Chapter 39: The Second Martial Sister's Great Crisis!

If you were to ask about the extent of my sadness and worry, I'd liken it to a relentless torrent flowing ceaselessly eastward.

Xiao Jinse was huddled in the bathtub, warm waves lapping against her skin. The steam enveloped her, turning her face rosy.

ε= (´ ο｀*))) alas

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

Worry.

It had been half an hour since Tong Yao delivered the news, but Xiao Jinse still couldn't regain her composure.

Whenever she closed her eyes, strange images danced through her mind.

Pressed against a wall by Martial Sister Bai Lian.

Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian tilting her chin up.

Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian reaching out…

"Gulu Gulu…"

Xiao Jinse shook her head vigorously, then submerged herself in the water to cool down.

Beneath the water's surface, Xiao Jinse opened her eyes slowly. Her spiritual Qi permeated the water, enabling her to clearly examine her own body.

After all, she had once been a martial artist. Her figure was shapely, her lower abdomen finely toned—a clear advantage over noblewomen who avoided exercise.

The only blemish was the scars that marred her beauty.

Xiao Jinse bit her lip and frowned slightly.

Initially, she had intended to use these scars, remnants of her association with the Xiao family, as motivation. But circumstances had changed. Would Martial Sister Bai Lian find them off-putting?

"Ugh..."

Xiao Jinse sprung out of the water.

A grave realization dawned upon her. She wasn't certain if Martial Sister Bai Lian was truly interested in her. How had she reached this point?

Something was amiss.

She had developed impure thoughts about Martial Sister Bai Lian!

Was she even worthy of Martial Sister Bai Lian's attention?

Exiting the bath, Xiao Jinse hurriedly donned a Taoist robe and returned to her room.

Gazing at the moonlight, the girl sank deeper into melancholy.

Perhaps it was prudent to test Martial Sister Bai Lian's true intentions. After all, some believed that Martial Sister Bai Lian had only made those statements to deter the Holy Son of the Biluo Sect.

Improving her strength was now a pressing matter. Not only did she yearn to humble those who had once scorned her, but she also longed for a life spent accompanying Martial Sister Bai Lian on their journey together.

Lost in thought, Xiao Jinse idly browsed the books on a nearby shelf.

Suddenly, a clattering noise emanated from the adjacent room.

"?"

Puzzled, Xiao Jinse leaned in and witnessed Bai Lian and the Jade Rabbit packing their belongings.

"Elder Martial Sister, what are you doing?"

"Oh, it's Martial Sister Jinse."

Bai Lian turned around.

The familiar Jade Rabbit chimed in cheerfully, "Haw haw!"

Stuffing a vial of something into the hook-shaped storage pendant dangling from her chest, Bai Lian contemplated how to answer Xiao Jinse.

Right on cue, the system options appeared.

[Task 1: Keep silent. (Reward: Inferior magic tool - Fragrant Orchid Veil)]

[Task 2: Tell her the truth. (Reward: Magic Circle +1)]

After a moment's consideration, Bai Lian opted for honesty!

Deception now could lead to discomfort later, especially when she returned with the third Martial Sister.

Harmony amongst all the Martial Sisters was essential.

After all, after all her efforts, she hoped they'd all mature and she could stand by them for protection.

"Younger Martial Sister, lend me a hand!"

Imagining those words causing a brawl among the younger Martial Sisters, Bai Lian smirked, realizing that scenario wasn't entirely ideal.

Task 2 it is.

"Junior Sister," Bai Lian spoke, "Master is about to take on a new disciple, and she's tasked me with bringing the new disciple back to the sect. I'm heading out."

[Task completed, reward: Magic Circle +1]

"Huh?"

Xiao Jinse was taken aback.

It seemed her situation was similar to before.

After a brief hesitation, she queried, "Is it a younger Martial Brother or Sister?"

"A Martial Sister."

"…"

Xiao Jinse's mind briefly blanked before she regained her composure, forcing a smile. "Will you be gone for long?"

"Can't say for sure."

Their destination was the Sand Region in the south of the East Divine Land—a ten-day journey.

Bai Lian recollected the game's content.

"The Battle of the Gods" didn't dwell much on this narrative, as Bai Lian swiftly bound the third Martial Sister and brought her back.

Reborn Shura?

Cold-blooded killing?

Highly suspicious?

Unwilling to join the Duxian Sect?

None of these held sway over Martial Sister Bai Lian, who regarded "Death" as trivial.

In a more aggressive game storyline, Bai Lian had unceremoniously tossed the third Martial Sister into a sand pit—efficient and straightforward.

Of course, this Bai Lian met a similarly simple demise. The third Martial Sister, now a complete Shura, carved her into 800 pieces with a blade, splattering blood across the screen and inflicting psychological trauma upon players.

Bai Lian dared not take such risks. Prudence was key.

Yet, accomplishing her goal without resorting to violence was proving difficult. Convincing the third Martial Sister to return to the Duxian Sect required careful handling.

So troublesome.

If only all the Martial Sisters were as astute as the second Martial Sister—life would be perfect!

Sullenly, Bai Lian pounded the table.

"Maybe half a month." After a brief contemplation, she added, "Perhaps even longer."

"Oh." Xiao Jinse's mood dampened.

Bai Lian chuckled. "I promise I'll be back before the Sect Joint Test, Junior Sister."

Extracting a jade slip from her pocket, she handed it to Xiao Jinse.

"You can contact me using this jade slip for anything."

Xiao Jinse clutched the warm jade slip tightly.

That night, after preparing her belongings, Bai Lian departed the Duxian Sect with the Jade Rabbit in tow.

By her window.

Xiao Jinse gazed up at the clear night sky.

From this day onward, she would no longer be Martial Sister Bai Lian's only disciple.

It had happened so suddenly, and she was entirely unprepared. Never in her wildest dreams had she considered this possibility.

It was amusing how not long ago she had pondered testing Martial Sister Bai Lian's intentions. Now it seemed she had overcomplicated things.

"I..."

Xiao Jinse looked at the jade slip resting on her dressing table, and a saying suddenly echoed in her mind:

"Love takes its time."

With Martial Sister Bai Lian absent for at least half a month, and their time together spanning a mere month, perhaps she had been rushing things.

Danger!

Xiao Jinse's mind swirled with tumultuous thoughts.

...

In a remote corner of the Sand Region, within an ancient town cloaked in golden sand, a girl concealed her silver hair beneath a hood. She raised her head slowly.

Her eyes, once as clear as an oasis spring, now shimmered with a murky gray mist.

She was the avenger who had returned.

In this life, she vowed to exact a bloody vengeance upon those who had wronged her family.