The bones remember what the flesh forgets.
—Demon Lord Sha Kong, Consumer of Ten Thousand Souls
Skin reinforcement followed similar principles to muscle reinforcement, though the process stretched across a broader area and required a constant pressure. The first challenge was finding a suitable location—somewhere private enough for Xiulan and Feng Yu to strip down without permanently damaging the surroundings.
After constructing a makeshift enclosure with two disposal holes and fence, they enlisted Mei Chen as their 'guard spirit'. No one was going to sneak up on them and take a peek.
The process proved successful despite initial awkwardness.
The only true difficulty she had with it was the raging swirl of elements in her core from consuming the five elemental pills. But that subsided quickly under the pressure of her meridian network.
Feng Yu just looked at her and proclaimed, "As expected."
Xiulan expelled a forceful breath as the last traces of impurities seeped from her pores. Dark, oily residue coated her skin like a film of midnight ink.
Channeling qi through her meridians, she directed the viscous substance toward the prepared pit. The filth slithered off her body in ribbons, pooling into the earthen hole.
Grabbing the nearby shovel, she scooped dirt over the contaminated pit. The pungent odor of purged impurities made her nose crinkle.
"Your control over meridian flow has improved a lot." Feng Yu nodded approvingly.
"Let's just get the bones over with." Xiulan wiped the last traces of dark residue from her skin. "The other refinements proved simple enough."
Feng Yu shook her head. "You'll want to take that bone refining powder first. Trust me on this."
"But muscle and skin refinement barely stung." Xiulan stretched her newly purified skin.
"Just trust me." Feng Yu's amber eyes held a knowing glint.
A small knot formed in Xiulan's stomach. She pulled out the powder packet and called over the fence. "Mei Chen, could you send some water this way?"
"Of course, Miss!"
A sphere of water floated over the wooden barrier, hovering before Xiulan. She cupped a hand beneath it, using her qi to maintain its shape while emptying the powder packet into the floating orb. The mixture swirled into a murky gray as she spun it with her energy.
Xiulan took a deep breath and swallowed the concoction in one swift chug.
"I'll support you through this, just like before." Feng Yu placed a steadying hand on Xiulan's shoulder.
Xiulan closed her eyes and focused. First things first, she reached out and drew Feng Yu's offered qi thread through her meridians, weaving them into her own energy network. The support flowed like warm sunlight through her channels, steady and reassuring.
She inhaled deeply, centering herself. The task demanded her own mastery—Feng Yu could support but not complete the refinement for her.
Starting at her toes made sense, following the same methodical approach she'd used for skin and muscle. Qi condensed at the tips of her feet, pressing into the dense bone structure.
White-hot pain lanced through her. The sudden intensity would have shattered her focus if not for Feng Yu's qi threads instantly hardening, providing crucial stability. Though the stumble proved minor, it demonstrated the value of having backup.
Gritting her teeth, Xiulan increased pressure on her toe bones. Dark spiritual filth leaked from her feet in steady rivulets, far more concentrated than the previous refinements. The bones' spiritual density meant they harbored deeper impurities.
Black sludge pooled around her feet. The disposal pit's capacity hadn't seemed relevant moments ago, but feeling the thick stream of corruption pour out gave her second thoughts.
Xiulan forced qi through her toe bones methodically, working upward to her ankles and legs. Each push of energy burned like molten metal poured into her marrow. Her lungs struggled against the searing pain, every breath scorched her throat.
Moving to her fingers, she channeled qi through each delicate bone. The refinement spread up through her forearms in excruciating waves. Her heart thundered against her ribs, threatening to burst from the strain.
The bone powder must be working. She clung to that thought as another wave of agony crashed through her system. At least her opened meridians allowed qi to flow quickly—a small mercy. She focused on maintaining steady breaths despite the inferno raging inside her body.
"We're fine." Xiulan blinked, adjusting to the return of her senses.
Feng Yu frowned thoughtfully. "Something was different about this refinement. The spiritual filth emerged at twice the normal density. The difficulty doubled too—I've never heard of anything like it."
"Why would that happen?" Mei Chen tilted her head.
"I'm not certain." Feng Yu's amber eyes narrowed. "Perhaps Xiulan possesses some special cultivation root? Her meridian capacity appears doubled, and now her bones show similar traits."
Understanding crashed through Xiulan like a thunderbolt. The bone refinement hadn't just purified her system—it had processed double the normal spiritual capacity.
Double. The word echoed in her mind as pieces clicked into place.
She possessed two overlapping spiritual frameworks rather than the merged single system she'd assumed. Li Mei and Lin Xiulan's souls hadn't simply combined—they'd synchronized, creating parallel channels that worked in perfect harmony.
To the point where she didn't notice, where Feng Yu hadn't noticed. Nor Mei Chen.
And even Qingfeng hadn't seen? Although she hadn't cultivated with him directly. Or had he? Was it part of why he was interested in her?
The realization brought clarity. She didn't feel split or fractured. Her identity remained whole and unified, perhaps because her two souls proved so compatible from the start. Whether fate or circumstance had guided their merger hardly mattered now.
Her expanded spiritual capacity explained the brutal intensity of the bone refinement. The process targeted spiritual corruption as much as physical impurities. Cleansing twice the normal spiritual volume meant enduring double the strain.
Xiulan pushed herself up on trembling legs. "I'm okay." Her body quivered with bone-deep exhaustion. "Just need rest."
"Good thing we tackled this together," Feng Yu said.
Mei Chen stepped out and came back into the fenced area with an armful of fresh robes. "Should we head to the hot springs as planned? Or would you prefer to rest?"
"Hot springs," Feng Yu replied.
"Bed." Xiulan rubbed her aching shoulders.
They locked eyes.
"Actually, bed sounds better." Feng Yu slumped.
"No, you were right—hot springs." Xiulan stretched.
"Oh, you two... I vote hot springs, then bed!" Mei Chen bounced on her toes.
Despite the bone-deep exhaustion, laughter bubbled up from Xiulan's chest. Each step away from the refinement area lightened the weight in her limbs. The soreness remained, but the crushing fatigue ebbed.
"Maybe the hot spring is exactly what we need." Xiulan accepted her robe from Mei Chen.
Feng Yu rolled her neck with an audible crack. "I'm glad I reserved the entire day."
A wooden fence marked the path to the springs behind the inn. Steam curled into the air, carrying the mineral scent of heated water.
"You reserved it for the whole day?" Xiulan raised an eyebrow.
"Just cost some taels." Feng Yu shrugged. "The innkeeper seemed pleased enough."
"Okayy." Xiulan drew out the word skeptically.
Wisps of steam danced above the crystal-clear pool. The high fence ensured privacy, leaving them alone with the gently rippling water.
"Well! This is nice." Xiulan inhaled the warm, mineral-rich air.