101 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

**Rebirth as the Villainous Senior Sister (GL) - Chapter 101 (Part 1)** How can a person have no desires? Hearing Fu Ling's words, Lin Yu Miao instinctively wanted to counter them. He parted his lips, furrowed his brows unconsciously, and a myriad of words crowded in his throat, but he couldn't articulate even a single one. He devised numerous reasons to refute her, but in the end, realized he couldn’t even convince himself. Fu Ling wasn’t wrong—he was indeed a person devoid of desires. From the moment he was born until now, aside from the death of his father, he had faced no other setbacks. His unparalleled talent in swordsmanship earned him the adoration of the elders and the reverence of his peers within the sect. The absence of desire stemmed from never lacking anything. If he wanted the world's greatest sword manual, someone would immediately seek it out for him; if he desired solitude to practice his sword skills, his junior brothers and sisters would never disturb him; when he didn't want to compete with Jiu Ying to subdue the drought demon, the Ling Jian Sect promptly sent Zhong Yu Qiao to the Eastern Mountain State in his stead. Life had been so smooth that even his most basic desires for love and affection slowly faded. For instance, being in the same room with Fu Ling, he clearly knew he had feelings for her, yet upon realizing that she had no such sentiments for him, he lost the intention to initiate conversation. While a part of him was upright, another part was simply cowardly. To put it another way, he feared failure. Life had been too smooth sailing. Once one becomes accustomed to this state, unconsciously, they start avoiding difficulties and end up being a person without desires. No desires meant no ambition, and without ambition, how could there be failure? This applied to his feelings towards the girl he liked and also to his interaction with the Ling Xu Sword. Just by observing Lin Yu Miao's troubled expression, Fu Ling could already guess— He had never attempted to communicate with the Ling Xu Sword. He feared being rejected by the Ling Xu Sword, especially after it resonated with Fu Ling twice. During that trial at the Si Family against Gao Tian Lian, did he want to win? Of course he did. Yet he was clearly aware that Gao Tian Lian’s skills were not significantly inferior. Defeating him wouldn’t be easy. If he approached the trial with a must-win mentality and ended up losing, the disappointment would be unbearable; it was better to convince himself early that "perhaps I might lose," so that whether the outcome was a win or loss, he’d feel much better. Jiu Ying had mentioned his sword lacked killing intent, because deep down, he had no desire to defeat Gao Tian Lian. He had accepted the possibility of losing even before the trial began. How can someone whose sword lacks intention produce killing intent? The rain poured down heavier, and the sky grew darker. Ahead, the silhouettes of five people were gradually obscured by the rain, leaving only vague outlines. The torrential rain rolled off the edge of the umbrella, splattering onto the sleeves, sending chills through them. Recalling her own resonances with the Ling Xu Sword, Fu Ling tried to offer Lin Yu Miao some guidance. The understanding of heavenly principles relied solely on individuals. Such profound states were often beyond verbal expression; more so, they dwelled in the cultivator’s mindset. Cultivating the Dao, one cultivates the way, yet enlightenment resides in the heart. To articulate profound truths of swordsmanship was beyond Fu Ling’s reach. Upon careful consideration, she decided it might be simpler to teach Lin Yu Miao how to ignite desire. Amidst the drizzling sound of rain, a light, pleasant girl’s voice echoed in the air. In just a few words, Lin Yu Miao grasped the truth of swordsmanship principles pursued a lifetime by many sword cultivators. "Brother Lin, I think I understand why the Ling Xu Sword resonated with me." "When I dueled with He Yu Hen, he leveraged his higher cultivation against me, taunting and obstructing me at every turn. I knew I would lose and never aspired to win. Yet even though the outcome was predetermined, it did not impact my mindset even slightly." "So what if I lose? I am not afraid of losing. What I fear is my own cowardice and incompetence disappointing my Sister. He Yu Hen looked down on me, wanted me to suffer and beg for mercy, to strip me of dignity before everyone, but I refused to comply." "Even in defeat, I would face him with my sword drawn; even in death, I would never lay down my sword willingly. In my duel with Si Xiao, the Ling Xu Sword sensed my desire to avenge the Eastern Mountain State villagers, and that’s why it aided me once more.” "Brother Lin, do you understand now? To achieve unity with the sword, mere practice is not enough. The Ling Xu Sword has its own consciousness; how could it willingly accept someone without desires as its master? At the very least, you must prove to it that you are a master worthy of following." Her words were rousing and enlightening. The words struck Lin Yu Miao, as if awakening him from a deep stupor, and within moments, he understood the disparity between him and Fu Ling. Considering his dignity, Fu Ling had not spoken too bluntly, yet how could he not be aware himself? Ultimately, fear of failure left him without fighting spirit. A gust of cold wind accompanied by rain nearly flipped the umbrella out of his hands. Ashamed of himself, Lin Yu Miao struggled internally, and the more time he spent with Fu Ling, the more he realized the vast gap between them. At this moment, he didn’t even dare to look at her directly. Under the oppressive clouds and raging winds, the group pushed forward swiftly and managed to reach the Yuan household before nightfall. Though several days had passed since the massacre, the sinister aura lingering in the air had not yet dissipated. As soon as they stepped into the Yuan residence, a strong metallic scent of blood assaulted their nostrils. Jiu Ying, leading the way, glanced down under the dim light coming from outside and noticed the ground beneath was a deep crimson. It seemed the stench of blood was seeping from the earth. Hundred and eighty people's blood. No one dared to imagine what happened that night. Fang Yuan Qing shut the main hall doors behind them but after taking only a few steps away, a gust of wind swung the wooden door open with a loud bang. The atmosphere was already morose and terrifying, and knowing so many had died in this house only added to the eerie fear Fu Ling felt. She continued walking forward in the darkness alone until the scent of green plums wafted into her nose, soothing her somewhat. The night wind was ferocious, and the door wouldn't stay closed. Fang Yuan Qing tried to shield the mansion with spiritual energy, but the wind and rain, tainted with corpse aura brought by ancient spirits, wouldn’t be subdued. Helplessly, she pressed her weight against the door, finally granting the group a brief moment to rest. Though she wasn't acknowledged by the Fang Family’s matriarch, everyone knew her father, Fang Ke Yuan, was the Grandmaster of the Xuan Ming Sect. Naturally, the two young masters of the Fang Family knew this too. Upon seeing her brave the cold winds alone, Fang Si Jian handed the Yuan family spirit tablets to others and joined her at the entrance. He was her brother, a fact she had never openly acknowledged. With the winds held at bay, Jiang Bei Qing moved to light candles in the corners. As the hall filled with soft candlelight, Fu Ling finally spotted Jiu Ying across the room and immediately followed. Recalling Jiang Bei Qing seeking refuge beside her sister during the storm, her heart felt slightly sour. Thinking of striking a conversation with her sister, Fu Ling hesitated as someone approached, candle in hand. It was Jiang Bei Qing. Earlier, before Jiu Ying and the others arrived in the afternoon, she had endured plenty of rain, leaving her red dress thoroughly soaked and her appearance quite disheveled. Perhaps the chill from the wet clothes was too much, for her face looked exceptionally pale, yet under the flickering candlelight, her stunning features seemed even more striking. Fu Ling stared, captivated by Jiang Bei Qing’s enticing face, struggling to articulate the complex emotions stirring within her—sour, bitter, as if her chest was blocked by a heavy stone, leaving her stifled and pained. “Miss Jiu Ying, do you have any spare clothing? My room was rummaged through by the Tian Yun Sect folks yesterday, and they took my clothes too.” Though not a matter of great consequence, Jiang Bei Qing felt embarrassed bringing it up, her cheeks flushing a light red. A simple request, yet it easily ignited Fu Ling's possessive instincts. Before Jiu Ying could respond, a soft, gentle voice chimed in beside her, marked by an obedient tone. “I brought a few extra outfits with me; Miss Jiang, would you like to wear mine?” As Jiang Bei Qing turned her gaze, she carefully assessed the girl beside her. She and Fu Ling were of similar stature, but because Fu Ling favored dresses Jiang Bei Qing didn’t, she had initially sought help from Jiu Ying. With Fu Ling now offering clothes, she had no reason to refuse. She nodded absent-mindedly. “Thank you very much.” After receiving the clothes, Jiang Bei Qing left alone. Once she disappeared from sight, Fu Ling finally averted her gaze. Unaware of Fu Ling’s inner thoughts, Jiu Ying simply saw her genuine willingness to help and didn’t let the matter weigh on her mind. “The Fang Lady has Red Fire Powder, which can dispel the corpse aura in the wind. Fetch it and sprinkle it on the floor so everyone can fashion a spiritual energy shield against the cold.” “When we arrived, she mentioned there wasn’t much Red Fire Powder left, so be mindful of the amount you use. Do you remember?” While tidying the Yuan family spirit tablets, Jiu Ying gently reminded Fu Ling of her tasks. Her demeanor was serious and absorbed, further captivating Fu Ling’s attention. The young girl, dazzled by beauty, found her sister increasingly charming and, in a moment of daze, responded bashfully, “I remembered.” Fang Yuan Qing and Fang Si Jian leaned against the door, only just managing to hold back the winds from outside, while the remaining members tidied up, trying to create a clean area for rest. Fu Ling acquired the Red Fire Powder, and just as Fang Yuan Qing had mentioned, it was a small vial. Gazing at the white jade bottle, an idea quickly formed in her mind. There were seven people inside, and the Red Fire Powder was insufficient to create individual barriers for everyone; inevitably, two people would have to share a spiritual barrier. Since someone had to share, why couldn’t it be her and her sister? She lowered her head slightly, biting her lip with a soft smile. By the time she returned to Jiu Ying's side, only a small amount of Red Fire Powder remained in the bottle. "Sister, this is all that's left." Her tone was a mix of guilt and a hint of grievance, as if implying she hadn't done anything wrong. Jiu Ying looked into her watery eyes, unable to muster any words of reprimand. She frowned slightly, placed the last spiritual tablet down, took the jade bottle from Fu Ling, and reassured her, "No matter, you and I can share a spiritual barrier." The other five constructed their spiritual barriers, which, with the support of the Red Fire Powder, successfully resisted the corpse aura-infused wind. Fu Ling scanned the hall, spotting a secluded corner near the side door, and quickly pulled Jiu Ying along. "Sister, can we stay here?" For Jiu Ying, the spot didn’t seem great since it was somewhat isolated from the others. She was about to refuse when she happened to catch a pair of expectant, lively eyes, causing her to remain silent and nod. She always found it hard to refuse Fu Ling. Seeing the two settled quietly into the corner, Fang Yuan Qing and Fang Si Jian finally released the door and retreated to their respective spiritual barriers. After a day toiling in the rain, everyone hankered for rest. In no time, the five in the hall fell into deep sleep under their spiritual covers. In the corner, Fu Ling and Jiu Ying were squeezed together. Though physically exhausted, Fu Ling's mind was alert, making it difficult to fall asleep. She didn’t dare move or speak, so she lay with her eyes shut, quietly calming her thoughts, gradually immersing herself in the soft breathing beside her— Jiu Ying's breathing. Light and subtle. Yet, like back at the bottom of the well, she captured it effortlessly. For some reason, she thought again of that kiss. Her lips curled into a silent smile. In this moment, she relished having her sister by her side, contemplating that kiss as her gateway to dreamland. Outside, the wind and rain raged, but inside the spiritual barrier, warmth and comfort reigned. Everyone slept soundly, oblivious to the visitors that arrived outside. “Don’t you two try to stop me; I had a clear view of them this afternoon. Two female cultivators arrived today, and one of them is just my type! I’m taking her tonight!” “Who here besides you craves women? We’re starving here; hurry and see if they have any food on them!” “Stop your bickering! Give me all the treasures off those two female cultivators, and I won’t fight you for them!” The wooden door creaked in the wind as three male cultivators in robes surrounded Fu Ling and Jiu Ying’s spiritual barrier, unaware. The moonlight outside was dim, and the candles inside had long been extinguished. The men spoke loudly, seemingly unafraid of being discovered. The shortest among them almost drooled as he looked at Fu Ling's delicate face. Reaching out, he tried to touch her clothes, but once his fingers brushed the thin spiritual barrier, it rebounded with a loud thud, throwing him back. “Ouch! That hurts!” The other two men, puzzled, also tried but were similarly repelled, joining the short man in a painful heap. Gao Tian Lian suffered the worst as the plump cultivator crashed into his spiritual barrier, shattering it and landing heavily on him, yet he remained asleep. “It’s celestial spiritual energy!” The middle-aged cultivator, who had remained silent, quickly stood, barking orders. “Qing Gu, get me that sword to break through this spiritual shield!” Before the words left his mouth, the plump man produced a long sword from his storage stone — Lin Yu Miao’s Ling Xu Sword. “Bai Gu, Xue Gu, step aside.” Both the middle-aged and the short cultivator retreated slightly, cautiously respecting the Ling Xu Sword. The plump man swung the sword with all his might, and though it was divine, it only left a small gash in the barrier. The three took turns hacking at it, needing dozens of tries before finally prying open a palm-sized gap. The short man lunged eagerly, attempting to grab Fu Ling. However, this time, with a flick, he was once again flung away. The middle-aged man peered closer, realizing it was Fu Ling’s hairpin warding them off. In an instant, he had a plan. He forced his hand through the gap, not touching Fu Ling, yet deftly removing Jiu Ying’s wooden hairpin, imbued with protective charms. "This is a good piece; give it to me!" The plump cultivator hastily wrapped it in a talisman, effectively neutralizing it. With the hairpin gone, the short man tried reaching for Fu Ling once more. This time, learning from his mistakes, he borrowed the Ling Xu Sword, using its tip to unhook her waist belt, peeling away her robe to reveal a small dagger. He flicked the dagger aside with the sword, ensuring she bore no other protective charms, tossed the Ling Xu Sword aside, and reached into the barrier again. The other two, preoccupied with searching, paid no attention to his actions. It wasn’t until the short man's scream echoed in the hall that they realized something had gone awry, hurriedly fleeing without even glancing back at their comrade. Their speed far exceeded human capabilities. Seeing Fu Ling’s disheveled state nearby, Jiu Ying's expression turned murderous. She dared not imagine the consequences if she had awakened even a moment later. “You’re courting death—” Her eyes turned icy cold as she looked at the short cultivator, tightening her grip until his wrist snapped audibly. Just moments ago, it was that hand that had dared disrespect Fu Ling. “Spare me, miss! I’ll never dare again!” The short man pleaded, his face contorted with pain. Jiu Ying’s gaze grew colder amidst his cries for mercy. A seemingly delicate yet intensely potent water-based spiritual aura enveloped him, seeping from her fingers. In an instant, he was cocooned, leaving no room to breathe. To lay hands on Fu Ling meant only one fate! Releasing him, she watched indifferently as the water membrane suffocated him, wishing only for his immediate demise. The girl on the ground remained in deep slumber, clearly drugged. Though she awoke in time to prevent any harm to Fu Ling, it failed to quell her simmering fury. Gazing at the exposed pale skin of Fu Ling’s shoulder, her anger deepened. It wasn't until a child's indignant voice broke through that she snapped out of her rage. “Let me out! Or I’ll kill you! Let me out!” Turning, she discovered a young boy of seven or eight clinging to the short man’s leg, resembling the San Si perfectly! A corpse festering at the feet, fueling lust and joy, it must be the weakest of the San Si—Xue Gu! To think, beneath this ominous mountain lay not one, but two powerful demons! Aside from the flying Li Nian that summoned torrential rains, there was also San Si! Jiu Ying’s brows furrowed as her gaze drifted to Fu Ling’s small dagger. She had pre-emptively studied ancient texts and knew the Three Corpses’ vulnerabilities; the Miao Zhen Spirit Pearl embedded in that dagger was the perfect tool against them. Snatching up the dagger, she swiftly pried the spirit pearl from the hilt, stuffing it into Xue Gu’s mouth before it could break free of the water membrane. The moment the pearl touched its tongue, Xue Gu howled in agony, powerless to retaliate. Seeing it subdued, Jiu Ying released the water membrane. The person possessed, the short male cultivator, had long since passed out. The Three Corpses shared a single body and couldn’t be separated for long; now that she had captured Xue Gu, dealing with the remaining two would be significantly easier. Gently lifting Fu Ling from the ground, Jiu Ying’s face remained a mask of cold fury. The spiritual cover shattered, leaving them exposed to the biting wind. Although unconscious, Fu Ling's body reacted, shivering from the chill, the skin over her collarbone icy to the touch. Jiu Ying reached out, brushing her fingers lightly over Fu Ling’s skin, instantly feeling its smooth, delicate texture. Incredibly soft. Just like Fu Ling herself when she acted spoiled, utterly endearing. Releasing her grip, her fingers trembled subtly, her gaze inadvertently lingering over that perfectly pale skin. Astonishingly, though she was once owner of this very body, she found herself both foreign to and amazed by its beauty. Frowning, she loosened her grip and let it fall once more. For a moment, her entire palm rested over the girl's collarbone. It was cold, but the sensation was surprisingly pleasing. Even Jiu Ying couldn’t resist the alluring touch, momentarily losing herself. When she realized, the soft white skin beneath her hand was already warmed by her own palm. She pursed her lips, her expression slightly awkward. Perhaps she was embarrassed by her own attachment to the feel of Fu Ling’s skin beneath her palm. After all, she believed no one knew Fu Ling's body better than she did. Turning away, she no longer looked at that flawless jade-like skin, instead silently channeling warmth into Fu Ling’s body to drive away the chill within. The events of the night passed like a minor interlude, unknown to anyone else. The San Si demon had dosed everyone with a substantial amount of dispersing powder, so it wasn't until noon the next day that Fu Ling finally awoke. The first sight she saw upon opening her eyes was Jiu Ying’s cool, elegant face. The heavy rain continued unabated outside. She propped herself up on her arms, intending to speak, when her usually cold-hearted sister smiled at her. It was so beautiful, like a dream. "Are you feeling any discomfort?" Jiu Ying's voice was gentle, devoid of any coldness. Fu Ling blinked, rubbing her eyes, and only after assuring herself she wasn’t dreaming, did she shake her head. “Last night, three male cultivators from Tian Yun Sect snuck in and dosed everyone with dispersing powder. It's noon now.” Noon? Fu Ling was startled, glancing outside to see the sky considerably brightened. Just as worry crept in, Jiu Ying’s voice at her side had a calming effect. "I am a Dragon Spirit, the dispersing powder doesn’t affect me much, so I woke up quickly, and nothing happened." Hearing this, Fu Ling visibly relaxed. She lifted her head, noticing a young boy in red lying stiffly in the corner, seemingly lifeless. Familiar though he appeared, she couldn’t quite recall where she had seen him before. "That boy is the weakest of the Three Corpses, captured last night." "The Three Corpses?" Fu Ling finally remembered seeing this demon in the Misty Forest before. She turned to Jiu Ying with eyes full of admiration, her words brimming with praise. “Sister, you’re amazing!” Jiu Ying smiled at her remark, but upon recalling how this innocent girl was nearly taken advantage of, a pang of affection arose, and before realizing, she ruffled Fu Ling’s hair. “All thanks to your spirit pearl.” Fu Ling reached for the small dagger at her waist, noticing the spirit pearl was gone, likely used to subdue the weakest of the Three Corpses. The Miao Zhen Spirit Pearl—hadn’t Jiu Ying given it to her? Thinking of Jiu Ying's words earlier, Fu Ling's face reddened, feeling a bit embarrassed but also immensely pleased by the affection. Looking around the hall, she realized she was the only one awake among the six; the others remained unconscious. Outside, the relentless rain, wind, and corpse aura persisted. The rain water was unusable and undrinkable, so Fu Ling used her water spirit energy to gather some water, washing up before waking the others one by one. Within moments, the others were roused from their sleep. Upon learning what transpired the previous night, their faces showed a mix of shock and horror. Apart from Fang Yuan Qing, no one understood why Jiu Ying was unaffected by the dispersing powder, but since she didn’t elaborate, they refrained from asking. Angry and upset, Jiang Bei Qing stomped over to the corner and gave the boy several hard kicks. Everyone knew she was venting her anger and let her be. As they spoke, two figures appeared amidst the downpour. One tall, one short, both looked strikingly familiar. The taller one was a disciple from the Ling Jian Sect sent to deliver supplies; the shorter, someone nearly misjudged as a threat and almost killed by Jiu Ying—a disciple from Tian Yun Sect possessed by the weakest of the Three Corpses. Both clutched clay jars cautiously, fearful of dropping them. Upon nearing the hall, Fu Ling recognized the Ling Jian Sect disciple as He Yu Hen, who had targeted her several times. Seeing an old adversary, she immediately stopped smiling. Everyone present was aware of the clash between the two, the atmosphere shifting slightly. Lin Yu Miao noticed the tension and hastily explained, "Yu Hen is close to advancing, and the elders wanted him to take this demon capture opportunity to achieve a breakthrough." The higher the cultivation, the harder and more serendipitous the advancement becomes. Subduing demons presented such an opportunity. With his dual spirit roots, He Yu Hen was indeed a top talent, naturally garnering more attention. While everyone sympathized with the elder's intentions, they couldn’t help but worry. Even Jiu Ying discreetly glanced at Fu Ling. He Yu Hen steadily approached, bringing the clay jar into the hall. This area was saturated with corpse aura, tainting the spiritual energy formed by Ling Su, rendering it unclean, let alone adaptable into water. The jars contained fresh mountain spring water, stolen from Yun Tian Sect’s cellar by the short cultivator with He Yu Hen’s help, ensuring everyone had a drink when they awoke. Though familiar with most, He Yu Hen had quarreled previously with only Jiu Ying and Fu Ling. Before they were offered water, Fu Ling seized Jiu Ying’s hand, leading her to the corner. Guessing correctly that He Yu Hen wouldn’t offer them water, she chose to leave voluntarily. Jiu Ying, amused by Fu Ling’s defiant stubbornness, responded with a tone full of indulgence, "You're only bold because you have water to drink." Caught red-handed, especially by the person she most cared about, Fu Ling blushed. Biting her lip, she felt a hint of grievance, “I refuse to bow and scrape before him. Did you forget how he mocked me—” Forget? Impossible. Anyone who hurt Fu Ling, Jiu Ying would never forget. She shook her head, casting a distant, murderous glare toward He Yu Hen in the middle of the hall. “If he tries to harm you again, I won’t let him leave here alive.” Her voice was cold and low, audible only to Fu Ling. Fu Ling understood that Jiu Ying was serious. Such fierce killing intent, reminiscent of their first encounter, felt tangibly terrifying. “Sister.” She parted her lips to speak, yet before she managed, He Yu Hen approached them with the water jar. Jiu Ying's guard rose immediately, shielding Fu Ling subtly behind her. “This is your water—” Perhaps it was the awkwardness of the situation, as soon as he placed the water down, He Yu Hen prepared to leave. Recalling his past behavior and words towards Fu Ling, he felt a twinge of embarrassment, scratching his head before adding, “You dared challenge Si Xiao; that makes you braver than me.” “The water is clean, you can drink it.” As young cultivators, their hearts still harbored pure righteousness. Fu Ling was unaware how her duel with Si Xiao had elevated her as an inspiring figure among the Four Sects’ disciples. Even He Yu Hen, who had once spoken so harshly, was moved by her courage, brimming with admiration. She stared at the water on the ground, struggling to comprehend. Only after He Yu Hen left did she furrow her brow and look to Jiu Ying, bewildered, “Did he just—compliment me?” No one recognized He Yu Hen's arrogance more than she did. She couldn’t believe he’d directly admit someone exceeded him. Her expression was one of confused disbelief, delicate brows knitted tightly, lips subtly parted in shock, casting her as irresistibly cute. Looking at her, Jiu Ying couldn’t help but chuckle gently, responding quietly, “Yes, he was complimenting you, admitting you are stronger.” Even such simple words carried extra warmth coming from Jiu Ying. Fu Ling’s face inexplicably heated up, becoming more self-conscious, especially when Jiu Ying added, “Why blush?” “What you did, everyone wanted but didn’t dare to— and that includes Lin Yu Miao, Jiang Bei Qing, and even myself.” “Fu Ling, remember, you are worthy of every beautiful compliment this world can offer.” The words were spoken like a tender reassurance. Fu Ling’s cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink, and even her ears bore a faint blush. Avoiding the gaze of the beautiful woman in front of her, she clumsily turned to embrace the water jar, her movements awkward and hurried. Jiu Ying knew how sensitive Fu Ling could be; her praise was meant to bolster confidence, yet didn’t expect such a reaction, her lips curving into a tender, slightly helpless smile. A gentle and indulgent smile. Fu Ling still had a long way to go. He Yu Hen, during this visit, following Lin Yu Miao's letter, not only brought umbrellas but also a substantial amount of food. The Three Corpses were comprised of the upper, middle, and lower corpse forms. The Upper Corpses include Qing Gu, who attaches to the head, inducing greed for wealth; Bai Gu, residing in the belly, inciting gluttony and rage; and Xue Gu at the feet, stirring lust and murderous intent. The weapons and treasures of the group had been pilfered by Qing Gu, and the supplies they brought were consumed clean by Bai Gu. Lin Yu Miao and others had not eaten for two days. As they munched on the dry rations, they began discussing the next steps. While Fei Lian could not be let go, capturing the remaining two corpses was paramount. Jiu Ying sat in the middle of the group, with Lin Yu Miao and Fang Yuan Qing on her left, and Fu Ling beside He Yu Hen. Of those present, they were indeed the youngest. “The Three Corpses fear the Miao Zhen Spirit Pearl the most. The one I had was used on Xue Gu, and I’m unsure where the remaining two pearls are.” The Miao Zhen Spirit Pearls are Buddhist treasures, with only three in existence, specifically to counter the Three Corpses. As Jiu Ying finished speaking, Fang Yuan Qing stood up, “Our Fu Yang Sect has one, set into the Demon-Suppressing Staff.” Fu Ling, startled, quickly retrieved the black iron needle Fang Yuan Qing had lent her from her storage stone. When the needle resumed its original size, a red pearl was indeed set at the staff's tip. Fang Yuan Qing extracted the red pearl and handed it directly to Jiu Ying. As for the last pearl, no one knew its location. Silence draped the room as no one spoke further. Outside, the rain pounded furiously, drumming a loud rhythm as it hit the eaves and splattered to the ground. He Yu Hen regarded those present, appearing conflicted, then after a moment's hesitation, revealed the whereabouts of the last spirit pearl— “The last pearl is at the Qin Family, or rather, at the Si Family now.” “I was once acquainted with the young master of the Qin Family and saw him display a red pearl in front of everyone. It was identical to the one on the Demon-Suppressing Staff, probably a Miao Zhen Spirit Pearl.” “He mentioned that the family sent it as a bridal gift for his sister on the day of her marriage to Si Xiao. Now that Si Xiao is dead, I’m unsure if Miss Qin would lend us the pearl.” Qin Family Miss had married into the Si Family only four months before Si Xiao’s death, for which Fu Ling was responsible. It seemed unlikely that she would help under such circumstances. Everyone present was aware of this. Jiu Ying frowned, contemplating for a moment but unwilling to abandon hope. Her gaze swept across the group, finally resting on Jiang Bei Qing, who had been silent. Though the Four Sects and Eight Clans appeared unified, they were in fact divided. The Four Sects were led by Xuan Ming Sect, and the Eight Clans by the Si Family. Over the years, their ideologies diverged, heightening tensions. Jiang Bei Qing was the only one among them connected to both sides— Not only was she a disciple of the Tian Gua Sect, but also a lady of the Jiang Family. She was the sole person likely able to enter the Si Family. “Are you acquainted with the Qin Family Miss?” Jiu Ying asked. Startled, Jiang Bei Qing quickly deduced Jiu Ying's plan. She shook her head, looking a bit troubled, “Not particularly familiar, just acquaintances.” The Qin Family Miss had poor cultivation talent, never joining any sect, and rarely left her home, while Jiang Bei Qing, with her spirited nature, had little in common with her. Jiu Ying’s lips curved slightly, a hint of joy lighting her eyes as she formed a plan. “Acquaintance is enough.” “We’ll go to the Si Family shortly and see if we can borrow the last spirit pearl from the Qin Family Miss.” Fu Ling overheard this and unexpectedly felt a bit vexed. Previously, she only minded men approaching her sister, but upon realizing that women could love women too, she had to guard against them as well. Hearing Jiu Ying's plan to leave with Jiang Bei Qing flooded her with jealousy. --- ***(The rest of the chapter contained thematic notes from the author's log and acknowledgment of reader support.)***