65: Mu Lingxi is undergoing her tribulation!

As the first faint glimmer of dawn filtered through the cracks in the window lattice, Lu Yu woke up.

It wasn't a natural awakening, but rather because he was disturbed by the restless little movements of someone in his arms.

A soft, slightly cool hand was quietly sliding down from his chest. Her fingertips, filled with tentative curiosity, lightly traced the contours of his abdominal muscles. The movements were slow and gentle, like a feather brushing against him, making his heart tremble with itchiness.

Lu Yu didn't open his eyes, but a smile couldn't help but curl at the corners of his mouth.

Who was the one crying and begging for mercy last night, saying 'Junior Martial Uncle, that's enough' and 'Xiao Xi can't take any more'?

She had only slept for a few hours, yet here she was, lively and kicking again, still harboring her mischievous intentions?

He remained still, allowing that little hand to continue its mischief. Only when it boldly ventured toward a more dangerous area did he suddenly reach out, accurately grabbing the culprit's wrist.

"Mm!"

Mu Lingxi was startled and let out a low cry of surprise. She raised her watery eyes and met Lu Yu's eyes, which were filled with a teasing smile.

Caught red-handed, her cheeks instantly turned bright red like a ripe peach. Her eyes darted around in panic as she tried to look away.

"Awake?"

Lu Yu's voice carried the raspiness of someone who had just woken up, making it exceptionally seductive.

"You're quite energetic, aren't you, Martial Niece Xiao Xi?"

"I... I didn't..."

Mu Lingxi stammered, trying to pull her hand back, but Lu Yu held it even tighter.

"Didn't what?"

Lu Yu raised an eyebrow. His other hand wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her closer into his embrace. As their bodies pressed tightly together, certain undeniable morning changes caused Mu Lingxi to stiffen instantly, her face turning even redder.

"Plotting against your Martial Uncle first thing in the morning—what should your punishment be?"

His breath fanned against her earlobe, hot and suggestive.

Mu Lingxi's heart beat like a drum. The shameful memories and sensations from last night came rushing back like a tide, making her body soften further. However, she still tried to maintain a front.

"I... I wasn't plotting anything... I was just seeing if Junior Martial Uncle was covered properly by the blanket..."

"Oh? You need to look 'here' to check the blanket?"

Lu Yu chuckled, his finger tracing a light line down her smooth back.

Mu Lingxi instantly felt as if her pressure points had been struck. She let out a soft whimper and buried her burning face into the crook of his neck, falling silent. Only her slightly trembling body and quickening breath betrayed her true state.

Looking at her shy and timid yet proactive and flirtatious appearance, the small flame in Lu Yu's heart suddenly flared up.

Think I can't handle you?

With a roll, he easily pinned her beneath him, looking down at her wide, shimmering almond eyes.

"Since Xiao Xi is so energetic,"

Lu Yu leaned down and pecked her lips, his voice low and amused.

"Then Martial Uncle will accompany you... for some morning exercise."

"Ah? Wait... mm!"

Her protests were entirely swallowed by a deeper kiss.

The morning light grew brighter, outlining the overlapping figures within the bed curtains in a hazy and passionate glow.

Compared to the awkwardness and intensity of last night, this morning's exercise held a bit more lazy lingering and sweetness.

Mu Lingxi protested softly at first, but she soon surrendered to Lu Yu's skilled control and gentle offensive, turning into a pool of spring water... By the time everything settled again, the sun was high in the sky.

Mu Lingxi lay limp and soft against Lu Yu's chest, panting in small breaths. The flush on her cheeks hadn't fully faded, but her eyes and brows overflowed with the satisfaction and charm of being thoroughly nourished.

She felt the surging Spiritual Qi within her body, almost overflowing, and a clear premonition from deep within her Divine Soul that some sort of shackle was about to break. She felt both joy and a bit of trepidation.

"Junior Martial Uncle..."

She called out softly.

"Hmm?"

Lu Yu stroked her smooth back, also feeling quite sated.

He had to admit, the Yin Yang Chaos Scripture was truly worthy of being an Immortal Grade Cultivation Technique. The Dual Cultivation from last night and this morning had not only stabilized and advanced his own cultivation but also deepened his understanding of the Dao of Yin and Yang.

And the benefits Mu Lingxi had gained were clearly even greater.

"I... I feel like I'm about to have a Breakthrough."

Mu Lingxi looked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement and a hint of nervousness.

"I've been at Nascent Soul Perfection for a long time, always lacking that bit of opportunity... Now, it seems I'm full."

Lu Yu's spirits lifted.

"You're going to reach Soul Transformation?"

"Yes!"

Mu Lingxi nodded vigorously.

As if to confirm her words, the sky above the small courtyard darkened without warning!

It wasn't dark clouds, but a heart-palpitating heaviness carrying the pressure of heaven and earth that rapidly gathered!

Spiritual Qi from dozens of miles around began to frantically surge toward Zixia Peak, forming a visible Spiritual Qi vortex!

The Soul Transformation Heavenly Tribulation had arrived!

"Quick, go outside and prepare!"

Lu Yu's expression turned serious. He immediately got up, grabbed his clothes to throw them on, and helped Mu Lingxi quickly tidy her dress.

Just as the two rushed out of the quiet room into the open space of the courtyard, the first thick bolt of silver lightning tore through the clouds, striking down toward Mu Lingxi with a deafening roar!

Mu Lingxi had already summoned several defensive Magic Treasures. Her body surged with Spiritual Qi, and her fair face was full of solemnity as she faced the heavenly thunder.

Lu Yu retreated to a distance, activated all the protective Formations in the courtyard, and watched nervously.

A Soul Transformation tribulation was no small matter; it was the Six-Nine Heart Demon Tribulation. The Lightning Tribulation was one thing, but the Heart Demon Tribulation in particular was something outsiders could hardly intervene in.

The bolts of lightning became more violent with each strike. In the blink of an eye, over a dozen had passed.

The defensive Magic Treasures Mu Lingxi had prepared shattered one after another, but she had a solid Foundation and pure Spiritual Qi. Relying on her exquisite movement techniques and spells, she barely managed to hold on.

When the twenty-fourth bolt of lightning fell, Lu Yu's pupils constricted slightly.

The intensity of this Lightning Tribulation... seemed significantly stronger than a typical Soul Transformation tribulation!

Moreover, looking at the tribulation clouds rolling and growing thicker in the sky, the number of lightning strikes would likely far exceed the usual thirty-six!

Forty-five? Forty-eight? Or... Just as he was feeling alarmed, Mu Lingxi's figure swayed slightly after forcibly enduring the thirtieth lightning bolt, her face turning a few shades paler.

She gritted her teeth and waved her hand to set up the final set of protective Formation Flags. Simultaneously, a flash of light appeared in her hand as she produced a Medicinal Pill to rapidly restore her nearly exhausted Spiritual Qi.

It wasn't just that one Medicinal Pill; there was also a fruit the size of a longan, pitch-black all over yet emitting a strange, delicate fragrance. It was another treasure she had obtained in the Secret Realm, the Demon Purifying Fruit!

She had known beforehand that she was about to undergo her tribulation. The Heart Demon of the Soul Transformation tribulation was the most unpredictable and treacherous. Having a Demon Purifying Fruit, which could guard the Spiritual Platform and suppress and purify Heart Demons, would greatly increase the possibility of passing the Heart Demon Tribulation!

That was why she had gone to an internal Secret Realm of a Sect to seek this Demon Purifying Fruit, preparing for her Soul Transformation Heavenly Tribulation.

She swallowed the Demon Purifying Fruit without hesitation.

As the fruit entered her stomach, it turned into a cool yet majestic power that dispersed into her limbs and bones, rushing straight to her Sea of Consciousness.

Mu Lingxi's whole body shook, and her eyes instantly became clear and firm. Her mind, which had been somewhat unsettled by the battering of the Lightning Tribulation, was immediately held fast and suppressed by this power.

The Lightning Tribulation continued.

Thirty-five strikes, forty, forty-five... The tribulation clouds not only failed to disperse but became increasingly terrifying. The lightning even began to carry a faint hint of purple!

Forty-eight strikes!

This was already the threshold for those recognized as Immortal Seed prodigies within the great Sects!