Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 825: Renshou's Confusion

Upon Chen Huaian's return to the Cangyun Realm, a number of days had already elapsed in that world.

As soon as they detected Chen Huaian's aura emerging, Lin Fan and Zhang Mengchu hurried over to show their respects.

"Ancestor, we've let you down. On this trip, we could only secure a single high-grade Celestial Essence."

Lin Fan produced the high-grade Celestial Essence, his gaze brimming with remorse.

In the past, while venturing down to Earth Star, he had freely cut down the cultivators and beasts populating that place. Moreover, at comparable cultivation stages, the practitioners and creatures from Earth Star truly paled in comparison to those in the Cangyun Realm. Thus, it was only natural that he grew disdainful of Earth Star's cultivators and monsters.

Yet, during this encounter, he barely held his own in the clash with Chen Niu.

Reality demonstrated that when the disparity in cultivation levels hits a critical point, no matter how refined the skills or profound the grasp of the Dao, the raw power of the superior realm would still dominate, hindering one's ability to perform at full potential—an exasperating and oppressive ordeal.

Hua Jin the True One's domain was rough, basic, and lacking in complete laws.

Yet, by solely leveraging the dominance of her advanced realm, she blocked both Lin Fan and Zhang Mengchu from deploying their own domains. Unsurprisingly, they stood no chance against Hua Jin the True One. Luckily, the ancestor intervened in time, revoking the summons and pulling them back to Cangyun straight from inside Hua Jin the True One's realm.

"Why apologize? This Venerable One is quite satisfied with securing even one."

Chen Huaian accepted the high-grade Celestial Essence.

He had no intention of using this Celestial Essence to cultivate a Spirit Vein for the sect. Rather, he planned to reserve it personally.

A high-grade Celestial Essence undoubtedly harbored certain mysteries.

Retaining it before it developed into a Spirit Vein would make it easier for him to examine and research it whenever required.

"Ancestor, I'll boost my power without delay."

Lin Fan remained unforgiving toward his own shortcomings, his face set with determination. "This junior has already caught a hint of the chance to advance to the Great Ascension Stage. It's unfortunate that Chen Niu perished too soon. Had he battled this junior for just another day... or even half a day, this junior could have seized that opportunity completely."

Chen Huaian's lips quirked in a twitch. "If it comes to that, why not spar with This Venerable One? I can limit my realm to the pinnacle of Void Shattering for a bout. Perhaps you'll rediscover that path to breakthrough?"

Lin Fan's weathered features turned crimson. "This... it might be improper to trouble you directly..."

From his look, he showed no real embarrassment; instead, he appeared keen to give it a go.

"No impropriety at all. Once This Venerable One wraps up a few tasks, I'll return to give you a thorough sparring session."

With the prize he craved in hand, Lin Fan's grin was impossible to conceal.

"Then this junior gratefully accepts your generous offer!"

He bowed with clasped hands, his mind already racing through strategies to overcome Chen Huaian at the peak of Void Shattering.

"Ancestor, what business awaits you back here?" Zhang Mengchu understood the differing timelines between realms. Days had ticked by in Cangyun, so only a short while should have passed on Earth Star.

Right now, the massive conflict ought to have concluded recently or reached its fiercest phase.

The ancestor must be occupied with pressing duties.

Or perhaps... the ancestor had run into an issue beyond his control?

A knot of concern twisted in his chest, filling him with unease.

"A couple of items to address."

Chen Huaian gave a nod.

Besides seeking elixirs to amplify Muscle Tyrant's might, his primary longing was for his disciple.

From Earth Star, observing the Canglan Realm felt like viewing a rapid montage, indistinct and chaotic, where he could merely outline Li Qingran's activities in broad strokes.

He checked in daily, noting that Li Qingran attended an academy, her routine cycling through lessons, meals, rest, and sporadic outings for drills with her teacher and peers.

Viewing the Canglan Realm from Cangyun offered far clearer insight.

He could observe Li Qingran's actions in detail.

He could also swiftly fulfill any requirements she might express.

"The Spirit Beast Sect has established itself in the adjacent mountains, hasn't it?" Chen Huaian inquired.

"Of course." Zhang Mengchu saluted with joined hands. "All prominent sects have settled in and even taken on fresh disciples while you were away. Presently, our Moon Shadow Sect stands as a sacred site revered by every cultivator and commoner throughout the Cangyun Realm. Neighboring sects act as our subordinates; it's like the moon encircled by countless stars."

"Excellent." Chen Huaian directed, "Fetch the Spirit Beast Sect Master. This Venerable One wishes to confer with them."

...

The Spirit Beast Sect Master showed up promptly.

Upon spotting Chen Huaian, he displayed clear signs of nervousness and dread.

This marked the initial summons from the Chen Sword Master, after all. The Spirit Beast Sect differed from typical sects, and he doubted he could offer Chen Huaian any noteworthy assets.

He could only ponder if he'd committed some recent error...

Except for his overzealous push to enlist new members, he couldn't recall any other missteps, could he?

Was it possible... the ancestor viewed his aggressive recruitment as a sign of plotting rebellion?!

"Renshou..." Chen Huaian started to say.

The Spirit Beast Sect Master dropped to his knees at once. "Chen Sword Master, please see the truth! This junior has no designs on rebellion! If you've caught wind of any baseless rumors, I beg you not to credit them!"

Chen Huaian: "???"

He shot a wary look at Zhang Mengchu, who stood nearby struggling to suppress chuckles.

He suspected that in his absence, the sect had amplified his fearsome reputation far and wide, leaving the leaders and elders of other sects quaking in his presence.

"This Venerable One seeks no punishment for you. I simply have nurtured a demonic beast that's accompanied me for years, and now I aim to elevate its power. Yet This Venerable One lacks knowledge of which heavenly treasures would prove useful. As the Spirit Beast Sect Master, you ought to possess greater expertise in such matters than I."

"Chen Sword Master, you overstate it. Though this junior leads the Spirit Beast Sect, my understanding pales beside yours." With this clarification, Renshou exhaled in relief. He bowed and continued, "That said, if the senior requires aid, this junior will spare no effort! Might I inquire about the demonic beast's bloodline that the senior keeps, and its name?"

Chen Huaian rubbed his chin, pausing briefly. "It's a Taotie."

"Wha... what?" Renshou jolted, gazing at Chen Huaian in stunned silence. "What did you say the beast you're raising is?"

"A Taotie." Chen Huaian kept his composure steady.

"Ta... Taotie?!" Renshou's eyes bulged wide. Even Zhang Mengchu shot Chen Huaian a disbelieving stare from the side.

"The legendary ancient Fierce Beast Taotie? The one said to Devour the Heavens and Earth?"

Chen Huaian found the reaction odd.

He'd mentioned it deliberately, half in jest, though it was factual.

But he was aware that Taotie originated from Earth Star's legends, part of its mythic lore.

So why did the Spirit Beast Sect Master react so intensely to the term?

Did the Cangyun Realm harbor Taotie as well?!

This sparked a deeper puzzle.

If a Taotie from Cangyun were set against one from Earth Star, which would claim the true title?

"Yes, it's the very Taotie you describe." Chen Huaian confirmed again, curious about Renshou's forthcoming words.

"This can't be... It truly can't be..."

Renshou appeared as if his entire perception of reality had been shattered.

He yearned to set Chen Huaian straight, but the correction lodged in his throat. Given Chen Huaian's exalted position, he dared neither voice it nor probe further.

All he could do was question himself inwardly, bewildered and adrift.

...