My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1438 Zongheng
She had only one belief in her heart: to protect this city and its people. After a fierce battle, Ling Xue finally led her army to repel the enemy.

After the war, the imperial physician removed the iron arrow from Zhou Xing's back. While cleaning his body, the physician discovered a birthmark on Zhou Xing's shoulder blade that was exactly the same as the one in the immortal painting Ling Xue had drawn in her childhood. Upon learning this, Ling Xue was deeply shocked.

Liu Ruyan was sentenced to death for treason. On the execution ground, she looked at Ling Xue and Zhou Xing, and said with a bitter smile, "This transmigrated woman has ultimately been defeated by your destiny." After saying this, she swallowed the poisoned wine and ended her life.

At the Spring Equinox ceremony, Ling Xue, clad in armor, knelt in the ancestral hall. She threw the half of the tiger tally into the furnace. Just then, Zhou Xing entered, took Ling Xue's hand, and together they raised the newly forged Mandarin Duck Swords, saying, "I will protect this world with you."

Ling Xue looked at Zhou Xing, her eyes filled with happiness. From then on, they joined hands to protect this land and write their own legend.

The atmosphere on the arena during the Xuan Tian Sect's centennial grand competition was at its peak. Ling Xue held her natal sword "Jing Hong," its blade gleaming with a cold light, drawing the attention of everyone below. This match was crucial for Ling Xue's bid to become the number one prodigy among the ten major sects.

The battle reached its climax, and Ling Xue unleashed the full power of "Jinghong," her sword strikes fierce and powerful, sword energy crisscrossing the air. However, just as she delivered her final blow, "Jinghong" suddenly reversed its tip, carrying a torrent of sword energy, and pierced straight through her dantian. A sharp pain instantly coursed through her body, and Ling Xue stared wide-eyed in disbelief at what had just transpired.

A murmur rippled through the crowd below, with whispers rising and falling. "How could the sword suddenly go out of control?" "Could it be that Ling Xue herself malfunctioned?" Questions flooded in like a tidal wave.

Just then, Ling Xue noticed that blood-red inscriptions were appearing on the "Jinghong" sword. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were ancient seal script inscribed with the words "Eternal Union." And at the hilt, a strand of hair belonging to the sect leader's daughter, Su Li, was still wrapped around it. In an instant, Ling Xue understood that her natal sword spirit had fallen in love with the sect leader's daughter.

Seeing this, the Third Elder immediately flew onto the stage and used the Heart-Protecting Mirror to retrieve "Jinghong". When the mirror reflected the phantom of the red-robed man residing in the sword, the man actually grinned foolishly at Su Li in the direction of the viewing platform. Ling Xue felt a chill rise from the bottom of her heart. She had never imagined that the sword spirit that had accompanied her for so many years would betray her.

Ling Xue's dantian was completely shattered, rendering her a cripple. Seeing her condition, the Xuan Tian Sect expelled her from the sect. She dragged her weakened body to a deserted temple.

In the deserted temple, Ling Xue accidentally discovered that sword energy crystals remained within her body. These crystals emitted a faint light, as if telling a story of past glory. She tried to use these remaining sword energy to draw an array on the ground, and discovered that they could actually form the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Array. This discovery gave her a glimmer of hope.

However, fate seemed determined not to let her off so easily. One day, a group of pursuers stormed into the deserted temple. They wielded sharp blades, their eyes filled with murderous intent. Ling Xue was startled, and in her panic, she used the unfinished array on the ground to fight off the pursuers. Just as she was struggling to hold on, a down-on-his-luck scholar appeared and quickly repelled the pursuers.

This person was Zhou Xing. He looked at the incomplete star map set up by Ling Xue, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He took out the Eclipse Stone he carried with him and completed the star map. Instantly, the array shone brightly, and a powerful force emanated from it.

In the dead of night, Ling Xue awoke from her unconsciousness to find Zhou Xing using her blood to draw the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams. Just as she was about to ask a question, she saw golden array patterns condense at Zhou Xing's fingertips. These patterns, as if alive, rapidly melted the sword energy crystals within her body into a new scabbard.

Zhou Xing led Ling Xue to a mysterious place—the Sword Tomb Ruins. An ancient and mysterious aura permeated the area, and various abandoned swords were scattered around.

Zhou Xing set up a massive array based on the twenty-eight constellations, with Ling Xue's sword sheath at the array's core. He told Ling Xue that to gain new power, she must perform the Spirit Contract Ceremony here.

The Spirit Contract Ceremony began, and the roars of dragons echoed from the depths of the Sword Tomb. A bronze ancient sword slowly flew out, its blade covered with mysterious patterns. When the hilt touched Ling Xue's palm, the three ancient, malevolent sword inscriptions "Rebel Against the Heavens" appeared. Ling Xue's heart tightened, but she still gripped the hilt tightly.

The newly formed sword spirit manifested itself as a nine-tailed silver fox. With its bright eyes, it snatched the wine gourd from Zhou Xing's waist, drank several mouthfuls, and its face was flushed. Then, it leaped onto Ling Xue's shoulder, dipped its tail tip into the water of the Sword Tomb's icy pool, and wrote the three words "Contract Completed" in the air.

To improve their strength, Zhou Xing took Ling Xue to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, which opens only once every ten years. This place gathers masters from all over the world, making it an excellent place to enhance both strength and knowledge.

During her journey through the arrays, Ling Xue used the "Reverse the World" sword to break through seventy-two illusion arrays. However, when facing the final "All Things Return to Nothingness Array," she encountered a problem. Within the array, everything turned into nothingness, and she and the "Reverse the World" sword seemed to be in a state of chaos.

At the critical moment, the Silver Fox Sword Spirit revealed its true form, its nine tails transforming into array flags, instantly breaking the "Myriad Manifestations Return to Nothingness Array." However, this action also exposed the murderous aura of the evil sword. The surrounding crowd looked at Ling Xue with eyes filled with vigilance and fear.

Seeing this, the Master of Tianji Pavilion summoned the sect's most treasured artifact, the "Map of Mountains and Rivers." Three thousand armored soldiers emerged from the map, surrounding Ling Xue and Zhou Xing. Zhou Xing remained calm, drawing a Tai Chi symbol on the ground with his fingers, drawing upon Ling Xue's sword intent. Meanwhile, the Silver Fox seized the opportunity to snatch the Pixiu mark from the corner of the map, causing the Map of Mountains and Rivers to shimmer with chaotic light.

In the chaos of battle, the silver fox seized the opportunity to steal the pavilion master's beard to repair the damaged life contract. Zhou Xing watched this scene and laughed, "You fox demon are quite opportunistic."

Half a year after the competition, the crimson-robed sword spirit, carrying the "Jinghong" sword, arrived at Ling Xue's location. By this time, the "Jinghong" sword had refined Su Li's blood essence and become even more powerful.

Sensing the threat of the "Jinghong" sword, the silver fox instantly bristled and crushed the defensive talisman Zhou Xing had just drawn. The crimson-robed sword spirit controlled the "Jinghong" sword, clashing with Ling Xue's "Ni Cang Sheng" sword. The two swords clashed, unleashing a world-destroying aura.

Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Su Li appeared with the Xuan Tian Sect's supreme treasure, the "Tai Xu Mirror." The mirror's light revealed a shocking truth: the crimson-robed sword spirit was actually the remnant soul of the demonic sword that Zhou Xing had sealed a hundred years ago. Back then, the demonic sword's remnant soul escaped its seal while Zhou Xing was severely injured, and now it wanted to repeat its old trick.

Seeing this, Zhou Xing immediately activated the Reverse Star Array, which he had previously set up at thirty-three locations. The silver fox transformed into the array's core, absorbing the spiritual power of the "Amazing Swan" and "Reversing the World" swords. In an instant, the array shone brightly, and a powerful force enveloped the entire battlefield.

Seeing her father trapped in the formation, Su Li was filled with grief. She shattered her natal jade pendant, releasing the imprisoned soul of the sect leader. The sect leader's soul revealed the events of twenty years ago when the demonic sword ambushed him, causing him severe injuries.

The final showdown arrived, the two sword spirits clashing at the center of the formation. The red-robed man attempted to possess the silver fox, but was instead devoured by it. The "Reverse the World" sword absorbed the essence of the "Amazing Swan" sword, transforming into a black and white twin blade. Ling Xue wielded the twin blades, feeling an unprecedented power.

Zhou Xing forged the fragments of the Landscape Painting into a sword tassel, while the silver fox, carrying a fragment of the Tai Xu Mirror, hopped over. In the morning light, the newly forged sword reflected the departing figures of the three. They walked towards the unknown distance, filled with the joy of victory, and this legendary experience would be circulated in the martial world for a long time. On the Lantern Festival in Ling Kingdom, the palace was brightly lit and decorated, a scene of bustling prosperity. Ling Xue, dressed in magnificent palace attire, strolled through the palace. As she passed the cold pond in the Imperial Garden, she discovered a person floating in the water, seemingly drowning for a long time.

Ling Xue was startled and immediately ordered her men to rescue the man. This man was none other than Zhou Xing, the hostage prince of Yuan Kingdom. When Zhou Xing was rescued, he was pale and barely breathing. Seeing this, Ling Xue took him back to her chambers to care for him.

While caring for Zhou Xing, Ling Xue discovered that although he was a hostage, he possessed an extraordinary demeanor. Zhou Xing was well-versed in military strategy and often used chess pieces as metaphors to explain the art of troop deployment to Ling Xue. Ling Xue gradually developed feelings for him, and the two often played chess at the Liuli Pavilion.

One day, a torrential downpour raged, and candlelight flickered in the glass pavilion. Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue and suddenly confessed his love. Ling Xue blushed and lowered her head, the vermilion birthmark on the back of her neck standing out vividly in the candlelight. Seeing this, Zhou Xing gently touched the birthmark with his fingertips. Just then, a flash of lightning streaked across the window, casting their shadows on the glass.

However, rumors spread throughout the court that Zhou Xing was a harbinger of disaster. To protect Zhou Xing, Ling Xue vouched for him as a member of the royal family and personally taught him to read and write. During his studies, Zhou Xing displayed astonishing talent and quickly mastered the language and writing of the Ling Kingdom.

As time went by, Zhou Xing gradually gained the trust of the Ling Kingdom's emperor. However, he was secretly plotting a conspiracy.

At a banquet, Zhou Xing poisoned a remonstrating minister. He forged a will and framed the general's fiancé for the crime. Upon learning of this, Ling Xue confronted Zhou Xing with her sword. Zhou Xing, however, appeared innocent, tears welling in his eyes. Looking at him, Ling Xue felt a pang of pity.

Soon after, the northern border was in dire need of attention. Zhou Xing volunteered to lead the expedition, and the emperor granted his request. Before setting off, Zhou Xing deliberately left the tiger tally in Ling Xue's palace. Upon discovering the tally, Ling Xue, worried about her general fiancé's safety, rushed it to the border that very night.

However, all of this was part of Zhou Xing's plan. Ling Xue was trapped in the Vermilion Bird Pavilion on her way to the border. While searching for a way out, she unexpectedly discovered a secret letter hidden in a secret compartment, a letter between a general and the border commander. Upon closer inspection, she discovered that the seal at the end of the letter was her own privately held dragon seal.

On the eve of their wedding, the imperial physician discovered that Ling Xue was pregnant. Upon learning this, Zhou Xing personally prepared a medicine to prevent miscarriage. After drinking the medicine, Ling Xue soon fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing Ling Xue fast asleep, Zhou Xing's eyes flashed with ruthlessness. He tore off his mask, revealing a scar running across his right cheek. He led three hundred elite soldiers and swiftly seized control of the imperial city.

Ling Xue was awakened from her unconsciousness by a commotion. She sat up and saw that the palace was engulfed in flames. Her first instinct was to save her brother, the emperor. However, when she reached the emperor's bedchamber, Zhou Xing was holding her hairpin to the emperor's throat.

Zhou Xing looked at Ling Xue and sneered, "Do you think you can escape?" Ling Xue looked at him angrily and wanted to rush over, but Zhou Xing stopped her.

Zhou Xing imprisoned Ling Xue at the Star Gazing Platform. Standing there, Ling Xue watched the rising smoke from the direction of the imperial city, her heart filled with unbearable grief. She had watched helplessly as her general fiancé led his remaining troops into Zhengyang Gate, only to be pierced through the chest by a hail of arrows.

Zhou Xing arrived at the observatory and, seeing Ling Xue's pained expression, said smugly, "The slow-acting poison your brother administered is what brought me to where I am today." Ling Xue angrily spat blood in his face.

Zhou Xingjun led his iron cavalry into the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Ling Xue watched as the ancestral tablets were trampled to pieces, her heart filled with despair. She bit her tongue, drawing an array with her blood, attempting to summon the guardian beast of the nation. However, she discovered that the offerings had been replaced with diseased livestock.

While Zhou Xing's army was celebrating their victory, Ling Xue sneaked into the underground palace. She retrieved the dragon scale armor left by her ancestors. However, just as she was about to leave, Zhou Xing appeared.

Zhou Xing threatened Ling Xue with her undergarment to force her to surrender. Ling Xue feigned submission, and while drinking the nuptial wine, she secretly hid a shard of porcelain between her fingers. Zhou Xing was caught off guard and had his throat cut by the shard.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ling Xue escaped from the underground palace and arrived at the imperial mausoleum. She activated the mechanism, and the entire mausoleum began to collapse. Zhou Xing led his iron cavalry in pursuit. Ling Xue, clutching the explosives, leaped off the cliff. Looking back, she saw a giant blood lotus blooming on the snow.

Three years later, at the coronation ceremony of the new emperor of Yuan Kingdom, a masked songstress appeared in the crowd. She played the funeral song of Ling Kingdom, and concealed poisoned silver needles in her sleeves.

Zhou Xing sat on the high platform, watching the songstress, a vague unease creeping into his heart. When the songstress sang "Vermilion Resolves Calamity," Zhou Xing suddenly covered his face and screamed in agony. It turned out that a silver needle had struck his eye.

At that moment, a familiar whistle sounded outside the hall. The songstress removed her veil, revealing Ling Xue's face. Her belly was slightly protruding, and her eyes were filled with hatred.

Flames shot into the sky, and amidst the chaos, Ling Xue chuckled at the collapsing dragon throne: "Zhou Xing, this game is called 'The King-Slayer Becomes the Heart-Slayer.'"

Ling Xue, as the Empress's legitimate princess, was usually dignified and intelligent, and was deeply favored by the Emperor. However, the turning point of her fate came so suddenly.

That day, behind the artificial hill in the Imperial Garden, Ling Xue accidentally stumbled upon the Imperial Concubine and a guard having an affair. Upon seeing Ling Xue, a flicker of panic and malice flashed in the Imperial Concubine's eyes. She preemptively accused Ling Xue of misconduct and having an affair with the guard.

Upon hearing this, the emperor flew into a rage. The atmosphere in the court was oppressive and suffocating. The prime minister led the impeachment, accusing Ling Xue of a host of fabricated crimes. Under the influence of the crowd, the emperor gradually lost his reason.

"Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven and strip you of your title, you wretched woman!" the emperor roared. With that, he ordered Ling Xue's title to be stripped, demoted her to commoner status, and banished her from the palace.

The golden hairpin fell to the ground, and bloodstains snaked across the jade steps. Ling Xue gazed at the once familiar yet strange palace, her heart filled with grief and despair. She dragged her heavy steps, walking slowly out of the palace gates.

After leaving the palace, Ling Xue wandered aimlessly. Suddenly, a group of assassins sprang from the shadows and attacked her. It turned out that the Imperial Concubine and her son had sent men to ambush and kill her outside the palace in order to eliminate any future threats.