97(proliminary) - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

If it weren't for my mistake, why would my senior sister resist my closeness? The young girl's eyes were slightly red, her words filled with grievance and sadness. Jiu Ying absorbed these words, feeling an even greater pain in her heart. She shook her head, her lips tightly sealed until the girl turned away with a frown. Then, she finally whispered an explanation, "You haven't done anything wrong. It's my fault. I thought you were hiding something from me, which made me lash out for no reason." Fu Ling's expression changed subtly upon hearing this. After a moment of hesitation, she softly replied, "I have nothing hidden from Senior Sister." She turned her back, her face showing a layer of discontent, all her expression speaking of injustice. Jiu Ying watched her like this and couldn't help but sigh. "Was today the first time your heart acted up?" Upon hearing this question, Fu Ling's gaze wavered. She recalled Jiu Ying's inexplicable coldness earlier, which seemed to start right after her sudden heartache. Resolute, she nodded firmly, "It was." A girl in love often becomes sensitive and fragile. With her pure heart and frank nature, Fu Ling wouldn't normally overthink Jiu Ying's questions, nor would she think of lying. In this moment, she suspected more— Not only was she hiding something from her senior sister, but her senior sister also concealed something of particular importance, significant enough to affect their closeness, stripping away the affection and care she received. This was what frightened her the most. Perhaps fearing Jiu Ying's disbelief, she bit her lip and repeated emphatically, "Doesn't Senior Sister know? Lingling is most afraid of pain. If my heart was uncomfortable before, how could I not tell Senior Sister?" She deliberately concealed the truth, her tone and expression sincere as if genuinely upset that Jiu Ying didn't believe her. Such performance made it hard to tell if she was lying. Even Jiu Ying couldn't discern whether her words were true or false. With the situation as it was, she had to consult Hui Ming Elder first. Jiu Ying's heart was increasingly troubled, and she chose not to press further. Once the Forgetting Feelings Gu's effects dissipate, the Heartlinked Gu would drive Fu Ling madly in love once more, just as three years ago. Until Jiu Ying could ascertain Fu Ling's true feelings toward her, she decided to avoid all intimate contact. She turned away, walking several steps in silence, yet no footsteps followed behind. When she turned back, she saw a sad, heartbroken little face, and all the resolve and reason she'd just mustered scattered like sand blown by the wind. She could never be hard with Fu Ling. Seeing the young girl appear so wronged tugged at her heart, fearing the girl would stand there all day if not comforted. A breeze carried away a soft sigh. As composed as Jiu Ying was, she became utterly unprincipled when it came to matters concerning Fu Ling. Though she felt helpless, she couldn't control her actions; even while her mind hesitated, she'd already reached out a hand to the girl. The jade white satin of her palm glistened invitingly in the sunlight. No words were spoken, yet it radiated indulgent affection. Fu Ling looked at the hand, her heart fluttered, fingers moving slightly at her side. Just a moment ago, she wouldn't let me hold her hand, insisted on making me mad first before reaching out—it was infuriating! She silently complained, but joy slowly spread in her eyes. Just like before, any anger she held seemed to vanish the moment Jiu Ying appeared. She was always satisfied easily. A little initiative from Jiu Ying was enough to fill her with sweetness. With such a lovely hand before hers, how could she bear to refuse it? The sun was bright, a gentle breeze rustled, the surroundings silent, as if the world only contained her and her senior sister. No longer hesitating, she finally slipped her hand from her sleeve, lightly placing it into that soft, warm palm. So firmly, without the slightest hesitation— As if she was also giving her burning, passionate heart to Jiu Ying. When they arrived back at Xuanming Sect, most people had dispersed. Xuan Xiu and the others still waited in the training ground. Seeing the two return hand in hand, they were relieved. Fu Yue spotted Fu Ling from afar and waved quickly. Seeing this, Jiu Ying released her hand, "Go on." Fu Ling also saw her aunt calling and, hearing Jiu Ying's words, didn't think much but felt an emptiness the moment her hand was let go. She nodded, glanced back at Jiu Ying before turning to run to Fu Yue's side. The commotion in Eastern Mountain Prefecture had reached everyone, and since Fu Ling's public duel with Si Xiao, the elders of Qingzhu Sect were quite concerned, each having endless words of caution. Jiu Ying's eyes scanned the crowd and quickly spotted Hui Ming Elder. She stepped forward, seizing the opportunity when Fu Ling was occupied with the others to discreetly call Elder Hui Ming aside. After a little discussion, she finally recounted Fu Ling's strange behavior. Regardless of whether it was three years ago or today, mentioning Fu Ling's feelings toward her always made Jiu Ying visibly uncomfortable. How could anyone fall for her? They were so similar, how could Fu Ling like her? She dared not think further and directly voiced her suspicion, "Three years have passed, and since Heartlinked Gu is the most potent love Gu under heaven, could it be that the Forgetting Feelings Gu has lost its effect?" Elder Hui Ming heard this and couldn't help but frown; such a situation was plausible. After all, Fu Ling not only bore the Heartlinked Gu but also had a Desire Gu, both potent. Whether the Forgetting Feelings Gu could still function was uncertain. He nodded, accepting the possibility, "It's not completely impossible." As these words fell, Jiu Ying seemed somewhat relieved, but Hui Ming Elder's next words struck her with terror, dizziness overwhelming her— "If Lingling's heart issues stem from the Heartlinked Gu, there's another possibility: she's truly found someone who moves her." "Only genuine feelings of love can counteract the Forgetting Feelings Gu. When the love Gu activates, the bearer not only suffers relentless heartache but may also recover past memories lost." The thought of Fu Ling potentially falling in love with her filled Jiu Ying with anxiety. She always protected and indulged Fu Ling, wishing to grant her a life of freedom, fulfilling all her demands within her abilities as atonement for past grievances and as protection for her present self. She never wanted Fu Ling to relive her path, never considered that Fu Ling might love her. Elder Hui Ming understood her difficulty and sighed, "Matters of the heart cannot be forced. Before finding the truth, try not to overthink." "The most pressing matter is to determine whether Lingling's heart ailment brought back memories from three years ago." ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Please wait for the next update~ For the previous mention about three heartaches breaking the Gu, this time doesn't count; it's just a precursor. Without the desire in Lingling's heart, the heartache dissipates but the fifth heartache is soon to come!!! Thank you to the little angels who cast power stones or nourished me with nutrient fluids between 2020-11-14 20:47:33 and 2020-11-15 10:30:40~ Special thanks to the little angels who threw mines: Little Sil's Advance, Talentless, and Passing By 1; Thanks to the little angels who nourished with nutrient fluids: koncel with 10 bottles; Thank you all for the support, I will continue to work hard!