Chapter 16 - Is It Funny That the Reincarnated Senior Sister Is Also Being Pursued?

Faced with Mu Jianli's request for a hug, Bai Lian ultimately didn't comply. This girl was all about doing as she pleased, with no concern for her image among her fellow disciples. But Bai Lian had to care. It wouldn't do for the esteemed first and second seat of the Taihua Sword Sect to be hugging in public. If word got out, her reputation as the senior martial sister would be completely ruined. Of course, the main reason was she didn’t want to appear too close to Mu Jianli. After all, this girl could even use mind-bending incense stolen from a demon lair on her. If they became too close, who knows what trouble might follow? What if Mu Jianli actually locked her in a basement and tried to work her to the bone? After all, this life, she didn't have the tools for crime. So, she certainly wasn't going to practice that dual cultivation technique she got from the demon lair. Keeping a proper distance from Mu Jianli seemed for the best. "I must have overlooked something. Jianli, come on up," she said, as she gently descended using her flying sword. Even though the swords had flying capabilities, the Taihua Sect’s swords were primarily meant for combat. They couldn't compare to those special flying artifacts meant solely for travel. It was already stretched to its limit just accommodating one person. If Mu Jianli joined, it would definitely be a bit cramped. If only she had pestered her master for larger flying artifacts... Bai Lian thought with a hint of exasperation. She typically stayed home cultivating and rarely went out, so she had never needed top-notch flying equipment. Her Sword Number One sufficed for her needs. And now she had to resort to this because of an unexpected circumstance. Surely there's no harm in sharing a flying sword... is there? As she mused, Mu Jianli leaped effortlessly and landed stably on the sword. In the early stages of Qinxin, she could manage controlling items, but her spiritual power wasn't yet potent enough to ensure stability during object manipulation. Yet if it was something as simple as using spiritual power to steady herself on the sword, Mu Jianli could manage that. There should be no issue then. Feeling Mu Jianli standing firmly behind her, Bai Lian released a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Then, in the very next moment, she felt hands encircle her waist. Her movements stiffened instantly. "Ji-Jianli...?" "What's the matter, Senior Sister?" Mu Jianli breathed gently into her ear, leaning close to her shoulder. You're just asking this on purpose, aren't you?! Bai Lian screamed internally. Even with the support of spiritual power, Mu Jianli wouldn't fall even if she stood at the edge of the sword, yet there she was, pressing close, with a hint of trying to wrap herself around Bai Lian. Adding to this, the foul little girl’s breath tickled her ear, almost disrupting Bai Lian's spiritual circulation! "Y-you're too close..." "Has Senior Sister forgotten? I'm only in the early stage of Qinxin and can't fly with the sword." Mu Jianli replied with an air of indifference. "I'm afraid of falling during flight, so I have to hold onto you." "R-right..." Bai Lian's lips twitched as she barely restrained the urge to lash out. This little rascal was taking liberties and couldn't even be bothered to find a decent excuse. Worried about falling off? You're not some newbie to spiritual cultivation, are you? You might as well say you just wanted to hug me! Despite her internal grumbling, facing Mu Jianli’s unyielding attitude, Bai Lian felt powerless and allowed Mu Jianli to hug her waist and bury her face into her hair. With every shallow breath behind her, Bai Lian felt her neck tingle, and her body began to weaken slightly. Sensing her body's reaction, Bai Lian was overcome with a wave of self-pity. Oh, Bai Lian, why are you so incapable? Being reincarnated as a woman was one thing, but she still retained a man's spirit. Even without the tools, couldn't she at least become the leading heroine in a tale akin to one from Jinjiang? But as things stood, she was reduced to jelly from a mere breath; how could she ever picture herself as anything but a passive character? Damn it, what kind of absurd storyline is this, anyway?! Seething internally, she could only take a deep breath and grumbled through gritted teeth, "You'd better hold on tight." Before Mu Jianli could answer, Bai Lian controlled the sword to ascend into the air. More and more of their sect mates were starting to notice them. If they lingered any longer, she'd have to dig a hole and disappear from shame. This was no place to remain. It was best to leave swiftly. Otherwise, she'd lose face first. "Okay, Senior Sister," Mu Jianli held tightly onto Bai Lian's slender waist, responding in a muffled tone. As for what Bai Lian said, she seemed not to have heard clearly. Senior Sister's hair smells nice... I wonder what she uses to wash it to make it so fragrant? Senior Sister's body is soft... What does she use to bathe to make her skin this soft? Senior Sister... so fragrant, so soft... Shaa-shaaa~ "Ji-Jianli!" Bai Lian's trembling voice brought Mu Jianli back from her gentle distraction. She lifted her head from Bai Lian’s neck, blinking with her almond eyes, "What is it, Senior Sister?" "You... stop breathing on my neck..." Bai Lian's voice took on a hint of a sob. She never imagined Mu Jianli would be this bold. At first, it was just her nestled in Bai Lian's hair. Any stimulus was simply the warmth from her breath. As time went on, however, Mu Jianli grew bolder, not satisfied with just hiding in her hair—she began brushing against Bai Lian’s shoulder with her lips! The trouble was that Bai Lian was using her spiritual power to control the flying sword, and had no spare energy to fight off Mu Jianli's advances. All she could do was grit her teeth and bear the ticklish tingling where she was touched. Seeing Bai Lian’s ears, hidden in her dark hair, turn an intense shade of red, and feeling the slight tremors through the body in her arms, Mu Jianli’s breathing grew heavier, an intense rush of excitement welling in her heart. With a voice hoarse with emotion, she murmured into Bai Lian's ear, "Senior Sister, you're quite sensitive, aren’t you..." Bai Lian's pupils shrank, sensing a foreboding premonition. Jianli wouldn’t dare... "Wa-wait, Jianli! We're a thousand meters high; you can't..." But before she could finish, Mu Jianli lightly licked her earlobe. The sudden warm, moist sensation was like a thunderclap rushing down Bai Lian’s spine, reverberating throughout her body, detonating in her heart. That burst of electricity brought an indescribable tingling sensation. Bai Lian couldn’t stop herself from letting out a soft moan. Utterly thrown by Mu Jianli’s daring stimulation, she lost control over the spiritual power flow between her core and the flying sword, causing the sword to vibrate violently. Before long, that quiet moan turned into a long, drawn-out cry of despair. "Ah~ ahhhhhhh—" With a scream splitting the skies, two people and one sword plummeted rapidly toward the ground.