90 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

**The Rebirth of the Malevolent Senior Sister - Chapter 90 (1/2)** In the Eastern Mountain State, the people led simple lives, and the cultivators there were used to a peaceful existence, not overly keen on advancing their cultivation. They were unaware that an ancient monster had arrived in their state, but they sensed recent unusual changes in the weather. Especially at midday, the heat was so intense that the sunlight made it unbearable for people to venture outside easily. This place didn't attract many cultivators due to its harsh conditions. When the locals saw a few unknown cultivators appear, their curiosity was naturally piqued. Jiu Ying, Fu Ling, and Fang Yuan Qing strolled along the riverside, discussing how to capture the ancient drought demon the following day when suddenly, a robust man dressed in a vest and shorts appeared behind them. The man seemed to be in his thirties, strong and rugged with a straightforward demeanor that made him appear trustworthy rather than nefarious. Fu Ling was the first to turn around, her brow slightly furrowed with confusion. Noticing that they had stopped, the man wiped the sweat from his brow and caught up with them to explain his intentions. His name was Zhu Yun, and he lived upstream of the river. Three nights ago, he had seen a monstrous creature in the river while he was up late. The creature had a strange blue face, looked bizarre and ugly, appeared monkey-like but had only one leg, rolling with the current and quickly diving underwater, resembling the legendary drought demon in the rumors. Connecting this with the rising temperatures, he began to suspect a monster had come to the state. However, the idea seemed too outrageous to voice publicly, so he kept it to himself. It wasn't until Jiu Ying and her companions arrived that he confirmed his sighting wasn't a hallucination. "Our Zhu family has indeed declined, but our ancestors were once formidable demon hunters. If my guess isn't wrong, the creature that night was the drought demon." "I see that this young lady is wearing a cultivation uniform from the Sunlit Sect, so you must be cultivators from there. That's why I'm telling you what I saw, hoping you can help the people of Eastern Mountain. We've lived here for generations, isolated from the outside. On our own, we stand no chance against such a monster." Zhu Yun's earnest plea, filled with genuine concern for Eastern Mountain, moved both Fang Yuan Qing and Fu Ling. Jiu Ying was also touched, nodding to share their mission, "Indeed, a drought demon fled here from the southwest. We came to capture it. There’s no need for you to worry, Zhu, as disciples from the Mysterious Dark Sect and the Spirit Sword Sect will join us soon, leaving the demon nowhere to escape." Recognizing the Sunlit Sect’s uniform meant Zhu Yun had also heard of the Mysterious Dark Sect and the Spirit Sword Sect. Hearing Jiu Ying's reassurance, he smiled with relief and gratitude. Zhu Yun's home wasn't far, and upon learning the trio planned to rest at an inn, he enthusiastically invited them to stay with him. Faced with such sincere hospitality, Jiu Ying could not refuse. After a moment’s hesitation, she agreed, heading upstream with Fu Ling and Fang Yuan Qing. Zhu Yun lived simply with his wife and children, relying on the three acres of grain fields in front of their house for sustenance. Despite their modest means, their closeness to the river ensured decent yields, enough to support the family. His wife and children, like him, were kind and welcoming. When the children saw visitors, the five little ones gathered around curiously, glancing between Jiu Ying and Fu Ling with interest. Zhu Yun and his wife stood by, slightly embarrassed by their children’s behavior, quickly urging them to go play outside. The older children responded swiftly, disappearing from sight, while the youngest daughter, about three or four, struggled to keep up, nearly falling before Fu Ling caught her. The little girl, curious about this unfamiliar but beautiful sister, tousled Fu Ling’s clothes gently before shyly dashing back to her mother's side. Three or four-year-old children express curiosity in such adorable ways. Fu Ling couldn't help but smile, and when she stood up, she noticed Jiu Ying watching her, smiling. Upon meeting her gaze, Fu Ling blushed slightly, feeling a warm rush of embarrassment. Where she found the little girl adorable, others found her charming as well. "Little Five, go play with your siblings." Zhu Yun patted the little girl’s head gently, smiling with paternal warmth. Prompted by her father, Xiao Wu released her mother's leg, slowly making her way to the door. Concerned she might fall again, Fu Ling carried her outside, turning back to glance at Jiu Ying before she left. Jiu Ying's eyes, as dark as ink, held a soft glow, akin to clear waters, pure and spotless. "I'll go play too and be back soon." Hearing this, Jiu Ying’s eyes crinkled further with amusement, finding Fu Ling now even more endearing than the three-year-old. She nodded, knowing Eastern Mountain was generally safe apart from the ancient demon, but still cautioned, "Don't stray too far." The Zhu family had already eaten, but with guests visiting, they had to make better arrangements, so the couple headed out to buy food. In moments, the once buzzing house fell quiet. Fang Yuan Qing chuckled, watching Fu Ling leave, "Miss Fu Ling is so innocent and charming. The people of the Pure Bamboo Sect must have protected her well. Back then, when she was captured by the fox demon, you called her 'wild-tempered and lazy,' but now she seems nothing like that." Fang Yuan Qing's words, playful and reminiscent, sparked nostalgia in Jiu Ying, recalling her own words from the past. Reflecting on those early days after returning from Plum Lake Island, Jiu Ying was struck by how much both of them had changed within months. Smiling at the teasing, she spoke with affection and protectiveness over Fu Ling, "Back then, we weren't close, she misunderstood me, and I had misconceptions about her. Now that we’ve grown closer, it's easier to speak kindly." Fang Yuan Qing just smiled, understanding fully. 'Not close then' implied closeness now. The nature of this closeness was something only Jiu Ying and Fu Ling themselves understood. The Zhu family had limited space; apart from the main house where Zhu Yun and his wife lived and a side room for the children, there were two guest rooms. Posing as a man, Fang Yuan Qing would naturally take a room alone, leaving Jiu Ying and Fu Ling to share. Xiao Wu, after spending the day with Fu Ling, clung to her at night. The little girl was endearing, with soft white cheeks that made one want to cuddle her. But born with a throat issue that left her unable to speak, she tugged at one's heartstrings. Fu Ling adored her and indulged her, bringing her to share their room at night. The bed was already cramped for two, let alone with a child. Although Jiu Ying was helpless, she ultimately gave in, allowing Xiao Wu to curl up with them. They spent the night at the Zhu's and set off at dawn to meet the arriving disciples from major sects and families at Eastern Mountain. It was a long wait until midday when the members from the Mysterious Dark Sect, the Spirit Sword Sect, and the Si, Lu, and Su families finally arrived. Fang Yuan Qing, aware of the worsening situation, was dissatisfied with their leisurely timing. Everyone was here supposedly to capture the drought demon, but each had their own ulterior motives. Lin Yu Miao, honorable by nature, acknowledged Jiu Ying's superior skill and had no interest in contesting her for recognition. Thus, she didn't accompany the Spirit Sword Sect. In the Mysterious Dark Sect, Shu Gao Tian Lian was the most accomplished. Though elders suggested he seize this chance for acclaim, he felt too embarrassed to face Jiu Ying again after previous rejections, and he refused. So those who came were unfamiliar faces. Disciples from both the Mysterious Dark Sect and Spirit Sword Sect, aware of Jiu Ying’s capabilities and her past feats, defaulted to her leadership. Meanwhile, members of the Si, Lu, and Su families schemed privately, hoping to outshine their peers during the demon hunt. Si Xiao, who came representing the Si family, was quite accomplished. Though he couldn't rival Jiu Ying, he was among the top in his generation. Three months prior, upon marrying a lady from the Qin family, Si Yi Guang began transitioning family responsibilities to Si Xiao, indicating intentions to groom him as the next family head. This demon hunt was meant to hone his abilities and win fame for the Si family. The Lu and Su families, also among the eight noble families, weren't as powerful as the Si family but maintained a façade of camaraderie. However, they had gradually become subservient to the Si family. Amidst the current unrest, they followed Si Yi Guang’s orders blindly. Like the Si family, the Lu and Su families dispatched their chosen heirs—Lu Xing Lan and Su Rao. These individuals were on friendly terms with Si Xiao and aware that he aimed to make a name for himself in this demon hunt. Before Jiu Ying could outline her plan to capture the drought demon, they quickly suggested Si Xiao take the lead. Su Rao, gifted in cultivation and the only daughter of the Su family, had high expectations placed upon her. Despite being only about twenty, her cultivation level had already reached the mid-level of powerful adept, comparable to Si Xiao. She wasn’t familiar with Jiu Ying but had heard of Fu Ling, notably that she was the daughter of the hero Fu Xi, blessed with dual water-fire elemental roots but possessing low cultivation. Such a remarkable talent, yet she seemingly squandered it, causing Su Rao to look down on Fu Ling. When speaking, her gaze occasionally fell upon Fu Ling, a fleeting scorn evident in her eyes. "I've heard the ancient demon's powers have surged. Si’s family provided A Xiao with a demon-binding golden thread. With this, capturing the drought demon shouldn’t be difficult. Let's assign this task to A Xiao." The demon-binding golden thread, also known as the demon-binding rope, was a top-tier artifact known to terrify demons. Once ensnared, no matter how powerful, they couldn’t escape. That Si Yi Guang was willing to deploy such an artifact showed considerable investment. Jiu Ying remained silent, her expression unchanging. Seeing this, Lu Xing Lan supported Su Rao's proposal, "I heard the drought demon hides in the river day and night. I have a water-dividing bead that can part the river. Combined with A Xiao's demon-binding thread, it should surely capture the demon." Everyone’s expressions shifted slightly. Though the demon-binding thread was noteworthy, the water-dividing bead was a family heirloom of the Lu family, surprising many that it was brought here too. It seemed the Si, Lu, and Su families were determined to let Si Xiao claim all the glory. Jiu Ying's lips pressed into a thin line, her face slightly cold. Artifacts are valuable, yet if they fail to serve their intended purpose, they are no different from stones on the ground. The ancient demon had absorbed residual energy, forming a corporeal body, but its essence was still a wisp of remnant soul. While the demon-binding rope could tether demons, it couldn't bind souls, rendering it useless against the drought demon. As for the water-dividing bead, using it recklessly would flood upstream and downstream homes, destroying fields and livelihoods. An approach like this held no merit. Su Rao and Lu Xing Lan boasted of their artifacts, believing these would suffice without considering other factors. Even Si Xiao, who hadn't spoken, seemed to concur silently with them. The group stood inadvertently divided into two factions. One, consisting of major sect disciples, acknowledged Jiu Ying as the rightful leader of the demon hunt. The other, led by the noble family heirs, staunchly advocated for Si Xiao to take charge. Fang Yuan Qing felt troubled, initially thinking these people were just here for show, unaware they'd compete with Jiu Ying for leadership. As the sun climbed higher and the tension grew, a young male cultivator in fine clothes suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "The matter of subduing the demon was entrusted to Miss Jiu Ying by the four sects and eight families. Those of us here are merely assisting. The detailed plan should be left to Miss Jiu Ying." His words drew everyone's gaze towards him. Jiu Ying was surprised by his support and, recognizing him, recalled that he was Si Feng Jian, the second son of Fang Ke Yuan, the leader of the Mysterious Dark Sect. Despite losing to her in a sect tournament, he bore no grudge, displaying magnanimity—an admirable trait. It turned out he was Fang Yuan Qing's brother. Unsurprisingly, Fang Yuan Qing offered him a grateful smile. Si Feng Jian's remarks swiftly tilted the situation back in Jiu Ying's favor. Su Rao's eyes flickered. According to Si Feng Jian's suggestion, if Jiu Ying led the operation, both the demon-binding rope and the water-dividing bead would come under her command. Even if the demon was subdued, the credit would not go to the Si, Lu, or Su families. Unwilling to accept this, Su Rao, though outwardly smiling, spoke firmly to regain the upper hand for Si Xiao. "While there's truth in your words, capturing the ancient demon is a responsibility of the four sects and eight families. A Xiao has the capability and determination to defeat the drought demon. Why shouldn’t he take on this role? Just because Miss Jiu Ying agreed to help? If so, why don’t we attempt it both ways and see who succeeds?" Lu Xing Lan nodded, "Indeed, our intentions are noble. Why burden Miss Jiu Ying with everything? Over-emphasizing this strays from our original intention. I agree with Rao; acting independently might be better." Fighting for Si Xiao’s recognition, they fearlessly suggested anything. Act independently? The absurdity of this suggestion was too much for even Fu Ling to take. She stepped forward, directly facing Su Rao, frowning and questioning her bluntly without fear. "Are you joking, Miss Su? This mission's purpose is to help the residents of Eastern Mountain, not a competition to declare a winner. The task is complete once we rid the area of the drought demon. Why act independently? What’s the point?" Her words rang out clearly, neither aggressive nor accusatory, but her mention of "helping the residents" punctured Su Rao and Lu Xing Lan's facade. Claims of honesty and intentionality were mere empty words. What did they hope to achieve by acting independently? Su Rao couldn’t answer, nor could Lu Xing Lan. The air fell silent, their voices lost. Su Rao hadn't anticipated Fu Ling would be so articulate, leaving her at a loss for words. Her lips moved, eyes holding anger and resentment. She couldn't understand how this girl of little cultivation had the confidence to question her. "The cultivation world respects strength and power. You have the lowest cultivation here, the least qualified to speak with me. Si Xiao, Xing Lan, and I devised this plan from our arrival; I owe you no explanation!" The three of them predicted Jiu Ying wouldn’t easily yield command of the demon hunt. Fu Ling, in breaking through natural limits, wasn't confined by the six traditional cultivation stages, leading outsiders to assume her progress never surpassed the Breaking Boundaries stage. Unaware of this discrepancy, she was stung by the attack on her abilities, anger rising without a path for rebuttal. Perhaps affected emotionally, auras simmered within her, nearly resolved into forces that would’ve overwhelmed Su Rao, had Fu Ling not suppressed them. As the dispute escalated, Fang Yuan Qing stepped in to mediate, when suddenly a cold, feminine voice cut through the air. Low and mellow, it chilled the soul with words wrapped in icy intent. It took only one line to silence the domineering Su Rao, leaving her speechless. "In the cultivation world, strength reigns supreme. If Fu Ling doesn’t meet your standards, what right does someone of your ability have to stand for Si Xiao before me?" "Only at the adept level and daring to boast, Miss Su, if your father neglected to teach humility, I do not mind instructing you—" The moment she finished, a powerful presence arose, dominating the space and immobilizing everyone present through sheer force. This formidable aura left everyone clueless about the depths of its owner's cultivation. Jiu Ying's eyes, icy as they bore into Su Rao, induced such fear that she trembled, her face drained of color— In disbelief, she realized this woman in white surpassed even her father's perfect level. The atmosphere cooled dramatically, silencing everyone. Jiu Ying pulled her gaze from Su Rao, then scanned the group with a cold glint like a blade in sunlight, slicing through the air. She spoke with an emotionless face, her eyes resting finally on the still silent Si Xiao. "The demon hunt was entrusted to me by the sect leaders. If you wish to heed my instructions, stay. If not, leave Eastern Mountain immediately." ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ A heartfelt thanks to the little angels who cast golden votes or nourished with nutrient solutions during the period from 2020-11-06 17:35:53 to 2020-11-07 13:22:44~ Special thanks to the little angel who gifted a landmine: Advancing Xiao Si, 1; I’m extremely grateful for everyone's support, and I will continue to work hard!