Wait, How Did My Digital Girlfriend Become a Sword Immortal?

Chapter 209: Joint Operation

The ancient sect ruins were shrouded in thick demonic energy.

Standing before the grand formation, Song Chiyue’s cold gaze was fixed on the ancient cultivator remains wandering within.

"Saintess, the Sword Pavilion disciples have arrived."

Song Chiyue raised an eyebrow. "Good. Let’s begin."

"Not waiting for the other sect disciples?"

"No need. This is enough."

At that moment, the open space behind the three disciples of the Jade Pool Holy Land was already packed with cultivators. Disciples from major sects like Azure Cloud Sect, Lingxi Valley, Dan Sect, Blade Sect, and Zen Sect had all gathered, with a total count exceeding a thousand.

In the past, whenever these disciples entered a minor secret realm, they were always competitors, often even fighting fiercely over opportunities. But today, they stood on the same side, creating an unusually harmonious scene.

Lu Changtian swept his gaze over the Sword Pavilion disciples but did not spot Li Qingran. His brows furrowed as he stepped toward Duan Feng, the leading disciple.

"Daoist friend, isn’t Li Qingran a disciple of your Sword Pavilion? Why isn’t she with your group?"

Upon seeing the Azure Cloud Sect token at Lu Changtian’s waist, Duan Feng’s expression darkened. His sharp gaze locked onto Lu Changtian as he sneered, "None of your damn business."

Lu Changtian was taken aback for a moment, anger rising within him. He barely managed to suppress it, forcing a smile as he cupped his hands in greeting.

"I am Lu Changtian, once the senior disciple Li Qingran admired most. I only asked out of concern since I didn’t see her among you. Nothing more."

Duan Feng’s eye twitched, his grip tightening around his sword hilt. He took a deep breath before turning to Xu An.

"You tell him."

Xu An knew that if this dragged on, Duan Feng’s temper might push him into drawing his sword. So he swayed forward, flashing a wide grin full of pearly white teeth.

"Ohhh~ So you're the most admired senior disciple our little junior sister used to look up to? Let me think... Are you the same admired senior

His voice was loud.

Loud enough for every disciple present in the clearing to hear.

Lu Changtian's smile froze. His face turned pale, then flushed red, fists clenching tightly.

"Qingran made a small mistake back then. Of course, she had to be punished. But the matter is long past—why bring it up now?"

Xu An twirled his wine gourd between his fingers, lazily eyeing the Azure Cloud emblem on Lu Changtian’s sword.

"Oh, right, right, of course! Your sect’s tournament forbids injuries—whoever causes harm must be punished by death. Qingran mistakenly wounded another female disciple’s shoulder, an unforgivable crime. Naturally, she deserved to be—" he emphasized each word, "hunted down and destroyed?"

At those last words, the insects in the grass fell eerily silent.

With a sudden crack, Xu An crushed his wine gourd in his hand. Wine splashed onto Lu Changtian’s face.

His gaze, once playful, turned piercing cold. "Lu Changtian, and you think you have the right to say you care?"

Lu Changtian's face darkened, but he remained silent.

He knew he had been wrong.

At the time, he had acted on impulse, blinded by his desire to avenge his junior sister, Mu Baishuang. He had wanted to teach Li Qingran a lesson she would never forget.

But looking back now…

Since when had sect tournaments ever been injury-free?

Were they supposed to just exchange flashy moves without actually fighting?

Crippling Li Qingran’s dantian over something so trivial—he shouldn’t have done it.

But what was done could not be undone.

And his pride would not allow him to apologize.

The surrounding disciples whispered among themselves, their gazes sharp with scrutiny. Lu Changtian felt as though he were sitting on needles.

"Hmph. No point in arguing." He stared at Xu An for a moment, then flicked his sleeve and walked away.

He regretted asking about Li Qingran.

If not for the presence of the Jade Pool Saintess, he would have preferred to settle things right here.

But he hadn't forgotten his true goal in this secret realm—to perform exceptionally well and catch the attention of the Holy Land elders.

If he could gain entry into a Holy Land, his dantian problem would be easily resolved by their grandmasters.

"Senior Brother, where's Li Qingran?" Zhang Hanxiao asked as soon as Lu Changtian returned, his voice eager.

Nearby, Xiao Yifeng and Yun Zimo perked up, listening in.

Lu Changtian’s expression turned even darker. He coldly stared at Zhang Hanxiao.

"All the way here, it’s been ‘Li Qingran this, Li Qingran that.’ What’s your deal? Tell me, is your junior sister Mu Baishuang or Li Qingran?"

"Hey, I was just asking. What’s got you so pissed?" Zhang Hanxiao frowned.

Everyone knew Mu Baishuang liked Lu Changtian. Most of them had already given up any hope of pursuing her.

Now they weren’t even allowed to ask about Li Qingran?

Just how greedy was Lu Changtian?!

"She’s probably been dumped in some corner by the Sword Pavilion." Lu Changtian closed his eyes. "Li Qingran has dull talent, a petty heart, and a strong jealousy streak. Her character is rotten. The Sword Pavilion isn’t a trash heap. If even our Azure Cloud Sect didn't want her, isn’t it natural for them to throw her away too?"

Zhang Hanxiao had wanted to find out where the Sword Pavilion had left Li Qingran so he could play the part of a good guy.

But before he could move, the Jade Pool Saintess spoke up.

"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for coming to our aid. I, Song Chiyue, always keep my word. Once we purify the demonic energy and eliminate the demonic remains, each of you may choose one treasure. If none satisfy you, you may request something else from me. However, I ask that everyone put forth their full effort in the upcoming battle!"

"Fairy Song, open the ruins' seal! We will give it our all!" someone immediately called out.

"Yes! Since the Jade Pool Saintess asks for our help, even without rewards, we would not hesitate to brave fire and water!"

"Hahaha! Well said, Brother Li!"

Song Chiyue’s lips curved into a slight smile, and she bowed gracefully to the gathered cultivators.

Even such a small gesture left many of them utterly captivated.

"To ensure everyone’s safety and prevent demonic remains from escaping and endangering other cultivators in the secret realm, we must first make some preparations before breaking the seal."

She lifted her gaze toward the top of the ruins’ barrier.

"Daoist Qin, Master Huikong—the next part is up to you."

Following her line of sight, the crowd saw two figures seated atop the towering stone pillars at the ruins’ entrance.

On the left was Monk Huikong, bare-chested with his hands pressed together.

On the right was Qin Luofeng of the True Martial Holy Land, gripping a horsetail whisk, his expression solemn.

"Amitabha."

Monk Huikong was the first to act.

Forming a hand seal, the prayer beads on his wrist dropped to the ground, transforming into golden lotuses. Sanskrit scriptures glowed in red above his forehead.

The stone tiles beneath him shimmered with golden patterns, and a fierce wind sent his kasaya billowing. Behind him, his vajra staff split into eighty-one luminous pillars, encircling the ruins’ entrance and the gathered disciples.

Each pillar ignited with blue flames, forming a protective dome of glass-like radiance.

"Master Huikong has deployed the guardian array. Its Buddhist light will purify the demonic energy while suppressing the strength of the demonic remains," Song Chiyue explained.

Hearing this, the previously wary disciples finally relaxed a little.

The formation was quickly completed.

At last, Qin Luofeng stood from his meditative position, stepping down from the pillar. He removed the sword case from his back, planting it into the ground with a piercing gaze.

"Daoist Qin will guard the rear. If any demonic remains break through Master Huikong’s formation, he will deal with them," Song Chiyue announced with a smile.

Hidden among the crowd, Mo Shumei kept her head down, forcefully suppressing the demonic energy within her body.

An array and a rear guard…

She wasn’t sure if the ancient remains could get in.

But she knew one thing for certain.

Until these people were done setting things up—she wasn’t getting out.