99 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Reborn as the Malicious Senior Sister GL – Chapter 99 (Part 1 of 2) Fu Ling felt somewhat upset about the elders of the sect conspiring with her senior sister to trick her into taking medicine. However, seeing Jiu Ying with her emotions so intensely suppressed, all of Fu Ling's dissatisfaction and grievances vanished. She was saddened by her inability to shoulder some of the burden for her senior sister or help her emerge from her pain. She wished to do something, yet realized there was nothing she could truly accomplish. In fact, she came to understand she had never truly known Jiu Ying. As the night deepened, the sparse and dim moonlight and starlight intertwined, layering along the corridor and accentuating the quiet and somber surroundings of the small room. The early spring mountain breeze was still bone-chillingly cold. Feeling the coldness emanating from the soft fabric in her palm, Fu Ling thoughtfully released a trace of spiritual energy, blocking the cold wind blowing in from afar, just as Jiu Ying had once done for her. Now she used the same method to repay the care she had received. The two quietly embraced, undisturbed by anyone else. The girl's soothing was gentle and tender, each movement filled with a heartwarming power of comfort. After a moment, Jiu Ying finally emerged from her guilt-ridden emotions. She instructed Fu Ling that as long as she did her best, excessive guilt and self-blame were unnecessary—a wisdom gleaned from Jiu Ying's own experiences. Unfortunately, while Fu Ling learned this, Jiu Ying herself had not. The jade-like glow piercing through the spiritual energy shield cast a faint, dreamy light on their bodies—beautiful yet ephemeral. Jiu Ying's lips remained tight, and who knows how long it took before she quietly released Fu Ling from her embrace. Her eyes betrayed no emotion, as still as water, and her face was deathly pale, making it hard to sense any vividness of life. Looking at this icy, indifferent face made Fu Ling's heart sting with unspeakable pain. She dared not guess or inquire how many secrets her senior sister harbored to wear such an expression. But she knew one thing—she had to find a way to make her senior sister happy. "Sister, I've been cultivating diligently these days. I'm almost done memorizing 'Calm Mind Incantation,' and in a few days, I can start learning 'Profound Heart Incantation.'" "Sister, don't be upset, okay?" Her sincere concern and unique sweet, clear voice conveyed a bit of cooling relief, flowing through Jiu Ying's heart like a refreshing spring in the scorching summer, instantly washing away all her internal restlessness and misery. She gently parted her lips, silently exhaling, and the weight on her chest dissipated. Meeting the girl's clear and lively eyes, the coldness on her face gradually softened. At least, Fu Ling would never abandon her. She pursed her lips, her gaze becoming much gentler, and almost instinctively, a hand landed on the girl's cheek. Being cared for felt truly wonderful. Even after being reincarnated, and having experienced the agonizing depths of betrayal and exploitation, what she longed for most—the happiness she cherished—was forever the time when, as "Fu Ling," she lived under the affection of the elders in the sect. Those days were as beautiful as they were painful, leaving her with memories she could never erase or dare to revisit. Now, as Jiu Ying, she could no longer return to those times. Yet this Fu Ling of the current life represented the love and concern she'd once craved in her memories—love she herself had lost by her own hand. She blinked, her gaze momentarily clear, and her fingertips lightly brushed the side of the girl's cheek before drawing back. It was like the wind passing by, coming and going without a trace. Such a minor gesture spoke volumes of tenderness and care. Fu Ling sensed the brief softness and coolness on her cheek and, in a daze, lifted her head, catching the faintest lift of Jiu Ying's lips. So cold, so fleeting a smile, yet matched with her cold and exquisite face, it was breathtaking enough to make Fu Ling forget to breathe. Just like when they first met in Gu Yang Town, she was once again awed by Jiu Ying. Her senior sister is truly beautiful— Fu Ling was momentarily lost, quietly whispering to herself. Jiu Ying, unaware of the blush creeping up her cheeks, took a few steps forward, picking up the empty bowl from the ground, and led her toward the medical hut at a leisurely pace. "..." "I have already copied down the 'Profound Heart Incantation.' Once we've subdued the remaining four demons, we can begin memorizing it." "I'll do whatever sister says." "..." Walking side by side, though not holding hands as they would in the past, their bond had undoubtedly become closer. The matters in the Eastern Mountain State had been resolved, leaving only some aftermath to deal with, such as whether the spiritual jade wall should be removed, and what should be done about the homes and farmland washed away by the river. With this trip concluded, Jiu Ying and Fu Ling could only stay another day before departing. Before leaving, Fu Ling stealthily hid Elder Hui Yin's jade cauldron. Without the jade cauldron, no more elixirs could be refined. While everyone was preoccupied searching for the cauldron, Fu Ling quietly slipped away to the medical hut, where she found her third senior sister, Xia Ren, in the herb garden. Springtime in March and April is a crucial period for herb growth, and as Elder Hui Yin's personally trained disciple, the only female cultivator in the Qingzhu Sect with a bit of talent in medical cultivation, Xia Ren naturally took on the responsibility of tending to the herbs. She had been busy weeding and fertilizing and, besides appearing once when Fu Ling returned to the sect yesterday, she spent most of her time in the herb garden and thus hadn't heard about the missing jade cauldron. Having accounted for this, Fu Ling approached her. "Third Sister, Elder Hui Yin's jade cauldron is missing. Do you know where it might be?" Hearing this, Xia Ren put down the herb seeds in her hand, confusion written across her brows. "Jade cauldron? I saw it just this morning in the elixir room. How could it suddenly go missing?" Fu Ling pressed her lips together, feigning innocence. "I don't know either. I heard that Elder Hui Yin left the sect yesterday. Could it be that she took the cauldron with her and forgot to bring it back?" Elixir cauldrons can change sizes, much like how sword cultivators always carry a sword. It was not uncommon for alchemists to take their jade cauldron with them when leaving. Her conjecture was not entirely without logic. Xia Ren nodded, then quickly shook her head. "Elder Hui Yin went to Yuchun Hall, where the jade cauldrons are the finest in the world. She wouldn't need to take her own cauldron there." Xia Ren was unaware of the exact reason for Hui Yin's trip outside the sect, nor had anyone mentioned keeping this from Fu Ling. Without much thought, she shared what she knew. "In that case, I'll search the medical hut again." Fu Ling smiled, though her expression subtly shifted. Having learned what she wanted, she quickly left. According to Xia Ren, Elder Hui Yin and Jiu Ying had gone to Yuchun Hall together. To determine what the medicine from last night was for, only those at Yuchun Hall would know. Afternoon had passed, signaling it was time to depart for the Eastern Mountain State. Accompanying Jiu Ying and Fu Ling were Fang Yuan Qing, Xiao Wu, and members from the Lu and Su families prepared with a bounty of spirit stones and elixirs, alongside Lu Xing Lan, who was to spend the rest of his life repairing the dam in the Eastern Mountain State as compensation. Though he could offer no measure of wealth or compensation for the family members now gone. Jiu Ying and Fu Ling went to meet Fang Yuan Qing at Fuyang Sect, from where the trio, along with Xiao Wu, swiftly traveled to the Eastern Mountain State on the wind. Five days had passed, yet the consequences of the river's broken dam remained visible. Homes and farmland bordering the great river were still submerged and would remain uninhabitable for some time. Cradled in Fu Ling's embrace, Xiao Wu trembled at the mere sight of the river. Just as Fu Ling, unfortunate enough to fall into Mei Lake, Xiao Wu now bore a fear of deep water after her brush with death. Zhu Yun’s family had also relocated. Fu Ling felt a pang for Xiao Wu, quickly leading her away without sparing a glance at the spiritual jade wall by the dam. That was all her spiritual energy—the world's most precious and powerful immortal spirit energy. Anyone who managed to grasp even a fraction would awake laughing with joy at possessing such a treasured talisman. And yet, to her, it lacked any appeal. Jiu Ying and Fang Yuan Qing stood on the dam, gazing at the nearly hundred-mile stretch of spiritual jade walls with deeply complex expressions. Such dense and potent spiritual energy was enough to astonish anyone. The ability to manipulate such an amount to form a jade wall defending against disaster was even more breathtaking. Aside from a celestial cultivator, Fang Yuan Qing couldn’t fathom who in the world could control spiritual energy with this degree of precision. On that night, as she searched for Xiao Wu and Jiu Ying pursued the drought demon, it was Fang Si Jian, Zhong Yu Qiao, and Fu Ling who were left to rescue people at the river. Considering recent events, the creator of the jade walls was now glaringly obvious. And the rumors among the two demon clans about a celestial cultivator and dragon spirit were undeniably true. Fang Yuan Qing’s brows knitted as she sensed the overwhelming potency of the spiritual energy emanating from the jade wall even from afar. She turned to Jiu Ying, her voice tinged with worry. "Fu Ling’s brilliance is not entirely beneficial." "This spiritual jade wall will eventually draw the attention of the four sects and eight clans." "If her identity is revealed, she would face more than just praise and accolades." Even with the duel against Si Xiao and Fu Ling’s stunning victory garnering widespread acclaim, drawing attention. Dual spiritual root cultivators are highly gifted, envied, yet their talents remain within an acceptable range for ordinary individuals. However, celestial cultivators are entirely different. Their superior aptitude in cultivation is like a key, unlocking the shackles of sin and greed in people's hearts without even a struggle. Celestial cultivators are not considered human, merely tools. This sentiment isn't held by just a few—it is widespread among thousands. The tallest trees catch the most wind. Fang Yuan Qing regarded Fu Ling as a true friend, fearing that her brilliance might bring danger, much like what happened with Xuan Xiu and Fu Yue. She had spoken clearly, and Jiu Ying naturally understood, realizing that Fang Yuan Qing had guessed Fu Ling and her true identities. Since it was genuine friendship, there was nothing to hide. Retracting her gaze from the jade wall, Jiu Ying's expression remained composed. "I understand your concern, but one cannot always remain low-key and tolerant. Celestial cultivators are the strongest beings in existence. It’s the people who should fear them, not the other way around—this is not logical." "Fu Ling is still growing. Sooner or later, she will repeatedly reveal her brilliance in this tumultuous world, and her identity will eventually be exposed. Before that happens, I will teach her how to become strong, to have the ability to protect herself." “If, at that time, her strength alone is still insufficient to suppress the evils and desires of the world, I will bond with her, aiding her journey to reach higher and further down the path of cultivation.” A celestial cultivator might be defeated, but one with the protection of a dragon spirit would undoubtedly be invincible. Fang Yuan Qing was convinced by Jiu Ying's words. After a moment's thought, she retrieved the golden dragon scale Jiu Ying had given her from the pouch at her side, intending to return it. For a dragon spirit, a powerful top-tier spiritual creature, forming a bond means losing its most precious freedom. The higher the quality and strength of the dragon spirit, the less willing it is to submit to control by mortals. A golden dragon like Jiu Ying is the highest grade among dragon spirits. Her choice not to bond with Fu Ling indicated her attachment to and yearning for freedom. Once bonded, everything the dragon spirit possesses belongs to the one it’s bonded with, including their scales, which is why Fang Yuan Qing decided to return the dragon scale. Jiu Ying noticed her actions, and before she could hand over the scale, Jiu Ying spoke up. "Since it was a gift to you, this dragon scale is yours." "I have not yet bonded with Fu Ling, and I still have the right to decide where my belongings go. Even if I were bonded with her, she wouldn’t begrudge this one dragon scale given to you." Indeed, Fu Ling was generous enough to let her keep the rare Heavenly Net Array spell—what difference would a small dragon scale make? Fang Yuan Qing realized this, and a smile crept into her eyes. She was pleased, not because she could keep the dragon scale, but because she had such a generous and open-hearted friend as Fu Ling. "You’re right, I was being narrow-minded." As they conversed, they watched the gently flowing river before them, then set off toward the Zhu family together. Xiao Xie had only been away from home for a few days but returned having learned how to speak, much to the joy of his family. Zhu Yun, aware of Fu Ling’s duel with Si Xiao and appreciative of her contributions to the Eastern Mountain State villagers, unexpectedly offered her a treasured family heirloom, a precious sword. How could an outsider accept such a family treasure? Fu Ling refused without thinking, yet Zhu Da Sao insisted, joining her husband in urging Fu Ling to accept the sword. Faced with a couple intent on giving, Fu Ling, a young girl, was overwhelmed, and the sword ended up in her arms before she knew it. "Our Zhu family's ancestors devoted themselves to slaying demons and monsters, producing many monster-hunting masters. This sword is a consecutive ring sword passed down through generations. By the time it came to me, it hadn't been unsheathed for several years. I can't recall its name clearly, but knowing you are righteous and kind-hearted, I'd rather it be in your hands than rusting in Eastern Mountain State. If it can aid you in your pursuit of justice, it will be worth it." Zhu Yun spoke with sincerity, admiration, and gratitude in his eyes as he looked at Fu Ling. Such an earnest request was impossible to refuse. With a hint of reluctance on her face, Fu Ling hesitated but ultimately nodded, accepting the large curved sword wrapped in coarse cloth. She had always been unfamiliar with swords and other weapons and naturally knew little of the sword in her possession. As she sat with the sword at the doorway, a group of children soon gathered around her. When Jiu Ying and Fang Yuan Qing arrived, they saw her and the children attentively studying the large sword, as if trying to figure out how to wield it. It was easy to guess that Zhu Yun must have been the one to give it to her. Fu Ling’s naïve demeanor and cute antics were charmingly attractive. Unaware of her senior sister's approach, she was caught up with the children's prodding, lifting the sword with its handle and playfully swinging it a few times. The moves appeared impressive but were unordered without any real technique, fooling only children. Xiao Xie watched Fu Ling dance with the sword, clapping happily and offering his unclear but encouraging words, "Sister, awesome!" The other kids joined in, clapping along. From afar, the scene was harmonious and comforting. Witnessing the scene, Jiu Ying's expression softened significantly. Although Fu Ling never said it, Jiu Ying knew well that, for someone inherently disinterested in cultivating, no matter how much achievement she gained in cultivation, it would never compare to the simple joy she found in playful moments like these. What Fu Ling truly longed for was a life filled with the peace and serenity of Qingzhu Sect and Eastern Mountain State. Yet often, the simplest desires are the hardest to fulfill. Fu Ling’s unparalleled talents destined her for a lifetime of relentless effort and progress, with no pause. Thinking of this, Jiu Ying couldn't help but sigh. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan Qing, unnoticed, had focused on the sword. After a few closer looks, she recalled the sword's purpose, and a mix of shock and dread spread across her face. Just as Jiu Ying was about to approach, Fang Yuan Qing instinctively reached out, grasping her arm to halt her. "Wait, hold on—" She shook her head, waiting until Jiu Ying stopped before releasing her grip. Perplexed, Jiu Ying, puzzled by Fang Yuan Qing's sudden worried and fearful expression, furrowed her brow slightly, "What’s wrong?" Fang Yuan Qing's gaze remained fixed on the curved sword, and after a moment, her face clouded with concern, "The Monster-Slaying Demon-Banishing Sword, wide-bladed with a sharp tip and hooked rings along the back, binds one ring to subdue each monster, five to banish demons, six to slay phoenixes, and seven—none other than to slay dragons." "The sword in Fu Ling's hand isn't just an ordinary demon-banishing tool; it's specially crafted to kill dragons—a Dragon Slayer Sword." A Dragon Slayer Sword? Even Jiu Ying, hearing those words, felt her heart stop momentarily. In all her two lifetimes, she'd never heard of this world having a sword designed specifically for dragon slaying. "I’ve never heard of it either." Fang Yuan Qing took a deep breath, contemplating before sharing what she knew, "Legend has it, in ancient times, two celestial spirits, one a dragon and the other a phoenix, fell in love and longed for a human life. They chose to fall—one becoming a demon, another a devil. Heavens, in punitive rage, endowed a demon banisher and a devil banisher with divine powers to slay both the dragon and the phoenix." "Their descendants inherited Dragon Slayer and Phoenix Slayer swords, vowing to eradicate all fallen dragon and phoenix spirits." "Who would have thought Zhu's brother was a descendant of dragon slayers—" "Fortunately, the curved sword in Fu Ling's hand hasn’t tasted dragon blood for years and remains unenlightened. It shouldn’t affect you." Hearing this, Jiu Ying furrowed her brows even tighter, casting a wary glance at the large sword. As described by Fang Yuan Qing, there was indeed a ring on the hilt and seven black rings hooked on the back of the blade, exuding a profound righteous aura. While she was a dragon spirit, not a demon dragon, naturally immune to this sword's effects, a sword is indifferent, and compared to ordinary spiritual tools, its purpose for dragon slaying made it inherently more dangerous to her. No wonder Fang Yuan Qing was so concerned. Now understanding, Jiu Ying nodded. Fang Yuan Qing, watching the curved sword, sighed helplessly, then turned to Jiu Ying with a wry smile, making a playful remark, "If Fu Ling knew the sword was a legendary Dragon Slayer, she'd never have accepted it." ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Posting three thousand characters first~ The remaining half will be updated at night~ I'll be releasing two anti-theft chapters (Chapter 100, 101) later, replace Chapter 100 around 10pm tonight, and Chapter 101 tomorrow afternoon. Please wait until the evening to purchase the next chapter~~ --- Fu Ling (Brandishing the sword): Look what great treasure I’ve got. Senior Sister: Oh, are you planning to slay dragons? Thank you to the little angels who cast overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution for me between 2020-11-15 20:36:13 and 2020-11-16 14:35:21~ Thank you to the kind soul who sent two deep-sea torpedoes: Feng Zi. Thanks also to those who sent land mines: Bu Cai and Lu Guo, one each. I am truly grateful for everyone's support! I will continue to work hard!