Chapter 19: Only I Can Bully My Martial Sister!

The next day arrived.

Bai Lian's eyes opened to the world. As she lifted the barrier, the morning's first traces of aura filtered into the room, infusing the gray surroundings with vibrant colors. Approaching the window, she gazed at the rabbit sprawled on the ground and the sword in her hand, feeling invigorated.

In half a day, she could completely refine the new Dirt Free Sword. The equipment's bonuses were considerable. Even if she couldn't fully harness the sword's power, it would still be enough to take on Gong Juren. This newfound confidence eased Bai Lian's concerns.

As external threats lessened, Bai Lian noted a surprising change in the two Martial Sisters whom she had thought would quarrel incessantly.

"What a pleasant surprise!" Bai Lian murmured, a relieved smile playing on her lips. It seemed her virtual life was finally on the right trajectory. With Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei on her side, who would dare provoke her?

Bai Lian resolved to check on the situation next door. She released her divine sense, easily piercing through the wall. The slightly open wooden window allowed dappled sunlight to fall upon the rumpled bed.

"Where are they?"

A glance revealed that the two junior Martial Sisters had already risen. Seated on the ground, they earnestly practiced their cultivation techniques. Were they pushing themselves too hard?

Bai Lian felt a pang of guilt. Despite their exceptional talents, they were still exerting themselves much more than the average cultivator. Simultaneously, she worried. Were they not feeling cold on the ground? Could cultivating on an empty stomach impact their focus? Could overexertion impede their cultivation progress?

Bai Lian decided to care for the diligent pair. As the saying goes, work and rest should be balanced.

"It's best to take a walk around Duxian Sect while the weather's pleasant. After all, you can't work efficiently on an empty stomach. Besides, overworking may hinder your cultivation," Bai Lian lectured.

She had grown rather verbose, a far cry from the image of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian that Xiao Jinse had originally conjured. But, she found herself oddly drawn to this new persona.

Yet, this was precisely what she liked.

While the ethereal image was beautiful, it remained distant. Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian, however, was warm and familial, just as she should be.

After accompanying Xiao Jinse and Su Youwei on a tour of Qiongming Peak for half an hour, Bai Lian felt fatigued. Now that they were well-acquainted, she trusted they could explore on their own.

Su Youwei's agreement held a hint of melancholy. She preferred solitude. Furthermore, if she had to be in someone's company, it certainly wouldn't be that second Elder Martial Sister.

The two parted ways, and Xiao Jinse entered the Cultivation Method Pavilion. Recognizing her lack of theoretical knowledge, she turned to the writings of past cultivators for guidance. This endeavor proved fruitful and enriched her understanding.

Xiao Jinse had recently developed a keen interest in alchemy. However, due to her limited supply of spirit stones and her hesitation to visit the medicine garden in Bai Lian's absence, she had yet to begin practicing.

Just as Xiao Jinse speculated on alchemical methods, a disciple rushed into the Cultivation Method Pavilion.

"Where's Martial Sister Xiao from Qiongming Peak?"

"What's the matter?" Xiao Jinse set aside her book.

Gasping for breath, the disciple relayed the news, "I witnessed your junior Martial Sister being bullied!"

"Ah?" Xiao Jinse's lips tightened.

The hesitation didn't last long. A particular phrase from Bai Lian echoed in her mind: "Don't let Qiongming Peak lose its momentum."

Regardless, Su Youwei was now her third Martial Sister. If she turned a blind eye to her suffering, how could she continue to be a Martial Sister?

"Thank you for informing me, junior Martial Brother!"

With her words, Xiao Jinse hoisted the hefty Blowing Snow Sword and stood at the entrance of the Cultivation Method Pavilion. There was no need to pinpoint Su Youwei's location; the gathering crowd indicated her position.

The disciple's anxiety eased. His next destination would be Qiongming Peak to inform Martial Sister Bai Lian. This might be his chance to meet Martial Sister Bai Lian up close and perhaps exchange a few words.

Meanwhile, Bai Lian's expression grew frosty upon receiving the news. She bid farewell to the construction team's overseer and hastened to the scene. A grave situation had unfolded: her third Martial Sister had been bullied.

Su Youwei's reputation as a "Shura" was no fabrication. If her inner demon were unleashed, it could result in acts of violence, which might incur the taint of murder. Such actions could lead to her expulsion from the sect or even capital punishment—a future Bai Lian dreaded.

All her efforts could be in vain if this outcome materialized.

In a short span, Bai Lian arrived at the Cultivation Method Pavilion, accompanied by the jade rabbit. The onlookers instinctively made way, affording her an unobstructed path.

Seeing Xiao Jinse, who bore visible injuries, steadfastly positioned in front of Su Youwei, Bai Lian's mixed emotions of relief and simmering anger surged.

"What happened?" Bai Lian's gaze shifted to Chen Lu and others on the opposite side as she addressed Xiao Jinse.

"Elder Martial Sister!" Xiao Jinse relaxed her tense body, fatigue weighing heavily on her, yet she remained resolute in recounting the events.

The incident stemmed from a misunderstanding. Su Youwei had inadvertently bumped into a passerby while engrossed in thought, resulting in an apology. However, the passerby refused to let the matter rest, joining forces with companions to extort Su Youwei. With Xiao Jinse's intervention, tensions escalated, ultimately alerting the Elder Martial Sister of the passerby's group—Chen Lu, Elder Martial Sister of Yunluo Peak.

Bai Lian gripped Su Youwei's arm, pulling back her sleeve to expose the bruised and discolored marks. Su Youwei squirmed, unable to escape Bai Lian's hold.

"Why didn't you fight back?" Bai Lian sighed, though she already knew the answer. Su Youwei's strength matched Xiao Jinse's, yet she chose not to retaliate.

Su Youwei gazed at the "正" character on her wrist and responded, "I didn't want to trouble you, Martial Sister."

Shaking her head, Bai Lian countered, "I'm not afraid of this trouble."

Two new mission options materialized before her eyes:

[Task 1: Unsheath your sword and seek justice for your junior Martial Sister (Reward: Magic - Thunder Abyss)]

[Task 2: Resolve the dispute peacefully (Reward: Secret skill - Phaseless Fingers)]

Bai Lian's choice was clear: Task 1.

Fixing Chen Lu with an icy glare, Bai Lian's voice dripped with disdain, "Know this—only I can bully my Martial Sister! Or, to be precise, not even I have ever bullied my Martial Sister!"

Chen Lu's brows furrowed, and she argued, "Bai Lian, this is all a misunderstanding."

"Perhaps at first, but not anymore."

Chen Lu queried, "What do you intend?"

"Draw your sword."

With those words, Bai Lian extended her right hand, conjuring the crystalline Dirt Free Sword into her palm. The water-like ripples distorted the air itself.