Immortals of the End Times

"That's right, it's the Wang family."

Hua Qingshuang picked up the teacup with her slender hand, her gaze falling on Zhao Wuji. "I'm just asking you again, do you still remember the promise we made that day? The Wang family now..."

A hint of coldness appeared on her lips. "The power struggle between the third branch and the main branch is probably more complicated than I imagined."

Therefore, now is not the right time.

Zhao Wuji nodded upon hearing this.

That's what he thought too, and thankfully the peak master only asked that question.

However, he was indeed somewhat interested in joining the Wang family.

Firstly, the Wang family has more resources, possessing two fourth-level spiritual veins capable of stabilizing the Golden Core.

Hua Qingshuang was able to provide him with three precious resources like the Moonlit Lingzhi, and perhaps she could even obtain Yin Marrow through the Wang family's resource channels.

Secondly, he had come into contact with the Xiang Yu head hidden deep within the Wang family and experienced the power of Xiang Yu's double pupils and the true meaning of the Martial Immortal Dao.

Only by getting close to the royal family could one have a chance to come into contact with the real head of Xiang Yu.

"The spiritual energy in this degenerate age is like the ebb and flow of the tides. Even if the spiritual energy does revive in the future, it may dry up again in a few hundred years. Only by completely solving the problem of unstable spiritual energy can we achieve this."

Zhao Wuji pondered, "The Martial Dao Immortal System is a key force in the fight against the end of Dharma."

"A Martial Dao True Monarch whose combat power seems comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator is even more resilient during the Dharma-ending Age, though it appears they also face other tribulations."

At this moment, Hua Qingshuang raised her eyes and looked at Zhao Wuji, saying, "Although the Hua family is not easily manipulated, even the members of the Lü and Yang families have noticed some clues. Perhaps the changes in the Wang family will come sooner than expected."

These words made Zhao Wuji's heart tighten.

"Signs of a spiritual resurgence have appeared."

Hua Qingshuang suddenly changed the subject, and a jade slip covered with star patterns slid out from her sleeve. "According to the secret records of the Wang family, ancient cultivator caves have recently appeared in the depths of the East Sea and Huaihai, suspected to be the place where a Nascent Soul True Monarch passed away."

However, all the Nascent Soul True Monarchs among them had perished, failing to survive the end of the Dharma-ending Age.

Hua Qingshuang tapped her finger lightly, and the jade slip projected the light spots jumping on the vast sea map. "But these people's cave dwellings appeared on their own, either because the spirit stones stored back then to maintain the operation of the formation were all used up."

Or perhaps the time for the spiritual energy revival they predicted back then has arrived.

Zhao Wuji's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but think of Xinghe Daoren, who was currently inside the space within his sleeve.

The time when the spiritual energy was reviving, as predicted by this Taoist priest, was roughly around this period.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Wuji suddenly spoke to Hua Qingshuang.

"Peak Master, do you still have the Gu worm that I gave you, which imitated the Bloodline Curse?"

Hua Qingshuang nodded in surprise and took a dark-patterned beast pouch from her waist. "I was never afflicted by the bloodline curse from the beginning. After returning to the clan, the matriarch was also aware of this, so there is no need to put this blood curse Gu into my body again."

She paused, opened the pouch, and poured out a Blood-Striped Insect King. "This pouch is from the Myriad Beasts Cave, capable of sealing the essence of living beings. If you wish to take it back, you may take the pouch along with it."

She lightly touched the Insect King with her fingers, a hint of lingering affection flashing deep in her cool eyes.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji shook his head and laughed, "I'm afraid you'll have to keep a similar insect king by your side all the time, so I'll take back this Blood Curse Insect."

A wisp of spiritual light flashed from his sleeve, and a crystal-clear Gu worm appeared in his palm. "This worm is called 'Dream Guide,' and it is another type of Gu worm. It can help you stabilize your mind and resist the invasion of external evils. I can also sense whether you are in danger based on the state of this worm."

"Oh?"

Hua Qingshuang's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of doubt appearing on her cool and aloof face.

But she trusted Zhao Wuji completely. After examining the insect for a while, she asked, "Are you going to swallow it again?"

Zhao Wuji nodded, "Mm!"

"it is good!"

Hua Qingshuang nodded slightly. Zhao Wuji had saved her with acupuncture many times before, and she had even swallowed the Blood Curse Gu, so she naturally wouldn't care.

She parted her lips slightly and put the Gu worm into her mouth.

The Gu worm entered her body and instantly transformed into a wisp of cool energy, merging into her meridians.

Zhao Wuji felt relieved; the peak master still believed in him as always.

This Dream-Attracting Gu Worm is actually easier to cultivate than the Blood Curse Worm; it is a weakened version of the Netherworld Marriage Gu Worm used to control servants.

It's just not meant to control people; the spirit-connecting talisman has been removed, leaving only the dream-marrying talisman.

"The Wang family's situation is complex. If there are any unusual movements, with this Dream-Marrying Gu worm, even if we are thousands of miles away, I can sense your condition in my dreams, Peak Master."

Zhao Wuji said.

Of course, in certain private moments, he will proactively cut off the sensor and will not overstep the bounds.

Hua Qingshuang gazed at him intently for a moment, then nodded and said, "You're very thoughtful."

The two then chatted about other things.

After Hua Qingshuang arrived at the Wang family, she had obviously broadened her horizons considerably, mentioning a lot of information that Zhao Wuji was completely unaware of.

Even though they were still somewhat reluctant to part after chatting until late at night, Zhao Wuji took his leave to avoid causing any negative impact on Hua Qingshuang, who was now living in the Wang family.

Hua Qingshuang stood leaning against the railing, her moon-white skirt swaying gently in the wind.

She hugged her arms, vaguely feeling the warm touch of the acupuncture needles she had once felt.

"The cold poison has long been cured," she murmured, but she felt that the spiritual energy in her meridians seemed even colder.

Only after leaving Tiannan did I realize that the warmest feeling was always that twilight illuminated by the golden needle on Hanyue Peak.

For the next month, Zhao Wuji continued his arduous cultivation within the Pot Heaven Space.

The space within the Pot Heaven was filled with spiritual energy. With the incomplete spiritual veins of the former White Bone Cave Heaven, as well as the Blood Pool and Yin Sha Spring, it was like an oasis in the desert, providing him with an excellent cultivation environment.

Besides honing his swordsmanship, Zhao Wuji spent his days studying the intricacies of cultivating Gu worms using talisman water in combination with medicine and Gu techniques.

Occasionally, he would whisper with Hua Qingshuang through a telepathic jade talisman to exchange intelligence and information.

Upon learning that an additional item had been added to the auction, the Wang family had brought out a Mind-Concentrating Pill.

The appearance of this pill immediately boosted the liveliness of the market to its peak, attracting many smaller forces to come and observe.

Concentrating Spirit Pills were extremely precious during periods of abundant spiritual energy.

In the degenerate age, its value increases even more due to its rarity.

However, this pill is somewhat awkward in the current situation.

Although those small sects are envious, they don't even have a decent spiritual vein, so how can they support a Nascent Soul Realm expert?
As for those forces that possess their own grotto-heavens, how could the existing Nascent Soul Ancestors allow others to share the already scarce spiritual energy resources?

"This Mind-Concentrating Pill, while seemingly appealing, is actually just a gimmick to create an atmosphere."

Zhao Wuji observed the list of auction treasures that Bai Chengshang had obtained through his dream connection with him.

He wasn't interested in the Concentration Pill, but he was very interested in a treasure called the Radiant Cloud Immortal Mushroom at the auction.

This celestial mushroom is a treasure no less precious than the Yin-Yang Twin Lotus.

If he were to obtain, consume, and refine it, he would surely be able to quickly break through to the mid-stage of the Condensation Realm.

However, the Wang family had indeed made this grand event very impressive, and there were quite a few other forces also eyeing this treasure.

"With my current financial resources, I may not be able to acquire this immortal herb!"

Zhao Wuji sighed inwardly.

He originally didn't want to be a kept man.

Unfortunately, there may indeed be some difficulties at the moment.

Therefore, when Peak Master Hua took the initiative to propose it in the past few days, he also agreed that if he could not acquire the Immortal Herb, Peak Master would buy it for him.

"The auction starts in three days. I can now tell the Peak Master the auction room number that Bai Chengshang reserved."

Zhao Wuji took out a communication jade talisman and sent a message to Hua Qingshuang.

He didn't plan to go into the market area.

Remotely controlling Bai Chengshang to participate in the auction is the same as his personal presence, but even safer.

He has handed over many resources, such as storage bags, to Bai Chengshang and provided them for valuation at the auction.

The total value is over thirty ancient spirit stones, which is considered a very good fortune in this era of declining Dharma.

After delivering the message, Zhao Wuji continued his cultivation.

Now, his swordsmanship is finally about to break through.

At that time, with consummate swordsmanship, one can comprehend the sword control technique of splitting sword light, thus splitting sword light and transforming oneself into sword light.

With invisible sword energy surrounding him, his combat power will be enhanced once again.

Three days passed in a blink of an eye.

Inside the Pot Heaven space, Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged beside the spiritual spring, his body surrounded by sword energy swirling like a dragon.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword, which had been refined by divine consciousness for nearly eighty-one days, hovered in front of him, its blade trembling and emitting a clear, melodious hum, like the breathing of a living creature.

"Hiss!" Suddenly, he opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning.

With a sudden flick of his sword finger, the Frost Soul Flying Sword transformed into a blinding streak of light.

"Shuashuashua——"

The sword light suddenly split in mid-air, dividing into three, and then into nine.

Nine transformations into eighty-one!

Eighty-one sword lights darted about as nimbly as swimming fish, each containing intense killing power, yet they merged into one in an instant, returning to the body of the Cold Soul Sword.

"The sword light has split, it's finally done!"

Zhao Wuji stood up, his sleeves fluttering even without wind.

With a thought, eighty-one sword lights split off again, forming an ice lotus sword wheel around his body.

Each sword light was solid and lifelike, its sharpness fully revealed.

"go with!"

With a light tap of his sword finger, eighty-one sword lights suddenly pierced out of the Heavenly Pot Space, piercing through the river water and hurtling towards the distant mountain wall.

"Boom!"

Amidst the collapse of the mountain rocks, eighty-one sword marks, each over ten feet deep, were arranged in a lotus-like pattern.

Even more astonishingly, frost had condensed around the edges of each sword mark, emanating a chilling aura.

"The sword light splits and combines with the Xuanbing sword energy, its power is doubled! If I were to further infuse it with my true martial intent and sword spirit..."

Zhao Wuji nodded in satisfaction, quickly retracted the flying sword that had pierced out of the Pot Heaven space, and suddenly his expression changed.

The dream connections constructed by the Dream Marriage Technique trembled slightly.

A message came from Bai Chengshang's side.

"The auction is over?"

Zhao Wuji closed his eyes to sense the sensation, and then his face showed surprise.

Through Bai Chengshang's dream vision, he saw a pure white celestial mushroom with swirling cloud patterns being placed into a jade box.

"They actually took a picture of it directly?"

His divine sense swept over Bai Chengshang's memories.

Zhao Wuji then realized that his resources were already considered extremely wealthy in the Dharma-ending Age.

Other competitors were envious, but ultimately lacked the financial resources.

"Get the goods and leave the market immediately."

Zhao Wuji relayed the order through the dream: "Evacuate according to the planned route."

At this moment, the peak master also sent a message of congratulations.

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly, thinking to himself that this was an unexpected delight.

He had originally planned to ask the Flower Peak Master for help if he failed in the auction, but he didn't expect that he had already accumulated enough wealth.

"It seems the spoils from plundering the major grotto-heavens are far greater than I imagined; I'm already a wealthy man in this Dharma-ending Age."

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhao Wuji sheathed the Cold Soul Sword.

The breakthrough in sword light differentiation, coupled with the imminent acquisition of the Yingyun Immortal Herb, filled him with confidence for his future cultivation.

"With this immortal herb, breaking through to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm will be very easy. Three years later, reaching the late-stage of the Nascent Soul realm and receiving a level-three spiritual vein will also be effortless."

Zhao Wuji was in a good mood as he watched the two girls playing on the ridge of the field not far away.

He continued to sit in the Pot Heaven Space, waiting for Bai Chengshang's arrival.

Not long after, Bai Chengshang obtained the Yingyun Immortal Herb through a transaction as instructed by Zhao Wuji, and quietly left the market.

After going through many twists and turns, Zhao Wuji personally used the Dream Marriage Technique to confirm it several times.

It's finally confirmed that no one is cheating on each other.

The Wang family auction house was so honest that it was completely unlike the Wang family.

"Looks like I was overthinking it. I read too many novels in my past life. Whenever I won a treasure at an auction, I would be cheated out of the house, and then I could fight back."

Zhao Wuji lamented that he had been too suspicious.

Upon closer reflection, the reality is that those who have the financial resources and need treasures like the Yingyun Immortal Herb must all be cultivators at the Concentration Realm.

In the Dharma-ending Age, these cultivators were almost all the masters of various small grotto-heavens.

The saying goes, "Big fish eat little fish, and little fish eat shrimp."

When the big fish doesn't move, those at the Concentration Realm are like small fish. Unless absolutely necessary, the small fish won't devour each other or fight to the death.

After a stick of incense.

Bai Chengshang followed the instructions and entered the river. He quickly entered the Pot Heaven Space and handed the Yingyun Immortal Herb to Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji took the Yingyun Immortal Mushroom. He saw that the mushroom was pure white like jade, with cloud patterns swirling on its surface, like a work of art sculpted by nature.

Even more astonishing is that the surface of the immortal mushroom is shrouded in a milky white spiritual mist, with spiritual light flowing between each cloud pattern, as if the entire immortal mushroom is formed from concentrated spiritual energy.

He lightly touched the cap of the sesame seed with his fingertips; the touch was as warm and smooth as jade, and there seemed to be a pulse of spiritual energy pulsating within it.

When the divine sense swept over it, it could clearly perceive the vast spiritual energy contained in the sesame meat, which was slowly absorbing the essence of heaven and earth like a dormant living creature.

Such a quality is indeed comparable to that of a top-grade medicinal herb, no less than the Yin-Yang Twin Lotus.

"Good baby!"

Zhao Wuji's appetite was whetted, and he was about to put the immortal mushroom into his mouth when a strange "rustling" sound suddenly came from the corner of the Yin Sha Spring.

The dormant yeast, which had been dormant for many days, suddenly moved without any wind. The mycelium trembled violently as if electrocuted, creating undulating waves on the stone platform, and then crawled towards him on its own.

"Ok?"

He paused, his expression surprised, and immediately realized something was wrong.

He quickly scanned the Yingyun Immortal Herb with his divine sense and observed it carefully.

Only then did I notice that several strands of translucent filaments were suddenly seeping out from the gills at the bottom of the mushroom.

This is not the fungal tube structure that a Ganoderma lucidum should have at all; instead, it is a strange mycelium that wriggles like a living thing!

"This is."

Zhao Wuji's pupils narrowed slightly, and dozens of fungal hyphae suddenly burst forth, like silver needles piercing his lips and teeth.

He tilted his neck back, but the mycelium twisted and pierced his skin. The moment it touched his skin, it made a crisp "ding-ding" sound, like a silver needle piercing through refined steel, without even breaking through the skin.

"Whoosh!"

His sword finger flashed like lightning, a cold glint in the air, and the attacking mycelium was severed at the root.

Amber-colored liquid splattered from the broken section, and upon landing, it hissed and corroded out honeycomb-like holes.

"What the hell!?"

Zhao Wuji flipped his palm and tossed the Immortal Herb into the air, simultaneously activating his divine sense and medical vision-enhancing techniques.

Inside the Ganoderma lucidum, a dense network of mycelium could be seen wriggling like blood vessels.

The originally white sesame flesh shimmered with an eerie pale gold color under the spiritual vision.

This is no rare treasure; it's clearly a puppet usurped by a fungal demon!
"Qiang!"

The Cold Soul Sword split into eighty-one sword lights, weaving an impenetrable sword net to imprison the Immortal Mushroom.

"Could it be a wine germ?"

Zhao Wuji was astonished and grabbed a jar of Earth Treasure Wine, which he then poured out.

The moment the wine touches the mycelium, those filaments greedily and frantically suck it up, and branches regenerate from the broken parts at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Most chillingly, the corner wine fungus suddenly emitted a "gurgling" sound.

All the mycelium on the stone platform turned towards the sword net in unison, as restless as sharks that had smelled blood.

Although the two types of mycelium differ slightly in color, their rhythmic breathing patterns subtly resonate with each other.

"The wine fungus has become a spirit. Tianbao wine has been stolen."

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted sharply as images of the ruins he had once seen inside the Tianbao Cave on Chishui Peak flashed through his mind.

Could the fungal demon that stole the Heavenly Stone and the precious wine have already been lurking among the rare and precious materials in the cultivation world?
This Yingyun Immortal Herb was probably tampered with before it was harvested, and the Wang family auction house probably didn't even notice anything amiss.

Could it be that the fungus demon is hunting again?
(End of this chapter)