130 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

The joy of receiving such a treasure as the Hollow Cicada Fruit couldn't compare to the surprise brought by seeing her beloved jealous. Fu Ling's lips curved slightly, her bright eyes intensely focused on the woman in front of her, filled with shy curiosity. So, this is how adorable Senior Sister looks when she's jealous, Fu Ling thought. Clutching the wooden box in her hand, she took step after step toward Jiu Ying. The closer she got, the redder Jiu Ying's usually cold and stern face became. Without needing a response, it was clear her guess had been confirmed. Jiu Ying pressed her lips tightly together, refusing to speak. As she watched the young girl approach, she awkwardly averted her gaze. How could she possibly admit to being jealous? Fu Ling had always been closest to her, and it was this trust and reliance that made Jiu Ying assume she was the center of Fu Ling's world. But ever since they went to the human realm, Fang Si Jian had often drawn Fu Ling aside for secret conversations. They would even go out of their way to avoid her, as if afraid she might overhear. She had asked Fu Ling about their talks before, receiving only vague replies. Fu Ling's quick acceptance of Fang Si Jian's gift ignited a possessive flame in her heart. She always thought Fu Ling was possessive—wasn't she the same? Essentially the same person, they shared similar traits in their bones. Except, Fu Ling habitually showed goodwill to people other than her, so she had never realized the depth of her own possessiveness. A gentle breeze rustled, disarraying her hair and creating an aura of purity and refinement as her long hair swayed. Not knowing how to respond, she chose silence. Her cheeks, brushed by the wind, lightened in color. Fu Ling drew closer, regardless of the cold demeanor on that beautiful face, and wrapped an arm around Jiu Ying's slender waist, resting her head on her shoulder. If Senior Sister minded her accepting gifts from others, did it mean she might care about her in that way? She couldn't stop herself from pondering this possibility, her heart beating faster with each thought. Once again, she was embracing Jiu Ying—a familiar position. The idea of kissing surfaced again. The night the passion poison took over, she recalled biting her lips until they bled, but upon awakening, they were as pristine as ever. Evidently, someone had healed her injuries while she was unconscious, to spare her pain. What medicine could work faster than dragon's saliva to heal wounds? Even if the memory of that moment was hazy, she knew Jiu Ying had kissed her long before. Even if it was for healing, that kiss was real. How wonderful would it have been if she had been conscious back then? She'd even endure the agony of the passion poison again if it meant experiencing it while awake. Suddenly, her throat turned parched. She slightly parted her lips and inhaled the faint scent of cold plum, though it did nothing to alleviate the dryness—instead, it sent a tingle to her lips. Yearnings began to stir. Though she had yet to savor the wonders of intimacy, she had already mastered the art of suppressing her desires. In the times Jiu Ying was unaware, Fu Ling held back, again and again. She dared not even mention it because she knew that should she ask, Jiu Ying would acquiesce to any request. Even if it meant a mere kiss or something more intimate, Jiu Ying wouldn’t refuse. They knew each other too well. Perhaps it was for this reason that she never expressed her deeper desires. Jiu Ying cherished her, nurtured her, respected her, and embraced her. For this reason, she would never use love as a pretext to force Jiu Ying into anything disliked. As it was, letting things progress naturally seemed the best outcome. For instance, Senior Sister had already learned jealousy. Just a little more patience, perhaps then Senior Sister would fall in love with her. The mere possibility brought her peace. And with that, those hidden, ambiguous desires floated away, carried by the endless winds. "Senior Sister, I love you so much." Without any lead-in, she declared her love in the simplest way to the one she held dear. The simple statement, full of youthful ardor and directness, disrupted Jiu Ying’s thoughts. How deeply Fu Ling loved her, she didn’t know—perhaps even Fu Ling didn’t know. Retrieving her gaze, an inexplicable warmth flickered within her heart, as if a fire had been ignited. That strange sensation even quickened her pulse. She pressed her lips together, unsure how to respond to the unexpected profession of love, and simply offered a soft affirmation, "Mm." Her feelings toward Fu Ling were far too complex. Deceived by love in the past, she had no understanding of being moved, what liking someone felt like, or how one deeply in love would behave. Facing Fu Ling's repeated confessions, she wanted to say, "I love you too." But she was unclear about what love meant. Her wariness and aversion to romance prevented her from easily pledging love. Even her responses were given cautiously. Lowering her head, her gaze resting on the soft and attractive half of Fu Ling’s face on her shoulder, she felt a twinge of guilt— Fu Ling loved her so much. Unable to dwell on it further, she abruptly averted her head. In the next moment, the girl in her arms seemed to sense her thoughts, obediently and considerately releasing her waist, stepping out of her embrace. Somehow, the one being cherished seemed to have become her. And she, to her surprise, had begun to enjoy this protection. Having lived two lives, she found herself unexpectedly craving the tender affections of daily life, a fact both embarrassing and bewildering. Lost in thought, she felt someone gently hooking her fingers. By the time she returned to her senses, she and Fu Ling were already seated side by side on the cliff’s edge. She still cared about the matter with Fang Si Jian. But before she could bring it up, a soft, clear maiden's voice filled the air, explaining everything plainly— The plan to dethrone the Sijia, reclaim power, kill Tianping, and unite the three tribes. Each word, each sentence was brimming with such ambition, it was intimidating. Even Jiu Ying had never considered such a possibility. No wonder Fu Ling asked her if she supported her uniting the tribes; it turned out to be Fang Si Jian’s idea. Though she knew he was calculative, she was unaware of such grand ambitions. Once Fu Ling laid everything bare, Jiu Ying finally calmed down to contemplate the feasibility of the plan. She wasn't someone who craved power, never one to place value on lineage or status. The love her parents had shown her, along with Jiu Ying's teachings, subconsciously magnified the goodness in her heart a thousandfold. Fighting demons, saving people, killing Si Xiao, all were efforts to preserve the peaceful world her father exchanged his life for. She wanted to protect everyone. That included her kin and friends and those unable to protect themselves. Such compassion and goodwill were pure and beautiful. Jiu Ying’s heart stirred slightly, an inexplicable warmth rose within. In both her past and present lives, she had never experienced such a universal compassion, but since it was Fu Ling’s wish, she was willing to guard it willingly and unconditionally. She smiled, her expression softening, eyebrows easing, eyes gentle with indulgence, “This is not a dream.” “What Fang Si Jian proposed, it’s possible.” “As long as you wish it, I will help you achieve it.” Fu Ling was surprised to hear such encouraging words, her face full of delight. Before she could fully react, a cold, pale hand rested on her shoulder, pulling her into a warm embrace. By her ear came a harmonious and enchanting feminine voice, “Ling Ling, always remember, no matter what you want to do, I will support you.” Jiu Ying’s heart was small and cold, small enough to only contain Fu Ling and cold enough to only care for the ones near her; Fu Ling's heart was vast and warm, vast enough to embrace the whole world and warm enough to sympathize with all who suffered. For Fu Ling, she was willing to change— Fu Ling would protect the weak, and she would protect Fu Ling. *** Receiving such a grand gift necessitated a personal visit to express gratitude. As it happened, Yuan Xi Shuang had been staying at the Xuanming Sect for half a month, and it was a good chance to check on her. When Jiu Ying and Fu Ling found Fang Si Jian, he was in his room counting spirit stones. Truly, the descendants of prominent sects were wealthy. The pile of spirit stones nearly filled the corner of the room. Fang Si Jian was aware that Fu Ling accepted his Hollow Cicada Fruit, so he made no effort to conceal the wealth. He graciously welcomed them into the room and even explained the purpose of those spirit stones, “A few days ago I met a new friend, and we started a small business together; this is the capital.” New friend? Business? Fu Ling listened with curiosity. Fang Si Jian smiled, seeming a bit embarrassed, “The business has just started; once it takes off, I will certainly inform both of you.” As the three chatted within the room, Gao Tian Lian arrived from the rear mountain’s ice spring with two White Lingzhi in hand. As he passed through the courtyard, he noticed the strolling Yuan Xi Shuang. They were relatively familiar with one another, exchanged nods as a greeting. Just as he reached the courtyard's gate, a voice halted him in his tracks. "Gao Tian Lian, has the sect received guests?" The White Lingzhi grew near the ice spring, with a growth cycle of two months. Absorbing the spiritual energy from the spring daily, they grew large and robust, possessing high medicinal value. These past few days marked their maturity, and yesterday Fang Ke Yuan sent four of them to Yuan Xi Shuang, suggesting she use them to replenish her vitality. Seeing Gao Tian Lian carrying Lingzhi out, her curiosity was piqued. After all, such rare treasures meant that each inner sect disciple could only expect to receive two of them. She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the jade-like large Lingzhi in his hands. Gao Tian Lian shook his head, not overthinking, he answered honestly, "Miss Fu Ling and Miss Jiu Ying have arrived." "Si Jian and I have good relations with them, so we set these two Lingzhi aside to gift to them." "They helped us a lot with subduing the demon earlier. Especially Miss Fu Ling, she gave me significant insights into Daoist methods." Recalling the meteor shower and fireworks he witnessed that night in the human realm, a quick smile flickered across his eyes. Yuan Xi Shuang looked up just in time to catch this smile, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched involuntarily. Fu Ling again—why is everyone so kind to her? Why?! ※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※ So, why indeed? People are good to her, naturally because she's genuinely charming and lovable! Thank you to the angels who cast king tickets or nourished with nutrient fluid from 2020-12-08 01:27:08 to 2020-12-08 18:15:56~ Thanks to the angels who cast landmines: Shibazi, and Passerby 1 each; Thanks to the angels who nourished with nutrient fluid: Bye bye, 60 bottles; He Bai, Qian Beiting's girlfriend 20 bottles; Yuci Fengcang 10 bottles; Ahe, Aini Ma, one pencil, 4 bottles; Shibazi 4 bottles; Cola 2 bottles; Thank you all for your support, I will continue to work hard!