Ling Xiaoxiao had always been afraid to undergo her Heavenly Tribulation. Firstly, the state of the world’s spiritual energy was unsuitable, and secondly, her inner demon tribulation was too difficult to overcome.
Her obsessions, and even her psychological scars, were far too intense. Facing the inner demon tribulation would only lead to her death and the dissipation of her cultivation.
Compelled by necessity this time, she harnessed the power of the lightning tribulation to battle Cain. Yet, because of Xueji, she instead gained an opportunity to surmount this very obstacle.
She glanced at Xueji, who stood ready nearby, and with a deliberate motion, she pulled her into an embrace out of thin air.
Startled by this sudden move, Xueji widened her eyes, looking at Ling Xiaoxiao with confusion.
Is this lunatic, facing death, trying to just let loose? The thought sent a shiver down Xueji’s spine, and she immediately struggled to break free.
Gritting her teeth, her mouth twitching, Xueji said, “Ling Xiaoxiao! Can’t you be normal for once, even during a tribulation?!”
“Normal? I feel perfectly normal right now. Better than ever, in fact.”
With that, her left arm tightened slightly, pulling Xueji, who was already face-to-face with her, even closer.
“I’m not joking. Let go, and face your tribulation properly, okay?”
Xueji tried to push Ling Xiaoxiao away, but despite using all her strength, Ling Xiaoxiao remained immovable. To make matters worse, Ling Xiaoxiao’s left hand, wrapped around Xueji’s waist, grew even more audacious, kneading restlessly a few times.
Flustered and angry, her face flushed, Xueji pleaded, “Can’t we… talk about this kind of thing later, after we go back? Please?”
“No. I want to hold you while I undergo the tribulation.” Ling Xiaoxiao’s tone was gentle, but her attitude was firm and unyielding.
Two manifested lightning bolts were already flying toward her. During their earlier standoff, their aura hadn’t been fully revealed, but now, it was truly daunting. The mere sonic booms and thunderclaps from their movement caused the Black Skeleton Knights standing by below to rapidly dissipate.
The black dragon looming over everyone sensed the threat. It had just gathered its dragon’s breath when the manifested “Xueji” killed it with a single, distant sword strike.
Witnessing this, Xueji couldn’t help but wonder if her past self had also been this powerful.
No, now’s not the time for such thoughts. Ling Xiaoxiao, be careful! That thing is coming! Seeing the rapidly approaching danger, Xueji hurriedly urged Ling Xiaoxiao to defend.
Before Xueji could say more, Ling Xiaoxiao, holding her companion with her left hand and gripping the Hong Shang sword with her right, unleashed a vast, oceanic aura. The mere overflow of her spiritual energy noticeably increased the concentration of spiritual energy in the area.
She casually parried the manifested Xueji’s sword techniques, then with a single sweep of her sword, released thousands of sword energies, forcing her back. For an instant, the manifested Xueji seemed to flash a nearly imperceptible smile. Xueji blinked, thinking her eyes were playing tricks.
There was no smile. Even if there was, it was only filled with illusory hatred and killing intent.
The two manifested lightning tribulations attacked together, but Ling Xiaoxiao remained as before, seemingly making no move to counter.
Xueji’s gaze darted anxiously between the oncoming tribulation bolts and Ling Xiaoxiao. She was far more worried than Ling Xiaoxiao appeared to be.
“Xiao Ji, hold onto me. Otherwise, I’ll just die right here~” Ling Xiaoxiao loosened her left arm, gesturing for Xueji to embrace her.
“You’re utterly hopeless!” Xueji complained, but she had no choice but to comply.
Her intuition told her that if she didn’t hold on, Ling Xiaoxiao really would seek her own death.
And so, a peculiar scene unfolded: on one side, a fierce double tribulation assault; on the other, a beautiful embrace one couldn’t bear to disturb.
Ling Xiaoxiao wielded her sword with one hand. As a sword cultivator, even without using the Vermillion Bird’s divine abilities, she was more than capable of handling the current situation effortlessly.
Her sword techniques were ever-changing and unconstrained. Amidst the flashing sword light, crisp rings of the blade silenced all other noise between heaven and earth.
“Xiao Ji, don’t look back. Hold me tighter.” Even while swinging her sword, Ling Xiaoxiao found time to tease the Xueji in her arms.
Xueji was truly at a loss for words now. Is this person actually undergoing a tribulation, or is she just using it as an excuse to take advantage?
Whatever. I’m a man on the inside anyway. Don’t regret this later.
Steeling her heart, Xueji buried her face directly into the softness of Ling Xiaoxiao’s chest, even rubbing against it firmly.
Sniff sniff~
Feeling Xueji’s change, Ling Xiaoxiao showed no displeasure. Instead, she grew even more excited.
“Xiao Ji, that’s it. If you’re not satisfied, you can even bite me. Mmm~”
The two manifested tribulation bolts attacking her actually showed expressions now, their brows furrowing tightly.
“Alright. It’s time to say goodbye to the past.”
Vermillion Bird flames enveloped the sword, turning its originally pale blade a fiery red.
The tribulation-manifested Ling Xiaoxiao impaled the manifested Xueji, transforming her into a sword held in its hand. This twisted spectacle clearly carried a hint of mockery.
Unmoved, the real Ling Xiaoxiao looked up, studying the thunderclouds in the sky.
“This divinity… I’d rather not ascend.”
“Huh?” Xueji had just lifted her head when Ling Xiaoxiao pressed it back into her chest. “Mmph!”
Ling Xiaoxiao let out a sigh of release and swung her sword. Wherever the sword light reached, flames consumed everything. The sky for a thousand miles around was ignited by this single strike.
The two tribulation bolts directly dissipated between heaven and earth.
Yet, Ling Xiaoxiao had no intention of stopping. With a flourish of her right wrist, she thrust her sword toward the heavens.
“Burning Heavens.”
Her voice held neither sorrow nor joy, like that of a judge.
A blaze of scorching light shot straight into the sky, turning night into day once more.
Tribulation energy scattered, revealing what was wrapped within the tribulation clouds. Ling Xiaoxiao recognized it well.
A thousand years ago, people called it—the Great Demon.
A bizarre scream resounded through heaven and earth, a sound like a distorted hymn, eerie and profane. A writhing mass of darkness was being scorched. Pain drove it mad, countless tentacles shooting out chaotically in a futile struggle.
Below, Ailia saw this scene, her face turning pale.
“Wh-what kind of monster is this?” She knelt on the ground, her legs trembling.
“Xiao Ji, can you feel it?”
“Yes.”
“Lend me your power.”
“Okay.”
Xueji transferred all her spiritual energy to Ling Xiaoxiao, helping her control its flow. In that moment, the two achieved an unprecedented level of synergy.
“This is a warning. A bite from life itself.” Ling Xiaoxiao addressed the vile entity.
Another sword strike. Golden light illuminated the world.
As the radiance faded, the false curtain of the sky shattered, and true night descended.
Ling Xiaoxiao, holding Xueji, fell straight down from the sky. Everyone present rushed toward them. At the very last, critical moment, earth-type ability users controlled the flowing sand, safely catching the two.
Ailia looked at the tightly embracing pair and smiled wryly. “What a reckless pair.”
The Great Demon had temporarily vanished. Cain was dead. This time, it was a victory for the United Paranormal Abilities Organization.
The figures of these two young women, who turned the tide, would become a symbol of humanity’s hope from this day forward.
But all of that had nothing to do with the two of them for now. They were utterly exhausted. All Ling Xiaoxiao wanted was to hold Xueji and sleep soundly.
The head of the Chinese Paranormal Forces arrived immediately to take the two away.
Ailia spoke to the person in charge: “Can I come to China with you?”
“Eh?”