Please... Please Don't Keep Staring at Me

Gongsun Zhixue was slightly stunned after hearing Su Qing's words. After a long while, she nodded and said, "Thank you..."

"No need to thank me, just do your best," Su Qing shook her head and said. "Just go for it, I'll back you up!"

Gongsun Zhixue looked at her, nodded slightly, and said, "I will."

Su Qing had already comforted her to this extent, even offering remedial measures, so Gongsun Zhixue naturally couldn't continue to be pessimistic. Moreover, the Transformation Tribulation was unavoidable no matter what; even if she was afraid and worried, she had to face it. Otherwise... she would forever remain just a tree. So... she could only brace herself and give it her all. Good or bad, she would only know after trying.

Seeing Gongsun Zhixue's reply, Su Qing finally felt relieved. When it came to undergoing a tribulation, besides one's own strength, confidence was actually quite crucial... If one wasn't confident in their ability to pass, then it would naturally become even more difficult.

Actually, if Gongsun Zhixue were a demon formed from an animal, Su Qing could have fed her a Transformation Pill before her Transformation Tribulation arrived, allowing her to transform early. But alas, Gongsun Zhixue was a tree demon. As a tree, she naturally couldn't consume a Transformation Pill. Although she seemed to have always had a human form, appearing similar to an ordinary person, this was merely a clever trick. In essence, it was no different from a ghost. Moreover, this spirit body was not as solid as Leng Xiang's. Therefore, Su Qing could only let her undergo the tribulation first, and if she failed, then feed her the Transformation Pill. Although this was a bit more troublesome... it wouldn't affect the Transformation Pill's efficacy.

After chatting with Su Qing, Gongsun Zhixue returned to the ginkgo tree, beginning her preparations for the tribulation. Seeing her disappear, Su Qing said nothing, merely accepted the fragrant tea Leng Xiang offered, and continued her mundane daily routine, waiting with Gongsun Zhixue for the opportune moment for the tribulation. After all, one couldn't undergo a tribulation whenever they wished. Most of the time, it involved waiting for the Lightning Tribulation to descend... The timing was determined by the heavens. Those undergoing tribulation could only sense that it was approaching and that the Lightning Tribulation was about to strike.

In a blink of an eye, another seven or eight days passed. This day, Gongsun Zhixue, who was cultivating, suddenly had a premonition... knowing that the Lightning Tribulation was coming today. She manifested her human form, exhaled a long breath of turbid air, and then informed Su Qing, who was reading in the courtyard.

"Is the tribulation today?" Su Qing looked up at the gloomy sky, indeed sensing a faint aura of the Lightning Tribulation. She couldn't quite recall how strong the lightning was during her own Transformation Tribulation, but she could feel that Gongsun Zhixue's Transformation Tribulation this time didn't seem to be that difficult. She nodded slightly, offered a few words of encouragement, and then left the courtyard with Leng Xiang. Her and Leng Xiang's strength far surpassed Gongsun Zhixue's; staying by her side would inevitably make her Lightning Tribulation more ferocious, so they had to leave.

As they left, Su Qing also casually took the Bodhi Tree with her. Although Su Qing didn't know if the Lightning Tribulation would affect the Bodhi Tree, she took it away just to be safe. It was only for a short while, and it wouldn't affect its growth.

Leaving the small courtyard, Su Qing pondered for a moment before deciding to wait under the osmanthus tree. On one hand, the osmanthus tree could somewhat be considered Gongsun Zhixue's teacher, and would likely care about Gongsun Zhixue's tribulation. On the other hand, Su Qing naturally intended to watch Gongsun Zhixue undergo the tribulation... Watching her pass the Lightning Tribulation would put her more at ease.

Sitting in the pavilion, Su Qing turned her head to glance at 'Wu Gang'. Wu Gang was still vigorously chopping the tree without any pause. Clearly, 'Wu Gang' was still 'Wu Gang'; the osmanthus tree had not manifested itself through this.

Seeing this, Su Qing could only withdraw her gaze and direct it towards the layers of dark clouds in the sky.

"I hope everything goes smoothly!" Su Qing shook her head inwardly. Even she couldn't help but worry a little about Gongsun Zhixue. Although she often teased Gongsun Zhixue, there was no doubt that she still genuinely liked this little girl, and naturally didn't want her to get hurt.

The few sparrows followed by Su Qing's side, also looking at the dark clouds, feeling quite worried about Gongsun Zhixue.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared, accompanied by a deafening roar, striking straight down from the clouds into the small courtyard, unleashing arcs of light.

Seeing this, Su Qing took a deep breath, but still kept her eyes fixed on the distant dark clouds.

"I thought someone else was undergoing tribulation! Seeing you all here, I suppose it's the ginkgo tree in your courtyard, isn't it?" At some point, Chang'e arrived beside Su Qing and spoke.

Hearing this, she glanced sideways, nodded slightly, and said, "Sister Chang'e, why are you here too?"

"I sensed someone undergoing tribulation in the Moon Palace, and it was a Transformation Tribulation, conveniently happening in your courtyard, so I came out of curiosity to see what was going on." Chang'e touched her lips and smiled, "Who would have thought that the ginkgo tree that came to the Moon Palace with you would also undergo a Transformation Tribulation! By the way, how old is this ginkgo tree?"

"I don't know. If we only count from when it first gained clear sentience, it must be one or two hundred years old, right?" Su Qing's memory of years wasn't very clear; after living for a long time, one's sense of time gradually faded. Looking back, it felt as if their first meeting was just recently, with no other thoughts beyond that.

"One or two hundred years? This talent is indeed excellent for a tree demon. It seems this Lightning Tribulation won't be a problem for her," Chang'e said. "I just wonder what she'll look like after her transformation."

Su Qing shrugged, indicating that she was quite curious as well.

Don't be fooled by Gongsun Zhixue's current maidenly appearance; that was merely a form she conjured, not her true transformed appearance. So, what she would truly transform into was completely unknown to everyone.

"The second round is here." Su Qing looked up at the sky; the second bolt had already struck.

Su Qing breathed a slight sigh of relief. The Lightning Tribulation not stopping after the first round meant that Gongsun Zhixue was fine.

Chang'e smiled upon seeing this. She could sense the situation of the ginkgo tree in the courtyard. However, she didn't plan to tell Su Qing. After all, having the chance to see Su Qing's worried expression was quite amusing.

"Speaking of which... you'll be leaving the Moon Palace and returning to the Mortal World soon, won't you?" As Chang'e watched, she suddenly remembered this. Su Qing had told her a long time ago... but Chang'e thought Su Qing wouldn't be leaving anytime soon, so she hadn't paid much attention. Now that the ginkgo tree was about to transform, she recalled the matter.

Hearing this, Su Qing nodded and said, "Mm, after Gongsun Zhixue passes her Transformation Tribulation and Divine Immortal Tribulation, I'll prepare to return to the Mortal World."

"Is that so..." Chang'e said, hearing this, "Honestly, this palace mistress is truly a bit reluctant to see you go."

"I'm also reluctant to leave you, Sister Chang'e~ But I really should return to the Mortal World!" Su Qing said to her with a helpless smile.

She naturally knew that the matters of the Heavenly Court were not yet concluded. For it was only after the monkey emerged from Laojun's Eight Trigrams Furnace that the true havoc in the Heavenly Palace would begin. But the affairs of the Heavenly Court were naturally for seniors like Laojun to worry about. She only needed to mind her own business. As for why Laojun allowed her to leave the Moon Palace and return to the Mortal World, it wasn't hard to guess: either it was truly as he said, or it was to completely divert her to facilitate the Heavenly Court's actions. But no matter what... it was clearly better for her to leave the Moon Palace and return to the human realm. Firstly, to find peace and avoid being sought out by Bodhisattvas, and secondly, it was time to establish her own temple in the Mortal World. At present, conventional cultivation offered very little improvement to her... To build a tall edifice more quickly, the incense power from sentient beings was indispensable. Perhaps there were other paths to take, and no one had ever said that such cultivation couldn't lead to becoming a Heavenly Immortal... But to ignore a clear, broad path and insist on forging a unique one, in this era, was clearly no longer worthwhile.

Hearing this, Chang'e looked at her, couldn't help but sigh softly, and said, "Ah, alright! This palace mistress knew you would leave one day... I just didn't expect it to be so soon. After you leave, the Moon Palace will become boring again. I hope you won't forget this palace mistress after you've left the Moon Palace!"

Su Qing shook her head, "No... my memory is excellent, how could I forget you? If there's an opportunity later, I'll often return to the Moon Palace."

"Let's hope so!" Chang'e pouted and said, "Alright... enough of this. The Lightning Tribulation is over, let's go."

Su Qing nodded and returned to the courtyard with Chang'e.

In the courtyard, the stone table that had been near the ginkgo tree was shattered, and the ground was covered with unburnt branches. Amidst a pile of black, a young girl lay curled up. She was lying on her side on the ground, completely naked, her ink-black hair spread across the ground, blending with the charred blackness. Yet, her skin was exceptionally fair, like high-quality mutton-fat jade. The stark contrast between black and white made the girl particularly striking.

Upon entering the courtyard, Su Qing immediately noticed her. Without needing to be told, Su Qing knew it was Gongsun Zhixue... And judging by her appearance, it seemed her Transformation Pill wouldn't be needed again.

"Zhixue!" Su Qing called out.

Hearing the sound, Gongsun Zhixue coughed twice, then tried to get up. Perhaps she hadn't fully recovered after her transformation and lacked strength, or for some other reason, she struggled twice and ended up lying flat on her back.

"Do you need help?" Su Qing asked, looking at her lying on the ground.

"..." Gongsun Zhixue looked at Su Qing's face, paused slightly, then her face instantly flushed. She quickly turned her head away and said, "No... please don't keep staring at me, okay? I... I'm not wearing any clothes."

Hearing this, Su Qing chuckled softly and nodded slightly. Then, she took out a piece of clothing from her Sleeve Universe and draped it over her, covering her figure. However, with her body half-covered and her blushing face, she looked even more adorable.

"Tha... thank you."

"Let me carry you to put on your clothes first."

"Mm..." Gongsun Zhixue nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Su Qing reached out, hugged the girl in her arms, and carried her back into the room.

Inside the room, Su Qing carefully examined her, then took out another set of clothes from her Sleeve Universe and offered them to her.

"Do you want me to help you change?"

"No... no need, I, I can do it myself."

"Aren't you out of strength?"

"I've... I've almost recovered. So... no need," Gongsun Zhixue breathed heavily and said, "Can... can you not keep staring at me? I... I'll be embarrassed!"

Gongsun Zhixue had just completed her transformation and didn't even know what she looked like... so she was somewhat unconfident about her transformed appearance. Moreover, she was completely naked at the moment... how could she endure being stared at like this? She felt like her brain was about to burn up. She was both nervous and shy.

"What's there to be embarrassed about! We're all girls. But, since you're embarrassed, I'll go out and wait for you." Seeing this, Su Qing couldn't be bothered to tease the girl, merely smiled helplessly, got up, and left the room.

In the courtyard. During the short time Su Qing was inside, Chang'e had already cast a spell to restore the courtyard to its original state. She even added some strange things, like a rockery and a fish pond.

"How is it, this palace mistress's handiwork, not bad, right?" Chang'e asked with a slight smile.

"Mm, not bad," Su Qing replied perfunctorily.

"Already changed?"

"Not that fast, she wants to change by herself."

"A shy little girl."

"Much better than your thick skin!" Su Qing pouted and said.

"If one's skin isn't thick, and one's courage isn't great, many opportunities can be missed. So, when it's appropriate to be thick-skinned, why not be?"

"You always sound so reasonable," Su Qing said helplessly.

Hearing this, Chang'e merely chuckled, changing the subject, and said, "That girl's appearance after transformation is quite cute too."

"Three years minimum, up to death penalty," Su Qing warned subconsciously upon hearing this.

"Huh?"

Hearing this, Su Qing quickly shook her head and said, "No, nothing, just saying, do you have any strange ideas?"

"What strange ideas could I have! Please don't think of me as a pervert, okay?"

"Aren't you?"

"No!"

"I'll believe it for now." Su Qing looked at Chang'e with distrust and said, "But I didn't expect that girl's appearance would be so different after her transformation."

"What's wrong with that? Changing one's appearance can be quite refreshing."

"That's true..." Su Qing smiled helplessly.

As they were chatting, Gongsun Zhixue, now dressed, walked out of the room. However, seeing her appearance, Su Qing couldn't help but let out a chuckle.