71 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

**Chapter 50: Sisters** "The Chronicles of the Sword Immortal" was the author's first novel. The initial chapters were serialized on a forum, where they received positive feedback, prompting the author to sign a contract with a novel website and begin officially charging for the content and making a profit. Due to the author's lack of experience, the novel had significant issues in character positioning, plot design, and overall pacing. At that time, the online literary world was still nascent, and the author found little success in trying to learn from or gauge reader preferences. When first serialized on the forum, despite the author's writing skills being subpar, it still attracted readers of similar literary taste. However, transitioning to a novel website, the paywall and traffic limitations, combined with the writing quality, resulted in feedback that not only fell short of the author's expectations but was also less favorable compared to the forum. There was no turning back once the contract was signed, and the author had to continue writing with great reluctance. At that time, the author had a setting that was considered innovative, but lacked the writing ability to execute it well. Faced with the poor traffic of early novel websites and unable to stand out in a short time, the author chose a different path: creating unconventional content to grab attention. The result was a brainless stallion novel, which, by today's standards, could be seen as an erotic novel. Despite the plot being rife with misogynistic undertones, the author managed to create some decent female characters. Although these characters often suffered from a downfall in intelligence and emotional depth due to the author's limited skills and perspectives as the story progressed, they were passable in the early stages. The author generated shock value by killing off these somewhat well-received female characters. As the book gained popularity, an unclear group of readers seemed to defend these bizarre choices, calling them "dark and complex" or "realistic." While it attracted attention, the male protagonist's tendency to stand by and indirectly or directly cause the demise of his female companions rendered him rather pathetic. Unwittingly, it served as a negative example for other authors to learn what readers preferred in contemporary culture: the charismatic, all-powerful male lead that established a legacy in some sense. Zhu Yu, one of the male lead's stable female companions, was in a particularly awkward position in the original work. Female characters in harem novels can't just be created on a whim by the author's fancy; like all other characters, their creation involves considerations like whether their roles overlap with other characters or if there are aspects worth exploring. Zhu Yu's character was that of a "pampered little junior martial sister (noble lady version)." However, in the Zhu family, she was practically invisible, overshadowed by her sister. She wasn't even originally meant to be a disciple and was only taken in because of a misunderstanding by Xiang Shi Yan, who didn't bother much with Zhu Yu, only paying her some extra attention because she was the daughter of a deceased senior martial sister, Gong Ning. The noble family reputation was just a facade, her master's affection was incidental, and trying to gain Xiang Shi Yan's attention ultimately led her to offend her senior martial brother—the male lead—and his readers. She was neglected by her family and unappreciated, losing the charm associated with being "pampered" and coming off as bothersome instead. As another artificially created being for cultivation, Zhu Yu's background had potential for depth, but it was overly repetitive with that of Zhu Yun. The original story focused on her sister Zhu Yun's journey of defeating their cold-hearted father and revitalizing the family, eclipsing any potential nuance in Zhu Yu's character. Once her usefulness as a cultivation resource was depleted, Zhu Yu, the overlooked second daughter of the family, had almost entirely severed ties, having been away from home for years. She couldn't offer the male lead any benefit beyond her physical presence. By this stage, Zhu Yu was reduced to a low-intelligence, marginal female character who only appeared every dozen chapters to swoon and act coy with the male lead. Frustrated readers found her character lacking in identity and vibrancy. Some even commented, "She's not as compelling as both Long Shijie and Qin Miao." Regardless of the challenges in shipping Qin Miao with Long Ruiqing or any woman, Zhu Yu's lack of appeal was evident, prompting the author to have her killed off in a power struggle involving Zhu Yun and their family within a few chapters. Xiang Shi Yan's fragmented memories contained little about Zhu Yu. "Transparent" was a word that encapsulated multiple meanings like "unnecessary" and "useless" when applied to a character, yet this was the most frequent criticism Zhu Yu received among the female characters. But Zhu Yu wasn't just a character; she was a living, breathing person exuding discontent as she stood before Xiang Shi Yan. Each word, action, and expression carried a purpose—one that Xiang Shi Yan found hard to decipher. Accepting Xiang Shi Yan's offer was merely a directive from her sister; Zhu Yu knew nothing about the strange woman, nor did she care to learn. She assumed that if Zhu Yun viewed her sister favorably, she must be decent. However, when the woman spent time with Zhu Yun alone, Zhu Yu felt a surge of unease and anxiety, convinced that this vile woman had bullied her sister! "Might she be bearing a grudge for being slighted by my sister earlier in the pavilion…? It’s said that adults shouldn’t hold grudges against children; how can she be so petty?" Zhu Yu fretted, pacing outside, yearning to look in but remembering her sister’s whispered instructions to stay outside regardless of what happened. Despite not understanding why Zhu Yun insisted on her tagging along with a stranger, Zhu Yu trusted her sister implicitly. Yet she couldn’t believe that someone trusted to protect her in her father's absence would bully Zhu Yun! The more Zhu Yu pondered, the angrier she became, glaring at the beaded curtain. As Xiang Shi Yan emerged, she met Zhu Yu’s indignant eyes, recalling Du Ruo’s baseless slander and feeling a touch of embarrassment. Zhu Yu observed, mistaking the glance for a guilty conscience caught red-handed. "If you're concerned about the recent events at the estate, go take a look first. I’ll stay here and pack," Zhu Yu said tightly. By rights, she should have addressed her as master, but not having formally joined the Jade Mountain Sect, addressing her as martial aunt wasn’t inappropriate. Nevertheless, Xiang Shi Yan sensed that the child was deliberately targeting her. She lifted her hand before letting it fall, finally responding solemnly, "I’ll check the situation. Take care of your sister." More explanations were needless; Zhu Yu knew little about the cultivation secrets, and Zhu Yun hadn’t informed her. It seemed best for Xiang Shi Yan to leave things as they were, allowing Zhu Yu to remain in ignorance. Watching Xiang Shi Yan’s retreating figure in the corridor, Zhu Yu finally entered the room. Her sister, identical in appearance, lay on the bed, resting peacefully. Zhu Yu stood by, gazing at Zhu Yun’s serene sleeping face. Last night's drunken slumber was troubled, yet whatever art Xiang Shi Yan had worked seemed to bring her peaceful repose. Zhu Yu reached out, her fingers smoothing her sister’s furrowed brow, thinking impassively that this was what Zhu Yun usually looked like. The girl in sleep murmured softly, causing Zhu Yu to momentarily stiffen, then casually brushed the sweat from Zhu Yun’s forehead. The sweat was damp and cool, making Zhu Yun unconsciously shrink back in her dream. Leaving the room they’d only begun to share the previous day, Zhu Yu walked down unfamiliar corridors, intent on fetching hot water to wipe down Zhu Yun. Her sister’s frailty meant wind chills could take ages to recover from. To prevent gossip, Zhu Cheng had already ordered the servants to keep distant, but tea brewing and guest service couldn’t be left entirely to the host, so a few trusted ones who wouldn’t spread rumors remained, aware second Miss was to leave with the Moon Splendor Dao Master. "They are twins, yet there remains a certain hierarchy. Moreover, the Young Lady is exceedingly bright; fate does show favoritism." "You mean to say… I thought Master was introducing potential suitors for her affections, that's why he parades her?" "Even if that's true, it's clear that in Master's heart, the Young Lady and Second Miss weigh differently." "Indeed." One whispered mysteriously, "It's better she's leaving; twins mean no birth order per se, but if Second Miss stayed, the clan might use her against us. Master hasn’t named the Young Lady heir, but Second Miss really—why are you poking me?" That one cast a glance at their partner, realizing the latter's stiff expression had shifted towards the corridor, and he dumbly looked that way, seeing a delicate maiden standing quietly at the entrance, apparently having listened for a while. The Zhu family had strict rules against letting servants extend their senses in and out of the estate; their senses not enhanced, these servants—merely stronger than average mortals—had gathered in the kitchen yet remained oblivious to Zhu Yu’s silent approach. A fleeting silence descended. The individuals chatting nervously eyed the steady-faced girl, anxiously guessing which twin she was. It was known that the Young Lady once expelled a servant who spoke ill of Second Miss; should she have overheard… After a moment, the girl softly asked, "Could you please bring hot water and clean cloths to the room quickly?" Only then did the gathered servants breathe a sigh of relief, realizing it was the second Miss. Even so, they nodded repeatedly, continuing with their tasks, all the while casting furtive glances at Zhu Yu, worried she might report to her sister. Delivering the hot water to Zhu Yun's room, one maid bowed her head and asked if Zhu Yu needed assistance. However, without a glance, Zhu Yu waved her away. Zhu Yu gently placed the wrung-out wet cloth on Zhu Yun's face, wiping away the slightly dried sweat. Zhu Yun let out a small murmur, her eyes fluttering open and slowly focusing on Zhu Yu's face. With a yawn, she lazily asked, "Did Martial Aunt Xiang leave?" "Yes, she left a while ago," Zhu Yu replied, helping her sister sit up. Zhu Yun inexplicably blushed and bit her lip, "I can manage on my own." Zhu Yu silently shook her head. Her fingers, soaked in hot water, jolted upon touching Zhu Yun's icy skin that perspiration had left dry. Turning back, Zhu Yu remained quietly attentive in wiping her sister's body. Once Zhu Yun had washed and changed into fresh clothes, she felt refreshed but also drowsy, and curled back into bed. Suddenly feeling the warmth of another body against her back, Zhu Yun turned around, puzzled, only to be enveloped in Zhu Yu's embrace, her head buried in her sister's bosom. Zhu Yun gently stroked her sister's back, murmuring, "Martial Aunt Xiang is upright and was close to Gong Ning... Mother, so she should treat you well." "Mm." Zhu Yu replied, her voice coming from her throat with a slight tremor that sent a shiver through Zhu Yun's chest. Momentarily lost for words, Zhu Yun found her usually eloquent and flattering self suddenly tongue-tied. She raised her hand, undoing Zhu Yu's hair bun, and softly ran her fingers through her sister's downy, bird-like hair. The scent of soap clung to Zhu Yu's hair resting on the pillow, calming and making Zhu Yun sleepy once more. "When you reach the mountain sect, forget about Huaihai City," Zhu Yun said heavily, her tone bland yet inexplicably burdensome, though it sounded like a dreamlike mumble from someone of her age, "No matter what happens to the Zhu family or me... you don't need to concern yourself." Zhu Yu shifted slightly in her sister’s embrace, holding her even tighter. Zhu Yun, already drowsy, yawned and returned the embrace. "Consider yourself no longer part of the Zhu family." Zhu Yu clasped her sister from behind, pressing her into the bed as if trying to meld their bodies, but Zhu Yun, having fallen back into a deep sleep, seemed oblivious, her arms loosely draped around her sister's neck. With a decadent body like yours, how could I not see myself as part of the Zhu family? Sister. **Author's Note:** I’ve heard that among kittens, only those of higher status can groom those of lower status. I wrote this inspired by that concept. Zhu Yu: Did you think we were sisters licking each other’s wounds in this desperate situation? Zhu Yun: ...? Aren’t we?