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

...

"Do you remember what kind of stone you emerged from?" Chen Huaian asked, barely containing his excitement.

What an incredible coincidence.

When coincidences pile up, perhaps they're not coincidences at all?

After all, if the Cangyun Realm exists, why not parallel worlds?

Perhaps this little monkey is indeed the Monkey King from Cangyun Realm.

Even if not the original, there must be some connection.

"Immortal Master, the stone shattered when I was born. I never got to examine it properly... but it was extremely hard. It took me over a hundred years of headbutting to break free." The monkey disciple rubbed its head with lingering fear, recalling those dark days trapped inside.

Another matching detail.

Ordinary monkeys couldn't live a hundred years, let alone break through stone. And it still looks young.

"Very well, I understand now."

Chen Huaian studied the monkey for a long moment before nodding under its anxious, hopeful gaze. "You do possess unique qualities, though insignificant to someone of my cultivation... But you're the first spirit beast to seek entry to my mountain gate. I believe in karma and destiny. Thus, I shall grant you this opportunity - you may join Moon Shadow Sect to study the Dao! Remember - no mischief or unrealistic ambitions."

The monkey's eyes lit up, its hands trembling with excitement.

"Immortal Master! You'll accept me? You'll take me as your disciple?"

"All who join Moon Shadow Sect are disciples." Chen Huaian shook his head. "I'm merely granting you access to our teachings. I guide all sect members, not just you specifically."

The monkey's face fell slightly, but it understood this was already the best outcome. An exalted being like the Immortal Master would naturally take only the most gifted disciples. What was a mere stone-born spirit beast in comparison?

But it wouldn't give up.

If the Immortal Master doubted its talent, it would prove itself through diligent study and cultivation.

"Disciple greets Sect Leader!"

Chen Huaian rolled his eyes and gestured to lift the kowtowing monkey.

"I'm not the Sect Leader, but the founding ancestor - the Grand Elder. Address me as Elder or Ancestor. The Sect Leader is my closed-door disciple."

He intentionally emphasized this point - having already taken a closed-door disciple, he could only accept nominal disciples now. But the monkey missed this nuance entirely.

The monkey suddenly slapped its fists together. "Ah! The female master you call 'sweetheart'! She's the Sect Leader! But Elder, why do you call her that? Is she actually your magical artifact?"

Chen Huaian: "..."

"Silence! Some questions shouldn't be asked!"

The monkey grinned foolishly, oblivious to its blunder.

"Do you have a name?" Chen Huaian asked.

The monkey hunched its shoulders awkwardly. "Ancestor, I was born from stone - nameless and without family."

Chen Huaian narrowed his eyes, thinking deeply. "Hmm... Your mannerisms resemble those of a macaque. You shall take the surname Sun, with the Dharma name... Wukong. How does Sun Wukong sound?"

"Ancestor!" The monkey froze, then prostrated again before spinning around to shout at the mountains, dancing wildly: "The Ancestor accepted me! I have a name now! Hahaha! I am... Sun! Wu! Kong!"

...

Chen Huaian brought Sun Wukong into the sect.

Disciples along the path cast curious glances.

"The Ancestor really took in that monkey?"

"What luck for the little monkey."

"If the Ancestor chose it, it must have remarkable talent."

Hearing these murmurs, Sun Wukong's nervousness eased slightly. It had heard human cultivators despised demons, and had mustered tremendous courage to approach. Even so, it feared discrimination or abuse within the sect.

But Moon Shadow Sect's disciples seemed friendly - their reverence for the Ancestor so absolute that anyone he accepted became instantly worthy by association. Sun Wukong felt profoundly grateful for choosing correctly. Any lesser elder would never have brought it inside.

"This will be your grotto abode." Chen Huaian stopped before a mountain cave near the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave, an area rich in spiritual energy surrounded by fruit trees perfect for a monkey's diet.

Sun Wukong examined its new home with delighted wonder. "Thank you, Ancestor!" It clumsily imitated the Sect Leader's bowing gesture. "I expected some tiny hovel, not this beautiful place with so many fruits!"

"As long as you're pleased." Chen Huaian's expression turned stern. "Moon Shadow Sect has few restrictions - you may roam freely except for three forbidden areas. Violation means expulsion!"

Sun Wukong immediately straightened. "Ancestor, please instruct."

"My abode - the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave - and the Sect Leader's hall are off-limits without permission. The back mountain contains private grottoes - also forbidden. Finally, the ancestral hall houses tablets of our predecessors - open only during ceremonies. Understood?"

Chen Huaian spelled everything out meticulously, knowing monkeys' mischievous curiosity could spell trouble. Though this one, sharing the Great Sage's origins, seemed remarkably well-behaved so far.

"Disciple remembers!" Sun Wukong nodded earnestly. It wouldn't risk its hard-won opportunity for mere curiosity.

"Good. Settle into your grotto now. Formal training begins in one week."

Sun Wukong blinked. "Why... why wait a week?"

Chen Huaian smirked at its impatience - so reminiscent of the legendary Monkey King.

"Current disciples are all Foundation Establishment stage or above, each pursuing their own path without need for basic instruction. In one week, we hold admission ceremonies for new disciples - you'll study alongside them."

Sun Wukong scratched its cheek and acquiesced. "I... I'll wait then."

"Without any cultivation foundation, use this time for basic training. Let me assess your physique."

"Excellent!" Sun Wukong brightened. "Ancestor, you'll see - I'm the strongest monkey in the mountains!"

"Good." Chen Huaian's lips quirked as he dropped two buckets. "Today's task - fill the newly built lotus pond before the Sect Leader's hall, then plant lotuses throughout."

Sun Wukong scoffed inwardly. Child's play! It had done far harder labor for elder monkeys back home. How difficult could filling one pond be?

Until Chen Huaian brought it before the Sect Leader's hall.

"Ancestor... where's the lotus pond?"

Sun Wukong looked around in confusion. Only flat ground stretched before the hall.

Chen Huaian paused, then suddenly stomped his right foot.

BOOM!

The entire mountain trembled. As Sun Wukong's ears rang and vision swam, it found itself standing in a massive pit - a hundred zhang long and wide, ten zhang deep.

"Ancestor... this... this is..."

It gaped, speechless.

"This," Chen Huaian patted its head cheerfully, "is the lotus pond. Work hard! I believe in you~"

...