96 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

It was evident that Fu Ling wanted to hear some compliments about herself. Having done something she considered right, her heart couldn't help but swell with a bit of pride, and her dark pupils shimmered with a gentle haughtiness. Jiu Ying caught sight of this adorable demeanor, and her heart inexplicably softened. Before she realized it, a faint smile played on her lips. The young girl wanted to hear some words of praise, and given how endearing she looked, how could Jiu Ying bear to deny her such a simple request? She nodded, not hesitating to offer words of commendation, causing Fu Ling's lips to curl up involuntarily. "The Blood Darts are violent, Si Xiao fearfully opposes strength, and those with weak wills easily fall into illusions. Your ability to exploit this weakness in such a short time is truly astonishing. Even I didn't expect you to use this method to avenge the villagers of Dongshan State." While others didn't know how Si Xiao met his end, Jiu Ying saw it clearly; both Si Xiao and the Blood Darts were ensnared by illusions, leading them to self-destruction. The art of illusion could not only deceive the eye with falsehoods, but more importantly, the caster could use this to kill within the illusion, targeting more than one, ten, or even a thousand people at once. Fu Ling's control over spiritual energy and mastery of illusions had reached an unmatched level, a level that even Jiu Ying herself feared she could not rival. As this realization dawned on her, Jiu Ying's gaze softened with admiration, and her praises became even more explicit. "When I first taught you 'Starlit Sky Blaze', it was on a whim. I never imagined you would master it so thoroughly. You must have spent quite some time practicing in private?" Hearing this, Fu Ling's cheeks flushed a faint pink. She bit her lip before lightly replying, "Every technique you taught me, I’ve diligently learned." Without diligent study, how could she hope to keep up with her mentor? Unbeknownst to Jiu Ying, in Fu Ling’s heart, her mentor was her strongest motivation and goal on this solitary and arduous path of cultivation. For some reason, she recalled the early death of Fu Xi, "To approach cultivation with such dedication is truly commendable. No matter what you've accomplished today or the lives you've saved in recent days, you've done remarkably well. Your senior—he would be proud of you from the beyond." Fu Xi was not only Fu Ling’s senior but also hers. In a past life she had squandered her talents, met a tragic end, and not only failed to meet her senior’s expectations but also unleashed the demon dragon he sacrificed himself to seal. Reflecting on this, guilt and regret still gnawed at Jiu Ying. She comforted herself only by affirming that Fu Ling in this life wouldn’t repeat past mistakes, easing her pain slightly. All around, the bustling crowds kept their eyes on Fu Ling. Even if everyone believed Si Xiao was mistakenly killed by the poisoned Blood Darts, merely witnessing her 'Starlit Sky Blaze' was enough to change their views of the pink-dressed girl. The training ground was noisy and bustling; after dealing with Si Xiao's body, the Si family hastily left, seemingly unwilling to linger any longer. Before leaving, Si Ding Yun cast a long look at Fu Ling from a distance. His complexion was notably grim, eyes shadowed with displeasure. Even after seeing Si Xiao fall to the Blood Darts and poisoned water, he remained convinced that Fu Ling was somehow embroiled in the affair. The Blood Darts, weapons bound to him, should have never attacked Si Xiao. Before Si Xiao stepped into the arena, Si Ding Yun, worried about his control over the darts, had smeared his blood on the blades. Hence, the darts should not have turned against Si Xiao. What shocked him more was that when he tried recalling the Blood Darts at the last moment, they disobeyed, as if Si Xiao was their true target all along. Given these anomalies, the affair seemed shrouded in sinister mystery. Si Xiao’s death demanded the truth! Si Yi Guang, leading the Si family’s procession, didn't overthink Si Xiao’s suspicious end but still blamed it all on Fu Ling. After all, were it not for Fu Ling’s provocation, he wouldn't have shouldered the burden of accepting this challenge for family honor. All the misfortune originated from Fu Ling, and for Si Xiao's demise, she must bear the gravest responsibility! The selfish remain forever self-centered, never admitting to mistakes, no matter the consequences, while placing all blame on others. Si Xiao was like that, and so was Si Yi Guang. Today, though the Si family accepted Si Xiao's death, in their eyes, Fu Ling had become an arch nemesis! While Jiu Ying and Fu Ling continued their conversation, many wanted to interject but knew better than to intrude. Lin Yu Miao, clutching his sword, furrowed his brows deeply, a melancholic look on his face. He lent his Ling Xu Sword to Fu Ling, hoping it would aid her in victory, yet throughout the duel, Fu Ling hadn’t once used it against Si Xiao. Evidently, Fu Ling didn’t want to involve him, meaning she never saw him as a true friend. Standing beside him, Jiang Bei Qing observed his dejected state, shaking her head and speaking of her newfound respect for Fu Ling, "Fu Ling is indeed exceptional. I underestimated her before." "A girl like her will undoubtedly have many suitors. If your heart has stirred, you must act quickly to seize the chance. Being close gives an advantage." Lin Yu Miao’s brows knitted tighter, exposed. “There’s no sign she feels that way towards me.” Jiang Bei Qing chuckled softly at his words, "If you don't ask her, how do you know her thoughts? Pursuing a girl requires initiative." Lin Yu Miao sighed, seemingly overrun by self-doubt, "Being drawn to her doesn’t mean I must possess. Back when she dueled Yu Ken at Si’s, she earned Ling Xu Sword’s recognition. Today, she courageously did what neither of us dared. In talent and character, I do not deserve her." Though seen as a prodigy in swordsmanship and acknowledged as the strongest disciple of his generation across the Four Sects, Lin Yu Miao also harbored moments of insecurity. Jiang Bei Qing was surprised, her words faltering, aware that each word he spoke bore undeniable truth. Today’s Fu Ling was still growing; what awaited her could only be brilliance. Just like her senior Fu Xi, who sacrificed himself for peace far beyond the realm’s greatest practitioners at the time. Both felt silent for a moment, then realized the crowd had thickened, no longer spotting Jiu Ying or Fu Ling. Jiu Ying had been speaking with Fu Ling when, without realizing, the girl whisked her away by wind, carrying them to a secluded spot. Away from the throng, the invasive stares and clamor, they were now enveloped in serene quiet. "Why come here? The Sect Master and our seniors are still with the Xuan Ming Sect; we could return with them." Jiu Ying was uncertain why Fu Ling brought her to this lush, green grove until they sat on a tree trunk, and the girl begrudgingly explained, "Wasn't it because… someone was spying on you!" Recalling how Gao Tian Lian kept sneaking glances during their conversation left Fu Ling displeased. She remembered vividly how Gao Tian Lian openly praised Jiu Ying as 'cute' right in front of her, and how Jiu Ying had smiled back at him. Anyone who might take her mentor away or harbored designs on her mentor was not allowed near! The young girl, perturbed, clung to her mentor's arm, idly crumpling dried leaves from the branch above. "Besides, with so many people around, I didn't want them overhearing your compliments. Words of praise from my mentor are meant for me alone." Adorable individuals remain endearing in whatever they do. In Jiu Ying's eyes, Fu Ling was just such a person—adorable no matter what she did. In this solitary place, the chill around them dispersed without a trace, her tone becoming unbelievably gentle. "You got it wrong; Gao Tian Lian wasn’t looking at me. He was watching you." "During your duel with Si Xiao, you cleverly hid your aura with 'Starlit Sky Blaze,' creating a massive fire with just a single flame. Those on the ground couldn’t fathom how you did it, and their curiosity grew. Gao Tian Lian, with a passion for such arts, especially wanted to know. That’s why he kept staring—not at me but hoping to learn from you." Is that how it was? Fu Ling blinked in surprise, feeling a touch guilty recalling how Gao Tian Lian had once lent her the golden robe for escape. Her head lowered, crushing the yellow leaves to fragments before murmuring guiltily, "I thought he still wanted to pester you, that's why I decided to leave." "If he wanted to ask me about techniques, why didn’t he approach? Staring made me misjudge!" The young girl felt distressed, her tone laced more with self-reproach than annoyance. Jiu Ying, seeing her animated expressions, couldn’t help but smile, "Gao Tian Lian has an upright character; he's not the kind to cling stubbornly. That day, when we left without notice, he understood my intentions and therefore won't pursue it further. As for why he hesitated to approach, it might be because of some internal concerns. 'Starlit Sky Blaze' can only be used by a heavenly cultivator, thus it's not part of the Four Sects' techniques. He wanted to consult you but hesitated, much like Fang Girl, simply unwilling to engage in such an impolite act as prying into others' destiny." Fu Ling nodded in understanding. 'Starlit Sky Blaze', with its strange and powerful nature, was not a technique that a small sect like Qingzhu Sect could possess. To those around her, Fu Ling's ability to execute such an impressive move surely hinted at some fortuitous encounter or guidance from a master. As she pondered Jiu Ying's words, Fu Ling noticed something—a subtle clue that slightly shifted her gaze. "Do you know him well, Senior Sister? How do you know he's such an upright person?" That peculiar sense of possessiveness. Not only was she unwilling to let others hear Jiu Ying's compliments, but she also disliked Jiu Ying praising others in her presence. Just like she hadn't wanted Jiu Ying to praise Fang Yuan Qing in front of her. Jiu Ying let out a helpless laugh, her expression filled with warmth and affection, "He lent you the Golden Thread Robe; isn't that proof enough?" "In this world, finding a friend who genuinely cares is rare, and forming bonds with truly honest and kind individuals is even rarer. Lin Yu Miao and Fang Yuan Qing are friends worth getting close to, and Gao Tian Lian and Jiang Bei Qing aren't of poor character either. You don't need to reject them." Fu Ling fell silent, taking a moment before responding, "I'm not rejecting them, I'm just… just…" The heart of a young girl is difficult to pin down, especially when it's tangled with intense emotions, making it even harder to discern one's true feelings. After hesitating for a moment, Fu Ling quietly muttered, "I understand." The person she cared most about was always her Senior Sister. If her sister desired her to bond with them, she would do so. As long as it made her Senior Sister happy and satisfied, she was willing to do anything. A gust of wind suddenly swept through, rustling the leaves atop the old tree. With the matters in Dongshan State resolved, Fu Ling's heart suddenly felt at peace. She linked her arm with Jiu Ying’s, inching closer bit by bit until their bodies were snug against each other. There was nothing uncommon about a bit of closeness between sisters. Leaning her head slightly, Fu Ling rested her head fully on Jiu Ying’s shoulder, a gesture Jiu Ying didn't find odd at all. Their fingers somehow entwined, Fu Ling lowering her gaze to Jiu Ying's hand. Jiu Ying's hands were undoubtedly beautiful; slender, delicate fingers with nails that were translucent with a hint of pink. Even their shape appeared gracefully rounded. Those lovely hands, with palms warm and soft, and the backs smooth and fair, allowed glimpses of blue veins beneath the skin under the sunlight. Fu Ling found herself captivated. She clearly remembered how it felt when those hands held hers, but now she couldn't recall it at all. In that moment, she could not control her actions. Before her consciousness could catch up, her hand had already reached out, gently clasping that beautiful, soft hand. Interlacing fingers, such intimacy. She wondered why her Senior Sister hadn't yet uttered the words ‘I like you’. Was her reliance and affection for her Senior Sister not obvious enough? Was her sister worried she wouldn't accept this sentiment? In her mind, it was Jiu Ying who first fell in love, while she was the one being adored. She hoped Jiu Ying would confess, so things could flow naturally between them. Yet after all they'd been through, Jiu Ying hadn't once spoken of ‘liking’ or ‘loving’. She grew impatient. The more they were together, the closer she wanted to be to Jiu Ying, longing for things only lovers would do— Like the kiss she saw in the illusion. A kiss between her and Jiu Ying. She couldn't deny that the kiss stirred something more than excitement; it introduced a new layer of emotion within her. Just like a child watching others savor candy, even though she hadn't tasted it, she couldn't help but anticipate a day she might do the same. Whenever she was alone with Jiu Ying in quiet moments, her mind would inadvertently drift to that scene of kissing. A scene so vivid it felt as though she had actually done it at some point, making it impossible to forget, and often bringing that kiss to mind. She wanted to try it, to kiss her Senior Sister, or let her Senior Sister kiss her. Another breeze swept by, and neither spoke, soaking in the rare stillness. Fu Ling tilted her head up, gazing with unfocused eyes at Jiu Ying's silent, pursed lips. Her eyes burned with intensity, tracing the elegant eyebrows and finally landing on those thin red lips. The lips that frequented her dreams were now just a whisper away. If she turned her upper body and pressed Jiu Ying against the tree, she could resemble her illusory self, sampling the taste of a kiss. Her heart stirred slightly, her throat suddenly parched, as if caught in an enchanted trance. She moved her right hand onto Jiu Ying’s shoulder. What she desired was something more intimate than hand-holding or hugging, a will heretofore never so intense. She parted her lips softly, drawing a shaky breath, ready to proceed, but before she could apply pressure, a sharp pain burst from her chest, immediately retracting her hand from Jiu Ying's shoulder. A familiar pain, identical to how she felt during the bone-carving in the well, realizing Jiu Ying might have died. The abrupt, excruciating pain made her tremble uncontrollably, draining color from her cheeks. The intimate, tender thoughts flitting in her mind were all swept away. Jiu Ying noticed something amiss in an instant, quickly wrapping her arms around Fu Ling’s waist and gently lowering them to the ground. Fu Ling leaned against the tree trunk, clutching her chest, gasping for breath. Her hands were cold, palms sweated, Jiu Ying holding them, her expression furrowing with concern, "What happened?" Last time this heartache struck, Fu Ling brushed it off as nothing, forgetting to mention it to others. Yet now that Jiu Ying had witnessed it, hiding was no longer an option. Fu Ling raised her head, collapsing into Jiu Ying’s arms, gazing at her with a dazed expression, thoughts drifting to the interrupted kiss, heart swelling with a mix of embarrassment and restlessness, stunned by her own bold thoughts. It wasn’t until the pain in her heart slightly subsided that she shakily shook her head, face flushed, "It's nothing, just a sudden heartache." In such pain, how could it be nothing? Jiu Ying frowned, her lips tensing. She pulled Fu Ling closer, pressing her palm over Fu Ling's chest through her clothes, channeling spiritual energy along Fu Ling’s meridians, only to find nothing amiss. Once the energy reached Fu Ling's core, it vanished, as mysteriously as before. Curious as she was about it, Jiu Ying knew now wasn’t the time to delve into this mystery. Resting against that warm embrace, Fu Ling took time to recover. Holding onto the corner of Jiu Ying's robe, while her face remained pale, her voice was soft, "I’m fine, Senior Sister. Let's go." She didn’t want Jiu Ying to worry, enduring the pain without a sound. The more Jiu Ying reflected, brows knitting tighter. Knowing Fu Ling, she feared pain; how could she react so nonchalantly to sudden heartache? That was not her way. Unless she'd experienced such pain before, even more severe than this. Jiu Ying suspected Fu Ling was hiding something, eyes darkening, but she didn’t ask. She hoped Fu Ling would tell her eventually. They rose from under the tree. Though Fu Ling left the incident behind, seeing Jiu Ying’s worried look, she guessed her Senior Sister was concerned. Her personality had changed considerably, now understanding the need for other perspectives. Considering this, she approached Jiu Ying, taking her arm, pleading for her company to the healer. "Senior Sister, could you come with me to see Elder Hui Ming? If he’s unsure of what ails me, can we head to Jade Spring Hall afterward? I want to check on Xiao Wu as well." Her tone was light as if she was planning an outing rather than seeing a healer. Jiu Ying’s heart ached for her suffering, feeling helpless, yet seeing Fu Ling so mature yet secretive over her condition, unease brewed within her. The Fu Ling she knew was becoming an increasingly unfathomable mystery. After hearing Fu Ling, her demeanor did not improve but darkened further. Ultimately, she blamed herself for her inability to aid Fu Ling. The somber atmosphere did not escape Fu Ling's notice; her Senior Sister seemed upset. Yet, she couldn't pinpoint what exactly might be causing this frustration. Even without knowing the reason, it never hurts to offer an apology. She thought for a moment, gently tugged on Jiu Ying's sleeve, and stopped her in her tracks, "Senior Sister, are you upset?" "I'm not sure why I suddenly felt unwell earlier, but please don't be angry, alright? Ling Ling didn't mean to make you worry." The soft, gentle voice of a young girl was an enchanting sound. As Jiu Ying listened to those words, she found Fu Ling at that moment both familiar and strangely unfamiliar. Images flashed through her mind, including scenes of Fu Ling following her to the human realm to catch demons and earn spiritual stones, as well as Fu Ling waiting outside her room each morning, anticipating their shared early practice. Invariably, they were all memories from three years ago. Jiu Ying lowered her gaze, looking at the young girl beside her, an overwhelming realization abruptly struck her like a boulder shattering beside her ears. The Fu Ling now gently pleading with her not to be angry was almost indistinguishable from the Fu Ling, who three years prior had been entangled in a love curse— Almost no difference at all. ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Thank you to the lovely readers who supported me with votes or nourishment fluids from 2020-11-13 21:21:42 to 2020-11-14 20:47:33~ Thank you to the angel who sent a landmine: 1 from Lu Guo; Thank you to the angels who irrigated me with nourishment fluids: Yi Er San with 10 bottles; Hua Xi with 1 bottle; Thank you so much for your support, I will continue to work hard! Friendly reminder: If you find that clicking to the next page forcibly redirects you to other websites, please use the "Chapter Error" or "Contact Us" links at the bottom to report it, and we will handle it as soon as possible. Thank you for your understanding!