Immortals of the End Times

Less than three days after Zhao Wuji left, on Tianji Island, shrouded in starlight and mist, inside the Sword Tomb.

Xiao Chenzhou sat cross-legged in front of the rock wall, his eyes closed, with traces of blood still wet at the corners of his eyes.

His sword energy was like silk threads, outlining countless fine sword patterns in the void, but it could never condense into the sword intent that haunted his dreams.

"His sword intent was pure and supreme, yet infinitely changeable."

Xiao Chenzhou stood before the rock wall, muttering to himself, his mind replaying Zhao Wuji's fleeting glimpse of his sword.

This sword intent seemed to transcend the boundaries of ordinary swordsmanship, possessing both the unrestrained wildness of the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal and the profound yin-yang mystery of Master Zhang.
It possesses the desolate chill of a snow-capped mountain peak, and even more so, a ferocious aura that disregards and destroys everything.
But upon closer examination, it also carries a transcendent realm that he had never seen before.

"How can one person's sword intent be so all-encompassing?"

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly opened his eyes, his indigo sword robe fluttering without wind.

He pointed his fingers together as a sword, drawing a mysterious trajectory in the void.

The sword intent was initially as clear as ice crystals, then transformed into a fierce, blazing sun, and finally returned to a blurry void.

"No, that's not right. It's still not right."

He dejectedly sheathed his sword, a hint of defeat flashing in his eyes.

Over the past few days, he has tried countless methods, but he still can't grasp the essence of the Eye Sword.

That sword intent was like a flower in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water—seemingly within reach, yet in reality, it was unattainable.

It was as if Zhao Wuji stood before him, seemingly humble and ordinary, unremarkable, and his cultivation level was not as high as his.
Yet, he was like a mountain sitting still, a towering peak, or a raging ocean, unfathomable.

In the distance, the sword monument stands silently, its white lotus and tortoise-snake sword marks complementing each other.

Xiao Chenzhou closed his bloodshot eyes, flew towards the sword monument without looking at it, and gently stroked the surface of the monument with his palm, feeling the vast sword intent within.

“Even my Qilin Sword Sect’s first sword disciple, Senior Brother Qilin Kong, took two whole months to comprehend this stele, but Fellow Daoist Zhao only took less than a month.”

He recalled his exceptionally talented senior brother Kong, the youngest sword master in the Qilin Sword Sect's history of hundreds of years.

After mastering the sword inscription, Senior Brother Kong, the Holy Kirin, once said, "The way of the sword is simple," and he disdained to leave his own sword marks on the rock wall.

"Zhao Wuji, the Holy Kirin, Senior Brother Kong"

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly let out a long roar, and the ancient blue sword flew up in response, its blade blood red.

The sword energy soared into the sky, transforming into a phantom of a blood-red unicorn roaring towards the heavens.

His eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty sword intent: "One day, my sword, Xiao Chenzhou's sword, will surely catch up with you!"

"Good sword intention!"

A voice of praise came from the starlight.

A white-clad swordsman arrived on his sword, a jade token from the Penglai Sword Pavilion hanging at his waist.

The newcomer was handsome, with a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

He was Bai Wuchen, the current Sword Master of Penglai Sword Pavilion, the only person from Penglai Sword Pavilion to enter the main island.

"Brother Xiao's 'Qilin Roars to the Sky' has fully captured the true essence of your sect's Qilin Sword Technique."

Bai Wuchen cupped his hands and smiled, "It seems you've gained quite a bit from studying the Sword Stele?"

Xiao Chenzhou drew back his sword with his sword technique and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Bai is too kind. My meager skills are not even one percent as good as those of Fellow Daoist Zhao."

"Fellow Daoist Zhao?"

Bai Wuchen raised an eyebrow. "Is he the sword cultivator from the outer sect who caused such a ruckus on the outer island a few days ago? I received a message from Qingxiao and have heard of him."

However, Brother Xiao, why belittle yourself? This person's swordsmanship may be formidable, but he is, after all, an outsider and a rogue cultivator, and his skill level is limited.”

"Fellow Daoist Bai."

Xiao Chenzhou suddenly interrupted, pointing to the rock wall, "If you don't believe me, you might as well take a look at the sword marks left by Fellow Daoist Zhao."

A hint of displeasure flashed in Bai Wuchen's eyes.

As the former chief of Penglai Sword Pavilion and now its only swordsman, he has always been proud and arrogant.

The flattery of Xiao Chenzhou was merely out of respect for the Qilin Sword Sect.

He sneered, "If that's the case, then I, Bai, would like to see for myself."

He strode toward the rock face, his gaze sweeping over the sword marks of varying depths.

Soon, a new mark resembling two eyes came into view.

The mark seemed ordinary, yet it inexplicably made him feel uneasy.

"Is this the dish? The presentation is quite unique!"

Bai Wuchen frowned slightly and stared intently.

In an instant, two sword intents burst forth from the sword marks.

A lotus blooms like ice, aloof and proud.

A torrent of blood-red water rushed forth, swallowing everything in its path.

What's even more terrifying is that the sword energy also contains a transcendent realm he has never seen before, as if a banished immortal from the heavens has descended to earth, elusive and unpredictable.

"what!"

Bai Wuchen screamed in agony, his eyes suddenly stinging with pain, and he staggered backward.

He covered his eyes with both hands, tears of blood streaming down his face from the pain, his face filled with horror: "What...what kind of sword intent is this?! How could it be the legendary swordsmanship that uses the eyes instead of the sword?"

Xiao Chenzhou stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes: "Now you understand? Fellow Daoist Zhao's swordsmanship has reached a level that is difficult for us to reach."

Bai Wuchen collapsed to the ground, tears of blood seeping from between his fingers.

His voice trembled: "It's impossible that among the younger generation, besides your Qilin Sword Sect's Holy Qilin, the Wang family's Overlord Sword Flower Lengyun, there are only a handful of people from other states in Beiyun Dizhou."

How could someone from an outside sect, under fifty years old, comprehend such astonishing sword intent unless…

"Unless what?"

Xiao Chenzhou pressed for an answer.

Bai Wuchen suddenly recalled the records in the ancient books in the pavilion and murmured, "Unless he is the reincarnation of an ancient sword immortal."

Xiao Chenzhou was speechless and glanced at Bai Wuchen.

Was the swordsman from Penglai Sword Pavilion driven mad by sword energy, or has he been reading too many unofficial historical novels about sword immortals?

The swirling starlight gradually swallowed the two figures.

On the rock face, the sword mark glowed faintly, waiting for a future sword cultivator to comprehend it.
Seven days later, within the territory of Tiannan Xuan Kingdom.

Two sword lights fell to the ground like meteors, tearing through the clouds and landing directly outside the Linglang Cave.

Inside the protective array, the disciples who were on high alert cheered when they saw two familiar figures outside.

However, it wasn't until Zhao Wuji revealed the cave master's token that the cave formation immediately opened a portal, allowing two sword lights to rush straight in, demonstrating its rigorous vigilance.

"The cave master is back!"

"And Cave Master Yan Lan, both cave masters have returned!"

On Xuanji Peak, Lu Liyan, who had regained control of Xuanji Peak after Zhao Wuji became the cave master, shouted excitedly.

The entire Linglang Cave Heaven instantly began to boil over.

Disciples from various peaks and halls emerged from their caves and halls, gazing up at the two sword lights hovering above the main peak.

Zhao Wuji, his black robes fluttering, stood with his hands behind his back on the Cold Soul Sword, his divine sense sweeping across the entire cave like a tide.

After confirming that the mountain-protecting formation was intact and that there were no casualties among the disciples of each peak, he nodded slightly and landed with Yan Lan in the air above the plaza in the center of the cave.

"Welcome back to the mountain, Master!"

The peak masters and elders, led by Hou Baichang, bowed in unison, feeling their nerves, which had been tense for many days, finally relax.

These days, Zhang Sichen has not committed any further offenses, and there are also two Nascent Soul Realm experts mysteriously guarding the cave.

But the threat of perfect concentration hung like a sword over their heads, making everyone restless and unable to eat or sleep.

"Thank you for your hard work."

Zhao Wuji's gaze swept over the crowd, lingering briefly on Wei Ding and Bai Chengshang, who were wearing black cloaks and magical masks.

"My lord! These are the shadow crows that Zhang Sichen controlled with magic when he last came here!"

At this moment, Bai Chengshang flew forward and transmitted his voice, taking out a corpse of a shadow crow from his storage bag.

"well done."

Zhao Wuji nodded approvingly, took the corpse of Yin Ya, and suddenly clasped his hands together, his hand gestures changing like phantoms.

Yan Lan's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly.

Suddenly, wisps of blood energy rose from the corpse of the Yin Crow, like silk or mist, intertwining and swirling in Zhao Wuji's palm, instantly condensing into a pale red chain of energy.

"Buzz!"

The chains trembled, moving and circling as if they were alive.

Zhao Wuji changed his hand gestures again, his eyes slightly closed, and a hazy dreamlike aura enveloped his body.

Dream Marriage Technique: Soul-Chasing and Spirit-Seizing!
"Wow!"

The pale red chains suddenly taut, like dragons and snakes piercing the sky, instantly penetrating the void.

A dream suddenly appeared in Zhao Wuji's mind.

Hidden among the vines, an ancient cave dwelling is faintly visible.

The stone walls were covered with moss, the rotten wooden door was half-closed, and a cold, damp air seeped from the cracks.
"Shh!"

The energy chain in reality suddenly changed direction, pointing straight to the northwest like a compass needle, with the end of its trajectory revealing the Yun Kingdom's Great Yun Mountain Range!
"Yun Kingdom."

A dark light flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, and the dream scene shattered with a crash.

"Nephew, have you found out where that old dog is hiding?" Yan Lan's red clothes fluttered, and the Hunyuan Sword was already ringing in its sheath.

"We're starting to see some progress, Master Uncle, please be patient."

A glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes as he turned to Hou Baichang, who was floating not far away, and said, "Elder Hou, you and the other peak masters stay here to guard the cave and activate all the protective formations." "Cave Master!"

Elder He of the Affairs Hall suddenly flew forward, "Zhang Sichen is, after all, at the peak of the Qi Condensation stage. Although he has been tormented beyond recognition by the spiritless environment outside, he still has combat power. Why don't we wait?"

"No need."

Zhao Wuji smiled faintly, and the Cold Soul Sword was suddenly drawn, drawing twenty-four star patterns in the air: "I and Cave Master Yan gained a lot from our trip to the Sword Tomb in the East Sea. Cave Master Yan is now at the late stage of the Condensation Realm."

My sword is no longer the same as it was half a month ago.

Below, Ji Mobai sensed the astonishing sword intent that Zhao Wuji casually released, and his eyes widened in surprise, followed by admiration.

"Besides," Zhao Wuji paused, then said.

"Zhang Sichen is now further injured, while we have been conserving our strength for a long time. With their strength waning, this is the perfect opportunity to eliminate them completely!"

"Not bad!"

Yan Lan's phoenix eyes shone with majesty, her red robes billowing like blood. She coldly snorted, "Raising a tiger will only bring trouble. Today, that old dog will pay for his blood debt! Nephew, let's go!"

"Wei Ding will remain to guard the grotto! Bai Chengshang will accompany me."

Zhao Wuji glanced at the two of them and made arrangements through telepathic communication.

With Lan Canghai and Yan Lan, both at the late stage of the Condensation Realm, accompanying him, and Bai Chengshang, at the mid-stage of the Condensation Realm, Wei Ding, though slightly inferior in cultivation, was perfectly suited to stay and guard the Linlang Cave Heaven.

This scene, however, caused Hou Baichang and the other peak masters and elders to turn pale with shock!
Although they did not know the specific content of the message, the fact that the cave master could command a Nascent Soul Realm expert had already caused a great uproar in everyone's hearts.

Zhao Wuji took in everyone's reactions and shook his head inwardly.

"It seems I'll need to use a large-scale Dream Marriage Technique upon my return."

He knew perfectly well:
The Wang family's spies are everywhere in the cave, and the Bloodline Curse is a shackle that binds all cultivators.

This hidden danger must be eliminated sooner or later!
However, one cannot reveal one's trump cards and hidden identity in advance, otherwise, when planning and scheming against the Wang family in the future, one will lose many opportunities to take the initiative.

After resting and recuperating briefly within the cave,

The three streaks of light quickly pierced the air, heading straight for the Cloud Kingdom where Xuanxiao Cave Heaven was located.

Under Zhao Wuji's remote command, Lan Canghai had already taken the lead and headed there.

Deep within the Xuanxiao Mountains, in an ancient cave dwelling covered by vines.

Zhang Sichen sat cross-legged on the remains of a completely dried-up spiritual spring, his withered hands pressing against his body, feeling the spiritual energy and spiritual power constantly draining from his body, his heart filled with resentment.

"Damn Tiannan Patriarch! Damn Xinghe Daoist!"

He gritted his teeth, his cloudy eyes filled with resentment and malice.

The oppressive force of divine sense he felt seven days ago still makes his heart tremble when he thinks about it.

If his lifespan were not nearing its end and his cultivation level were not unstable, and if he were not weakened by every bit of power he used in this spiritless environment, how could a dignified cultivator at the peak of the Concentration Realm be startled back by a single rebuke?

Now, we've truly reached the end of our rope!

The only way to force him to use the threat of death to compel the Wang family to immediately send resources to help him through this difficult time is to threaten them with death.

Otherwise, even if it means personally going to the Wang family and walking into their trap, they would still drag that person down with them.

In the past few days, although that person had secretly provided financial assistance twice, it was only a drop in the bucket.

He managed to stabilize his injuries, but ultimately...
In this desolate wasteland, he was like a stranded fish!
"Cough, cough, cough!"

Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cough erupted, and among the blood splattered on his palm were fragments of internal organs!

"not good!"

Zhang Sichen's expression changed drastically. His spiritual energy was constantly being lost, causing his already decaying body to almost give way.

He hurriedly took out the last source crystal from his storage bag.

However, before the spiritual energy could be absorbed, the cave's restrictions suddenly trembled violently, and an extremely strong sense of threat immediately surged into his mind.

"boom!"

The ground shook violently outside.

Amidst the deafening roar of the stone gate shattering, four figures flew in, each exuding astonishing spiritual power.

The young man at the head of the group wore a black robe that fluttered in the wind, and the Linglang Cave Master's token hanging at his waist gleamed brightly.

"Your Majesty, how have you been?"

Zhao Wuji smiled enigmatically, the Cold Soul Sword hovering beside him.

Twenty-four sword lights fell like a galaxy, appearing particularly breathtaking in this spiritless land!

Lan Canghai and Bai Chengshang stood on either side, blocking all escape routes.

What made Zhang Sichen's pupils shrink the most was...
It was that crimson figure behind them, wielding the Hunyuan Sword!
"Yan Lan, late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?!"

He gasped in shock, his gaze lingering on Lan Canghai before fixing on Zhao Wuji, his face contorted in a ferocious expression:

"Good! Very good! You little dog have actually reached the mid-stage of the Concentration Realm."

"You bunch of thieves, you stole my resources from my grotto-heaven and your cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds!"

He hissed hysterically, "And yet I have fallen to this state!"

"You old dog, you're about to die and you still dare to act so arrogantly here!"

Yan Lan's phoenix eyes flashed with murderous intent. With a flick of her sword, the Hunyuan Sword transformed into a crimson rainbow, aiming straight for his throat.

Zhang Sichen was prepared and immediately used the Dragon Seal to block.

However, as soon as the Dragon Seal appeared, Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed like lightning, and the Cold Soul Sword suddenly shot out, freezing the entire cave as if by an extreme cold.

As the sword trembled, a phantom of a blue lotus bloomed from the tip of the sword, its petals unfurling in an instant.

The Azure Lotus Sword Immortal's unrestrained sword intent, capable of "killing one person in ten steps," poured forth like a celestial river.

The dragon seal that Zhang Sichen summoned was forced to remain suspended in mid-air for three inches!

"Clang!!" The phantom dragon coiled on the surface of the Dragon Seal let out a painful cry.

The originally dazzling golden light melted away like ice and snow under the sweep of the Azure Lotus Sword Qi.

"What!?"

Zhang Sichen's pupils shrank sharply. He poured his perfectly concentrated spiritual power into the Dragon Seal, only to find that the Dragon Seal, which had suppressed countless powerful enemies, was trembling violently and unable to resist this astonishing sword strike!
"Your Sword"

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Chengshang's sinister shadow sword energy attacked, specifically targeting his old wounds.

"what!"

Zhang Sichen roared in pain, suddenly biting his tongue and spitting out a mist of blood. Within the blood mist, the Dragon Seal swelled, transforming into a ten-zhang-long golden dragon that swept across all directions.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, he summoned the True Dragon Sword to protect himself and made a hand seal as he attempted to escape.

But then, twenty-four star-patterned sword lights blocked off all directions.

"Want to go?"

Zhao Wuji chuckled, and the Cold Soul Sword suddenly split into two.

Each sword light was entwined with azure and white energy, clearly the Twilight Snow Sword Energy infused with the White Lotus Sword Intent.

As the sword energy passed by, Zhang Sichen was startled to find that his movements were getting slower and slower.

It wasn't that the sword light was too fast, but rather that his consciousness seemed to be mired in quagmire, making even his thinking sluggish.

"This is."

"As black as silk in the morning, as white as snow by evening."

As the sword song was softly chanted, a white lotus bloomed from between Zhao Wuji's brows and merged into the flying sword.

The sword energy seemed to slowly penetrate the Dragon Seal's defenses, but the sword intent had already impacted Zhang Sichen's mind. In his wide-open pupils, it was as if he were hallucinating, seeing his rapidly aging face reflected in his eyes.

A white lotus instantly pierced through his forehead.

"Do not!!"

Amidst screams, Yan Lan's Hunyuan Sword pierced through his chest, unleashing a burst of crimson sword energy that burned his internal organs to charcoal.

Lan Canghai's Sea Mountain Law Stele shook off the True Dragon Sword that was launching a counterattack.

"ended."

Zhao Wuji casually sheathed his sword.

Looking at Zhang Sichen's wide, unwilling eyes.

The first emperor of the Xuan Kingdom let out a 'hoarse' sound from his throat, blood gushing from his mouth. He slowly raised his pierced forehead, looked at the sunless cave ceiling, and said unwillingly.

"Oh, heavens! How cruel you are to me! How cruel you are to me!!"

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji was speechless for a moment.

The Zhang family had three generations of emperors, yet they were always overshadowed by Zhang Sichen.

However, Zhang Sichen could never escape the shadow of the Wang family.

Therefore, right and wrong, black and white, are ultimately useless.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation
The victor is king, the loser is an outlaw!

"The Art of Spirit Communication!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly made a hand seal, his eyes gleaming with a faint blue light, as if trying to uncover the secrets of the Xuan Kingdom over the past two hundred years, and...
The Wang family's untold secrets!
However, before the spell could be fully unleashed, his powerful soul suddenly trembled violently!
A thousand feet away!

A cold and domineering sword intent pierced through the air, carrying a chilling killing intent, like a natural killing weapon, getting closer and closer!

"who?!"

"Hey!"

The cave ceiling was instantly torn apart by the incomparably domineering sword energy!

"choke!"

The Cold Soul Sword was drawn in response, a white lotus blooming at its tip, seemingly slow but actually swift as it met the attack head-on.
(End of this chapter)