Immortals of the End Times

The third Yang Pearl revealed a new Earthly Fiend Technique:
"Illusion Technique: Beginner (0/100)"

"So it is this technique."

A flood of insights about the 'Illusion Technique' quickly formed in Zhao Wuji's mind.

This technique is derived from the Taoist principle of "Heaven and Earth have no form, all transformations arise from the mind".

When you first learn this technique, you only need to touch the target to obtain a wisp of breath, hair, blood, etc., and you can imitate and transform the appearance of any creature with a similar body size, and even the breath and voice can be replicated.

The only limitation is the inability to replicate the target's cultivation techniques, leaving it merely a shell.

Once this technique is mastered to a high level, one can even take the form of creatures that are not similar in size.

They even mimic objects, temporarily transforming themselves or other objects into tools.

"If this technique is combined with the Shifting Scenery Technique, its effect of transforming into an object will likely be even stronger. Combined with the Qi Transformation and Qi Circulation Technique, it will be indistinguishable from both gods and ghosts."

Zhao Wuji had already imagined Sun Wukong's seventy-two transformations in "Journey to the West," instantly transforming into flies, birds, stones, temples, and so on.

If he masters the art of disguise, he will one day possess the divine powers of a Great Sage.

"Uh, if I become Luo Zhan now, could I even get into the Immortal Martial Sect?"

Thinking of this, Zhao Wuji shook his head and smiled again.

Luo Zhan's soul lamp had long been extinguished. Even if he were to impersonate Luo Zhan and infiltrate the past, he would be walking into a trap.

However, there is one person who might be able to disguise himself and play a significant role in crucial moments in the future.

"If I capture, control, and imprison that elder of the Wang family who is guarding the peak master, and then transform myself into his appearance, I can easily and freely enter the Wang family's secret territory."

As Zhao Wuji pondered this, his eyes flashed.

This matter requires further consideration. First, Peak Master Hua must come out again and bring that elder out as well.

Secondly, it would be useless to implement it now, since it's not the right time yet.

"Let's test the effects of this spell."

He immediately went to the bronze mirror in the attic, made hand seals, and tried to use the illusion technique he had just learned.

With a flicker of his fingers, he extracted a wisp of Wang Zheng's aura from the dream, and his figure rippled like water, instantly transforming into Wang Zheng's appearance.

Even his sinister eyebrows and scars were exactly the same.

However, the topknot on her head still retained its original loose curve, which was incongruous with Wang Zheng's meticulously tied-up hair.

"This clumsy technique is somewhat similar to how Pigsy always shows pig ears and a pig nose when he transforms into a human."

Zhao Wuji gave a self-deprecating laugh and made another hand seal.

This time, even the individual strands of hair were perfectly matched to Wang Zheng's hair-tying habits, and even the folds of his robes were replicated flawlessly.

He turned around twice in front of the bronze mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

Then, on a sudden impulse, he took out a blue robe from his storage bag.

There was a scorched, black finger mark on the chest of the robe, clearly a mark left by Senior Uncle Yan Lan, which still contained his aura.

Zhao Wuji suddenly made a hand seal.

A flash of inspiration struck again, and Yan Lan's silhouette gradually emerged from the misty fog.

The moment the red robe enveloped him, Zhao Wuji suddenly felt a lightness in his chest. Looking down, he couldn't help but chuckle: "Master Uncle's heart is indeed more magnanimous than most people's; it's not easy for him to change like that."

He recalled the snow-covered peak of Crimson Flame Peak, his fingertips tracing a semicircle in front of his chest.

The heavy weight caused the front of her clothes to open slightly, revealing half of her phoenix-patterned bodice.

"Cough!" He glanced at the bronze mirror, finding it too realistic, and quickly withdrew the spell, thinking to himself that it was an insult to civility.

If my hot-tempered senior uncle found out about this, he would surely be in for a lesson.

After practicing the illusion technique, Zhao Wuji also discovered the pattern of cultivation.

Each time this technique changes its appearance, the user's proficiency increases slightly.

On the contrary, constantly changing the same appearance leads to slow progress in skill level.

After practicing for a while, he waved his sleeve and tried to use the Pot Heaven Technique, which had been upgraded to a high level of proficiency.

The second Heavenly Space was born amidst the changing hand gestures. Zhao Wuji observed the space within with his mind and found that it had already reached an area of ​​more than three zhang in diameter, making it much more stable.

"The second Heavenly Space is now barely usable for performing techniques such as sealing, cutting, and crushing."

He nodded slightly, then entered the First Heavenly Space with a flick of his sleeve.

Within the space of the Pot Heaven, spiritual energy swirled like mist.

Nourished by the third-level spiritual vein, this small world has expanded to a radius of 436 zhang. The gray mist at the edge surged and dissipated, no wonder the Pot Heaven Technique was able to advance smoothly.

Looking around, the Heavenly Pool Trees in the space stand tall and straight like swords.

The fragrance of the Soul-Nourishing Flower wafts from beside the Yin Sha Spring.

The flying fish sand shimmered with silver light in the spirit field.

The golden waves of rice surged, and the heavy ears of rice bent the stalks.

At the Yin Sha Spring, black mist churned, and the rich Yin energy nourished Yin-attribute spiritual materials such as Xuan Yin Grass and Hai Yin Grass.

At the bottom of the spring, the faint outline of a new Yin marrow is visible, emitting a faint blue light.

"My lord, look at the spirit rice I've harvested!"

Not far away, Xiao Yue, holding a jade sickle, moved through the spirit fields, waving to Zhao Wuji. Her wheat-colored skin was filled with joy, and the harvested rice ears were piled up like a small mountain behind her.

"Hey! Now that Sister Xiaoyue's spirit rice harvest is good, I can brew a lot of good wine."

The little girl turned around and smiled, her bare feet treading on the wine yeast, her fair feet covered in the spiritual liquid, and the aroma of the wine spread with her movements.

The entire space is full of vitality, with a self-contained circulation of spiritual energy.

Zhao Wuji praised the two girls, then stood with his hands behind his back, his divine sense sweeping over every inch of the land, a smile playing on his lips.

After cultivating on his own territory for a while, he flicked his sleeves and exited the space.

"It hurts to absorb the spiritual energy within my own inner world; it's much more satisfying to get the Wang family's level-four spiritual vein for free."

After saying that, he walked out of the Sword Rain Tower.

He flew towards the cave of Lin Qi in Balong Mountain, pretending to assist in repairing the formation.

He has not shown up for the past six days, thanks to Lynch covering for him.

Compared to his leisurely life as a guest master of formations, the other guest masters were almost always away from home, rarely meeting each other. Wang Mingyang had complained about this more than once.

Lan Canghai, the servant of Ning Shen, naturally had no complaints.

Through Lan Canghai's dream vision, Zhao Wuji can also occasionally broaden his knowledge of the outside world.

According to his observations, the revival of spiritual energy may really be coming soon. The Wang family's many preparations and the investigations by the guest elders all point to this.

However, it is said that, based on past history, the revival of spiritual energy always begins in the places where spiritual energy is most abundant.

Moreover, it starts in a small area and then gradually expands to a larger area.

"If that's the case, then Beiyun Dizhou, which is occupied by the Wang family, will definitely be among the first places where spiritual energy will revive." Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly as he pondered.

He rode the wind, his sleeves fluttering in the wind.

Before long, they landed in front of a cave halfway up Balong Mountain.

"My lord! You've finally returned."

Lin Qi had been waiting outside the cave. When he saw him land, he quickly stepped forward and said in a low voice, "These past few days I've been telling everyone that you were in seclusion studying the formation, and that's how I managed to get away with it."

However, the administrative office has sent people to inquire twice, and they seem to be quite interested in you.

"It doesn't matter!"

Zhao Wuji waved his hand, "Just provide cover, thank you for your hard work."

"It's no trouble at all. It's my honor to share your burdens, Master."

Lin Qi smiled and then led the way for Zhao Wuji. The two of them went to other peaks together to repair the formation.

"Once my senior master arrives, I will begin my cultivation with all my might."

Zhao Wuji thought to himself, his array flags fluttering as he worked with Lin Qi to begin repairing the array.

At the same time, his divine sense quietly seeped into the array's network, silently recording every detail, while secretly planting his own array patterns as a means of preparation.

"The spiritual energy revival is imminent, and the Wang family, the Qilin Sword Sect, and even Huang Chang are all making their moves."

"I should pick up the pace."

More than ten days later, Uncle-Master Yan Lan finally arrived at the Wang family's territory.

With Wang Zheng's arrangement, she successfully checked into the Yunlong Mountain Villa.

This courtyard was built against the mountain, filled with spiritual energy. The crimson stone bed had already been prepared, and even the window frames were inlaid with several fire-attribute gems, clearly prepared on purpose.

Zhao Wuji arrived immediately and performed acupuncture on Yan Lan to stabilize her golden core.

Just like in the time of the Linglang Cave, many golden needles nodded like phoenixes.

The guiding technique then drew down starlight, helping Yan Lan to reopen the Gate of the Mysterious Female within her dantian.

The tiny golden core within Yan Lan's dantian, the size of a sesame seed, became increasingly solid and stable under the nourishment of ancient spiritual energy, with faint crimson-gold patterns even appearing on its surface.

"My nephew is performing acupuncture this time."

Afterwards, Yan Lan put on her Dharma robe, parted her red lips slightly, and said with a flirtatious look in her eyes, "I certainly didn't just go through the motions. My master's golden core depends entirely on you, my junior nephew. I will definitely help you succeed in the Wang family in the future."

Zhao Wuji put away his needles and chuckled: "Uncle-Master, please be careful with your words. It's not appropriate to discuss whether this will succeed or not right now. Uncle-Master, please stay here and cultivate for the time being."

Although Yunlong Mountain is only a second-level spiritual vein, it is still much stronger than Linlang Cave Heaven, and its effects on both acupuncture and cultivation are naturally superior.

"Yes! It's all thanks to your connections, Junior Nephew."

Yan Lan smiled and said something unusually polite, but her gaze couldn't help but turn towards the direction of Balong Mountain, thinking of her junior sister with whom she had fought for many years.

During his subsequent years of cultivation, Zhao Wuji frequently traveled between Minglong Mountain and Yunlong Mountain.

Each time acupuncture was administered, Yan Lan's golden core became more stable.

Meanwhile, the inner golden core within his own dantian gradually grew stronger as the Xuanpin Gate opened every two days, eventually approaching the size of a quail egg.

Meanwhile, undercurrents were stirring across the land of Kyushu, and old monsters were gradually revealing their presence in various places.

News has come from Xirong Xuezhou.

An ancient tomb, frozen for a thousand years, suddenly exploded, and a white-haired old monster who called himself "Xuanming Zhenren" emerged.

This person froze to death three cultivators from minor grotto-heavens shortly after his birth, and was eventually invited by the dominant force in Xirong Snow Province, "Ice Soul Immortal Palace," to serve as a guest elder.

The earth's veins trembled in Tianmeng Prefecture, and a red-haired dwarf crawled out of the underground magma. It is said that this person opened his mouth and cast a spell, devouring the lives of half a city.

The overlord of Tianmeng, "Fen Gu," joined forces with three major surrounding forces and spent seven days severely damaging him before he disappeared without a trace.

News has spread that a sunken ship in Yizhou, East China Sea, has broken free of its seal and emerged. The ship appears to be filled with cultivators from the previous dynasty, and the leader of these cultivators is holding a rusty royal flag that allows him to command ghost soldiers.

It took three Golden Core sword cultivators from Penglai Sword Pavilion to suppress him.

In an instant, chaos began to rise in the Nine Provinces, and old monsters appeared frequently.

Half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, the hall was filled with the fragrance of incense.

Zhao Wuji was chatting with several elders and stewards of the royal family.

One of the elders, with white hair and beard and a crimson flame mark between his eyebrows, stroked his beard and laughed, “The Azure Cave Heaven in the south of the sky has now returned to the hands of my Wang family. That old monster in yellow robes was quite sensible; knowing he was no match for my Wang family, he fled without a fight before the spiritual energy revival arrived.”

He smiled proudly and looked around at everyone: "Otherwise, when the spiritual energy recovers in the future, and the Second Patriarch personally comes to Qingming Cave, we will definitely let that old monster see the methods of my Wang family."

The surrounding deacons echoed, "Old Monster Huang Shang only dared to run rampant for a time because of the foundation he accumulated during the period of abundant spiritual energy. He has not yet recovered and is not worth worrying about."

"Is a mere small grotto-heaven with a first-level spiritual vein worth the Second Clan Head's attention?"

Zhao Wuji smiled but remained silent upon hearing this, though he secretly chuckled to himself.

He clearly remembered that the Wang family had turned a blind eye to Huang Shang's occupation of Qingming Cave.

Even if a mere first-level spiritual vein cave heaven is involved in the Six Dragons Paying Homage to the King plan, a substitute can certainly be found. It's not worth offending an old monster whose Nascent Soul has fallen for it.

"It seems that Huang Chang has either refined the Zhenhai Stele or found a way to leave the cave."

His eyes flickered slightly. "This trip is most likely to be to search for the legendary Nine Tripods of Yu the Great, based on the Zhenhai Stele."

Just as he was pondering, he suddenly heard a steward lower his voice and say, "I heard that a martial arts master from Nan Chu Prefecture has come out of the mountains and joined the Immortal Martial Sect, claiming that he wants to avenge Iron Arm Immortal Luo Zhan."

"Ah!"

Another person scoffed, "That Golden Core cultivator who killed Luo Zhan is still nowhere to be found. We can't even locate him. How can the Immortal Martial Sect possibly seek revenge?"

"It is said that the old martial arts master has a special method for finding people."

"Oh?"

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred slightly, and he secretly took note.

Just then, the elder of the Crimson Flame Pattern Clan stroked his beard and laughed, "The Immortal Martial Sect is nothing but a bunch of clowns."

However, our Wang family's eldest daughter, Miss Hua, is about to condense her Golden Core. With her bloodline's concentration, coupled with her father, the Overlord Sword Flower Lengyun, and the main family's Battle-Eyed King Feiyu, our Wang family will surely usher in its golden age when spiritual energy revives!

When Hua Qingshuang and the others were mentioned, all the Wang family cultivators in the hall became solemn and nodded in agreement.

With the deliberate promotion of Wang Wujiang, the head of the Wang family, Hua Qingshuang has become the new generation of family successor, and her prestige is growing day by day.

The voice hasn't fallen
"boom!"

A sudden surge of spiritual energy erupted above Mount Balong in the distance, its immense power spreading out like a tsunami, causing the teacups inside the hall to clink and rattle.

"This is."

The elder of the Crimson Flame Clan suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "Could it be that Miss Hua is about to break through to the Golden Core stage?"

Everyone's expression changed, and Zhao Wuji also looked up in surprise, "So fast?"

(End of this chapter)