Whenever Rinne needed to think deeply, she instinctively retreated into her Soul Library.


    Inside, time seemed endless, though only a few minutes passed outside—just enough for a quick nap. Of course, the inevitable headache would follow, but that was a minor trade-off. Here, she could calmly search for a solution.


    "How do I get the materials I need without drawing attention?"


    Of course, robbing others for resources had crossed her mind briefly, but she dismissed the thought immediately. This was her new life, and she wanted nothing to do with the darkness of her past.


    As she sifted through the library’s memories and knowledge, the Hibiscus Body Tempering Art resurfaced. The technique came from the Jade Pleasure Sect, known for its focus on dual cultivation. It wasn’t a popular method—it didn’t boost cultivation speed or offer great strength. Instead, it enhanced beauty and preserved youth, especially if practiced before the body fully matured at sixteen.


    More importantly, it required no expensive resources. The technique used spiritual energy to nourish the body and gradually expel impurities. While not as effective as a Marrow Cleansing Pill, it could reduce the need for one.


    Rinne smiled.


    "This is perfect! I won’t need the Marrow Cleansing Pill anymore, and I’ll need fewer materials."


    This technique wasn’t a true body tempering art but more of a supplement to dual cultivation. Still, Rinne didn’t mind using it for her needs. With her Energy Extraction Formation, the Hibiscus Body Tempering Art fit her situation well—it allowed her to draw energies from materials rich in energy and convert it into spiritual energy for practice.


    But there was a problem.


    "This won’t be enough to protect me."


    Relying only on this technique would give her beauty and fitness but leave her powerless. Without real strength, she’d just be a fragile decoration, forced to depend on others for survival.


    That would be unacceptable.


    "Then, I’ll just create a better version!"


    Determined to make it stronger, Rinne started piecing together a new body tempering art. She scoured the Soul Library, reviewing techniques from various sects and clans. Each method had its benefits but also drawbacks—some caused permanent damage, while others deformed the body over time.


    This was considered normal in the cultivation world.


    Body tempering was never without risks. Cultivators who altered their bodies through these methods often paid unintended consequences. Side effects usually emerged after prolonged practice, whether in appearance, mobility, or health.


    That was why, it was essential to understand the human body to create a new technique, and fortunately, Rinne’s knowledge was more than enough.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    She carefully extracted the best parts of each method, discarding unnecessary or harmful elements. The Hibiscus Body Tempering Art’s focus on spiritual energy nourishment served as the base, but she went further, adding components to temper the muscles, bones, and internal organs—balancing both beauty and strength.


    "This should work, in theory,"


    The improved version does not mean it has become the best body tempering art.


    This technique was still not as strong as other techniques, but it was safer and fewer risk to practice, as the burden on the body not as heavy as that of other techniques, which could potentially cause permanent side effects.


    "For the name... let’s call it Hibiscus Rebirth Tempering Art."


    With the technique finalized, Rinne shifted her thoughts to Roran’s medicinal bath.


    Even after scouring the Soul Library, she found no method to temper spiritual roots directly. If such a method existed, she would have discarded the need for the bath entirely. But since there was no alternative, the bath remained essential for now.


    ???


    Rinne opened her eyes to the familiar throb of a dull headache.


    It was uncomfortable as always, but she had grown used to it. She exhaled slowly, allowing herself a brief of rest, waiting for the pain to ease before getting back to work.


    Once the headache subsided, she sat cross-legged and straightened her posture, ready to practice the Hibiscus Rebirth Tempering Art. As she channeled her spiritual energy, sharp pain shot through her spiritual root—the core of her cultivation.


    Cultivators relied on their spiritual roots to control and harness the flow of spiritual energy, but Rinne’s spiritual root was still unstable and sensitive. Somehow, in her eagerness to push forward, she had forgotten this crucial fact.


    It felt like pressing a raw wound or trying to grasp fire with bare skin. Every attempt to circulate energy only deepened the pain. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stop before the agony became overwhelming.


    Frustration simmered beneath the surface. No matter how much preparation she made, her body stubbornly reminded her of its limits. She closed her eyes again, sinking into contemplation.


    ‘In the end... I’m just walking in circles.’


    This thought gnawed at her.


    For the sake of remaining inconspicuous, she had taken numerous detours, avoiding paths that might attract attention. Yet, every step forward seemed to come with another kind of pain—whether it was in body or mind.


    Was this suffering truly worth it?


    The question lingered as doubt began to creep into her heart. For all the sacrifices she made to stay hidden, was she truly free of the burdens of her past? Or was she merely trading one struggle for another?


    But the doubt only lasted briefly.


    Pain? She was already familiar with it. Compared to the torment of the Gu backlash in her previous life, this was nothing but a minor inconvenience.


    Rinne closed her eyes and controlled her breath. With practiced ease, she slipped into self-hypnosis for the second time, forcing the pain to vanish as if it had never existed. The sensation melted away into nothingness.


    "As long as it doesn’t kill me, I can keep going!"


    As for the question of whether it was worth it or not? Of course, it wasn’t worth it.


    She could have showcased her talent, earned admiration, and maybe even secured a spot as an inner or core disciple. She could have basked in the privileges that accompanied such a position, enjoying the respect and admiration of her peers. The elders probably wouldn’t have minded her little secret, especially since she was surrounded by the praises of her achievements.


    She knew very well that doing otherwise was a foolish decision. But despite knowing all this, she still chose the harder path.


    With a quiet sigh, Rinne acknowledged her own contradiction.


    She understood, perhaps better than anyone, that while she possessed the courage to endure pain, she lacked the courage to interact with others. This peculiar contrast left her feeling increasingly alone on her path, caught between her pursuit of strength and her fear of forming bonds.