Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?

Chapter 825: Renshou's Confusion

...When Chen Huaian returned to the Cangyun Realm, several days had already passed there.

Sensing Chen Huaian's aura appear, Lin Fan and Zhang Mengchu immediately came to pay their respects.

"Ancestor, we have failed to live up to your expectations. This time, we only managed to obtain one high-grade Celestial Essence."

Lin Fan took out that piece of high-grade Celestial Essence, his eyes filled with guilt.

Previously, when descending to Earth Star, he had been slaughtering the cultivators and monsters there at will. Plus, given equal cultivation levels, the cultivators and monsters of Earth Star were indeed far inferior to those of the Cangyun Realm. So inevitably, he had developed a sense of contempt towards Earth Star's cultivators and monsters.

However, this time, he gained little advantage in the battle against Chen Niu.

The facts proved that once the gap in cultivation realms reached a certain threshold, even with more exquisite techniques and a deeper understanding of the Dao, one would still be suppressed by the sheer difference in realm, resulting in being unable to unleash one's full capabilities, a frustrating and suffocating experience.

Later, Hua Jin the True One's personal realm was even more so.

Hua Jin the True One's realm was crude, simple, and incomplete in its rules.

But relying purely on the suppression of her higher realm, she prevented both his and Zhang Mengchu's personal realms from manifesting. Naturally, they were no match for Hua Jin the True One. Fortunately, the ancestor timely canceled the summoning, teleporting them back to Cangyun from within Hua Jin the True One's realm.

"What is there to apologize for? This Venerable One is already very pleased to have gotten one."

Chen Huaian took the high-grade Celestial Essence.

He did not plan to plant this Celestial Essence as a sect resource. Instead, he intended to keep it for himself.

A high-grade Celestial Essence was inevitably linked to some secrets.

Keeping one that had not yet unfolded into a Spirit Vein would be convenient for him to take out and study when needed.

"Ancestor, I will improve my strength as soon as possible."

Lin Fan still hadn't forgiven himself, his expression resolute. "This junior has already sensed a sliver of an opportunity to break through to the Great Ascension Stage. It's a pity Chen Niu died too quickly. If he could have fought with this junior for another day... no, half a day, this junior should have been able to fully grasp that opportunity."

Chen Huaian's mouth twitched. "If it really doesn't work, why don't you fight with This Venerable One? This Venerable One can suppress my realm to the peak of Void Shattering to spar with you. Maybe you can still sense that breakthrough opportunity?"

Lin Fan's old face flushed red. "This... having you personally take action, isn't that a bit inappropriate..."

Judging by his expression, he didn't seem embarrassed at all; rather, he seemed a bit eager to try.

"Nothing inappropriate about it. After This Venerable One finishes handling some matters, I'll come and properly train you."

Having gotten the reward he desired, Lin Fan couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Then this junior respectfully accepts your kind offer!"

He cupped his hands in salute, already contemplating how to defeat Chen Huaian at the peak of Void Shattering.

"Ancestor, what matters do you need to handle upon returning?" Zhang Mengchu knew the time flow between the two realms was different. Several days had passed in the Cangyun Realm, so not much time should have passed on Earth Star.

At this moment, the great battle should have just ended or be in its most intense stage.

The ancestor should be very busy.

Could it be... the ancestor encountered something he couldn't handle?

His heart tightened, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of worry.

"There are a few things."

Chen Huaian nodded.

Apart from wanting to find some pills that could enhance Muscle Tyrant's strength, he mainly missed his disciple.

On Earth Star, watching the Canglan Realm was like watching everything in super fast-forward, a blurry mess where he could only vaguely tell what Li Qingran was doing.

He would take time to check every day, finding that Li Qingran seemed to be at an academy, her daily life repeating between attending classes, eating, sleeping, and occasionally going out for training with her mentor and classmates.

Watching the Canglan Realm from the Cangyun Realm was much better.

He could clearly see what Li Qingran was doing.

He could also promptly meet any needs she might have.

"The Spirit Beast Sect should have already settled in the nearby mountain range, right?" Chen Huaian asked.

"Naturally." Zhang Mengchu cupped his hands. "All major sects have stabilized and have already recruited a new batch of disciples during your absence. Now, our Moon Shadow Sect is considered a holy land in the eyes of all cultivators and mortals across the entire Cangyun Realm. The surrounding sects serve as vassals; it's truly a case of 'all stars surrounding the moon'."

"Good." Chen Huaian instructed, "Summon the Spirit Beast Sect Master. This Venerable One has matters to discuss with them."

...

The Spirit Beast Sect Master arrived very quickly.

Seeing Chen Huaian, he appeared rather apprehensive and fearful.

After all, this was the first time being summoned by the Chen Sword Master. The Spirit Beast Sect was different in nature from other sects, and he didn't think he could provide Chen Huaian with any valuable resources.

He could only reflect on whether he had done anything wrong recently...

But aside from being a bit too enthusiastic about recruiting new disciples, it seemed he hadn't done anything else, right?

Could it be... the ancestor thought he was recruiting too many disciples because he intended to rebel?!

"Renshou..." Chen Huaian had just begun to speak.

The Spirit Beast Sect Master immediately knelt down. "Chen Sword Master, please be discerning! This junior has never thought of rebelling! If you've heard any idle gossip outside, please don't believe it!"

Chen Huaian: "???"

He glanced suspiciously at Zhang Mengchu, who was beside him trying hard to stifle his laughter.

He felt that perhaps during his absence, the sect had been spreading tales of his notoriety everywhere, causing the masters and elders of these other sects to tremble at the sight of him.

"This Venerable One has no intention of punishing you. It's just that This Venerable One has raised a demonic beast. It has been with This Venerable One for many years, and I'm thinking of enhancing its strength. But This Venerable One doesn't know what rare treasures of heaven and earth it should consume to be effective. Considering you are the Spirit Beast Sect Master, you should understand this better than This Venerable One."

"Chen Sword Master, you jest. Although this junior is the Spirit Beast Sect Master, in terms of knowledge, I am not worthy to hold a candle to you." Hearing this, Renshou had already breathed a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands and said, "However, since the senior has a request, this junior will naturally go through fire and water without hesitation! May I ask, what is the bloodline of the demonic beast the senior is raising, and what is its name?"

Chen Huaian stroked his chin, hesitating for a moment. "It's a Taotie."

"Wha... what?" Renshou shuddered, staring blankly at Chen Huaian. "What did you just say the demonic beast you're raising is?"

"A Taotie." Chen Huaian's expression remained calm.

"Ta... Taotie?!" Renshou's eyes widened. Even Zhang Mengchu beside him looked at Chen Huaian with an incredulous gaze.

"The ancient Fierce Beast Taotie? The one reputed to be able to Devour the Heavens and Earth?"

Chen Huaian felt a bit strange.

He had originally said it on purpose, as a joke, though it was the truth.

But he knew that Taotie was a creature from Earth Star, existing within Earth Star's mythological system.

So why did the Spirit Beast Sect Master have such a strong reaction upon hearing his words?

Could it be that the Cangyun Realm also had Taotie?!

Then the question arose.

If the Cangyun Realm's Taotie and Earth Star's Taotie were placed together, which one would be the real Taotie?

"It is indeed the Taotie you speak of." Chen Huaian affirmed once more, wanting to see what this Renshou would say.

"This shouldn't be... This really shouldn't be..."

Renshou seemed to have heard something that overturned his worldview.

He wanted to correct Chen Huaian, but the words stuck in his throat. He didn't dare to speak out or question due to Chen Huaian's status.

He could only fall into self-doubt, at a loss for what to do.

...