Immortals of the End Times

Bai Chengshang's divine voice, like the clanging of cold iron, entered Zhang Sichen's mind: "Zhang Sichen, my master, the Ancestor of Tiannan, has ordered me to convey a message: the Linglang Cave Heaven has now fallen under the Ancestor's command. If you know when to advance and retreat, then leave immediately. Otherwise..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Sichen, both shocked and enraged, suddenly threw his head back and laughed furiously. His gaunt face twisted like a demon's, and he shouted through his voice, "Tiannan Ancestor? Where is this cowardly coward? Does he even deserve to make me retreat?!"

He made a hand seal, and the Dragon Seal suddenly swelled up.

His concentrated spiritual pressure swept across the surroundings like a tsunami: "My lifespan is coming to an end, and my cultivation level is about to plummet. Today, even if it means the collapse of my foundation, I will tear open this tortoise shell and reclaim everything that rightfully belongs to me!"

Just as the Dragon Seal was about to smash into the formation.

Bai Chengshang's eyes suddenly turned cold.

Zhao Wuji's divine sense crossed the void through the Dream Marriage Technique, transforming into a bone-chilling cold that entered his sea of ​​consciousness.

As he made hand seals, the dream replication ability of the Dream Marriage Technique was revealed.

Amidst the overlapping of dreams, a wisp of Xinghe Daoren's primordial spirit power was perfectly replicated!
Although it lacked the power of a true primordial spirit, it still possessed a certain awe-inspiring presence.

"How dare you, junior?"

A voice, seemingly emanating from the deepest abyss, resounded deep within Zhang Sichen's soul:
"Do you still remember Daoist Xinghe of the Xuantian Sect?!"

"What's so mysterious about him? Daoist Xinghe!"

Zhang Sichen was struck dumb, his body suddenly stiffening.

The suspended dragon seal trembled and hummed, and for a moment it stopped moving forward!
His cloudy pupils contracted sharply, and the image of the once-powerful Xuantian Sect leader from four hundred years ago flashed through his mind.

Xinghe Daoren was among the last batch of Nascent Soul cultivators before the end of the Dharma era.

He was once famous throughout the three states for his Star River Mystic Heaven Technique, and his name was a taboo subject in ancient books!
"Star, Senior Star River? You...how could you..."

Zhang Sichen's Adam's apple bobbed as he frantically scanned his surroundings with his divine sense.

In this day and age, very few people know the name Xinghe Daoren. They are either ancient monsters who have lived for hundreds of years, or people who are truly connected with him.
What terrified Zhang Sichen even more was...
Although this divine sense was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind, it contained a terrifying pressure that made his soul tremble!
This spiritual power.
He had never experienced anything like it before, yet he instinctively felt his scalp tingle and his back soaked in cold sweat.

Could it be... a Nascent Soul or Primordial Spirit?!
"I will only say the last word!"

Zhao Wuji's voice was as cold as ice, carrying an undeniable authority.
"roll!!"

"boom--"

This angry shout was like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in Zhang Sichen's sea of ​​consciousness with the power of his primordial spirit!

"Uh!"

Zhang Sichen groaned, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

Absolutely a Nascent Soul True Monarch!
If he were not a Nascent Soul cultivator, how could a mere Golden Core cultivator who had fallen from his cultivation level dare to reprimand him like that?

Even a dragon swimming in shallow waters is still a dragon!
"Ahhh!"

Zhang Sichen suddenly roared to the sky.

hatred!
angry!
But helpless!
Given the current situation, even if he tries his best to attack the formation, he is still in a predicament.
There are two Nascent Soul cultivators guarding the formation; it will take at least three days to break through!

And in this spiritless environment, they fought for three days.
Without any enemy intervention, his cultivation level will drop on its own, and his spiritual power will be completely exhausted!
And within these three days, that Star River Monster will definitely return to fight!
Zhang Sichen roared in anger, unwilling to accept defeat.

Under the astonished gazes of Ji Mobai and many other cultivators from the Linglang Cave Heaven, the founding emperor of the Xuan Kingdom hastily took to the air and fled with the scattered black crows, leaving only his hoarse roar echoing through the heavens and earth.

"Why, why! In this degenerate age, there is no place for me to live!"

"gone!"

Through the dream's perspective, Zhao Wuji watched Zhang Sichen's disheveled figure flee into the distance. He felt a slight sense of relief, but a chilling killing intent flashed in his eyes.

If this person is not eliminated, he will surely become a great threat!
Fortunately, when he used Bai Chengshang as a medium to transmit his divine sense, he had already firmly locked onto Zhang Sichen's aura.

"Once I leave the Sword Tomb and return to Tiannan, as long as this person is still alive, I will search the entire Tiannan region to eliminate this scourge!"

Zhao Wuji also hardened his heart.

It would have been fine if Zhang Sichen hadn't returned, but upon his return, he went straight to Linlang Cave to cause trouble.

If he hadn't made prior arrangements, his entire fortune would probably have been destroyed today!
Given Zhang Sichen's temperament, he will most likely realize what's going on and embolden himself to invade the territory again.

but
With Wei Ding and Bai Chengshang, two powerful cultivators, stationed inside the cave, and the mountain-protecting formation in conjunction with them, even if they are outmatched, they can hold out for a long time, providing a buffer period.

Zhao Wuji immediately gave the order:
"Wei Ding and Bai Chengshang, you two will remain in the cave until I return!"

Immediately afterwards, he patted his storage bag, and the cave master's token flew out. With a flash of light, a message was instantly sent over a long distance.

"Order Hou Baichang to lead all the elders of the halls to defend the mountain gate to the death!"

After making the arrangements, Zhao Wuji turned around, his gaze sharp as a sword, pointing directly at the island's central sword monument.

Now that the cave has been disturbed, he can no longer stay in this Sword Tomb.

However, this precious place is only opened once every sixty years.

The Island Heart Sword Stele bears the sword marks of Master Zhang and the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal, making it a must-see.

He rode the wind back and stopped twenty feet away from the sword monument.

His gaze swept over the yin-yang sword mark where the tortoise and snake coiled, and then landed on Xiao Chenzhou, who was concentrating with his eyes closed.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao."

Zhao Wuji clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his tone sincere:

"I, Zhao, wish to study this stele. Would you be so kind as to grant me this request?"

"Zheng——"

The ancient blue sword on Xiao Chenzhou's lap trembled slightly, yet he still kept his eyes closed and said calmly:
"Sword intent requires quiet contemplation. Fellow Daoist Zhao, you might as well go and observe other sword marks first. I, Xiao, still need some time to comprehend it."

Zhao Wuji frowned slightly and bowed again:

"I will simply observe from the sidelines and will not disturb you, how about that?"

Xiao Chenzhou frowned, still keeping his eyes closed, and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, I have been very polite to you, and I hope you understand."

"The worst thing you can do when trying to understand sword techniques is to work in isolation."

Zhao Wuji pointed to the numerous sword marks scattered on the rock wall not far away, "Master Zhang's Yin-Yang Tai Chi sword intent is in harmony with the cycle of the Heavenly Dao. The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal's Azure Lotus sword intent also needs to be tested."

Fellow Daoist Xiao, you've been sitting here without grasping the essentials. Why not first observe the Azure Lotus Sword Mark on that rock wall? The unrestrained and wild style of Taibai's poetry and swordplay might offer some insights.

"Qiang!"

The ancient, azure sword suddenly trembled like a dragon's roar. Xiao Chenzhou slowly opened his eyes, and for the first time, a coldness appeared on his gentle, jade-like face: "Fellow Daoist Zhao seems to be very confident in his sword control skills. Is he going to instruct me?"

The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.

The air seemed to instantly become tense, and the surrounding starlight was stirred by invisible sword energy.

Zhao Wuji said calmly, "I have no intention of giving any pointers, just some humble opinions."

"What a shallow view."

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly chuckled and stood up, his indigo sword robe fluttering even without wind.

As he straightened up, the surrounding mist seemed to be stirred by an invisible hand, forming a vortex that swirled around him and condensed into tiny sword energies.

"Since Fellow Daoist Zhao thinks that my method of comprehension is inappropriate, he must have his own brilliant insights."

The ancient blue sword beside him flew up with a clang, its blade flashing with a bloody light. This gentle swordsman now revealed his sharp edge: "Xiao Chenzhou, the fourth sword disciple of the Qilin Sword Sect, Blood Qilin, please enlighten me!"

With a "clang".

The ancient sword flew out instantly, already forming the shape of seven blue lotuses.

The lotus petals bloomed one after another, each petal reflecting a dazzling cold light, illuminating the starry illusion as if it were daytime, and Zhao Wuji's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Azure Lotus Sword Qi!"

He quickly realized that each petal was composed of highly condensed sword energy, which was the same Azure Lotus Sword Energy he had encountered on the rock wall earlier, reaching the realm of "Sword Energy Giving Birth to Lotus"!

but
It only captures the form, not the spirit!
"Well done!"

The Cold Soul Sword soared into the sky, drawing a mysterious trajectory in the air.

Zhao Wuji brought two fingers together and pointed them towards his brow, causing the core of the Ice Sword Divine Thought in his sea of ​​consciousness to shine brightly!
"Shh!"

Twenty-four silken sword energies shot out, but the instant they touched the blue lotus...
The sword trembled, and a thunderous sound exploded!
It was none other than the thunderous sound of sword energy, honed to perfection!

"Boom!"

The Azure Lotus and the Thunderous Sound Sword Qi collided with a deafening roar, the exploding petals releasing a torrential downpour of energy. "Sword Qi transforming into threads and then into Thunderous Sound with such mastery?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Xiao Chenzhou's eyes.

Suddenly, the sword technique changed, and the ancient blue sword abruptly transformed from solid to ethereal, turning into a booming thunderous sound.

The seven sword disciples of the Qilin Sword Sect have all comprehended the Sword Qi Thunder Sound!

The sword pierced through the center of the sword energy explosion in an instant, heading straight for Zhao Wuji's throat.

It appears straight, but the sword path is as unpredictable as a gazelle hanging its horns, which is the starting stance of the "No Return Sword" secret technique of the Qilin Sword Sect.

At the critical moment, Zhao Wuji suddenly stepped back and spun around, the True Martial Broken Sword already in his hand.

The ancient sword blocked the attack with a clang, the blue tip of the sword sparking a dazzling burst of sparks at the broken edge of the sword.

"Martial arts cultivator?"

Xiao Chenzhou's expression finally changed.

Zhao Wuji's arm, holding the sword, was muscular as if strung together with steel cables, and a faint dragon shadow could be seen moving beneath his pale golden skin—clearly a characteristic of a martial arts practitioner!
Taking advantage of the situation, Zhao Wuji launched a counterattack. The broken sword, though seemingly clumsy, was as nimble as a snake in his hands.

Each sword strike carried the immense force of a collapsing mountain, and the Blood Fiend Spirit Qi transformed into sword energy, forcing Xiao Chenzhou to retreat repeatedly.

At the most dangerous moment, the ancient blue sword was cleaved and bent like a bowstring, its blade emitting a mournful cry of unbearable strain.

"The battle of sword cultivators cannot be won by brute force!"

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly shouted, and his sword technique changed abruptly.

Blood-red patterns appeared on the dark blue sword blade. Where the sword's edge passed, the ever-present starlight condensed into thousands of small ice crystal swords, enveloping Zhao Wuji's major acupoints like a reversed Milky Way.

Each ice sword seemed to reflect Xiao Chenzhou's cold sword heart, drawing mysterious trajectories in the air.

This was the "Star Mist Transformation Sword" technique that he had meditated on for three days in front of the sword monument.

He attacked in a fit of rage, determined to redeem himself with his exquisite swordsmanship.

As the rain of swords approached, Zhao Wuji smiled.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, please observe."

He gave a low shout and sheathed the True Martial Broken Sword.

With a flick of the sword technique, the tip of the Frost Soul Flying Sword blossomed with a dazzling blue lotus, revealing the true meaning of the "Blue Lotus Sword Song" that it had just comprehended!
Twenty-four sword lights burst forth simultaneously!

In an instant, countless blue lotuses spun and bloomed.

Each lotus petal transformed into a sharp sword aura, forming a miniature sword array where blue lotuses intertwined and rotated.

The crisp sound of the sword energies colliding was like pearls falling onto a jade plate, shattering the deadly rain of swords.

As the Frost Soul Flying Sword trembled, it emitted a clear and melodious sword chant.

The sword lotus flashed by, unleashing the true essence of the sword intent of "killing one person in ten steps"!

"Azure Lotus Sword Intent!?"

Xiao Chenzhou's pupils shrank suddenly, and the figure of the white-robed sword immortal riding the waves from a thousand years ago seemed to appear before his eyes.

The unrestrained sword intent was like strong liquor poured over his head, causing his enlightened sword heart to waver for the first time.

"Qiang!"

The ancient blue sword was trapped in the rotating Azure Lotus Sword Formation, unable to break free despite the thunderous roar, like a fish caught in a net.

The most fatal thing is
A chilling azure lotus sword aura hovered three inches between Xiao Chenzhou's brows.

The sharp sword energy had already torn his skin, and a drop of blood slowly slid down his nose.

"hiss"

The sharp pain jolted Xiao Chenzhou awake. Coming to his senses, he wiped the blood seeping from between his eyebrows with his finger, and his expression finally changed.

"Now, Fellow Daoist Xiao, would you be willing to study this stele with me, Zhao?"

Zhao Wuji sheathed his sword and stood there with a smile. The azure lotus sword energy and sword intent dissipated. "The way of the sword is like the sea; it can only become great by embracing all rivers."

"I never expected that you would comprehend the Azure Lotus Sword Intent after only looking at the sword marks on that rock wall for a short while!"

Xiao Chenzhou said in a deep voice, turned around and stared at the inscription for a long time, then suddenly cupped his hands in return: "It was I who was too attached to appearances."

With a flick of his sleeve, he stored the azure ancient sword in his storage bag, and his gentle smile reappeared: "How did you comprehend the Azure Lotus Sword Intent, fellow Daoist? Could you please explain in detail?"

Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow slightly, inwardly praising:

The swordsmen of the Qilin Sword Sect are all quite remarkable!

First came Liu Fufeng, and then Xiao Chenzhou.

Undeterred by defeat, and unperturbed by loss, they humbly seek guidance.

With such a mindset, it's no wonder he became a leading figure in the Sword Sect.

just
But even if he were to instruct him on this kind of insight, he wouldn't be able to give a clear explanation.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, you're too kind."

Zhao Wuji returned the greeting with clasped hands, looking embarrassed.

"To my shame, I only glanced at it twice before inexplicably gaining insight. Such an opportunity is probably just a matter of luck."

He shook his head: "It can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words."

"luck?"

Xiao Chenzhou's eyes flickered slightly, as if deep in thought, then he suddenly laughed heartily:
"In the path of swordsmanship, without daily accumulation, one cannot even seize the opportunity for sudden enlightenment!"

He suddenly pointed his sword-like finger upwards, his eyes flashing with a sharp light:

"However, I already understand!"

"Huh?" Zhao Wuji was puzzled.

What did you understand?
He didn't say anything.

"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoist Zhao. If you ever come to the Qilin Sword Sect in Beiyun Dizhou, you may come to me to discuss swordsmanship again. I will leave this sword stele for you to study and comprehend. I will not occupy this good place and fail to gain any insights."

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly clasped his hands in a swordsman's salute, and then, under Zhao Wuji's astonished gaze, flew to the rock wall covered with sword marks not far away, giving up the best spot for comprehending the sword monument.

"What a strange person."

Zhao Wuji thought to himself, then, without being coy, walked straight toward the sword monument.

On this ancient sword-shaped stele, only two sword marks remain—

On the left, a white lotus blooms, untouched by dust; on the right, a tortoise and snake coil, as if yin and yang are intertwined, profound and mysterious.

The moment Zhao Wuji's gaze fell upon the white lotus, his mind trembled violently!
It was as if I saw a white-clad sword immortal descending under the moon, his sword light as white as snow.
at the same time--

"Ok?"

Before Xiao Chenzhou reached the location of the Azure Lotus Sword Mark, his peripheral vision was suddenly drawn to a new sword mark on the rock wall.

"This new sword mark."

Just as their eyes met, and he was about to observe,
"laugh!"

Two sharp sword energies seemed to shoot out from the sword marks, piercing straight into his eyes!
"Uh!"

Xiao Chenzhou let out a muffled groan, his eyes instantly feeling as if they had been pierced and injured by the sword energy.

He immediately closed his eyes.

Tears streamed down my face from the stinging pain, and a tidal wave of emotions surged within me.

What kind of sword mark is this?
They were clearly a pair of eyes imbued with a sharp, sword-like intent!

"Using eyes as swords? This new mark."

He was shocked.

"Could it be something left behind by that Fellow Daoist Zhao?!"

(End of this chapter)