Chapter 50: Start of the Body Tempering Process (II)

When Cecilia finally finished organizing the magical herbs, Zhen was amazed and curious at the same time about how she's going to merge the herbs together without using a pill furnace or a cauldron.

"Stop thinking about how I'm going to merge the herbs. These are for a medicine bath which means I'm not concocting a pill but increasing the potency of the herbs to its maximum."

'Tch, I wasted all this time paying attention for nothing.' 

While Zhen sneered in his mind, the facial expression of his didn't change one bit.

"If we are not concocting a pill then what's the use of this much magical herbs for?" Zhen asked since he didn't know how they could use all these herbs for a simple medicine bath.

"Truly a fool you are. Did you think the medicine bath that I'm making for you is a simple one? I'll let you know in advance so you can still retreat before it's too late. This medicine bath will torture you completely and you're not allowed to stop until it's been 15 days."

Cecilia said with a serious expression this time. Zhen can tell that she's giving him a warning that this process will be painful.

Painful enough that she has a dreadful expression on her face. This is the first time Zhen has seen this kind of side and as much as he wants to run away.

He will not yield and endure this process. Can he still be called a man and help Cecilia in her goal if he backs away from the first step to becoming a real cultivator?

"Cecilia, you underestimated my willpower. Just go for it and watch me complete my body tempering flawlessly. At that time, I shall receive my reward." Zhen said with a bright clear eye as cultivating is defying heaven, to begin with.

Not to mention, the time difference in this space is many times faster than the outside world so he would definitely not give up.

Cecilia didn't say anything despite the fact that he just said her first name. She was happy inside, seeing how he is determined and not a half-willed brat.

She simply increases her essence flame temperature while flickering her hand.

*Bam*

A large wooden tub appeared out of thin air suddenly. Zhen didn't react much as this space is under Cecilia's control.

Seeing Cecilia's expression and focused eye, Zhen can't help but admire this peerless beauty. She has been through a lot.... maybe even more than his dark history.

'No, it's definitely way worse as I can see her longing for her loved one, and although she has tried to hide it with her cold tone. How could I not see through those eyes of her?'

A person can lie with words but the eyes will never lie. Zhen guessed they are connected through a thread line where they need each other to support.

As much as he sneers at her or tries to act like a mindless idiot, Zhen just wants to brighten her mood. 

With those new fragmented memories he obtained, Zhen could tell that Karl was definitely not some nobodies to her.

He was likely someone that took care of her since Karl's eyesight when dissipating into thin air was love and care for someone. 

Not the romance type of love but a parent's love, similar to John's love for Sara.

Knowing all of these only made his determination tougher. Those empyreans that are full of greed and probably also lust after Cecilia will definitely pay for this debt.

'I don't know who or where you are in this vast cosmic. I swear to heaven that I will avenge Cecilia on her path of vengeance. If I fail to complete this then I shall have my Dao completely shattered.'

Right when Zhen finished swearing, lightning bolts started to strike in this space. Cecilia was shocked by this sudden development that she stopped melting the herbs into the wooden tub to stare at this thunder.

"Heavenly Dao Thunder Strike..... How could this dreadful thunder appear in this space? D-Don't tell me?" Cecilia mumbled in her mouth before looking in Zhen's direction.

Sure enough, she saw him having a bright smile and his eye shone brightly which stared deep straight into her.

"Cecilia, with heaven as witness, I will carry the burden of vengeance with you. If I ever fall astray from this path then I shall have my Dao and path as a cultivator completely shatters." Zhen said it when the thunder struck my body.

*Rumble* 

*Kabooom*

"Cough," Zhen coughed a few times when his body was struck by the lightning and he feels something happening inside his body. 

'It is probably related to my oath to heaven and if I didn't commit to my promise then the punishment should occur.'

Zhen knew swearing to heaven will result in deadly consequences if unfulfilled but this was his resolution.

His resolution to protect Cecilia where she has sheltered him in his days of struggling and almost dying a few times.

However, trying to act cool at a random time was not a very smart decision.

"ARE YOU INSANE? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU IN SWEARING THIS DEADLY OATHS TO THE HEAVEN? DO YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES?" Cecilia roared in a very loud tone.

Zhen's ear starts to ring from the sudden outburst that he never expected to hear from Cecilia. 

But a small smile continues to leave on his face as this outburst only makes him have no regret to tie his life with her.

"I'm not insane and it's simply my commitment towards you. Without you in my life, I would have died before even reaching here."

"I believed in you to help me but you don't have to make this kind of oath. There's no point in you regretting this action now. This vengeance is supposed to be my goal and I-I have to bear it myself." Cecilia said while tears started flowing out from her eye.

Zhen calmly walked in front of her and gently wiped the tears away with his finger.

Wiping the tears slowly, Zhen said in a soft tone, one that is used to calm a person in a caring perspective. "You have suffered more than me and accompanied my difficult time. It's time for me to support you back."

Cecilia's tears only start flowing out faster after hearing his words. Zhen simply hugs her and scrubs her back gently since she has been all alone ever since the calamity occurs to her family.

Although she was unconscious during his darkest path, it was still because of her that Zhen gets to live. 

Plus the fact that she has just recently awakened and knows that everyone she loves is gone.

It will turn a person insane especially when she finally sees someone who has given her love and care for the first time in 10,000 years but was forced to watch him vanish as well.

This feeling is something Zhen knows very well and only those who have experienced this painful experience can comfort each other.

Saying words of comfort would only make things worse. Only actions and determination can soothe the person down.

This is why Zhen took this oath and to let her know that she can rely on him too. To let her know that she's not alone because he's here for her.

"Cecilia, I'm guessing I can call you by the first name now can't I?"

"Hmph, you simply took advantage of my weak opening," Cecilia said with a pout.

"Haha, well now that I've obtained my reward, shouldn't you continue to melt the magical herbs to complete my medicine bath. After all, I'm still a weak mortal."

As Zhen finished speaking, Cecilia pushed him aside gently and activated her essence flame again.

'I'm glad that I untie your knot now, Cecilia. No matter how difficult the path ahead of us is, we shall strive together and overcome any obstacles.'

Zhen slowly walked a bit closer and inspected her alchemy work as this would give him some experience to understand the work process of an alchemist.

However, Zhen shudders with a chill when he reimagines the pain he would experience once this medicine bath is completed.

'Hopefully, this medicine bath will not tear my tendons and bones apart to cleanse the impurities.' Zhen prayed inwardly while thinking if he just jinxed himself.