The Extraordinary Path of Xiyue

How extraordinary, this is truly extraordinary.

Beimuxue couldn’t believe her eyes. ‘You, a demon, are so pure—this is…’

What is the Heavenly Tribulation?

For those who cultivate diligently, successfully enduring the tribulation is like being reborn. This is especially true for races like the demon, ghost, and beast tribes, where the path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties and dangers. However, if one survives the Heavenly Tribulation, their cultivation advances to an indescribable degree.

But the Heavenly Tribulation is, in simpler terms, a test from the heavens. Throughout history, even among the fairy races, those who attempted to endure the tribulation and succeed often ended in failure, either dead or maimed.

The Heavenly Tribulation is particularly challenging for demon, ghost, and beast tribes, who inhabit harsh and bloody environments. In a world where the strong prey on the weak, various nefarious methods are employed to gain strength and avoid becoming someone else’s meal, ensuring survival. These methods include devouring young, consuming others’ inner cores, and absorbing others’ cultivation.

Once this path is chosen, there is no turning back. The weight of one’s killings increases, making cultivation even more arduous. Apart from continuing down this sinful and brutal path, there is no other way.

Xiyue endured the Heavenly Tribulation, transforming from a serpent to a dragon, and the world praised her luck and high cultivation. However, in Beimuxue’s view, Xiyue simply walked the straight path, untouched by the vices of other demons and beasts.

While Xiyue’s talent is undeniable, her true strength lies in her dedicated cultivation, avoiding any shortcuts, which allowed her to survive the Heavenly Tribulation and transform into a dragon, becoming the revered Demon Sovereign.

Even though Xiyue has been a Demon Sovereign for thousands of years, she has never slackened in her cultivation, preparing to face her second Heavenly Tribulation—ascension to a dragon.

Xiyue’s silence confirmed Beimuxue’s thoughts, leaving her in awe for a long time.

‘You truly are… impressive,’ Beimuxue said, noticing Xiyue’s lack of expression. She continued, ‘So, from the moment you began cultivating, you never consumed anyone’s inner core or absorbed someone else’s cultivation?’

Beimuxue’s persistent questions irritated Xiyue. ‘Aren’t you the one who guessed it? Why ask me?’

‘I guessed it, but I can’t believe it!!’ Beimuxue lost all composure, her gaze toward Xiyue filled with admiration. ‘I never imagined that in these thousands of years, you never had a moment of greed?! Not even a single thought?’

Xiyue nodded, adding disdainfully, ‘Aren’t other people’s corpses and inner cores disgusting?’

Beimuxue marveled at Xiyue’s resolve, wondering how someone with such awareness ended up in the demon race. If she were a fairy, there would be no need for her to leave.

‘You’ve maintained this habit for thousands of years, so why, at this critical moment, did you suddenly develop a heart demon and fall into chaos?’

Xiyue fell silent, pondering for a long time before speaking softly, ‘The heart demon arose because my greed became too heavy.’

Xiyue had known this for a while but hesitated to act. Why? Because of the little mermaid, Su Xiaoxiao? Your feelings for her…’

Beimuxue’s expression grew complex as she pondered for a long time before cautiously asking Xiyue, ‘You should know the way to overcome a heart demon, especially in this situation; it’s quite straightforward.’

‘It’s the ascension to a dragon! It’s the ascension to a dragon!!’ Even Beimuxue, who had never harmed the mermaid race, shuddered at the thought of such a prospect for herself.

Beimuxue deliberately hinted to Xiyue, ‘Kill the mermaid, eliminate the heart demon, and you’ll surely…’

Xiyue turned her head, her red eyes glinting with a lethal intent that silenced Beimuxue, who dared not speak further.

Beimuxue realized her own cruelty. ‘It’s useless,’ Xiyue calmly replied, her hands, which had been concealing a pale figure, revealed a ghostly image of Su Xiaoxiao smiling tenderly at her.

Xiyue knew it was an illusion but understood Beimuxue’s intent. She gazed into the eyes of the ‘Su Xiaoxiao’ and said, ‘My greed is heavy, and the heavens will judge me. It has nothing to do with Su Xiaoxiao.’

…

Xiyue had not cultivated for many days, and during this crucial time for the demon race to discuss important matters, she expended her vital essence and cultivation to create a new bracelet.

Despite this, she chose to see Su Xiaoxiao again. ‘I know you don’t want to see me. After today, I probably won’t be able to come for a while.’

Ignoring Su Xiaoxiao’s attempts to avoid her, Xiyue gently touched her belly, as if in farewell, ‘Take care of yourself.’

Xiyue spoke cryptically, but Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want to listen or accept her gift. ‘Didn’t I tell you not to come?’

Yet Xiyue insistently placed the bracelet down, looking at Su Xiaoxiao trembling with fear. She spoke earnestly, ‘It’s for the little fish about to be born.’

Xiyue usually maintained a cold demeanor with Su Xiaoxiao, but on this occasion, she was unusually gentle. She touched Su Xiaoxiao’s belly and smiled softly, ‘I never wanted her, but now that she’s here with you, it’s quite nice.’

Xiyue’s words were strange, and Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want to hear them. Seeing Xiyue made her cry uncontrollably. Her fear was so profound that her body reacted violently, like a frightened young animal.

She cried and struggled, not wanting Xiyue to touch her. Xiyue, noticing her distress, instinctively wanted to transfer some spiritual energy, but this only frightened Su Xiaoxiao more.

‘Do you really fear me this much?’ Xiyue’s expression showed a hint of sorrow.

It wasn’t Su Xiaoxiao’s fault for reacting so strongly; she was in her late stages of pregnancy and couldn’t handle any stimulation. Even minor incidents could send her into an emotional tailspin. Met Yan had warned Xiyue about this, but she had forgotten.

‘Su Xiaoxiao, please…’ Xiyue felt defeated and, without approaching further, left the bracelet before departing.

After a few steps, Xiyue stopped and slowly turned back, her long lashes fluttering as she gazed deeply at Su Xiaoxiao, as if committing her image to memory. A crystal tear rolled down her cheek before she reluctantly left, unwilling to stay longer for fear of upsetting Su Xiaoxiao further.

But things didn’t improve. Su Xiaoxiao looked at the red jade bracelet, feeling pain in her eyes and head.

Met Yan, who lived next door, heard Su Xiaoxiao’s sobs and, after listening for a while without a response, grew anxious. She rushed over and knocked on the door, ‘Su Xiaoxiao?!’

The sobs continued without a reply, so Met Yan knocked harder, ‘Su Xiaoxiao?! What’s wrong?! Answer me!!’

‘Su Xiaoxiao?! I’m coming in!’ Met Yan pushed open the door and found Su Xiaoxiao in a daze, seemingly trapped in a deep sorrow, disconnected from the world.

‘Su Xiaoxiao?’ Met Yan, ignoring any inhibitions, lit the room. Su Xiaoxiao gradually returned to her senses, still holding her belly. Upon seeing Met Yan, she said, ‘Met Yan, my stomach hurts…’