Immortals of the End Times

The sound of the Blood-Patterned Gu King gnawing on Luo Zhan's corpse echoed softly within the Pot Heaven space.

Zhao Wuji stared at the gradually disappearing, stark white bones.

Even though this body, possessing perfect martial prowess, had been dead for a long time, its bones still radiated a spiritual light.

"Crack!"

Suddenly, the blood-red patterns on the surface of a Gu King's carapace lit up, indicating that it had undergone another mutation and evolution.

Immediately afterwards, more Gu worms began to tremble violently, their carapaces ripping open with a series of tearing sounds.

The newly formed shell glowed with a spiritual light, and fine serrations grew along the edges of the mouthparts, clearly indicating that the sharpness of the teeth had been greatly improved.

"His strength has increased too?"

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted.

Suddenly, the transformed Gu worms sprang up and began to fight each other with loud bangs, their power greatly increased.

Zhao Wuji suddenly threw Luo Zhan's magical spear over.

The magical spear, weighing over a thousand pounds, was lifted as easily as a blade of grass by the coordinated efforts of the insect swarm, and twirled into spear flowers, appearing quite nimble.

Then a series of ear-piercing, metallic twisting sounds rang out, and the magic weapon spear was quickly devoured by the Blood-Patterned Gu King.

"Advantages and disadvantages."

Zhao Wuji was delighted to see them; he had been cultivating these Blood-Patterned Gu Kings for a long time.

More than 300 heads have been bred.

It had only mutated twice before, but now, after this third mutation, each one can devour magical artifacts, and when they are gathered together, their power is astonishing.

At this moment, a wisp of faint, almost transparent remnant soul drifted out from the cracks in the bones within the blood pool.

"Luo Zhan's soul hasn't completely dissipated yet?"

Zhao Wuji was surprised, "Perfect."

He made a hand seal, and the blue light of the Netherworld Technique enveloped Luo Zhan's remnant soul like a net.

This remnant soul was filled with resentment and confusion.

He seemed puzzled as to why he, a proud cultivator of the Immortal Martial Sect who had reached the peak of the Qi Condensation stage and was one of the top figures in the hegemonic forces besides Golden Core cultivators, would be killed so easily.

Even until his death, he didn't know who killed him.

Besides this deep resentment, his blurred consciousness was filled with fragmented memories that had passed by.

Zhao Wuji quickly browsed through his memories to gain a better understanding of the Immortal Martial Sect.

It turns out that this gate was built by an extremely powerful Nascent Soul cultivator in the past.

The term "transformation into an infant" corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage of a cultivator.

When the Immortal Martial Sect was first established, it attracted martial arts masters and immortals from all directions to join it.

Initially, it was just a group of like-minded martial arts practitioners banding together to fight against the end of the Dharma world and jointly plan the construction of the Great Dao of cultivation.

Later, however, they gradually deteriorated and became a group of villains who plundered martial arts inheritances everywhere.

They ostracized or killed many people who were not on the same path, and even desecrated many martial arts practitioners' graves.

Legend has it that this sect looted the tombs and remains of many martial arts masters from the Three Kingdoms period, thus possessing profound cultural heritage.

In Luo Zhan's last remaining memories, a scene deep within the Immortal Martial Sect's secret pavilion was clearly revealed.

Three jade slips floated within the restriction, each labeled with a different title: "Blood Fiend True Form Diagram," "Nine Tribulations of Martial Immortals Record," and "Martial Dao Immortal Techniques and Divine Powers."
But then Luo Zhan reached out and grabbed the "Blood Fiend True Form Diagram," opening it to study it.

Immediately, these memories of enlightenment flashed through Zhao Wuji's mind like a fleeting glimpse.

"The Blood Fiend True Form Diagram is one of the core martial arts techniques of the Immortal Martial Sect. It specializes in cultivating the 'Blood Fiend True Form,' which uses martial arts cultivation qi and blood as its foundation, condenses the essence of demonic beast blood and fiend qi to form a physical form, and ultimately cultivates the 'Blood Fiend True Form Dharma Body.'"

"Once the Dharma body is manifested, it transforms into the true forms of dragons, tigers, ferocious beasts, etc., combining offense and defense."

It can transform into a protective aura, able to withstand the bombardment of magical treasures without damage, and can tear apart the protective spiritual aura of cultivators of the same level.
The malevolent energy condenses into form, which can temporarily counteract the depletion of spiritual energy in the Dharma-ending Age.

Memories and insights about various exercises.

The idea quickly surfaced in Zhao Wuji's mind, helping him to comprehend it rapidly.

Furthermore, these numerous messages even caused the third Yang Pearl to begin to stir.

"It can actually trigger a new Earthly Fiend Technique?"

Zhao Wuji was immediately pleasantly surprised.

However, Luo Zhan's remnant soul quickly dissipated.

"Fortunately, I've already memorized the Blood Fiend True Form Diagram!"

With a casual wave of his hand, he snatched the storage bag, which had been deliberately separated from the corpse, from mid-air.

As soon as the bag was opened, six ancient spirit stones gleamed, and hundreds of source crystals piled up like a small mountain. The most abundant items, however, were various pill bottles and the blood essence of demonic beasts radiating a fierce aura—clearly rare resources to aid martial arts cultivators in their breakthroughs.

“This is an unexpected surprise,” Zhao Wuji said with a slight smile. “This blood-fiend spiritual energy and body-refining resources are enough to sustain my cultivation for a while.”

After taking stock of Luo Zhan's belongings, he took out all the magical artifacts and treasures from the bag and threw them to the swarm of Gu without hesitation.

This move is wasteful
However, if these items, which are imbued with the aura and identity of Luo Zhan of the Immortal Martial Sect, are taken and sold as stolen goods, it is hard to guarantee that no clues will be left behind.

Zhao Wuji was well aware of the principle of knowing when to stop, preferring to waste resources rather than lose more for less.

His gaze shifted to the remains of Yu Zishan and the others. After a moment's thought, he waved his sleeve and put the remains into his storage bag.

"Once we return to Tiannan, we will let you rest in peace."

He could be ruthless and merciless towards his enemies, destroying their bodies and erasing all evidence.

However, he always maintained a bottom line with his former subordinates.

Those who cultivate themselves must ultimately guard the scale in their hearts.

After handling the burial of the remains, Zhao Wuji did not immediately check the medicine furnace obtained from the inheritance site.

Instead, he left the Pot Heaven Space as if nothing was amiss, took out a communication jade talisman, and ordered Xiao Yue and Xiao Ya, who were playing in the Xuanming Royal Capital, to return immediately.

He removed his martial arts attire, changed into the robes of a guest elder of the Wang family, and fed the brass mask and spirit armor to the Gu worms.

His infamous identity as a martial arts practitioner will be kept secret for now.

Once the turmoil at the Immortal Martial Sect has subsided, if it is needed again, a different set of clothes will suffice.

"Six months from now, it will be time for me to fulfill the three-year agreement as the Ancestor of Tiannan."

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "If we can get our hands on the third-level spiritual vein of the Seven Clouds Sect, the Pot Heaven Space will definitely be transformed. At that time, breaking through to the Golden Core stage and condensing the second Golden Core will be a natural outcome."

As I pushed open the door to leave the hospital, it was already dawn.

He gazed up at the drifting clouds, his expression serene, a stark contrast to the murderous figure who had slain the Immortal Martial Sect's prodigy the previous night.

At this moment, he was merely a low-profile array master of the Wang family, with only minor expertise in swordsmanship.

Just as he was about to summon the female attendant Wang Yutang to continue repairing the formation, a plum blossom-shaped jade talisman in his bosom suddenly vibrated.

"Peak Master?"

Zhao Wuji was surprised to take out the jade talisman, not expecting that it was Hua Qingshuang who took the initiative to send the message.

Could it be that Master Hua has already emerged from the secret place of the Wang family's Overlord Dragon Mountain?

Meanwhile, in Yizhou, Huaihai, outside the Seven Clouds Cave.

A streak of azure light pierced through the sky and landed on the blue stone steps in front of the mountain gate.

The light dissipated, revealing a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a sea-blue robe. His face was solemn, and his spiritual pressure was condensed and unyielding, indicating that he was at the late stage of the Condensation Realm.

"Mount Haixian is boundless; I have come to pay my respects to the True Man Xiaguang."

He raised his hand and waved, and a jade slip flew out from his sleeve, hovering in front of the mountain gate's restrictions.

The surface of the jade slip was rippled with water, faintly revealing a golden core's aura of power, which was the divine consciousness imprint of the old ancestor of Hai Xian Mountain.

Upon seeing this, the disciples guarding the mountain dared not delay and immediately sent a message to the depths of the cave.

Before long, the mountain gate's protective barrier rippled slightly, and an old, hoarse voice came from within: "What brings Fellow Daoist Mo of Haixian Mountain here?"

Mo Wuyai bowed respectfully, his tone respectful yet firm: "I heard that you intend to give the Seven Clouds Sect's third-level spiritual vein to that unknown Tiannan Ancestor? The Ancestor specifically sent me here to advise you to reconsider."

With a flick of his finger, the jade slip shone brightly, and the divine consciousness of the Sea Immortal Mountain Ancestor spread out like a tide.
“Brother Xiaguang, why go to such lengths? The Old Ancestor of Tiannan is nothing more than someone who came from a poor little place in Tiannan. What kind of person is he?”
"My Hai Xian Mountain and the Qi Xia Sect have been sworn brothers for two hundred years. Now that your time is near, my brother, Hai Xian Mountain is willing to take over the disciples and spiritual veins of your sect, providing protection and safeguarding the Qi Xia Sect's lineage. Why should we rely on outsiders?"

The divine sense echoed through the mountains, causing the disciples guarding the mountain to change their expressions slightly.

Inside the cave, True Person Xia Guang sat cross-legged at the core of the spiritual vein, a cold smile appearing on his withered face.

"Of the same bloodline? Ha."

A hint of mockery flashed in his cloudy eyes.

Two hundred years ago, Haixian Mountain and Qixia Sect did have a friendship. However, after the end of the Dharma era, in order to compete for the remaining resources of Huaihai Yizhou, the two factions had long since become estranged. It was already good that they hadn't become mortal enemies.

Now that his lifespan is coming to an end, Hai Xian Shan is pretending to jump out, clearly trying to get something for nothing and take advantage of his misfortune!
"It seems that there are also spies from Hai Xian Mountain within the sect, who managed to spread this matter."

Just as he was about to refuse, he suddenly saw a familiar figure emerge from the side hall of the cave, which turned out to be Chai Wei, the master of Xuanxiao Cave.

Chai Wei's expression was complicated. He stepped forward and whispered, "Sect Master, Hai Xian Mountain is powerful, and the origins of Ancestor Tian Nan are unknown. Rather than handing over the spiritual vein to outsiders, why not agree to Hai Xian Mountain's request?"

"Chai Wei!?"

Master Xia Guang's gaze turned icy, sweeping towards Chai Wei like a blade: "You dare to collude with Hai Xian Mountain to seize the assets of the Seven Clouds Sect?"

Chai Wei's forehead was covered in cold sweat, but he gritted his teeth and said, "This disciple dares not! But the old ancestor of Tiannan is ruthless. If he goes back on his word and tries to kill us all, how will the disciples of the sect survive?"

Hai Xian Mountain, at least out of consideration for past relationships...
Furthermore, Master Hai Xian has guaranteed that the Seven Clouds Sect can be handed over to his disciples for management, and will remain unchanged!

"shut up!"

Master Xiaguang roared, slamming his withered hand onto the jade futon, his spiritual power reverberating: "Traitor! Do you know who stands behind Patriarch Tiannan? How can Haixian Mountain compare!"

Chai Wei trembled, his face blank: "There's someone behind the Tiannan Ancestor. Could it be Huang Shang?"

He had personally heard from the communication array about the awe that True Man Xiaguang held for that mysterious being, and upon hearing this now, he couldn't help but feel somewhat shaken.

True Man Xia Guang, bound by his oath, said no more. With a flick of his sleeve, the jade slip outside the mountain gate shattered with a "crack," and the divine consciousness of Old Ancestor Hai Xian was forcibly dispersed.

"Go back and tell Immortal Hai Xian."

His aged voice, like a cold wind sweeping through a mountain stream, said: "I would rather give the spiritual vein to the Ancestor of Tiannan than let those who kick me when I'm down benefit from it!"

If he wants the assets of my Seven Clouds Sect, he can go and get them from Old Ancestor Tiannan himself if he has the ability in the future!

Mo Wuyai's face darkened. He wanted to persuade him again, but the mountain gate's restrictions suddenly closed. A beam of light descended like a sharp blade, forcing him to retreat a hundred feet.

"Excellent! What a fine Master Xia Guang!"

He gritted his teeth, put away the remaining jade slip, turned around and transformed into a streak of light, leaving behind a chilling voice that echoed through the mountains: "I hope you, True Person, will not regret this!"

Inside the cave, True Man Xia Guang closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, but a cold smile appeared on his lips.

"Regret? Ha. If Ancestor Tiannan is truly as Xinghe Daoist said, what is Haixian Mountain anyway!"

He made a hand seal with his fingertips, and a ray of light entered the earth's veins, reinforcing the spiritual vein's restrictions.

"Chai Wei, get out of here!"

Once the decision has been made, there is no turning back.

Minglong Mountain, Xueyu Tower.

The wind chimes under the eaves tinkled.

Hua Qingshuang stood under the corridor in a moon-white dress, the Ice Soul Sword at her waist gleaming with a faint cold light, and the jade hairpin in her hair swaying slightly as she raised her eyes.

"Peak Lord."

Zhao Wuji arrived on the wind, his robes fluttering as he glanced at the hunched figure in black robes under the pine tree a hundred paces away.

It was the same clan elder we encountered last time!
The old man appeared to be meditating with his eyes closed, but in reality, his divine sense spread throughout the entire pavilion like a spider web, monitoring every inch of space.

"Wuji, you've been in the Wang family for so long, this is the first time I've seen you."

Hua Qingshuang raised her eyes slightly, a barely perceptible ripple flashing in her eyes.

A divine sense transmission quietly entered Zhao Wuji's ear:

"This elder is a spy planted by the patriarch, ostensibly as a bodyguard, but secretly for surveillance. Ignore him."

Zhao Wuji smiled knowingly and calmly entered the building to sit opposite Hua Qingshuang. His fingers, hidden in his sleeve, had already formed a mysterious hand seal, and the spiritual light of the Dream Marriage Technique swam out like a fish, instantly locking onto the elder's mind.

With his spiritual strength comparable to that of a Golden Core cultivator, capturing a cultivator in the late stage of the Condensation Realm would be a piece of cake!
"This is.?"

Under Hua Qingshuang's astonished gaze, Zhao Wuji changed his hand seals again, and the spiritual energy ripples of the Shifting Scene Technique spread across the beams and pillars like waves.

"Ok?"

Under the pine tree, the old man in the black robe suddenly trembled.

In a daze, he seemed to see figures moving around. When he looked again, he saw two people leisurely sipping tea inside the building. He could vaguely hear words like "auction" and "spiritual materials," and he was relieved.

In reality, at this moment, Zhao Wuji had already secretly cast an invisibility spell after using the Shifting Scenery Technique, his fingertips lightly touching Hua Qingshuang's sleeve.

"Peak Master, give me your hand."

Hua Qingshuang's eyes flickered slightly as she subconsciously looked towards the old man in black robes under the pine tree.

Seeing that the clan elder was completely unaware, he turned around and met Zhao Wuji's gentle and refined gaze.

"you"

"It was just to my advantage, and also to the Peak Master's advantage."

Zhao Wuji's lips curled up slightly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes, "Let's take the Peak Master out for a stroll."

Hua Qingshuang was taken aback, and a ripple appeared on her frosty face.

"Do you still remember how I helped you escape from the Qian Kingdom back then?"

Zhao Wuji's smile deepened, "Today, it's exactly the same."

Her delicate hand trembled slightly as it slowly fell into his slender palm.

A long-lost warmth spread from her fingertips, causing Hua Qingshuang to involuntarily shiver.

"Walk."

As the magic of invisibility flowed, the two figures faded into the void like ink paintings.

Using the Wind Control Technique, they moved like fish through the gaps in the air currents, instantly reaching a hundred feet away.

Hua Qingshuang lowered her eyes and saw that the clan elder was still sitting there like a clay puppet, completely unaware of the two leaving. Her pupils widened slightly.

"He could not detect anything unusual within two incense sticks' time."

Zhao Wuji's voice transmission was calm and steady, "That's enough for us to catch up properly."

"Wuji, your methods are now far more sophisticated than before."

A rare smile appeared on Hua Qingshuang's lips, a hint of relief in her expression. Her snow-white face seemed to be caressed by a spring breeze. She made a hand seal in her sleeve, adding another layer of soundproofing to the two of them.

They skimmed across the mirror-like lake, startling several egrets.

They ascended through the clouds, leaving the Minglong Mountain area behind, and looked down upon the myriad lights of Xuanming Capital in the distance.

This long-lost sense of freedom made Hua Qingshuang feel as if she had returned to the days of Hanyue Peak.

That heart, frozen for so long, seems to be quietly melting in the warm palm opposite.

However, thinking of the Wang family's situation, her eyes dimmed slightly, and she lowered her head to look at the surging sea of ​​clouds below.

As dusk fell, the lights of the capital twinkled like stars.

"Wuji, perhaps inviting you to the Wang family was a mistake."

Hua Qingshuang said softly, "The patriarch Wang Wujiang is doing everything he can to help me break through to the Golden Core stage, but I'm afraid he's brewing a conspiracy."

"I expected this."

Zhao Wuji's answer made her suddenly raise her head, "Otherwise, why would the Peak Master think I would insist on planting the Dream-Attracting Gu in your body?"

He shook his head and sighed, "It's a pity. The array and restrictions in the Wang family's secret realm are too profound; even the fluctuations of the Dream-Attracting Gu can be faintly detected."

"Wuji, you."

Hua Qingshuang turned her snow-white profile, her gaze as clear as water as she stared at Zhao Wuji, "Knowing that the Wang family harbors hidden dangers, why did you still come?"

Zhao Wuji blinked, his smile gentle: "Because the Peak Master is here. Of course."

He changed the subject, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, "Furthermore, the fourth-level spiritual vein of the Wang family might help me break through to the Golden Core stage."

"This"

A bitter smile appeared on Hua Qingshuang's lips: "It's too risky. Besides..."

She gently shook her head. "The Wang family went to great lengths to help me achieve the Core Formation, but Wang Wujiang had ulterior motives. As for the spiritual veins, we would never allow outsiders to get their hands on them."

How do you know it won't work if you don't try?

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, his tone calm yet revealing a soaring ambition.

Hua Qingshuang was slightly taken aback. This was the first time she had sensed such a sharp and ambitious aspiration in this former young imperial physician.

"The Peak Master may not know the experiences I've had with Senior Uncle Yan over the years."

Zhao Wuji then changed the subject, recounting his trip to the Sword Tomb in the East Sea, and detailing the perilous journey of how he obtained the method for the Inner Realm Minor Golden Elixir from Huang Shang.

"So you've already weathered such storms."

Hua Qingshuang sighed softly, her eyes rippling with emotion: "No wonder you've grown so much, Wuji."

Zhao Wuji suddenly remembered the second task assigned by the Qilin Sword Sect, as well as the Hua Clan's stance, and immediately said solemnly:

"Does the Peak Master know what the attitude of the Hua Clan's matriarch, Hua Feng, and your father, the Overlord Sword Hua Lengyun, is towards the main family now?"

Zhao Wuji's gaze was sharp as he said in a deep voice, "Even you noticed Wang Wujiang's conspiracy, how could they be completely unaware?"

Hua Qingshuang's expression darkened. Thinking of the rumors about the silver-haired old demon in the Xuanming Dynasty, she said softly, "The mistress has probably also been plotted against by Wang Wujiang. She appears to be obedient, but in reality, she has no choice in what she does."

She suddenly raised her eyes, a cold glint flashing in them: "Before Xiang Yu died, he entrusted a wisp of his true spirit to my Hua clan ancestor! Our clan has carried the mission of avenging Xiang Yu for generations."

"pity."

Her slender hands clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white: "The tide has turned, and even with a heart set on revenge, there's little power left to turn the tide. Knowing full well that the patriarch Wang Wujiang harbors malicious intentions, I have no choice but to borrow his power to enhance my cultivation."

She paused, then looked at Zhao Wuji: "My father may have had this planned all along."

"It remains to be seen whether this hidden move will prove useful at a crucial moment."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji felt a sudden sense of relief.

That's it!

Hua Lengyun was indeed secretly plotting, and the Hua clan had such a connection with King Xiang in terms of fortune and mission!

What's even more interesting is that the Hua family's stance coincides with the expectations of the Qilin Sword Sect!

It was truly divine intervention!

The fact that Hua Qingshuang would confide such a secret to him shows how much she trusts him.

Zhao Wuji immediately smiled and looked at Hua Qingshuang, saying, "Since your father has made preparations, you shouldn't worry even more, especially since I will help you."

"Wuji, you..." Hua Qingshuang parted her red lips slightly, intending to dissuade him from getting involved in this vortex.

But then she remembered that Zhao Wuji was already caught up in the situation, and she recalled the scene she had seen in Xiang Yu's double pupils. The two family heads actually bowed down to the person in front of them!

The words that were about to be spoken ultimately turned into a soft sigh.

"Don't worry, Peak Master. Even if things don't go well, I will still be able to get out unscathed."

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering as he exuded composure and confidence.

Hua Qingshuang gazed at his tall, straight back, as if a ripple had stirred in her frozen heart.

Could it be
Was the divine revelation foretold by Xiang Yu's double pupils truly in accordance with the will of Heaven?
The fortune and mission that the Hua family has guarded for generations are somehow guiding the person in front of them.

Two incense sticks later.

Zhao Wuji gave Hua Qingshuang the two sword fruits he had already prepared, and then sent them back to Xueyu Tower.

The black-robed elder remained completely unaware that Hua Qingshuang had been mingling with the newly promoted Zhao Keqing right under his nose, and even thought everything was normal.

After leaving Xueyu Tower, Zhao Wuji returned to his cave dwelling, intending to observe Wang Zheng's situation once again.

Unexpectedly, another servant, Bai Chengshang, who was far away in the south, contacted them on his own initiative as a ghost.

"My lord, something has happened at the Seven Clouds Sect."

(End of this chapter)