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"The defect of the Nine-Heart Begonia was essentially an imbalance between 'absorption' and 'output.' The martial soul was too powerful, unconsciously draining the host's life force to maintain its purity without providing feedback," Mo Bai stated calmly, as if explaining the mechanics of a soul tool. "I reshaped its core runes and reversed part of the energy circuits, changing it from 'one-way absorption' to a 'two-way cycle.' Additionally, using my origin essence blood as a guide, I strengthened the bond between the martial soul and the host's life origin. The current Twelve-Heart Begonia can not only heal others more efficiently, but its dissipating life energy will also slowly nourish you. In time, your lifespan will no longer be restricted."
Ye Lingling listened quietly. These explanations gave her a clearer understanding of her changes, but the deeper shock lay in the fact that he had actually done it! He had reversed the destiny of the Nine-Heart Begonia's single-line succession and premature death! It was nothing short of a miracle!
And the price... was everything that just happened? Facing each other naked, the fusion of spirit power, the union of bodies, and the soul brand...
Her eyes involuntarily fell on Mo Bai's hands—the hands that had just drawn runes on her, guided her spirit power, and finally... Her cheeks burned hotter, yet her heart could not summon a shred of loathing or regret. The presence of the brand made her identify with all of this from the depths of her soul—this was the necessary price for rebirth, the grace and... mark bestowed by her Master.
"Thank... thank you, Master, for the grace of remaking me." She struggled to sit up to bow, but her body was simply too weak.
"Stay down," Mo Bai pressed her shoulder. The force wasn't heavy, yet she could not resist it. "Your body needs time to adapt to the new martial soul and spirit power. For the next three days, I will use my spirit power to help you clear your meridians and consolidate your progress. During this time, you will stay here temporarily."
As he spoke, he pointed to the lounge on the side of the treatment room. It was a place where he occasionally meditated and rested; the furnishings were simple, consisting only of a bed and a few cushions.
"Yes, Master," Ye Lingling replied submissively. A flicker of peace crossed her heart. Staying here meant she could see her Master at any time and receive his guidance... The thought surprised her, yet the influence of the brand made it feel as natural as the law of heaven.
Mo Bai said no more. He walked to the wall and deactivated the main soul-conduction formations, leaving only a few soft lights. The room darkened, adding a touch of privacy and stillness.
"Rest. I will return in one hour." Having finished, he walked straight to the door. The heavy metal door slid open soundlessly and closed behind him.
Ye Lingling lay alone on the stone platform, listening to her heart and breath gradually steady. The discomfort and lingering strange sensations in her body remained vivid, but even clearer was the unprecedented, powerful force surging within her and the solid brand deep in her soul, connecting her to her Master.
She slowly raised her hand and looked at her slender fingers. With a thought, the illusory image of the Twelve-Heart Begonia appeared in her palm. The twelve petals rotated slowly, emitting a soft emerald light full of vitality. She could feel that as long as she willed it, these petals could release a healing light several times more powerful than the old Nine-Heart Begonia.
It really... was different.
She was no longer the cold, lonely Ye Lingling overshadowed by death.
She closed her eyes and took a long, deep breath. The air seemed to retain a trace of her Master's unique scent—cold, deep, and possessed of absolute dominance. Her body felt slightly warm—not a fever, but a faint, hidden longing originating from the brand.
An hour later, Mo Bai returned punctually. He carried a jade bowl containing a green medicinal liquid that emitted a bitter fragrance.
"Drink." He walked to the platform and held the bowl to Ye Lingling's lips.
Ye Lingling propped herself up slightly and took small sips from his hand. The medicine was cold to the taste, but once in her stomach, it turned into a warm current that spread quickly to her limbs, soothing the exhaustion and soreness in her body.
After she finished, Mo Bai had her lie back down. He extended his hand, his palm covering the dantian of her lower abdomen. Warm spirit power poured in again, but this time it wasn't as domineering as it had been during the treatment. It was like a gentle stream, flowing through her newborn meridians and martial soul origin, helping her stabilize her realm and adapt to the surging spirit power.
Ye Lingling's body relaxed involuntarily, even tensing slightly in preparation for the strange stimulation that might follow. However, Mo Bai's spirit power flowed steadily without any intentional teasing. This caused her to feel relief, yet a faint, inexplicable sense of disappointment also tinged her heart.
"Focus your mind. Feel the path of the spirit power's flow," Mo Bai's voice rang out, interrupting her wandering thoughts. "Remember it; this will be the foundation for your cultivation in the future."
"Yes." Ye Lingling quickly pulled herself together, struggling to sense the direction of the warm current. She could feel that wherever her Master's spirit power passed, her own would follow and fuse spontaneously, becoming more condensed and obedient. The brand deep in her soul also warmed slightly, as if echoing this external yet kindred power.
Ye Lingling spent the next three days in Mo Bai's private treatment room. Every day, Mo Bai would come to clear her meridians, check the stability of her martial soul, and guide her in using the evolved Twelve-Heart Begonia.
She also gradually met the others around Mo Bai.