Zi Linling said with a cold face, "Alright, seeing as you're so sincere, I'll make an exception this once!"
As she spoke, she took out a porcelain bottle from her Nine Spirit Ring and said, "This bottle contains a Muscle-Reinforcing Pill. As the name suggests, it can reshape your meridians."
"Once your meridians are reshaped, combined with the Marrow-Cleansing Pill and Body-Tempering Pill I gave you earlier, it will be enough to restore you to your peak state, or even elevate you further."
"However, this process is extremely painful. Whether you can endure it depends on your willpower. So, the choice is yours."
After Zi Linling finished speaking, she placed the bottle containing the Muscle-Reinforcing Pill on the table.
Shen Wenqing and Shen Liuxing's eyes lit up simultaneously.
A Muscle-Reinforcing Pill, that was a medicinal pill lost for a thousand years!
Although they were curious as to how Zi Linling possessed such a pill, they tacitly agreed not to ask.
Shen Liuxing said with determination, "I've already suffered for nearly ten years, I'm not afraid of more pain. I am willing to have my meridians reshaped with the Muscle-Reinforcing Pill, and to take the Marrow-Cleansing Pill and Body-Tempering Pill!"
Although Shen Wenqing was heartbroken, he knew this was Shen Liuxing's only chance given by Zi Linling, so he did not stop him.
Zi Linling nodded and said, "Very good! But I must remind you, throughout the entire process, you must remain conscious, because if you faint, these three pills will be wasted, and the consequences will be..." Su Dan Novel Network
"No need to say more, I am willing to try!"
Shen Liuxing interrupted Zi Linling resolutely before she could finish.
A true man knows what he should and should not do.
It was just a little pain; if he flinched now, he would despise himself.
Moreover, Shen Wenqing's kneeling had completely extinguished his willfulness and impulsiveness.
Therefore, this was his only chance to repay his father's love.
Zi Linling looked at his determined expression and finally revealed a satisfied smile.
She swiftly slapped the table, and a surge of spiritual energy lifted the bottle of Muscle-Reinforcing Pill, flying it towards Shen Liuxing.
Shen Liuxing grabbed the porcelain bottle, opened the cap, and without hesitation, swallowed the Muscle-Reinforcing Pill.
The Muscle-Reinforcing Pill dissolved instantly upon entering his mouth. The rich medicinal fragrance flowed down his throat and into his limbs and bones.
"Hiss~"
Shen Liuxing gasped, his muscles suddenly spasming. Veins bulged on the back of his hands and his forehead, and his eyes turned a ferocious red.
This was the normal reaction of someone experiencing extreme pain.
As the medicinal effect quickly spread, Shen Liuxing let out a series of low groans.
Soon, his entire body was drenched in sweat, and large drops of perspiration rolled down his forehead.
Before long, the expression on Shen Liuxing's face became terrifyingly contorted.
Yet, he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to maintain a sliver of consciousness.
Shen Wenqing, heartbroken, had already gotten up and paced back and forth like an ant on a hot pan.
Zi Linling, witnessing Shen Liuxing's tenacity, felt her last trace of displeasure and resentment completely dissipate.
Everyone's growth requires a price.
But more often than not, we choose to overlook this price.
Slowly, this oversight becomes a habit, and we feel that everything is as it should be.
It's only when someone awakens us, or when something suddenly touches our sensitive nerves, that we begin to truly reflect, ponder, and be grateful.
And Shen Liuxing was precisely in such a state at this moment.
He had long grown accustomed to everything Shen Wenqing did for him, feeling that it was all as it should be.
Now, after being scolded by Zi Linling and shaken by his father's kneeling, he finally regained his senses.
This is why Zi Linling was willing to give him another chance – a prodigal son's return is worth more than gold.
Time flowed by.
Enduring this extremely painful ordeal, Shen Liuxing finally held on.
He opened his eyes, revealing a knowing smile. Coupled with his pale face, it involuntarily evoked a touch of pity.
"I succeeded! I persevered!"
Shen Liuxing's hoarse voice echoed in the room, unable to hide his joy.
The worry in Shen Wenqing's eyes receded, and he smiled with relief.
Zi Linling was actually quite pleased with Shen Liuxing's performance, but she could not show it.
She said with a cold face, "It was merely an appetizer, what's there to be happy about?"
As her voice fell, the bottle on the table containing the Marrow-Cleansing Pill quickly flew towards Shen Liuxing.
Shen Liuxing raised his weak right hand and caught the Marrow-Cleansing Pill.
"While the medicinal effect of the Muscle-Reinforcing Pill hasn't completely dissipated, take the Marrow-Cleansing Pill quickly for better results!"
A flicker of fear crossed Shen Liuxing's eyes, but he still swallowed the Marrow-Cleansing Pill without hesitation.
Within a breath, the pain struck again.
But Shen Liuxing remembered Zi Linling's words and tried his best to remain conscious amidst the agony.
He had already disappointed those who loved him and whom he loved once; he did not wish to disappoint them a second time.
Shen Wenqing's heart clenched again. He stared intently at Shen Liuxing, ready to help him if he couldn't endure it.
This was fatherly love; no matter how deeply it was wounded, it never ceased to give.
Zi Linling was very satisfied with Shen Liuxing's performance but maintained her stern demeanor.
A few more hours passed, and the medicinal effects of the Marrow-Cleansing Pill were completely absorbed by Shen Liuxing.
"Open your mouth!"
Before Shen Liuxing could open his eyes, Zi Linling shouted, flicking the Body-Tempering Pill into his mouth.
Shen Liuxing dared not delay and began to refine the medicinal effects of the Body-Tempering Pill.
After taking the Body-Tempering Pill, there was no pain, which brought a sigh of relief to Shen Liuxing, who had been in a state of heightened tension.
Soon, the Body-Tempering Pill was also refined by him.
Zi Linling nodded and said, "That's enough! Go wash yourself quickly, you stink!"
It turned out that after this ordeal, the impurities and grime within Shen Liuxing's body had been expelled, making the entire room reek.
Shen Wenqing had been consumed by worry, so his sense of smell had been dulled.
Now, with Zi Linling's reminder, he was immediately dizzy and nauseated by the stench.
Therefore, as soon as Zi Linling's words fell, he impatiently grabbed Shen Liuxing by the ear and dragged him to a basin of water.
Although the water was already ice-cold, this was nothing to a spirit cultivator.
The moment Shen Liuxing was submerged in the washbasin, the once clear water turned black.
Zi Linling frowned and said, "There's too little water, it won't wash clean. Let's move to a different place! I remember there's a river outside Eastern City. Throw him in the river!"
Although Shen Wenqing was somewhat reluctant, he had no choice but to obey Zi Linling's command, and Shen Liuxing was indeed too smelly. Thus, he grabbed Shen Liuxing from the washbasin and flew towards the outskirts of Eastern City.