Chapter Fifty-Six: Finally, I Can Pursue Her Without Worries!

Chen Xiang grumbled and cursed for a while, but at last, with Li Qiner's gentle comfort, his anger gradually subsided. He promptly tucked the demoness's veil into his pocket—he couldn't risk another sudden lightning strike! Who would have thought that such a lofty heavenly tribulation, something that sounded so awe-inspiring and majestic, would resort to such a sneaky ambush? This unexpected sneak attack lessened Chen Xiang's dread of the lightning tribulation, replacing it with a lingering sense of frustration and irritation.

"Qiner, how is your refinement of the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Marrow coming along?" Chen Xiang dusted off his robes and asked.

"It's almost done. I only need ten drops of the Cold Marrow as a catalyst. I've already refined eight," Li Qiner replied after a moment's thought. Once she had begun refining the Cold Marrow, her Heavenly Heart Yin Vein constitution had fully awakened. She had even taken off her electric blanket and military coat; in this land of extreme cold, such things only interfered with the perfection of her physique.

"Really? Good. Then let's take a break from refining for now—take this medicine first!" Chen Xiang said cheerfully, producing the Ice Condensation Rejuvenation Pill.

"Ah! Young Master, I... I don't want—mmph..." Before Li Qiner could protest, he lifted her bamboo hat and popped the pill into her slightly parted lips.

"Mm!"

Li Qiner immediately lowered her head, not daring to let him see her face. Her heart was a storm of shyness and delight. In that brief instant, she had clearly seen the pill’s markings: it was etched with her likeness. Though veiled by the hat, the image was vivid and lifelike, making her heart tremble.

Chen Xiang, meanwhile, felt no shame in his bold actions. This was how one ought to charm a girl—never let an opportunity slip by!

He didn't care that Li Qiner kept her head lowered; he had seen her face a few times already and wasn't especially bothered. Right now, his nerves were taut, his gaze fixed intently on her face, eager to catch the slightest change.

Feeling the heat of Chen Xiang’s gaze, Li Qiner grew increasingly flustered, but there was nowhere to hide. Just then, the Ice Condensation Rejuvenation Pill melted in her mouth, a chill sliding down her throat and flooding her body with cold energy.

"Don’t panic. Focus your mind and refine the pill," Chen Xiang said softly.

Startled, Li Qiner realized the medicine was taking effect. She immediately sat cross-legged and entered a meditative state, centering her energy and focusing wholly on refining the pill.

Chen Xiang watched her closely. According to the system’s instructions, the pill’s main effect was to restore her appearance; it could be taken at any time, but its real purpose was to purge the lingering Yang energy within her and perfect the Heavenly Heart Yin Vein. That was what truly mattered.

He could barely contain his anticipation. All this effort had been for this moment, for the chance to see Li Qiner’s true face for the first time.

The Ice Condensation Rejuvenation Pill wasn’t some generic energy-replenishing elixir. As its name implied, it was a rare, specialized medicine for restoring one’s appearance—particularly effective against disfigurement caused by strange energies.

Before long, Li Qiner finished refining the pill. A hazy sheen of ice mist formed over her face, obscuring her features. Through the mist, Chen Xiang could faintly discern her countenance. The dark red birthmark that once marred her face faded away bit by bit, and even the shape of her nose seemed to subtly change.

"If they had this stuff in Korea, it’d cause a sensation," Chen Xiang muttered to himself.

Half an hour later, with a soft hiss, the icy mist on Li Qiner’s face dissipated completely. Chen Xiang, who had stared intently for the entire half hour, nearly popped his eyes out in astonishment.

He drew a sharp breath, at a loss for words, afraid to disturb this moment of wonder.

Her brows were like strokes of ink on silk, her beauty radiant as the moon and flowers, skin fair and delicate as jade—no metaphor seemed worthy enough to describe Li Qiner.

Her long lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, a pair of deep, inky-black pupils gazing out. Her cherry lips parted slightly, releasing a wisp of white breath. Catching sight of Chen Xiang’s dumbstruck expression, her heart plummeted. Had it failed? A trace of disappointment flickered in her eyes as she sighed softly.

"Young Master? Don’t worry. Even if it failed, I... I’ll be fine," Li Qiner said gently, turning her face away, shy and anxious.

Chen Xiang’s breath hitched at her demure pose, especially when paired with her flawless figure. A surge of excitement washed over him—never had he felt such profound awe.

He could hardly believe Li Qiner’s true appearance was so breathtaking! Even on Earth, where most beauties were products of careful editing and filters, her looks would make anyone’s heart race. She wasn’t just beautiful; she was otherworldly.

This was a win, no doubt about it. He was immensely glad he had persevered, silently congratulating himself.

At that moment, Chen Xiang grasped Li Qiner’s shoulders, gazing solemnly into her perfect face. "Qiner, I’m warning you seriously: from now on, you must always wear a veil or a hat. Never reveal your face to anyone but me!"

"Ah!" Hearing Chen Xiang’s words, Li Qiner’s heart sank, and she murmured sorrowfully, "So it failed after all? Oh well, I’m used to it by now."

Chen Xiang blinked, then burst out laughing. So she thought the medicine hadn’t worked!

Shaking his head, he chuckled softly, "No, Qiner, it didn’t fail—it was a complete success! You’re more beautiful than a fairy now!"

"Ah? Young Master, are you just trying to make me feel better?" Li Qiner hesitated, uncertainty in her voice.

Without another word, Chen Xiang led her to the edge of the Frigid Spring. "See for yourself."

Li Qiner glanced at him, then at the water. Could it truly have worked? There was no harm in looking. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly leaned over the surface.

She opened her eyes, and a face of porcelain fairness and rosy vitality gazed back: a fine nose, willow brows, features so exquisite they defied description.

She reached up, tentatively touching her cheek—the skin was supple, smooth, almost unreal.

"Is... is this really me?" she whispered, disbelief trembling in her voice.

This was exactly the reaction Chen Xiang had hoped for—beauty so stunning that even Li Qiner herself could not believe it.

He let out a satisfied sigh. "At last, I can flirt with peace of mind."

A fragrant breeze swept past, and suddenly a soft, delicate body flung itself into his arms.

By his ear came a voice, trembling with joy.

"Young Master Li, thank you!"

"To be continued..."