Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 677: Bring your head to see me
Previously on Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?...
Chapter 677: Bring your head to see me
...
Chen Huaian didn't emerge from the Cangyun Realm until he had fed Li Qingran to her heart's content.
The young girl's appetite was growing more voracious by the day; she practically refused to let him depart until her stomach was noticeably rounded.
Luckily, the time dilation stood at a 1:24 ratio.
By the time half an hour passed on Earth Star, Li Qingran would be fully recharged and ready for more activity.
This ensured her ability to assist him later through 'Divine Wandering in the Void' remained completely unaffected.
"What is the current state of affairs?"
Wang Shouyi recoiled in alarm as Chen Huaian materialized next to him like a phantom.
"Senior, you have returned after finishing your business?" He let out a breath of relief before somberly shaking his head. "The outlook is grim. A second shipment of premium Celestial Jade Marrow was stolen by an unidentified party. These shadowy figures appear and vanish without a trace. Her Eminence informed me that she is currently unable to gather any intelligence regarding them."
"Is that so? That is truly unfortunate..." Chen Huaian shook his head, feigning disappointment.
Simultaneously, he sent a secret transmission to Zhang Yibai: "Old Zhang, did you catch a glimpse of who struck?"
Following a brief pause, the heavy voice of Zhang Yibai responded: "I did not. I only perceived a razor-sharp Sword Intent. That individual's Sword Qi possessed the power to rend space itself. The premium Celestial Jade Marrow was pulled into the void he tore open. This old man suspects our rival also commands the laws of space; otherwise, they could not have seized it so effortlessly!"
"So that is the truth of it." Chen Huaian’s expression turned grim. "That mysterious group has already snatched three portions of Celestial Jade Marrow. We must fight with everything we have for the six that remain!"
The exchange between Zhang Yibai and Chen Huaian was fully monitored by the Divine Sense of Hua Jin the True One.
She listened to every word without letting a single emotion show on her face, though she felt a slight sense of relief internally.
It appeared that while Zhang Yibai, Gu Changsheng, and Chen Huaian were likely unpredictable variables, they weren't affiliated with those Sword Pavilion members from earlier.
Despite her relief, a growing feeling of apprehension began to take hold.
The count of 'variables' seemed to be rising steadily.
Their defining trait was that most were Sword Cultivators whose martial prowess far surpassed their visible cultivation ranks.
Unity Realm variables were already surfacing—in the future, there might be those at the Void Shattering, Harmony stage, or even the Feathered Transformation realms.
If she crossed paths with variables of that caliber, wouldn't her fate be sealed?
However, she decided to leave future troubles for another day.
Hua Jin the True One was not one to fret over problems that hadn't arrived yet.
Observing Chen Huaian's somber face, she spoke softly to comfort him: "Senior Chen, do not burden yourself with so much stress. When the next Celestial Jade Marrow manifests, both the Demon Immortal avatar and I will be on high alert for any interference from that mysterious faction."
"In this manner, I possess at least a fifty percent probability of securing the premium Celestial Jade Marrow."
"Furthermore, that shadowy group likely won't dare to strike again."
"Their refusal to face us directly proves they dread the combined power of myself and the Demon Immortal avatar. Once we take precautions, they will have no choice but to hide like cowardly rats."
Hide like cowardly rats?
Chen Huaian found the thought hilarious.
But he had to suppress his laughter—he needed to maintain his facade of gravity.
"Hua Jin the True One speaks with great wisdom." Chen Huaian bowed with cupped hands. "This Venerable One was perhaps overthinking. This Venerable One will now coordinate with Old Zhang and Old Gu to ensure the Great Thunder Temple fails to secure even a single fragment of Celestial Jade Marrow!"
Hua Jin the True One gave a nod. "Very well, you are dismissed. With all of you standing guard, I feel quite at ease."
Seeing the genuine confidence in Hua Jin the True One's eyes, Chen Huaian felt a brief flicker of remorse.
He quickly departed from her presence and descended toward the Earth Veins Formation Core.
...
Deep within the Earth Veins at the heart of the formation, shimmering light danced across the faces of Zhang Yibai, Gu Changsheng, and Lin Fan, painting their features in shifting shades of radiance and dark.
The three sat in a meditative posture, their spiritual essence harmonizing with the grand array, their auras feeling profound and unshakable.
Chen Huaian’s form materialized silently amidst the glowing patterns of the complex formation lines.
"Ancestor!" Lin Fan was the first to react. His eyes, though obscured by cloth wraps, seemed to pierce through the fabric to lock onto Chen Huaian.
His expression was a cocktail of prideful joy and arrogance as he extended his hand. Nestled in his palm was a purple-gold crystal the size of a small fist, pulsing with immense and untainted Spiritual Energy—it was the very "stolen" premium Celestial Jade Marrow.
"Look at this!"
"Excellent work, lad!" Chen Huaian’s eyes shimmered.
He moved forward instantly, grabbing the warm, jade-like stone and tucked it safely into his storage ring.
It wasn't a lack of respect that drove his haste.
It was predominantly because Hua Jin the True One was acutely sensitive to the signature of Celestial Jade Marrow.
The woman could even foresee the emergence point of the marrow three days ahead of time.
He was terrified this prize might be sensed.
"This object is far too dangerous to keep out; we cannot display it casually."
Chen Huaian gave Lin Fan an appreciative pat on the back before turning serious: "Six more pieces are still to come. Hua Jin and that bald monk have formed a silent pact to take you out first. Do you truly have the confidence to seize more Celestial Jade Marrow while they are on high alert?"
Here at the Earth Veins Core, shielded by Old Zhang's arrays, he wasn't concerned about anyone above eavesdropping on his talk with Lin Fan.
At those words, a fierce grin played on Lin Fan's lips.
"Jiejie! Have no fear, Ancestor! Their power hasn't reached a level where they can fully suppress me, at least not yet! I, Lin Fan, have a seventy percent certainty of securing the goods for you! Whether it is Hua Jin or that Demon Immortal avatar, I will blow up anyone who dares to stand in my way!"
"Ahem, Hua Jin is actually on our side." Chen Huaian cleared his throat. "Try not to blow up Hua Jin."
"Ah, so that's the case. No wonder you two ancestors have been protecting her."
The wild arrogance on Lin Fan’s face softened slightly, replaced by a rare look of embarrassment.
He rubbed his fingers together, his voice dropping an octave: "Taking the treasures isn't the issue, it's just... I require you, Ancestor, to help me out with some 'Consumable Materials'."
"Oh? What sort of consumables?" Chen Huaian arched a brow, his heart thumping.
For a man as stubborn and fierce as Lin Fan to ask for assistance, the toll of his "Explosive Sword Style" must be truly staggering.
Lin Fan took a sharp breath, gathering his resolve, and spoke quickly:
"Ancestor, you are aware that my entire path is centered on the 'Explosive Sword'."
"The power is immense, but... it goes through swords far too fast!"
"Particularly when facing formidable foes like the Demon Immortal avatar; to land a killing blow and shatter their defenses, I need at least a top-tier Spiritual Artifact grade longsword to act as the fuse!"
"The better the grade, the more potent the explosion, and the more certain I am of breaking through their protective Qi!"
He opened his hands, looking both frustrated and saddened: "But over the years... you know how I fight."
"When a sword enters my hand, it either slays or it detonates."
"Every high-quality blade I've ever found has essentially been reduced to ash by this Explosive Sword Style."
"Currently, my pockets are emptier than my face. I've nothing but a few scraps of junk metal left."
"If that Demon Immortal avatar shows its true form, this junior would likely only be able to give it a minor scratch at best."
Lin Fan turned a pleading gaze toward Chen Huaian, "Ancestor! Trust me!"
"Just provide me with a few truly durable blades, and I promise to seize every remaining piece of marrow for you!"
"Not one will be lost! If I fail, I, Lin Fan, will bring you my head as proof!"
It appeared Zhang Yibai had already briefed Lin Fan on the terrifying power of the Demon Immortal avatar.
Chen Huaian fell into deep thought.
As of now, the Demon Immortal avatar hadn't shown its full capabilities, though the reason for its hesitation remained a mystery.
His own cultivation was lower than his opponent's, and the distance prevented him from reading the other's mind.
However...
He looked at the Electronic Girlfriend shop, where a single top-grade spirit jade could be traded for a top-tier Spiritual Artifact longsword, and fell silent.
Consumable materials?
Didn't he have those in abundance?
...