100 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

After confirming that the Dragon Slayer Saber wouldn't cause harm on its own to the dragon spirit, Fang Yuanqing and Jiu Ying walked together toward the entrance of the Zhu family. Fu Ling was happily playing with a group of children, feeling no embarrassment for her childishness. Seeing their interest in her sword skills, she gladly showcased for them. A delicate stream of spiritual energy flowed from her palm, forming a translucent hand that controlled the large saber, slashing through the air with an imposing demeanor but without causing any real harm. As Jiu Ying moved closer, Fu Ling retrieved the saber, smiling, and handed it over to her companion. "Senior sister, this is the sword given to me by Brother Zhu!" This saber was more than just a weapon; it symbolized gratitude from Zhu Yun’s family and the villagers of Dongshan Prefecture. For Fu Ling, it represented recognition she was eager to share with her senior sister. But little did she know, the saber was nothing but a terrifying instrument of death for her senior sister. Before she could get close, Jiu Ying noticed the remnants of dragon blood on the blade and stepped back, frowning slightly. Fang Yuanqing quickly intercepted. "This is the Dragon Slayer Saber. It is not suitable for Jiu Ying." She spoke with a gentle tone, eyes scanning the blade carefully. Although it hadn't been consecrated, she could tell it was a magnificent sword—a peerless treasure. The Dragon Slayer Saber? Hearing this, Fu Ling froze, her smile fading. Before she could react, Jiu Ying gestured for her to come closer and began recounting the history of the Dragon Slayer Saber. While the two sisters talked, Fang Yuanqing continued examining the saber, hurriedly approaching the Zhu couple passing by to inquire about its origins. It was only then she learned of the Dragon Slayer family's history— Bestowed with divine power and a treasured saber by the heavens, each generation of the Dragon Slayer family would choose the most skilled successor to carry on the responsibility of slaying dragons. Over generations, the number of dragon spirits dwindled, and the possibility of encountering a corrupted dragon spirit became even rarer. Sometimes, not a single demonic dragon could be found for decades, which indirectly led to the decline of the Dragon Slayer family. The Dragon Slayer Saber, a celestial weapon from the heavens, was immensely powerful against dragons and even greater against humans and demons. A man without guilt with a treasure is often sinful. To ensure the safety of later generations, the head of the Zhu family sent the Dragon Slayer and the saber to separate locations. This meant that although Zhu Yun was a descendant of the Zhu family, he was not the family's heir but merely a keeper of the Dragon Slayer Saber. The true Dragon Slayer was someone else. Over time, it was unknown if the current Dragon Slayer was still alive or had left any descendants. As for the Dragon Slayer Saber, it had become no more than a useless rusted steel. After hearing this, Fang Yuanqing had her own suspicions. Perhaps the Dragon Slayer had perished long ago. Otherwise, eighteen years ago when the heavens and the earth were at risk, he should have emerged to uphold justice and slay the demon dragon, instead of watching as chaos wreaked throughout the world. Zhu Yun handed the saber to Fu Ling, hoping it could be put to good use, rather than remain hidden under cloth in Dongshan Prefecture year after year. Not far away, under an ancient tree, Jiu Ying and Fu Ling continued their conversation, transitioning from the Dragon Slayer Saber to the jade wall on the Long Dam. "Lady Fang suggests you remove the jade wall and have the Lu family send more people to repair the dam. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide." No matter how many people the Lu family sent, it would be impossible to repair such a long dam overnight. Removing the jade wall could be fine if the river remained calm, but if the waters raged one day, Dongshan Prefecture’s villagers would suffer once more. Fu Ling thought for a moment before firmly shaking her head, "I’ll reclaim the spiritual energy once the dam is repaired." Jiu Ying understood her concerns and didn’t press further. However, she couldn't help worrying about the spiritual energy depletion affecting Fu Ling within. "Has there been any change in your dantian? Why has all the previously transferred spiritual energy vanished?" Her voice carried a hint of concern, indicating she had never encountered a situation like this before. Even though she had once been the owner of this body, she couldn’t discern its current anomaly. Fu Ling knew her sister’s worries but remained silent. She took Jiu Ying's hand, placing it gently over her own abdomen through the clothing, then controlled the spiritual essence within her dantian to circulate rapidly. Dense spiritual energy pulsed, transferring through Jiu Ying's palm into her body. Though formidable, this water spiritual energy was gentle, swiftly scattering Jiu Ying's dragon spirit energy upon entry. It was clear: this was the celestial spiritual energy Fu Ling had absorbed from the bones. Astonished, Jiu Ying couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Yet before she could figure it out, the water spiritual energy vanished once inside her, transforming into spiritual essence and expelling through her limbs and bones. She realized then— Fu Ling had mastered the technique of converting spiritual energy into essence. This meant that Fu Ling no longer needed to gather Qi or condense spirits in the future; with just a trace of celestial spiritual essence, she could generate endless and boundless celestial spirit energy in her dantian. Even Jiu Ying felt an overwhelming awe at Fu Ling's innate talent. Despite being the same person, this life's Fu Ling seemed to have a completely different understanding of the arts of celestial practice compared to her past self. Undoubtedly, Fu Ling possessed greater fortune. At the root of it, it likely stemmed from Fu Ling's disregard for cultivation ambition. The more one cares, the more they are bound by rules and doctrines; only by truly being indifferent can one gain more. Today, were it anyone else who erected that jade wall, they would have reclaimed the spiritual energy long ago, unwilling to leave such a precious artifact in Dongshan Prefecture—a place poor in spiritual energy and ignored by everyone. Jiu Ying pondered over these points, increasingly aware of the differences between Fu Ling's state of mind in cultivating the Tao compared to her own, and grew more convinced that Fu Ling's future achievements in cultivation would surpass her own. After handling the affairs in Dongshan Prefecture, the three proceeded together towards the western Yinshan. Yinshan, once home to one of the eight families—the Yuan family, was now deserted since the clan's massacre. No one dared venture there anymore. The many rogue cultivators around the foot of the mountain relocated one after another, leaving only three small sects that had once been under the Yuan family's care. Fei Lian, a bloodthirsty creature, brought incessant rain wherever he traveled. The Yuan family perished overnight, with a hundred and eighty people dying, and their blood soaking into the earth, attracting the creature. After the delay in subduing the drought demon, Yinshan experienced non-stop rain for half a month. Nearby small sects were suffering terribly, predicting that if the rain continued, the mountain would collapse. Lin Yumiao and his team arrived earlier, and when Jiu Ying and the others reached Yinshan, only the Tianyun Sect remained at its foot. The disciples of the other two sects had fled two days prior, unable to withstand the relentless downpour. Tianyun Sect was a tiny sect, so small that it had only three members left. They stayed because they had received favors from the Yuan family and, after their tragedy, resolved to remain by the family’s side until all their spirits found reincarnation. Logically, such grateful people would not be of poor character. But when Jiu Ying and Fu Ling witnessed Tianyun Sect disciples tossing Lin Yumiao and Gao Tianlian’s luggage into the rain, they could hardly believe their eyes. Fang Yuanqing, walking with them, also wore an expression of disbelief. Before arriving, Jin Lin had already told her that the four sects would coordinate with Tianyun Sect for accommodation while hunting demons on the mountain. Who could have expected such an incident to occur now? She glanced at Lin Yumiao and then at Gao Tianlian, her gaze finally landing on Jiang Beiqing, drenched in the rain. "Miss Jiang, what is going on? Didn't you arrive here the day before yesterday? Why have you been driven out? Did you clash with the Tianyun Sect?" Jiang Beiqing, known for her fiery temper, was bristling with rage, especially now that her belongings were thrown out into the rain. She turned to glare fiercely at a middle-aged male cultivator standing at the Tianyun Sect’s entrance, anger blazing in her eyes. Jiu Ying and Fu Ling each held an umbrella, stepping forward to shield others from the rain. As Jiang Beiqing's voice echoed through the air, the rain only fell harder. "I don’t know what illness afflicts these Tianyun Sect people. Yesterday they were fine, but today they’ve changed completely. Not only did they steal our treasures, but one even attempted to assault me while I rested. In a moment of fury, I injured that disciple, and now they’ve driven us out!" So that was the reason— Jiu Ying and Fu Ling exchanged looks, both finding it unbelievable. Tianyun Sect, a mere minor sect, now hosted disciples from the four major sects; how could they muster such gall as to steal from them? To make matters worse, Jiang Beiqing was not only a disciple of the Heavenly Hexagram Sect but also the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. That person who dared to commit such indignation against her must have a death wish. Even Fu Ling perceived something peculiar about the situation. Glancing at Lin Yumiao next to her, she asked with some confusion, "Brother Lin, where are your umbrellas?" The torrential rains brought by Fei Lian were mixed with corpse energy, and ordinary paper umbrellas would dissolve quickly when soaked. The umbrellas they brought were specially made by the Four Sects for these conditions. Speaking of this, even Gao Tianlian was infuriated, "Umbrellas? They were stolen last night!" The disciples of the Four Sects came prepared for the mission to subdue the demon. With no one other than the three Tianyun Sect disciples at the foot of the mountain, they stood to benefit the most from subduing Fei Lian. Yet, these three showed no honor, each act more excessive than the last. Jiu Ying was surprised upon hearing this, not expecting them to stoop to stealing umbrellas. Lin Yumiao hadn’t spoken a word, his expression quite gloomy. Fu Ling noticed his odd demeanor as well. Lowering her gaze, she looked at his waist; sure enough, the Lingxu Sword was missing. "Did Brother Lin's sword get stolen too?" Beside them, Fang Sijian picked up a black piece of wood from the ground, quickly wrapped it in black cloth, and answered before Lin Yumiao could, "Not just Brother Lin's sword; all our weapons were stolen." As he spoke, he continued picking up pieces of wood from the water until he held a pile in his arms. Seeing this, Fu Ling quickly went over to help. She picked up a piece to examine it, only to realize with a start that it was a simple memorial tablet, not an ordinary wooden board. It bore the inscription "Yu Xi Shuang," and the realization startled her into stepping back. These crude memorial tablets scattered on the ground clearly bore the names of the deceased Yu family members. The one she held had the name of the fifth Miss Yu. Under the cold, stormy sky, the mountain felt even more lifeless. Holding the memorial tablet filled Fu Ling with dread until Fang Sijian handed her a piece of black cloth, which slightly eased her tension. "These are the memorial tablets of the Yu family. After the massacre of all 180 family members, each of the three small sects was entrusted with sixty tablets. When the other two sects left a few days ago, they entrusted their guardianship to Tianyun Sect. Not even five days have passed, and now all the memorial tablets have been discarded," he explained. The tragedy of the Yu family had already garnered much sympathy, and now, even in death, they were denied the respect due to them. Jiu Ying looked at the discarded tablets with a grim expression. This lifetime's massacre of the Yu family was eerily similar to the obliteration of Qingzhu Sect in the past. She handed her umbrella to Fu Ling and silently helped Gao Tianlian gather the memorial tablets from the ground. After a long while, the group finally managed to tidy things up. The sky darkened as the rain, mingling with corpse energy, lashed like fire against the skin, irresistible even with a spiritual shield. With no place to shelter, and the houses left by the other sects washed away by the rain, only the well-placed Tianyun Sect remained unscathed. After some thought, Jiu Ying proposed the only place where they could spend the night: "We’ll head to the Yu manor." On hearing those words, everyone’s expressions changed. The massacre of the Yu family was a taboo topic among the Four Sects and Eight Families—spoken of only in whispers. The Yu family's patriarch had confessed his fear of retaliation when the demons first escaped from the No Return Valley, declaring the family's vulnerability. Yet, no one heeded his warning at the time. After all, harming the Yu family was tantamount to challenging all the great sects and families. Neither the sect leaders nor the family heads expected the demons to return with such power, showing no fear even when facing sects like Xuanming Sect or the Si family. The Yu family thus became the first casualty in the renewed conflict between humans and demons. Jiu Ying’s suggestion to head to the Yu manor stirred complex emotions among the group. Though they all knew that the Yu manor was likely the only place they could find refuge. After hesitating for a moment, they nodded and followed Jiu Ying's lead. With only three umbrellas among them, Jiu Ying and Fu Ling shared one, while Fang Yuanqing and Jiang Beiqing shared another. Gao Tianlian, Fang Sijian, and Lin Yumiao hesitated to claim the last one. Lin Yumiao seemed irritable, perhaps due to the loss of his sword. Jiu Ying noticed his sulkiness, understanding that his frustration was not just about the theft of the weapon but also the inability to retrieve it. As a divine weapon, the Lingxu Sword had its own consciousness. According to Fang Sijian, their weapons had gone missing the previous night, and by now, almost twenty hours had passed. If the Lingxu Sword had wanted to help Lin Yumiao locate it, it could have sent him some sort of sign. Sadly, it hadn’t. It seemed not to care about its owner’s fruitless search, which was the true source of Lin Yumiao's agitation—the Lingxu Sword never truly considered him as its master. Remembering how Fu Ling had twice achieved oneness with the Lingxu Sword, Jiu Ying intended for her to guide Lin Yumiao. Exchange between cultivators can benefit both parties. She lowered her head and whispered softly into Fu Ling's ear. Fu Ling’s eyes widened in surprise, "You want me to teach Brother Lin about swordsmanship?" She wasn’t even a sword cultivator; how could she possibly show off before Lin Yumiao, considered a prodigious talent in swordsmanship? Jiu Ying shook her head gently, lowering her voice further, "Not swordsmanship. Teach him how to communicate with the Lingxu Sword." Achieving oneness with a sword is a mystical state that requires establishing a link within the sea of consciousness for communication. Although Fu Ling could resonate with the Lingxu Sword, articulating the principles was another matter. Jiu Ying’s intention was twofold: helping Lin Yumiao while subtly pressuring Fu Ling to explore the intricate relationships between cultivators and their artifacts themselves. Through constant reflection during cultivation, one can steadily progress. While the three continued to bicker over the last umbrella, Jiu Ying pulled Fu Ling alongside her. Before Lin Yumiao could decline the offered umbrella, Jiu Ying handed it along with the young girl beside her to him, "Let Lin Yumiao and Fu Ling share an umbrella. Jiang and Fang can squeeze under mine, and the last umbrella can be Gao’s." Unknowingly, Jiu Ying had taken the leadership role in the demon subjugation team. Despite most members’ prestigious backgrounds, everyone quietly accepted her decision. Perhaps the presence of Fu Ling softened Lin Yumiao's demeanor. He glanced at Jiu Ying with an apologetic tone, "Thank you for your kindness. I've already messaged the sect, and I expect more umbrellas will be delivered tomorrow." Jiu Ying nodded, acknowledging his gratitude. As the group of seven trudged through the storm towards the Yu manor, Fu Ling and Lin Yumiao lingered at the back, maintaining a careful distance from the others. Noticing Jiang Beiqing, sandwiched between Fang Yuanqing and Jiu Ying, leaning instinctively towards Jiu Ying as if seeking her presence, Fu Ling felt a surge of jealousy—a sour pang in her heart, almost suffocating her with bitterness. But recalling her sister's advice, she subdued her emotions reluctantly. Though someone of righteous and composed character, Lin Yumiao was tongue-tied when alone with someone he liked. Perhaps, as he admitted to himself, he felt unworthy of Fu Ling, restraining even the slightest irreverent thought. Walking side-by-side, he remained silent, showing no inclination to converse. If not for Fu Ling initiating the exchange, the journey might have passed without a word spoken. Sometimes, being overly righteous can come off as inflexible. Too much inflexibility can lead one to miss numerous opportunities. Glancing at Lin Yumiao, whose face revealed no emotion like a block of wood, Fu Ling inexplicably recalled the match between Lin Yumiao and Gao Tianlian at the Si family's tournament—where Lin Yumiao lost. Jiu Ying had once analyzed his loss, suggesting it wasn’t due to lack of swordsmanship but rather a lack of ruthlessness. Back then, Fu Ling didn’t quite understand that remark. Yet now, watching Lin Yumiao’s placid face, she instantly grasped why he could never reach out to the Lingxu Sword within the sea of consciousness. She bit her lip, unsure if her guess was entirely correct, though she felt it was close. Instead of voicing her suspicion, she said, "Brother Lin, I’ve sensed the Lingxu Sword calling out." Lin Yumiao halted upon hearing this, almost coming to a complete stop. The anger that flared within him dissipated as quickly as it had sparked, leaving no trace. Even knowing his sword was engaging another cultivator in silent discourse, he showed no dissatisfaction. "Where is it? Is it still at the Tianyun Sect?" he responded calmly, which, while expected, still left Fu Ling shocked at his composed reaction. The relationship between a sword cultivator and their sword is as intimate as that between a beast master and their spirit beast. No beast master would allow their spirit beast to follow someone else, and similarly, no sword cultivator would let their sword resonate with another. But Lin Yumiao was an exception. Fu Ling blinked, her suspicion growing more certain. Finally, she broached the real reason why the Lingxu Sword never acknowledged Lin Yumiao as its master—a truth laid bare in that moment: “I don’t know where it is, I only know it seeks a master who desires. Brother Lin, it’s not that you lack the intent to kill, but you lack desire.” “A divine weapon cannot recognize a master who is without desire.” --- The chapter has been updated~ The next chapter will be updated tomorrow afternoon or evening~~~ Successfully hit the word count goal~~~~~~ Thank you to the angels who voted for me or provided nutrient support between 2020-11-16 14:35:21 and 2020-11-16 16:14:57~ Special thanks for the nutrient support to the angel: Chen Guang Xi Wei with 10 bottles; I am deeply grateful for everyone’s support, and I will continue to work hard!