95 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Rebirth as a Malicious Senior Sister GL - Chapter 95 (Part 1/2) Despite Tian He’s swiftness, Jade Spring Hall was desperately far from the Xuanming Sect. By the time Fu Ling arrived, half an hour had already passed. In the Xuanming Sect's training ground, a dense crowd packed the area, and the first trial in a century involving the Four Sects and Eight Families was nearing its end. Fu Ling squeezed to the front with all her might, her gaze fixed intensely on the round platform floating mid-air. Si Xiao, Lu Xinglan, and Su Yao stood silently on the stage, enduring the judgment of all the cultivators present. The patriarchs of the Four Sects and Eight Families sat high in the center of the training ground, each wearing a different expression. Si Xiao’s trouble didn’t appear to rattle Si Yiguang; unlike the heads of the Lu and Su families beside him, whose eyes betrayed deep anxiety. For years, these two had allied with the Si family to maintain their status, learning the hard way that there’s no such thing as a free lunch—they had to pay back any favor received. The Si family supported them for moments like this. Before the Sunland trial even started, Si Yiguang had already devised an escape route for Si Xiao— The three hundred lives lost in Dongshan Prefecture were all attributed to Lu Xinglan and Su Yao’s greed. As for the dam breach, Su Yao was the mastermind, Lu Xinglan the accomplice, and Si Xiao was the only one who tried to persuade them against it. Everyone at the scene knew who the true culprit of the calamity was, yet no one dared voice the truth. Su Yao readily admitted the plan was solely her idea. Lu Xinglan confessed to burying the Water-dividing Pearl in the river. The traces of Si Xiao in this whole affair had been almost entirely wiped away. The only mention of him in Su Yao’s testimony was that he attempted to stop them beforehand but failed. A portrayal of a righteous disciple with pure intentions! Watching this scene unfold, Fu Ling felt a chill spread through her limbs. She had anticipated that Si Xiao would shift blame onto Su Yao and Lu Xinglan, but she had not imagined he could distort truth to this extent. How could someone be so shameless? She couldn’t fathom it, nor did she want to. All she knew in that moment was that she had to kill Si Xiao—not just for the unjustly slain villagers of Dongshan Prefecture but for the last shred of conscience and justice in this cold world. The sunlight was intense, but her heart was so cold. Cold enough that she couldn’t control the anger seething in her chest, her fingertips starting to tremble. At the front, Fang Keyuan had begun announcing the penalties for the trio— The calamity at Dongshan Prefecture was laid at the feet of Su Yao and Lu Xinglan, resulting in their loss of status as heirs of their families. Moreover, as the mastermind, Su Yao carried the heaviest burden of guilt. To atone and to let those three hundred souls rest, she was to be confined at Tian Luo Temple for a decade, reciting sutras daily for the deceased villagers. As for Lu Xinglan, who placed the pearl, he was sentenced to remain at Dongshan Prefecture for life until he repaired the breached dam, thereby repaying his debt to life. On the round platform, Si Xiao remained standing while Su Yao and Lu Xinglan knelt. The outcome was clear—he would face no punishment. Fu Ling lifted her head, sunlight blinding her eyes, but providing no warmth. She forced herself to keep her eyes wide open, scrutinizing each of the three on stage. The surroundings were noisy, filled with murmurs of discontent over the verdict. Her ears buzzed with the cacophony, absorbing none of it clearly. In a daze, it seemed to her that Si Xiao glanced her way with a mocking smile. As if to say—see that? The conscience you cherish is worth nothing. Despite the taunt, her heart remained unperturbed. The burning sunlight left her cold and her pupils stinging. She pulled her gaze away indifferently and was met by numerous familiar faces, seeing Jiu Ying, Lin Yumiaomiao, Gao Tianlian, Jiang Beiqing, and even Si Qi amidst them. Their expressions varied greatly. Her glance locked onto Jiu Ying’s, exchanging a silent understanding through their eyes. The trial concluded, the area burst into chaotic movement as many cultivators started to leave. Si Xiao stepped off the platform, conversing with his father. Clearly, neither of them was concerned about Dongshan Prefecture, their disdainful smiles evident as they spoke. Fu Ling stood quietly in place, watching Si Xiao jest with Si Yiguang. She had thought she’d lose herself in anger, but instead, a cold calm washed over her as the hatred peaked. People began to trickle out, expressing disdain for the Si family and the Eight Families. Si Xiao followed behind Si Yiguang, ready to leave, when a clear voice rang through the crowd, halting him in his tracks, drawing his attention to the young woman who had spoken. "Si Xiao, it’s not over. See what I hold in my hand?" Sunlight bathed Fu Ling, enveloping her completely, making her appear even more delicate and beautiful. She seemed fragile yet immensely powerful, daring to do what no one else had the courage to— She handed Si Xiao a challenge document, one with a signed life-or-death covenant! The flimsy sheet bore a crimson fingerprint, a testament to her resolve to slay Si Qi, her determination to avenge the three hundred lives lost in Dongshan Prefecture. The training ground fell silent; no one dared make a sound. Even Si Yiguang’s eyes darkened with severity. The white challenge document, caught in the breeze, landed precisely in Si Xiao’s hand. Fu Ling’s eyes held no warmth as she pointed at Si Xiao before all present, her lips parting to softly pronounce words that would make the heavens and everything beneath tremble at her audacity! "With the sun as witness, and the heavens as my guide, I—Fu Ling, shall, for all to see, challenge you, Si Xiao, to a duel to the death at dawn!" A duel to the death was an ancient challenge in the cultivation world, reserved for unquenchable vendettas. The outcome of such a duel was predetermined to leave one living and one dead. Fu Ling’s public challenge to Si Xiao was nothing short of provoking the entire Si family. Her intent to kill Si Qi meant facing their ceaseless vengeance. Jiu Ying wanted to intervene but it was too late, as Si Yiguang had already accepted on Si Xiao’s behalf. “Since Niece Fu Ling is so resolved, Xiao, you shall face her.” With so many eyes watching, refusal wasn’t an option without losing their standing as the top family. Fu Ling’s challenge had to be met whether Si Xiao wanted to or not. Si Yiguang might not have known Fu Ling’s true strength, but Si Xiao was painfully aware. Recalling the night he almost perished at her hands, fear flickered in his eyes, his voice shaking slightly as he spoke. “Father, must I truly duel her?” Si Yiguang’s expression darkened at the sound, lowering his voice to reprimand his cowardly reaction sternly. “A mere female at the Great Breakthrough and you’re so scared? Not fitting of a family head! With your prior cultivation level, she’d be an easy kill; moreover, your uncle just helped you advance three days ago. You’re at the Perfected Realm now, even Lin Yumiaomiao of Lingxu Sword Sect may not match you.” “Borrow your uncle’s Tian/xing Blood Lance; with it, even Fu Ling will be doomed here.” “Remember, in tomorrow’s duel, by any means necessary, you must win. If not, don’t bother returning to the Si family.” The Tian/xing Blood Lance was an ancient divine weapon akin to Lin Yumiaomiao’s Lingxu Sword, magnitudes superior to ordinary spiritual weapons. Unlike the Lingxu Sword, the Blood Lance was notoriously violent and bloody; once unleashed, it wouldn’t rest until it drew blood, famed as a deadly weapon feared across the cultivation world and among the demon tribes. Relieved at the prospect of the Blood Lance, Si Xiao’s demeanor relaxed slightly. He understood his father’s words well: victory mattered, not the method. He nodded, a clever smile playing on his lips. “Thank you for your guidance, Father.” Surrounded by murmurs, Fu Ling stood, unknowingly drawing a crowd around her. Jiu Ying, silent and contemplative, was astounded by Fu Ling’s audacity to publicly challenge Si Xiao. She lowered her gaze to the pale, flawless face of the young woman, considering advising her against the duel. But seeing the determination, sorrow, and hatred in Fu Ling’s eyes, she swallowed her words. She knew what Fu Ling needed most was encouragement and support. Jiu Ying sighed softly, her words tinged with worry and helplessness. “How could you make such a significant decision without consulting me?” Fu Ling didn’t know how to respond; she merely turned her head away. She knew Jiu Ying’s nature wouldn’t condone such an action. The silence stretched, before Fang Sijian appeared nearby, offering quiet comfort. "Miss Fu Ling, do not worry. In tomorrow's duel, apart from the Si family, everyone here supports you. The truth of the matter is clear to the world. If Si Xiao does indeed die, the Xuanming Sect will join forces with the other three major sects to ensure your safety thereafter." With these words, it was evident who had leaked the events of Dongshan Prefecture. Fang Sijian wished to do something for the villagers of Dongshan Prefecture but, bound by his position, could only subtly pressure the Four Sects and Eight Families to agree to the Sunlight Trial. Jiang Beiqing, having learned the ins and outs of the situation from others, was equally indignant. While no one was paying attention, he discreetly slipped a yellow talisman into Fu Ling's hands, quietly advising her, "If you find yourself overpowered, there’s no need to endure for the sake of pride. Preserving your life is most important. At a critical moment, attaching this talisman to your chest will instantly teleport you elsewhere. Even if you fail in this duel, no one will fault you. If anyone does, I, Jiang Beiqing, will be the first to deal with them." Fu Ling clutched the talisman, her eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and gratitude, momentarily forgetting to express her thanks. Gao Tianlian, having been rebuffed by Jiu Ying, didn't approach directly, but instead entrusted another disciple to deliver a piece of clothing—legendary for its ability to conceal one's presence and suppress spiritual energy, the Golden Silkworm Concealment Garment. When passing it to Fu Ling, the disciple relayed Tianlian's words, which brought a smile to the faces of the onlookers: "Senior Brother Gao said, aside from its looks and escape capabilities, this garment has no other use. Should Miss Fu Ling encounter danger, wearing it will surely protect her life. As for everything else, there’s no need to worry. It’s admirable enough that you’re standing up for the unjustly killed souls of Dongshan Prefecture." At this moment, Fu Ling was remarkably similar to her father, Fu Xi. In the outer circle of the crowd, Si Xiao had already borrowed the Tian/xing Blood Lance from Si Ding Yun. The black-gold spinning lance was stained with a few spots of crimson, its deep hue and heavy scent of blood evoking unease at a mere glance. Jiang Beiqing and others familiar with its fearsome reputation shared a sense of worry. Even Jiu Ying, upon seeing the blood lance, furrowed her brow in unease. She turned quietly to Lin Yumiaomiao, who hadn’t spoken, and before she could ask, he already knew what she intended, and handed his sword to Fu Ling. There were few divine weapons in the world. At this moment, only his father's Lingxu Sword could contend with the Tian/xing Blood Lance. Fearing Fu Ling might refuse, he gently urged and pushed the sword slightly towards her, "Use this sword." The Lingxu Sword was different from other items. While others offered Fu Ling life-saving tools, the sword was meant to kill. If Si Xiao were to die by the Lingxu Sword, the Si family wouldn’t just blame Lin Yumiaomiao—they could implicate the entire Lingjian Sect. Fu Ling hesitated, biting her lip, reluctant to reach out. Jiu Ying, understanding her dilemma, leaned in to whisper encouragement in her ear, finally allaying her worry enough to accept the sword. "Mr. Lin wouldn’t have offered the sword without his sect elders’ consent. You don’t need to worry too much; at least the Four Sects are behind you in this duel." The two stood so close that Fu Ling could feel the warmth of Jiu Ying’s breath, carrying a faint scent of youthful green plums, brushing by her ear. It was cold yet refreshingly pleasant, sparking an uncontrollable longing. With a subtle thought, she parted her lips, as if hoping to imprint Jiu Ying’s scent in her heart forever. Gripping the Lingxu Sword tightly, her eyes betrayed a mix of nervous anticipation. Finally, she met Jiu Ying’s gaze and asked the question weighing on her heart— "And what about you, Shijie? Do you support me too?" Having outsiders on her side was comforting, but what she truly cared about was Shijie’s opinion. As she prepared to step onto the stage, what she longed for most was Shijie’s encouragement. Jiu Ying gave a small, reassuring squeeze to Fu Ling’s hand, offering her answer through action— "I’ll pass some spiritual energy to you." Some, and yet so much more than just 'some.' Their hands touched, and before Fu Ling realized it, waves of pure spiritual energy flowed from Jiu Ying into her, enriching her essence. Though not as potent as celestial spiritual energy, the Dragon Spirit's energy still surpassed that of ordinary cultivators greatly. Once within her, it blended with the lingering celestial essence in her dantian, converting into spiritual energy akin to celestial spirit as it circulated through her. It was only then that Jiu Ying noticed something unusual. Fu Ling's body seemed like a limitless vessel for spiritual energy—no matter how much was transferred, it remained ever-hungry. The phenomenon was nothing she had witnessed in her two lives. A cultivator’s capacity to store spiritual energy was typically closely aligned with their cultivation stage. Although Fu Ling had absorbed copious celestial spiritual energy before, enhancing her dantian’s capacity beyond normal limits, it shouldn’t have been this extensive—so boundless and unending. Confusion flickered in Jiu Ying’s eyes as she transferred all the energy and softly inquired. "What’s with all that spiritual energy?" Fu Ling understood Jiu Ying’s puzzlement but decided to disclose the matter after the duel due to the many ears nearby. In the distance, Si Xiao leapt onto the platform with the blood lance, waiting for Fu Ling to ascend and the duel to commence. Jiu Ying’s concern lingered, her brow deeply furrowed. Recognizing her worry, Fu Ling turned, offering a reassuring smile. Her pink lips moved subtly under the sun, their words silent yet understood by Jiu Ying— "I can win." At that moment, Jiu Ying realized this was the Fu Ling she had always hoped to see—confident and strong. Just like their father, with a heart for justice, bold and fearless. The Sect’s Grand Competition and her match against Jiang Beiqing had made Jiu Ying’s name renowned; many believed she could carry on Fu Xi’s legacy, but in truth, it was Fu Ling who was truly akin to him. It was she who could become the next Fu Xi. A shiver ran through Jiu Ying’s heart as she recognized their differences. By the time she recovered from this revelation, Fu Ling had already leapt onto the stone platform. On the platform, Si Xiao gripped the blood lance, his stance guarded. Since nearly dying at her hands, he no longer underestimated the girl with Great Breakthrough realm cultivation before him. Their eyes locked until the platform’s barrier enclosed them, prompting both to ready their weapons. A divine weapon held its own awareness. The blood lance, sensing another divine weapon's presence, refused Si Xiao's control, quivering violently as it sought to break free. It wanted to challenge the Lingxu Sword to see who was superior. Battles between divine weapons were, by nature, more ferocious than those between cultivators. The Lingxu Sword, perhaps inheriting Lin Yumiaomiao’s steady nature, remained indifferent to the blood lance's provocation. Witnessing the blood lance’s aggressive advance towards both him and the Lingxu Sword, Si Xiao seized the opportunity to unleash his killing blow. He raised the blood lance, drew upon his energy, and hurled the spinning weapon towards Fu Ling, aiming to end the fight in one strike. But the Lingxu Sword was no ordinary tool. Its prior connection with Fu Ling now allowed it to move independently, becoming a shield steadfastly guarding her. Lin Yumiaomiao watched from below, relieved yet inexplicably melancholic. Despite his expertise and accomplishments in the sword arts, the Lingxu Sword had never acknowledged him. Fu Ling, not even a sword cultivator, achieved harmony with it effortlessly. Were it not for Fu Ling’s own gifting of the sword, it would have returned to her by now. Divine weapons choosing their wielder was a rare event, and although proficient in the sword, Lin Yumiaomiao could not outmatch Fu Ling, a future Heavenly Cultivator, in resonance. The blood lance and Lingxu Sword continued their standoff as Fu Ling launched her attack on Si Xiao. The water spiritual energy Jiu Ying infused within her transformed into water essence in her dantian. When further infused by her lingering celestial essence, it reconstituted as celestial spiritual energy. Like Jiu Ying, Si Xiao also possessed water spiritual roots. Condensing water into ice: the simplest yet most difficult task. Fu Ling stood stationary, yet the ground beneath her feet was instantly covered in a layer of ice. Though Si Xiao reacted quickly, he could not outpace the spreading ice; in just a breath’s time, his legs up to the knees were encased in a thick layer of ice. Chills surged from his feet upward, and despite being shielded by spiritual energy, he couldn’t help but shiver. Si Xiao had known Fu Ling to possess dual water and fire spiritual roots, but he hadn’t anticipated her water spiritual energy to be so formidable. The ice on his legs felt as heavy as thousand-pound iron shackles, rendering him immobile. Seeing Fu Ling approaching, Si Xiao panicked, hastily chanting the incantation to recall the blood lance, cutting through the ice and freeing himself. With no adversary in sight, the Lingxu Sword obediently returned to Fu Ling’s side. Fu Ling had no intention of using it to kill; it served only as a protective weapon. The shattered ice broke into spiritual energy, dissipating into the air before returning to Fu Ling's body. It was only then that Si Xiao realized fear. Even his third uncle, the notorious war god of the cultivation world Si Ding Yun, couldn’t possess such dense spiritual energy. He didn’t understand how Fu Ling managed it, but he knew if he didn’t devise another strategy, he might actually die here today. Gripping the blood lance, Si Xiao produced a puddle of black liquid in his palm, disguising it with the lance’s black coloration so that no one noticed as he smeared the poison onto the weapon. Fu Ling observed his actions; aware that poison now coated the lance and resolved to end the duel swiftly. Although Si Xiao’s cultivation was not low and Fu Ling still bore injuries, the bulk of her celestial spiritual energy had been used to fortify the dam in Dongshan Prefecture. Competing against him in techniques would not guarantee a victory, especially since he wielded the Tian/xing Blood Lance. Yet fortunately, he had a water spiritual root, and the single type of energy Fu Ling had was water spiritual energy. She’d used ice to immobilize Si Xiao earlier purely to instill fear in him. Once a person is disconcerted, they’re more susceptible to illusion. Fu Ling reached out, and the Lingxu Sword fell into her hand. Raising the sword’s point, she imbued it with a wisp of spiritual energy, transforming it into a golden flame that shot straight toward Si Xiao’s vital points. This was a technique Jiu Ying had taught her, called 'Starlight Blaze'. It was a skill only a Heavenly Cultivator could use. Though water suppresses fire, in a Heavenly Cultivator, the five spiritual energies coexist—they fuse over time. Thus, the fire energy of a Heavenly Cultivator doesn't fear water; in fact, it grows stronger in its presence, intensifying into an ever-bright flame. The fire energy, formed from her last trace of celestial spiritual energy, was infused with water essence. If Si Xiao attempted to douse the flame with water, it would trigger the water essence to explode, turning into fire and engulfing every corner of the platform. As she predicted, Si Xiao fell for the trap. Like anyone would, he thought water naturally extinguished fire. Little did he know, in attempting to suppress the golden blaze with purified water, he sealed his fate. The blaze met water, spreading everywhere, and in moments, the platform was ablaze. Everyone below stared wide-eyed, shocked. No one knew what had happened, nor could they comprehend how Fu Ling achieved it. Such a small, seemingly insignificant flame instantly incinerated the spiritual barrier around the platform. And Si Xiao was completely engulfed. The more he tried to quench the fire with water, the fiercer it burned. Fu Ling watched coldly, her face expressionless. Merely using spiritual fire couldn’t kill Si Xiao. And she didn’t intend to burn him to death. No one realized that as the fire spread, it muffled Si Xiao’s spiritual energy, aura, and presence behind a veil of 'Starlight Blaze'. A divine weapon has its own consciousness, which can be both advantageous and detrimental. A weapon as tenacious and violent as the Tian/xing Blood Lance wouldn’t easily submit to a lesser cultivator like Si Xiao. Borrowing a divine weapon beyond control meant risking backlash. Now was the perfect moment to strike Si Xiao down. Illusions can deceive humans, and naturally, divine weapons with consciousness too. The blood lance’s defiance towards Si Xiao provided the opportunity to ensnare it in an illusion. Fu Ling steadily released water spiritual energy from her fingertips, creating an illusion for Si Xiao and the Tian/xing Blood Lance in the midst of the thousands below. She exhaled softly, a gentle breeze carrying her scent towards Si Xiao’s chest. Meanwhile, she concealed her own aura within the flames. Inside the illusion, the blood lance, sensing her scent on Si Xiao, mistook him for her. And Si Xiao, conversely, perceived the blood lance as the Lingxu Sword. To the onlookers, it appeared the blood lance turned rogue, crazily attacking Si Xiao without reason, and Si Xiao frantically dodging. Fu Ling silently calculated the timing. As the blood lance was about to strike, those of high status like Si Yiguang and Si Ding Yun grew restless. Seeing their expressions shift inspired Fu Ling to act; the moment to eliminate Si Xiao had come. She tossed the Lingxu Sword forward, intercepting the blood lance’s fatal strike against Si Xiao. Nobody understood why Fu Ling would save him. In the next moment, Si Xiao believed he held a lifesaving treasure, clutching the Lingxu Sword tightly. Only because in his eyes, the sword wasn’t the Lingxu Sword—it was the Tian/xing Blood Lance loaned by Si Ding Yun. The blood lance, yearning to challenge the Lingxu Sword, enraged by the illusion, mistook Si Xiao for Fu Ling. Seeing him wield the supposed Lingxu Sword in defiance, its aggression only intensified. The ground watched as the lance spun wildly, its attack growing ever frenzied, unclear of what would happen next. Even Si Ding Yun remained clueless about the blood lance’s behavior. A duel to the death, no matter its course, forbade outside interference. Seeing Si Xiao nearly butchered, rules were far from his mind. Though he chanted an incantation to recall the blood lance, it refused, striving to complete its objective—to kill 'Fu Ling' and overcome the Lingxu Sword—stubbornly pressing onwards. Heeding its master’s call, yet unwilling to stop, the blood lance, with its last strength, thrust into Si Xiao’s throat decisively! Si Yiguang was so alarmed he stood abruptly. Meanwhile, Si Ding Yun finally retrieved the blood lance. This duel saw Si Xiao defeated, along with the Si family's reputation. Fu Ling watched Si Xiao collapse, silently retrieving the Lingxu Sword, presenting it before his eyes, demanding he see how he met his fate. “Si Xiao, how does it feel to have the lance pierce flesh and venom flood your veins?” “Look closely—this isn’t your blood lance. It’s my Lingxu Sword.” “The lance attacked you, and despite our duel, I nobly offered the Lingxu Sword to save you. Do you think your father, your uncle, the entire Si family, would thank me?” “It seems laughable, don’t you think? Just as you used the lives of three hundred innocent villagers to create a saintly facade for yourself.” “Every wrong you enacted upon the villagers, I returned in kind.” “Lowly cultivators, all inferior lives—now I return those words to you. Your cultivation might be high, but your character is low. To me, you are the true inferior cultivator, whose death means nothing.” Fu Ling’s lips curled into a smirk as Si Yiguang and Si Ding Yun approached the platform. She rose with the Lingxu Sword in hand. Blood poured from Si Xiao’s deep neck wound, staining the ground. With the poison he had applied to the lance coursing through him, he couldn’t utter a word. Had it been just a wound from the lance, he might have survived longer, but the poison sealed his fate. As Si Yiguang lifted him from the ground, Si Xiao’s lips parted weakly, uttering incomprehensible words before vomiting black blood and perishing entirely. Seeing the black blood, Si Yiguang and Si Ding Yun realized the lance was poisoned. As to who applied the poison, it could only have been Si Xiao himself. Fu Ling stood by, expressionless, unmoved by Si Xiao’s death. Though Si Xiao was dead, the innocent villagers of Dongshan Prefecture would never return. She leapt off the platform, returned the Lingxu Sword to Lin Yumiaomiao, and raced through the crowd back to Jiu Ying. No matter how formidable Fu Ling became, in front of Shijie, she would always remain that girl yearning for praise and encouragement. She lifted her head, unconcerned about the number of onlookers, and boldly reached out to hold Jiu Ying’s hand. Her bright and lively eyes fixated on Jiu Ying’s composed but captivating face, unwilling to glance away. She tentatively parted her lips, softly voicing the simplest of questions. Shy and graceful, much like a young girl bashfully seeking approval from her beloved, every word brimming with anticipation and joy— “Shijie, did I do well?” ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Ahhhh, the character designs are out—check out the cover! If it’s not adorable, feel free to come and berate me! You should definitely be able to tell which one is Fu Ling at first glance, haha (the pose is Shijie comforting Fu Ling, Shijie being rather wooden, even her comfort is cool and detached). Below is a small essay analyzing Fu Ling's character, which you can skip if you like! But the new cover is a must-see! —————— A brief review of Fu Ling’s living environment in this life: Before Shijie appeared: By nature, she wasn’t fond of cultivation and never practiced it. She spent her days in leisure, carefree and unrestrained. Despite her low cultivation, no one ever blamed or mocked her. Though she lost her parents early on, she grew up surrounded by love. Her personality was extremely self-centered, looking out only for herself—pure to the point of selfishness. After Shijie appeared: She went through a less than happy phase, but after growing closer, Shijie doted on her more than anyone else. Shijie taught her important lessons and not to be selfish (as referenced by sneaking out during the sect competition, causing Elder Hui to worry and search for her), taught her to feel shame (as seen in the same event), and taught her gratitude (such as bringing pearls back for the other senior sisters from Meihu Island). Together, she learned numerous life lessons. Her life was, for the most part, extraordinarily simple, surrounded by love, which made her heart purer than most. To her, the world seemed purely beautiful (as evident from life at Qingzhu Sect—lighthearted and unburdened, the sisters would pick vegetables together while Fu Ling played in the sky alone). She had never experienced death or separation personally. Seeing the villagers of Dongshan Prefecture drown shattered her idyllic view of the world and taught her the fragility of peace. It was the first time she wished to change the world and realized the importance of strength. Her compassion had long been apparent; while cultivators all deemed demons evil and believed they must be eradicated, she withheld judgment. She questioned whether demons are inherently evil and whether cultivators are all good. Her understanding of right and wrong was a blank slate, susceptible to persuasion. Had she asked anyone else, they would have affirmed that demons were evil and cultivators good, that demons should be slain. But Shijie, numb to death and perceiving the world clearly, taught her that beings, both demonic and cultivational, are complex. Fu Ling internalized this wisdom, and it guided her in saving the little serpent at the Si family. Xiao Wu's death was the first she experienced of someone close, making her distraught, wanting desperately to save him. The tragedy in Dongshan Prefecture dismantled her beautiful worldview, evoking deep empathy for the villagers. She respected their choice not to cultivate, much like she had once received respect despite not practicing herself (regardless of the reasons behind that respect). With her newfound strength, her compassion for the weak led her to exhaust her spiritual energy in saving lives. This was also her way of attempting to mend the harsh world. Her challenge to Si Xiao was impulsive, but she had the luxury of recklessness; she had power and faith that Shijie would save her; thus, she dared to risk herself for vengeance on behalf of the people of Dongshan Prefecture. Her animosity towards Si Xiao stemmed from his part in tainting her perfect world—a world mirrored by the wholesome Dongshan Prefecture and its kind, welcoming families, similar to the carefree, cultivation-free happiness of Qingzhu Sect, which Fu Ling loved. In the previous life, Shijie never grew into what Fu Ling became, leaving Shijie feeling increasingly distant as Fu Ling progressed in unfamiliar but positive ways. Shijie’s heart held only Fu Ling and the sect, but under Shijie’s care, Fu Ling developed a precious compassion. Thank you to all the little angels who cast votes or infused energy notes from 2020-11-12 to 2020-11-13! Thanks to our lovely voters: Ah Gu, Han Xu, Steal Half a Day’s Leisure (1x); Thanks to our energy angels: Steal Half a Day’s Leisure (10x); Mo Ran Li Shang ◎ (2x); I deeply appreciate your support and will continue to work hard!