126 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

The skin beneath her fingertips was soft and delicate, with a touch that felt exceptionally gentle. Jiu Ying's expression shifted slightly, momentarily dazed before she remembered to respond, "Looks good." Her tone remained indifferent and restrained, barely betraying any fluctuations. Fu Ling, dissatisfied with the response, bit her lip and leaned in closer, "Does Senior Sister find my face tiresome to look at?" Finally comprehending the situation, Jiu Ying realized Fu Ling was worried about her own appearance. It's natural to love beauty, and in front of someone you like, it's natural to want to present your best side. Realizing this, Jiu Ying couldn't help but smile softly. She withdrew her hand, her eyelids lowering slightly as her gaze fell upon the delicate and beautiful face before her. With fine eyebrows, round eyes, an upturned nose, and rosy lips, the eighteen-year-old girl looked lively and charming. Although it was familiar, this face was a thousand times more beautiful than the one from her previous life. How could she ever get tired of looking at it? This lifetime's Fu Ling was unique and one of a kind. It was impossible for her to tire of looking. She shook her head, pressing her palm against that fair cheek once again, laughing lightly as she spoke words that were just as delightful to hear, "You're so beautiful, I'll never get tired of looking." Such a gentle tone, like coaxing, yet also somewhat teasing. Fu Ling's face turned crimson instantly. The surface of the spring water reflected several glimmers of dazzling light, encompassing the reflections of both of them. The atmosphere was beautifully tender and ambiguous. In Fu Ling's heart, an unsettled seed burst through its confinement, causing those once carefully hidden desires to surge up wildly again. She suppressed her breath, turning her head to escape, not daring to meet those clear, cold eyes as water. At this moment, she was consumed by two thoughts— She mustn't allow the love poison to take effect, and she mustn't let Senior Sister worry. Passion rising, she held back, knowing it would soon pass. Being able to hold hands and embrace was already a great happiness; she shouldn't be greedy for more. Moreover, Senior Sister hadn't truly fallen in love with her. All was quiet around them. Fu Ling pressed her forehead against Jiu Ying's shoulder, and only after her breathing had steadied, did she lift herself from the warm embrace, smiling softly with reddened cheeks, "Senior Sister, you better not lie to me!" She remained that obedient, understanding junior sister who cared for her Senior Sister. Jiu Ying heard this and curved her lips into a gentler gaze, "Mhm, I'm not lying. Our Ling Ling is the prettiest." As soon as she finished speaking, perhaps fearing the young girl wouldn't believe her, she added, "At least, you're much prettier than I was in the past." As memories rolled back, Fu Ling immediately recalled the scenes she'd glimpsed in those dreams— Four giant chains and the woman bound to an icy stone platform. That was her Senior Sister. Imprisoned and tormented beyond recognition. A surge of pain burst in her heart. Following quickly was intense murderous intent and hatred. In this life, she must carve out revenge against Si Qi! Though hatred churned within her chest, she showed no trace of it on her face. She said no more, simply throwing herself into Jiu Ying’s embrace again, tightly wrapping her arms around her slender waist as if seeking protection. Out of nowhere, she uttered an unrelated sentence, "Senior Sister, I'll work hard on my cultivation." Jiu Ying was puzzled, her brows knitting slightly. Before she could express her confusion, the young girl nuzzled her nose against Jiu Ying's neck affectionately, murmuring a promise, "I'll protect you, Senior Sister." ＊＊＊ As Fu Ling had anticipated, Lin Yu Miao calling him “Grandmaster” several more times softened Zhong Yu's stance. Though he still refused to teach him the left-hand sword technique, he allowed him to stay a few more days. By this count, it had been over thirty years since Zhong Yu had left the Ling Jian Sect. During these years, he lived alone in the desert, doing nothing each day but practice his sword. It was an exceedingly monotonous life. Lin Yu Miao, with his fascination for swords, didn't find it boring. But for Fu Ling, after two days there, she finally couldn't bear it anymore. Using the excuse of making a new broom, she dragged Jiu Ying out to the outskirts of the wasteland. They went out in the morning and returned by afternoon. As soon as Fu Ling returned, Zhong Yu waved her over, "Little girl, come spar with me!" Living alone for many years, having three young people around made life more interesting. Zhong Yu’s impression of Fu Ling improved greatly, to the extent that he even considered passing down all his knowledge to her. After all, she might be the only one in this world who didn't need to sever an arm to learn the left-hand sword technique. Unfortunately, Fu Ling had no interest in swords. But since the old master had asked, she naturally wouldn’t refuse. She walked over calmly, without borrowing Lin Yu Miao’s sword, and instead took the curved blade off her back. "Fu Ling isn’t skilled in swordplay, so if we are to spar, let’s do it with blades." Blades are heavy, focused on slashing, while swords are light and agile, focused on thrusting. A blade against a sword was something unheard of. Zhong Yu stroked his beard, a smile glinting in his eyes, "Interesting!" Hearing the two were about to spar, Jiu Ying quickly put down the bamboo strips in her hands and joined Lin Yu Miao to watch. The clash of blades and swords, back and forth. Fu Ling didn't practice sword techniques, nor was she familiar with blade techniques. In combat, she only attacked on instinct, her large blade lacking any discernible pattern. Her attacks were like this, and so was her defense. The curved blade was fierce and imposing, yet wielded by a nimble and graceful woman, it carried a wild energy mixed with an agile elegance. Though her moves were chaotic, they were not lacking in might. As the long sword swooped in, the curved blade's rings jingled. The moment came when her jade arm lifted high, and this time, she successfully parried the blow. Compared to last time, it was an enormous improvement. Zhong Yu withdrew his sword, eyes full of praise, "Little girl, your blade technique is indeed less precise than your swordplay." Sword skills, she had learned a bit from Lin Yu Miao, but blade techniques, Fu Ling had never touched upon. Upon hearing Zhong Yu's words, she didn't get upset. Instead, she smiled broadly, "My sword skills aren't refined because I lack interest; my blade skills aren't polished because I never intended to learn them." "This blade isn’t meant to be a weapon for slaying men, but a sword for vanquishing demons. I’m not interested in learning blade techniques that kill humans—instead, I want to learn blade techniques that obliterate demons." Such bold words from a young person. Zhong Yu laughed heartily, ever more impressed with this bright and spirited young girl before him. "Well said! Certainly has your father's flair!" These words not only surprised Fu Ling but also left Jiu Ying and Lin Yu Miao somewhat speechless. "Senior, do you know my father?" Fu Si had risen to prominence long after Zhong Yu disappeared from the world, so how could they be acquainted? The three of them were confused. Zhong Yu narrowed his eyes, nodding after a brief pause, explaining the background story. "When the demon dragon appeared in the world, my left-hand sword technique was incomplete. Wishing to help but unable to, I gave the Ling Xu Sword to Lin Xuan, who was your father's closest friend at the time. When I gifted the sword, your father was by his side. Naturally, we knew each other." Regarding the Ling Xu Sword, there turned out to be an unknown history to it. Lin Yu Miao was stunned, marveling at the workings of fate. After many years, he found the original owner of the Ling Xu Sword. No wonder Zhong Yu had recognized his identity early on; it was because of the Ling Xu Sword. With a light sigh, before he could speak, Zhong Yu shifted his gaze to Lin Yu Miao, speaking in a tone filled with appreciation, "Lin Xuan had remarkable talent for swordsmanship. After I left the sect, he should have taken my place as the sect leader of the Ling Jian Sect. But his heart wasn’t with it, so he let his senior brother take the position." "If I remember correctly, soon it will be time to choose the next sect leader again. If your hand isn’t injured, the position your father relinquished could have been yours to reclaim." To be sect leader, one had to rank among the top three in the sect. With his right hand injured, unable to even hold a sword, how could Lin Yu Miao compete for this supreme position? The three of them knew he was right, their expressions changing slightly. Jiu Ying remained silent for a long time. Only when the air turned completely quiet did she tentatively voice, "If you feel it’s a pity, why not help Young Master Lin?" "Although I am not a sword cultivator, I know that both sword and Dao cultivation involve precise progression through levels." "Why must one sever an arm? Why can’t the left-hand sword technique be cultivated without it?" "Young Master Lin has great talent for swordsmanship. Why not give him a chance to try? Keeping the right arm doesn't mean he can't achieve great mastery with the left-hand sword technique, but it does give him a chance to compete for the sect leader position." "Then, no matter the outcome, win or lose, he would at least have no regrets later about this matter." Her words were thoughtful and reasonable, each sentence striking with logic. Zhong Yu was momentarily speechless, failing to find a response. He didn’t answer the question but looked attentively at the young man beside him, his gaze full of meaning. The atmosphere grew silent once more. Having said so much, Fu Ling couldn’t understand what Zhong Yu was still apprehensive about. She was about to ask when Lin Yu Miao stepped forward to resolve her confusion— "The lady is only partially correct." "The realm of swordsmanship consists of seven levels. If one trains in the left-hand sword technique, the first six can retain the right arm, but by the seventh, the right hand must be relinquished." "For Lin, if I choose this path, pausing because of an arm is simply not an option." Zhong Yu was obsessed with swordsmanship in his time, and wasn't Lin Yu Miao the same now? It was precisely because he had seen through this, recognizing that his disciple shared the same nature as himself, that Zhong Yu dared not easily impart the left-hand sword technique. Hearing Lin Yu Miao plainly express his determination, Zhong Yu couldn't help but sigh, "I knew it—both you and Lin Xuan share the same temperament." At the mention of Lin Xuan, Lin Yu Miao's eyes darkened. He lowered his gaze, contemplative, and when he raised his eyes again, his resolve was unmistakably firm. "Since Master has discerned this, why still refuse to help me? Master should understand that someone like me, willing to forsake the right hand for a higher swordsmanship realm, shows my determination." With these words, the others immediately sensed Lin Yu Miao's resolved decision to learn the left-hand sword technique. Zhong Yu was shocked, initially unable to respond, especially when a deep, resonant voice further left him speechless, "In chaotic times, without power, one can accomplish nothing. Even if my right hand were uninjured today, I would still desire to learn the left-hand sword technique." "As a sword cultivator, once on the path of the sword, one should not fear anything." "To pursue swordsmanship is a lifelong purpose; not even a hand, nor life itself, matters before the sword." "This statement, Master, you understand its meaning better than I do." These mere four sentences left Zhong Yu astounded. What did he mean by "before the sword, even life is negligible?" After two days of acquaintance, Zhong Yu believed he had some insight into Lin Yu Miao. Never did he expect that this reticent, mature young man would be even more fanatical than he once was. He opened his mouth, his deeply lined face trembling slightly. Only when Lin Yu Miao's plea sounded once more did he snap back to reality, "Please, Master, teach me the left-hand sword technique." Such a sincere request—who could refuse? Zhong Yu lifted his gaze, his eyes slightly moist. In that moment, it was as if he saw his own past self. He opened his lips, seeking confirmation once again, "Once you begin, there is no turning back. Have you truly considered this?" His response was once more the same words— "Please, Master, teach me the left-hand sword technique." With those words, there was no turning back. Lin Yu Miao thus stayed on. They left the desert by the fourth day. Meanwhile, Fang Yuan Qing and the others had already returned to the cultivation realm. Yuan Xi Shuang didn't return to Yu Chun Hall but instead went to the Si family. This was her own choice. After all, she was part of the Eight Clans, and the Si family was the strongest among them, making such a decision understandable. Jiu Ying, curious about her mysterious constitution, remembered her agreement with Jiang Bei Qing. After sending Fu Ling back to Qing Zhu Sect, she finally took advantage of the night to hurry to Tian Gua Sect. The secret manuscript locked in the sect's ancestral hall was difficult to steal. Jiang Bei Qing was troubled about this matter when Jiu Ying handed her a black copper coin. "Use this." Though the moonlight was dim, Jiang Bei Qing recognized it immediately. The coin was the very one that Fu Ling had taken from the shadow causing chaos in the Jiang family— The famed demon clan relic, the Light Shadow Coin. ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ A heartfelt thank you to the little angels who cast their overwhelming support and provided nourishment to me between 2020-12-05 20:56:33 ~ 2020-12-06 15:27:54~ Thank you to the little angels who sent bombs: kaoniurou, Twelve and Tai with 1 each; Thanks to the little angels who nourished with nutrient solution: kaoniurou 50 bottles; Jing Gai 46 bottles; Yun Mu 20 bottles; Back to School www 6 bottles; Blue and White, Little Melon Seed, One Pencil 5 bottles each; Cola 3 bottles; Virus Invasion 1 bottle; Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!