132 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass
Reincarnated as the Malevolent Senior Sister - Chapter 132 Fang Si Jian was tasked with investigating Si Qi's actions, allowing both him and Jiu Ying to settle peacefully on Mei Hu Island. Bao Mei, unable to speak human language, became Fu Ling's daily responsibility as she endeavored to teach her to talk. After two days together, the bond between the woman and the serpent grew stronger. Early one morning, with the sky just beginning to lighten, the two of them quietly crept into Jiu Ying's room. As June approached, the weather gradually dried up, and the morning wind was no longer as chilly as it had been. Jiu Ying had a dream, an image of a spirit carp leaping over the dragon gate and eventually transforming from a fish into a dragon. Several bolts of purple lightning struck down from the sky, narrowly grazing the carp. It was a familiar and vivid replay of her rebirth experience. Almost startled awake from the fright, she found beads of cold sweat forming on her temple. With her heart pounding wildly, as soon as she opened her eyes, she was greeted by two smiling faces. It was Fu Ling and Bao Mei. Letting out a sigh of relief, she glanced sideways near the bed and saw the two of them, one large and one small, lying side by side at the bedside, grinning foolishly at her. Their warm, clean smiles instantly put her heart at ease. Propping herself up on her arms, her hair, unkempt and cascading down her shoulders, swayed gently with a breeze that teased at the bedraggled ends. Her slightly somber, sharp brows, sultry and inviting lips, and fair, smooth skin, under the glow of the rising sun, made her face appear all the more exquisitely captivating. She was like a flawless piece of jade, unsullied by any carving. Fu Ling gazed at her, dazed, her gaze following Jiu Ying until she'd finished her morning routine, and finally called out softly, "Senior Sister~" Jiu Ying stood with her back to the window, pushing it open with a stretch of her hand. The breeze ruffled by, somewhat clearing her thoughts. "Hmm?" Fu Ling bit her lip, taking Bao Mei's hand and approaching, "Senior Sister, do you have any free time today? Can you teach Bao Mei to shapeshift?" With a human torso and snake tail, Bao Mei looked peculiar and found movement inconvenient. Hearing this, Jiu Ying turned to look down and finally noticed Bao Mei's upper body wrapped entirely in soft cloth, the only exposed skin being that of her face. She blinked, about to respond when a soft, childish voice piped up beside her ear— "Sister~" It was Bao Mei's voice. After a few days of teaching, she had grasped some simple words. A cute and pretty little girl with such a sweet voice—who wouldn't be fond of her? Jiu Ying's gaze softened, and she eventually nodded in agreement to the request. Both were spirit creatures, one a dragon spirit and the other a snake demon. While not from the same race, the method of shapeshifting was similar. Ordinary demon beasts needed to reach a certain level before they could transform into human form. Bao Mei, having been forcibly fed drugs to prematurely transform, could only achieve partial transformation due to her insufficient demon power, resulting in a human torso but an unchangeable snake tail. Jiu Ying contemplated for a moment before passing a stream of spiritual energy to her and teaching her how to absorb it. Soon, Bao Mei's snake tail vanished, replaced by two slender human legs. "With insufficient demon power, a forced transformation can only maintain a human form briefly. In the future, you need to cultivate diligently, understand?" Ever perceptive and bright, Bao Mei understood that her successful transformation was entirely thanks to the person before her. Hearing this advice, she nodded obediently, her lips moving silently, yet no words escaped her throat. The more she struggled to speak, the more anxious she became. She turned her head, glanced around, and happened to spot Fu Ling by the lake collecting pearls. Without hesitation, she ran over, barefoot. Despite her hands being wrapped, she was unafraid of potentially poisoning someone through contact. Bao Mei, unable to communicate, her small face reddening with urgency, eventually forced out three words, "Sister." "Legs." As the words fell, she pointed at her newly-acquired legs. Her eyes were full of excitement, tinged with a hint of urgency. Fu Ling was puzzled, her brow furrowing slightly. At this moment, Jiu Ying approached. Seeing her arrival, Bao Mei pointed at her legs again, emphasizing twice, "Sister, legs." The legs she acquired thanks to her sister's help. So that was what she meant. Fu Ling finally understood. She glanced at Jiu Ying, unable to suppress a smile, then turned to Bao Mei and gently taught her two words. It wasn't until Bao Mei could repeat the word fluently that she patted her on the shoulder and led her to Jiu Ying. "Sister, legs, thank you~" The words she struggled to express were 'thank you.’ The scenario was all too familiar. Jiu Ying was taken aback, reminiscing about the past. Three years ago, when she had just returned to Qingzhu Sect, she had taught Fu Ling the importance of expressing "thank you" when receiving help. Back then, Fu Ling was neither polite nor considerate. Whatever she wanted, she'd childishly grab for it, never needing to say "thank you." Instead, she once proclaimed to Jiu Ying with a sincerity that caught her off guard— "Ling Ling likes Jiu Ying Senior Sister the most, and Ling Ling will always like Jiu Ying Senior Sister." At the time, it was a sweet reassurance, like casting a spell that fulfilled its prophecy. Recall of those days now brought an unexpected warmth to her face. Possibly to mask her embarrassment, she slightly bent down, shaking her head subtly at Bao Mei, her gaze tenderening. "No need for thanks." Experiencing these new legs was undoubtedly novel. Though young, Bao Mei was restless and glanced back at Fu Ling, her eyes filled with eager delight. She wanted to play. Fu Ling nodded, smiling in approval. The once unruly young girl had matured and grown into someone responsible. Jiu Ying felt a strange sense of sentimentality— Fu Ling would one day grow up. --- Mei Hu Island, secluded from the world, offered a serene and leisurely setting. After only ten days, one couldn't help but develop an attachment to such a place. Bao Mei, understanding the circumstances, expressed her intention to remain and cultivate, aware of the trouble her departure might cause the two sisters. In truth, she was a highly perceptive child. Fu Ling was reluctant to part, yet she had no choice but to leave. On their way back to the sect, her mood remained sullen. Jiu Ying coaxed her with gentle words until the young girl's smile returned. In Bao Mei's presence, Fu Ling seemed like a grown-up; beside Jiu Ying, she reverted to her former self—a young apprentice needing comfort when feeling wronged. Their fingers interlocked, palm against palm, displaying their close bond. A thought struck Jiu Ying, and, as if recalling something, she suddenly halted. Turning to the girl beside her, she spoke, "Your birthday is ten days away. Is there anything you would like?" A year had passed in the blink of an eye. Caught off guard by the question, Fu Ling paused, then shook her head upon realizing, "Senior Sister has already given me so much. There's no need to give me anything more." Her tone was earnest without a hint of jest. Jiu Ying was momentarily taken aback, surprised by the rejection of her goodwill. Though she understood Fu Ling's mindset, she still wished to offer a gift. After all, it was a day that came but once a year, and their connection, she and Fu Ling, was deeply intimate. Her gaze lowered, maintaining a calm exterior, but her voice resonated with a chilling edge, "You accepted Fang Si Jian's gift." A statement laden with implicit accusation. Fu Ling's face flushed instantly. She knew her Senior Sister was chiding her for accepting a gift from someone else, yet hesitating with her own. All ambient sounds disappeared, leaving only the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Unconsciously, those entwined fingers slipped apart. An inexplicable tension hung in the air. Fu Ling raised her head. The moment she met that pair of cold eyes, her heart seized with panic. Her Senior Sister was upset— Realizing this, she promptly diverted her gaze, pangs of guilt gnawing at her. Truly, she hadn't meant to dismiss her Senior Sister’s offering out of desire to avoid further imposition. Yet, her intention had inadvertently sparked dissatisfaction in the one she cherished. Misguided good intentions, indeed. She bit her lip, again summoning the courage to face those icy eyes, "If Senior Sister truly wishes to give me a gift, there is only one thing I desire: a promise." Puzzled, Jiu Ying responded, "What is it?" Fu Ling's expression flickered, her eyes shimmering with starry brilliance, breathtakingly beautiful. In that moment, she abandoned all concealment of her love for the person before her—a love that surged powerfully and fervently, "I want Senior Sister to promise never to tire of me, abandon me, or betray me—regardless of love or absence thereof, to always stay by my side." This promise, Jiu Ying had already given countless times. Yet, Fu Ling still felt insecure. She loved too deeply, fearing inevitable loss. The future was unpredictable, the years long, and no one could guarantee what might come. Her eyelashes, long and fine, fluttered with her breathing. With calm determination and unwavering sincerity, Jiu Ying finally nodding, gave her earnest promise. "This life and beyond, I, Jiu Ying, will never grow weary of Fu Ling, never forsake nor betray. Regardless of love, I shall stand by Fu Ling's side all my life, never leaving." "If ever I fail—" The vow unsaid, implying the consequence of a broken promise. Yet before she could finish, the young woman's fingertip pressed gently against her lips, stopping her from continuing. "That's enough, the promise alone is enough. The rest needn't be said." How could Fu Ling bear to utter such ill omens against someone she cherished? All she wanted was a promise. If Jiu Ying were ever to fail, and heaven truly intended to punish, let the punishment fall solely on her. Fu Ling curled her lips into a smile, a thin layer of contentment gracing her face. Her fingers moved gently, once again clasping Jiu Ying’s hand. Concealed by her long sleeves, all her intense, hidden affections were tucked into the small movements of her fingertips. --- Three days had passed since returning to the sect, and Fu Ling's birthday was drawing ever closer. Qingzhu Sect had long since given up hosting celebrations, but this occasion presented an opportunity for inner and outer sect disciples to gather. Since three years ago, her birthday had been kept private, and Fu Ling rarely received gifts from outsiders. Yet this year was different. Aside from the air cicada fruit Fang Si Jian had sent in advance, Jiang Bei Qing and Gao Tian Lian also sent gifts, and Lin Yu Miao even rushed back from the wilderness to personally extend her congratulations. On the eve of her birthday, Fang Yuan Qing arrived as well. Her visit wasn't solely for gifting; she also brought with her another significant piece of news— The spiritual abode within Ling Shan had opened. Soon, the four major sects would dispatch disciples to explore and seek opportunities. This treasured land was typically beyond the reach of disciples from smaller sects. Fang Yuan Qing had once promised that if Jiu Ying helped her find the dragon spirit, she would ensure that Fu Ling could enter as well. Despite the dragon spirit remaining elusive, the commitment held firm. She had already arranged for applications to be sent to the eight clans and four sects via Jin Lin's connections, allowing both Jiu Ying and Fu Ling a chance to enter. In less than two days, a token granting access to the spiritual abode would arrive. Jiu Ying was moved to find that she still remembered this promise. The spiritual abode of Ling Shan houses countless exotic treasures. Jiu Ying had initially hoped to bring Fu Ling inside to find a powerful spiritual beast with whom she could form a bond. Now, it seemed, that hope would finally come to fruition. --- Ah, the bonding is about to happen; the connection between 00 and her Senior Sister was destined from the start~~~~ Yuan Qing and Ming Yue, another couple within the story, will soon take the stage~~~~~ A heartfelt thanks to the little angels who voted or donated nutrient fluid for me during 2020-12-09 13:16:01~2020-12-10 13:42:07~ Special thanks to the little angels who sent landmines: 开学了www, As~ileli, 沐青木, 与君初识, 于此封藏, 阿茶 (1 each); Heartfelt thanks to the little angels who donated nutrient fluid: 你有好多星星 (50 bottles); 我自闭了 (38 bottles); 21008444, 是林啊丶, 莫挨老子 (20 bottles each); 183696981 (11 bottles); 御梦泽, 日昼伏夜 (10 bottles each); 开学了www, 至尊红颜 (6 bottles each); y神 (5 bottles); 37990089 (2 bottles); I am deeply grateful for everyone’s support, and I will continue to work hard!