Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 124: Unruly Schemes, Imperial Concubine Seeks Help
On Lonely Cloud Peak, the mountain wind whipped Ji Mobai's purple robe into a fluttering sound.

He stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the cliff, watching Zhao Wuji transform into a streak of light and disappear into the distance. Thinking of what the other had just said, a proud smile appeared on his lips.

"Senior Brother, why did you agree to Senior Brother Zhao's request?"

A junior brother in blue robes behind him couldn't help but step forward and whisper, "That Supreme Daoist is clearly targeting him. If anyone should be fighting, it should be the summit of Cold Moon Peak. Why should our Lonely Cloud Peak get involved in this mess?"

Ji Mobai lightly touched his sleeve and said calmly, "What do you know?"
Junior Brother Zhao just made it very clear: 'The Supreme Daoist Master bullies the weak, specifically targeting Qi Refining Stage 4 cultivators like him for testing. If word gets out, wouldn't the world laugh at our Linlang Cave Heaven for having no one to rely on?'"

"Humph!"

He turned around abruptly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "Since he has personally admitted that I, Ji Mobai, am more qualified than him to fight Daozi, I will naturally not back down."

The junior brother was stunned: "But...but Junior Brother Zhao's words clearly sounded like he was trying to provoke me..."

"A provocation?" Ji Mobai laughed loudly. "If he were truly afraid of Daozi, he could have simply admitted defeat. Why did he have to come to Guyun Peak in such a roundabout way? Do you think he's here to ask for help?"

With a flick of his finger, sword energy sliced ​​off half a pine branch. "This kid is cunning! Knowing that I've always disliked those arrogant fellows in the Supreme Grotto-Heaven, he deliberately gave me the excuse of 'protecting the Grotto-Heaven's reputation'."

The junior brother suddenly realized, then hesitated and said, "But that Daoist is only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, Senior Brother, you..."

"What? He's at the sixth level of Qi Refining, but I'm not?"

Ji Mobai raised an eyebrow, and his body suddenly exuded a chilling sword intent, startling his junior brother into taking three steps back. "The reason I have never broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining is for the sake of the Tiannan Secret Realm."

He waved his sleeve and sneered, "The Supreme Grotto-Heaven has quite the ambition. In the Southern Heavenly Secret Realm, I will have to clash with this Daoist sooner or later! This time, I'll use him as a test subject."

The junior brother, his face flushed from the sword energy, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ji Mobai suddenly withdraw his imposing aura: "Besides, this Junior Brother Zhao is truly slippery; today he actually took the initiative to admit that I am a cut above him..."

He squinted at the direction of Cold Moon Peak, a soft laugh escaping his throat. "His talent for sword control is indeed superior to mine, but my cultivation is stronger, that's an indisputable fact."

This isn't a sword fight; it concerns the honor of our sect, so it's only right that I step forward.

The mountaintop was shrouded in mist. Ji Mobai turned and left, his back view appearing even more aloof and solitary.

"Senior Brother Ji is so competitive!"

The junior brother followed closely behind, stealing a glance, and could clearly see the uncontrollable smile on the senior brother's lips.

Clearly, Ji Shixiong was in a good mood because Zhao Wuji took the initiative to acknowledge his strength and status.

"I thought I'd have to use a lot of persuasion, and I was even prepared to offer some benefits."

"I never expected that Ji Mobai would actually agree to challenge the Supreme Sect's Daoist after I praised him so much."

In mid-air, Zhao Wuji flew over the bustling Dongtian Square, his clothes fluttering as a playful smile appeared on his lips.

Ji Mobai is actually quite straightforward and easy to fool. He has a strong sense of self-esteem, likes to get stuck on things, and once he sets his mind on something, he won't easily change it. He also cares a lot about his reputation and values ​​the honor of his grotto-heaven.

If there were more people like this in the sect, it wouldn't be a bad thing. At least they would actually take things seriously and belong to the stubborn and competitive type.

He's different. He doesn't like to show off or act like a hero. Unless there's a benefit to it, he prefers to keep a low profile.

The matter of Daozi has been resolved.

Zhao Wuji then flew back to his cave and used the Spirit-Eating Insects to cultivate for a while.

After he finished his meditation, he strolled around the market again. When his eyes swept over the bounty list of Yunfeng Cave, he couldn't help but be stunned.

His bounty has increased by another thirty Source Crystals!
He himself was itching to try it.

"If only I knew the art of head regeneration, and could use it in conjunction with the Netherworld Talisman to control the enemy, perhaps I could find a way to get this bounty."

Zhao Wuji pondered for a moment, then smiled and dismissed the idea.

Using one's own head is too dangerous; it would be better to use something like a finger.

However, this technique is indeed a life-saving magic, but it is unknown how to unravel the mystery of the head-regeneration technique.

If this method ultimately triggers the Yang Pearl, then it will all be in vain, a waste of effort and resources.

"The art of reattaching a head should be similar to the principle of reattaching severed limbs." Zhao Wuji stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Among the newly acquired Miao medical Gu, there seems to be a Golden Silkworm Gu that can suture flesh and reattach limbs. Perhaps we can explore it."

His thoughts gradually became clear: "The Taoist concept of corpse liberation, the legends of severed heads resurrected in shamanistic rituals, and the folk custom of severed head sacrifices may also be related to this."

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile, realizing that one still has to use their brain in everything, otherwise they'll be completely clueless.

It turns out that the medical and poison techniques I had accumulated over the years had actually given me a lot of experience, and now, after a little thought, I had a direction.

"I don't have much merit left, and exchanging ancient books in the library is too expensive."

If we can't elicit the head-regeneration technique, then the investment will have been wasted. We should try to find information through other channels.

Zhao Wuji strolled around the market for a while longer and spotted a rare healing talisman called the Rejuvenation Talisman.

It is said that it was obtained from the body of a Heavenly Enemy in Yunfeng Cave, and the price is as high as five Origin Crystals.

He only had nineteen Source Crystals saved up, so he had no choice but to give up the idea.

This thing, which is only of research value to him, is really too expensive.

"I still have five Dragon Tiger Pills to sell, which should net me about fifty or sixty Source Crystals. That's all my assets."
"I hope the Supreme Grotto-Heaven will quickly provide me with resources to support me." Zhao Wuji thought to himself, feeling utterly hopeless, when suddenly he sensed a familiar presence approaching. He turned around to look.

But then Li Shiyu arrived gracefully in a blue robe, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow: "Junior Sister Li has already advanced to the Blue Robe level? Your progress is quite fast."

"It can't compare to my senior brother's glory. It's just what I've gained from my recent seclusion."

Li Shiyu gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes gleaming with a hint of melancholy. "I only learned after I emerged from seclusion that the two Holy Maidens had visited together. Now, Senior Brother is the most sought-after figure in the grotto-heaven."

Her voice was tinged with sarcasm, yet she feigned nonchalance, "Looks like you're quite popular with women. My junior sister came all the way up the mountain to look for you, only to find you empty-handed."

Zhao Wuji frowned: "Is Junior Sister Li teaching me how to do things? Or did she come here specifically to make fun of me?"

I'm so poor right now I can't even afford a talisman to revive myself, how could I have the time or inclination to deal with these things?

Seeing his displeasure, Li Shiyu suddenly stopped teasing him, her eyes glistening with tears, and her voice softened: "Alright, I won't tease you anymore... It's just that the Empress has been putting a lot of pressure on me lately, and even my master has been affected."

She bit her lip, her eyes filled with hatred, and said, "That woman used the pretext of investigating the hidden agents of the Ten Thousand Beasts Cave to wipe out all the spies I had planted in the palace."

If this continues, my junior sister will not only be unable to contend for the Empress's position in the future, but she may even lose her life..."

Zhao Wuji sneered upon hearing this: "The Empress? She certainly knows how to pick her time."

Unexpectedly, the Empress is really vengeful. More than a year has passed, and she is still investigating the matter of the cultivators in the Myriad Beasts Cave.

This was also partly his fault. He couldn't help but recall how the Empress had secretly climbed Cold Moon Peak to investigate his cave.

Li Shiyu's eyes sparkled as she tugged at Zhao Wuji's sleeve and shook it lightly: "Senior brother~ show your power and come back to the capital with me to intimidate that vile woman, so she knows that I am not someone to be trifled with."

Zhao Wuji was taken aback upon hearing this: "I'm going to intimidate the Empress?"

He raised an eyebrow with a half-smile, "Even if someone is going to step forward, shouldn't Zhang Zhaoming be backing you up? What right do I have?"

Li Shiyu's expression froze for a moment. She pulled him aside to a corner and transmitted her voice, "That old bastard only knows how to talk. His cultivation is far inferior to that slut's; he would never dare to actually lay a hand on her."

She bit her lip. "If you only talk the talk, how can that slut be afraid?"

"You want me to take direct action against the Empress?"

Zhao Wuji frowned, glancing at her tearful appearance, unsure whether she was faking it.

"With your sword-wielding skills, even if you can't defeat that vile woman, you'll definitely be able to intimidate her."

Li Shiyu leaned closer, her breath sweet as orchids, "If that old man Zhaoming knew, he'd be secretly clapping and cheering."

"Then on what grounds should I say it?" Zhao Wuji sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Should I say it's to stand up for you?"

Although the two had some casual affairs, he was always passively accepting them. Moreover, if such things were brought to the public eye, wouldn't that confirm his reputation as an adulterer?
"Senior brother, don't worry."

Li Shiyu parted her red lips slightly, took another half step closer, and placed three source crystals into his palm with her slender fingers. "That old man Zhaoming is more than happy for me to win you over and curry favor with Peak Master Hua. You stood up for me out of our camaraderie; he's overjoyed."

The air was filled with a warm fragrance, but Zhao Wuji's eyes sharpened.

This woman understood his temperament perfectly. Knowing that she couldn't sway him with her beauty alone, she used both her wealth and her looks to persuade him.

"I'll accept the Source Crystal."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "However, I still need to get permission from old man Zhaoming to borrow ancient books from the Imperial Observatory. That way, he'll be even less likely to suspect anything."

"Senior brother is indeed cautious."

Li Shiyu covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her fingertips seemingly tracing the back of his hand. "How about we go to my junior sister's room for a short while? We can talk things over slowly."

Zhao Wuji's eyelids twitched slightly. He glanced at Li Shiyu, snorted coldly, and flicked his sleeve, "The grand gathering is about to end. We'll discuss it another day. There's no rush to leave the cave in a day or two."

"Alright, alright, I'll do as you say, Senior Brother."

Li Shiyu's eyes sparkled, and she smiled slightly, saying, "We have a long future ahead of us."

"gone!"

Zhao Wuji shook his head and turned to leave.

However, this trip to the market didn't cost any money, and I even gained three Source Crystals.

"Hmph, Senior Brother is really cunning." Li Shiyu's eyes were filled with resentment as she watched the departing figure.

This senior brother was truly as slippery as a fish; every time you thought you were about to grasp him in your palm, he would slip through your fingers.

"Could it be," she bit her lip lightly, "that he prefers the pure and virtuous demeanor of a saint?"

Just as I was pondering this, I suddenly felt a burning gaze upon me.

Looking to the side, she saw a disciple in blue robes stealing glances at her graceful figure.

Li Shiyu's expression suddenly turned cold, and she instantly regained her imperial concubine demeanor. Her phoenix eyes flashed with a cold, menacing light as she gave a warning glance before turning and leaving.

Her charm and flirtatiousness were all for Zhao Shixiong's benefit. What kind of toads are these, trying to eat swan meat?

(End of this chapter)