Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 837: The Meaning of Cultivating Immortality?

On the other side.

The Immortal Bridge transported Spirit Void Old Ghost across successive veils of clouds and fog. Heavenly melodies echoed persistently in his ears, the Radiant Glow danced around him, and a deep yearning for the Immortal Realm swelled within his chest.

For five millennia of cultivation, tales of ancient myths had filled his ears endlessly—the Immortal Realm ought to boast grand Jade Palaces and Towers piercing the skies, golden stairways and jade columns linking to the clouds, spiritual streams whispering beside immortal peaks, rare blooms and strange herbs flourishing eternally, with graceful immortal maidens performing dances and wise immortal elders engaging in chess games. The Immortal Qi there should be so thick it could solidify; even a simple inhalation would equal a century of grueling practice in the Cangyun Realm.

Right now, he sensed the immortal spiritual power coursing vigorously through his form. His lost limbs had regenerated long ago, his frail body now stood upright and robust, and even each hair on his head gleamed with subtle golden radiance.

He yearned only to enter that fabled paradise without delay, to join the Immortals in toasts and talks, to narrate the trials of his cultivation journey.

Yet as he immersed in his fantasies.

Boom—!

The Immortal Bridge under his feet abruptly started shaking. The seven-hued Radiant Glow withdrew like retreating waves, and the Immortal Qi encircling him dwindled sharply by over half.

The Celestial Music ringing in his ears halted suddenly, supplanted by a grim, silent icy gale that lashed at his robes, creating a whispering rustle and actually stirring a piercing cold.

This stark shift from before sent Spirit Void Old Ghost's heart plummeting.

He glanced downward and observed the once brilliant Immortal Bridge crumbling into specks of drifting light, scattering into the immense emptiness.

'How could this be?' He cried out in shock, his form continuing to rise despite himself.

However, the vista ahead shattered all his preconceptions.

The splendid, multicolored clouds from his approach had vanished entirely, giving way to a dull, lifeless stretch of barren void.

The far-off 'immortal mountains' turned out to be stark rocks, barren of any plants, their exteriors marred by grotesque fissures as though ravaged by some cataclysmic conflict.

The purported 'spiritual rivers' proved merely parched ravines. Scattered at the valley floors were shards of shattered immortal jade and corroded traces of artifacts, releasing a subtle vibe of demise.

In the distance, remnants of several ruined halls drifted through the void. Their glazed roof tiles had faded and flaked away ages ago.

Hall columns lay fractured, and curved rooftops had tumbled down.

Just a few rays from the dying sun broke through the heavy clouds, draping a pallid, gloomy yellow across this wasted domain.

Where did this resemble the thriving Immortal Realm of lore?

This was plainly a wasteland scarred by immense disaster!

Spirit Void Old Ghost's mind reeled; his five-thousand-year worldview crumbled in a flash.

'This... this is the Immortal Realm? This can't be right...'

'Where is Real Person Jade Compassion?'

'Where is that fox Tu Shan Yue?'

He instinctively extended his immortal sense to probe, discovering this vast area eerily devoid of life.

Besides his own immortal spiritual power, no hint of other immortals' presences could be detected. Even the ambient heaven and earth Spiritual Energy hung so sparse it bordered on absence.

Merely a subtle, barely felt aura of decay and grandeur infused every part of the void.

As he stood confused and directionless.

Thick fog abruptly surged forward, a grayish-blue hue resembling congealed ocean swells, obstructing his route.

As the fog billowed, no trace of Immortal Qi emerged. Rather, it bore a razor-sharp, piercing Sword Intent, causing even him, a fresh immortal, to tense up instinctively.

He cautiously advanced a step, and the fog parted on its own, unveiling a pathway.

At the end stood a figure clad in white, silently poised in the void.

That individual's stature rose tall and firm, his white robes immaculate and unmarred. Even amid this desolate setting, it failed to dim his otherworldly presence.

He faced away from Spirit Void Old Ghost, gripping a long sword. The sheath appeared aged and unadorned, glowing softly with blue hues. Though the blade stayed sheathed, Spirit Void Old Ghost perceived a recognizable, keen Sword Intent. It differed wholly from Chen Huaian's relaxed style, yet proved equally daunting to the soul.

What astonished him further was that the silhouette and stance of that rear view felt strangely recognizable, as though encountered previously...

But upon closer scrutiny, that rear figure seemed hazy and intangible, leaving him unable to recall the identity.

Spirit Void Old Ghost quelled the suspicions and caution in his mind, cupped his hands, and declared loudly, 'I am Spirit Void, having just ascended from the Cangyun Realm. May I ask who you are, fellow immortal? Why is this place so desolate? Have I not yet reached the true Immortal Realm? If so, could I trouble you, fellow immortal, to show me the way?'

His voice resounded through the fog, yet met with silence.

The white-robed figure kept his back turned, still as a carved effigy, with only the edges of his garments swaying lightly in the chill breeze.

Spirit Void Old Ghost's patience wasn't particularly vast.

He sensed this white-clad Sword Immortal ahead was indulging in some pretense.

Nevertheless, as the newcomer, he was the junior, and the other the elder. He had no choice but to tolerate and wait extendedly.

After thirty seconds, he could no longer restrain himself.

'Are you deaf? Can't you hear this old man speaking? If you're deaf, should this old man give your ears a poke with the Human Emperor Banner?'

The instant Spirit Void Old Ghost spoke these words, the atmosphere grew rigid.

The previously still white-clad figure at last moved.

His shoulders dipped faintly, and he gradually rotated.

As he pivoted, Spirit Void Old Ghost's eyes locked onto the silver fox mask covering the other's face—the mask featured elaborate cloud motifs. The eye openings formed profound, shadowy voids, as if devouring nearby illumination, radiating an ineffable air of spookiness and dignity.

It bore... a certain resemblance to the fox mask of that Nine-Tails Heavenly Fox, Tu Shan Yue, accented by a strand of peach blossoms near the cheek.

Before he could dwell on the mask's familiarity.

A ferocious, supreme force burst forth from the white-clad individual, akin to a heavenly stream cascading from the highest realms, engulfing Spirit Void Old Ghost in an instant.

'Thump!' Spirit Void Old Ghost lacked even a moment to muster defiance before his knees crashed forcefully into the emptiness.

His whole body got locked down by this force. It resembled a colossal immortal peak of a million zhang bearing down; his skeleton groaned, and blood trickled uncontrollably from his lips.

This force diverged entirely from the prior Heavenly Dao might during the tribulation.

This represented unadulterated, supreme authority surpassing all Immortals.

It mirrored the gulf between divine and mortal, stripping him of any will to raise his gaze. Endless hopelessness filled his core.

'F-forgive me, senior!' Spirit Void Old Ghost switched tones immediately. The earlier haughtiness evaporated completely, his words laced with clear quaver. 'I was blind and spoke recklessly! You are magnanimous, please don't stoop to my level!'

He had never imagined this white-clad man possessed such dreadfulness. Freshly ascended as an Immortal, he appeared as insignificant as an insect to the other.

The white-clad man uttered slowly, his tone frosty like frost, stripped of sentiment: 'This place is the Immortal Realm. I am White Sword, the Sword Bearer of the Immortal Realm, and also the master of this Immortal Realm.'

'Master?!' Spirit Void Old Ghost's core trembled, then he hastily groveled, 'So it's the Immortal Emperor, Your Lordship! This old man is Spirit Void, just ascended from the Cangyun Realm. I know nothing about the Immortal Realm. If I could serve under you, I would definitely work diligently before and behind you, absolutely without a second thought!'

Inwardly, though, he schemed: What odds were there of meeting the Immortal Emperor immediately upon ascent?

Wasn't the other merely claiming a lofty name to gather underlings?

The Immortal Realm spanned so broadly; factions surely existed. No matter which group this White Sword hailed from, trailing him beat roaming this desolation.

White Sword merely eyed him coolly. That look, filtered through the silver fox mask, still sent shivers through Spirit Void Old Ghost: 'You are not qualified to follow me.'

He halted momentarily, then added, 'Just now, you spoke disrespectfully and angered me. That should be a capital offense. Considering you are new to the Immortal Realm and don't understand the rules, I will give you a chance.'

Spirit Void Old Ghost grumbled to himself.

You stayed silent for ages before, playing mute. How could anyone anticipate your foul mood?

Wasn't this a trap?

Yet outwardly, he bobbed his head vigorously: 'Thank you for your mercy, Immortal Emperor, Your Lordship! This old man will definitely watch his words and actions in the future, and never offend again!'

White Sword fell quiet. He extended a hand, and an unseen power hoisted Spirit Void Old Ghost upright.

Then, he lifted his arm and rent the void. A dark spatial tear materialized at once, from which roared chaotic spatial storms.

Before Spirit Void Old Ghost could respond, White Sword seized him and strode straight into the tear.

In a flash, the pair crossed infinite distances and arrived in a shadowy locale.

No light permeated here. One could scarcely discern immense dark stone barriers encircling them. The atmosphere held a subtle iron tang.

Underfoot lay crisscrossing ore lodes. The material inside gleamed pure white, akin to premium white jade.

Upon inspection, delicate golden lines meandered slowly inside the ore, casting a soft luminescence.

Spirit Void Old Ghost's spirit quickened.

This mineral appeared exceptional; it had to be a supreme immortal resource for boosting cultivation!

Evidently, this White Sword intended to employ him usefully, assigning him to watch over this deposit?

He prepared to voice allegiance when White Sword intoned coldly, 'From today onwards, you will mine ore here.'

'Mine ore?' Spirit Void Old Ghost stood stunned and blurted instinctively, 'Im-Immortal Emperor, Your Lordship, is this ore perhaps an immortal material that can enhance cultivation?'

White Sword regarded him, his voice flat and unchanging: 'This is Cloud Pattern Steel, used for building palaces. And you, are the miner here!'

Spirit Void Old Ghost went rigid on the spot, the grin on his features turning to stone.

He had schemed over countless possibilities, yet never foresaw that right after ascending to the Immortal Realm, rather than joining an immortal sect, he would end up as a stone-chipping worker!?

Then what point did his five thousand years of cultivation hold?

What value lay in achieving the Dao and immortality?

Was it solely to reach the Immortal Realm and dig for ore?!