Chapter 69: Ye Ling Ling and Gu Ran - Douluo's spirit bead sword

Chapter 69: Ye Ling Ling and Gu Ran "Ling Ling, Gu Ran, why are you both still awake so late?" Tian Lin asked as he glanced over at the pair. "Can't sleep, just thinking about things." Ye Ling Ling’s voice was always so cool and serene, making the quiet forest feel even more lonesome. "You’re my senior, how could I just go to bed when the boss isn’t sleeping?" Gu Ran chuckled heartily. He certainly took his role as the loyal subordinate seriously. "Impressive, Gu Ran, you're loyal. Ling Ling, is it because you're too excited after your rapid improvement?" Tian Lin teased, knowing it was normal for Ye Ling Ling to be too elated to sleep, having just obtained a millennium soul ring. Ye Ling Ling shook her head. "No, my desire for power isn’t that intense. I don't have the same burdens as you, Gu Ran, or Tian Heng, who must eventually carry the weight of the family or sect. Our Nine Heart Begonia lineage has always been passed down singly and solely possesses healing abilities, so we’ve always depended on other families to survive." "Nine Heart Begonia, the best healing martial spirit of the time; no sect would refuse your inclusion," Tian Lin observed, sensing something peculiar about Ye Ling Ling. Despite having an incredibly powerful spirit, she didn’t seem particularly joyed. Ye Ling Ling let out a bitter smile. "You're right; no sect would refuse me. But I don't want to join any faction. Actually, Tian Heng once invited me, and I declined politely. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon family's temperament is too intense for my liking." "I want to be like my mother, to find a real pillar to rely on!" Ye Ling Ling said longingly. "Not a bad idea. So, what do you think of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Our reputation across the continent is top-notch," Tian Lin suggested with a smile. He had his eye on the powerful Nine Heart Begonia and recognized that without protection, Ye Ling Ling would be vulnerable, much like a piece of Tang Seng's meat, unable to live freely. Therefore, she needed a support system. "The sect is large, and auxiliary spirit masters like me are in abundance. Entering the sect might mean nothing more than living under another's roof," Ye Ling Ling said with a wry smile. While she’d thought of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she feared she wouldn’t be valued there. "You misunderstand. Uncle Ning would be thrilled if you joined. Though you’d share an auxiliary role with others, your niche in healing is precisely what the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile lacks," Tian Lin explained. Ye Ling Ling pondered briefly over Tian Lin's words, finding some truth in what he said. Perhaps she really could receive significant training from the sect. Detecting Ye Ling Ling’s interest, Tian Lin glanced quickly at Gu Ran and decided to strike while the iron was hot. "And hey, senior sister, how about Gu Ran? After consuming the Iron Armor Peony, his defense rivals that of the Shi brothers, and his attack power surpasses them, possessing the potential of a titled Douluo. You’re about the same age, why not see where things go? He is, after all, Bone Douluo’s prized student. If you marry him, it wouldn't be living under someone else’s roof — it’d be family." Tian Lin genuinely valued his loyal subordinate. With Ye Ling Ling’s beauty and powerful martial spirit, she was a perfect match for Gu Ran. In time, the new generation of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would boast twin titled Douluos. Behind Tian Lin would stand Ning Rongrong, the strongest amplifier, and behind Gu Ran, the formidable healer, Ye Ling Ling. It would be a legendary tale. "You’re so young, how can you speak so frivolously?" Ye Ling Ling blushed. Truth be told, since entering this forest, Gu Ran had hardly left her side, protecting her at every step. She had considered it just camaraderie among teammates, but now that Tian Lin mentioned it, the atmosphere felt suddenly awkward. "Boss, what are you talking about? Senior sister like a fairy would never take a fancy to me," Gu Ran stammered, whether out of nervousness or embarrassment. Yet, Tian Lin could tell Gu Ran did harbor feelings for Ye Ling Ling; otherwise, why was his expression so telling? Gu Ran indeed felt wronged. He truly hadn’t harbored any improper thoughts before, but with the atmosphere now so charged and Tian Lin’s teasing making it impossible to ignore, he found himself caught between having newfound feelings and simply being swept along by the moment. "Nonsense, Ling Ling is exceptional, but you are my sect's future titled Douluo too!" Watching his unassertive subordinate, Tian Lin nearly wanted to hit him. If he wasn’t too young or already attached to Rongrong, Ye Ling Ling’s beauty wouldn’t even leave a chance for Gu Ran. "For someone without self-confidence, no matter the talent, reaching the highest heights is impossible!" Ye Ling Ling’s cool voice interjected. An idea had sparked in her mind earlier from Tian Lin’s words but was quickly extinguished by Gu Ran’s lack of ambition. Just then, a rustling echoed through the woods. Tian Lin rose quickly, guarding the two. "There's danger. Be careful, senior sister and Gu Ran!" Although Gu Ran couldn’t feel it yet—his sensitivity to murderous intent wasn’t as sharp as Tian Lin's—he trusted Tian Lin and immediately prepared to fight. "Boss, should we wake the teachers?" "No need; let me see what we’re dealing with first. If it’s just some clueless century-old spirit beast, there's no need to disturb their rest," Tian Lin replied, his eyes shimmering brightly in the darkness. With his external spirit bone activated, Tian Lin’s night vision was exceptionally clear. "Is that a spirit bone?" Ye Ling Ling exclaimed in surprise. She hadn’t realized Tian Lin, despite being usually laid-back, had such hidden abilities. She marveled at how deep the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's resources ran—it truly might be a suitable place for her. As for Gu Ran, despite his shortcomings, she was touched when he instinctively shielded her. If he matured later, maybe she could give him a chance. She hadn’t noted that Tian Lin’s spirit bone wasn’t just any spirit bone, but an exceptionally rare external attachment. Otherwise, her surprise would be even greater. "There are two spirit beasts, bodies as black as night, with wings, humanoid forms, moving extremely fast, fangs at the corners of their mouths, currently darting through the woods," Tian Lin narrated, comparing them to the vampires of his past life. But in this world of Douluo Dalu, they weren’t Western bats but similar spirit beasts. "It's Night Demon Spirits!" Ye Ling Ling, ever the academy scholar, immediately identified the spirit beasts. "Night Demon Spirits roam only at night, feeding on the blood of humans or other spirit beasts. They’ve likely set their sights on us. Tian Lin, could you determine their heights?" Tian Lin kept his gaze fixed, estimating, "They're about 1.5 to 1.6 meters tall." Ye Ling Ling nodded. "They’re millennium spirit beasts, roughly between 1,500 to 1,600 years old—perfect for us!"