Inside the secluded chamber of Qingxuan Palace…
"Master, we're about to begin forging your new body right now. Are you ready?" Shui Qingxuan's beautiful face was filled with utmost caution. She carefully placed Man Qiao's exquisite, shimmering jade-bone frame onto a stone bed, then lifted the delicate ring on her finger and asked softly.
"Mhm. I'm as ready as I'll ever be!" A resolute voice answered. From the storage ring drifted a faint, almost translucent soul silhouette—so weak it was barely visible. Even so, if one looked closely, the graceful, noble bearing of an incomparably stunning woman could still be faintly discerned.
Shui Qingxuan gazed at her master's fragile soul and nearly burst into tears. But she knew this was the most critical moment—she had to stay perfectly focused. In truth, Dan Mengji herself was far from calm. She had long accepted that her life was over. Who could have imagined that one day she would be given a completely new future, with the chance so close at hand…
All of it was thanks to that man…
"When you return, what awaits you will be the most radiant, most perfect Dan Mengji!" she whispered to herself, so softly it was almost inaudible…
But Shui Qingxuan still heard it. A blissful smile curved her lips as warm, sweet affection flooded her heart. I've misjudged so many people in this life… but at least in the end… both Master and I have placed our trust in the right person…
In this pivotal moment, both master and disciple were thinking of the same man.
"Third Sister, forging the body and merging the soul will likely take quite a long time. During this period, everything will depend on you," Dan Mengji said gently, turning toward Wu San Niang, who stood with arms crossed nearby.
"Don't worry. Those Blood Emperor brats won't dare act recklessly," Wu San Niang replied with a bold, carefree laugh. She and Man Qiao had even fought against that brocade-robed youth from the Immortal Realm—why would they fear the Blood Emperor Clan?
"On the other hand, you two must be extremely careful. If anything happens to you, he'll blame me when he gets back!" Wu San Niang added seriously.
"We understand. We absolutely won't let Sister Man Qiao down!" Shui Qingxuan nodded firmly, her snow-white hand clenching with determination.
"Alright then. I feel completely at ease entrusting my jade bones to Mengji," Man Qiao spoke up—rare for her. Her existence had been fully accepted by the entire harem, and she was slowly growing accustomed to this new family.
After offering a few more words of encouragement to the master-disciple pair, Wu San Niang and Man Qiao turned and left Qingxuan Palace together, leaving the space peaceful once more.
Watching their figures disappear behind the door, Shui Qingxuan took a deep breath to steady herself. Then, in a low, focused voice, she said:
"Master, I'll forge the body first. The moment it's complete… you must enter immediately to finish the final fusion step!"
"No problem!" Dan Mengji's clear voice answered, though it trembled slightly with emotion.
"Sky-Toppling Flame—come forth!" Shui Qingxuan shouted softly. A blazing crimson inferno erupted from her body, instantly raising the temperature throughout the entire palace. Endless strange flames rapidly condensed into a massive floating cauldron right in front of her.
With a thought, Shui Qingxuan guided the radiant jade bones straight into the Sky-Toppling Flame, where they settled cross-legged at its center.
Forging the body of a Tribulation Realm cultivator required at least Tribulation-grade bones because only they could withstand the terrifying energy surge during formation. Another reason was durability against the heat of异火 (strange flames). If an ordinary low-grade skeleton were used, it would melt instantly upon contact with异火—leaving nothing to forge.
Man Qiao's jade bones were truly top-quality. Even inside a异火 like Sky-Toppling Flame, they showed no signs of damage. On the contrary, they seemed to be meticulously tempered—growing even brighter and more lustrous.
"Form the six viscera, shape the five organs!" Shui Qingxuan flicked her slender finger. A tiny, precise leaf flew into the cauldron and landed exactly in the abdominal region of the jade bones.
This was a leaf from the upper-grade Spirit-tier herb Three-Leaf Organ Grass. Each leaf could form a complete set of six viscera and five organs…
The last time Lan An had summoned this herb, one leaf had been used to save Huo Li. Now, another was being used to forge Dan Mengji's new body.
As expected, the moment the Three-Leaf Organ Grass leaf reached its position, it melted under the cauldron's heat. Its power slowly coalesced, gradually forming each vital organ…
Time passed slowly…
The six viscera took shape: stomach, spleen, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, triple warmer…
The five organs formed: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys…
Shui Qingxuan carefully controlled the Sky-Toppling Flame's heat to avoid damaging the newly formed organs. Next, she took out a blazing red herb—its leaves crimson, veins crisscrossing like blood vessels in a strangely eerie pattern…
This was Blood Gathering Grass, capable of forming blood and blood vessels…
Without pause, her other hand produced a pure white rabbit brimming with vitality. Its eyes sparkled with tears. Upon seeing the raging Sky-Toppling Flame, it trembled in terror.
This rabbit was none other than the Million-Year Ginseng Spirit that had gained sentience and could transform into an animal. It had been frolicking happily in the Spirit Realm Pearl until today—when it was caught. It already knew its fate, its little face filled with despair and fear.
Shui Qingxuan tossed the Blood Gathering Grass into the cauldron, then looked at the trembling white rabbit and gritted her teeth:
"For Master's revival… I can only sacrifice you!"
"Squeak… squeak…" Tears streamed from the rabbit's eyes, tugging at anyone's heartstrings.
"There's no need to take its life. Two-thirds of its energy will be enough!" Dan Mengji took a deep breath and spoke up, her heart softening.
The Million-Year Ginseng Spirit had only recently gained sentience. Destroying it just to revive herself… she truly felt guilty.
"Master…" Shui Qingxuan's expression changed. The ginseng was crucial for forming skin and flesh during body forging—she didn't want her master to leave behind any regrets due to sentimentality.
"Don't worry. I know my limits… The ginseng has lived in the Spirit Realm Pearl for so long, absorbing far more spiritual energy than normal. It's already comparable to a multi-million-year ginseng. Two-thirds of its power is sufficient!" Dan Mengji said firmly.
"Alright then!" Shui Qingxuan exhaled deeply. She looked at the rabbit in her hand and said, "Consider yourself lucky. But this will still consume a great deal of your energy!"
"Squeak!" The white rabbit's eyes lit up with joy—it realized it could keep its life.
Without further words, Shui Qingxuan summoned a small dagger. She made a shallow cut on the rabbit's body and directed its essence straight into the Sky-Toppling Flame.
The rabbit endured the pain without struggling. Instead, it actively released its own energy into the cauldron to help.
After an unknown amount of time—when two-thirds of its body had shrunk and its color had dulled—Shui Qingxuan knew it was enough. She gently set the rabbit down and continued controlling the flames…
This was a long, tedious process. The refiner had to remain in a state of peak concentration. The slightest mistake—letting the异火 flare too intensely—could cause irreparable damage.
Blood Gathering Grass formed the blood and vessels. The ginseng's power shaped skin and flesh. Both were gradually refined and perfected within the forming body…
Shui Qingxuan glanced at her master. Dan Mengji nodded proudly—her disciple's control over flames had already surpassed her own when she was still a Seventh Grade Alchemist. Satisfaction filled her heart…
"Master… what appearance do you want? What height, what figure?" Shui Qingxuan asked beforehand. During the forging process, she could adjust certain features according to preference—so she sought her master's wishes.
"No need for anything complicated. I'll enter with my soul while the face is still incomplete. The finished body will naturally match how I looked when alive!" Dan Mengji replied nonchalantly.
When she was alive, she had already been an unparalleled beauty—comparable to any woman in the harem. There was no need for excessive changes.
"Understood!" Shui Qingxuan nodded, then accelerated the formation of flesh and skin.
"Wait! Make my legs longer, my hips rounder and fuller, and my chest… at least on par with Yue Qi!" Dan Mengji suddenly blurted out. Her voice was tiny, almost embarrassed—her soul even trembled slightly as she made the request.
"Huh?" Shui Qingxuan looked stunned.
"What are you surprised about? Just do it!" Dan Mengji huffed coquettishly.
Shui Qingxuan struggled to hold back her laughter. Long legs, full hips, and a large chest… weren't those exactly her husband's favorite features? It seemed her master had started to understand the ways of love after all…
Though Dan Mengji had been a supreme beauty in life, when it came to specific features—legs, hips, chest—she wasn't particularly outstanding compared to the other women in the harem.
Since she now had the chance to adjust, naturally she wouldn't let it pass.
It was her master's wish—Shui Qingxuan happily complied. She guided the materials' power, shaping them according to her own vision…
Legs as long and elegant as Kun Mingyue's, hips as round and perky as Mu Ziyin's, chest slightly larger than Yan Yueqi's—nearly matching Wu San Niang's size…
After an unknown amount of time, a flawless body gradually took form. Every inch of fair, rosy skin was soft and tender like a newborn's. Long legs pressed tightly together, a delicate and shy valley hidden between them, a plump, smooth mound, a slender willow waist, twin full peaks pressing tightly together, crowned with faint red buds that bloomed radiantly. Her collarbones were exquisitely sculpted…
Even the smallest details—fingertips, toes—were the most perfect works of art in the world…
Only the face remained vague and incomplete, still undefined…
"Master!" Shui Qingxuan, forehead drenched in sweat, called out. She produced a transparent peach glowing with powerful soul energy.
This was the Soul-Restoring Peach—the precious ingredient Lan An had obtained from the Multi-Treasure Pavilion, capable of restoring souls.
Shui Qingxuan guided the异火 to melt the peach into boundless, pure soul energy, then directed it toward Dan Mengji's soul…
Dan Mengji knew what to do. She relaxed her frail soul, allowing the peach's soul energy to pour in. She sat cross-legged on the stone bed…
The soul energy from the peach quickly nourished Dan Mengji's soul, rapidly restoring her strength.
When the peach's medicinal power was fully expended, Dan Mengji's soul had reached peak solidity. Her graceful, noble features and stunning beauty became clearly visible once more—mature, dignified, and elegantly poised.
Shui Qingxuan stared blankly at her master's soul. Truly beautiful… not inferior in the slightest to Hua Qingzhu, Yan Yueqi, or any of the others.
In fact—if infused with a touch of bewitching charm—even Hu Qingyu might not outshine her…
"Master… you're so beautiful!" Shui Qingxuan murmured in a daze. She had only met her master after she became a soul—so this was the first time she had seen her master's breathtaking, nation-toppling beauty so clearly.
"Hehe, no need to flatter me!" Dan Mengji laughed softly. Feeling her soul fully invigorated, she didn't hesitate. She shot forward like a streak of light—merging directly into the still-incomplete body inside the cauldron.
The moment her soul entered, the body trembled. On the previously vague face, exquisite features began to form one by one. Strands of silken hair also grew…
During the entire process, Shui Qingxuan dared not relax for a second. She meticulously controlled the Sky-Toppling Flame's temperature, ensuring perfect stability for the body and all remaining unrefined materials…
This continued for a full week…
"Phew… everything is perfect. The rest is up to Master now!" Shui Qingxuan exhaled heavily. Her graceful body slumped to the ground, drenched in sweat from head to toe, panting from exhaustion.
The Sky-Toppling Flame had long been withdrawn. On the stone bed now sat a naked, mature beauty—cross-legged in meditation, phoenix eyes gently closed, crimson lips slightly parted to reveal pearl-white teeth…
Around her, endless spiritual energy surged toward Qingxuan Palace. Shui Qingxuan had already placed piles of top-grade Spirit Stones nearby—but even so, it still didn't feel like enough…
Dan Mengji was now in the phase of adapting to her new body and restoring her cultivation. She needed vast spiritual energy to refine…
"Master is so beautiful… Husband will surely be enchanted!" Though utterly exhausted, Shui Qingxuan's face glowed with happiness and fulfillment. She sat quietly, simply admiring her master…
A moment later, she too sat cross-legged beside her, circulating her cultivation technique to recover from the immense exhaustion. Unlike Lan An or Meng Ying, she didn't have heaven-defying recovery abilities…
As both women entered cultivation… spiritual energy from across the Spirit Realm Pearl rushed toward Qingxuan Palace, bringing quiet satisfaction and relief to the rest of the harem…
Because they all understood—if Dan Mengji failed, their man would surely suffer…
And if he suffered—how could they possibly be happy?
That was why, throughout the entire time Shui Qingxuan was forging the body, the women had constantly kept one part of their attention on Qingxuan Palace.
Now, at last, they could finally relax and focus entirely on their own cultivation…