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

...

By the time Chen Huaian got back to the Cangyun Realm, multiple days had already gone by in that place.

Upon detecting Chen Huaian's aura emerging, Lin Fan and Zhang Mengchu quickly arrived to offer their greetings.

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

Lin Fan presented that high-grade Celestial Essence, his gaze brimming with remorse.

In the past, while descending to Earth Star, he had freely taken down the cultivators and monsters populating it. Moreover, at matching cultivation levels, the Earth Star cultivators and monsters were truly no match for those from the Cangyun Realm. Thus, he had inevitably grown disdainful of Earth Star's cultivators and monsters.

Yet this round, during the clash with Chen Niu, he barely held any edge.

The reality showed that when the disparity in cultivation realms hit a particular level, even superior skills and a profound grasp of the Dao couldn't overcome the overwhelming realm gap, leaving one stifled and unable to perform at full potential—a truly aggravating ordeal.

Later on, the domain of Hua Jin the True One proved even tougher.

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

Still, through the sheer dominance of her superior realm, she blocked both his and Zhang Mengchu's personal domains from forming. Unsurprisingly, they stood no chance against Hua Jin the True One. Luckily, the ancestor stepped in just in time to revoke the summons, pulling them back to Cangyun right from inside Hua Jin the True One's domain.

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

Chen Huaian accepted the high-grade Celestial Essence.

He had no intention of using this Celestial Essence to grow a sect asset. Rather, he planned to hold onto it personally.

A high-grade Celestial Essence surely tied into certain mysteries.

Retaining one before it expanded into a Spirit Vein would make it easier for him to pull it out for examination whenever required.

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

Lin Fan couldn't shake off his self-blame, 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 Chen Niu perished too soon. Had he battled this junior for another full day... no, just half a day more, this junior likely could have seized that chance completely."

Chen Huaian's lips quirked. "If it proves too tough, how about sparring with This Venerable One? I can lower my realm to the peak of Void Shattering for a proper bout with you. Perhaps you'll catch that breakthrough insight after all?"

Lin Fan's aged features turned crimson. "This... asking you to step in personally, doesn't that feel a tad improper...?"

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

"No impropriety at all. Once This Venerable One wraps up a few tasks, I'll drop by to give you a thorough workout."

With the prize he craved in hand, Lin Fan struggled to conceal his grin.

"Then this junior gratefully accepts your generous help!"

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

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

Right now, the massive conflict ought to have wrapped up recently or reached its fiercest point.

The ancestor must have plenty on his plate.

Was it possible... the ancestor ran into a problem too big for him?

His chest tightened, unable to suppress a wave of concern.

"A couple of issues."

Chen Huaian gave a nod.

Besides seeking pills to strengthen Muscle Tyrant, he chiefly longed for his disciple.

From Earth Star, observing the Canglan Realm felt like viewing a whirlwind blur, where he could scarcely make out Li Qingran's actions.

He checked in daily, noting that Li Qingran appeared to attend an academy, her routine cycling through lessons, meals, rest, and the occasional outing for practice with her teacher and peers.

Viewing the Canglan Realm from the Cangyun Realm offered far clearer sight.

He could distinctly observe Li Qingran's activities.

He could also swiftly address any requirements she might face.

"The Spirit Beast Sect ought to have settled into the adjacent mountain range by now, correct?" Chen Huaian inquired.

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

"Excellent." Chen Huaian directed, "Call for the Spirit Beast Sect Master. This Venerable One needs to talk with them."

...

The Spirit Beast Sect Master showed up promptly.

Catching sight of Chen Huaian, he displayed clear unease and dread.

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

He could merely ponder if he'd committed some error lately...

Other than showing excessive zeal in gathering new disciples, it seemed nothing else stood out, did it?

Could it be... the ancestor viewed his disciple intake as too aggressive, suspecting a plot to revolt?!

"Renshou..." Chen Huaian had only just started speaking.

The Spirit Beast Sect Master dropped to his knees at once. "Chen Sword Master, please see the truth! This junior has never harbored thoughts of rebellion! Should you catch any baseless rumors out there, I beg you not to take them seriously!"

Chen Huaian: "???"

He shot a wary look at Zhang Mengchu, who stood nearby fighting back chuckles.

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

"This Venerable One seeks no punishment for you. Simply put, This Venerable One has nurtured a demonic beast that's accompanied me for numerous years, and I wish to bolster its power. Yet This Venerable One lacks knowledge of which heavenly treasures it should ingest for real gains. As the Spirit Beast Sect Master, you undoubtedly grasp this far better than I do."

"Chen Sword Master, you're too kind. Though this junior leads the Spirit Beast Sect, my understanding pales beside yours." At these words, Renshou exhaled in relief. He saluted and added, "That said, if the senior requires aid, this junior stands ready to brave any peril! Might I inquire about the demonic beast's bloodline that the senior tends, and its given name?"

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

"Wha... what?" Renshou jolted, gazing vacantly at Chen Huaian. "What did you say the demonic beast you're tending is?"

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

"Ta... Taotie?!" Renshou's eyes bulged. Even Zhang Mengchu at his side regarded Chen Huaian with disbelief.

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

Chen Huaian sensed something off.

He'd mentioned it deliberately as a lighthearted truth, though factual.

But he realized Taotie stemmed from Earth Star lore, part of its mythic tradition.

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

Did the Cangyun Realm possess Taotie as well?!

This sparked a deeper puzzle.

If a Cangyun Realm Taotie and an Earth Star Taotie stood side by side, which would claim the true Taotie title?

"Yes, it matches the Taotie you mention." Chen Huaian confirmed again, curious about Renshou's response.

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

Renshou appeared as if he'd encountered news that shattered his entire perspective.

He yearned to set Chen Huaian straight, but the words caught in his mouth. Given Chen Huaian's position, he dared neither voice nor challenge it.

He could only plunge into personal uncertainty, unsure how to proceed.

...