My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1413 Firm
Amidst the ruins, the two intertwined their fingers. Zhou Xing handed the Black Dragon Nail, a legacy of the Guardians, to Ling Xue, saying, "This can suppress mountains and rivers." Ling Xue accepted the Black Dragon Nail, gazing at Zhou Xing with deep affection. Just then, the four innate Dao patterns "Hao Qing Yong Zhen" quietly appeared on the end of the nail.

After enduring countless tribulations, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue finally completed their 352nd tribulation. A guiding light descended from the sky, a signal for their ascension to the upper realm. However, Zhou Xing channeled the light into the Black Dragon Nail. Looking at Ling Xue, he resolutely said, "I pledge these 352 tribulations to share the remaining trials with you."

Tears welled in Ling Xue's eyes. She nodded, and together with Zhou Xing, they gave up their chance to ascend immediately. The two of them carried the Netherworld Lamp and wandered through various small worlds. The glow of the Netherworld Lamp gradually turned seven-colored, and the four innate Dao patterns "Haoqing Yongzhen" quietly appeared at the bottom of the lamp base.

In the ruins of a future world, two people covered in dust huddle inside a wrecked spaceship. Ling Xue's hair begins to frost over, and Zhou Xing smiles as he melts it with his body heat. The faint rumble of the 353rd tribulation lightning bolt echoes across the sky. The two exchange a smile and walk hand in hand towards the next tribulation. Their love grows stronger with each trial, and their legendary story will continue to be written amidst these endless tribulations.

Zhou Xingyou awoke to find himself surrounded by a bustling crowd. He discovered he was in a magnificent palace, dressed in a moon-white robe, with a jade pendant engraved with the words "Phoenix Feather" hanging from his waist, radiating a soft, warm glow. He was now the third-ranked scholar in the Feng Kingdom's imperial examinations, eager to make his mark on the court.

Just then, the clear sound of jade pendants rang out, and Ling Xue arrived in a phoenix carriage. A phoenix hairpin adorned her dark hair, though it was now broken, and a few strands of hair fell messily beside her cheek. Behind her, a group of palace maids and eunuchs chased after her in a panic.

The atmosphere in the golden palace suddenly became tense. Ling Xue's phoenix hairpin had its mechanism tampered with, causing a hidden poison needle to shoot out instantly. At the critical moment, Zhou Xing's wolf-hair brush suddenly transformed into a streak of light, accurately deflecting the poison needle.

Ling Xue's blood dripped into the jade pendant, and in an instant, the inscription "Heaven's Mandate" appeared on the pendant, shimmering with a mysterious light. Zhou Xing was startled; he realized that this matter was far from simple.

In desperation, Zhou Xing tore off the jade pendant from his waist and threw it at the enemy leader. The jade pendant triggered the Phoenix Palace's restrictions; a flash of light appeared, the ground cracked open, and the traitor was swallowed up.

Zhou Xing dared not delay and quickly dragged Ling Xue into the shadows of a corner of the hall. He carefully examined Ling Xue's wounds and found that her shoulder had been corroded by demonic energy, the wounds were shocking. Zhou Xing frowned, remembering his status as a third-ranked scholar, perhaps he could mobilize some resources to find a way to counteract the demonic energy.

He perused the palace's collection of books and finally discovered a thousand-year-old snow lotus hidden in the Imperial Garden, which might save Ling Xue's life. So, he left a note informing Ling Xue of his whereabouts and then sneaked into the Imperial Garden alone to search for the snow lotus.

Ling Xue slowly awoke in the shadows and saw the note left by Zhou Xing, her heart filled with anxiety. Following the trail of blood, she found Zhou Xing. At that moment, Zhou Xing was being ravaged by the backlash of the cold poison; his body trembled uncontrollably, and his face was contorted with pain.

Ling Xue was frantic with worry. She gritted her teeth and fed Zhou Xing her heart's blood. Miraculously, the mingling of their blood awakened the spirit of the Phoenix Palace's array. The spirit slowly emerged and revealed a shocking secret. It turned out that the Phoenix Kingdom's royal family had actually been possessed by demons, and the true destiny of the nation was sealed within the Golden Dragon's Reverse Scale. The two of them were actually the reincarnations of ascension beings from the outside world.

Just then, a commotion arose outside, and the royal guards surrounded the Phoenix Palace. Ling Xue remained fearless; wielding her phoenix hairpin, she unleashed a demonic technique, instantly freezing half of the Phoenix Palace. The guards watched in terror, hesitant to advance.

However, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue knew they couldn't remain trapped here indefinitely. To break the deadlock, Zhou Xing decided to consume half a snow lotus. As the snow lotus entered his body, a powerful force surged within him. His right eye transformed into a phoenix eye capable of discerning cause and effect; through the wall, he saw the blood-red constellations outside, with nine tribulation lightning bolts brewing in the clouds.

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue realize they've fallen into a huge conspiracy. To escape their predicament, they decide to disguise themselves as a minister and a princess and infiltrate the sacrificial ceremony.

The atmosphere at the sacrificial ceremony was solemn and dignified. The emperor sat on the high platform, receiving the worship of the crowd. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue exchanged a glance, secretly plotting. Zhou Xing suddenly made his move, using his Phoenix Eyes to manipulate the water veins, creating chaos. Ling Xue then seized the opportunity to destroy the altar with a snow lotus.

Instantly, the dragon's energy spiraled out of control, plunging the scene into chaos. Taking advantage of the confusion, the two escaped into the underground dragon tomb. Inside, they discovered a black dragon with chains piercing its collarbone. The black dragon weakly said, "The emperor used the essence of the dragon race to refine an elixir of immortality. The true chosen one must simultaneously sever the shackles of the nation's destiny and the Heavenly Dao."

Just then, the royal ancestor arrived with the world-destroying lightning tribulation. Zhou Xing knew his time was running out, so he resolutely burned his lifespan as a third-ranked scholar to activate the ancient restrictions of the Phoenix Palace. Ling Xue stepped onto the blood-bone steps formed by Zhou Xing and rushed into the thunderclouds. The demonic runes on her forehead and the heavenly runes in the lightning tribulation devoured each other, unleashing a powerful force.

In the fierce battle, the thunderstorm tore open a spatial rift. Seeing Ling Xue in danger, Zhou Xing didn't hesitate to push her back into the real world, while he himself fell into the chaotic sea. In the instant of his fall, he heard Ling Xue's roar, "The Pure Brightness Never Fades!"

After returning to the mortal world, Ling Xue forcibly merged with the Dao to save Zhou Xing. However, her physical body gradually turned to stone. Dragging her mangled body, she slaughtered all the royal elders and, using the imperial seal as a medium, infused her divine soul into the lamp left behind by Zhou Xing.

In the chaotic sea, Zhou Xing saw projections of three thousand minor worlds in the void. He frantically searched for Ling Xue's whereabouts. Finally, amidst a flash of lightning, he spotted a lantern interwoven with ice and fire. Overjoyed, he swam vigorously towards the lantern.

The moment Zhou Xing touched the lantern, time rewound. He returned to the moment he first entered the Phoenix Palace, only this time, Ling Xue's phoenix hairpin was stained with blood beforehand, and the calamity patterns of the Haoqing Sect appeared on both of their palms at the same time.

Having learned from their previous experience, they handled the crisis with greater composure. Zhou Xing deliberately triggered the snow lotus explosion, using the shockwave to collapse the core array eye of the Phoenix Palace. Ling Xue then seized the opportunity to summon the Nine Heavens Thunderfire to purify the polluted dragon vein.

Amidst the ruins, the two held hands. Zhou Xing handed Ling Xue the Golden Feather Brush, a legacy passed down from the third-ranked scholar, saying, "This brush can write of mountains and rivers." Ling Xue accepted the brush, gazing at Zhou Xing with deep affection. Just then, the four innate Dao patterns "Hao Qing Yong Zhen" quietly appeared at the tip of the brush.

After enduring countless tribulations, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue finally completed their 352nd tribulation. A guiding light descended from the sky, a signal for their ascension to the upper realm. However, Zhou Xing channeled the light into his Golden Feather Brush. Looking at Ling Xue, he resolutely said, "I pledge these 352 tribulations to share the remaining trials with you."

Tears welled in Ling Xue's eyes. She nodded, forgoing the opportunity to ascend immediately with Zhou Xing. The two, carrying the Netherworld Lamp, wandered through various small worlds. The lamp's halo gradually tinged with seven colors, and the four innate Dao patterns "Hao Qing Yong Zhen" quietly appeared at the base of the lamp. In a sect of a certain immortal world, the two, covered in dust, huddled under the dilapidated eaves. At this moment, frost began to form on Ling Xue's hair, which Zhou Xing melted with his body heat with a smile. The faint rumble of the 353rd tribulation lightning echoed across the sky. The two smiled at each other and walked hand in hand towards the new tribulation. Their love grew stronger with each tribulation, and their legendary story would continue to be written amidst these endless trials.

Zhou Xing slowly awoke to find himself surrounded by ornately carved beams and painted rafters, exuding luxury. He found himself in a magnificent marquis's mansion, dressed in brocade robes, with a jade pendant engraved with the words "Yuanlong" hanging from his waist, radiating a soft, warm glow. He was now the heir apparent to the Marquis of Yong'an of Dayuan, a man of noble status, but this also drew him into the treacherous and unpredictable court intrigues.

Just then, a commotion arose, and Ling Xue, shackled, was escorted into the Marquis's residence. Her hair was disheveled, falling over her shoulders, with a broken hairpin hidden among it, and her eyes revealed defiance and stubbornness. Behind her, a group of guards followed closely like wolves.

Zhou Xing's heart stirred. He approached Ling Xue under the guise of admiring the flowers. Just as the executioner's blade fell, the jade tablet in Zhou Xing's hand suddenly transformed into a streak of light, precisely shattering the instrument of torture. Blood from Ling Xue's hair seeped into the jade tablet, and in an instant, the inscription "Heaven's Mandate" appeared on it, shimmering with a mysterious light.

In desperation, Zhou Xing tore off the jade pendant from his waist and threw it at the enemy leader. The jade pendant triggered the Marquis's mansion's protective barrier; a flash of light appeared, the ground cracked open, and the guards were swallowed up.

Zhou Xing dared not delay and quickly led Ling Xue into a secret passage within the mansion. He carefully examined Ling Xue's wounds and discovered that her back was covered in whip marks, a shocking sight. Zhou Xing frowned, remembering his status as the heir apparent, and thought that perhaps he could mobilize some resources to find a way to alleviate the pain.

He perused the Marquis's library and finally discovered a thousand-year-old ginseng hidden in a secret chamber, which might save Ling Xue's life. So, he left a note informing Ling Xue of his whereabouts and then sneaked into the secret chamber alone to find the ginseng.

Ling Xue slowly awoke in the secret passage and saw the note left by Zhou Xing, feeling a surge of anxiety. Following the trail of blood, she found Zhou Xing. At that moment, Zhou Xing was being ravaged by the backlash of the ginseng poison; his body trembled uncontrollably, and his face was contorted with pain.

Ling Xue was frantic with worry. She gritted her teeth and fed Zhou Xing her heart's blood. Miraculously, the mingling of their blood awakened the spirit of the Marquis's mansion. The spirit slowly emerged and revealed a shocking secret. It turned out that the Great Abyss royal family had actually been possessed by demonic cultivators, and the true destiny of the nation was sealed within the jade seal. The two of them were actually the reincarnations of ascension beings from the outside world.

Just then, a commotion arose outside, and the royal guards surrounded the Marquis's residence. Ling Xue remained fearless; wielding the broken hairpin, she unleashed a demonic technique, instantly freezing half the residence. The guards watched in terror, hesitant to advance.

However, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue knew they couldn't remain trapped here indefinitely. To break the deadlock, Zhou Xing decided to consume half a ginseng root. As the ginseng entered his body, a powerful force surged within him. His left eye transformed into a dark eye capable of discerning fate; through the wall, he saw the blood-red constellations outside, with nine bolts of tribulation lightning brewing in the clouds.

Zhou Xing and Ling Xue realize they've fallen into a huge conspiracy. To escape their predicament, they decide to disguise themselves as a noble young master and a convicted woman and sneak into a palace banquet.

The banquet was a lively affair. The emperor sat on a high platform, receiving the homage of the crowd. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue exchanged a glance, secretly plotting their scheme. Suddenly, Zhou Xing used his Dark Eye to control the palace guards, creating chaos. Ling Xue seized the opportunity to use ginseng to blow up the banquet hall.

Instantly, the dragon's energy spiraled out of control, plunging the scene into chaos. Taking advantage of the confusion, the two escaped into the underground imperial mausoleum. Inside, they discovered a black cauldron with chains piercing its collarbone. The cauldron weakly proclaimed, "The emperor used the blood and essence of the people to refine the elixir of immortality. The true chosen one must simultaneously sever the shackles of the nation's destiny and the Heavenly Dao."

Just then, the royal ancestor arrived with a world-destroying lightning tribulation. Zhou Xing knew his time was running out, so he resolutely burned the lifespan of the heir apparent to activate the ancient restrictions of the Marquis's mansion. Ling Xue stepped onto the blood-bone steps formed by Zhou Xing and rushed into the thunderclouds. The demonic runes on her forehead and the heavenly runes in the lightning tribulation devoured each other, unleashing a powerful force.

In the fierce battle, the thunderstorm tore open a spatial rift. Seeing Ling Xue in danger, Zhou Xing didn't hesitate to push her back into the real world, while he himself fell into the chaotic sea. In the instant of his fall, he heard Ling Xue's roar, "The Pure Brightness Never Fades!"

After returning to the mortal world, Ling Xue forcibly merged with the Dao to save Zhou Xing. However, her physical body gradually turned to stone. Dragging her mangled body, she slaughtered all the royal elders and, using the jade seal as a medium, infused her divine soul into the lamp left behind by Zhou Xing.

In the chaotic sea, Zhou Xing saw projections of three thousand minor worlds in the void. He frantically searched for Ling Xue's whereabouts. Finally, amidst a flash of lightning, he spotted a lantern interwoven with ice and fire. Overjoyed, he swam vigorously towards the lantern.

The moment Zhou Xing touched the lantern, time rewound. He returned to the moment he first entered the Marquis's mansion, only this time, Ling Xue's broken hairpin was stained with blood ahead of time, and the calamity patterns of the Haoqing Sect appeared on both of their palms at the same time.

Having learned from their previous experience, they handled the crisis with greater composure. Zhou Xing deliberately triggered the ginseng explosion, using the shockwave to collapse the core array of the Marquis's mansion. Ling Xue then seized the opportunity to summon the Nine Heavens Thunderfire to purify the polluted dragon vein.

Amidst the ruins, the two held hands. Zhou Xing handed the Golden Feather Sword, a legacy passed down from the Crown Prince, to Ling Xue, saying, "This sword can cleave mountains and rivers." Ling Xue accepted the Golden Feather Sword, gazing at Zhou Xing with deep affection. Just then, the four innate Dao patterns "Hao Qing Yong Zhen" quietly appeared on the hilt.

After enduring countless tribulations, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue finally completed their 352nd tribulation. A guiding light descended from the sky, a signal for their ascension to the upper realm. However, Zhou Xing channeled the light into his Golden Feather Sword. Looking at Ling Xue, he resolutely said, "I pledge these 352 tribulations to share the remaining trials with you."

Tears welled in Ling Xue's eyes. She nodded, and together with Zhou Xing, they gave up their chance to ascend immediately. The two of them carried the Netherworld Lamp and wandered through various small worlds. The glow of the Netherworld Lamp gradually turned seven-colored, and the four innate Dao patterns "Haoqing Yongzhen" quietly appeared at the bottom of the lamp base.

In a tent on an ancient battlefield, two people covered in dust huddled in a corner. At that moment, frost began to form on Ling Xue's hair, which Zhou Xing melted with his body heat as he smiled. The faint rumble of the 353rd tribulation lightning bolt echoed across the sky. The two exchanged a smile and walked hand in hand toward a new tribulation.

(End of this chapter)