168 - Douluo: Martial Spirit Blue Silver Grass

Chapter 168: Day by Day as the Reincarnated Wicked Senior Sister Regarding her past life, whether it was regret or remorse, Jiu Ying never revealed a hint of it in front of Fu Ling. She didn't want Fu Ling in this life to be forever entangled by the nightmares of the past like she was. But why would such sorrow and guilt need her to voice it for others to understand? Especially when that person wasn't just anyone, but Fu Ling. From the moment Jiu Ying confided the truth of her rebirth, Fu Ling already knew of all her pain. Although the night was late, the area near the long street was still brightly lit. Small lanterns hung under the eaves, swaying gently with the night breeze, casting flickering shadows of people on the ground below. Prolonged silence made Fu Ling uneasy. She parted her lips but dared not speak, her delicate brows unknowingly furrowed, reminiscent of butterfly antennae, slightly bent, fragile yet captivating. The corner was dim, but her eyes shone brightly. Jiu Ying merely glanced at those dark pupils once before she swiftly averted her gaze. Two lifetimes of practicing the Clear Heart Sutra, yet she was so easily unsettled by mere words from Fu Ling. It was truly unwarranted. Neither of them spoke, but the four children behind them, worried about Shen Fu Yang, could wait no longer. The eldest of the girls stepped forward, breaking the silence between the two. "When will my brother wake up?" she asked softly, her voice fragile with a sense of pleading worry, making Fu Ling feel deeply uneasy. At that moment, waking Shen Fu Yang was of utmost importance. "We don't know yet, but I'll go find someone to help save your brother, okay?" Fu Ling knelt down, gently patting the girl's head with a tender action, her voice full of compassion. Perhaps because she had never been treated so kindly, or maybe because she had mistakenly scolded the girl before, the little girl's face flushed. After a brief hesitation, she whispered a thanks. "Thank you, sister." Fu Ling nodded, then turned to Jiu Ying. "Senior sister, since Boss Ning hasn't returned, we—" She probably had guessed Ning Wan Qiu’s true identity by now. Their trip here was to seek help from the Lingbao Pavilion for Shen Fu Yang's soul restoration. Without hesitating, Jiu Ying decisively took out the golden 'Tian' token given by Fang Si Jian upon their arrival. "Boss Ning holds a significant position in Lingbao Pavilion. This token can command her assistance, and likewise, it can command others in the pavilion." "Take this token and call for help. I'll wait here with them." Just as Jiu Ying said, upon seeing the token, the Lingbao Pavilion manager immediately and courteously invited them in, and Shen Fu Yang was sent for treatment without delay. Their treatment was befitting of the most honored guests. Even Jiu Ying was curious about the origins of the 'Tian' token that could command such respect from Lingbao Pavilion. Yet, knowing too much could only bring trouble. In the end, she chose to ask nothing. The two settled in Lingbao Pavilion. The Soul-Returning Banner was destroyed the previous night, but Jiu Ying managed to retrieve Shen Fu Yang’s souls in time, or else his fate would have been sealed. The Soul Restoration was not easy, but there was always a way, especially with the all-powerful Lingbao Pavilion involved. Finding out Shen Fu Yang still had the chance to return to normal, Fu Ling was overjoyed. She couldn't explain why, but it felt like this brought her closer to Jiu Ying. As they walked side by side out of the infirmary, her face still bore the light of joy. For an unfamiliar stranger, was there a need to be so happy? Jiu Ying couldn’t comprehend it, and only asked quietly after returning to the room. "Are you that happy?" Fu Ling was unsure how to explain, still grinning foolishly. Such a look was simply endearing. Jiu Ying shook her head helplessly, but a subtle smile unknowingly appeared on her lips. Yuxin Hall was far from Guixi City, and Ning Wan Qiu had been gone for three days straight. By the time she returned, those afflicted had descended into madness. The incident began due to the matches, and as the supporter of the competition, Lingbao Pavilion naturally bore significant responsibility, especially since they allowed Dai Yuan Xi to enter the arena without investigating the evil toxin on the Soul-Foundation Banner. Curiously, despite quickly removing the poisoned individuals after that night’s competition, rumors still spread around Guixi City, damaging Lingbao Pavilion’s reputation. Consequently, the tournament was suspended. Whether it was withholding Dai Yuan Xi's identity or the spread of the poison rumor, it all pointed to a spy within Lingbao Pavilion. This situation worried Ning Wan Qiu. "We found out who intentionally concealed Dai Yuan Xi's identity a few days ago, but when we reached him, he was already dead." "The Pavilion Master is furious, demanding the culprit be found within ten days, but I still have no leads." Jiu Ying was silent, harboring suspicions. Concealing Dai Yuan Xi's identity was likely a plot to catch Fu Ling off guard, allowing her to fall victim to the puppet. Si Xiao died by Fu Ling’s hands, Ping Tian was imprisoned by Fu Xi—besides Si Yi Guang and Han Yan, who else desired Fu Ling’s demise? After contemplating, Jiu Ying offered a suggestion. "Investigate Qing Chi Pavilion." Ning Wan Qiu raised her brows in surprise. "Qing Chi Pavilion? Yu Su Wen returned to Qing Chi Pavilion two months ago. Could they still hold a grudge?" Yu Su Wen, the foremost Treasuring Master, had returned to Qing Chi Pavilion after being courted by the Fang family. Qing Chi Pavilion had been displeased with Lingbao Pavilion after failing to retain her services, a source of constant derision. Hence, they've harbored dissatisfaction ever since. Jiu Ying's gaze cooled. "Not just that, Qing Chi Pavilion is backed by the Si Family. Surely you know how their eldest son met his end?" Ning Wan Qiu and Fu Ling both turned their eyes towards Jiu Ying. Only then did Ning Wan Qiu understand the real reason Jiu Ying directed her towards Qing Chi Pavilion. The prior competition may have been an orchestrated attempt by the Si Family to seek revenge on Fu Ling through Dai Yuan Xi for Si Xiao’s death. "Should Qing Chi Pavilion prove innocent, gather intelligence on the recent activities of the four demon elders. Apart from the Si Family, those elders also won't wish Fu Ling well." Xin Tao, still in its fox form, lazed under the table, basking in the sun. As Ning Wan Qiu departed, Xin Tao ambled after her, leaving Jiu Ying and Fu Ling alone in the courtyard. Throughout the prior conversation, Fu Ling didn’t utter a word. Listening quietly, she grasped the gravity and danger surrounding her. Being so well-protected by Jiu Ying, she never realized how many harbored lethal intent against her. Abruptly she sighed, caught off guard by the sound of her own voice. Jiu Ying, hearing her sigh, turned her head with a bemused look at the girl beside her. "Hmm? Why the sigh?"