repaired.

His bones and tendons shattered, only to be instantly restored. The excruciating pain caused Yan to lose consciousness more than once, but the potent medicinal effects forcibly revived him, forcing him to endure this relentless agony.

Yan finally regained awareness. Amid the constant, intense pain radiating from his entire body, he slowly edged towards the side of the Divine Pool, trying to climb out, only to be mercilessly pushed back in by Xiao.

"Junior Brother, since you're already in, don't keep thinking about giving up halfway! Just tough it out—it'll be over soon!" Xiao grinned mischievously at Yan. Jiguang, also attracted by the roars, had arrived. He turned the power up another notch. Yan felt his entire body nearly falling apart, a sensation vaguely reminiscent of when his body had been on the verge of bursting. The two "conscientious" senior brothers watched with evident satisfaction.

Unconscious, then awake again. Yan couldn't feel his own body. A tearing sensation from all directions constantly assaulted his nerves. His limbs, bones, and internal organs felt like a pile of mud, repeatedly crushed by a steamroller running at full power.

The two senior brothers still felt it wasn't enough. They vied to increase the power further while continuously replenishing various medicines. Then, with a deafening "BOOM," the last Divine Pool was broken by the two senior brothers' antics. Floating in the center was Yan, barely clinging to life.

"What happened?!" Jian Yiru was the closest to the scene, and since Yan had previously sought her out, she was the first to arrive upon hearing a loud noise from the Divine Pool. Her eyes immediately fell upon two somewhat flustered senior brothers and Yan, who had been pulled ashore and was on the brink of death.

"You two... went a bit too far, didn't you?" Jian Yiru's face darkened. She walked straight to Yan, placed her hand on his wrist to confirm he was still breathing, then picked him up, preparing to trouble Lian Fulan once more.

"Ah... no, Junior Sister Jian, listen to me, it's... well... you see... the junior brother was in a hurry, and we senior brothers just wanted to do our part..." Jiguang tried to offer excuses, but Jian Yiru completely ignored the two of them. She merely took some brief notes on the situation before leaving with Yan.

"Huh? Senior Sister, are you saying... he blew up the Divine Pool and ended up like this?" A scream came from the infirmary—it was Lian Fulan.

"Hmm... that's not a wrong way to put it." Jian Yiru poked Yan, who was collapsed on the bed, and nodded thoughtfully.

"Then shouldn't... we go find the groundskeeper?" Lian Fulan whispered, "Bury him while the body's still warm..."

"Hmm?!" Jian Yiru was displeased, turning her head to glare at Lian Fulan.

"No, no, just kidding, Senior Sister!" Lian Fulan, realizing she'd spoken out of turn, quickly apologized. "After all, he soaked in the Divine Pool. Even if the two senior brothers went a bit too far, they did invest heavily. Judging by the residue on him, they must have used some rare elixirs. He's probably just passed out from the pain. With some quiet rest, he'll be fine. No need to just leave him here..."

"My cave abode isn't convenient. Aside from there, this is the only place I trust!" Jian Yiru cast a relieved glance at Yan. As she picked up his hand and sniffed it, she spoke.

"Aiya, Senior Sister~, this kid might be reckless, but he's tough. You don't need to worry about him!" Lian Fulan saw Jian Yiru's concern. She also considered her own reluctance to be forced into overtime because of this kid, who they might both have some fondness for originally...

"It's fine. You can leave first. I can take care of him myself!" Jian Yiru also noticed Lian Fulan seemed weary and made the suggestion.

"Senior Sister, a man and a woman alone together... (chuckles)"

"You don't need to worry about that. Your senior sister won't do anything untoward. (somewhat flustered, shy)"

"Alright, alright! Then Fulan is off! (gently closes the door)"

Jian Yiru stayed alone in the somewhat dim infirmary to care for Yan. The air felt hazy, her head grew heavier, and her eyelids felt like lead. In a moment of carelessness, she slumped forward onto Yan's chest and fell asleep.

"Aiya! Jian Yiru, since you treasure this junior brother so much, why not let me take something! Perfect timing. If that little vixen finds out about tonight's events, a little provocation is all it'll take to trap her!" Mu Han walked into the infirmary with a wicked grin, then hurriedly left before dawn, looking somewhat disheveled...

At dawn, Jian Yiru woke early only to find herself lying beside Yan. Moreover, she was only in her undergarments, and they were all askew. Suddenly recalling what had happened last night, her face flushed crimson. She buried her head in the blanket, rubbing it back and forth.

A short while later, she got up, put on her clothes, and checked on Yan, still deep in sleep. Feeling his pulse, she found it somewhat weak and depleted. She leaned down and kissed him, mouth to mouth. Soon, Yan's pulse returned to normal, though Jian Yiru's lips grew slightly pale.

Afterwards, she stormed off to find Mu Han, full of fury.

"You b*tch! Just what were you trying to do?! (furious, deeply ashamed about last night's events)"

"Aiya, Jian! I merely helped you do what you wanted but didn't dare to, didn't I? Why so much anger? (cold laugh, teasing)"

"You... (seething with rage)"

"Hey, I've already taken his seed. My magic is quite restricted now. What more do you want to do?"

"You! Do you even know who he is?"

"Of course I know! That's precisely why I did it! If my clan wins, you and the one from the Wind Clan can be concubines. If they win, I'll be a concubine alongside you. Either way, both clans can maintain a delicate balance. It's beneficial for the world! (smugly)"

"What a load of bull! And he's just a bastard-born second son. How can you be so sure..."

"Eh~, that's just his first identity! I just learned from the Imperial City that he's been conferred the title of Guardian Duke and Great General of Divine Valor! His deeds are already widely known. His mother's status is also extraordinary. She only agreed to be a concubine because of special circumstances, wanting to avoid too much attention!

Oh right! This is something we did together. If the one from the Wind Clan comes looking, she won't care about any of this... We'll have to present a united front then!" Mu Han pinched Jian Yiru's cheek, completely unfazed by her anger and embarrassment.