106 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Reborn as the Villainous Senior Sister - Chapter 106 (1/2) Jiang Bei Qing's pupils contracted sharply, leaving her momentarily dazed. When she came to her senses, she found herself already standing before Qin Shu Yu, taking the bamboo skewer from her hand. The sweet scent of honey lingered under her nose, prompting her to swallow involuntarily. She parted her lips and bit into the syrup-coated candy, exerting slight pressure with her teeth, enveloping the entire hard candy within her mouth. It was fragrant and sweet. A taste she cherished. Yet, she still couldn't fully accept Qin Shu Yu's gestures of kindness. The latter had just handed her the candy and then fled, leaving only the words "enjoy it" behind. Such a hasty retreat, not even remembering to leave the skewer behind. Fu Ling picked up a wooden log and fed it into the stove, only speaking once Jiang Bei Qing's silhouette disappeared from the doorway. "What's wrong with Jiang?" Qin Shu Yu stood by the stove, lost in thought, shaking her head after a brief silence. "I'm not sure, she's been quite peculiar since she was little." The syrup continued to simmer slowly, and the next crucial step in making the pastries was to prepare the sugary filling. Qin Shu Yu instructed meticulously, her attitude full of patience. Fu Ling spent quite some time kneading the filling until she managed to grasp the general process. It was her first time attempting pastries, so her skills were understandably raw. After some contemplation, Qin Shu Yu eventually took out a few exquisite molds from her storage stone. "Wrap the filling in the dough, press it into the mold, and steam it in a pot. The sugar-crusted pastry will take the shape of the mold." Fu Ling nodded and picked out the most attractive mold. "What is this?" Qin Shu Yu glanced at it and instantly recognized the design. "That's a mandarin duck." Mandarin duck? Isn't that a symbol of love? Fu Ling's face flushed, and she chose not to inquire further. Her hands moved skillfully as she quickly pressed the dough into the mold. Noticing her unusual reaction, Qin Shu Yu remembered what she had seen upon her arrival, harboring a faint suspicion. The two women worked meticulously throughout the afternoon, finishing the bait needed to lure the creature known as Bai Gu before sunset. There were only two dishes. A plate of braised crab and a platter of honey snow pastries. The crabs were from the human realm, their aroma incredibly enticing after being braised; the honey snow pastries' filling was freshly made, and their sweet smell spread even while cooling. Qin Shu Yu was confident in her culinary skills. She was sure that once Bai Gu caught a whiff of these dishes, it would come regardless of the risk. As dusk fell outside and the kitchen brimmed with the scent of food, Qin Shu Yu set aside three additional portions of crab and pastries besides the bait for Bai Gu. Attracted by the aroma, everyone gathered in the courtyard. Someone suggested, and they used the courtyard's stone slabs to make a simple table. When Qin Shu Yu and Fu Ling emerged from the kitchen, everyone was already seated around the stone table. Gao Tian Lian, seeing them approach, stood up quickly to greet them. "What has Miss Qin cooked? It smells so delicious. If I'm drawn to it, imagine how it must be for Bai Gu." Cultivators traditionally have light appetites, capable of forgoing food once they reach a certain level. Hence, their standards for food are typically modest. He Yu Hen, being younger, also joined in, encouraged by the scene. Lin Yu Miao and Fang Si Jian watched this with smiles, while Jiu Ying and Fang Yuan Qing turned their attention towards the savory aroma. Were it not for Jiang Bei Qing, who sat alone on the courtyard wall, only descending when Qin Shu Yu called out for her, everyone was accounted for. As evening fell, the sky took on a golden hue, with clouds sprawling in rich hues of red and orange. Seizing the moment as everyone feasted on crabs, Fu Ling sidled over to Jiu Ying, presenting her with a steaming pastry. Out of the pastries she made, she had crafted only two mandarin duck-shaped ones. One for herself, one for Jiu Ying. "Senior Sister, I made this myself. Please see if it’s to your liking." In the mystery of youth, all the affection she dared not express was poured into this single pastry. Jiu Ying accepted the offering, the warm golden light driving away the cold aura around her, lending an air of gentleness. Like Fu Ling, she was unaware of the symbolism of the mandarin duck. "What is this?" Naturally, Fu Ling couldn't reveal its significance, and after a moment's hesitation, she came up with a feeble excuse. "A duck, it's just a duck." A duck? Well, it does resemble one. Jiu Ying, fond of sweets, took a bite under Fu Ling's eager eyes. Soft, fragrant, sweet. The meld of sesame and honey left an unforgettable impression. "Delicious." Though just two words, they were enough to light up Fu Ling's face with joy. It was curious; with Jiu Ying, Fu Ling found herself both yearning and easily contented. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze on Jiu Ying bright with a soft luminescence, more captivating than the stars at night. "If you like it, Senior Sister, I'll make it for you every day." Young love is always fervent and intense. A single pastry, or indeed her whole heart, she would willingly offer it up to her beloved. Such earnest and natural promises brought back memories of the smitten Fu Ling from three years ago to Jiu Ying’s mind. As she listened, her expression subtly shifted, and she hurriedly finished the remaining pastry. Meanwhile, Fu Ling was still basking in the delight of knowing her Senior Sister enjoyed her cooking. The moon shone brightly overhead, and soon it was deep into the night. The Three Corpses usually become active after midnight. Having eaten and drunk their fill, everyone waited for Bai Gu's appearance. Gathered around the stone table, finding themselves bored, Gao Tian Lian proposed a showcase of each person's most formidable technique as a practice. Though he suggested it, everyone knew he wanted to see Fu Ling demonstrate 'Starfire Impulse.' Being the proposer, he naturally started first. Three months ago, he had used a Five-Horse Piercer to defeat Lin Yu Miao. Tonight, he displayed the same technique. Reborn as the Villainous Senior Sister - Chapter 106 (2/2) Compared to before, this time the power of his conjured cyan spear was enhanced, its damage greater; as it swung, the piercing sound of the spearhead slicing the cold air was audible. Even Jiu Ying had to acknowledge his significant progress. Lin Yu Miao and He Yu Hen were from the same sect, both sword cultivators. Despite the disparity in their skill levels, they could still use this opportunity for sparring. He Yu Hen was on the cusp of advancing, and Lin Yu Miao intended to aid his breakthrough. She stood him up, the two using tree branches as mock swords, mirroring a set of sword techniques against each other. Although they mirrored each other's moves, He Yu Hen was resigned to defense. The flexibility and dynamism inherent to swordplay were lost, becoming rigidly fixed in his hands, lacking the fluidity required for unpredictability. Each of his moves could be precisely anticipated by Lin Yu Miao. Fu Ling noticed right away; he must be practicing and memorizing moves solely by rote. Swordsmanship's allure lies in its vast variability and adaptability. When one's cultivation is low, studying sword manuals is acceptable, but with advanced skills, one must learn adaptability. Anxious to help but unsure how to articulate her insights, Fu Ling turned to the silent observer beside her, Jiu Ying, who watched the scene with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Fu Ling's grasp of the Heaven's Path techniques was intuitive, yet she lacked formal theoretical knowledge, often able to perceive but not articulate. Jiu Ying, on the other hand, had studied numerous advanced techniques in a past life, many of which she never used, yet she could explain them proficiently. For example, swordsmanship. She glanced at Fu Ling, her eyes twinkling, and without hesitation, spoke in simple terms to illustrate what Fu Ling wished to convey. "The depth of swordsmanship lies in a dynamic and varied style. To create new techniques, you must abandon the manuals." Fu Ling was startled by the words, while He Yu Hen, understanding immediately, remained wide-eyed. Her Senior Sister could still effortlessly read her mind like before. Accurate, harmonious, seemingly telepathic. She felt an inexplicable joy, and by the time she snapped out of it, the sparring had ended. Despite Jiu Ying's guidance, the skill gap was too wide—He Yu Hen still lost, though now with satisfaction. Fang Si Jian and Fang Yuan Qing took the stage next, one demonstrating the prowess of golden spike techniques, the other showcasing the strength of beast mastery. Following such remarkable displays, Jiang Bei Qing felt an unexpected nervousness. With Qin Shu Yu also watching intently, the anxiety bubbled up when it was her turn. Seeing her unmoving, the others grew curious. Only after Fang Si Jian's urging did she press her lips and focus on Qin Shu Yu. "What I need to demonstrate is our sect's exclusive secret technique, the Bone Capturing Method, which requires a partner." The Bone Capturing Method was unfamiliar to most there, except for Jiu Ying. This technique is one of the most profound aspects of the Qi Men Dun Jia, intertwined with principles of metaphysical Feng Shui and Yin-Yang balance. It allows two unrelated individuals to share consciousness, merging their spiritual power and cultivation. Jiu Ying had heard of it because, in a past life, Si Qi had attempted to use this method to siphon her cultivation when she was imprisoned. However, due to their shared consciousness, Si Qi eventually had to abandon the attempt. Clearly, Jiang Bei Qing wanted Qin Shu Yu to be her partner in this Bone Capturing Method. Such an obvious hint did not escape Qin Shu Yu's notice. With so many eyes upon them, she wasn't worried about Jiang Bei Qing causing her harm, yet their relationship wasn’t particularly close, making this slightly awkward for her. After some hesitation, she rose from her seat and slowly approached Jiang Bei Qing. The Bone Capturing technique tests the caster’s skill. As the recipient, Qin Shu Yu didn’t need to do anything. Facing each other, Jiang Bei Qing reached out and, before everyone, took Qin Shu Yu’s hands in hers. The gentle moonlight bathed them, casting a misty glow that enveloped them completely. Jiang Bei Qing closed her eyes, reciting an incantation. As the moonlight intensified, Qin Shu Yu's mind became increasingly muddled. Thoughts and ideas that weren’t hers started darting through her mind, feeling eerily unfamiliar. Before she could grasp what was happening, the chaotic voices vanished, leaving only three words behind— "I'm sorry." It was Jiang Bei Qing's voice. She raised her gaze, meeting the eyes of the woman opposite her. With their eyes locked, the moment was tinged with subtle awkwardness. Just as she thought to look away, the voice in her head returned. Its contents were filled with apologies for all the harsh words spoken in their youth. Was Jiang Bei Qing apologizing to her? Slightly surprised, Qin Shu Yu’s lips barely moved, and the voice quickly responded, "I am apologizing." If you're going to apologize, wouldn't saying it outright be better? Qin Shu Yu couldn't help but smile wryly. Her thoughts were immediately captured by Jiang Bei Qing. She offered her explanation on the matter, "I don't know how to apologize through words, so I’m sharing my cultivation with you. If you’d like, you can use my spiritual energy to do whatever you wish." Spiritual energy and cultivation are a cultivator's most treasured assets. Unsure of how to make amends, Jiang Bei Qing offered the most important thing she possessed. It was indeed a fitting apology for her personality. Qin Shu Yu's lips curved into a faint smile. Just as Jiang Bei Qing had said, Qin Shu Yu suddenly felt a surge of unfamiliar power within her. She extended her hand. Though empty, it was filled with a tangible rush of wind. The sensation was wondrous, unlike anything she had felt before. There was a tall tree before her, its trunk thick and sturdy. She waved her hand, sending the gust from her palm gently against the trunk, causing the tree to sway continuously. No wonder, Si Xiao was so obsessed with power. The thrill of wielding such force and domination was indeed addicting. Qin Shu Yu looked at her hand, a barely perceptible smile playing at her lips. Jiang Bei Qing couldn’t see her smile or discern her thoughts at this moment. Just as uncertainty gnawed at her, a pleasant voice resonated in her consciousness, instantly filling her heart with happiness— "Jiang Bei Qing, I forgive you." ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ Mandarin Duck: Goodness, turns out I'm just a duck! Jiang Bei Qing's straightforward way of apologizing is quite tomboyish, yet somehow endearing, haha. 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