Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 180, Part 207: The Ancestor's Game, the Golden Core is About to Perish (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets, 3737 Chapters)

In Beiyun Dizhou, the third branch of the Wang family.

Inside the cultivation room of the fourth-level spiritual vein secret realm, Hua Qingshuang sat cross-legged on a jade futon, her body surrounded by the spiritual energy fluctuations of the "Flower Goddess Guiding the Moon Technique".

She suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze reflecting the moonlight.

A spiritual pressure at the late stage of the Concentration Realm spread out like a tide.

"Late stage of Concentration."

She gently touched the silver crescent mark that had appeared between her brows, feeling the surging spiritual energy within her body.

In the past six months, the matriarch, Hua Feng, has shared almost all the resources that the third branch of the family had accumulated over the past ten years.

They even went so far as to use the "Moonlight Dew" from the royal family's secret treasury to help her break through.

The generous treatment has already drawn criticism from the other two branches of the Wang family.

However, among the three households, perhaps because there were fewer people to begin with, or perhaps because the matriarch Hua Feng was too powerful, no one questioned her authority.

"Qing Shuang, not bad. Your breakthrough speed is three months faster than the Mistress expected."

The matriarch, Hua Feng, had appeared outside the meditation room at some point, her face serene.

With a light tap of her finger, the protective barrier outside the training room dissipated, and she stepped inside, saying, "Zhang Sichen's whereabouts are basically confirmed."

Hua Qingshuang's eyes suddenly turned cold: "He showed himself? Did he make a move against Linlang Cave Heaven?"

"No, he must have been seriously injured and only recently showed up. The mistress had the Lü family use the art of divination to calculate his approximate location."

The matriarch, Hua Feng, smiled faintly, "He is not in Xuan Kingdom, but in Yougu Abyss. Wang Zheng of the Wang family has already taken a Ning Shen guest elder there."

However, the family previously thought that the old ghost was impersonating the Tiannan Ancestor, but now it seems that the Tiannan Ancestor is someone else, possibly related to Huang Shang.”

“Huang Shang.” Hua Qingshuang frowned slightly.

"rest assured."

Hua Feng seemed to see through her thoughts, and after approaching, she gently patted her shoulder, "Huang Shang is in very poor condition, barely clinging to life with the help of a secret technique."

He wanted the Azure Netherworld Cave, so the family would temporarily give it to him, instead of fighting this old monster to the death, to see how many years he could last.

As long as he stops interfering with the Linglang Cave, his family will not hold it against him.

Therefore, the Linglang Cave and Zhao Wuji are safe.

Hua Qingshuang nodded slightly, then suddenly asked, "Where is Yan Lan?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

Hua Feng was silent for a moment before saying, "She offended Hai Shan Dong Tian in the East Sea, and it's said that she stole their Sea-Suppressing Stele."

Her gaze was deep and unfathomable. "Qing Shuang, you are cold on the outside but kind on the inside."

You'll have to put in a lot of effort with Zhao Wuji, and you'll also have to put in a lot of effort with Yan Lan.

In this degenerate age, it's already an achievement to be able to take care of yourself; how can you possibly take care of others?

Hua Qingshuang fell silent for a moment.

"The East China Sea is not within the Wang family's sphere of influence."

Hua Feng shook her head and smiled, "If you want to help her, you should quickly cultivate to the peak of the Spirit Condensation realm."

Hua Qingshuang frowned, her tone turning cold as she said, "Mistress, you said that if I break through to the late stage of the Condensation Realm within a year, you would allow me to go find my father myself."

Right now, all I want to do is go find my dad.

Hua Feng paused, then smiled again, stroking Hua Qingshuang's hair and saying, "Very well, good child, if you want to go find your father, then go. The mistress will give you a family pass. Good child."

She nodded, turned away, and sighed inwardly:

"Three years. I only have three years left."

"Family Pass!"

Hua Qingshuang relaxed, stood up, and stepped out of the secret room with her clothes fluttering.

With a flick of her wrist, the Frost Flying Sword suddenly appeared, its blade gleaming with a cold light, like condensed moonlight.

She gently stroked the spine of the sword with her fingertips; the icy touch seeped into her heart, yet a hint of warmth seemed to quietly spread within her.

"Zheng!"

The sword rang out clearly and melodiously, as if it were a lament or a yearning, seemingly echoing the cold spirits from thousands of miles away.

Meanwhile, deep within the Azure Netherworld Cave.

Within the spiritual vein, Huang Chang's half-corpse, half-puppet body sat within an array formed by numerous source crystals and spiritual blood.

His face was as pale as paper, and the vertical line between his eyebrows opened and closed slightly like a third eye.

"grown ups."

The Blood Corpse Taoist knelt on one knee, a hoarse voice emanating from beneath his black robe: "Chai Wei of Xuanxiao Cave Heaven has recently incurred the wrath of the Tiannan Ancestor. That old ghost carved words of provocation on the cliff face, specifically mentioning the name of the Seven Clouds Sect."

Huang Shang's tone was slightly doubtful and thoughtful as he spoke about the "Seven Clouds Sect".

The Blood Corpse General said, "I have investigated and found that this sect is a small and insignificant one. It should be related to the former Seven Clouds Valley, and there is a Golden Core early stage cultivator in charge of it."

Seven Clouds Valley

Huang Shang remained lost in thought, rubbing his temples with his withered hand, lamenting that he was truly getting old and out of touch with the times.

He had no recollection of this Seven Clouds Valley either.

"My lord, the Xuanxiao Cave Heaven is backed by the Seven Clouds Sect, whose Golden Core Ancestor is nearing the end of his life and has not appeared in the world for many years."

The ancient Taoist priest, his black robe hanging low, spoke in a hoarse voice, "The Seven Clouds Sect is located in Yizhou, Huaihai. If there is a Golden Core, there must be a Level 4 spiritual vein."

If we were to besiege Xuanxiao, we could test the strength of the Seven Clouds Sect.

If that Golden Core cultivator is unable to provide assistance, it proves that his condition is truly poor. We can then take his place, seize his spiritual veins, and help you recover, sir.

"Easier said than done."

Huang Shang's eyes were deep and unfathomable, a half-smile playing on his lips: "A level four spiritual vein? In this degenerate age, it has probably already degenerated into a level three."

The Seven Clouds Sect, after all, couldn't possibly protect a level four spiritual vein as effectively as those powerful clans and forces.

"Very well, a level three spiritual vein is still quite valuable in this degenerate age."

He flicked the whisk in his sleeve, sending aside a wisp of cold wind. "Let that so-called Ancestor of the Southern Heaven fight with that Xuanxiao Cave Heaven first."

The ancient Taoist hesitated: "The origins of that Tiannan Patriarch are unknown; this could be a variable..."

"variable?"

Huang Shang chuckled, his brow furrow slightly widening, revealing the terrifying scene of the surrounding spiritual veins covered in gray spots. "In this world, what kind of Ancestor Tiannan is there? He's just a madman who rose to power by taking advantage of the situation. Perhaps he's an old friend. We can test him together this time."

He paused, then said, "Only one of you needs to go to Xuanxiao Cave Heaven."

Furthermore, Yan Lan from the Linglang Cave Heaven has sent a message saying that she has encountered trouble in Yizhou, East Sea. One of you two needs to go and help her.

This is the crucial matter, more important than anything else!

A hundred miles above the Xuanxiao Cave Heaven.

A white skeletal spirit boat flew in, its wings gleaming.

Inside the spirit boat, more than ten source crystals were being consumed rapidly.

The remaining thirty disciples of the White Bone Cave Heaven guarded the White Bone Boat.

Zhao Wuji, his black robes fluttering, sat alone at the bow of the white bone boat.

With his eyes slightly closed, he focused his mind on the second Yang Pearl.

The fourth group of tadpole-shaped patterns shimmered with silver light, and most of them were already lit up.

"The forging of the Blood Fiend Needle Sword indeed complements the 'Miscellaneous Refining Techniques', facilitating the deciphering of the Blood Fiend Techniques within the Yang Pearl."

He pondered to himself, and as the silver patterns shimmered, a mysterious secret seemed to emerge.

"Could it be the technique of 'boiling stones'?"

Among the seventy-two Earthly Fiends techniques, this one, though not an offensive skill, can be considered a sacred method for survival in the Dharma-ending Age.

Upon thinking of this, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

Boiling stones for food can be used as a tonic.
Refining stones into spirits can replenish spiritual materials!
If one obtains this technique, even in this world where spiritual energy is depleted, one can transform decay into spiritual essence. "The mineral refining method in 'Miscellaneous Refining Techniques' truly aligns with the essence of boiling stones."

In the midst of the deduction, Wei Ding suddenly shouted in a hoarse voice:
"My lord! We have arrived at Xuanxiao Grotto-Heaven!"

Looking up, a radiant light soared into the sky from the distant mountains.

The protective array, resembling an inverted glass bowl, rippled with a chilling aura.
"Alright, let's go pay our respects at the mountain!" Zhao Wuji waved his sleeve.

The spirit boat flew down and crashed into the mountain outside the protective array, stirring up dust.

More than thirty disciples of the White Bone Cave Heaven, who could be used as cannon fodder, shot out and lined up.

Zhao Wuji flew off the spirit boat with his hands behind his back, his black robe fluttering in the wind. His ancient and weathered face appeared even more sinister under the light of the array, like a giant of the demonic path.

Behind him, Wei Ding, the master of the White Bone Cave, and Bai Chengshang, the master of the Supreme Cave, stood guard on either side.

Such a chilling aura immediately startled the disciples guarding the mountain behind the Xuanxiao Cave Heaven's protective formation, filling them with dread.

"Old man Chai Wei!"

The White Bone Cave Master, Wei Ding, was smug and, taking advantage of the situation, suddenly shouted a call to pay homage to the mountain. His voice, like muffled thunder, rolled across the mountains, causing ripples to spread across the array patterns.

He chuckled strangely: "Didn't you say that I would invite the master to come forward and talk to you personally? Now that the Ancestor of Tiannan has arrived, why don't you open the mountain to welcome the guest?"

Inside the Xuanxiao Cave Heaven.

Chai Wei, the master of Xuanxiao Cave who was cultivating in Xuanxiao Palace, twitched his face when he heard the voice outside, and thought to himself that something was wrong.

"Who is this Tiannan Ancestor? I've already mentioned the Seven Clouds Sect, yet he still dares to come again?"

He was filled with doubt and immediately left the main hall.

His divine sense swept out of the cave and saw three people outside the formation, causing his heart to tighten.

Not just Wei Ding, that old rival, but also someone else's lackey?
There's even Bai Chengshang from the Supreme Grotto-Heaven?

He used his divine sense to observe the black-robed old man who was being guarded by the two men.

The opponent was surrounded by a bloodthirsty aura, his aura was obscure and difficult to discern, and his spiritual power seemed to be only at the early stage of the Condensation Realm, yet he gave off an extremely dangerous feeling.

"Could it be that one of the ancient cultivators from Tiannan has fallen from his Golden Core stage and recently emerged from seclusion?"

He narrowed his eyes, suppressing his shock, and his voice carried through the array, "So it is Fellow Daoist Tiannan who has come in person. But it is just to investigate some intelligence, why make such a fuss?"

The Seven Clouds Sect and my Xuanxiao Cave Heaven have a long-standing relationship. If you have any requests, fellow Daoist, I, Chai, will relay them on your behalf.

"Ha, this old dog, now he's trying to intimidate me by bringing up the name of the Seven Clouds Sect?"
This sect is located far away in Yizhou, Huaihai, and the Golden Elixir True Person is nearing the end of their life. Very well, let's test them out first.

Zhao Wuji chuckled lightly, the Blood Fiend Needle Sword trembling slightly within his sleeve.

He came not only for intelligence, but also to take the opportunity to test the strengths and weaknesses of Xuanxiao Cave Heaven and Qixia Sect.

If we can ascertain the truth, we may have the opportunity to obtain the third-level spiritual vein of the Seven Clouds Sect in the future.

Therefore, whether it is to advance to the Golden Core stage in the future or to expand the Pot Heaven space, enriching one's own foundation in the Dharma-ending Age is an excellent opportunity.

Even if things change
With his current extreme speed of wind manipulation and unpredictable invisibility, combined with numerous sword formations and the space of the Pot Heaven, he can achieve great success.

All we need to do is have Wei Ding and Bai Chengshang, the two servants of the Concentration Realm, fight to the death to cover the rear.
In the blink of an eye, one can travel hundreds of miles away, hiding in the Pot Heaven space!
He immediately replied calmly, "Master Chai's attitude was quite tough a few days ago, forcing me to come to your Xuanxiao Cave Heaven in person. Now you want me to shout through the formation?"

At the summit of Xuanxiao Cave Heaven, Chai Wei's back was already damp with cold sweat, sensing from the other party's unfriendly intentions in those seemingly casual words.

He secretly reinforced the array patterns with hand seals, while quickly returning to the hall to activate a long-distance communication array within. He then casually replied, "Fellow Daoist Tiannan is too kind. However, the spiritual veins of my grotto-heaven have been unstable recently, and I fear my hospitality may be inadequate. Perhaps..."

"Not as good as your mother!"

The White Bone Cave Master suddenly roared, unleashing a withered claw magic weapon that slammed into the array barrier, causing it to shake violently. The Xuanxiao disciples guarding the array all coughed up blood.

"With the Lord himself here, you old dog, how dare you bark? You weren't such a coward when you were so arrogant in front of me the other day!"

Zhao Wuji feigned displeasure and glanced sideways at Wei Ding, but inwardly he praised the old servant for his timely assistance. He then calmly said with his hands behind his back.

“Master Chai, I am here today not to listen to your excuses and prevarications.”

His black robe fluttered in the wind, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he transmitted his voice.

"Since you're making excuses, then I'll be frank. What news has there been about Yan Lan of Yunyu Pavilion in Yizhou, Donghai lately?"
This woman has taken something from me; I must find her exact location.

Upon hearing this, Chai Wei felt slightly relieved.

He had, of course, been paying attention to Yan Lan, his mortal enemy from the Linglang Cave.

Since Yan Lan has also offended this old monster from Tiannan, that's even better.

His arch-nemesis conveniently helped him shift the blame.

He hurriedly said, "So you're inquiring about Fellow Daoist Yan."

As far as I know, Fellow Daoist Yan incurred the wrath of Haishan Cave Heaven in the East Sea half a year ago, seizing their Sea-Suppressing Stele, and is now being hunted down by Haishan Cave Heaven.”

As he spoke, his eyes gleamed, and seeing that the long-distance communication array had been activated, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He had activated this formation a few days ago to inform the Seven Clouds Sect about the news concerning the Tiannan Ancestor.

Unfortunately, there was no response from the Seven Clouds Sect.
"Sea Mountain Grotto Heaven?"

Zhao Wuji frowned slightly, thinking to himself that his Uncle Yan was indeed not a peaceful person.

Such a commotion has even been caused in the East China Sea.

In the past, no matter how he sent messages, the other party did not respond, which may have been beyond the scope of the message.

He continued, "Do you know the exact location?"

Chai Wei shook his head: "The East Sea is vast, and the sphere of influence of Hai Shan Dong Tian is not small either, so its exact location is really difficult to determine. However..."

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, "It is said that Yan Lan was last seen near the Three Eyes Strait."

"The Three-Eyed Strait?"

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred, and he memorized the name of the strait before continuing to ask via telepathy.

"Besides Yan Lan, do you know anything about the recent activities of the third branch of the Wang family, the Hua family? There was another person who stole my treasure back then, and that was a member of the Hua family."

Chai Wei's expression changed, thinking to himself that this Tiannan Ancestor was quite bold, daring to inquire about and provoke someone who knew they were from the Wang family.

He hurriedly transmitted his voice, saying, "Fellow Daoist Tiannan, the Wang family is, after all, a powerful clan in Beiyun Dizhou. Such intelligence is truly beyond the capabilities of my Xuanxiao Cave Heaven."

Just as he was stammering, Zhao Wuji's expression suddenly changed.

"This old ghost seems to be stalling for time; he's already sent a message to the Seven Clouds Sect?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and the Blood Fiend Needle Sword in his sleeve was already poised to strike.

Meanwhile, deep within the Seven Clouds Gate.

Inside a cave dwelling surrounded by a level-three spiritual vein.

An elderly man with white hair and beard sat cross-legged at the core of the spiritual vein, his face withered like tree bark, surrounded by a dim glow.

He was none other than the only Golden Core Ancestor of the Seven Clouds Sect—Xia Guang Zhenren.

At that moment, he held a scroll of urgent news in his hand, which was Chai Wei's urgent request for help.

"Tiannan Patriarch"

The Radiant Immortal spoke in a hoarse whisper, a hint of sorrow and anger flashing in his cloudy eyes.

This is the second time Chai Wei has sent a message, both times prompted by the Old Ancestor of Tiannan.

Feeling the nearly depleted golden elixir within his body.

This once radiant golden elixir is now riddled with cracks, and its spiritual power is constantly leaking out.

He could clearly sense that he had less than three years left to live.

"That fool Chai Wei! How could he provoke such a powerful figure for no reason? This man dares to call himself the Ancestor of Tiannan and shows no fear of the Seven Clouds Sect. I'm afraid..."

Master Xiaguang gripped the jade talisman tightly, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with astonishment and uncertainty.

Four hundred years ago, he was full of vigor and ambition, condensed his golden core, founded the Seven Clouds Sect, and even received guidance from a Nascent Soul senior.

Unexpectedly, not long after, the end of the Dharma era arrived, and he instantly became a guardian of the spiritual veins.

Now, the fourth-level spiritual vein has degenerated into a third-level one, and many surrounding forces are probing and coveting it.

At this point, Chai Wei still dared to provoke foreign enemies for him.

Call for help now
You can't go!
He can't go!
(End of this chapter)