Training the Villain to Become a Big Sister Obsessed - Chapter 68

Ming Yu followed Xie Qingshuang into her Cloud Dwelling. The room, like the person herself, was infused with a cold, quiet aura. Upon entering, she could smell a faint, subtle fragrance. Ming Yu was highly sensitive to scents and recognized this as the personal scent Xie Qingshuang carried.

“Sit.”

Xie Qingshuang placed the sword she was holding onto a rack and turned to fetch the tea-making utensils, seemingly intent on hosting Ming Yu for tea, just as she had said earlier.

Ming Yu sat sideways by the table, watching Xie Qingshuang, who still had to chant a fire spell to boil the water. A faint, subtle smile touched Ming Yu’s lips, something she didn’t even realize herself.

“Let me do it.”

The teapot and teacups in Xie Qingshuang’s hands were instantly drawn over by Ming Yu’s spatial control. She possessed a Fire Spirit Root herself, and with a flick of her finger, a small flame appeared, the heat perfectly controlled.

Xie Qingshuang watched her skilled movements and softly asked, “Do you usually enjoy drinking tea?”

She hadn’t discovered this hobby of hers in the previous life.

Ming Yu turned her wrist, gently shaking the cups. The aroma of the tea instantly filled the room. The moment the scent of Three Hearts Clear Lotus reached her, she could tell the tea’s spiritual energy was pure, indeed possessing the effect of calming the mind and clearing the spirit.

“It’s alright. I just know how to maximize the tea’s efficacy; it’s the same principle as alchemy.”

“You can do alchemy too?”

Ming Yu’s expression faltered as she realized she had said too much. She pursed her lips and remained silent.

After brewing the tea, Ming Yu poured two cups, one for herself and one she placed in front of Xie Qingshuang.

Xie Qingshuang took it, placing her hand directly over Ming Yu’s. Ming Yu raised an eyebrow but didn’t withdraw her hand. The cup of tea was held between their two hands, and ripples spread across the surface of the tea.

“If anyone else dared to do this, they’d be dead by now.”

Xie Qingshuang smiled instead, her eyes reflecting Ming Yu’s image. “So, I am the special one?”

Ming Yu snorted lightly, then moved subtly to slip her hand out from between Xie Qingshuang’s fingers.

“You really know how to flatter yourself.”

Ming Yu raised her hand and took a small sip of the tea. A clear bitterness instantly filled her mouth, but Ming Yu didn’t even twitch her eyebrows. She continued to take two more sips, her expression unchanging the entire time.

Xie Qingshuang watched her the entire time, waiting until she put down the teacup before asking, “Is it bitter?”

Ming Yu turned her gaze to her. “Bitter? What is this bitterness compared to other things?”

The bitterness she had tasted was far more intense, and far more abundant, than this tea.

A flicker of surprise crossed Xie Qingshuang’s eyes, but remembering the Spiritual Medicine Valley, that surprise dissipated. She raised her own cup and finished the tea.

Ming Yu watched her drink it and her eyes curved slightly. “I thought Senior Sister Xie was deliberately using this bitter tea to play a trick on me.”

Hearing her call her ‘Senior Sister Xie’ made Xie Qingshuang feel an unfamiliar awkwardness.

“You don’t have to call me that.”

Ming Yu murmured, “Mmm,” and rested her chin on her hand, asking, “Then what should I call you? What do you want me to call you?”

Xie Qingshuang lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and just when Ming Yu thought she wouldn’t answer, she suddenly heard a sound: “Yanzhi.”

“Yanzhi is my former childhood name.”

“Xie Yanzhi?”

Xie Qingshuang shook her head. “I do not know my original surname. After becoming an apprentice, I took my Master’s surname.”

“What about you?” Xie Qingshuang asked her. “Do you have a childhood name?”

Ming Yu straightened up, increasing the distance between them. A smile was plastered on her face, but it only reached the surface. “No. I am just Ming Yu. I’ve had the tea. I’m leaving.”

She stood up without hesitation.

“Wait.” Xie Qingshuang called out to her.

Ming Yu stopped.

“I know you have things you need to do, and you have your reasons. But the Vermillion Bird Saber will only bring more trouble if you keep it. You should return it.”

“That’s what you really wanted to say, isn’t it?” Ming Yu’s tone deepened. “If you want to claim credit using the Vermillion Bird Saber, you are free to spread the news.”

Xie Qingshuang frowned. “That is not what I meant.”

“How do you know the Vermillion Bird Saber will only bring trouble? Legend says it can cut dragon scales and shatter basalt armor. This blade is the weapon most suited for me!” Ming Yu turned her head to look back. “Instead of telling me this, you should stabilize your own mind. Getting rid of your inner demons is what you should be most concerned about right now.”

In the blink of an eye, only Xie Qingshuang remained in the Cloud Dwelling.

At the junction of the Gen Realm and the Kan Realm, an Endless River stretched for hundreds of miles, flowing out of the Kunlun Ruins and connecting the North and West Seas.

Many ancient, towering trees grew on the banks of the Endless River, nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Many tree spirits were born here, but for these spirits to cultivate a human form, they had to expend countless efforts. Not only did they have to endure the lightning tribulation, but they were also not guaranteed to transform into the form they desired.

“Why don’t you go find someone from the Feng Family to make you a body?” Mumu, who was drinking loudly via her roots, took a moment to say to the crestfallen Bell Grass by her feet.

Little Bell sat on the highest little fruit of her main body, bobbing her head. When the wind blew, her bell fruits rattled and clanged.

“But I don’t have any wood. Will they make a body for me?”

Mumu thought for a moment, then painfully plucked a small branch from herself and handed it to her. “Here, take mine.”

Little Bell was so anxious she almost jumped up. “I was just saying! Why did you give me your branch?”

“Aiya, it’s fine. I have plenty,” Mumu said proudly, shaking her body. The branches and leaves rustled loudly, but not a single leaf fell off.

Little Bell looked up. Mumu’s branches and leaves were practically covering the sky to a tiny Bell Grass like her, yet not a single leaf fell.

“I really envy you. I’m almost bald.”

“It’s autumn, so it’s normal for leaves to fall,” Mumu said, moving her green branch to sweep over Little Bell’s head.

Two yellow leaves fluttered down, and a bell fruit also dropped.

Little Bell: “…”

Mumu felt a little guilty and urged, “Hurry up and go! They close the gates when it gets dark.”

Little Bell huffed, grabbed the branch segment, and drifted away.

Mumu watched her leave, then took a large gulp of water. Her leaves grew even lusher. She drank while wondering, “What’s so good about transforming into a human? They are so tiny, they can’t even drink enough water.”

Another voice came from the side, laughing at her. “What does a little Bodhi Tree like you know? When Little Bell returns with a body, you’ll want one too.”

Mumu was silent for a moment, then whispered, “Will she come back? Everyone who goes out never comes back.”

There was no reply this time.

Little Bell, holding the branch, made her way to Green Wood City, slipping in just before the gates closed.

She was joyfully looking for the Feng Family members, but all she saw were people carrying snakes on their bodies, and some bizarre-looking demons.

Little Bell hid inside a broken basket, listening to passersby mention the Liu Family, Sea Demons…

She didn’t understand, but she could tell something had happened in the city. Green Wood City was established by the Feng Family, so it seemed the Feng Family was in trouble.

Little Bell’s spirits immediately sank. It looked like getting help from the Feng Family was out of the question. She was preparing to leave crestfallen when, turning around, her gaze met a pair of bloodshot eyes.

Just as she was about to scream, the person reached out and covered her mouth.

How is there someone else in this broken basket!

Little Bell widened her eyes and saw the person place a finger over the center of their lips, signaling silence. She immediately nodded.

Okay, okay, she won’t speak.

The injured person extended their hand and slid a finger across their palm, seemingly writing something.

Little Bell looked for a long time, wrinkling her face, and then, under the person’s expectant gaze, she silently mouthed, “I don’t know how to read.”

The injured person: “…”

After a moment of silence, Little Bell watched her take out a small puppet from her bosom, which bore the Feng Family crest.

“You are from the Feng Family!” Little Bell exclaimed in surprise, still making no sound.

Feng Shu nodded. She cast a few spells on the small puppet. Immediately after, Little Bell felt a pull. When she recovered, she had attached herself to the puppet, standing in Feng Shu’s palm.

“May I trouble you with a matter?”

A weak voice suddenly sounded in her mind. Little Bell was first startled, then realized this person was speaking to her through the puppet.

“What, what matter?”

“Go on a trip for me and deliver a message to Headmaster Xuan of the Azure Cloud Academy.”

Feng Shu reached out and touched the center of the puppet’s brow. Instantly, Little Bell felt a sense of fulfillment. She looked down at her new body. Her originally wooden hands and feet slowly grew flesh and blood. She curiously reached out to touch herself.

The moment Feng Shu saw Little Bell, she knew her purpose for coming.

“If you can help me with this trip, I can help you create a new body in the future, one as tall as mine.”

Little Bell’s eyes lit up. She nodded frantically. “Yes, yes, yes, I’ll help you!”

Feng Shu smiled. She imprinted the message she needed to convey onto the small puppet in the form of a mark.

“This spiritual energy will escort you there.”

Before leaving, Little Bell looked at Feng Shu and hesitated before asking, “What about you?”

Feng Shu felt a sense of warmth. These little spirits were always innocent and pure-hearted. She reached out and gently stroked Little Bell’s head. “Don’t worry. I will be fine until you return.”

Bell Grass was the best at concealing her aura. She headed in the direction Feng Shu had pointed.

Not long after she left, the hidden, broken basket was kicked over. Liu Banxin looked at the puppet on the ground and narrowed her eyes.

“Patriarch.” Liu Shang walked over.

Liu Banxin gave a light hum and asked, “Have any Feng Family members come out?”

Liu Shang respectfully replied, “No. However, breaking through the barrier still requires some time.”

“How long?”

“Three days.”

When passing the Endless River, Little Bell wanted to go show Mumu what she looked like now, but thinking that Feng Shu seemed very anxious, and also that this body was a bit small, Little Bell didn’t stop. She hurried towards the Kunlun Ruins, planning to wait until Feng Shu made her a larger body before seeing Mumu to give her a surprise.

With Feng Shu’s guidance, Little Bell found the way to the Azure Cloud Academy very smoothly. After seeing two sunrises and sunsets, she arrived at the Three Thousand Steps.

Looking up at the top of the steps, which seemed far away, Little Bell exclaimed, mouth agape, “Wow, it’s so high!”

Just as she was rubbing her hands together, preparing to rush up, several streaks of light suddenly landed in front of her, kicking up dust that covered Little Bell.

The new body she had just received, even the clothes on the outside, were precious to Little Bell. She had managed to keep herself spotless, but now she was covered in dust and dirt.

Wailing a few times, Little Bell pointed at the people in front of her and angrily shouted, “Apologize!”

“Honestly, Cang Wu, this is all your fault. It was a competition, but you fought so fiercely. Anyone would think you and Senior Sister Xie are mortal enemies. You practically destroyed the Academy.”

Ling Guang’s complaining voice successfully drowned out Little Bell’s furious roar.

“Wait, someone was talking just now.” Lan Shan-jun heard something, but it wasn’t clear.

Ling Guang looked left and right. “Where is anyone? It’s just us few who were punished to clean the Three Thousand Steps here.”

“Right here!” Little Bell jumped up.

Lan Shan-jun was startled by the sudden appearance of the little figure. She was a dusty bundle, barely recognizable as human.

Song Qingcheng recognized her. “Is that a Feng Family puppet?”

Floating Jade Isle was the leader of the immortal sects and often dealt with the lower sects. Song Qingcheng knew many things from following her mother.

“A Feng Family puppet? Is it Feng Sheng? Wasn’t she supposed to be with Senior Sister Xie and the others organizing the Cloud Dream Marsh? Why would she release a puppet?” Ling Guang rolled her eyes, then reached out and poked Little Bell’s forehead repeatedly. “What’s wrong? Did you come to supervise us doing hard labor?”

Little Bell was so angry she almost had an out-of-body experience. She yelled, “I want to see Headmaster Xuan!”

A puppet needed divine consciousness injected to move. This small puppet had a feisty personality, which was completely unlike Feng Sheng.

“No! You have to apologize to me first!” Little Bell was about to faint from rage.

Lan Shan-jun couldn’t help but want to laugh at her comical appearance. She used a little spiritual energy to cast a cleansing spell, revealing the puppet’s original look.

Song Qingcheng looked at the appearance of the small puppet and recalled the person in her mind.

“Feng Shu, the Young Master of the Feng Family.”

No, she should be the Feng Family Patriarch now.

“Ah?” Ling Guang, who had planned to keep teasing the little figure, retracted her hand midway when she heard the identity of the person.

Ling Guang’s expression was complex. She had heard of Feng Shu. According to her mother, this young master was humble, courteous, highly talented, and the Feng Family’s designated next Patriarch.

Hiss—

This personality was completely different from what her mother had described.

“Are you students of the Azure Cloud Academy?” Little Bell’s anger subsided when she saw herself clean again.

Ling Guang replied with a smile, “Yes, yes.”

Little Bell had a brilliant idea. “Then can you take me to see Headmaster Xuan?”

“Yes!”

Ling Guang readily agreed, then pulled the others together and whispered, “Since this puppet is from the Feng Family, if we take her to see Headmaster Xuan, we won’t have to sweep the Three Thousand Steps.”

Lan Shan-jun high-fived her. “I agree.”

Cang Wu and Song Qingcheng offered no opinion.

They proceeded to take the little figure up. Halfway there, they encountered Elder Xue, who was repairing the Cloud Dwelling that Cang Wu and Xie Qingshuang had ruined. Xiao Jiu and Zhao Chen were with Elder Xue, assisting him miserably.

Elder Xue got angry the moment he saw them. He stopped them with an outstretched hand.

“Have you finished sweeping the Three Thousand Steps?”

Ling Guang pushed the small puppet forward. “This little thing needs to see Headmaster Xuan. We were afraid of delaying an important matter, so we rushed her over.”

Elder Xue saw through their laziness immediately and frowned. “It’s just guiding the way. Do all four of you need to escort her?”

“Exactly! Exactly!”

Xiao Jiu fanned the flames behind Elder Xue. Ling Guang glared at her.

Elder Xue glanced at the family crest on the puppet. Knowing it was sent by the Feng Family, he placed a streak of spiritual energy on her to guide her to Headmaster Xuan.

Ling Guang’s face fell. Without waiting for Elder Xue to speak, she turned back the way she came. Before leaving, she wrinkled her nose at Xiao Jiu, who waved goodbye with a beaming smile.

However, before the four of them even reached the Three Thousand Steps, Elder Xue controlled his Cloud Boat to come and retrieve them.

“To the Feng Family.”

Aboard the boat, besides the new apprentices, Elder Yu was also seated with Elder Xue.

What on earth happened to the Feng Family that required two Elders to mobilize simultaneously?