Immortals of the End Times

"Whoosh-"

Half an hour later, Zhao Wuji transformed into a streak of light and returned to the Sword Rain Pavilion on Minglong Mountain.

This trip was very fruitful.
The Xuan Yao Spirit Bamboo and Rui Xue White Immortal Flower given by Hua Lengyun are both level four spiritual items, and their value is comparable to two Sword Heart Pills!

Legend has it that the ancient iron-eating beasts were most fond of this bamboo, and if combined with advanced consuming techniques, it could cause a surge in cultivation.

The white fairy flower is even rarer, with petals as white as snow and an aura of spiritual energy.

"In addition to Elder Mo's one Sword Heart Pill, the two Sword Heart Pills from the mission reward, and one more that I promised to apply for later."

In the quiet room, Zhao Wuji internally examined the Yin-Yang Pearl:
Concentration and Perfection (8209/19999)

"Even if the spiritual energy required for the Perfection of Concentration is extremely pure, six Sword Heart Pills might help me break through to the level of 14,000 or 15,000."

He secretly calculated: with his current aptitude and the method of cultivating with wine, even excluding the time spent on duty repairing formations, he would still need to cultivate diligently for a year before he could hope to break through to the Golden Core stage.

This was all thanks to Empress Li Shiyu's help, which increased his spiritual aptitude by another ten percent!
"With the increase in spiritual power, I can now condense twenty-one streams of spiritual energy per day in this fourth-level spiritual vein, two more than before."

Zhao Wuji's eyes were deep: "A year is just enough time to master the techniques of head regeneration and formation, so as to prepare for taking Xiang Yu's head!"

So, by this calculation, it seems that six Sword Heart Pills would only save him a year of hard work.

In reality, the accounts cannot be calculated in this way.

It should be understood that in this degenerate age, high-level spiritual veins are the most precious resource.

The Wang family recruited guest elders, claiming to support their cultivation to the peak of the Spirit Condensation stage, but in reality, they were stingy with even half a pill.

But that's just the qualification to cultivate a level four spiritual vein.
That alone is enough to make all cultivators flock to it, and it can enable cultivators in the late stage of the Condensation Realm to break through to the Perfect Condensation Realm in just six or seven years!
What if it were replaced with a first-level spiritual vein?
Let alone improving his cultivation, even if Zhao Wuji drank the Purple Light Spiritual Essence to its fullest extent, he could barely stabilize his realm throughout the year, which would be considered a stroke of luck. How could he possibly talk about improvement?

"The world is in chaos now. According to the Wang family patriarch, the spiritual energy will begin to recover in three years at most. I have to hurry."

Zhao Wuji formed hand seals, and spiritual light emanated from his fingertips.

With the Stone Boiling Technique applied, the dim yellow flames enveloped the Xuan Yao Spirit Bamboo, gradually transforming it into a pool of emerald-green spiritual liquid that slowly circulated in the void.

"Congeal!"

He gave a low shout, and the Snow White Fairy Flower shattered in response, transforming into countless crystal petals that blended with the sap of the spirit bamboo.

In an instant, the spiritual energy in the quiet room surged and condensed in mid-air into a cloud of blue and white.

Zhao Wuji opened his mouth and inhaled, and the spiritual clouds, like dragons returning to the sea, all disappeared into his mouth.

He activated the ingestion technique at full power, and the spiritual energy within his body surged like a river, refining all of this pure energy.

Three days of intensive training yielded remarkable results!
Upon internal inspection, the data on the Yin-Yang Beads had changed:
Concentration and Perfection (11003/19999)

"Not bad!"

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he felt the surging spiritual energy within his body: "At this rate, I can prepare to break through to the Golden Core stage and condense my second Golden Core within a year! However..."

His gaze fell upon the ingestion technique and stone-boiling technique displayed on the surface of the Yang Pearl.

The former has already broken through to an outstanding level, while the latter has also successfully broken through to a level of minor success.

"Excellent!" A hint of surprise appeared in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

After breaking through this ingestion technique, not only can the efficacy of spiritual objects be maximized, but the refining process can also be completed in an instant.

The spirit bamboo and immortal flowers that previously took three days to digest can now probably be digested in half a day!

And the art of boiling stones is also remarkable.
"laugh!"

Zhao Wuji casually took a piece of Heavenly Pool Wood from the Pot Heaven Space to test it.

Under the tempering of the stone-boiling technique, the Heavenly Pool Wood actually exuded drops of jade-like spiritual liquid, radiating a rich and vibrant vitality!
"This stone-boiling technique, if combined with highly refined medical skills and pill-making techniques, can be used to refine elixirs."

A glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately activated his medical arts, his hands forming hand seals like butterflies flitting among flowers.

The spiritual liquid churned in the air and condensed on its own into twelve crystal-clear, emerald-green droplets.

"go with!"

Zhao Wuji gave a low shout and then began to use his ball-playing technique.

The twelve drops of spiritual liquid instantly spun and condensed, transforming into twelve jade pills the size of longan fruits in the void.

The moment the elixir was completed, the quiet room was filled with the fragrance of medicine.

Its aroma is refreshing and invigorating, and it clearly has the effect of restoring mental clarity.

"interesting."

Zhao Wuji played with the pill, his divine sense sweeping over the Heavenly Pool Wood growing in the Pot Heaven Space. He smiled slightly: "The Heavenly Pool Wood spiritual liquid, combined with the three major techniques, can actually be used to refine such a miraculous pill."

It seems we have another trump card to play when we recover from our defeat!

He did not continue his cultivation; today was the time to repair the formation.

Despite having Lin Qi, a master of formations, as his servant to cover for him, this guest master of formations still had to show himself from time to time.

Just then, he also planned to go to Balong Mountain to secretly sneak into that secret place again and condense an inner realm pill for the peak master.

Try changing the blood talisman given by Wang Wujiang to the inner core pill; it will be healthier when it breaks in the future.

"Squeak!"

Zhao Wuji pushed open the door and stepped out, just in time to bump into his neighbor Wang Mingyang lingering in front of the door.

"Brother Wang has returned from his mission?"

He bowed respectfully, but his divine sense had already quietly swept over the area, and he was surprised to find that his servant Lan Canghai had also returned, but he was seriously injured!
"Alas, Fellow Daoist Zhao!"

Wang Mingyang returned the greeting with a worried expression: "This trip has truly been an unlucky one!"

He rubbed his chest wound and said with a wry smile, "Fellow Daoist Lan and I were ordered to explore an ancient Wang family site, but who knew..."

"An ancient monster has emerged from those ruins!"

Wang Mingyang's expression was filled with shock: "We are extremely fortunate to have escaped with our lives on the line."

As he spoke, he suddenly rubbed his hands together and chuckled dryly, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, um... could I have a good drink? This injury... only fine wine can heal it."

Zhao Wuji couldn't help but smile as he watched Wang Mingyang rubbing his chest and begging for wine.

This drunkard's behavior is exactly the same as Old Hu from the Linglang Cave!
Unfortunately, when he returned last time, the old man Hu was already nearing the end of his life and was not far from death.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, I won't take your wine for nothing!"

Wang Mingyang rubbed his hands together and pulled out a yellowed wine recipe from his pocket. "This wine recipe is..."

"Go!"

Zhao Wuji was too lazy to argue with him. With a flick of his sleeve, a golden wine jar flew out of the air and landed quietly in his hand.

Now, the yeast in his pot has reached a considerable scale, and producing three jars of Golden Goblet Wine per month is no problem.

This kind of spirit wine is no longer as effective for him as before.

after all
He usually drinks rare and precious wines like Renbao Wine and Dibao Wine!

After sending Wang Mingyang away, Zhao Wuji made a hand seal and rode the wind, heading straight for Balong Mountain.

During the journey, he secretly used the Dream Marriage Technique to obtain details of the ruins through Lan Canghai's dream.

The reason I didn't ask Wang Mingyang earlier was because the Wang family's mission required strict confidentiality.

but
With servants around, why ask so many questions?
"Another old monster has emerged from the mountains at this time. I wonder where he comes from?"

Zhao Wuji made a hand seal and used the Dream Marriage Technique, and the scene before him suddenly changed.

In the dream, Lan Canghai's memories unfolded like a scroll.

"Boom!"

A dark crack suddenly appeared deep within a ruin.

The next moment, a claw-shaped magic weapon, withered and as black as refined iron, burst out of the air!

The claw-shaped magical artifact was covered with strange runes, and with just one strike, the entire ruins trembled!

"No! Back away!"

In the dream, Lan Canghai retreated in terror.

A hunched figure slowly crawled out of the crack, its long gray hair dancing wildly like snakes, and its body was shrouded in a suffocating spiritual pressure!
"I've only just awakened, and you flies have already arrived! Trespassers, die!"

The old monster's eyes were bloodshot, and with a wave of his hand, a black light swept across.

The dreamscape shook violently, finally settling on the terrifying power of the black light tearing through the void. Lan Canghai coughed up blood and flew backward.
"Crack!"

The scene abruptly ends!

Zhao Wuji's movement, which was riding the wind, froze for a moment.

"The pressure from the Golden Core level seems somewhat insufficient."

His eyes flickered, as if he were deep in thought.

Although this old monster was powerful, he was clearly limited by the Dharma-ending Age and had to be cautious in his attacks; otherwise, Wang Mingyang and the others would have had no chance of survival.

"interesting."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed slightly: "It seems the Wang family really knows about the places where many old monsters once secluded themselves. What are they planning to do by sending guest elders to search for these people on such a large scale?"

This was also important news, and he felt it necessary to inform the Qilin Sword Sect so they could analyze and take precautions.

Soon, Zhao Wuji rode the wind to Balong Mountain and met up with Lin Qi, who was already waiting there.

"Lord, you are here."

Lin Qi bowed respectfully and said in a low voice, "Today we are repairing the spirit-gathering array on the mountainside. I have prepared the array flags and materials in advance."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings: "Is there anything unusual?" "Everything is normal." Lin Qi handed over a jade slip, "This is a detailed record of the damage to the formation."

The two then got to work.

Zhao Wuji's battle flags fluttered in his hands, his movements fluid and graceful.

It wasn't until the sun began to set in the west and the sky gradually darkened.

After he finished repairing the formation, he pretended to go down the mountain, but suddenly made a hand seal at a bend in the mountainside.

The light of invisibility rippled like water, and his figure gradually blended into the night.

"Disguise!"

With a light tap of his fingertips, Zhao Wuji transformed back into Wang Zheng, perfectly replicating even his aura.

Disguised twice, he stealthily made his way to the entrance of the secret place.

Outside the secret location, four guards are patrolling.

Zhao Wuji held his breath and silently activated the Dream Marriage Technique, causing the guards' eyes to immediately become blank.

"Array Key!"

He took out the Yin-patterned Stone Array Key from his sleeve, and the light of array-setting techniques flowed from his fingertips, accurately finding the weak point of the array.

The moment the array key was embedded, the outer layer of restrictions rippled open, creating a gap.

Whoosh!
Zhao Wuji flashed in like a ghost, and the array patterns behind him quickly closed.

Deep within the secret place, spiritual energy abounds.

Hua Qingshuang sat cross-legged on the high platform, golden patterns shimmering between her brows, her body enveloped in a faint blood-red light.

Sensing a familiar presence, she suddenly opened her eyes.

"Unrestrained."

Her cool voice held a hint of surprise, "Why are you back so soon?"

Zhao Wuji revealed himself and first instructed Wang Shouyun, who had become a servant and was guarding the entrance, "Go and guard the entrance. If anyone comes, immediately alert them."

After Wang Shouyun walked away, he quickly came to Hua Qingshuang and said in a low voice, "Peak Master, I have already met with your father."

Hua Qingshuang's double pupils narrowed slightly: "My father? Is he alright?"

"Senior Hua is doing well."

Zhao Wuji's expression was solemn as he pondered, "However, he asked me to tell the Peak Master that only by shattering the core can one break free from the control of the blood talisman."

"Shattered core?"

Hua Qingshuang's slender fingers slowly clenched, but she quickly regained her composure. "Father is still as resolute as ever."

Zhao Wuji said softly, "Senior Hua has reached a cooperation agreement with the Qilin Sword Sect. Elder Mo Wenjian promised that when the time is right, the Sword Sect will do its utmost to help eliminate Wang Wujiang."

Hua Qingshuang was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked up and stared directly at Zhao Wuji: "If the Shattered Core can really drag Wang Wujiang down at a critical moment, I would rather perish together than become a puppet controlled by Wang Wujiang."

Zhao Wuji stared at her, his gaze deep, then suddenly shook his head and smiled: "Peak Master, there's no need to be so pessimistic. Actually... there is another way to solve this."

"Oh?" Hua Qingshuang's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of surprise appearing in them. "What other methods do you have?"

Zhao Wuji pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Does the Peak Master still remember that I once entered the Sword Tomb with Senior Uncle Yan Lan? And Senior Uncle Yan Lan once cooperated with Huang Shang."

Hua Qingshuang's eyes flashed, and she nodded slightly: "Of course I remember. When I left Linlang Cave Heaven, I reminded you that your senior sister might not be able to stay in the cave heaven either."

“Now,” Zhao Wuji’s lips curled slightly, “I have settled my senior uncle in the Wang family.”

Seeing Hua Qingshuang's surprised expression, he continued, "Although the cooperation between my master and Huang Shang was fraught with danger..."

"But in the end, we still managed to seize the 'Internal Landscape Refining Spirit Method' from the 'Huangting Neijing'!"

"what?!"

Hua Qingshuang's expression changed, and a hint of surprise flashed in her double pupils. "The Inner Landscape Refining Spirit Method?"
Your senior master once told me that this technique can condense the inner golden elixir, a process of interplay between the real and the illusory, profound and unpredictable. But she didn't mention that this technique is actually in Huang Shang's hands.

Zhao Wuji nodded: "This technique is indeed in Huang Shang's hands."

This method can help cultivators condense an 'Inner Realm Golden Core' within their dantian. Although not a true golden core, it can simulate the power of a real golden core, and may even be indistinguishable from the real thing.

"Is it really that miraculous?"

Hua Qingshuang was surprised, "For a normal cultivator, even condensing a Golden Core is difficult; condensing an Inner Realm Golden Core is probably even more difficult."

"It was indeed not that easy, but I have overcome the difficulties. In fact, I have even helped my master condense an inner-realm golden core."

He continued, his gaze intense, "If the Peak Master is willing, I can try to condense an Inner Realm Golden Core within your body using the Inner Realm Refining Spirit Method."

They then devised a method to transfer Wang Wujiang's blood talisman to the inner golden elixir.

In this way, even if your core shatters in the future, it will only be your inner core, not your natal core!

Hua Qingshuang's eyes widened in shock, then her gaze flickered as if she were pondering the feasibility of this method.

After a moment, she looked up at Zhao Wuji: "How likely is this method to succeed?"

Zhao Wuji said frankly, "If the Peak Master cooperates to condense the Inner Realm Golden Core and then studies a suitable method for transferring blood talismans, we should have a 70% chance of success."

"I am happy to cooperate with you!"

Hua Qingshuang nodded, her clear, cold eyes filled with unwavering trust: "If this method works, not only can we break free from Wang Wujiang's control, but we can even shatter our core and turn the tables on him at a crucial moment!"

"Not bad!"

Zhao Wuji's lips curled slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Exactly. When the time is right, Peak Master only needs to activate his inner golden core to self-destruct, not only breaking free from the blood talisman's restraints but also inflicting a severe backlash on Wang Wujiang!"

Hua Qingshuang's eyes brightened slightly, and a rare smile appeared on her cold and beautiful face: "Wuji, you always manage to surprise me."

"Zheng!"

Zhao Wuji chuckled, flicked his sleeve, and eighteen family heirloom golden needles shot out, drawing streaks of golden light in the air.

"Without further ado."

His expression was solemn. "Please, Peak Master, pause the circulation of your Golden Core. Allow me to use acupuncture to guide you and help you sense the Gate of Mysterious Female and condense your Inner Golden Core."

"Um"

Hua Qingshuang responded softly, and a faint blush appeared on her usually icy jade cheeks.

Her gaze was light, but her voice was unusually calm:
I am now unable to move.

"Then I'll trouble you to undress me and perform acupuncture."

Zhao Wuji was taken aback upon hearing this, only then remembering the matter.

Looking up, he met Hua Qingshuang's clear, cold eyes filled with complete trust.

Meanwhile, deep within the Wang family's secret territory.

Inside the dimly lit stone chamber, spiritual mist, like gauze, flowed slowly between the array patterns.

An elderly man with gray hair sat cross-legged at the eye of the spirit-gathering array. His face was as thin as tree bark, but his cloudy eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

He was dressed in a tattered gray robe, with the faded characters "Xuan Yin" embroidered on the cuffs. He was surrounded by a faint, decaying aura, like an ancient corpse that had just crawled out of a coffin.

"Fellow Daoist Wang... I never expected that the flood would wash away the Dragon King's temple. I only took action because I was disturbed by your Wang family, and I seriously injured your guest elder."

The old man's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed.

“Hey!” Wang Wujiang, who was standing opposite, raised his hand to stop him. “It’s a misunderstanding. Elder Chen, there’s no need to say anything more about this.”

The old man nodded slightly. "If it weren't for your ancestor, the True Lord Wang Fu, bestowing upon me the 'Mysterious Yin Life-Sustaining Pill,' I would have already passed away. What a pity..."

He tapped his knee lightly with his withered fingers, shook his head and sighed, "At that time, spiritual energy was exhausted, and the world was in decline. My chance to break through to the Nascent Soul stage... was ultimately cut off."

Wang Wujiang stood with his hands behind his back, his white hair hanging down to his shoulders, a hint of calculation flashing in his eyes, and said in a gentle voice: "Old Chen was able to seal himself for more than two hundred years using a secret method, which is already an immense fortune."

Now that the Dharma-ending Age is nearing its end and spiritual energy is about to revive, with your foundation, restoring your Golden Core to its peak within three years is merely a matter of lifting a finger. Even…”

He paused meaningfully, "With the assistance of my Wang family, your path to the Nascent Soul stage is not a mere illusion."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ming, the former "Master Xuan Yin," chuckled softly, but his laughter sounded like the hooting of an owl: "If this old man's crippled body can still do some small favor for the Wang family, it will be considered repaying the karma owed to True Lord Wang Fu. However..."

He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Can the Wang family's fourth-level spiritual vein withstand being devoured by three Golden Core cultivators?"

Wang Wujiang flicked his sleeve, and the array patterns lit up instantly, with spiritual mist surging like waves: "Elder Chen is overthinking it. My Wang family has accumulated over a thousand years, how could we lack such a small amount of spiritual energy? In the long run, it will naturally be difficult."

But three short years have passed in the blink of an eye.

He smiled, but his tone left no room for doubt: "Just rest and recuperate."

After Wang Wujiang left, the stone chamber returned to silence. Chen Ming slowly closed his eyes, a mocking smile playing on his withered lips: "What a fine 'flick of the finger'..."

Inside the secret passage, Wang Wujiang walked with composure, but a chill suddenly appeared in his eyes.

"This old man is nothing more than a pawn I prepared in advance! When I break through to the Nascent Soul stage, this man can serve as a protective shield, blocking the backlash of the heavenly tribulation for me."

He slowly closed his fingers, a chilling smirk creeping onto his lips.

"Once the Nascent Soul is formed, this person's Golden Core will be my best 'Human Essence Elixir'!"

"How can the spiritual veins of my Wang family be so easily swallowed? Whatever you take in, you must spit out!"

With a cold laugh, he raised his eyes and looked towards the direction of the secret place.

There, thirty-six chains hung down, at the end of the chains.

Xiang Yu's head was slightly open, his double pupils as deep as abyss.

"We should go check on Qing Shuang's condition and prevent her from doing anything rash."

(End of this chapter)