Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal? Chapter 888: One must have a conscience.
Previously on Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?...
As Chen Huaian found himself forcefully attempting to seize the million-year World Ring, a peculiar channel transmitted a piece of information directly into the minds of the Golden and Silver Dragon Kings within the Divine Realm of the Canglan World.
"Hmm?" The Golden Dragon King, who had been diligently studying the Heavenly Dao rules of the Cangyun Realm, paused in his contemplation. "Wait... why is a million-year World Ring being requested already?" He then turned his gaze to the Silver Dragon King. "Go verify the cultivation realm of that human named Li Qingran. It shouldn't be... Could she have already reached Peak Battle Master in such a short span? How much time has even passed..."
The Silver Dragon King closed his eyes, extending a wisp of his Divine Sense across the vast Canglan Great World. He observed Tang Ritian holding Tang Er and Little Rabbit with one hand, while his other hand, though empty, was firmly grasping Li Qingran. This particular target, who had been designated for 'special care,' was definitively not a Peak Battle Master but merely a Battle Ancestor.
However, a Battle Ancestor did not meet the established criteria for receiving a million-year World Ring...
She had only just barely met the prerequisites for the prior hundred-thousand-year World Rings. What was transpiring that would lead to her directly receiving a million-year World Ring now?
While they had indeed pledged allegiance to that Lord from the Cangyun Realm and committed to furnishing Li Qingran with any necessary resources without condition, that Lord had also been reasonable, agreeing to their request to preserve the balance of the Canglan World.
Maintaining the world's equilibrium was, in itself, a straightforward endeavor. For instance, the pre-emptive provision of three hundred-thousand-year World Rings to Li Qingran was well within the acceptable parameters of balance, sufficient to bolster her strength without empowering her to the extent of disrupting the world's fundamental rules.
Nevertheless, bestowing a million-year World Ring upon her at this juncture represented an entirely different scenario. The emergence of a million-year World Ring in the possession of a Battle Ancestor would inevitably plunge the entirety of the Canglan World into utter chaos!
It could potentially even instigate a global conflict, thereby completely shattering the meticulously designed 'ecological balance' they had painstakingly cultivated over countless years.
"She is a Battle Ancestor, yet she appears to be in imminent peril." The Silver Dragon King addressed the Golden Dragon King, "What course of action should we take? Although we are unaware of which specific rule has malfunctioned... should we proceed with issuing the million-year World Ring?"
The Golden Dragon King pondered this for a moment, his brow furrowed. Recalling that Li Qingran was facing a mortal danger, he relented with a sigh. "Grant it to her!" He reasoned that this million-year World Ring was likely crucial for her survival during this life-and-death crisis. Ensuring Li Qingran's safety without revealing their own involvement was their paramount objective.
The World Ring could be dispensed with for now. However, this matter would subsequently require a report to that Lord from the Cangyun Realm to ascertain their perspective.
Should it meet with that Lord's approval...
Then, that Lord would undoubtedly possess the means to mitigate the repercussions stemming from the million-year World Ring.
"Incidentally, do we happen to have a ready-made million-year World Ring available?" the Silver Dragon King inquired abruptly.
"How could we possibly possess such a thing readily available?" the Golden Dragon King responded, exasperated. "We have no need for such items..."
Silver Dragon King: "Then..."
"Let us depart," the Golden Dragon King declared, waving his hand. "We shall proceed to hunt a million-year World Beast immediately, and subsequently deliver the million-year World Ring to that individual.
Ah, wait.
Not hunt, but rather persuade them to willingly offer themselves as a sacrifice!"
...
Within Li Qingran's Battle Soul space, an unnerving silence prevailed.
Chen Huaian observed the progress bar hovering in the air before him, the corner of his eye twitching involuntarily.
"[Glory Battle Pass: Million-Year World Ring resource allocation in progress...]"
"[Current Progress: 12%... 12.1%...]"
The numbers advanced at a glacial pace, reminiscent of a constipated elder navigating a street with agonizing slowness.
"..." Chen Huaian drew a deep breath, barely suppressing the urge to obliterate the peculiar gourd.
"Restocking?"
"Do you mistake this for discounted eggs at the local market? That it can be 'restocked'?!"
His initial expectation was that a simple activation would instantly propel him to a higher level, allowing him to equip the divine artifact of a million-year World Ring and commence a rampage. Instead, this abominable gourd presented him with a "currently restocking" status!
If there were no stocks available, it should have stated so at the outset!
To require restocking precisely when he needed to utilize it?
Utterly preposterous!
Chen Huaian's vision darkened, the result of sheer, unadulterated anger.
The situation felt akin to having already lowered one's trousers, only for the other party to declare: "Apologies, my cycle concludes in two hours; please wait patiently."
"Very well." Chen Huaian clenched his teeth and assumed a cross-legged position.
"I shall wait."
"Let's observe what marvel you manage to load."
...
Emerging into the open, deep within the verdant forest.
Ancient trees soared towards the heavens, with vines coiling thickly all around. Sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, scattering dappled light onto the forest floor. Thud. A dark silhouette descended with a heavy impact, causing a flock of birds to take flight in alarm. Tang Ritian carelessly tossed the three individuals he held onto the ground. "Father!" Tang Er, disregarding his injuries, pushed himself to a kneeling position before Tang Ritian, his eyes welling up. "I never imagined... it was truly you!" "I didn't realize you were this formidable..." His father, the man he remembered only for his fondness for gambling, drinking, and sleeping, was actually a legendary Battle Master whom even the Pope respected and feared! This staggering revelation struck him profoundly. His heart churned with a whirlwind of emotions. Having not seen his father for such a long time, he had so much he wanted to say, but the words caught in his throat. "Formidable?" Tang Ritian let out a self-deprecating chuckle, a flicker of sorrow clouding his hazy eyes. "Had I truly been powerful, I wouldn't have been so helpless back then." He reached out his large, weathered hand and gently ruffled Tang Er's hair. His gaze then shifted to the timid girl standing behind his son. Indeed, she was a World Beast... Like father, like son. His son certainly inherited his ways. The girl's complexion was pale, yet the way she looked at Tang Er was brimming with open adoration and reliance. That specific expression was all too familiar. Tang Ritian paused, momentarily lost in thought. It was as if, across the vast expanse of time and space, he saw that beautiful young maiden from long ago, gazing at him with that identical look. But... Because he had endured loss. He understood all too well the immense gulf separating Battle Masters from World Beasts, and the myriad hardships they were destined to confront. It wasn't merely the lack of understanding and the scorn from those around them, but also the need to withstand the condemnation of thousands, standing at the brutal forefront of animosity between two distinct races. Even a mere brush with such a tempestuous storm threatened eternal damnation. He wished for Tang Er to simply abandon this girl. However, upon meeting Tang Er's unyielding gaze, he couldn't help but be reminded of his own youthful self. With a sigh, he eventually said, "You are aware of the current circumstances. Her—" Tang Ritian gestured towards Little Rabbit. "How do you intend to proceed regarding her?" "Father." Tang Er pulled Little Rabbit forward, placing himself protectively in front of her. His voice was firm. "She is Little Rabbit, my family, and also... my cherished love." "Whether she is human or a World Beast, whether this world chooses to accept her or not." "I shall protect her." The wind ceased its movement. Tang Ritian observed the young man before him, bruised and battered yet standing tall. After a prolonged silence, he released a deep sigh. "So alike..." Resembling that endearingly foolish woman, and also mirroring his own younger self who, back then, knew nothing of the world's vastness. "Very well." Tang Ritian nodded, his voice resonating with a low, heavy tone. "Since you have embarked on this path, you must be prepared to face the entire world as your adversary." "The relentless pursuit of the Battle Soul Hall will shadow you for the remainder of your days. You will endure bloodshed, suffering, and perhaps even meet your end." "I am not afraid!" Tang Er declared, lifting his head. "You possess courage." A glint of admiration flickered in Tang Ritian's eyes. Father and son, reunited, filled with burgeoning warmth. However, in the very next second. Tang Ritian's gaze shifted, settling upon Li Qingran, who had remained quiet throughout the exchange. In that instant, all residual warmth evaporated. The ambient temperature plummeted to an icy chill. "Since you are committed to this path, certain potential threats must be neutralized in advance." Tang Ritian slowly raised his hand. A dark energy surged within his palm, and an oppressive killing intent fixed itself upon Li Qingran. "Scum like this from the Battle Soul Hall, allowing them to persist... is simply inviting disaster." "They must be eliminated." Two words, spoken with apparent ease, yet imbued with an iron-willed ruthlessness. "Father, no!" "You cannot do this!" Two simultaneous cries of protest erupted. Tang Er and Little Rabbit, acting in unison, moved to block Tang Ritian's advancing hand. "Father! Earlier, in the arena, she could have killed me but chose not to." Tang Er's voice was laced with urgency. "And just now, she did not aid the Pope against us. We bear no ill will towards her; how can we indiscriminately slay innocents?" The intense killing intent emanating from Tang Ritian gradually subsided, his demeanor shifting back to that of a middle-aged man with a weathered stubble, appearing weary and forlorn. World Beasts possessed a keen sensitivity to the inherent goodness or malice within individuals. When her identity as a shapeshifting World Beast was revealed, almost everyone around her emanated feelings of avarice and murderous intent. Only her teammates, her Master who had spent countless hours with her, and this adversary, Li Qingran, were different.Li Qingran remained utterly indifferent to whether she was a World Beast or not.
"A good person?"
Tang Ritian scoffed, his tone dripping with worldly cynicism.
"Kid, there are no good people in this world, only the dead and the living."
He fixed his gaze on Li Qingran, his eyes like sharpened blades.
"She's not killing you right now simply because she hasn't received her orders from the Battle Soul Hall yet."
"She is the undisputed number one among the younger generation in the Battle Soul Hall, a monstrous talent that Bixixi has poured all her resources into nurturing. Her talent surpasses even Bixixi's from back then by tenfold!"
This stark comparison struck a chord in his heart.
I cannot shield you forever!
Bixixi's power has been escalating at an alarming rate. In the past, she couldn't match me in a one-on-one confrontation. Now, she can effortlessly withstand my full-power staff strike...
Even if I could protect you through Bixixi's era, what about when she matures? What happens then?
Tang Ritian took a step forward, pointing at Li Qingran. The immense pressure emanating from him nearly suffocated Tang Er and Little Rabbit.
"When she fully grows, when she ascends to become the new Pope, or perhaps even a deity..."
"Who will stand against her?"
"Will your staff be enough? Or perhaps your little rabbit friend here?"
Tang Ritian's voice grew progressively colder.
"Such a genius, destined to become our mortal enemy, must be eliminated before her wings are fully grown!"
"Are you going to wait until she grows fangs, only to have them tear at your throats?!"
Tang Er trembled but stubbornly positioned himself in the path, gritting his teeth. "But we still can't... we still can't go against our conscience!"
"Conscience?"
Tang Ritian gazed at his son's youthful yet resolute face. A fleeting hint of reluctance crossed his eyes, only to vanish instantly, replaced by an unyielding ruthlessness.
Compassion does not lead armies; righteousness does not conduct business.
To survive in this world that preys on the weak, to safeguard those dear to you.
Your heart must be hardened.
Your actions must be decisive.
"Since you two are incapable of carrying this out..."
Tang Ritian slowly raised his massive hand, now enveloped in ominous Black Qi.
"Since your conscience forbids you from doing so..."
Tang Ritian seemed momentarily lost in thought.
Boom!
A wave of killing intent exploded outwards.
Wasting no further words, Tang Ritian's black-imbued hand blurred into an afterimage, streaking past Tang Er. Propelled by a killing resolve, it lunged directly towards Li Qingran's delicate throat.
Meanwhile, Li Qingran, who had been silent all this while.
Simply stood there, watching the hand of death closing in.
Her expression remained devoid of fear.
She possessed unwavering confidence that her Master would surely protect her.
And at the precise moment Tang Ritian launched his attack.
Chen Huaian's eyes snapped open. He drew his sword and burst forth from the Battle Soul space.
Concurrently, the progress bar for the million-year World Ring surged instantaneously from 51% to completion at 100%.
The sky abruptly plunged into darkness. Heavy clouds descended upon the city, accompanied by flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. From the horizon, a roar akin to a celestial dragon's echoed.
An overwhelming pressure descended, immobilizing Tang Ritian completely.
Simultaneously, at the Endless Sea.
"I commanded you to surrender yourself, and you refuse?"
The Golden Dragon King, a mixture of fury and desperation in his voice, fixed his intense gaze upon the ancient Mountain-Sea Whale before him.
This World Beast had already attained demigod status and held the potential to become a true deity within its existence.
Therefore, when confronted with the Golden Dragon King's demand, it had sought to negotiate terms.
However, the situation had become dire, and the Golden Dragon King could no longer afford to wait.
"If you will not offer yourself, then you shall perish!"
With that declaration, he directly struck the head of the ancient Mountain-Sea Whale.
This single strike sent shockwaves through heaven and earth.
It directly dislodged the ancient Mountain-Sea Whale's soul and its million-year World Ring.
...