Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 5: Crazy Thursday Deals

— Identity and Medical Report (Li Qingran) —

Name: Li Qingran

Current Realm: Qi Refinement Level 1

Identity: Former Qingyun Sect, Chixiao Peak Disciple

Age: 19 (Female)

Special Talents: Single Water Spiritual Root (Abolished), Taiyin Dao Body (Unactivated)

Status: Severely damaged foundation, ruptured dantian, fire poison invasion, inner demons growing, severe internal injuries (severed meridians), moderate external injuries

Background: Once an inner disciple of Qingyun Sect’s Chixiao Peak, Li Qingran was betrayed, leading to estrangement from her sect. Her cultivation base was crippled by her senior brother, Lu Changtian. Her spiritual root was stripped by her master, Daoist Qingxuan. The fire poison resulted from defective pills concocted by her second senior brother, Xiao Yifeng. Later, she was expelled from the sect through collusion between her third senior brother, Yun Zimo, and an outer sect elder. Finally, she was abandoned in a dilapidated hut by her fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, and left to fend for herself. The first of her inner demons was planted by her betrayers, while the second arose from her own despair. (Click to expand detailed version)

Having gone through Li Qingran’s identity details and medical assessment, Chen Huai'an found himself utterly shocked.

He was dealing with cancer himself—just one debilitating condition. But Li Qingran? She endured five such curses!

And her existence? Utter tragedy! What deep-seated resentment could justify such cruelty? All she had done was wound her junior sister’s shoulder in the sect’s tournament. Wasn’t that commonplace in the cultivation realm? Battles spare no one with their blades! Still, the whole Chixiao Peak acted like madmen over the incident.

“It’s no surprise she’s hiding in this rundown shack. Had I not shown up when I did, she might have perished already.”

Displayed on the monitor, Li Qingran sat in meditation upon a seat, her eyelids shut. For some reason, Chen Huai'an started picturing her as a living being, not just a figure in a game.

“Is she attempting to cultivate? Her base is ruined, spiritual root vanished—how could cultivation even be possible?”

With due respect, Chen Huai'an selected her shoulder area, steering clear of any improper spots.

【Status: Cultivating】

【Cultivation Progress: 39/99】

This indicated she required gathering 99 portions of Spiritual Qi to reach Qi Refinement Level 2.

While Chen Huai'an pondered this, he overlooked the faint blush creeping into Li Qingran’s ears.

He observed her in cultivation for thirty minutes straight.

Yet, rather than advancing, her progress declined by a single unit, down to 38.

In the display, the young woman’s forehead creased, her colorless lips curved downward, her forlorn look stirring deep sympathy in him.

“She’s likely noticed her Spiritual Qi is leaking out rather than building up…”

Chen Huai'an started exploring the interface, seeking methods to accelerate her cultivation.

Her array of wounds demanded attention too—they’d deteriorate further without care.

After probing various menus, he discovered a helpful feature in the top-right formation panel.

【Basic Spirit Gathering Formation: Unlockable for one hour by watching an ad.】

【Intermediate Spirit Gathering Formation: Unlockable for 10 minutes by watching an ad.】

【Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation: ¥188/hour (requires watching an ad). ＜Crazy Thursday Deal (Original Price ¥488/hour)＞】

Besides Spirit Gathering Formations, a host of other arrays existed, such as Concealment Formation, Mystic Armor Formation, and the fearsome Immortal Execution Formation. Certain ones needed payment, others rare prerequisites—many beyond Chen Huai'an’s grasp.

Among the elite formations, the “Tenfold Bloodbane Heaven-Slaying Formation” demanded twelve sinister spirit artifacts at minimum Spirit Weapon level, plus an extensive array of intricate components. How could one obtain such rarities? Purchase them? Earn as in-game prizes? Or dispatch Li Qingran to forage like in an idle exploration title?

“Yet another ‘bargain’? Especially on Crazy Thursday?” Chen Huai'an clenched his jaw.

Delaying until the next day would mean the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation snapped back to full cost. Ignoring the sale would be foolish.

With a heavy exhale, he committed to the choice.

“Deduct the fee!”

After topping up ¥188, Chen Huai'an sank into his seat, a strange void overtaking him. Yet the sensation faded swiftly. With mere days remaining in his life, why hold back on indulgence?

The Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation would operate for the following 10 hours, lasting right up to midnight.

But prior to that, an advertisement viewing was mandatory.

【The Dao is ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs. For cultivators like us, walking against the heavens, how can we go without a good weapon? Treasure Pavilion’s Spirit Weapons—premium brand of the cultivation world—is now running a promotion! Click below to claim celestial subsidies and enjoy up to 25% discounts. When buying weapons, choose Treasure Pavilion!】

Chen Huai'an: “...”

...

Within the shack, Li Qingran let out a weary breath.

Her cultivation foundation lay in ruins, her base critically harmed, spiritual root eradicated. Even flawless execution made cultivation barely feasible. Her Spiritual Qi kept ebbing—her attempts merely postponed the doom.

She had employed Chixiao Peak’s exclusive method, the Chiyun Technique, famed for its rapid pace. As a low-tier Mystical-grade art, it served as the inferior counterpart to the elite Chixiao Technique.

If the Chiyun Technique failed to revive her Qi, only a Spirit Gathering Formation offered salvation.

She excelled in array setups, often arranging them for her fourth senior brother, Zhang Hanxiao, trading for a portion of her monthly Spirit Stones. Through repetition, she honed her skills.

However, Spirit Gathering Formations consumed vast resources:

Basic Formation: 100 low-grade Spirit Stones.

Intermediate Formation: 500 mid-grade Spirit Stones or 50 high-grade ones.

Advanced Formation: Demanded Spirit Crystals, reserved usually for sect elders or heads.

Presently, she lacked even fragments of Spirit Stones, far from Spirit Crystals.

At that instant—

“Thud—!”

An object dropped onto the floor.

Li Qingran glanced and stiffened, her lips parting in astonishment into an "O".

Scattered on the ground lay ten Spirit Crystals, clear and azure, each fist-sized like an infant’s, radiating potent Spiritual Qi. No mistaking their nature.

Spirit Crystals that Daoist Qingxuan rationed tightly now lay discarded carelessly!

“Senior, such treasures shouldn’t be squandered like this!”

Trailing the crystals, eight softly luminous golden array flags materialized. These Immortal-grade implements optimized every bit of resource, leaving nothing unused.

The flags floated, directed by an unseen force, positioning themselves encircling her.

Swiftly, they established an Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation.

Buzz—!

Upon activation, the formation extracted Spiritual Qi from the crystals, swirling it into a tempest around Li Qingran.

The Qi thickened swiftly, misting over, then beading into liquid that pattered inside the array. Even idle, the Qi surged into her form.

She had yearned for a Spirit Gathering Formation—the senior delivered the supreme one.

Tears pricked Li Qingran’s eyes.

From refuge, sustenance, Thunderfire Talismans, to this Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation—the senior’s bounties surpassed her merits immensely.

Was he scheming some dark purpose? Even then, the immense worth of his gifts defied logic.

This could indeed mark her destined turning point.

The senior might be a profound itinerant expert, freely scattering karmic bonds.

Repayment came solely through devoted cultivation, honoring his investment.

“Senior, have no doubts, Qingran will not disappoint you.”

Dabbing her eyes, Li Qingran steadied her posture and returned to meditation. Each moment in the Advanced Spirit Gathering Formation proved invaluable, and she refused to misuse it.

...

【Status: Cultivating】

【Cultivation Progress: 41/99】

【Current Favorability: 20 (Reverence) (Increasing favorability may trigger small gifts.)】

“Pace seems somewhat sluggish still,” Chen Huai'an grumbled, rubbing his scalp. He watched her advancement for ten minutes, now and then tapping her shoulder for updates.

At last, he reassured himself: at minimum, her Qi ceased draining.

Content no surprises loomed, he shifted the Thunderfire Talisman from the ceiling to the entrance.

With all in order, he booted up his PC.

Previously, money held no appeal—what use in facing death?

Yet now, his outlook transformed.

For the sake of the game, for Li Qingran, for this vivid hue amid his grim days, he resolved to generate income.

As a stage-four cancer sufferer, nothing beat exposure for quick cash.

Live streaming it was.

But preparations came first:

A hospital-issued cancer certificate.

A bald shave to simulate chemo’s toll.

No cosmetics needed—his gaunt complexion told the tale.

As for the broadcast’s focus? An notion already brewed.

“Defying destiny and jeering at death with a grin.”

His debut stream? Scaling Mount Tai despite legs weakened by cancer.