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

Chapter 21: The Sword Manual

“The Green Lotus Sword Manual”

The moment Chen Huai’an opened the golden jade slip, a wave of imposing energy unique to a top-tier item swept over him.

【“I am a madman from Chu, singing with laughter at Confucius. With a three-foot sword in hand, I challenge the sorrows of the Nine Heavens.” The Green Lotus Sword Manual was created by the Green Lotus Sword Immortal. It contains 36 foundational sword chapters and 12 sword styles, ranked as celestial-grade. Anyone with unblocked meridians can practice this manual, but to achieve ultimate mastery, one must possess the Sword Bone, Sword Spiritual Root, and Sword Heart without fail!”】

The description confirmed the manual’s status as a peerless treasure.

But as Chen Huai’an finished reading it, his expression turned peculiar.

“Wait a minute... this Green Lotus Sword Immortal isn’t supposed to be Li Bai, right?”

Li Bai, the great poet of the Tang Dynasty, wasn’t he known as the Immortal Poet? When did he become a Sword Immortal?

“Whatever, it’s not surprising these days. After all, even Tang Monk can wield a Gatling gun. Turning Li Bai into a Sword Immortal isn’t that much of a stretch.”

Shaking his head, Chen Huai’an chuckled. He remembered that Li Qingran used a sword. This Green Lotus Sword Manual would be perfect for her.

A celestial-grade sword manual should be incredibly powerful, right?

The manual opened to its first page, and to Chen Huai’an’s surprise, it wasn’t just a static in-game item. The first page contained text and even small brush-drawn illustrations.

“Whoa... is this a small indie studio? This is insane!”

---

【Sword Chapter One: Crane Stance】

“Stand with your legs together, bending one knee to lift one foot in a crane-like posture (beginners can omit lifting the leg). Keep your body upright, the sword held vertically in front of you, parallel to your body. The hilt should be horizontal and level with the ground, with the blade close to your arm, maintaining vertical alignment. Breathe steadily, calm your heart and mind, and focus on the fusion of your sword and your spiritual breath...”

The page included an accompanying illustration for clarity.

Chen Huai’an continued flipping through the manual.

---

【Sword Chapter Two: Pine Stretch】

“...

【Sword Chapter Three: Blade Holding】

“...

---

The list went on, all the way to:

【Sword Chapter Thirty-Five: Return to One】

【Sword Chapter Thirty-Six: Carefree Wanderer】

Not a single chapter lacked detailed descriptions and illustrations.

By the time Chen Huai’an reached the final chapter, he was already marveling at the dedication of the game’s developers. The attention to detail in crafting this manual was astonishing. Even his earlier annoyance at how much money he’d spent on the game began to fade.

The 36 chapters seemed to be foundational techniques. Beyond them were the 12 sword styles.

As he prepared to flip to the sword styles, a notification popped up:

【You must master Sword Chapters 1–12 before you can access the Sword Styles!】

“What the... I have to learn it? How do I even do that?”

Instinctively, Chen Huai’an searched for a pay-to-progress option, but there wasn’t one. This Green Lotus Sword Manual apparently didn’t rely on money to unlock upgrades.

---

【Would you like to begin learning Sword Chapter One?】

[Yes]

[Let me think]

Without hesitation, Chen Huai’an chose [Yes]. He was curious to see what the game had in store.

【Activating camera...】

The game screen vanished, replaced by the phone’s camera in selfie mode. The game interface now floated over the live feed.

【Please follow the instructions for Sword Chapter One: Crane Stance. Current progress: Novice (0%)】

“Are you serious?”

Chen Huai’an stared at his reflection on the screen, his lips twitching uncontrollably.

If he understood correctly, the game wanted him to perform the crane stance.

And record it.

“Man, this game really knows how to mess with people. Can’t spend money? Fine, let’s just humiliate you instead!”

Chen Huai’an imagined the game developers gleefully watching player-uploaded videos of awkward stances while enjoying takeout.

“Like hell I’m going to let you win.”

He huffed. Clearly, the developers wanted players to get frustrated and eventually pay to skip the grind. He’d seen it all before in other games that dangled rewards just out of reach until players caved and spent money.

But as the minutes passed, no pay-to-progress option appeared.

“Fine! I’ll just give the sword manual to Li Qingran.”

He tried dragging the Green Lotus Sword Manual into Li Qingran’s inventory.

---

【You cannot directly transfer the Green Lotus Sword Manual. Please achieve at least Novice mastery in the 36 Sword Chapters to unlock the teaching feature!】

“What the hell is this nonsense?!”

Frustrated, he clicked a small help icon on the corner of the screen.

---

【Help: The core intent of this game is to provide players with the most authentic nurturing experience. Players can support their virtual companion with resources and guidance, becoming their mentor and source of inspiration. However, iron must first be tempered to become strong. To better teach your virtual companion, we encourage you to improve yourself too!】

---

Chen Huai’an was stunned into silence.

He had always found games lacking immersion. No matter how skilled you were, you weren’t the one storming the battlefield or taming the wilds. The separation between reality and the game world always felt insurmountable.

But this game was doing something new.

As grueling as it was, Chen Huai’an had to admit he was intrigued. The idea of personally teaching his virtual companion, seeing her learn sword techniques, and overcoming challenges with his guidance—this was a level of immersion no other game offered.

It was hardcore.

It was expensive.

But he loved it.

---

Chen Huai’an reopened the learning interface for the Green Lotus Sword Manual.

He propped his phone on a stand and took a deep breath. “Fine. If I have to look ridiculous to teach Li Qingran the ultimate sword technique, so be it. No one can see me anyway.”

Without a sword, he used a drying rod.

The instructions were simple on paper, but in practice, they were maddeningly precise. The blade couldn’t waver, the angles had to be perfect, and every part of his posture required alignment.

It was manageable at first, but after less than two minutes, his arms began to ache.

Worst of all, after 30 grueling minutes of holding the drying rod, his progress in Sword Chapter One had only reached 1%.

Even so, Chen Huai’an persevered for another hour. By the time he stopped, his back was drenched with sweat, and his body felt like it was falling apart.

“Ugh, I’m done... I’m going to collapse.” He shakily set the rod aside and stretched his stiff muscles.

It was nearly midnight. He reeked of sweat and hadn’t even washed his clothes or taken a shower.

“If I treat this as exercise, maybe it’s not so bad,” he muttered, massaging his sore arms.

Just as he decided to call it a night, a sudden thud echoed from the doorway, as if something had struck it.

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