My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1411 Seal
Her face looked somewhat haggard, but her eyes were clear and sharp. She secretly observed Zhou Xing, thinking about how to approach this person who might be useful to her.

Just then, a group of robbers suddenly surged out from all directions, wielding sharp blades and shouting, "This mountain is mine, this tree is mine! If you want to pass, leave your toll!" Instantly, the dock descended into chaos. Zhou Xing was startled upon seeing this, but he quickly regained his composure and swiftly pulled out a teleportation talisman from his robes. However, just as he was about to cast the spell, he discovered that the surrounding spiritual energy was unusually thin, making it impossible to unleash the talisman's full power.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Ling Xue deliberately fell to the ground, heading towards the merchant ship where Zhou Xing was. Zhou Xing instinctively reached out to catch her, and the instant they made contact, the jade pendants they wore suddenly emitted a faint light. This light was fleeting, but it stirred a strange feeling in both Zhou Xing and Ling Xue.

"Thank you for saving my life, young master," Ling Xue said, feigning weakness, her voice melodious and gentle. Zhou Xing looked at her, somewhat puzzled, but still politely said, "It's alright, just be careful, young lady."

To evade pursuers, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue hid in the cargo hold of a merchant ship. The hold was filled with various goods, and a faint scent of spices permeated the air. The two huddled in the shadows of the cargo boxes, surrounded by darkness. Just then, Ling Xue suddenly whispered, "Young master, have you heard of the 'Haoqing Token'?" Zhou Xing's heart skipped a beat; this was the secret code used by disciples of the Demonic Sect. He looked at Ling Xue warily and slowly asked, "Why does the young lady know about the 'Haoqing Token'?" Ling Xue smiled slightly and took out a jade pendant from her bosom that was exactly the same as Zhou Xing's.

“It seems we are not just ordinary merchants and scholars,” Zhou Xing said, a hint of wariness and curiosity in his eyes. Ling Xue nodded and said, “That’s right. We are all disciples of the Demonic Sect Haoqing Sect. This time, we need to go through 9,999 tribulations to ascend to the Upper Realm. This is our 349th tribulation.”

On the merchant ship, Zhou Xing began to teach Ling Xue the ways of business. He patiently explained how to distinguish the quality of goods, how to bargain with customers, how to manage accounts, and so on. Ling Xue studied very diligently, asking questions from time to time, which Zhou Xing answered patiently one by one.

However, during an audit, Ling Xue discovered some problems. The ledger contained records of "Mysterious Iron," a crucial material for the Demonic Sect's weapon-forging techniques. This filled Ling Xue with suspicion, and she began to doubt Zhou Xing's identity.

“Zhou Xing, what’s the deal with the Xuan Iron in this ledger? Why are you connected to the materials used by the Demonic Sect in refining weapons?” Ling Xue questioned, a hint of wariness in her eyes. Zhou Xing smiled and said, “Miss, there’s no need to be suspicious. This Xuan Iron is simply goods I’m smuggling for the nobles of Shu. I have no other intentions.” Although Ling Xue outwardly believed Zhou Xing’s explanation, doubts still lingered in her heart.

Soon after, the Ling Kingdom delegation arrived in Shu Kingdom to escort Ling Xue back to the palace. Ling Xue resumed her status as Crown Princess and departed the merchant ship in a magnificent carriage. Zhou Xing, as her "military advisor," accompanied Ling Xue to Ling Kingdom.

On the way, Zhou Xing noticed that the jade pendant Ling Xue wore close to her body was engraved with the forbidden demonic technique "Soul Devouring Technique." This startled him; he couldn't understand why Ling Xue would possess such a dangerous forbidden technique. Ling Xue also noticed Zhou Xing's gaze. She sneered and said, "Zhou Xing, you're not simple either. The runes on this jade pendant probably hold more secrets than meets the eye." The atmosphere between the two immediately became tense.

Upon arriving in Ling Kingdom, Zhou Xing quickly gained the favor of the Ling Emperor thanks to his wisdom and talent. However, his outstanding performance aroused the jealousy and dissatisfaction of the First Prince. The First Prince secretly colluded with the enemy state of Shu, plotting to frame Zhou Xing and Ling Xue.

One day, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were discussing matters in the palace when suddenly a group of soldiers burst in and surrounded them. The leading general shouted, "Zhou Xing, you have been colluding with the enemy and plotting a rebellion. Now that we have witnesses and evidence, what do you have to say?" Zhou Xing was startled, but he quickly calmed down. He knew this was the Crown Prince's conspiracy.

During their imprisonment, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were locked in the same cell. They began to discuss their strategy, deciding to feign a falling out to mislead the enemy. Ling Xue pretended to be angry and said to Zhou Xing, "Zhou Xing, how could you do such a thing? I truly misjudged you!" Zhou Xing also feigned helplessness and said, "Princess, I was framed. Please believe me!"

However, their plan did not escape the eyes of Ling Xue's master—Elder Ling Xuzi of the Demonic Sect. Ling Xuzi appeared in the cell and coldly said, "Did you think you could deceive everyone by pretending to break ties? Now that the calamity has triggered the 'Human Heart Gu,' you must distrust each other to break the deadlock." Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were shocked; they had not expected this calamity to be so complicated.

As time passed, Ling Xue's "Soul Devouring Technique" suddenly went berserk. Her eyes became empty and lifeless, and she exuded a powerful evil aura. She attacked those around her frantically, and Zhou Xing was forced into a battle with her.

During the fierce battle, Zhou Xing discovered that only the "Haoqing Sect's" cultivation method could suppress the evil energy within Ling Xue's body. However, if he forcibly used the "Haoqing Sect's" cultivation method to suppress Ling Xue, it might expose their identities as disciples of the Demonic Sect; but if he didn't use the cultivation method, Ling Xue would be devoured by the evil energy and her life would be in danger.

Zhou Xing was caught in a dilemma, but he ultimately decided to take the risk. He secretly activated the "Haoqing Sect's" cultivation technique, injecting a powerful spiritual force into Ling Xue's body. Under the suppression of the spiritual force, the evil energy within Ling Xue gradually weakened, and she regained some of her sanity.

However, their actions were discovered by the Grand Preceptor of Ling Kingdom. The Grand Preceptor recognized their identities as disciples of the Demonic Sect and ordered their capture. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue escaped to a small town on the border of Shu Kingdom, by which time they were both severely injured.

In the town's inn, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue healed each other's wounds. Zhou Xing said self-deprecatingly, "In this life, I've finally played the cliché of a hero saving a damsel in distress." Ling Xue coughed up blood and laughed, "If you die here, I'll switch to the Path of Ruthlessness." The feelings between the two quietly warmed up in this life-or-death situation.

After a period of recuperation, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue's injuries gradually healed. However, their ordeal was far from over. Suddenly, dark clouds filled the sky, and nine bolts of purple lightning shattered the void, transforming into a giant dragon. The dragon spoke in human language: "The Demonic Sect has defied the Heavenly Dao; only by uniting our hearts can this calamity be overcome."

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue knew this was a calamity they had to face. They decided to join forces to fight the lightning tribulation. Zhou Xing, posing as a merchant, mobilized the Shu Kingdom's banks, raising a large sum of money to forge weapons and formations to combat the tribulation. Ling Xue, using her status as the Crown Princess, mobilized the Ling Kingdom's imperial guards to assist Zhou Xing.

However, their actions displeased both imperial courts. The two courts united to annihilate them. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue were trapped in a desperate situation. At the critical moment, Zhou Xing transformed the Demonic Sect's natal magic weapon, the "Thousand Tribulations Umbrella," into a caravan banner. Ling Xue, using the Crown Princess's seal, bestowed upon Lei Long the title of "Guardian Deity." Under the combined effect of the "Thousand Tribulations Umbrella" and the "Guardian Deity," the armies of both imperial courts temporarily ceased their attack.

After a fierce battle, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue successfully survived the tribulation. Afterwards, an "ascension passage" appeared in the sky. However, Zhou Xing refused to leave alone. He knew that Ling Xue had sacrificed a great deal for this tribulation, and if they couldn't leave together, then it would all be meaningless.

Ling Xue looked at Zhou Xing, deeply moved. She burned her own divine soul to perfect the "Guardian God" contract, trying to buy Zhou Xing more time. Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue, his eyes filled with heartache. He reversed the "Clear and Bright Technique," binding their divine souls together, and said, "I give you all three hundred kalpas of my thoughts, in exchange for you remaining by my side for nine thousand kalpas."

At the moment their souls were bound, their memories returned. They remembered everything they had experienced at the Demon Sect's Haoqing Sect, and they also remembered the feelings they had for each other. In the end, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue stepped into the "Ascension Passage" hand in hand, flying towards a higher realm. Their tribulations were far from over, but they firmly believed that as long as they were together, no difficulty was insurmountable.

Zhou Xing felt a sudden dizziness, and his consciousness gradually blurred. When he regained his senses, he found himself lying on a magnificent dragon bed. The surrounding decorations were extremely luxurious, displaying the grandeur of royalty, yet a sense of unease welled up within him.

At this moment, an elderly eunuch with white hair rushed in, his face full of terror. He knelt down with a thud and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Regent has seized control of the court and has ordered you to marry the princess of the enemy country in three days to solidify the alliance between Yun and its neighboring countries."

Zhou Xing's heart skipped a beat; he knew this was no good. He instinctively tried to circulate his spiritual energy to investigate his surroundings, only to find it sealed by a mysterious force. Just as he was puzzled, he suddenly felt a sharp pain on the back of his left hand. Looking down, he saw a blood-red curse mark appear.

Meanwhile, Ling Xue was also in dire straits. Reborn as the marshal's daughter, she had hoped to make a name for herself in the Yun Kingdom, but her stepmother had already bribed a sorcerer to plant a heart-devouring Gu within her. At this moment, she was curled up in a dark woodshed, coughing up blood. The blood, falling beside the woodpile, miraculously bloomed into an ice-blue iris.

On the wedding day, the capital of Yun Kingdom was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Zhou Xing, dressed in magnificent wedding attire, sat in the host's seat, yet he seemed like a puppet, his eyes filled with helplessness and anger. Ling Xue, on the other hand, slowly entered the banquet hall as the "Blessing Priestess." Her gaze swept around, and she was secretly on guard.

Suddenly, Ling Xue sensed something amiss. She noticed that the Regent's personal guard had concealed an explosive talisman at his waist. Without making a sound, she feigned a prayer to approach the guard and secretly cast a spell. An ice blade instantly materialized, silently severing the fuse. A potential crisis was thus averted.

After the grand wedding, Zhou Xing was confined to the imperial study. Each day, he could only watch Ling Xue practice martial arts in the training ground through the window. Ling Xue was an expert archer, hitting the bullseye every time she rode, but she deliberately missed a few shots, the arrows embedding deeply in the stone bricks. Upon closer inspection, Zhou Xing discovered that the arrow fletchings were engraved with the sect's secret codes.

Ling Xue sneaked into the Wenyuan Pavilion late at night, hoping to find clues to break the current predicament. After consulting numerous ancient texts, she discovered that the key to unsealing Zhou Xing's spiritual power lay in the Zhenguo Xuan Tie (National Treasure Iron) beneath the dragon vein. Just as she was about to leave, her bodyguards discovered her trail and gave chase. In a panic, Ling Xue hid in Zhou Xing's bedchamber.

She quickly cast a spell to freeze time and space, then strode towards Zhou Xing and whispered in his ear, "The dragon energy of Yun Kingdom has been refined into puppet threads by the Regent using the Nine Netherworld Array. We need to find a way to break this array."

At this time, the Regent died suddenly. The imperial physician diagnosed him with a rare poison from the Western Regions called "Drunken Life, Dream Death." Ling Xue was falsely accused and imprisoned. At the execution ground, she was tied to a pillar, surrounded by heavy guards.

Upon learning the news, Zhou Xing feigned panic, but secretly activated the demonic seed dormant within his dantian. He manipulated the golden thread on his dragon robe, sending it piercing the executioner's brow like a serpent, instantly accessing his memories and learning that it was all a conspiracy by the Regent.

Without further hesitation, Zhou Xing, wielding the Emperor's Sword, resolutely cleaved open the floor tiles of the Lingxiao Palace. A cloud of dust billowed up, revealing a bronze coffin engraved with demonic runes. He reached out and touched the coffin lid; the seal instantly dissipated, and a black dragon phantom soared into the sky, unleashing a deafening roar. The surge of dragon energy caused Zhou Xing's meridians to burn intensely, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Ling Xue, not to be outdone in the Heavenly Prison, forced the Gu worms within her body with her icy chilling energy, causing them to explode into a bloody mist in mid-air. She then channeled her demonic power, turning control of the Regent's Palace's assassins. The jailers watched in horror as she emerged from the prison cells, stepping on blood-red lotuses, like a demon returned from hell.

The two met at the altar. At that moment, the core of the Nine Netherworld Array was revealed: three hundred boys and girls chained within its eye. Their eyes were filled with fear and despair. Seeing this, Zhou Xing's demonic mark between his brows transformed into a gluttonous maw, instantly devouring half of the malevolent energy; Ling Xue, meanwhile, brandished her ice silk ribbon, freezing the remaining blood-red light. With their combined strength, the Nine Netherworld Array was completely destroyed.

After breaking the Nine Netherworld Array, they discovered that the real calamity had only just begun. The remnant soul of the first Demon Emperor awakened in the Yun Kingdom's imperial tomb, its powerful aura sending chills down their spines. Ling Xue, in order to protect Zhou Xing, was unfortunately invaded by demonic energy. Her left eye gradually transformed into a dark golden vertical pupil, exuding an eerie aura.

Guided by Ling Xue, Zhou Xing arrived deep within the Imperial Ancestral Temple. There, he saw an ice crystal lotus cup containing the heart's blood of the Imperial Preceptor. Ling Xue forcefully activated a secret technique, sending their consciousnesses into a dreamlike realm of past life memories. In this dream, they saw the heavenly tribulation thunderclouds of their ascension, the terrifying scene seemingly unfolding before their very eyes.

Their physical bodies were attacked by demons. Without hesitation, Zhou Xing shielded Ling Xue with his own body. The demon's claws pierced his chest, and blood gushed out. However, at that moment, the Haoqing Sect's protective array erupted from within Ling Xue's body, radiating light, and the demon instantly vanished under its power. The two embraced, and Zhou Xing, his bloodied fingertips lightly touching Ling Xue's brow, said affectionately, "We'll weather this tribulation together, and face the remaining eight thousand tribulations together."