Chapter 335: The Sword That Kills

Chapter 335: The Sword That Kills

In the Cangyun Realm, there was a response from the Heavenly Dao—it wasn’t something you could swear by lightly.

Even though being sensed by the Heavenly Dao was a matter of probability, if it did respond and you broke your vow, you’d be struck by lightning. Literally.

Like the time he brought Qingran to Qingyun Sect—she said something about the pain of being pierced by a thousand arrows. That had been sensed by the Heavenly Dao, and she really did suffer the agony of a thousand arrows. From a certain perspective, it was actually solid proof of her innocence.

This girl was dead serious!

Chen Huaian was startled.

So Li Qingran didn’t want to challenge her Master—she wanted to reverse the hierarchy and become the Master?

That way she could do whatever she wanted to her “disciple”?

He could practically see Li Qingran’s dainty feet in white silk stepping all over him.

D**n it...

When would days like that finally come?!

Chen Huaian looked up at the ceiling, speechless and choking on his own breath.

“Master, do you have any plans for what’s next? Like... satisfying those three conditions, maybe...?”

“Plans?” At her words, Chen Huaian paused to think for a few seconds, then said solemnly, “You’ve reminded me. First, I need to reforge the Blackscale Sword. Then we’ll talk about searching for spiritual treasures... As for you, you need to focus on cultivating during this time. Aim to break through to late Golden Core stage as soon as possible!”

“Huh?” Li Qingran’s eyes widened and she pointed to herself, giving a bitter smile. “But Master, I only broke through to mid-Golden Core less than three days ago...”

“You’re the disciple of Sword Sovereign Chen. You think normal standards apply to you? Are you seriously content with just being mid-Golden Core? Back when I was in the same stage, the conditions were harsh. I had nothing. I had to slay over a thousand monsters a day, climb over ten thousand mountains—just to find the smallest chance of breaking through in battle, just to gather a little spiritual herb that might help me cultivate...”

Chen Huaian was full of grandiose nonsense.

He knew Li Qingran was already trying her best—but sometimes an epiphany only comes under pressure.

More importantly, whether or not he could reforge the Blackscale Sword would depend on the rewards Li Qingran got from her combat quest.

As they say—a Master’s incompetence is a disciple’s honor!

Li Qingran was stunned, blinking her big eyes in a daze.

A thousand monsters a day? Ten thousand mountains?

What kind of concept was that?!

She couldn’t even imagine it.

So Master had suffered so much during cultivation in the past...

Even though he’d told different versions before, obviously whatever he said now was the real deal.

Li Qingran leaned through Chen Huaian’s chest and hugged the pillow, nuzzling her face into it and softly said, “Don’t worry, Master. I’ll train hard and won’t let you down! I’ll try to break through to late Golden Core in just a few days!”

“Not bad. As expected of This Venerable One’s disciple!”

“Then... Master, could you grant me a tiny little request?”

“Speak.”

“I want a hug from Master~” the girl said in an obvious act of playful affection, her face buried in the pillow making her voice sound muffled.

“Haven’t you already gotten one?”

“I was hugging air. That doesn’t count!”

Chen Huaian: “……”

Alright. Looking at Li Qingran’s body overlapping with his avatar, he had to admit—he really was hugging air.

He actually wanted to hug her too. But this wasn’t something he could do just because he wanted to.

【Your digital girlfriend has sent you a Real Hug Request!】

A notification popped up in his field of view, making Chen Huaian jolt.

【Please choose your package.】

＜1＞Sigma Male Freebie Package: Say “No” out loud.

＜2＞¥188 Premium Mini Package: Swap player’s hand with avatar’s hand. (Physical)

＜3＞¥1888 Supreme Package: Temporarily swap the player’s full body with the avatar’s. (Physical)

…

Was there even anything to hesitate about? He picked ＜3＞ right away.

This digital girlfriend system really was user-friendly.

What Chen Huaian didn’t notice was that, at this moment, Li Qingran was basically lying on top of him.

【Thank you for your purchase. Enjoy the game.】

The instant the money was deducted, Chen Huaian suddenly felt a soft body pressed into his arms.

His gaze instinctively dropped—and all he could see was a little pink ear poking out from her hair.

That pale white ear was turning visibly red, and the breath coming out from the girl’s nose was quivering.

Chen Huaian’s throat tightened. He said hoarsely, “Like this… does this count as hugging you?”

“Mm…” came a tiny hum from his chest, like a mosquito whispering.

Chen Huaian kept his hands perfectly still, not daring to move even a little. His body was even stiffer than a fresh corpse.

The two of them were pressed together like a pair of birds huddled in their nest, unfazed by the wind and rain outside.

Their breaths and energies mingled together, forming a tiny, safe little harbor.

In that harbor, time seemed to slow into eternity.

“Master.”

“Mm?”

“Why didn’t you put your sword away while resting?”

“……”

“It’s kinda uncomfortable here.”

“…That’s…”

“I get it now!”

“???”

“This is what it means to be a sword cultivator!” Li Qingran lifted her delicate face, eyes filled with admiration. “Even while resting, you never part from your sword! That’s the kind of attitude a sword cultivator should have! I’m still far from your level, Master...”

“By the way, Master, what were you about to say just now? What was that?”

Looking into Li Qingran’s wide, innocent eyes—

Chen Huaian’s mouth twitched, and the words he was about to say got stuck in his throat.

“That’s my sword! Yes, another sword of mine! A sword… that kills!”

…

After holding her for half an hour, Chen Huaian finally walked out of the little hut.

It wasn’t because the ¥1888 package had ended.

He just knew—if he stayed any longer, he might not be able to keep it together.

Leaving now meant his sword would still be a killing sword.

“It’s time to search for the sword spirit.”

Chen Huaian stood in front of Luoxia Peak, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, murmuring to himself.

His presence must’ve already been locked onto by Immortal Yuyao. If she and Reverend Karma were in communication, then he was also a thorn in the side of the Burning Purity Holy Land.

The Cangyun Realm was no longer safe for him.

But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If the Blackscale Sword could be upgraded to a spiritual treasure, his chances of survival would rise dramatically.

He turned back for one last glance at the hut.

He could clearly see a beautiful silhouette at the window, gazing out with longing.

Retracting his gaze, Chen Huaian’s expression grew resolute. He tore open a spatial rift and stepped through.

Just before the rift closed—

He could faintly hear Li Qingran calling out:

“Master, you have to come back safe!”

“I made you underwear—you can wear it when you get back!”

Chen Huaian: “……”

…

Sacred Land of Yaoxi Pool.

Immortal Yuyao sat in silence in front of a spring, her face pale as paper.

Around the spring were countless racks packed with ancient scrolls.

These scrolls were clearly very old. Some of the yellowed pages even shimmered faintly with Daoist resonance.

But none of that compared to the single jade scroll lying across her knees.

It had no words carved on it, but it radiated a deadly chill, so cold that even the stones beside the spring were coated in frost.

…

…