Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 111: Three Yang Marrow Essences Nourish the Peak Master (Bonus Chapter 311 for Monthly Tickets)

Using the guiding technique to observe the earth's veins, one could see nine purple-gold dragon energies, like imprisoned azure dragons, churning painfully within a profound formation hundreds of feet underground.

Each wisp of dragon energy was as thick as a bucket, with obscure Daoist patterns flowing along its dragon-scale-like lines.

At the confluence of the dragon veins, there was a fist-sized dragon essence, its surface covered with mysterious runes, which flickered in rhythm with Emperor Zhaoming's breathing.

Nine streams of purple-gold dragon energy coiled around a pillar like trapped dragons, while the dragon vein spiritual energy that should have nourished all things was now flowing like rivers into the sea, surging towards the Hengyun Mountains.

Even more terrifying, three of the dragon veins were already weakened, and two of them were even corroded by the dark evil energy. The dragon-shaped earth energy was twisted and oozing a scarlet blood light, and the dragon head was drooping, almost exhausted.

"Could these two dragon veins symbolize Xuan Taizu Zhang Sichen and Xuan Taizong Zhang Chengyan? Then this third dragon vein must be Zhang Zhaoming?"

Zhao Wuji saw that as Emperor Zhaoming cultivated the Imperial Extreme World-Shaking Technique, the third dragon vein, which was trapped and weakened underground, was writhing in pain, opening its mouth to absorb the dragon energy of the other six dragon veins to replenish itself and eliminate the dark evil energy that was wrapped around its body.

"Using the First Emperor to sustain himself?! What a clever tactic of feigning one move while secretly making another!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly realized that Emperor Zhaoming was outwardly cultivating the "Imperial Supreme World-Shaking Technique" but in reality, he was using his imperial destiny as a guide to secretly absorb the dragon energy of other dragon veins to strengthen himself, attempting to break free from the control of the cave master!
But if such methods go undetected, it's fine; however, if the cave master discovers them...
Just then, he suddenly felt the Yang Pearl become violently agitated.

Zhao Wuji immediately followed the guidance of the Yang Pearl to explore.

At the confluence of nine dragon veins extending from the ground, a dragon essence covered with golden patterns was discovered, with two points of gilded marrow light struggling and flickering within it!

"Yang marrow?! Two yang marrows?"

Zhao Wuji was deeply shocked.

Although it wasn't actually touched, the resonance and agitation that was exactly the same as when the Yin Pearl encountered the Yin Marrow was definitely not wrong.

A storm raged in Zhao Wuji's heart.

"Nine dragon veins only nurtured two yang marrow? That's not right."

Zhao Wuji used the guiding energy to observe the magnificent golden dragon of fortune formed by the convergence of dragon energy on Emperor Zhaoming's body. At the heart of the golden dragon, there was another point of gilded marrow light that flickered with the emperor's breath.

"Three meridians nourish one marrow." Zhao Wuji instantly understood, "The three emperors of the Xuan Kingdom, nine meridians nourished three marrows!"

After the deaths of the first Emperor Taizu and the second Emperor Taizong, the yang marrow nurtured by their respective dragon veins was concentrated in Emperor Zhaoming's body.

Currently, the cave master controls two Yang marrows within the dragon vein, and the emperor also has one hidden within his body.
"A godsend opportunity, but also a hot potato!"

Zhao Wuji felt both excited and conflicted.

These three pieces of Yang marrow are so close, yet they are all like a mirage.

The two stones controlled by the cave master were as solid as a rock, and the one inside Emperor Zhaoming's body was even more difficult to obtain because it was fused with dragon energy.

However, compared to the two controlled by the cave master, the Yang marrow in Emperor Zhaoming's body seems to offer a better chance.

He observed the aura for a long time and discovered that the path of Emperor Zhaoming's Huangji Jingshi Gong was in harmony with the wonders of the celestial sphere, but the final result was a picture of the Xuan Kingdom's territory.

"What an ingenious method of stealing a country."

He grasped the rhythm of the technique, and whenever Emperor Zhaoming exhaled and relaxed, he would use the Yang Pearl as a guide to quietly draw out a wisp of dragon energy.

When the opponent inhales and gathers their vital energy, immediately lie still and dormant.

In this way, each breath in and out subtly aligns with the principle of the waxing and waning of the heavens.

After a night of secluded cultivation, he secretly stole over six hundred strands of pure dragon energy.

Upon internal inspection, the Yang Pearl contained 2760 strands of Yang energy, a truly bountiful harvest.

"If you come here often..."

Zhao Wuji finished his practice and stood up, gazing at the gradually brightening sky as he secretly made plans.

As for the three Yang marrow fragments, a glint flashed in his eyes, then he returned to normal.

The opportunity has not yet arrived; let us wait patiently for the times to change.

The next day.

Emperor Zhaoming kept his promise and ordered that the Li Shaojun alchemical cauldron be brought out of the collection hall.

Four black-scaled horses pulled a heavy ancient cauldron.

Upon seeing the inscription of the two characters 'Young Lord' on the ancient and simple handle of the tripod, Zhao Wuji felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Last night, National Preceptor Fang presented me with a jade slip containing his insights into the study of the Taiyi Golden Elixir.

Now that he has obtained this cauldron again, combined with his pill-making skills and medical expertise, he might actually be able to recreate the legendary elixir of immortality, Taiyi Golden Elixir.

He didn't linger. After returning to his official residence to inspect the place, he left behind a bottle of Bigu Pills and Fiery Golden Spear Pills, instructing Xiao Lin to deliver them to the South Station of the Patrol Camp.

He then returned to Linlang Cave with Li Shiyu and the team transporting supplies.

The magnificent grotto is located before the Hall of Affairs.

A newly woven cloud-patterned brocade carpet was laid on the twelve jade steps.

Eight blue-robed disciples stood on either side, each holding a magic sword, the tranquil bells adorning the sword tassels tinkling softly in the mountain breeze.

The disciples in blue robes on the outer perimeter carried incense burners, wisps of smoke rising from them, creating a grand spectacle.

"Welcome back in triumph, Senior Brother Zhao, for your outstanding achievement!"

The clear cheers echoed through the valley.

Elder He of the Affairs Hall stood beneath the mountain gate archway, stroking his beard and smiling.

"Junior Nephew Zhao, you have made the greatest contribution this time, and even helped to kill the enemy cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Induction in Yunfeng Cave. This is a great honor for the cave. This half-life Vermilion Fruit is a reward for your triumphant return."

With a simple gesture.

A disciple in green robes approached Zhao Wuji with a jade plate in his hand. A vermilion fruit on the plate was still covered with morning dew, a rare treat in this time of dwindling spiritual energy.

"Thank you, elder!"

After bowing in thanks, Zhao Wuji took the red fruit but did not eat it immediately; instead, he put it into his sleeve.

The disciples in blue robes not far away stood on tiptoe to look at Zhao Wuji, who had won the first merit. They admired and envied him as they looked at the Cold Soul Flying Sword that shimmered with spiritual light at his waist.

The Thirty-Year-Old Vermilion Fruit, once consumed, can save ordinary cultivators from three months of arduous training. The Cold Soul Flying Sword, the mountain-guarding sword of Cold Moon Peak.

These two treasures are something that ordinary disciples rarely even see, but for a prodigy like Senior Brother Zhao, they are readily available.

Zhao Wuji smoothly completed the handover of the sword token in the affairs hall, and the true inheritance token at his waist emitted layers of blue light as the battle merits were recorded.

Upon arriving at the Hall of Merit, Elder Li, who was on duty, stroked his beard and smiled, saying:
"Junior Nephew Zhao, the final reward storage bag for the first merit will be issued after all the commanders have returned, when the merits are discussed and rewards are distributed in the Hall of Merit. Please wait patiently!"

"Yes! I will follow the elder's instructions." Zhao Wuji bowed.

The counterattack is now a foregone conclusion, and all the major generals are on their way back. There will be no further changes, so waiting a few more days is not a problem.

Elder Li of the Hall of Merit nodded in satisfaction, and then said, "Elder Jiao and Elder Wen have already reported the magical artifacts and spoils of war that you obtained by assisting in killing the eighth-level Qi-inducing elder of Yunfeng Cave Heaven."

If I exchange 30% for Source Crystals, you'll get a total of 70 Source Crystals. If you exchange it for Merit Points, you'll get 160 Merit Points. What do you plan to exchange it for?

"Seventy Source Crystals, or one hundred and sixty Great Merits?"

After a moment's consideration, Zhao Wuji chose to exchange it for 160 great merits.

Although replacing the source crystal with a high-performance crystal might result in a slight loss.

However, it should be noted that source crystals are easier to obtain than merit.

He currently has fifty-one source crystals left, not counting the six stored in his cave, which is enough for him.

However, unexpectedly, Kang Laogou's entire set of magical artifacts, plus a piece of ancient spirit stone that had been used quite a bit, was only worth about 210 source crystals.

But upon closer reflection, it seems quite normal.

Kang Laogou probably didn't take all his property out of the cave. He didn't even have a storage bag on him. Apart from his two natal magic weapons, one for offense and one for defense, he only had a magic robe and a flying magic weapon left.

With such a shabby appearance, he probably wouldn't be well received in Yunfeng Cave.

"Thank you, Elder Li! This disciple takes his leave."

After receiving the credit, Zhao Wuji bowed and left.

As he walked out of the Hall of Merit, he held the True Inheritance Waist Token in his hand, looking at the 1,160 major merits and 500 minor merits lying inside, and was very satisfied.

These merits are enough to exchange for a considerable number of ancient books or magical artifacts in the grotto-heaven.

"It seems a new Earthly Fiend Technique is about to be unleashed. We can also start working on crafting the array plate, and the harvested spirit armor can be repaired at the Magic Artifact Hall."

Within the cave, if you wish to have a steward from the Magic Weapon Hall craft or repair a magical artifact, you must exchange merit points for it.

Only in extremely special circumstances will the use of source crystals for settlement be made an exception.

Such an opportunity might not come around even once in ten years.

Under such rules, disciples of the grotto-heavens must continuously serve the sect if they want to obtain better cultivation resources.

They could complete sect missions or go out to fight and earn merit, then use their merits to exchange for their desired cultivation techniques, elixirs, and magic weapons.

This system is like an invisible chain, firmly binding disciples to the sect.

After finishing his many miscellaneous tasks, Zhao Wuji immediately mounted his sword and headed straight for Hanyue Peak to pay his respects to the peak master.

On his way back, he was constantly on the move between the various halls, and didn't even have time to pay his respects to the peak master.

However, the precious alchemy cauldron, the complete set of array flags, and other supplies had already been sent to Hanyue Peak by Li Shiyu and handed over to Xiaoyue for inventory and receipt.

After a while.

Outside the Frost Palace on Cold Moon Peak, after Zhao Wuji greeted Peak Master Hua, he looked ahead at Hua Qingshuang, who was pruning a snow lotus shrouded in cold mist.

"Wuji, you have made the greatest contribution this time, which is truly remarkable and even exceeded my expectations."

The ice blade formed by Hua Qingshuang's magic melted away. She turned to look at Zhao Wuji, who had returned weary from his journey. A hint of relief flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by solemnity.

"But the storage bag and the quota for the Tiannan Secret Realm are both highly valuable. Your success will inevitably make you enemies, especially the two purple-robed secret disciples of Lonely Cloud Peak, who have long regarded the credit as theirs."

On the day of reckoning, I'm afraid your Senior Brother Ji will deliberately cause trouble.

Ji Mobai

Zhao Wuji bowed and said calmly, "This time, I activated the sword token in the face of life and death. Not only did I glimpse the true meaning of the highest sword technique of the Xuanbing Sword Art, but my cultivation also improved afterward despite my injuries."

As he raised his head, a glint of sword light seemed to flash in his eyes. "If I were to consume the Vermilion Fruit that Elder He just bestowed, I would surely be able to break through my current bottleneck and advance to the fourth level of Qi Refining. At that time, I wouldn't be completely helpless when facing Senior Brother Ji."

"Oh? You actually grasped the true essence of the highest level of the Xuanbing Sword Technique so quickly?"

Hua Fengzhu's eyes suddenly lit up. In an instant, she raised her jade finger, forming a sword with her fingers. The moment she pointed out, sword energy condensed into threads, and seven strands of sword energy burst forth, as thin as gossamer but concealing sharpness.

It was as if an invisible sword net was woven in the air, enveloping Zhao Wuji.

"Behold this move, Frost Condensing Seven Stars," the peak master said in a clear, cold voice.

A glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, realizing that the peak master was intentionally testing him. As his sleeves billowed, his sword finger suddenly turned, and a streak of azure light burst forth from his fingertip.

The sword energy was so solid that it drew a long, surging river in the air, severing all the frost-like threads in its path and producing a clear, melodious sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

"Sword energy transforming into a rainbow? Is this truly the highest essence of the Profound Ice Sword Technique, with an icy river suspended in mid-air!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Hua Fengzhu's eyes as he pointed his sword.

With a resounding clang, her renowned flying sword burst forth from her sleeve.

The sword's blade was carved from ancient ice, and as soon as it was drawn, it caused frost and mist to form within a radius of three zhang. It was none other than the famous Frost Flying Sword!
"Well done!"

Zhao Wuji laughed loudly, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

The fact that this aloof peak master could bring out his Frost Flying Sword for the first time to test his skills clearly shows that he acknowledges his mastery of swordsmanship!

He had once thought of subtly giving back to the Ice Mountain Peak Master the insights he gained from swordsmanship, and today was the perfect opportunity to discuss the Dao through swordsmanship.
There was a loud 'clang' sound.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword also responded and flew out.

The sword's blade was a deep blue, like the ice of the deep sea, drawing a graceful arc in the air.

Cold Soul actively embraces the frost
(End of this chapter)