My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1440 Vastness
We must ensure that it is not misused and could jeopardize world peace and stability.

After the crisis was averted, Ling Xue returned to her sect to report. Despite experiencing so many twists and turns, her heart was more resolute and composed than ever before. She reported the entire process in detail to the sect leader and requested permission to continue communication with the demon race to promote understanding and integration between the two realms.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xing returned to the demon clan's territory to report for duty. He regarded this experience as a rare learning opportunity, encouraging his people to open their hearts to new things and ideas from the outside world. Thanks to his efforts, more and more of the younger generation began to step out of their closed environment to explore a wider world.

Several years later, on a bright spring morning, the sun shone brightly, birds sang, and flowers bloomed. Ling Xue stood atop the mountain, gazing at the magnificent sea of ​​clouds churning in the distance, and couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion: "I never imagined that what once seemed like an insurmountable chasm would now become a bridge connecting our hearts..." Just then, familiar footsteps sounded behind her, accompanied by warm laughter: "Yes! As long as there is love and trust in our hearts, there is no problem that cannot be solved." Turning around, she saw Zhou Xing smiling as he walked towards her...

Ling Xue, dressed in a simple white gauze robe, surrounded by a faint spiritual light, slowly stepped into the celestial realm via the ascending cloud ladder. Her eyes were filled with wonder and awe as she gazed upon the magnificent, golden palaces and jade pavilions before her, her heart surging with emotion. The celestial maidens around her, all dressed in splendid attire, moved gracefully between the halls, their laughter and chatter filling the air. She, however, was merely a newcomer, a mere celestial maiden, appearing exceptionally small in this vast celestial palace.

Having just entered the ranks of immortals, Ling Xue was assigned to tend the peaches in the Peach Garden. Every morning, she would carry a jade pot to water and fertilize the peach trees, carefully pruning the branches and leaves. The plump, round peaches shimmered alluringly in the morning sun, seemingly brimming with endless vitality. One day, as she was focused on tending the peach trees, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar. It turned out that several high-ranking immortals were passing by, chatting and laughing, completely unaware of Ling Xue working by the roadside. One of the immortals accidentally knocked over a magical artifact he was carrying, which rolled right to Ling Xue's feet. She quickly picked it up and respectfully returned it to the immortal. The immortal nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before leaving. This scene was witnessed by other lesser immortals nearby, and some whispered among themselves, "Look at this newcomer, she's got quite a clever touch."

However, not everyone was as kind as they seemed. Some of the more senior fairy maidens, seeing that she was new, often deliberately made things difficult for her. They would either make her do more chores or find fault with her work. But Ling Xue never complained, always silently enduring everything and working even harder to fulfill her duties. She thought to herself that as long as she was diligent enough, she would eventually be able to gain a foothold in this fairy realm.

On this day, a grand Dharma assembly was held in the Heavenly Realm, with all the immortals gathering at the Lingxiao Palace. Ling Xue, as a low-ranking fairy, could only serve outside the palace. Through the cracks in the carved doors and windows, she saw for the first time the legendary God of War of the Heavenly Realm—Zhou Xing. He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his silver armor gleaming, his face cold and handsome, and his brows exuding an innate majesty. When his gaze swept across the outside of the palace, Ling Xue's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she hurriedly lowered her head, a blush rising on her cheeks.

Soon after, the Heavenly Emperor ordered a grand celestial arts competition to select outstanding talents to bolster the ranks of celestial generals. Upon hearing the news, deities from all walks of life eagerly signed up. Although Ling Xue knew her own abilities were meager, she still wanted to use this opportunity to hone her skills, so she mustered her courage and participated in the preliminary rounds. Among the many contestants, her performance was not outstanding, even appearing somewhat clumsy. However, in a round of teamwork projects, her perseverance and kindness won the approval of some judges. Ultimately, she luckily advanced to the semi-finals.

On the day of the semi-finals, the atmosphere was tense and fierce. The contestants displayed their extraordinary abilities, their dazzling magical lights intertwining. Ling Xue's palms sweated with nervousness as she diligently cast her learned immortal spells. At the crucial moment, a powerful force suddenly attacked her; had she not dodged in time, she would likely have been injured and fallen to the ground. It turned out that an opponent had secretly cheated, attempting to eliminate her. Just at the critical instant, a golden sword aura flashed, defusing her crisis. The person who came to her aid was none other than Zhou Xing.

After the match, Ling Xue, filled with gratitude, sought out Zhou Xing to express her thanks. Zhou Xing looked at her indifferently and said, "It was nothing. You'll need to be more careful in the Heavenly Realm from now on." He then turned to leave. Ling Xue hurriedly called out to him, "Senior, could you perhaps offer some guidance? I yearn to improve my cultivation." Zhou Xing frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. From then on, whenever he had free time, Zhou Xing would guide Ling Xue in cultivating immortal techniques. Under his careful tutelage, Ling Xue progressed rapidly, and her control over immortal power became increasingly skillful.

As they spent more time together, Ling Xue found her feelings for Zhou Xing subtly changing. Every time she saw him, a nameless joy would well up inside her; and a single glance or a word from him could linger in her memory for a long time. But she knew the vast difference in their social status and dared not harbor any improper thoughts, so she could only bury these feelings deep in her heart.

The peaceful days didn't last long. The Demon Realm suddenly launched a massive attack, shattering the tranquility of the Celestial Realm. Thick black smoke filled the sky, and an evil aura permeated the entire space. The Celestial Immortals quickly assembled to resist, and war was imminent. Ling Xue was also drafted into the fighting force and followed the main force to the front lines.

The battlefield was in chaos, filled with deafening shouts of battle. The demons, in all shapes and sizes and ferociously powerful, charged at the immortals, brandishing sharp weapons. Ling Xue, experiencing such a brutal battle for the first time, was understandably frightened, but seeing her comrades fighting bravely, she mustered her courage and took up arms to fight back. However, her cultivation was still shallow, and she quickly found herself in a difficult situation. Just as she was about to be seized by a giant demonic claw, Zhou Xing appeared before her like a divine being, severing the claw with a single sword strike.

"Follow me!" Zhou Xing shouted, leading Ling Xue through a bloody path. In the battle, Zhou Xing displayed astonishing strength and decisive leadership. He commanded with composure, leading a small team of immortals to repel the demonic attacks time and again. However, the demonic army was numerous and relentless, increasing the pressure on the Heavenly Realm.

During a fierce battle, Zhou Xing was seriously injured while protecting Ling Xue and his teammates. His body swayed precariously, his battle robe stained crimson with blood. Ling Xue was terrified and rushed to support him. Tears blurred her vision as she anxiously cried out, "Senior! You must hold on!" Zhou Xing forced a smile through his pain, "Silly girl, don't cry... I'm not dead yet."

Seeing Zhou Xing injured, Ling Xue was filled with self-blame and anger. She vowed to become stronger so she could better protect him. So, while caring for Zhou Xing as he recovered, she trained day and night, seizing every opportunity to improve herself. Zhou Xing noticed her efforts and occasionally offered valuable advice.

After a period of recuperation, Zhou Xing's injuries gradually improved. During this time, Ling Xue took meticulous care of him, preparing medicine and soup for him, changing his dressings and bandaging his wounds. They spent more time alone together, and their understanding of each other deepened. Zhou Xing discovered that this seemingly delicate fairy possessed an incredibly strong heart and kind character; while Ling Xue was deeply moved by Zhou Xing's bravery and sense of responsibility.

One evening, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon their small courtyard. Ling Xue sat on a stone bench, lost in thought. Zhou Xing slowly approached and sat beside her. After a long silence, Zhou Xing asked, "Why did you choose to come to the Celestial Realm?" Ling Xue paused slightly, then answered honestly, "From a young age, I yearned for the path of cultivation, hoping to one day attain immortality and use my power to help others." Zhou Xing looked into her sincere eyes, a thought stirring within him: "Have you ever regretted it?" Ling Xue shook her head firmly: "Never." In the days that followed, they strolled together along the garden paths of the Celestial Realm, admiring the exotic flowers and rare herbs; they sat together on the clouds watching the sunrise and sunset, experiencing the wondrous changes of the world. Unbeknownst to them, the seeds of love had been quietly planted in their hearts. But neither of them confessed their feelings, simply remaining silently by each other's side.

However, their relationship attracted attention and gossip. Some busybodies began to whisper behind their backs, wondering how a mere fairy could be worthy of the high and mighty God of War. These rumors reached the ears of the Heavenly Emperor, displeasing him. The Heavenly Emperor summoned Zhou Xing, implying that he should be mindful of his status and influence, and not neglect his duties for personal matters. Zhou Xing argued his case, stating that he and Ling Xue had not overstepped any boundaries, and that matters of the heart could not be forced. But the Heavenly Emperor remained firm, urging him to carefully consider the relationship.

Back at his residence, Zhou Xing fell into deep thought. He understood that the Heavenly Emperor's words were not without reason; as the God of War, he bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the Heavenly Realm and could not disregard the greater good for personal feelings. Yet, he simply could not sever his feelings for Ling Xue. Meanwhile, Ling Xue also sensed the external pressure and Zhou Xing's predicament. Not wanting to be a burden to him, she decided to actively distance herself from him.

From then on, Ling Xue deliberately avoided meeting Zhou Xing. Even if they happened to meet, she would pretend nothing was wrong and leave hastily. Zhou Xing saw this and felt pain in his heart, but he didn't know how to salvage the situation. He tried to talk to Ling Xue, but each time she refused with various excuses.

Meanwhile, the Demon Realm was stirring again, seemingly plotting a new attack. The Celestial Realm tightened its defenses, with all immortals on high alert. In this tense atmosphere, Zhou Xing had no time for personal matters, throwing himself entirely into preparations. Ling Xue was also not idle; she diligently improved her strength, hoping to play a greater role in the upcoming battle.

Finally, the great battle erupted. This time, the Demon Realm's offensive was even more ferocious, deploying not only a large number of high-ranking demon generals but also mysterious dark magic. The Celestial Realm was plunged into a fierce battle, suffering heavy casualties. Zhou Xing led his elite troops into battle, engaging in a desperate struggle against the demon army. Ling Xue also fought valiantly on the battlefield, her eyes shining with unwavering determination, her heart filled with only one belief: to protect the peace of the Celestial Realm.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Ling Xue saw Zhou Xing's figure, facing danger yet still charging forward bravely. At that moment, she could no longer suppress her emotions and rushed to his side without hesitation. Zhou Xing, seeing her arrive, was first startled, then a relieved smile spread across his face. The two fought side-by-side, their perfect coordination producing unexpected results. Their combined attack terrified the monsters, gradually turning the tide of the battle.

After a hard-fought battle, the Celestial Realm finally emerged victorious. The Demon Realm suffered heavy losses and was unlikely to cause trouble again for a short time. At the post-war victory banquet, the Heavenly Emperor commended and rewarded those who had made meritorious contributions. Zhou Xing once again became the focus of attention due to his outstanding military achievements, while Ling Xue also gained recognition from everyone for her bravery.

After the banquet, Zhou Xing found Ling Xue and said affectionately, "Having gone through this life-or-death battle, I truly understand what's most important. I don't want to lose you." Ling Xue smiled through her tears and replied, "Me too." With that, the two finally opened up to each other and came together.

In the days that followed, they continued their cultivation together in the Heavenly Realm. Zhou Xing continued to fulfill his duties as the God of War, protecting the peace of the Three Realms; while Ling Xue also grew and progressed, gradually becoming a highly respected fairy. Their love shone like brilliant stars in the Heavenly Realm, becoming a legendary tale. Whenever a new fairy arrived in the Heavenly Realm, she would hear their legendary story and draw strength and courage from it.

Deep within the misty Qingming Mountains, an unnamed peak is perpetually shrouded in pale purple spiritual energy. Ling Xue's white dress flutters in the wind as her slender fingers trace the void, causing countless profound runes to condense into an array. Using rare and precious materials as her foundation and drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, she constructed nine jade steps, officially establishing the "Linglu Sect."

Early that morning, a series of piercing cries for help echoed from the foot of the mountain. Ling Xue, who was meditating and comprehending her cultivation technique, suddenly opened her eyes, sensing a thick, pungent smell of blood rapidly approaching. She saw a jet-black Moon-Eating Wolf leap from the dense forest, dragging a young man covered in wounds beneath its claws. The man's heavy armor was tattered, and three deep, bone-revealing claw marks were clearly visible on his chest.

Ling Xue lightly touched the branches with her toes and floated over, her soft sword at her waist transforming into a rainbow piercing the sun as it was drawn. Frost spread wherever the sword's edge passed, and the Moon-Eating Demon Wolf howled and froze into an ice sculpture. She waved her sleeve to disperse the demon beast's corpse and bent down to check on the wounded man—though his breath was weak, his eyes still held a righteous spirit, which was truly rare.

As Ling Xue fed the Rejuvenation Pill to the young man, she unexpectedly discovered half a broken jade pendant hidden inside his body. The pendant was crystal clear, with faint cloud patterns floating on its surface, strikingly similar to an ancient magical artifact she remembered. Before she could think further, the severely injured man suddenly coughed violently, his blood-stained hands gripping her sleeve tightly: "Thank you... Fairy, for saving my life."

After Zhou Xing awoke, he learned he was in a cultivation sect and insisted on leaving the mountain to return home. Ling Xue, however, refused: "Since I saved you, we are destined to be together. Moreover, your aptitude is exceptionally good, why not cultivate here?" With that, she used her Qi-gathering technique to investigate and was astonished to discover that nine stars were aligning in his dantian, indicating an innate Dao body!

To temper his will, Ling Xue set up three trials. The first trial was to have him climb the Thousand Blade Cliff barehanded, its steep walls covered with sharp sword energy.