Training the Villain to Become a Big Sister Obsessed - Chapter 7

In the morning, the moment Lan Shan Jun opened her door, the scent of fragrance drifted to her nose. The first thing that caught her eye were the Three-Heart Pure Lotuses—clean and dustless, yet each tip adorned with a touch of pale red, dew still clinging to the petals. Behind three or four clustered lotuses stood the still-young Cang Wu, who smiled brightly and held the flowers high in front of Lan Shan Jun.

“Senior Sister, good morning.”

Lan Shan Jun had witnessed this scene for a full half a month. During this time, Dong Jun’s lotus pond was nearly stripped bare by Cang Wu, and Lan Shan Jun’s room was almost permanently scented by the Three-Heart Pure Lotuses.

“Senior Sister, I learned a new set of sword techniques today. Do you want to see?” Cang Wu’s eyes were dark and bright, looking at Lan Shan Jun with full expectation.

Lan Shan Jun was mentally counting with the Book Spirit: “This is the eighteenth set she has learned, right?”

Book Spirit disagreed: “No, you miscounted. This is the twentieth set.”

“Senior Sister… you don’t want to watch?” Seeing Cang Wu’s expression grow disappointed, Lan Shan Jun quickly took the flowers and forced herself to act as a gentle and benevolent Senior Sister. “I want to watch! Senior Sister loves watching Junior Sister wield her sword the most.”

Cang Wu’s eyebrows lifted, revealing a hint of joy. Since Cang Wu started coming daily to deliver flowers and seize the opportunity for Lan Shan Jun to watch her practice, Dong Jun’s figure could no longer be seen in the Lotus Pavilion.

Stepping into the Lotus Pavilion, Lan Shan Jun saw tea, pastries, and fresh fruit already laid out on the stone table. She couldn’t help but sigh internally: “What a good child.”

Book Spirit was puzzled: “This isn’t right, is it?”

“What’s not right?” Lan Shan Jun squinted, enjoying peeling and eating a juicy spiritual fruit.

On the lotus pond, Cang Wu had already started moving. Unlike the sharp sword intent from that other day, every move and stance contained a gentle strength. This didn’t really resemble the way a normal sword cultivator practiced; it was more like she was dancing the sword to please someone. If the sword in her hand were replaced with flowing silk ribbons wrapped around her body, it would be perfectly fitting.

While enjoying herself, she didn’t forget to encourage her practice. Lan Shan Jun hooked a jade cup on the table—it contained tea made from finely ground Three-Heart Pure Lotus seeds. The jade cup floated, then was lifted by a gust of wind and sent toward Cang Wu.

“Junior Sister, try this tea.”

The jade cup stopped at the tip of the sword. As it was slowly lifted and tilted, the light green tea transformed into a thin, long stream, which entered Cang Wu’s mouth without leaving a single drop. The moment it entered her mouth, Cang Wu’s expression stiffened, but the tea was from her Senior Sister. She swallowed hard, the corner of her eye twitching slightly, followed by a surge of pure spiritual energy naturally generating and slowly integrating into Cang Wu’s body. Cang Wu’s eyes immediately lit up: the things Senior Sister gave were truly good! Thus, she danced her sword even more energetically.

By the stone table, Lan Shan Jun stared doubtfully at the jade cup in her hand because she hadn’t seen the expected reaction. This stuff tasted this bitter, yet Cang Wu actually drank it down!? Was the sip she took just now an illusion? Lan Shan Jun carefully took another small sip and once again grimaced into a bitter ball. The bitter taste spread from the tip to the root of her tongue, lingering stubbornly. Lan Shan Jun endured it until the corners of her eyes turned red and filled with tears. This is more bitter than my life!

As Lan Shan Jun leaned to the side, enduring it, a familiar sun-cloud pattern on a corner of the robe flashed in her peripheral vision. Who else was in Cloud-Treading Residence besides her and Cang Wu?

Lan Shan Jun quickly stood up and bowed, her head almost reaching her waist. “Mas-Master!”

“Lan Shan, what are you doing? You look so guilty?” The familiar voice startled Lan Shan Jun into looking up sharply, only to find Xie Qing Shuang standing before her, not Dong Jun as she had assumed.

“Senior Sister Xie!?” With a sigh of relief, Lan Shan Jun sat back down. “Why is Senior Sister Xie here? You startled me.” As she spoke, Lan Shan Jun glanced at the lotus heart tea on the table, a smile flashing across her lips, and diligently poured a cup for Xie Qing Shuang. “Senior Sister Xie, have some tea.”

Xie Qing Shuang glanced at her, her gaze falling on the tea. The tea was clear, fragrant, but the person pouring it… She raised an eyebrow and drank the tea in one gulp in front of Lan Shan Jun, her expression unchanged. She even offered praise: “Good tea.”

Lan Shan Jun’s eyes were still rimmed with tears. “???” Something’s not right.

“The Three-Heart Pure Lotuses in Cloud-Treading Residence are not like those elsewhere; they contain stronger spiritual energy and effects. Naturally, the lotus heart is more bitter, but if you can break through to the Soul Illumination Realm, you will be able to taste a bit of their primordial flavor,” Xie Qing Shuang played with the jade cup, reflecting for a moment before speaking. “It has a slight lingering sweetness; the taste is excellent.”

Lan Shan Jun pushed the remaining tea toward Xie Qing Shuang. “I only reached the Life and Death Realm a few years ago; how could I break through so quickly?”

Xie Qing Shuang’s eyelashes drooped slightly as her fingertip traced the rim of the jade cup. She replied to Lan Shan Jun, “Your aptitude isn’t bad, but you lack experience. You only mess around with your peers in the Valley; naturally, your cultivation speed won’t be fast.”

“Lan Shan, have you considered what you would do if there were a next time, and I or Dong Jun weren’t by your side, and you encountered a demon more powerful than that Snake Demon?”

Lan Shan Jun pondered; she roughly understood Xie Qing Shuang’s implied meaning—she was prompting her to work hard to raise her realm. “Senior Sister Xie thinks I should venture out of the Valley more often to gain experience?” Lan Shan Jun asked.

A faint smile touched Xie Qing Shuang’s lips. “Who said experience must be gained outside the Valley?”

“The tide rises at the You hour tomorrow; Sea Demons will enter the Valley.”

Drizzle began to fall, striking shallow puddles and splashing mud spots onto the grass leaves above. Just as the mud spots were about to slide down the leaf veins, they were heavily pressed back into the mud pit. A streak of water was left along the path, and the air was filled with a faint fishy smell.

“Quick! Make sure you catch her before she enters the Valley!”

“Yes!”

The damp, oppressive dusk was broken by a few strange conversations. The rain intensified, the tide continued to rise, and the waves pushed the Sea Demons toward Donghai’s only Immortal Mountain—Yanggu.

At the edge of Yanggu’s barrier, Xie Qing Shuang stood at the forefront, enveloped in coldness. Her longsword was encased in spiritual energy, and the falling rain instantly turned into sharp ice shards before it could touch the blade.

“Exterminate!”

At her command, dozens of Yanggu disciples surged out, clad in robes with sun-cloud embroidery. With their swords in hand, they rushed out of the barrier to face the strangely shaped Sea Demons.

The Sea Demons had human torsos and fish tails, their skin tinged with dark green. Long fins grew on both sides of their heads, and their teeth were sharp and densely packed. These Sea Demons belonged to the Jiao clan (Merfolk/Mermen) and favored the scent of blood and raw flesh. During the monthly high tide, Jiao Demons would take the opportunity to come ashore, attempting to infiltrate Yanggu to make the entire Immortal Mountain their lair. This monthly high tide thus became an excellent training opportunity for the Yanggu disciples, who gained combat experience by repelling and slaying the Jiao Demons.

The Jiao Demons were ruthless; one hit would tear flesh and cause profuse bleeding. Yet, not a single Yanggu disciple retreated, because they knew someone was behind them.

Xie Qing Shuang’s figure darted swiftly before the barrier, stabilizing one Junior Sister’s sword before rushing to block a thrust aimed at another’s heart.

“Thank you, Senior Sister,” the young Junior Sister said in thanks.

Xie Qing Shuang’s eyes narrowed. A sword swept past the girl’s cheek, piercing the Jiao Demon attempting a sneak attack behind her straight through the neck. Cold, sticky blood sprayed out, splattering onto the sword still covered in icy cold energy.

“Your realm is insufficient; you shouldn’t be here.”

The Junior Sister felt her body lighten; in the blink of an eye, she was back inside the barrier, Xie Qing Shuang’s clear, water-like voice still echoing in her ears.

“Wipe it off.”

Before the little Junior Sister could process her shock or sadness, she was drawn in by the gentle voice. She slightly turned her face and saw a person whose expression was as warm as the spring breeze offering her a clean, fragrant handkerchief.

“Lan Shan… Senior Sister Lan Shan?” The little Junior Sister recognized the person before her—the one who studied under Dong Jun and bore the surname Lan Shan. The Junior Sister wondered in her heart: Wasn’t it rumored that Senior Sister Lan Shan never participated in the demon-slaying during the rising tide?

Seeing the girl stunned, Lan Shan Jun had to extend her hand slightly, gently wiping a few drops of blood from the fair cheek. The Junior Sister flushed upon reacting and quickly saluted. “Thank you, Senior Sister Lan Shan. I… I’ll do it myself.”

Lan Shan Jun smiled and handed the handkerchief to her, then turned her gaze outside the barrier. She watched for a while without moving.

Book Spirit was puzzled: “Didn’t you say you needed experience?”

“I’m not ready yet,” Lan Shan Jun smiled. “I need time to brew the mood.”

Although it wasn’t her first time seeing a Sea Demon, the creature’s appearance was still shocking.

As if sensing her presence, Xie Qing Shuang quickly glanced over. “Lan Shan, the barrier in the Fog Forest has a problem. You go over there first; I will follow shortly.”

The transmitted message sounded urgent. As the Senior Sister protecting these training disciples, Xie Qing Shuang had to stay here. Concern for Yanggu’s safety overriding everything, Lan Shan Jun did not hesitate. She rode the wind straight toward the Fog Forest.

A few breaths later, Lan Shan Jun appeared at the edge of the Fog Forest barrier. A narrow hole had been melted into the barrier, from which a deep indentation extended—as if a heavy object had been dragged across the ground. The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, mixed with the salty stench of seawater.

Sea Demon! Lan Shan Jun narrowed her eyes and followed the drag marks forward. The direction led into the Fog Forest. The Fog Forest was perpetually covered in mist, rumored to be an illusion formation left by a powerful being. Even Dong Jun and the Valley Master might not emerge safely if they entered. Therefore, the Fog Forest was an unstated forbidden zone for everyone in Yanggu. Although no sealing array was set up, anyone who was curious enough to enter a clearly prohibited area would only have themselves to blame for the consequences.

First, she used her jade plaque to send a message to Dong Jun, the Valley Master, and Xie Qing Shuang. Lan Shan Jun brought her two fingers together and channeled spiritual power into the plaque. Instantly, a formation emerged from the plaque. The crimson-gold sun-cloud motif slowly rotated and expanded, finally filling the gap in the barrier completely and tightly. The dazzling crimson-gold inlay stood out brightly against the originally transparent barrier. Lan Shan Jun nodded with satisfaction after completing everything, turned around, and followed the trail left by the Sea Demon.

“You’re going into the Fog Forest?” the Book Spirit asked.

Lan Shan Jun couldn’t help rolling her eyes upon hearing that. “You clearly haven’t read enough novels. Senior Sister Xie said she’d be here soon. This is clearly the Protagonist’s opportunity. Since it’s an opportunity, the Sea Demon inside must be at least a minor boss. Am I going in to offer myself up for death? Of course, I’ll wait outside for the Protagonist to arrive.”

Book Spirit: “…That actually makes some sense.”

Arriving at the border of the Fog Forest, Lan Shan Jun saw Cang Wu from afar, standing with her sword drawn before a woman. Cang Wu pointed her sword at the woman, her expression cold. Although she was still a child, the oppressive aura she exuded was no less than that of some high-realm cultivators. Behind Cang Wu, several corpses lay scattered, their blood soaking a patch of ground, even turning the sun-cloud pattern on Cang Wu’s robe scarlet with absorbed blood.

Lan Shan Jun watched quietly, seemingly in thought.

Book Spirit: “In the original book, the Villain was cold-blooded, ruthless, and killed countless people. Such a person is absolutely not kind-hearted.”

Lan Shan Jun frowned upon hearing this. “You saw it just now, Senior Sister Xie is slaying Jiao Demons. For the same action, if the Protagonist does it, it’s considered a righteous act, but Cang Wu becomes someone ‘absolutely not kind-hearted’ as you put it?”

In the distance—

“My Senior Sister dislikes the sight of blood. You leave this place.” Cang Wu flipped her wrist and sheathed her sword.

“No, I can’t leave. They won’t let me go,” the woman pleaded painfully, wanting Cang Wu to keep her there, but her broken fish tail made it impossible for her to move properly. She could only prop up her upper body with effort.

Cang Wu frowned. “This has nothing to do with me.” She had intended to come here early to solve trouble for her Senior Sister but unexpectedly ran into this tail-less Jiao Demon being hunted by several of its kin. The infighting among its own kind inexplicably angered her, and on impulse, she saved this Jiao Demon.

“Be careful!”

Suddenly, the Crane’s Bite, which had been sheathed, let out a sword cry, accurately blocking a strike aimed at her shoulder. Cang Wu spun around, kicking the attacking Jiao Demon behind her away, and a gust of wind lifted her entire body, allowing her to evade another Jiao Demon’s attack. The Jiao Demons that had been lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious, all stood up again, charging at Cang Wu with blank eyes.

Lan Shan Jun used her chain blade to loop around a Jiao Demon’s neck and swung it hard, using the momentum to arrive beside Cang Wu.

“Senior Sister!”

“Didn’t they die?” Lan Shan Jun asked, looking at the Jiao Demons that stood up again after falling and continued to swarm Cang Wu.

“I didn’t kill them.” Cang Wu explained while swinging her sword to wound the Jiao Demon’s shoulder, but the Jiao Demon acted as if it felt no pain, charging straight at her.

Looking at the pair of strange, red eyes, coupled with the Jiao Demons charging at Cang Wu without focal awareness or pain, it looked like—Lan Shan Jun’s expression grew serious. It looked like they were being controlled.