The black cat scuffled out of the inn.

It perched on top of Xie Lian's shoulder, watching the vortex of the storm with unease. The black cat's tail was frozen, locking around its stepping stone's arm.

"...this..." Wei Wuxian hesitated.

The storm cackled. A flash of lightning ran across the dark sky, painting the dark clouds, as if it was a stroke of white powder against the black canvas.

The clouds swirled menacingly. They formed around a vortex, making it appear like a black hole, aiming to suck everything in it. "Who in the world is having their heavenly tribulation right now?" Shen Qingqiu was exasperated. At first, they had to deal with the ghosts and Yi Ran.

Now... it was a heavenly tribulation?

Just what was the world throwing at them?

Meow, the black cat stretched and licked it paws, trying to calm its nerves.

"This is bad." Luo Binghe shook his head. "No matter what, this heavenly lightning tribulation is bad news. The storm is too close to Square Town. If the lightning strikes down... it's likely that..." An ugly expression was worn across his face. "Square Town will be destroyed."

The three couples fell silent.

Only the black cat's whimpers and meows were heard.

"Little Snow," Wei Wuxian sighed. "Stop making a fuss." He poked the cat's nose, who glared back as if it was being wronged. "We need to think of a solution. Since the lightning tribulation is here already... we might as well face it."

Xie Lian nodded. "The storm is coming. We'll naturally defend Square Town."

The three couples all confirmed this. They turned towards the vortex of the storm, all running to the centre. When they arrived just below the vortex, Xie Lian suddenly stiffened.

He turned to look at the black cat, locking eyes with it.

"Don't tell me..."

Hua Cheng noticed his abnormality, "What's wrong, Gege?"

The other couples looked at them.

Xie Lian was struck in stupor. He broke out of his trance, then blinked surprisingly. "I was just thinking... could it be that there actually is an Immortal in Square Town?"

The three couples shrugged. "Perhaps. What's wrong with that?"

Xie Lian smiled hesitatingly. "What if... that Immortal is here with us right now?"

All of a sudden, the three couples froze. They shared the same look of stupor, then turned to face Xie Lian. "You don't mean..."

Xie Lian nodded. "What if... Little Snow is the Immortal?"

They all turned to look at the black cat, who licked its paws.

For those that have to face the heavenly tribulation, they could be of any race, as long as they're ready to break through the next realm. This even applied to animals... It was possible for this black cat to contain intelligence, then continuously cultivate into multiple realms. Besides, there were many hints from before.

The black cat was able to stop a hunter's fist with merely its tail. This wasn't something that a normal cat could achieve.

Therefore... the black cat was an Immortal!

"...do you want us to help?" Wei Wuxian was exasperated.

The black cat finished licking its paws. It looked at Wei Wuxian pitifully, with its eyes saying, "Please help me, great cultivators..."

The three couples could only sigh in defeat.

"Alright." Shen Qingqiu prepared. He unsheathed Xiuya, taking on a stance. The other cultivators took out their choice of weapons; Bichen, Zhengyang, Chengqing, E-Ming, and Ruoye.

They faced the storm.

The sound of thunder grumbled from the dark clouds, making the heavenly tribulation appear much more intimidating and threatening. The three couples found themselves losing courage at this strong opponent. A heavenly tribulation was life-threatening!

If failed to pass, it could likely destroy an entire city!

"Actually," Xie Lian tried to brighten up the mood. "We shouldn't be so afraid of the lightning. With our spiritual energy combined, it should be enough."

The remaining two couples, "..." How do you know this?

"Xie-xiong is right!" Wei Wuxian decided to go along with the flow. "Whatever Xie-xiong says is right!"

Hua Cheng scoffed. "Naturally. You didn't even need to say so. Everyone already knew that Gege is right."

Wei Wuxian, "..." Can't I praise your husband even once without being bashed?

"We'll all be fine." Shen Qingqiu pointed his sword at the storm. "I've faced worse than this. Survival is guaranteed."

"As long as I'm here, Shizun won't be injured." Luo Binghe deadpanned.

The pair of Master and disciple looked at each other, then shared a small delightful grin.

Wei Wuxian nudged Lan Zhan by the shoulder. "Anything you want to tell me?" The former was extremely keen on getting a word out of his husband.

Lan Zhan was slightly confused. What does Wei Ying want me to say?

His gaze darkened, and he spoke the words, "I love you."

Wei Wuxian looked away, as if he was jostled by lightning. He grumbled under his breath, "You could've at least said that quietly. What if the others heard... How shameless..."

The others, "..." Yes, we did hear.

A smile rose on Lan Zhan's lips before they fell back down.

The storm turmoiled. It was like the sky had been covered in a red haze, grimacing in colours of crimson red and palpitating violet. Sparks of light had revealed themselves. Cracks gradually formed within the vortex, as if the storm was lashing out, then—

There was silence.

The three couples found themselves biting their lips, anticipating the strike...

A blinding light fell down from the vortex, following after with the storm's loud scream. Lan Zhan mustered up his spiritual energy, harnessing it around his piercing cold sword, Bichen. He then thrusted his sword against the lightning, with the two forces clashing against one another.

Shen Qingqiu followed up. His pure spiritual energy overflowed within his Xiuya sword, supporting Bichen. Beside him, Luo Binghe stabbed Zhengyang at the lightning as well.

The three swords pressed onwards against the lightning.

Spiritual energy faced the lightning head-on. The two forces pushed against one another, trying to get the other to surrender.

Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe, and Lan Zhan all held their breaths.

They sent more spiritual energy to their swords, with their force strengthening. At last, the lightning began to fade. The blinding light had slowly diminished, trickling down like a borealis scavenging across the dark night's horizon.

Shen Qingqiu gasped for air.

He knelt down on one knee, supporting his heavy body with his sword.

"It's not over yet." Luo Binghe helped his Shizun up. Their robes were smudged in snow, with patches becoming wet from the flakes.

Xie Lian stepped forwards. Hua Cheng stood beside him, unsheathing E-Ming.

The storm grumbled, as if it was mumbling something under its breath. At last, the vortex opened its mouth, with the clouds beginning to condense thickly...

Another scream pierced through the skies.

A large beam of lightning clashed, heavily coated in the heaven's spiritual energy. Without a second thought, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng stepped forwards, jumping up high in the air. Their robes flailed in midair, swaying in the intense currents of wind.

Hua Cheng's one eye couldn't help but rest on his lover's chestnut brown hair.

He smiled, then focused on the storm.

Xie Lian palmed at the lightning, with his condensed spiritual energy meeting the lightning straight on. By his side, Hua Cheng pointed E-Ming at the beam. He revealed over half of his Ghost King aura. It was like a blanket had been removed, swiftly exposing over half of Hua Cheng's true powers.

The deadly aura that the Ghost King concealed had finally showed itself.

Bloodlust raged wildly in Hua Cheng's remaining pupil, as if something uncanny and ghastly had been mixed together, repeatedly massaged and forced into one. A mist of blood surrounded Hua Cheng.

With a low grunt, Hua Cheng threw his deadly aura at the lightning.

On the ground, the remaining two couples watched with their jaws wide-open. They witnessed the lightning beam completely split into halves from the Ghost King's spiritual energy, then rebounded to deflect back at the storm. The lightning was sucked back in the vortex, with a loud screech of fury echoing past the stratosphere.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng landed lightly back on the ground.

"Did you see that, Gege?" Hua Cheng chuckled gently. He enveloped an arm around Xie Lian's waist, withdrawing his Ghost King aura.

Xie Lian worriedly fussed, "Don't go too far."

The second lightning strike was defeated.

The three couples awaited for the third. In the back, the black cat meowed anxiously. It watched how its caretakers were taking on what it was supposed to.

"Lan Zhan and I dibs on the next." Wei Wuxian laughed.

The two couples, "..." Who in the world calls dibs for a heavenly tribulation?

"Be careful." Shen Qingqiu wished for his friends' safety.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan stepped towards the storm. Their robes blew wildly in the raging winds, with plenty of snowflakes littering upon them, only to be thrown off.

The storm's rage and shouts began to die down.

It quieted... falling into silence.

Wei Wuxian's Adams apple bobbed twice. The Yiling Patriarch found himself cowering at this strange existence, but then pushed himself forwards. He gripped on Chengqing, the black flute with a tighter grip. Sweat slicked his palms.

Inwardly, he silently chanted the GusuLan Clan mantras.

Lan Zhan looked at him. Their shoulders brushed one another.

Then, a burst of lightning struck down from the vortex. Lan Zhan poured the remaining of his spiritual energy into Bichen. Instantaneously, a cold aura enveloped the sword. It was as if the entirety of the northern temperature had been sucked by Bichen, overflowing with the frost of an avalanche.

Lan Zhan's eyebrows furrowed.

He gritted his teeth, then delivered his attack of spiritual energy. Bichen met against the lightning, falling slightly short against the heavenly state.

Wei Wuxian quickly gave support.

He blew skillfully at Chengqing, playing a supporting melody. The Song of Clarity had whistled out of the black flute, slickly massaging Lan Zhan's ears.

Lan Zhan found himself fortifying.

It was like his soul had been brainwashed to develop into a calm and tranquil spirit , unable to be disturbed nor bothered. His hazel eyes flashed a cold light, as he pressed on. More spiritual energy flowed into Bichen, amplifying the sword's strength.

Lan Zhan closed his eyes. By his ears, he heard the sound of running waters, a choir of birds, the wind brushing past bamboo shoots, with a looming scent of sandalwood.

In the distance, there was someone calling for him.

"Wei Ying." He mindlessly said.

By his side, Wei Wuxian continued to play the Song of Clarity. But a small smile was revealed on his lips, as the melody fastened. "Mn." A low rumble from Wei Wuxian's throat was all Lan Zhan needed.

Lan Zhan found his meridians shaking, but his grip on Bichen had only strengthened.

"Ghhh..." He pushed on against the lightning. Fresh lukewarm blood slid past his fingers, which were wounded from blisters and from holding onto his sword too tight. The scent of glacial mint had flooded his senses, reminding Lan Zhan the fragrance of his home.

A frigid cold spiritual energy had washed over his veins. It wasn't the feeling of Square Town's winter, but rather the numb feeling of the North Pole, with the Polaris shining down upon him, guiding him on the path to eternity and a crisp chill.

Lan Zhan's eyes shot open.

The lightning beam instantly exploded. Sparks of light had plummeted all over the skies, sinking to the horizon like comets with a trailing shower. The dark sky was illuminated in the lightning's kindle.

The remaining three couples watched the scenery, their mouths agape.

Suddenly, Lan Zhan collapsed backwards. He could barely bear the weight on his shoulders, falling on the ground. Without a second thought, Lan Zhan spat out blood.

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian worried.

He crouched at his lover's side, hurriedly sending spiritual energy to heal him. Lan Zhan clutched at Wei Wuxian's sleeves, as if trying to become one with his lover.

"Is HanGuang-Jun alright?" Shen Qingqiu asked.

He was worn out as well. Luo Binghe had to support his Shizun, otherwise both of them would've collapsed. "He'll be alright." Wei Wuxian answered.

Xie Lian began to send in spiritual energy as well.

Wei Wuxian and him continued to heal Lan Zhan.

Soon enough, Lan Zhan recovered from his internal injuries. However, he could barely move. The three couples found themselves at dismay. What to do...?

All of a sudden, a shriek of lightning struck.

The three couples watched, horrified at the fourth beam of lightning. Xie Lian's golden eyes stayed focused on the blinding light, which seemed to merge into his vision and every being. His thin and slender figure was crouched by Wei Wuxian and Lan Zhan's side.

The lightning crashed down at them...

Suddenly, a smile flashed at Xie Lian's lips. "Feng Xin, Mu Qing... it's about time you guys arrived."

By his ear, a familiar laugh sounded. "Apologies, Your Highness."

Xie Lian: My friends have arrived 🤗

Luo Binghe: You have friends?

Xie Lian: QAQ

Shen Qingqiu: Binghe... we talked about this in Chapter 2...

Luo Binghe: ...Shizun! I was just joking!

Shen Qingqiu: Sure, you can joke around. But do you truly want to die from Hua Chengzhu's hands?

Luo Binghe: ...you're right.

Hua Cheng: Too bad. Your fate has been sealed ◉◡◉