Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 192, Part 225: Torture of the Primordial Spirit, Flying Sword Shocks the Sky (5K Bonus Chapter)

Inside the Pot Heaven Space, the Yin-Yang black mist beside the Yin Sha Spring became active due to the many Yin-Yang spiritual herbs sent by Lan Canghai, surging like living things.

Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged on the stone platform and waved his sleeve.

The array set up in front dispersed, revealing the jade box that had been sealed inside.

"Fellow Daoist Xinghe, it's time to wake up."

He made a hand seal with his fingertips, and the writhing talismans wrapped in layers inside the jade box peeled away like a spider web, revealing the head of a phantom primordial spirit within.

Xinghe Daoist's primordial spirit vaguely sensed that the surroundings were sealed off by array formations, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"Fellow Daoist Tiannan, your level of caution is even more prudent than mine was back then. I am now just a primordial spirit, and the primordial spirit power I nurture every day is being absorbed by your Gu worms, yet you still set up such a grand formation!"

"Isn't this because we value you, Fellow Daoist Xinghe? Ordinary people don't receive this kind of treatment?"

Zhao Wuji said calmly.

Xinghe Daoist was about to speak.

Zhao Wuji interrupted his thoughts: "I summoned you today to ask you some questions. Do you know anything about the Penglai Sword Tomb?"

"The Sword Tomb of Penglai?"

Xinghe Daoist paused, a thoughtful expression appearing on his illusory face: "This is the sacred land of sword cultivators in the East Sea, composed of thirty-six sub-islands and seven main sword islands forming the Heavenly Dipper Sword Formation. Each island has..."

His words trailed off, and he looked at Zhao Wuji with surprise and uncertainty: "Why did you suddenly ask about the Sword Tomb, fellow Daoist? Could it be that the Sword Tomb has reopened?"

"Just answer."

Zhao Wuji's fingertips tightened the chains of turbid energy, causing Xinghe Daoist's primordial spirit to twist in pain.

"Yes Yes!"

Xinghe Daoren hurriedly said, "Among the seven main islands of the Sword Tomb, Tian Shu Island has a forest of sword steles, which contains ancient sword techniques."

Tianxuan Island is a burial ground for swords, rumored to contain secret sword-forging techniques.

On the cliff tablets in the Starry Misty Realm of Tianji Island, it is said that traces of amazing sword techniques such as the "Azure Lotus Sword Song" and the "True Martial Sword Manual" are still preserved.

"The Azure Lotus Sword Song, the True Martial Sword Technique?" Zhao Wuji exclaimed in surprise.

"Li Bai's poetry and sword moved the whole country, and his sword song with the Azure Lotus startled gods and ghosts. In those days, Li Bai used poetry to wield his sword, and when he was drunk, his sword energy could traverse three thousand miles. What a magnificent sight that was!"

His tone suddenly became awe-inspiring: "There is also the True Martial Sword Technique of Master Zhang of Wudang. When the sword is drawn, it is like a tortoise and a snake intertwining, and the rotation of yin and yang is in harmony with the way of heaven."

The sword marks left by these two at the Sword Tomb have allowed countless sword cultivators to comprehend the infinite mysteries of sword control over the past five hundred years!

As he spoke, his primordial spirit rippled with emotion: "Back when I was on Tianxuan Island, although I didn't obtain the secret techniques for sword forging, the Star Fiend Sword Intent within it was of great benefit to condensing flying swords."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

"go on."

"Below the Dragon Abyss on Tianquan Island lies the remains of a dragon, and its dragon pearl contains the sword intent of the vast ocean."

The Hundred Herbs Sword Garden on Jade Balance Island has a Sword Washing Spring, which can purify impurities in flying swords and accelerate their transformation into magical treasures.

Xinghe Daoist's expression suddenly changed at this point: "However, the Sword Tomb is extremely dangerous. Besides the sword formations and traps, it is said that there are also..."

"What else?"

"Have"

Xinghe Daoist's primordial spirit fluctuated violently, as if struggling with whether to tell the truth.

The chains of turbid energy tightened again, and he let out a miserable howl, hurriedly saying, "There are remnants of ancient sword cultivators! They survived by relying on the remnants of the sword formation set up on Sword Tomb Island, and their consciousness is attached to the flying sword."

Back in my day on Tianji Island, I was nearly severely injured by a single Star Fiend Sword Intent!

"What level of cultivation did you possess back then?"

"Early stage of golden elixir!"

Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow.

Then Xinghe Daoren recounted, "Back then, it was a time when spiritual energy was abundant, and the remnant souls within the Sword Tomb were also very powerful."

Now, more than five hundred years have passed, and we have entered the Dharma-ending Age; those lingering souls may have already vanished.

Zhao Wuji seemed to be deep in thought.

It seems that the Sword Tomb is indeed fraught with danger, but the opportunities are equally astonishing.

If he could comprehend those sword intents, his Frost Soul Flying Sword might be able to advance to a magic weapon even faster.

Do you know any legends about the Nine Tripods of Yu the Great?

He suddenly changed the subject and asked about something else.

"what?!"

Xinghe Daoist's primordial spirit trembled violently. "Yu, the Nine Cauldrons of Yu?! Why would you ask about such an ancient secret?!"

He seemed to hear some taboo and shook his head, saying, "This thing is too ancient, it can be traced back to the Xia Dynasty."

Since the Han and Tang dynasties, this item has become a legend. Although I am the head of the Xuantian Sect, I have only seen a few words about it in a fragment of the Jade Purity Calamity Scripture.

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes; the old monster's reaction was even more intense than he had expected.

"Go on."

"According to the scriptures, the Nine Tripods were used by King Yu to suppress the fortunes of the nine provinces when he was controlling the floods. I don't know the specifics, as these objects are of a very high level."

Xinghe Daoist sighed, secretly alarmed.

The level that Tiannan Old Monster has reached is too high. He has even started to come into contact with the Nine Cauldrons of Yu. Could it be that he was once a Nascent Soul Old Monster?
"Impossible! Since the Han and Tang dynasties, the environment of heaven and earth has been completely incapable of giving birth to a Nascent Soul stage expert; the resources simply do not allow it."

He couldn't help but wonder if it was a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Han or Tang dynasties, whose lifespan, given its Nascent Soul stage, was indeed enough to allow it to survive to this day.

But he quickly dismissed this absurd idea.

A true dragon cannot be raised in shallow waters.

His nascent soul could not survive in the Dharma-ending Age and perished.

Even if a Nascent Soul Dao Lord possesses astonishing cultivation, unless they master some means of reincarnation and rebirth, they will almost certainly not survive.

"It seems the secret of the Nine Cauldrons is too ancient, and related information is difficult to find. Huang Chang truly lives up to his reputation for studying numerous Daoist texts; he was even able to find clues about the Nine Cauldrons through the Zhenhai Stele."

As Zhao Wuji pondered a myriad of thoughts, the space within the pot suddenly trembled slightly.

"My lord! Something has changed at Yin Spring!" Xiao Yue ran barefoot over, her face flushed with excitement.

Zhao Wuji flashed to the side of the Yin Sha Spring, where the originally dark spring was now glowing with an eerie blue light.

In the stone cave at the bottom of the spring, the yin-type medicinal herbs collected from the sea and mountain caves are dissolving at a speed visible to the naked eye, turning into wisps of black mist that sink into the depths of the spring.

"Gudu——"

The spring suddenly gushed forth like boiling water.

A tiny, blue dot the size of a thumb slowly rose from the bottom of the spring.

The light spot was surrounded by spiderweb-like black threads, and each pulsation caused the yin energy in the entire Pot Heaven space to pulsate.

"Yin marrow!?"

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted slightly, and the medical vision-enhancing technique was instantly activated to its maximum.

The light spots in my field of vision were clearly highly condensed Yin Sha essence, exactly the same as the Yin marrow I had obtained in the past.

It's just much smaller in size, and obviously it hasn't fully developed yet.

But everything is difficult at the beginning. Once this prototype is established, the process of growth will begin.

"My guess was right. With so many Yin-type treasures nurturing this Yin-evil spring, the process of cultivating Yin marrow can be accelerated."

Zhao Wuji was thrilled.

At this moment, after the Pot Heaven Space had devoured three ancient spirit stones and hundreds of source crystals, the spatial barrier outside the illusion array also expanded rhythmically like breathing, eventually settling at a radius of sixty feet.

The dome was interwoven with aura and starlight.

The edges of the newly formed space rippled with a glassy hue, seemingly briefly resisting the surrounding chaotic mist.

"With so many resources invested, we've only expanded by about three zhang (approximately 13 meters). It's truly a difficult situation."

Zhao Wuji observed the changes in the size of the Pot Heaven space and shook his head slightly.

Of the spirit stones that Lan Canghai offered as tribute, he only kept two ancient spirit stones and one hundred source crystals.

The rest are used to increase the strength of the pot-shaped space.

Over the past few months, the space of the pot has also slowly and remarkably climbed to a range of fifty-seven zhang.

But even after spending some money on in-game purchases, the improvement hasn't been significant.

"To take away the spiritual veins of the Sea Mountain Grotto or the Supreme Grotto, the Pot Heaven space needs to be at least four hundred feet in size."

"Hopefully there are resources to be found inside the Sword Tomb."

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhao Wuji unleashed a torrent of third-grade spiritual materials, including Flying Fish Sand and Sea Iron Stone, offered by the Blue Canghai Sea, which poured down like a galaxy into the Crystal Soil of the Pot Heaven.

"laugh--"

The moment the spiritual material touched the crystal soil, it wriggled and took root like a living thing, its surface shimmering with a precious light.

He then took out the Heavenly Pool Wood.

As soon as this emerald green spiritual tree was planted, its branches spread out like an umbrella, and fine dew condensed on its leaves.

"Truly a treasured material for refining weapons."

Zhao Wuji gently stroked the wood grain of the Heavenly Pool with his fingertips, feeling the surging spiritual energy of the wood within.

These kinds of rare and precious materials are extremely picky about their growing environment, and it is unknown whether they can survive in the Pot Heaven Space.

While pondering, he took out the Zhenhai Stele and placed it in the center of the spiritual material.

The ancient patterns on the monument gleamed with a faint blue light, and a damp, salty spiritual energy permeated the air like mist, nourishing the surrounding spiritual plants. "If it could slow the depletion of the spiritual veins..."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

Although the Pot Heaven Space can seal off and slow down the loss of spiritual energy, it is ultimately no match for the erosion of the power of the end of the Heavenly Dao.

Moreover, brewing wine and planting medicinal herbs every day requires drawing upon the power of the stars, making it impossible to keep the area sealed off for long.

If the Zhenhai Stele proves effective, it would be an unexpected bonus.

After everything was arranged, he sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing for a while. After circulating his spiritual energy three times, he got up and left the Pot Heaven Space.

Just as they stepped out of the quiet room, Yan Lan, dressed in fiery red, pushed open the door and entered.

"then!"

With a gentle flick of her jade hand, a jade slip flew in an arc.

Zhao Wuji caught the jade slip with both fingers. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, with a faint flow of spiritual energy.

"This is the information I recently gathered about the Sword Tomb in the East China Sea. Old Dog Lan may know more."

She narrowed her phoenix eyes and gazed at the horizon where the sea met the sky in the distance. "There's no time to lose. We'd better go to the Sword Tomb now. The Qilin Sword Sect, the Penglai Sword Pavilion, and sword cultivators from other regions all went in half a year ago."

"it is good!"

Zhao Wuji immediately summoned Lan Canghai.

The master of the Sea Mountain Cave had stabilized the situation within the cave and, in accordance with his orders, commanded his many disciples to send the surviving boys and girls back to their respective islands and small countries.

"Prepare the spirit boat, let's set off for the Penglai Sword Tomb!"

At Zhao Wuji's command, Lan Canghai quickly dispatched a spirit boat, which was then activated using source crystals.

The spirit boat's runes suddenly lit up, startling a flock of cranes that quickly transformed into a streak of light amidst the sea of ​​clouds, heading straight for the Penglai Sword Tomb.

At the horizon where the sea meets the sky, lies the land of the Sword Tomb, like a celestial sword hanging in the air.

Thirty-six secondary islands, like stars surrounding the moon, encircle the seven main islands, suspended above the East China Sea, shrouded in the hazy sword energy of the Big Dipper Sword Formation.

This sword mound will only surface in the East Sea once every sixty years.

Each event can last up to nine months, attracting sword cultivators from all directions to make pilgrimages to the East Sea.

The Penglai Sword Pavilion in the East Sea rose to prominence and became famous throughout the Nine Provinces, hence the name of this sword mound as the Penglai Sword Mound.

In this degenerate age, the Sword Tomb has indeed emerged from the sea after sixty years.

It seems that among the many islands that form the great array, there are ancient spiritual veins and treasures that have not yet dried up, serving as the array's core.

The ability to maintain the normal operation of the formation even in the end times is truly captivating.

At this moment, at the entrance to the strait outside the Sword Tomb, disciples of the Qilin Sword Sect and the Penglai Sword Pavilion were guarding the area.

Those who are not sword cultivators and have wicked intentions are strictly prohibited from entering the Sword Tomb, lest they disrupt the stable order of this ancient sword tomb that has lasted for many years.

A spirit boat pierced the night and arrived.

Zhao Wuji, dressed in a black robe, stood at the bow of the ship, while Yan Lan, dressed in fiery red, stood behind him, and Lan Canghai steered the ship like a puppet.

"Stop the boat!"

Seven sword rainbows emerged from the mist at the entrance of the canyon, transforming into seven blue-clad sword cultivators who rode the waves to block the way.

The young man at the head of the group had an arrogant air about him, and his cuffs were embroidered with blue lotus and white cloud patterns. He was none other than Li Qingxiao, the current chief of Penglai Sword Pavilion.

"The Sword Tomb is a sacred place; only sword cultivators are allowed to enter."

Li Qingxiao glanced coldly at the three men. "When you meet a swordsman, you must present your sword. That's the rule."

"Hmph, last time I hadn't even mastered the technique, but now I've already grasped the concept of sword energy transforming into a rainbow."

Yan Lan's phoenix eyes turned slightly cold as she patted the storage bag.

The Hunyuan Sword flew out in an instant, transforming into a three-zhang-long white rainbow that pierced a trench in the sea: "Is it feasible now?!"

"Sword energy transforming into a rainbow?"

Li Qingxiao nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Yan Lan's face, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, "Fellow Daoist Yan, you came here last time, and you can indeed enter this time, but when did you reconcile with Lan Canghai?"

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze turned sharply to Lan Canghai: "You, Lan Canghai, the master of Haishan Cave, are you worthy to enter the Sword Tomb with your sword?"

"Lan has also mastered the technique of transforming sword energy into rainbows."

Lan Canghai raised his hand woodenly, and three dark blue sword lights drew mysterious trajectories in the air, suddenly revealing a two-zhang blue rainbow.

"Hmph! Your swordsmanship is indeed good, but your heart is wicked!"

Li Qingxiao suddenly pointed coldly at Lan Canghai, "Over the years, your Hai Shan Cave Heaven has been recruiting young boys and girls from all over the place, yet we have never seen any of them leave. Do you really think my Penglai Sword Pavilion is unaware of the tricks involved?"

The jade sword in his sleeve hummed, and his eyes narrowed. "If it weren't for the imminent opening of the Sword Tomb..."

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred slightly.

It seems that the Penglai Sword Pavilion has already obtained some information about the Sea Mountain Grotto, and appears to be preparing to investigate and pursue it.

They haven't taken any action yet. Although Li Qingxiao is arrogant, he still lives up to the name of a righteous and prestigious sect.

"Unexpectedly, bringing Lan Canghai along as cannon fodder to scout ahead has backfired."

He thought to himself, and immediately manipulated Lan Canghai to explain and apologize.

“I have sent all the children back. Over the years, I, Lan, have indeed committed many evils. After this Sword Tomb incident, I, Lan, am willing to plead guilty.”

Under his control, Lan Canghai spoke and threw out a jade slip containing his image.

In the light and shadow, one can see dozens of children being sent back to various island fishing villages and small countries.

"what?"

Li Qingxiao was taken aback, and his six junior brothers behind him looked at each other in surprise.

Has this hypocritical Blue Hole Master really reformed?
Indeed, their Penglai Sword Pavilion had already secretly begun investigating the Sea Mountain Cave.

However, in this degenerate age, it is unacceptable to attack a grotto-heaven with a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator in charge.
Whether to destroy their grotto-heaven or to impose a slight punishment, both need to be carefully discussed before the elders take action. It is impossible to alarm the sect leader and the ancestor, so we should try to minimize our own losses.

Therefore, the matter was delayed until recently when Yan Lan suddenly launched an attack on Haishan Cave, which gave Penglai Sword Pavilion a suitable opportunity.

"even so."

Li Qingxiao glared coldly and disdainfully, "The Sword Tomb is not a place to hide filth!"

He looked at Yan Lan and said, "You were originally an enemy of Lan Canghai, and we could have let you pass, but now you have joined forces with him."

Yan Lan was about to lash out.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious sword cry came from the side.

"Qiang!"

The moment the Frost Soul Flying Sword flew out, its blade trembled like a dragon's roar, and its tip burst forth with a dazzling cold light.

This sword strike seemed ordinary, but it suddenly exploded with a thunderous roar as it pierced through the air!
"Boom!"

The sword energy exploded like thunder, splitting the sea below into a ten-zhang-deep chasm.

Even more astonishingly, the thunderous sound did not disappear in an instant, but continued to explode as the sword energy advanced, forming a continuous thunderstorm in the sky above the sea!

"Sword Qi Thunder Sound?!"

Li Qingxiao's pupils suddenly contracted as he stared intently at the sword energy that was still exploding on the sea surface. Then, he looked in astonishment at the unremarkable Zhao Wuji standing to the side.

For ordinary sword cultivators, it is already rare to be able to cultivate sword energy into a rainbow.

This person was able to comprehend the sword energy thunder sound, and even make the thunder sound continuous.

As the chief of the Sword Pavilion, he naturally understood the intricacies involved.

As the sword energy advanced, every inch of it burst forth with extremely concentrated sword energy and sword intent, thus continuously triggering thunderstorms.

Such control is something even the elders of their Sword Pavilion might not be able to achieve!
"If you encounter a swordsman on the road, you must present your sword!"

Zhao Wuji's sword pointed the Cold Soul Flying Sword back, and he said calmly, "The Blue Cave Master has been conquered by my flying sword, and therefore, at my suggestion, he released many boys and girls."

Since the Penglai Sword Pavilion won't allow him to enter, he won't go in. Zhao and his Senior Uncle Yan hope to be able to enter the Sword Tomb.

Li Qingxiao frowned, about to speak.

Suddenly, a long howl came from the canyon below, and the figure of an old man in gray robes came riding on a sword, with a bronze sword sheath at his waist engraved with a qilin pattern.

"Elder Mo!" Li Qingxiao quickly bowed.

Although the Penglai Sword Pavilion is arrogant, it still respects the Qilin Sword Sect, which has always been closely allied with them and is even more powerful.

At this moment, Mo Wenjian, the third elder of the Qilin Sword Sect, stared intently at Zhao Wuji and said with great interest, "Young friend, your sword control technique has grasped the true essence of 'Unending Thunderous Sound'! May I ask how old you are?"

"Replying to the elder, I am already twenty-three this year."

Zhao Wuji smiled and bowed, but inwardly he became wary.

The old man possessed immense spiritual power, posing a strong threat to him. He was probably no longer at the late stage of the Condensation Realm.

The last person to give him such a strong sense of threat and spiritual power was Zhang Sichen, the first emperor of the Xuan Kingdom.

Yan Lan, who was standing nearby, also sensed something and her expression turned serious.

"Only twenty-three?"

At this moment, Mo Wenjian clapped his hands and laughed: "Truly excellent! I never expected that such an environment could nurture a sword prodigy like you. It's a real pity that you didn't join my Qilin Sword Sect!"

A sword-shaped jade slip suddenly flew out of his sleeve. "With this token, you may enter Tianji Island to study the sword marks of the ancient sages!"

The people from Penglai looked grim.

Although Li Qingxiao understood the significance of Zhao Wuji's sword strike, he had a vague feeling that something was amiss: "Elder Mo, this person's origins are unknown."

(End of this chapter)