Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 843: What Was Bound to Come, Has Come
Previously on Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?...
The turmoil of Battle Power raged inside her, sending dull aches pulsing through her chest...
Yet, nothing rivaled the suffocating shame burning in her heart.
For so long, she had schemed and even concealed her Third Battle Technique, aiming to shock the entire exchange tournament with one dazzling strike. But Li Qingran had shattered her utterly with just one move, trampling her pride beneath her feet.
A subtle scent of healing herbs lingered in the medical room.
Su Luyao barely settled into her seat when a slick voice drifted from beyond the door: "Well, if it isn't my lovely Su Luyao? What has you looking so downcast?"
She whipped her head around and scowled right away.
The intruder was squat and bulky, sporting a plump, fleshy face and tiny, lustful eyes glued to her form.
It was none other than Xiahou Yuan, the prized heir of the Xiahou Family.The Xiahou Family's inherited Battle Soul, Hellfire, wielded tremendous might, making their power rival that of the Xiao Family.
Still, Young Master Xiahou's looks left much to be desired.
Su Luyao typically steered clear of him as if he carried a curse. Despite his repeated advances, she had always dismissed them without a second thought.
Xiahou Yuan lumbered his rotund body toward her. His beady eyes scanned her ashen complexion and the blood staining her lip, twisting into a leering grin. "I've heard the whole story. That Li Qingran took you down in one blow? To me, that girl's got to be up to no good!
How else could a mere 39th-level Battle Venerable unleash such might from a single First Battle Technique?
She must have cheated somehow and even greased Vice Dean Feng Wuyu's palm!"
His remarks hit a raw nerve in Su Luyao. She snapped her gaze upward, a spark of possibility igniting in her stare. "Does Young Master Xiahou suspect her too?
But without evidence, and with the Vice Dean protecting her at every turn..."
"Evidence? Easy enough!" Xiahou Yuan thumped his chest, his blubber quivering. "Just side with me, become mine, and I'll not only dig up the proof but boot that Li Qingran out of the Battle Soul Academy or ruin her for good—it'll be effortless!
Feng Wuyu? Who cares? My Xiahou Family boasts more Battle Saints than fingers on one hand. We wouldn't blink at some Vice Dean."
Gazing at Xiahou Yuan's grotesque features, Su Luyao's cheeks drained of color, and she nearly voiced her rejection on impulse.
No matter her thirst for vengeance, she recoiled at tying herself to such a repulsive, crude brute.
But recalling Li Qingran's distant, stunning visage, her worship from the crowds, and Su Luyao's own fresh disgrace on the stage, envy and rage swiftly drowned her senses.
"If it means making Li Qingran suffer, stripping her of all she holds, I'll go to any lengths!" Su Luyao clenched her jaw, resolve hardening in her gaze.
At her words, greed flared in Xiahou Yuan's shifty eyes. He snickered lewdly and beckoned to the doorway. "You lot, clear out. Seal the door. No interruptions unless I say so!"
The Xiahou Family guards beyond the threshold scrambled to obey, bowing as they withdrew and latched the medical room shut.
Now alone inside, only the pair remained. Xiahou Yuan advanced slowly, his oily presence overwhelming. Su Luyao shrank back on instinct, her frame quaking.
Shame pierced her like thorns, yet visions of Li Qingran steadied her once more.
"Relax. Stick with me, and you'll get everything you crave—I swear that wench Li Qingran will regret it all!" Xiahou Yuan extended a pudgy palm and clamped onto Su Luyao's wrist with iron grip, unyielding.
"What are you planning?" Alarm filled Su Luyao's eyes.
"Why, just a little enjoyment, naturally."
Xiahou Yuan smirked, his peepers devouring Su Luyao's figure.
"No... You haven't lifted a finger yet—think I'll just give in? Keep dreaming!"
Irritation crossed Xiahou Yuan's face. "Fine, if you won't budge now, what stops you from ditching me after I sort your mess? Maybe we call it off."
He turned to depart. Su Luyao bit her lip and yanked him back.
After agonizing pauses, Su Luyao shut her eyes, twin streams of tears tracing her cheeks.
"You... you may kiss me. Will that suffice?"
Joy sparked in Xiahou Yuan's eyes. "Agreed!"
...
Meanwhile, atop the arena, Feng Wuyu's declaration echoed across the arena once more: "Li Qingran against Zhao Hao. Li Qingran triumphs!"
The stands exploded in roaring applause.
Clad in simple white attire, Su Xian Sword in hand, Li Qingran occupied the arena's heart, her demeanor remote and icy.
This marked the close of her preliminary bouts.
In each of her five clashes, she had relied solely on her First Battle Technique, "Long Wind Breaks Waves."
Every encounter concluded with her overwhelming the foe in a single strike, denying them any fightback.
Starting with Su Luyao, then the prodigy from Thunder Academy, Zhao Hao...
No matter if the rival favored the Agile-Attack System, Strong-Attack System, or Control System, against her Sword Qi—fueled by a three-thousand-year World Ring and the Green Lotus Sword Manual's Sword Intent—they stood no chance.
Feng Wuyu observed Li Qingran's silhouette, pondering deeply in his gaze.
Through these five duels, his conviction grew that Li Qingran's initial World Ring held extraordinary secrets.
Such a three-thousand-year span, combined with that brutal, piercing Battle Technique, defied all norms.
However, Li Qingran's Battle Soul and Battle Power appeared utterly standard, free of any irregularities...
It felt essential to discuss matters privately with Li Qingran and her teacher post-tournament.
...
"Li Qingran, undefeated in five bouts, claims the top spot in the academy's preliminary arena!"
With Feng Wuyu's proclamation done, Li Qingran's sessions for the day wrapped up.
Come tomorrow, she would hold the arena and face off against Soul Masters from the losers' group.
Should she prevail in every one of the ten defenses, Li Qingran would secure her finals berth. Reaching the finals all but assured her team spot.
It came down to sorting the power hierarchy.
Li Qingran offered a faint acknowledgment to the crowd. Her detached eyes held a distant haze, lost in reverie. Truthfully, her thoughts swirled entirely around Chen Huaian.
Rumors said Su Luyao's Third Battle Technique targeted her specifically.
Without her spouse's aid, today's win might have been a grueling scrape...
Yet, how to account for the World Ring from her husband?
Li Qingran nibbled her lip, vexed.
"Li Qingran, your fights for today are finished."
Feng Wuyu touched down next to Li Qingran and murmured, "Fetch your mentor and join me in my office."
Sigh—!
Li Qingran exhaled silently within.
Inevitable as it was, it had arrived. In the end, evasion proved impossible...
...