Haven't Been a Senior Sister for Many Years - Chapter 15
Chapter 15: The Fire Thread Snake
Dingmi City Secret Realm.
Two days ago, the disturbance caused by Chu Zhiqin in the central region had forced countless mid- and low-level spirit beasts to flee in all directions.
At this moment, Ding Ying and her companions had already left the forest and entered the scorching hot Gobi Desert.
Freed from the limitations of the tall trees, they all summoned their natal spirit swords and flew through the sky. However, they had to remain cautious so as not to be discovered by spirit beasts below, which could provoke a fight.
During their journey, Ye Ling’er, unaware of the identity of the Liu sisters, couldn’t stop worrying about them. She kept glancing back toward the central area and almost fell off her sword in a moment of distraction. Thankfully, Lin Hongxue had been keeping a close eye on her and caught her arm just in time, preventing a fall.
“!!”
“That scared me to death…” Ye Ling’er clutched her chest, trembling. “Good thing I’m okay.” She let out a long breath of relief.
Lin Hongxue scolded her angrily while still holding her arm:
“You’re so distracted even in a secret realm—aren’t you afraid of getting yourself killed? If I hadn’t grabbed your arm just now, you’d be a smear on the ground!”
The two descended from their flying swords and landed in the Gobi, arguing. Ding Ying and Shangguan Yan, hearing the commotion, quickly joined them.
Ding Ying asked, “What’s going on?”
Shangguan Yan teased, “You two fighting?”
Realizing she was in the wrong, Ye Ling’er lowered her head and said nothing. Seeing her guilty expression, Lin Hongxue rolled her eyes and covered for her, saying,
“This girl’s cultivation—who knows what she’s been practicing? She can’t even control her sword properly! When we get back, the senior sisters must give her proper training so she stops being so careless!”
Ding Ying and Shangguan Yan laughed at the rare sight of Ye Ling’er staying quiet.
“So you’re not denying it, Junior Sister Ling’er? That means you agree?”
Ye Ling’er glanced at Lin Hongxue, who looked like she was smiling and mocking her. Bracing herself, she replied,
“Yes! Please, Senior Sisters, teach me well when we return. I promise not to skip morning lessons anymore!”
Ding Ying and Shangguan Yan exchanged amused glances. Shangguan Yan laughed,
“Well, since you’re so sincere, how could we refuse? I’ll be stricter when we get back—you won’t be disappointed.”
“As for now, we’ll let you off. We’ve already entered the Gobi. Soon, we’ll reach the desert. Besides watching out for desert spirit beasts hiding in the sand, we must also be careful of quicksand. Stay alert, everyone.”
Lin Hongxue and Ye Ling’er replied in unison,
“Yes!”
The four continued northwest. Along the way, they discovered several rare spirit plants and beasts. Unfortunately, they were only allowed to bring out three spiritual items or treasures each, so every selection had to be carefully considered.
“It’s a Fire Thread Snake and Crimson Mist Heart!”
Ye Ling’er, with her sharp eyes, spotted the two in a rocky canyon. Her mouth practically watered at the sight. She and Lin Hongxue both practiced fire-based techniques, so they knew how valuable these were.
Come on, it’s a Fire Thread Snake and Crimson Mist Heart!
If she didn’t at least try to get them, she’d be smacking herself in frustration during her nightly reflection for being so useless.
Seeing the desire in her eyes, Ding Ying asked knowingly, “Want it?”
Ye Ling’er nodded. “Mm!”
Ding Ying said, “In that case, go for it. Disciples of Yaoguang Hall aren’t the kind who cower at the sight of a mid-tier spirit beast!”
With a determined smile, Ye Ling’er stared at the alert Fire Thread Snake.
“Of course! Just wait and see, Senior Sisters—I’ll take it down!”
“Go. Be careful.”
This was Ye Ling’er’s own trial. Ding Ying and the others wouldn’t interfere unless she was truly in danger.
Ye Ling’er drew her Bu Guang Sword.
True to its name, the Fire Thread Snake had a long, slender body covered in flame-like patterns, each flame containing violent fire-type spiritual energy—perfect for her cultivation.
The provoked snake raised its body, its black eyes locked on her. Its fangs dripped with purple venom, which corroded deep pits into the ground wherever it landed.
Ye Ling’er didn’t dare take it lightly. She was only in the early Core Formation stage, while the snake was already mid-to-late Core Formation. Who knew how long it had guarded the Crimson Mist Heart, absorbing its ambient spiritual energy? A head-on fight gave her slim odds.
But—who was she?
She was Ye Ling’er—the fearless, beloved little sister of Yaoguang Hall. Back at the sect, she got whatever she wanted.
If she backed down from a snake, what would all those years of pampering have meant?
With a swift leap, she charged the snake, aiming her sword straight at its eyes.
Its scales were thick and its flames could burn souls, but it shared the usual serpent weaknesses: the eyes and the seventh inch.
Her shining sword tip glinted as it closed in on the snake’s black pupils. But of course, the Fire Thread Snake wasn’t going to let such a direct strike succeed.
A spray of purple venom shot along her sword toward her face. She quickly summoned a spiritual shield to block it—but to her shock, the venom corroded through the shield, squeezing through the cracks.
So toxic!
Startled, Ye Ling’er withdrew her sword just in time and twisted in midair to dodge. Before she could land, searing flames rained down like a meteor shower, their heat making her clothes and hair crackle.
She didn’t want to be roasted alive. Like a phantom, she weaved between the flames. Some stuck to her shield, corroding it slowly.
She was clearly at a disadvantage—but Ye Ling’er never once thought of asking for help. With a cold snort, she charged the snake again, even as her shield burned.
Lin Hongxue watched and covered her face, exasperated.
“Why is she being so reckless again? How can she be so headstrong during a life-and-death fight?”
A hand patted her shoulder. It was Shangguan Yan.
“Don’t worry. We’re here—she won’t get hurt.”
As a longtime senior sister, Shangguan Yan understood Ye Ling’er’s faults—and Lin Hongxue’s thoughts.
Lin Hongxue sighed.
“You’re the ones who spoiled her like this.”
Shangguan Yan winked playfully.
“You did the most spoiling.”
Blushing, Lin Hongxue had no comeback.
Meanwhile, Ye Ling’er had already exchanged hundreds of moves with the snake.
The snake couldn’t break her sword energy and shield; she couldn’t penetrate its flames or venom. The stalemate dragged on—until suddenly, the central area rumbled again, sending shockwaves even to the far-off Gobi. The ground shook, the wind howled.
“What’s going on?”
Ding Ying drew her sword and steadied herself as boulders tumbled. Shangguan Yan held Lin Hongxue, eyes fixed anxiously on Ye Ling’er.
Lin Hongxue shouted,
“Senior Sister! It’s shaking so badly—will Ling’er be alright?”
Ding Ying slashed a falling boulder and said coldly,
“We’re moving in. Let’s help Ling’er take the snake down!”
Ye Ling’er shouted back,
“Don’t come! I’ll handle it myself!”
Her carefully styled hair was a mess, her robes scorched and stained with venom, the fabric eaten away.
She was a wreck—but her eyes burned with determination. The more she fought, the fiercer she became.
Ding Ying stopped Lin Hongxue from rushing over.
“She’s our little sister, isn’t she? Trust her.”
Lin Hongxue gazed at Ye Ling’er and nodded reluctantly.
“Alright…”
Ye Ling’er couldn’t hear them. She was fully focused on the snake.
She remembered something her master once asked her:
“What is the path of a sword cultivator?”
At the time, she’d raised her hand with childish glee:
“I know! A sword cultivator’s blade can split mountains and seas! If there’s a wall in my way, I just cut it down!”
Her master had chuckled and patted her head.
“Then you must train hard. It’s a difficult road.”
Back then, she didn’t fully understand.
But now, standing before this obstacle—this was her wall.
And so, she cut it down.
With newfound clarity, her spiritual energy shattered falling stones midair. The Bu Guang Sword sang sharply, unstoppable.
The Fire Thread Snake sensed the danger. It tried to grab the Crimson Mist Heart and flee amid the chaos.
But how could she let it? With a fierce cry, she slammed the ground ahead of it, blocking its path with a deep crater.
Trapped, the snake retaliated with a barrage of fireballs.
Its once-glowing scales dimmed. It had hoped the fireballs would buy time to escape—but Ye Ling’er didn’t dodge. Her sword struck each fireball down effortlessly.
She had broken through—from early to mid Core Formation—and her depleted core now surged with golden energy.
“Ling’er broke through!” Lin Hongxue exclaimed.
“That’s great—now she’ll win!”
Ding Ying sheathed her sword.
“Yes, and the central disturbance has settled. It should end soon.”
Sure enough, the exhausted Fire Thread Snake couldn’t stand against Ye Ling’er’s renewed strength. In just a few strikes, she pierced its black eyes, making it shriek in pain. As it writhed, she struck its weak spot—the seventh inch—and ended its life.
“Senior Sister, look! I did it!”
She held up the Crimson Mist Heart and the snake’s corpse, beaming.
“You idiot,” Lin Hongxue muttered with a smile.
She had been so worried, and this fool was now smiling without a care.
“Come on,” said Shangguan Yan, nudging Lin Hongxue’s shoulder.
“Let’s go ‘teach a lesson’ to our mischievous junior.”
“Yeah!” Lin Hongxue nodded.
“Ye Ling’er, you dummy! Prepare to die!”
Ye Ling’er gaped.
“Why!? I won! Didn’t I!?”
Lin Hongxue tackled her and lightly thumped her.
“You scared me to death!”
Hearing the quiver in her voice, Ye Ling’er didn’t fight back. She gently hugged her and patted her back, speaking softly:
“Alright, alright—it was my fault. Don’t be mad at me.”
“If you do this again, I’ll stop talking to you!”
Lin Hongxue wiped her tears and growled.
Ye Ling’er nodded furiously.
“Of course! I promise!”
“Idiot…”
“Mhm, I am.”
Not far away, Ding Ying and Shangguan Yan watched without interrupting.
Dusk was falling. It wasn’t suitable to travel anymore. While the junior sisters embraced, the senior sisters quietly began setting up camp for the night.