84 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Rebirth as the Villainous Senior Sister - Chapter Eighty-Four (Part 1/2) The voice rang cold and clear, each word disjointed yet unmistakable to Fu Ling; it was Jiu Ying's voice. A sharp pang struck her nose, leaving her dumbstruck, her head hung low in bewilderment. Tears pooled in her eyes, cascading down with a resonant crash onto the ground. A few teardrops landed on her hand, mixing with the fresh blood and seeping into her wounds, igniting a searing heat and searing pain so intense her heart trembled uncontrollably. "Senior Sister." A tender, tear-choked call arose again, soft yet echoing distinctly in the grim and silent well. Such a plaintive tone, like a child unfairly scolded, who despite the tears musters dignity before elders, willing to bite her lips rather than burst out crying. Jiu Ying’s heart clenched inexplicably, her skin tightening as if scalded in hot water. She had fainted from her injuries earlier, pulled into the well by the dead beneath her, mistaken for one of their own. Lost to consciousness and unable to resist, she was entirely engulfed by the pit. If it hadn't been for Fu Ling calling out, she might have never awakened. Although she regained some of her faculties now, her limbs remained weak, unable to move. Fu Ling’s cries, her fears, reached her ears distinctly. But what could she do, however concerned she might be? In this moment, all she could rely on was Fu Ling. The bones below slowly constricted, their gaps progressively closing. Jiu Ying parted her lips, inhaling the cold and thin air, trying to speak; at that moment, a bright, crisp voice emerged from atop the piled bones. Despite sounding particularly pitiful, it carried a hint of stubborn adorableness. “I haven’t forgotten, none of it. I’ve remembered everything you taught me, so don’t say that about me!” Even in the throes of distress, she indeed retained her usual pride, crying yet still defending herself. Buried beneath the bones, Jiu Ying heard everything clearly, inexplicably softening at her core. The pain inflicted by the poison wasn’t as intense as before. In any circumstance, Fu Ling could always bring a smile to her face, making her forget all suffering and anger, as well as the boundless hatred etched into her very bones. With eyes closed, her lips involuntarily curled into a smile. Though her strength was nearly depleted, it was just enough to say what must be said. “I do not blame you. I simply want you to remember, in the face of danger, seek a solution rather than simply crying and fleeing. You managed to drive those demonic daughters away without my assistance, not only saving yourself but me as well. This time— you did well.” As Fu Ling heard these words, she still clutched a long azure bone. No one remains indifferent to praise, especially from someone like Jiu Ying, whom she not only trusted and respected as her senior sister but also considered her motivation and goal on her path of cultivation. Just the four simple words 'you did well' were enough to make her heart race. She bit her lower lip, her heart warming, her lips lifting uncontrollably as though a piece of candy had been crushed and blown into her heart, instantly dispelling all sadness. Her mind, awash with the gentle joy, focused solely on that emotion. Perhaps harboring too much sweetness, she unconsciously gripped the bone tighter, fresh blood from her palm nearly covering the length of it. The bone came from a celestial spirit—a relic holding immense energy similar to the bones of demons. After a celestial spirit’s death, their spirit eventually dissipates, leaving the bones buried in the earth. While the body fades away, the spirit remains, guarding the bones. Over countless years, the spirits unable to depart solidify into layers of spirit marrow. This spirit marrow, colorless and formless, wraps tightly around the celestial bone, seemingly mundane, yet far more precious than the spiritual energy diligently cultivated by monks. In the dim and dark well, Fu Ling did not notice how the azure bone differed from the others. Being a natural-born cultivator, she was inherently fortunate; her blood on the bone appeared to start dissolving and absorbing the spirit marrow. As Jiu Ying had often predicted—blessings and disasters go hand in hand, both tribulation and destiny intertwine. Their journey into the fog-laden forest was both Fu Ling’s trial and her blessing. However, mere blood was clearly insufficient to obtain such a celestial relic. Encountering a rare treasure is a fortune, whether one can claim it depends on the bond and the relic's own choice. Buoyed by Jiu Ying's praise, Fu Ling’s pain from her wounds eased considerably, allowing her to work with greater vigor in excavating the bones. In her joy, she couldn't help feeling a bit proud and smug; after giggling foolishly for a moment, she couldn’t resist, lightly humming before chattering to herself— "I’m the best in the Qingzhu Sect, and I’ll become even better in the future." "Even the demonic daughters fear me." "Too bad Senior Sister wasn’t here to see how I drove them away." "My illusion technique sure is strong, flawless, I’ve also secretly learned the techniques used by that noble person. Senior Sister, when we return to the sect, shall I demonstrate it for you?" Her delight was evident, her voice filled with undisguised joy and anticipation, even if her face couldn't be seen, one could imagine the pure, captivating smile she wore. The bones beneath continued to press and shift, Jiu Ying hearing Fu Ling talk but unable to muster the strength to respond. The air became increasingly scarce, complicating her breathing considerably. Attempts to struggle were futile, driving her even deeper. Fu Ling spoke on her own for quite some time but heard no response from Jiu Ying. The constant trembling of the skeletons beneath her also hinted that her senior sister's situation was likely dire. “Senior Sister, don’t be scared, I’ll save you.” Her voice quivered, betraying her growing panic. In her whirlwind of thoughts, she remembered Jiu Ying's previous advice—facing danger requires finding a solution, compelling herself to regain calm swiftly. Simply digging with her hands would take countless hours, still unable to clear the bones entirely, without finding a better way Jiu Ying might well suffocate below. The demon-subduing staff lay haphazardly in the corner, its top glowing a faint red light, casting a tender glow throughout the cavern. Fu Ling’s mind raced, her gaze locking onto the red glow on the cave wall. It finally hit her she had overlooked the most useful tool. The demon-subduing staff, the jade bone hairpin, and the Miao True Spirit Pearl were exquisite protective artifacts designed to counter evil and demonic forces. Given the pit was filled with demon bones, these three artifacts would undoubtedly deter them; even if they didn’t force the bones to release Jiu Ying, they would surely buy more time. Realizing this, Fu Ling didn’t hesitate, leaping out of the well to reclaim the demon-subduing staff. True to her expectations, once she plunged the staff into the bone pile, the bones began to wildly thrash, leaving a heap of white bones surrounding the staff, while the black and yellow bones retreated. Seeing success, she retrieved the dagger inset with the Miao True Spirit Pearl from her waist and flung it alongside the staff into the well. Predictably, the bones stirred again, soon opening a small gap. “Senior Sister!” Fu Ling leaned over the bone heap, shouting into the gap below. Now, at last, she heard a faint response, indicating an open path below. Jiu Ying still offered no reply. Fu Ling didn't give up, taking her jade bone hairpin crafted from the phoenix's tailbone and slipping it into the gap among the white bones. In mere moments, she heard a subtle sound beneath her feet. Clenching her fists tightly, her heart raced as she stared intently at the bottom of the well. In the eerily silent cave, only her breathing was audible, and no other sound could be heard. There was no movement below. Fu Ling's heart faltered, her lips pressing tight, even holding her breath in. Perhaps unwilling to resign herself, she slowly bent down, pressing her ear against the bone heap, focusing intently to detect any sound beneath. The stillness in the well sent shivers through her body, her eyes inexplicably brimming with red. She remained motionless, lying there, unsure how much time had passed, long enough to think she might have lost her senior sister. Only then did she finally catch a faint, quiet breath. The sound was soft and shallow, one she wouldn't have noticed if she hadn’t been silently listening intently. In the quiet, chilly cave, it was only her and Jiu Ying. For some reason, tears sprang unbidden to her eyes again, rolling down before she realized it. She exhaled softly, and the person beneath the pit followed with a breath. Though they hadn't spoken, it felt like a silent accord. As if Jiu Ying whispered gently into her ear, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." Remembering the panic from the earlier fear of losing her senior sister, her heart ached unbelievably painfully. The pain was both illusory and real, rooting deeply with just one instance, cold sweat drenching her forehead. She tried to rise, but her heart felt as though viciously carved, leaving her in pain as her strength faltered and she toppled back onto the bone pile. Rebirth as the Villainous Senior Sister - Chapter Eighty-Four (Part 1/2) Just the thought of almost losing Jiu Ying made Fu Ling's chest throb uncontrollably. The acute, intense pain crashed over her in waves, each more overwhelming than the last. Clutching her chest, her face grew increasingly pale. She wanted to cry out, but she dared not, knowing that her senior sister below could hear her voice. If she cried out in pain, it would surely worry Jiu Ying. "Senior Sister—" After enduring for a moment, she bit down on her lip until it bled, the metallic taste quickly flooding her mouth. She gasped for air, eyes wide, yet devoid of spirit. Within the shadows atop the cave, she seemed to see a false, dreamlike vision— In the vision, she and Jiu Ying appeared, Jiu Ying eyeing her with distaste and irritation, hurling harsh words. The scenario felt so real, to the point she almost believed it was a genuine memory. The pain in her heart intensified, and the vision shifted. The scene was still within the Qingzhu Sect. In the pitch-black night, a charming figure opened Jiu Ying’s door, moved to her bedside, and pressed a soft kiss to the cheek of the woman lying there, then went on to express a series of sweet and heartfelt confessions. Fu Ling forced her aching eyes open, attempting to discern the identity of the person stealing a kiss from her senior sister. Yet, all she could glimpse was a profile. Even as an illusion, she couldn't help but feel angry. She wondered who in the Qingzhu Sect had the audacity to sneak into Jiu Ying’s room at night and steal a kiss. Should she find out who it was, she'd certainly give them a proper lesson. An inexplicable surge of fury coursed through Fu Ling as the vision persisted; it showed Jiu Ying taking the girl by the hand and leaving the room. As they turned, she finally saw the girl’s face, causing her breath to hitch and her face to flush crimson— The girl was none other than herself. The pain in her chest surged like crashing waves, leaving Fu Ling feeling both pained and deeply embarrassed. In that moment of distraction, the vision vanished as suddenly as it had appeared. She lay motionless on the ground, refusing to utter a sound even as her lips lay torn and bloody. Only when she fainted did the anguish gradually subside. Both had lost consciousness within the well. Jiu Ying, poisoned, remained unable to awaken. When Fu Ling opened her eyes, darkness had descended outside. Her lip wounds were no longer bleeding, yet they still ached intermittently. Recalling the earlier heartache and those vivid, strange visions, she first thought she might have contracted some peculiar illness, thinking she should ask Elder Hui En to examine her later. Alas, it wasn’t a disease but the effect of a love gu forming. Her heart had unknowingly been moved by Jiu Ying— She had already fallen for her. ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Fu Ling: Well then, someone in the sect dared to sneak a kiss from my senior sister Jiu Ying? I must see who this brazen soul is! Oh, it was me? Never mind then. Fu Ling, fearing she had lost her senior sister, was overwhelmed, triggering her first love gu episode (the White Thread Heart Gu caused her to develop feelings for Jiu Ying, with the Desire Gu deepening her love, while the Forgetting Love Gu suppressed these feelings, preventing love for anyone. As long as she hadn't fallen for anyone, Fu Ling had no issues. Once moved, the Heart Gu and Desire Gu would clash with the Forgetting Love Gu, causing her heart pain). Each episode represented a deepening of her affection for her senior sister, and once reaching a peak, the three Gu would unbind. During this journey, lost memories would gradually resurface. Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or poured in nutrient solution from 2020-11-01 23:08:47 to 2020-11-02 17:06:06~ Thanks to the little angel who threw a rocket launcher: Feng Zi 1; Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Qing Jin., Passerby 1; Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Qing Jin. 20 bottles; Thank you all so much for your support, I’ll continue to work hard!