Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 781: Li Qingran's Choice

"Paikes, are you suggesting that her awakened Battle Soul..."

"Wait, that just can't be real, can it?"

A bunch of elderly figures clustered near the old book Paikes pulled out, scrutinizing its pages closely before turning their gazes to the Battle Soul clutched by Li Qingran—the Su Xian Sword. Slowly, looks of astonishment started creeping across their features.

"It resembles it so much! Truly, it does!"

"But that god's blade was dark in color. So, it probably isn't the legacy of that divine being's Battle Soul, is it?"

"This... it's tough to tell. Battle Souls tied to cuisine all carry the spark to evolve into a God of Food, while those linked to flames hold the possibility of ascending to God of Fire status. Given how this young woman's sword Battle Soul mirrors that legendary one so closely, doesn't she stand the highest odds?"

"As far as I recall, that divine entity never passed on her lineage. Without the tales surrounding her, folks might have long erased her from memory as if she never graced existence..."

The cluster of seniors buzzed with murmurs, exchanging hushed words beyond Li Qingran's grasp.

Eventually, their debate wrapped up. Glances darted between them, and the warm friendliness in their stares flipped in an instant to boiling animosity.

Before others could jump in, Paikes moved ahead. "Miss, your Battle Soul stands out remarkably. I officially extend an invitation for you to enter the Royal Academy of my White Star Empire. We'll cover all your tuition fees, house you in the finest royal quarters. You'll train with the empire's top Soul Masters. Even hailing from a modest clan like the Flame Boar Family, you'll build vital networks and claim a dazzling path ahead."

"Paikes, that's far too miserly!" One elder objected, advancing with a wide grin aimed at Li Qingran. "I serve as Vice-Principal at the Black Sun Empire's Royal Academy. Join us, and we'll assign a personal squad of instructors just for you. We'll handle your attire, meals, quarters, and travel to match the luxury of our imperial heirs. You could even start classes side by side with our empire's Little Princess."

"Yanluo Academy matches that offer!"

"Ice Snow Academy will as well..."

"Enough of that! Four Phases Academy suits Battle Souls of ice, fire, wind, and thunder natures. But Li Qingran wields an artifact Battle Soul. Placing her there would squander her gifts entirely."

"Ahem!" At last, a grim-looking middle-aged figure coughed sharply, silencing the chaotic chamber in a heartbeat. "Li Qingran, I'm convinced that aligning with our Battle Soul Hall offers the superior path. True, we lack the perks of royal pampering here, yet gaining entry to the Battle Soul Hall itself grants immense prestige and affirms your prodigious gifts... Plus, enlisting in the Battle Soul Hall won't bar you from attending these academies. As a Soul Master of the Battle Soul Hall, you gain the freedom to pick any academy you desire!"

Hearing this, the elders quieted down with bitter scowls, shooting resentful glares at the middle-aged man.

The cause was simple. He ranked as a Battle Saint from the Battle Soul Hall, at the pinnacle of 78th-rank power, merely a single stride from eighth-rank Legend status. And he remained in his prime years. In his lifetime, breaking through to the exalted Epic tier past rank 90 seemed entirely feasible. Thus, despite the seniors outranking him in might, not one dared cut him off mid-speech.

Li Qingran eyed the middle-aged man. "Could you tell me your name..."

"I hail from the Battle Soul Hall, as Battle Saint—Qin Feng. My Battle Soul is Blood Scythe. I also count among the Battle Soul Hall's Eighteen Iron Riders. Feel free to call me Mr. Qin."

Li Qingran regarded Qin Feng, then shifted her view to the cluster of elders watching her with keen anticipation. A thoughtful crease formed on her brow.

Based on her research, the Battle Soul Hall sat awkwardly amid rival empires, eyed with suspicion from every direction. Yet, thanks to the Hall Master's overwhelming strength—as one of the mightiest titled Epics across the globe—the Battle Soul Hall wielded considerable influence despite its precarious spot. What's more, its outposts dotted the heartlands of numerous empires.

On the face of it, the Battle Soul Hall posed as a unique organization focused on grooming elite Soul Masters. But sharp minds recognized the truth—it orchestrated a vast strategic play.

In this realm, Soul Masters bearing supreme Battle Souls and innate full Battle Power mirrored the genius disciples of sects back in the Cangyun Realm. Command those prodigies, and you'd command the dominant sect over all Cangyun. Consider the Moon Shadow Sect today.

Having arrived in this Small Thousand World, to thrive properly, she required entry into the premier force available. She rejected settling for leading a lowly flock over trailing a majestic bird. Even beginning at the bird's rear in these elite groups, she'd strive relentlessly to claim its lead position.

"I select the Battle Soul Hall."

Li Qingran lifted her chin, her tone steady and bold.

"Ah, such a promising talent, swiped by the Battle Soul Hall once more..."

"The Battle Soul Hall nurses dark designs. One day, they'll strip our academies bare of any recruits worth having."

In the face of the academy leaders' grumbles, Qin Feng offered only a faint smile, his spirits visibly lifted.

"You overstate things. The Battle Soul Hall never seeks entanglement in the continental empires' conflicts. Our sole aim is to foster elite Soul Masters who shape global currents, to forge the mightiest warriors. That remains the core mission since our founding."

The elders plastered on false grins. All present saw through the hollow promises in Qin Feng's declaration.

The Battle Soul Hall shuns continental dominion? Ha, that line might have fooled in the past. Who'd buy it today? Lacking such hunger, they ought to shutter every branch hall sprouting in key cities!

Naturally, such notions stayed unspoken. With no further gains here, the academy heads triggered their Teleportation Arrays and vanished back to their domains.

Li Qingran's Battle Soul echoed the fabled deity's own; it could mark the only legacy from that god. This development demanded urgent reports to superiors. Their shot wasn't fully gone. She joined the Battle Soul Hall now, but futures shifted. For snatching talents, their empires brimmed with tactics. Plenty of peak Soul Masters in those empires had been lured from Battle Soul Hall affiliates. In essence, the Battle Soul Hall unwittingly aided in raising their realms' elites. This web of hidden and open maneuvers between the Battle Soul Hall and empires raged on endlessly.

Once the academy heads departed, Qin Feng's grin dimmed, giving way to a chill gleam in his gaze.

"These days, the Hall Master's drive to conquer the whole continent and found an empire grows ever tougher to mask. These folks could turn into foes of the Battle Soul Hall down the line. Our path ahead looks bleak. We must ensure gems like Li Qingran never slip to rival factions."

"Old Fu." He summoned into the hall's shadows, voice even. "Shadow Li Qingran. She and her mother wander vulnerable at present. Her innate full Battle Power is now public chatter in the city. I worry ill-intentioned sorts might target them. Watch closely for me. Spot any threats, and wipe them out immediately!"

"Understood!" A raspy, elderly voice replied from a dim nook. In the blink of an eye, the darkness there rippled briefly, as though a figure had slipped away.

...

There will be another chapter later.