92 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Title: Rebirth as the Malevolent Senior Sister's Day and Night Journey GL - Chapter 92 (1/2) Despite being nearby, Si Xiao and his two companions did not join in the demon suppression activity today. At midnight, Fu Ling and Fang Yuan Qing donned black clothing and stealthily hid in the shadows of the riverbank under the dim moonlight. Grasping the corners of a fishing net, the two waited for the Han Ba to appear so that they could cast the net and trap it. Jiu Ying, Fang Sijian, and Zhong Yu Qiao hid in the woods near the riverbank, each holding a square flag. Their eyes fixated on the water, they were vigilant not to miss the slightest movement. The water surged at the mouth of the dam, and the rolling river carried an icy chill that discouraged thoughts of how cold it might be beneath the surface. Fu Ling clutched the rough cords of the fishing net tightly, each finger tangled in its fibers, reflecting her anxious and fearful heart. A night breeze brought a few drops of water to her face, adding to the chill. This brought back memories of a childhood fall into Plum Lake, the suffocating sensation of being filled with water. Instinctively, she leaned closer to the stone embankment, her breathing growing rapid. The night was dark, the sky bereft of stars, only a pale silver moon hung alone, rendering the surroundings ever more desolate and frightening. Fang Yuan Qing remained silent, her focus on the river until she noticed the girl's breathing beside her growing louder and the fishing net trembling slightly. Only then did she realize something was wrong. Fu Ling has a fear of water— Recalling Jiu Ying’s reminder, Fang Yuan Qing couldn't help but furrow her brows with a worried expression. "Can you hold on? If you can't handle the water, I can call someone to replace you." Her voice was gentle, free of blame, infused with subtle care and undivided sympathy. Fu Ling paused at her words, her lips parting soundlessly. Fang Yuan Qing didn’t ask what was wrong, only if she could persevere, clearly aware of her fear of water. But no one here should have known she feared water. Confused, Fu Ling lowered her head, bit her lip, and slowly extracted her fingers from the net's holes, carefully arranging the excess net line. Only when the wind at her cheek subsided did she look up at Fang Yuan Qing and gently shake her head. "I'm fine." "Does Yuan Qing-sister know about my fear of water?" Fang Yuan Qing knew what she was asking and saw no reason to hide it. Without much thought, she answered, "It was Miss Jiu Ying who told me." So, it was senior sister— Fu Ling's breath hitched, and she quickly averted her gaze. Her fingers, tense with nervousness, twisted the neatly arranged net line into a knot. And her heart, which was just beginning to understand emotions, thudded erratically in her chest. Being protected by someone who cares for you is enough to make one's heart flutter; moreover, this care occurred without her even knowing. A trace of sweet and shy delight burgeoned in Fu Ling’s heart, her stray locks fluttering in the wind, revealing her blushing cheeks. If not for the dark dam, it would have easily been noticed that her face was flushed. Thinking of her senior sister's concern and care behind her back, a surge of courage suddenly filled her. When her gaze returned to the river, it no longer held the fear from before. She thought, this time, she must not disappoint her senior sister. Her senior sister is so formidable, so excellent. If she doesn’t improve, how can she ever aspire to be her equal in the future? Today, she may fear deep waters; tomorrow, something else. But for her senior sister, she was willing to learn, to progress, to become stronger, to overcome everything she feared. She wanted to become someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with her senior sister, not always protected under her wing. Sometimes, a person's change happens in an instant. Perhaps sensing this shift in her will, the spiritual energy in Fu Ling's core unexpectedly became active, circulating faster. Time passed by the second, quickly approaching the moment Zhu Yun last saw the Han Ba surface. The moonlight grew dimmer, and the gloomy energy in the air grew heavier. Fu Ling and Fang Yuan Qing ceased talking, holding their breath, fingers tightly clutching the fishing net, quietly waiting for the ancient demon in the river to appear. Whether on the riverbank or in the woods, Jiu Ying's group of three focused intently on the river's surface, unaware of the three figures not far upstream. Two men and a woman—they were none other than Si Xiao and his group, who had pledged allegiance to Jiu Ying. While Jiu Ying's quintet awaited the Han Ba's emergence, they were waiting for their chance, a chance to capture the Han Ba before Jiu Ying. Si Xiao, clad in luxurious attire with a fine gold thread at his waist, appeared especially regal and handsome. Though the moonlight was faint, it shimmered upon the gold thread, enhancing his imposing presence. "Ah Xiao, we shouldn’t have shown weakness to that Jiu Ying the other day. Her cultivation may be high, but she comes from such a low background. How can she compare to us? You are the future heir of the Si family, and she’s just a fatherless, motherless orphan! What can she use to fight us? And that Fu Ling, if it weren't for her father's status, I wouldn't have let her off so easily just for questioning me!" The adage of strength above all and respect for the powerful often applied to those weaker than oneself, like Fu Ling; yet for formidable opponents like Jiu Ying, noble birth was always preferable. Recalling the events of the afternoon, Su Rao was still indignant. Lu Xing Lan knew her competitive nature, never willing to bow to others, so he merely glanced at her and closed his lips silently. As for Si Xiao, his expression was indecipherable. With hands clasped behind his back, he gazed distantly at the river. After a long pause, he spoke solemnly. "Her cultivation is indeed superior. It would be best if you don't provoke her. Should anything happen, the Su family might not protect you, and don't expect the Si family to cover for you either." Si Xiao's words bore a hint of warning. Jiu Ying may have humble origins, but her strength was undeniable. The fact that the Xuanyin Sect and Fuyang Sect entrusted her with subduing the ancient demon already proved her position in the four sects' eyes was significant. The Si family, no matter how powerful, could not contend with the four major sects. Su Rao, already angry, felt even more aggrieved upon hearing this. She wanted to say more but, upon seeing Si Xiao’s resolute profile, reluctantly nodded in frustration, choosing silence. Time passed slowly, until the silver moon in the sky was half veiled by clouds, and a faint sound emerged from beneath the river’s surface. Swish, swish— It was as if something moved against the current underwater, producing a rhythmic, faint sound. Fu Ling and Fang Yuan Qing, closest to the water, quickly noticed the subtle noise. The two exchanged a glance, though unspoken, they were perfectly in sync as they lifted the fishing net. The atmosphere was tense and solemn, as the round moon began to hide fully within the clouds. At the very moment the moonlight vanished, a one-footed blue-faced monkey flipped over the river's surface. Jiu Ying’s group observed this scene intently, their hearts pounding. As the critical moment approached, there was no space for nerves. Following Fang Yuan Qing’s lead, Fu Ling emerged from below the dam, pursued along the shadows towards the Han Ba's rolling direction. When the Han Ba lowered its guard, Fu Ling seized the rare opportunity, leaping swiftly into the air and casting the net over the river. Han Ba reacted quickly; upon sensing the presence of humans, it became alert. In the pitch darkness surrounding the river, it swiftly dove into the depths as the fishing net descended. Fang Yuan Qing promptly dove into the water, while Fu Ling, following her directions, maneuvered the net closely, staying right on Han Ba's tail. Navigating underwater was inherently difficult, with obscured vision and heavy resistance. Fang Yuan Qing could only pursue momentarily before being left behind by the Han Ba. Seeing the net getting farther from the Han Ba, Fu Ling’s anxiety pushed her into the river as well. Moving with remarkable speed, Han Ba found itself closely pursued by Fu Ling, who darted ahead like a nimble fish, reaching close proximity within moments. In the dim water, Fang Yuan Qing couldn’t discern who it was; urgently, she surfaced to survey the river, realizing Jiu Ying and her companions had also emerged from the forest. Clearly, the earlier fleeting figure was Fu Ling. Above the river, the massive net, ten li in width and length, spread out fully, rapidly advancing toward the Han Ba upstream. Its speed was so great that it nearly caught up with the Han Ba. Fang Yuan Qing surfaced, chanting an incantation. Her fingertips guided the net slowly into the water. Meanwhile, Fu Ling halted at the upstream end. At this moment, Fang Yuan Qing had no time to ponder why a low-level cultivator like Fu Ling could move so effortlessly underwater or how she managed to corner the Han Ba at the river's end. She took to the air, chasing after the net to reach the upstream. A golden flash shot across the river surface, emanating from the qilin jade in the golden light mirror. Bathed in the golden light, Han Ba was in distress, attempting to leap out of the river to flee. But the net descended from above, trapping it within. Simultaneously, the three formation flags held by Jiu Ying's group stood erect. Reaching this point, success seemed imminent. Fang Yuan Qing released a soft sigh of relief, finally understanding why Jiu Ying trusted Fu Ling to handle the Han Ba alone. It turned out, Fu Ling's actual ability was far from ordinary as she appeared. In order to traverse the water like they would on land, a cultivator must not only possess great physical endurance but also possess a deep reservoir of spiritual energy and an adept ability to control it. Only by effectively employing their spiritual energy to break through the immense resistance of the water can they move as swiftly and fluidly as they do on land. When Fu Ling entered the water, not only did her speed not decrease, it actually continued to increase, making one wonder just how much spiritual energy she harbors within her. Fang Yuan Qing pressed her lips tightly, her gaze fixed on the person and the demon within the fishing net. At this moment, she realized there was no need for her to enter the water, convinced that Fu Ling could subdue the Han Ba with her own capability. The massive net, spanning ten li, sank deeply into the bottom of the river. The Han Ba tried to break free from the net's confines, but upon contact, it let out a cry of agony. Unbeknownst to it, the net had been exposed to sunlight for so long that it absorbed the sun's flames, its greatest weakness. Fu Ling's entire body was drenched in the river, a bone-chilling cold emanating from all directions, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Within her, the spiritual essence continuously circulated, seeping out as spiritual energy and reabsorbing as spiritual essence without the need to cultivate or gather more energy; this was why she could move so effortlessly underwater. Clutching the Golden Light Mirror, she advanced towards the Han Ba, silently chanting an incantation. Suddenly, a sharp wail ripped through the air, and before she could react, a burst of green phosphorescent flame surged towards her face. Had she been slower, she would have been burnt to a crisp. In the underwater battle, light flickered, and from the shore, visibility was limited. Even Fang Yuan Qing could only faintly see sparks. Fu Ling is a natural genius; her talent far surpasses most. Despite mastering formidable magical techniques, she was often held back by the lack of spiritual energy, unable to unleash their full power, such as the Phantom Technique or the Five Horse Piercing Spear learned from Gao Tianlian. Faced alone with this bizarre ghost fire, rather than fear, she felt invigorated, even more determined to fight. Despite its dimness, the qilin jade within the Golden Light Mirror radiated a soft glow, enough to illuminate the expansive net spanning ten li. Fu Ling stepped back, reaching behind her waist to retrieve the small dagger gifted by Jiu Ying for protection. The dagger, beautifully adorned with a fine spiritual pearl on its handle, emitted a red gleam as it was unsheathed. In that instant, the interplay of the dagger's red glow and the golden light from the mirror created an eerie yet captivating scene in the net. Both spiritual tools were highly effective against demonic entities. Han Ba dared not approach Fu Ling and instead enveloped itself in ghost fire as a final stand. In such circumstances, any resistance was ultimately futile. Holding the Golden Light Mirror in one hand and the dagger in the other, Fu Ling moved gracefully within the net. In no time at all, she had the Han Ba wailing in pain, while she herself remained unharmed, save for a patch on her garment singed by the phosphorescent flame. Observing the Han Ba gradually lose its fighting spirit, she sheathed her dagger and waved the Golden Light Mirror three times, signaling Fang Yuan Qing to harvest the net. Above and below the water, their coordination was seamless. Seeing the three golden flashes, Fang Yuan Qing finally felt completely at ease. She began reciting the incantation, ready to pull the net from the water, when suddenly a frantic shout erupted from the shore. "The formation flag has toppled!" It was Zhong Yu Qiao's voice. "My flag's down too!" Fang Sijian followed with a shout of alarm. Jiu Ying’s brow furrowed as she glanced at the square flag in her hand, only for it to fall inexplicably. On the river, the expansive net began to disintegrate into segments of broken line! Clearly, the Sky Net Array had been dismantled! In the tranquil bottom of the river, the water inexplicably surged, and the currents roiled. Their eyes glued to the river's surface, everyone watched as the waters parted from the center, bursting through the dam and flooding the banks, revealing deep phosphorescent grooves carved into the riverbed. Only then did they realize what had occurred— Someone had preemptively hidden a Water Burst Pearl underwater! Breathless, Fu Ling floated in the water, cold droplets trailing down her forehead. Her prolonged immersion left her face pallid and void of color. Before she could react, the Han Ba, previously trapped in the net, leapt skyward, escaping the confines of the Sky Net Array! Jiu Ying's hand trembled, her formation flag cast onto the ground as her gaze swept across to the opposite bank, where Lu Xing Lan and Su Rao stood, watching the scene with smug satisfaction. As for Si Xiao, he had already unleashed a demon-binding gold thread from his waist to pursue the fleeing Han Ba the moment it broke free. Suspended mid-air, the Han Ba was immobilized by the gold thread, emitting sharp, shrill cries. Jiu Ying's complexion darkened, her heart consumed entirely by fury. Si Xiao and his group had utterly no scruples in their pursuit of glory! She looked up, a cold glint in her eyes, her expression growing increasingly grim. While the demon-binding thread could restrain the creature, it couldn’t capture its spirit. She was certain that, given time, the Han Ba would escape once more. Seven pairs of eyes pinned on Si Xiao, awaiting his heroic subduing of the Han Ba all by himself. How ironic, yet how real. Fu Ling climbed ashore, her pallid face as white as paper, eyes locked onto Si Xiao. She couldn’t comprehend how someone could be so vile and shameless. From a prestigious family and a future heir, why resort to such despicable methods to achieve their objectives? It was utterly disgraceful! While drowning in indignation, the situation abruptly shifted. Initially bound by the golden threads, the Han Ba somehow wriggled free and unleashed a burst of phosphorescent flame, knocking Si Xiao from the sky. Just as the Han Ba was about to escape, a cool, low feminine voice resonated by her ear, snapping her back to reality with a simple, melodic call— "Ling Ling!" It was Jiu Ying. Startled for a moment, Fu Ling quickly recovered. Without needing further instruction, she threw the Golden Light Mirror and the demon-suppressing talisman into the air. Under watchful eyes, a graceful figure leapt through the sky, pursuing the Han Ba, vanishing into the vast darkness of the night. Si Xiao underestimated the Han Ba's prowess, assuming all was secure once entangled. Struck by the phosphorescent flames, he fell into the water, entirely incapacitated. Lu Xing Lan and Su Rao, having rescued him ashore, quickly fled, leaving the chaos to the remaining four to resolve. The Water Burst Pearl's power was immense; in moments, it demolished the dam that had safeguarded Dongshan Prefecture for decades. The waters surged upstream and downstream, devastating homes and farmland alike. The destruction unfolded so swiftly, there was scarcely a moment to react. In the dead of night, how could the hundreds of villagers living by the river foresee such calamity? Misfortune is always hard to avoid. Fu Ling had yet to recover when cries for help began echoing through the air. Men and women, elders and children — their calls filled with despair and helplessness. It was heart-wrenching and tragic. The raging waters mirrored a flood, wielding immense devastation upon ordinary civilians. The residents of Dongshan Prefecture, with their limited cultivation, stood no chance against such sudden disaster. As the river surged through the dam, it flooded the village homes with relentless ferocity. In the chaos, someone shouted to "save the people," stirring the four from their daze. Fu Ling's lips quivered, her entire being trembling uncontrollably. Never in her eighteen years had she witnessed such a cruel and tragic scene. So many innocent villagers, in just one night, lost their homes, their lives, even the lives of their closest kin. Is life so cheap? No, it isn’t. Life is the most precious thing in the world. Watching as one ordinary, humble villager after another was swept away by the waters, her pupils contracted sharply. An overwhelming wave of guilt and anger, akin to the rushing river, consumed her, bringing tears to her eyes, turning them red— These kind and simple people of Dongshan Prefecture shouldn't have faced such catastrophe. She turned away, silent tears streaming down her face, each drop mingling with her remorse and self-reproach. Her compassion and empathy, once her purest essence, now felt like a sharp blade stabbing into her heart. The pain was sufficient, and the lesson deep. It was a feeling that would linger with her for the rest of her life. The world is fraught with hardships, and mortals endure eternal sorrow. The conflict between demons and cultivators ultimately embroils those least deserving of harm — the lowest among cultivators. Blinking her eyes, she gained a deeper understanding of earthly suffering, her inner turmoil intensifying. More and more people were swept away by the river, the cries for help growing louder. Zhong Yu Qiao knew this was not a solution and hurriedly summoned Fang Sijian to assist in blocking one of the dam breaches. Yet even with their efforts, it seemed in vain. The waters continued surging, threatening with their unstoppable force. Fu Ling wiped away her tears and suddenly remembered that Zhu Yun's family lived nearby. Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to rescue them, to save the little child who had grown fond of her, but upon seeing how Zhong Yu Qiao and Fang Sijian were barely managing to block one breach in the dam, she had no choice but to ask Fang Yuan Qing to find Zhu Yun's family while she went to help the two men stop the water from overflowing. With the dam destroyed, merely blocking the opening was futile. Standing alone on the riverbank, Fu Ling had one thought in her mind—she needed to save lives and stop all the spilled river water from overflowing. Perhaps sensing this determination, the spiritual essence in her dantian began to circulate rapidly, unconsciously speeding up several times faster than before. The faster the essence circulated, the more spiritual energy it produced. Once the spiritual energy reached a certain level, it could manifest into a physical form. Similar to how the long spear of the Five Horse Piercing Spear was crafted from spiritual energy, Fu Ling intended to manifest not a weapon to harm, but a dam to save lives. She closed her eyes, controlling the speed of the essence's circulation, faster and faster, pushing beyond the limit until the next moment when the speed increased even further. Only in dire circumstances can one's greatest potential be realized. Zhong Yu Qiao and Fang Sijian, striving to block the dam, suddenly sensed a powerful surge of dense spiritual energy in the air, as if several masters at the peak of cultivation were casting spells together. Pausing in their efforts, the two initially thought the dam would again be breached by the river's force, but unexpectedly, this time the pressing current calmed and, once more, flowed back into the riverbed. On the surface of the dam, there stood a white jade wall—majestic and exquisite, with streams of spiritual energy coursing through each jade brick. This miraculous jade wall, appearing out of nowhere, successfully halted the rushing waters. No one knew how it had come to be. When Fang Yuan Qing arrived, she found Fu Ling crouched beneath the jade wall. Hugging her knees, Fu Ling was trembling all over, her hands clenched into fists against her forehead. The wall cast a shadow over her, and with her head bowed, it was impossible to discern her expression. Fang Yuan Qing felt her heart tremble, the chill in the air pervasive. Just as she was about to speak, the girl on the ground lifted her head, revealing a face pale and devoid of color. Fu Ling's cheeks were bloodless, but faint red marks adorned her eyes, nose, and lips, like residual traces of blood. So faint, yet so vividly crimson. Fang Yuan Qing was startled by the sight of Fu Ling. She glanced toward the sky, wondering why Jiu Ying hadn't arrived yet. Amidst the worry, Fu Ling faintly moved her lips and quietly asked, "Yuan Qing-sister, is Xiao Chan still...?" Fang Yuan Qing was there for this very question. Thinking of the three-year-old girl, her heart ached and her eyes reddened before she could respond. Seeing her expression, Fu Ling knew something was amiss. Her eyes welled up, and Fang Yuan Qing's words burst through her consciousness like a shattering stone— "Xiao Chan can't speak. When Brother Zhu found her, she had already been submerged in water, and now she barely has a breath left." "I came to ask if you wanted to see her one last time." As her words faded, Fang Yuan Qing took a handkerchief from her sleeve, wiping her eyes. Poor Xiao Chan was only three, suffering from a throat illness, she'd never spoken since birth. When the flood struck, she couldn't cry or shout. No one knew how she was swept away or how afraid she must have been. Fu Ling opened her mouth, but her throat felt scorched and itchy, as though breathing itself was painful and tearing. She couldn't utter a word. Once the buzzing in her ears faded, she shakily stood, supporting herself on the wall, her eyes red as she finally spoke, "Where is Si Xiao?" She didn’t address Fang Yuan Qing’s question, nor did the grief in her expression fade as if she’d forgotten about Xiao Chan’s dire situation. Her face appeared indifferent, but her voice was laden with profound sorrow. Contradictory emotions that stirred an involuntary sympathy. Stunned, Fang Yuan Qing momentarily lost her ability to respond. Fu Ling stepped forward, her face fully exposed to the moonlight—so white, so cold, yet so beautiful— Just like her senior sister, Jiu Ying. Fang Yuan Qing gasped, visibly shaken by Fu Ling's appearance. She retreated a few steps in confusion, not yet answering the question when a light, chilling, somber voice inquired— "Tell me, where is Si Xiao?" ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ If it weren't almost ten thirty, I could have written two thousand more. Stay tuned to see Fu Ling turn the tables; Xiao Chan isn't dead. 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