Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 780: Kidnapping

While Li Qingran faced her examination in the Battle Soul Hall, Li Ji showed up at the basic, rundown yard located in the city's northern area, flanked by a handful of loyal followers.

Yang Fei sat within the yard, repairing garments. Spotting the unexpected arrival of Li Ji, her complexion grew ashen, and the sewing needle along with the thread slipped from her grasp onto the floor.

"You... why have you come?" Yang Fei rose to her feet, automatically retreating a pace, her gaze brimming with caution and remoteness.

Li Ji signaled his followers to stay outside and entered the yard by himself. His dark stare scanned the dilapidated home before locking onto Yang Fei at last.

Containing his fury, his words forced out between clenched teeth. "Why am I here? Heh...

Naturally, I've come to question my beloved spouse about precisely when and where she placed such an enormous green hat upon my head, Li Ji's!"

At these words, Yang Fei's frame shook fiercely, the color fleeing from her cheeks in an instant.

She fixed her eyes on Li Ji, swirling with rage and sorrow inside.

"I've served the Flame Boar Family for countless years. Can't you tell the sort of woman I am?

No, it's you, Li Ji! You've been the one indulging in revelry and booze, dumping every household matter on my shoulders while ignoring it all!

Yet now you dare to interrogate me?"

The World Ring upon her person glowed, her look as icy and piercing as a knife's edge. She pointed upward toward the heavens. "I swear upon the gods that I've never committed any act of disloyalty toward you or the Flame Boar Family! But you, Li Ji—do you dare vow that you've never wronged me or our girl? How many mistresses do you keep elsewhere? You honestly believe I'm oblivious?!"

Li Ji observed Yang Fei's distorted features.

He certainly understood the character of Yang Fei.

Back when he wed her, he'd felt rather pleased with her.

Besides, had Yang Fei actually betrayed him that way, he wouldn't have remained in the dark.

Yet the Battle Soul belonging to Li Qingran defied easy explanation.

He'd planned to intimidate Yang Fei somewhat, hoping to extract some details from her. But instead, she countered with her solemn vow.

The gods of the Canglan World listened to the pledges made by humans. Legends held that each Battle Soul linked to a particular divine being above.

With a World Ring's oath invoked, the divine entities would catch every word.

To the gods, a human's falsehoods amounted to mere comical farces.

And if a god chose to deliver retribution, it hinged solely on their caprice.

Who would risk such a wager?

Yang Fei's declaration rang true in all likelihood, perhaps even more.

Noticing the turmoil across Li Ji's features, Yang Fei gave a scornful chuckle and shared the theory from those two Soul Masters. "A particular lordship mentioned that Qingran, having wandered lost in her early days, could have been guarded by a mighty World Beast. Its influence might have altered her bloodline! This isn't a stain—it's her fortune!"

So that's the story?

Though somewhat odd, the Soul Masters from the Battle Soul Hall possessed vast experience and wisdom. This rationale fit the puzzle neatly.

Li Ji peered into Yang Fei's eyes, the taut tension in his chest easing a touch.

His face flickered with uncertainty. The wrath faded bit by bit, giving way to intricate scheming.

Should Li Qingran's bloodline shift stem from some peculiar fate, her inborn full Soul Power gift would prove extraordinarily precious...

A prodigy like that—how could she be left wandering beyond the clan's reach?

His manner abruptly warmed, adopting a phony warmth. "Fei'er, should that prove accurate, then... I've misjudged you.

With the mix-up resolved, see... you and your daughter enduring such a rough abode isn't viable long-term.

Why not... return to the clan alongside me?

I'll reinstate your position. Qingran can gain top-tier guidance too. After all, she once addressed me as 'father'...

"

Gazing at Li Ji's scheming visage, Yang Fei sensed only revulsion.

She understood this individual all too thoroughly. His concern lay not with her and the child, but with the worth of Qingran's "innate full Soul Power"!

Were Qingran merely that powerless youngster from before, he'd spare them no thought.

Furthermore, Qingran's Battle Soul deviated from the Flame Boar lineage. Even upon returning, she'd never fully belong. She'd merely serve as Li Ji's pawn to ingratiate himself with the mighty!

With this realization, the final shred of doubt in Yang Fei's mind dissolved.

She held herself tall, her tone icy, unyielding, and unwavering. "Go back to the clan? Li Ji, the instant you permitted Rong Wuhua to expel us from our home, the moment you ignored my desperate appeals—that location stopped being our residence! Our mother-daughter fates no longer tie to the Flame Boar Family! Kindly depart!"

Li Ji never anticipated Yang Fei's such iron will. The affability vanished from his countenance in a flash, replaced by fury.

He'd assumed a soft approach would lure her back. He hadn't foreseen her unyielding stance.

His role as patriarch felt directly defied, sparking a humiliated outburst. "Yang Fei! Don't spurn the olive branch extended!

My courtesy offers you an opening!

Do you imagine thriving apart from the clan? Lacking its shield, in this Battle Soul City, you couldn't move an inch!

I'll pose it once more: will you return or won't you?!"

"No!" Yang Fei's response came swift and absolute. She advanced even, guarding the entrance to safeguard her daughter's remaining tranquility.

"You reject grace and invite penalty!" Li Ji shed all pretense, a savage spark igniting in his stare. He bellowed outward from the yard, "Guards! Seize this defiant woman and drag her away! I refuse to think that with her in custody, that wretched girl won't yield and return!"

The loyal aides beyond the entrance surged forward without delay, lunging at Yang Fei like ferocious beasts.

"You wouldn't dare! Li Ji, you villain!" Yang Fei resisted fiercely, igniting her World Ring to clash against Li Ji's Soul Master aides.

She possessed real skill, managing to withstand the assault for a considerable time.

Ultimately, Li Ji intervened himself, rendering her senseless before she stilled at last.

"Haul her away! Confine her! Watch her tightly!"

Li Ji averted his eyes from the fainted Yang Fei and gestured for his group to remove her.

He flat-out refused to accept otherwise.

Having Yang Fei restrained, how could Li Qingran not comply meekly?

...

Li Qingran, at the elderly Soul Master's urging, called forth her Su Xian Sword Battle Soul.

The pale lunar scabbard released subtle waves of energy.

Observing the blade's form, the group of veteran Soul Masters displayed clear astonishment.

In the Canglan World, sword-type Battle Souls typically featured wide heavy swords, cavalry blades, or slim foils. None had encountered a longsword boasting such straightforward, timeless, and refined styling like Li Qingran's.

They struggled to pinpoint the uniqueness of this Su Xian Sword Battle Soul, yet instinct whispered it was far from commonplace.

"I somehow sense I've encountered this sword's pattern in the past..."

Paikes fixated on the weapon in Li Qingran's grip for an extended moment, then abruptly extended his hand to draw a hefty volume from nothingness.

With a furrowed brow, he parted the book and swiftly scanned the leaves. It appeared he bypassed the crammed writings entirely; the space echoed solely with the soft 'flipping' of sheets.

At length, his actions froze abruptly. His eyes landed on one particular leaf, his irises shrinking in shock.

"This... ah, now I see. No surprise it seemed recognizable. It's simply..."

He gulped deeply, regarding Li Qingran with utter incredulity.

Should Li Qingran's sword Battle Soul tie to the entity noted in this book, the implications would prove downright horrifying.

Forget a solid link...

Even a faint, tenuous association would suffice to upend the realm of Soul Masters completely!

...