Xu Yi’s gaze now fell upon the disciplinary ruler.
She touched the still undamaged ruler with a hint of disbelief, her mood akin to suddenly discovering her silly son was actually a peerless genius.
The moment the lightning tribulation descended, she had used the disciplinary ruler to block the attack.
She had expected that, at the very least, the disciplinary ruler would sustain some damage, if not be destroyed.
But to her surprise, it not only withstood the lightning tribulation but also made Xu Yi feel like she was handling it with ease.
Xu Yi’s eyes sparkled as she planted a kiss on the disciplinary ruler.
"You truly are my good treasure!"
She looked up at the dark clouds of the second descending lightning tribulation, her fighting spirit surging to its peak.
"Let's see just how far the disciplinary ruler can go?"
With a thought, the disciplinary ruler carried her flying towards the Black-Footed Crow again.
"While he's injured, finish him."
If the Black-Footed Crow didn't want to leave, then it could stay forever.
A fierce glint flashed in Xu Yi’s eyes.
“Yee!”
The Black-Footed Crow was struggling with the lightning power within its body. Upon seeing Xu Yi approaching with the thunderclouds again, it let out a piercing cry and fled in panic.
Xu Yi felt a gust of black wind sweep past, and the Black-Footed Crow had vanished.
She turned her head and gave the Golden-Horned Green Ox a sly grin.
Just then, the lightning tribulation descended, flashing with electric light. Xu Yi’s smile, illuminated by the white light, appeared even more ferocious.
The Golden-Horned Green Ox trembled all over, turned its head, and bolted.
BOOM!
Xu Yi was struck by the lightning tribulation again, falling into a deep pit.
She lay in the pit, looking up at the thunderclouds overhead, her smile widening.
She wasn't going to die.
This was good.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Lightning power filled the heavens and the earth. Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s joy at surviving began to fade, replaced by worry as he looked in the direction of the electrical expanse.
Xu Yi hadn't brought a lightning-attracting formation. Could she withstand these nine heavenly lightning strikes?
Lu Zaiye secretly shook his head.
“Little Ancestor Master has discovered the wondrous uses of the disciplinary ruler, but her method of enduring the tribulation is somewhat too casual. This is not advisable.”
Xu Yi was unaware that her method of enduring the tribulation while lying down had been seen through by Lu Zaiye.
She was currently undergoing the modification of her body by the lightning power.
Although the disciplinary ruler could block most of the heavenly lightning, if she wanted to break through successfully, she still needed to rely on herself.
The lightning beams flowed wantonly within Xu Yi’s body, using their immense power to gradually destroy her flesh, meridians, and even bones.
Then, the dense spiritual energy contained within the heavenly lightning quickly repaired and reshaped her injured body.
Xu Yi’s face contorted, and she bit her lower lip tightly, leaving deep blood marks, enduring pain that ordinary people could not bear.
She knew that this tribulation was too hasty, a breakthrough forced by elixirs. To avoid affecting her foundation, these were necessary trials.
But this was just too painful.
To distract herself, Xu Yi launched into a tirade against the Black-Footed Crow and the Golden-Horned Green Ox, wishing she could pounce on them and tear off a piece of flesh.
After enduring for an unknown amount of time, the thunderclouds finally dispersed. A ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, falling onto Xu Yi and bathing her in golden light.
It was finally over.
Xu Yi struggled to curl her lips, then immediately tilted her head and fell asleep.
However, when Lu Zaiye and Xiong Zhuangzhuang arrived, they saw Xu Yi, blackened all over and unconscious.
“Xu Yi!”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang leaped into the pit, intending to check on Xu Yi’s condition, but then remembered the principle of respecting boundaries between men and women. He could only turn to look at Lu Zaiye.
Lu Zaiye was very pleased with Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s discretion. He placed his hand on Xu Yi’s arm and said softly, “She’s fine.”
“She’s really fine? Then why isn’t she responding?”
Lu Zaiye paused for a moment and said indifferently, “She’s exhausted.”
In fact, she had fallen asleep.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang didn't need to know this.
“That’s great then.”
Knowing Xu Yi was alright, Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s furrowed brows finally relaxed.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang said, “We can’t stay here. What if those two great demons come back? We need to leave quickly.”
“Mm.”
“Then hurry and carry Fellow Daoist Xu up, I’ll go get the boat ready.”
After speaking, Xiong Zhuangzhuang immediately turned and jumped onto the boat, walking to the formation to study how to control it.
Lu Zaiye looked at Xu Yi expressionlessly, his body remaining still for a long time.
Only when Xiong Zhuangzhuang impatiently urged him did Lu Zaiye stiffly crouch down and lift Xu Yi into his arms.
After Lu Zaiye placed Xu Yi inside the cabin of the transport ship, he noticed a slight dampness on his palm.
He lowered his gaze, a look of confusion on his face.
…
Yin Li’s first reaction upon regaining consciousness was to use her divine sense to check the storage bag at her waist.
When she saw the dark fruit in the storage bag, a smile finally appeared on her lips.
It wasn’t a dream.
She had indeed obtained the Soul-Returning Demonic Fruit.
“Xiong Zhuangzhuang, you said you owed me. What will you use to repay it?”
“Xu Yi! Sister Xu! I was wrong! I was truly wrong!”
“Is simply admitting fault enough? You promised me back then!”
“I didn’t do it on purpose! Brother Lu, please explain for me.”
“…”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s voice drifted through the crack in the door.
Yin Li first smiled, then her brows furrowed slightly.
Who was her senior brother talking to with such a gentle tone?
Wait, Xu Yi? Brother Lu?
Could it be that Xu Yi from the Xuanji Sect?
Ignoring the soreness in her limbs, Yin Li leaned against the wall and shuffled step by step towards the door.
She gently pushed the door open.
Outside the door, Xu Yi stood with her arms crossed, a look of indignation on her face.
She had explicitly instructed Xiong Zhuangzhuang to remember to record the event, but he had been so nervous that he had forgotten.
It was a rare opportunity for her to showcase her skills, and she had planned to send this recording to the sect elders for viewing, but it was now lost.
Xu Yi was very angry.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s face was flushed red as he bowed repeatedly to Xu Yi, offering apologies.
Meanwhile, Lu Zaiye leaned against the side of the boat, watching this scene with a half-smile.
“Yin Li, you’re awake.”
Xu Yi was the first to notice Yin Li standing by the door and waved at her.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang rushed over with concern, “Junior Sister Yin, how is your body? Are you still feeling unwell?”
Yin Li smiled and shook her head, “I feel quite good.”
Yin Li’s statement was not an act of bravado. Apart from still feeling some fatigue, the injuries within her body had largely recovered, which even surprised her.
“Haha, that’s great. We have Fellow Daoist Xu to thank again this time. She’s the one who treated your injuries.”
Xu Yi snorted upon hearing this.
Xiong Zhuangzhuang scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
Seeing their natural interaction, Yin Li’s good impression of Xu Yi vanished completely, and she felt a touch of displeasure.
However, she did not reveal it, instead smiling gratefully at Xu Yi, “So it was Fellow Daoist Xu who saved me. Thank you very much. When my senior brother and I return to the Beast Taming Sect, we will certainly express our gratitude with a generous gift.”
Xu Yi waved her hand indifferently, “There’s no need for such formalities. I just did it as a matter of convenience.”
“No…”
“Senior Sister Xu, please do not refuse. This is what we should do,” Xiong Zhuangzhuang interjected before Yin Li could, saying earnestly, “We are deeply indebted to you both for this journey. We senior and junior siblings will never forget it.”
Xiong Zhuangzhuang’s words were powerful and resounding, stirring waves of unease in Yin Li’s heart.
What had happened to him and her senior brother during their separation?
Why was he on such good terms with these two?
Yin Li’s mind was filled with questions, and the joy of obtaining the Soul-Returning Demonic Fruit for Xiong Zhuangzhuang was now tinged with a hint of gloom.
In order to regain her senior brother’s attention, Yin Li suddenly produced the Soul-Returning Demonic Fruit and said, “Senior brother, look what I have here?”