Immortals of the End Times

Beiyun Dizhou is extremely large. Although it belongs to the same prefecture, it takes 60,000 to 70,000 miles to travel from the Wang family to the Qilin Sword Sect.

And this is not even the longest span of the Northern Yun Di Prefecture.

Despite the short distance, Zhao Wuji repeatedly encountered minor demons who had wandered into Beiyun Dizhou, as well as fellow cultivators from other grotto-heavens and sects.

With the resurgence of spiritual energy, spiritual energy flows in the air in more than half of the Northern Cloud Di Prefecture.

Therefore, not only did minor demons from various states beyond the river roam in, but major sects and grotto-heavens also began sending out disciples to slay demons and gain experience.

Alternatively, they could seek out resource points where spiritual materials would rapidly grow after the revival of spiritual energy and mark them in advance.

Therefore, the whole country is full of vitality.

Zhao Wuji rode his sword and looked down at the mountains and rivers below, where he saw the once barren Gobi Desert.

A spiritual spring gushed forth, and patches of Emerald Spirit Grass grew around the spring, with glistening spiritual dew condensing on the grass leaves.

In the distance, the once bare rock walls of the mountains are now covered with lush green vines, on which grow crimson spiritual fruits.

It shimmered with an alluring luster in the sunlight.

“Spiritual energy is like a nourishing medicine for heaven and earth. In less than half a year, the changes in Beiyun Dizhou have been so great. I’m afraid the changes in other continents are the same.”

Zhao Wuji sighed inwardly, his divine sense sweeping across the distant mountains and forests, where he discovered that some cultivators were gathering spiritual herbs and hunting down wandering demonic beasts.

These cultivators wore different clothes and were distributed in different mountains and forests, clearly coming from different grotto heavens or immortal sects.

"Whoosh!"

A sword light flashed from not far away, and a young cultivator in a green robe was chasing a sable demon with yellow fur.

The sable demon was extremely fast, weaving through the trees and occasionally turning back to spew out a breath of icy mist to hinder the pursuers.

"A sable demon with ice attributes? It's probably at the fourth level of Qi Refining. That was a rare find in the past, during the Dharma-ending Age."

Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow slightly, but did not intervene.

He has been traveling leisurely for six days, stopping and starting at his own pace.

Such battles between low-level cultivators have become commonplace since the revival of spiritual energy.

Continuing onward, he passed through a valley and suddenly sensed strong fluctuations of spiritual energy.

With a sweep of his double pupils, he peered through the rock wall and saw a spiritual pool in the valley.

The pool water is a jade-green color, with wisps of mist rising from its surface.

A dozen or so cultivators, belonging to two opposing camps, stood facing each other by the pool.

Beside the pool in the middle of their standoff, several golden-yellow Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms grew, their surfaces adorned with cloud-shaped patterns and emitting a rich medicinal fragrance.

"Cloud-patterned Ganoderma? A material needed by advanced Qi Refining cultivators. How come this kind of spiritual material can grow in the wild so quickly?"

Zhao Wuji scanned the area with his divine sense and found that the highest level of these cultivators was only the eighth level of Qi Refining. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly sensed a hidden demonic aura at the bottom of the pool.

"Interesting. It seems this Ganoderma lucidum was deliberately released by a powerful demon that had wandered in, as bait to lure cultivators to collect it, and then hunt them down."

He was surprised and stood watching from high above.

In the past, during the Dharma-ending Age, it was rare to see demonic beasts. Although we have encountered quite a few recently, demonic beasts that like to 'fish' are quite rare.

Sure enough, he didn't observe for long.

Just as the cultivators from both sides suddenly engaged in fierce combat, and someone was vying for the cloud-patterned lingzhi, the pool water suddenly surged violently.

A giant, azure python as thick as a water bucket burst from the water, its gaping maw lunging straight at the nearest cultivator.

"what!"

Amidst screams, half of the cultivator's body was already bitten.

The others panicked and unleashed their magical weapons to attack, but the giant python's scales were so tough that ordinary magical weapons could not harm it in the slightest.

"This serpent demon at the Concentration Realm is a rare find, its entire body a treasure trove. If it were used to brew Azure Dragon Constellation Wine..."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed, and he pointed his sword.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword shot down like lightning with a "whoosh," its blade violently rubbing against the air and producing a thunderous sound, precisely piercing through the giant python's vital spot.

The giant python hissed in pain, and a cloud of blood mist burst forth from its seventh inch, its eyes flashing with terror.

It immediately released the cultivator, twisted its body wildly, splashing water everywhere, and shattered the rock wall with its body.

"Zheng!"

The flying sword turned back in mid-air. Before the sword's cry even arrived, its light, like a white rainbow piercing the sun, once again pierced the giant python's head.

Before the giant python could even let out a wail, it crashed into the pool, splashing up a large spray of water, and the blood that spurted out sprayed into the air.

The blood waves were instantly frozen by the Frost Soul Flying Sword, turning into hundreds of scarlet ice spikes hanging upside down in the air, like a ferocious blood crown, making Zhao Wuji in the clouds look like a sword immortal who controls life and death descending to earth!
The cultivators below, having narrowly escaped death, all looked up at the sky.

A dashing figure stood atop the sword light, radiating golden arcs of light like a miniature sun, his robes fluttering, appearing like a celestial being.

"Is he a Golden Core cultivator!?"

"Thank you, senior, for saving your life!"

The cultivators quickly bowed, their expressions a mixture of respect and fear.

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the cloud-patterned lingzhi mushroom, and said indifferently, "This item is useless to me, you can distribute it yourselves. I'm taking the corpse of this azure-scaled python."

Having said that, he rolled up his sleeves.

Store the giant python's corpse in the Pot Heaven Space.

This python demon already possesses the cultivation level of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. Although it has not yet condensed a demon core, it should still have demon crystals.

It can be used to refine elixirs.

Flesh and blood can be used to brew Star Wine, and scales can be used to forge armor.

"Aside from the Pig Demon King and his subordinate Spirit Condensation Great Demons, this is the first time we've hunted a Spirit Condensation Great Demon in the wild."

After leaving the valley, Zhao Wuji observed the demon-slaying technique within the Yang Pearl, which had brightened considerably amidst its restlessness, and was quite satisfied.

The higher the cultivation level of the monsters hunted, the faster the technique can be deciphered.

Now, it's already almost 70% complete.

He was in high spirits and continued on his way.

Along the way, all I could see were changes brought about by the revival of spiritual energy.

Some ancient trees that had grown for thousands of years but were originally ordinary now have trunks that are several times thicker, crowns that are like canopies, and leaves that shimmer with a spiritual light.

The wild animals in the mountains seemed to be growing in size, their fur glossy and their eyes full of intelligence.

Even the air in the mountains and forests seems to be filled with the faint fragrance of flowers and plants, as if due to the presence of spiritual energy, making one feel refreshed with every breath.

"This is what the cultivation world should look like, not a scene of despair in the end times."

Zhao Wuji was in a good mood and quickened his pace, his sword flashing across the sky.

Suddenly, he sensed a violent collision of spiritual energy ahead.

With a flash of his double pupils, he saw two figures locked in fierce combat in the sky a hundred miles away.

One person wielded a fiery red flying sword, its light as bright as a rainbow.

Another person wielded a large bronze seal, wielding astonishing power.

Both were at the Concentration Realm, and the aftershocks of their battle caused trees to fall and rocks to crumble in the mountains below.

"They look like cultivators from the Crimson Sky Sword Sect and the Rainy Rain Cave Heaven? At least at the elder or cave master level, right? Are they even out here fighting?"

Zhao Wuji recognized the two people's clothing, thought for a moment, and, too lazy to take a detour, flew directly over their heads.

He had no intention of getting involved in these feuds between sects.

However, although he had no intention of interfering, the moment his figure flew past, the golden spiritual power around him shone brightly like the sun in the sky, and he passed by swiftly like a small sun.

"boom!!"

The two cultivators were instantly swept away as if by a hurricane, their figures suddenly froze, each like a seedling in the wind, their faces changing in horror.

Stop immediately.

The figure pierced the sky like a sword rainbow, his robes fluttering as the golden core shone like a blazing sun overhead, causing their hearts to tremble!

"A Golden Core cultivator?!"

"How is this possible? The spiritual energy revival has only been going on for a short time, and the concentration of spiritual energy in the air is not even high enough, yet Golden Core cultivators are already venturing out?!"

"A time of great strife, a time of many troubles!"

Both men felt their hearts tremble with fear, wondering if the Golden Core cultivator who had just passed overhead had been displeased with their exchange. For a moment, they both abandoned any thought of fighting, glared at each other angrily, and then quickly mounted their escape lights and fled in panic.

Soon, night fell, and the stars shone brightly.

Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged on a boulder by the stream, gazing at the starry sky and feeling the increasingly rich spiritual energy between heaven and earth, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

The concentration of spiritual energy in the wild is close to half that of a first-level spiritual vein. Although it is still not enough to stabilize his golden core, he still needs to rely on the spiritual energy within the Pot Heaven space.

But it is enough to support ordinary Qi-inducing cultivators to come out and move around, without worrying about the dissipation of spiritual energy or the loss of spirituality.

Even cultivators at the Concentration Realm can occasionally wander around.

The spiritual energy is reviving, and an era of great strife has arrived.

The road ahead may be full of unknowns and challenges, but it also holds infinite possibilities.

"Qilin Sword Sect"

He looked into the distance, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

If we were to discuss which force in Beiyun Dizhou was the first to possess a level-five spiritual vein, it would undoubtedly be the Qilin Sword Sect, which guards the spiritual vein!
Besides the spiritual veins, the Sword Sect also possesses numerous ancient immortal techniques and books, which can not only help him comprehend the secrets of the Spirit Exorcism Technique, but also allow his swordsmanship to reach new heights.

It should be understood that once swordsmanship has reached an outstanding level, further improvement becomes extremely difficult, requiring new insights into the way of the sword.

Such insights are impossible within the Wang family.

Because no one can surpass him in swordsmanship.

However, things are different at the Qilin Sword Sect.

There are Nascent Soul sword cultivators like the Sword Lord of Asking the Heavens and the Sword Ancestor of the Qilin Sword, who are stationed there. There is also the Supreme Sword Stele that the Sword Ancestor of the Qilin Sword once brought back from the ancient Sword Domain, and the Sword Masters of all generations compete and debate!

Although his swordsmanship is strong, it is not something that these sword cultivators specialize in. Therefore, he may not be unmatched and can still learn by analogy.

Zhao Wuji pondered for a moment, then with a flick of his sleeve, the Pot Heaven space unfolded, and he entered it.

Within the space of the Pot Heaven, spiritual mist hung down like a veil.

The dome, now expanded to six hundred feet high, is filled with swirling nebulae, and the falling starlight is tinged with wisps of purple light.

The gray mist at the edges was as thin as a cicada's wing, faintly revealing the chaotic light and shadow of the outside world.

Zhao Wuji walked across the newly expanded spiritual field with his hands behind his back, his boots crushing a palm-sized patch of gray from the end of the Dharma.

These stubborn remnants of the rules have now faded like rust, but they still remain.

"grown ups!"

Xiao Yue stopped her cloud and rain spell, a few drops of spiritual dew floating from her sleeve. She smiled radiantly, "Look how my planting is going?"

"The Qingling Grass is growing well."

Zhao Wuji lightly touched a spirit herb that was half a person tall. The golden veins on its leaves were more than three times denser than they had been two years ago.

A muffled "thump" came from not far away.

Xiao Ya was pouring specially treated demonic beast heart blood into a wine jar. The scarlet blood mixed into the wine, and the seal on the jar's mouth lit up with the Twenty-Eight Mansions constellation.

She stood on tiptoe to reach the hanging wine gourd.

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhao Wuji revealed ten jars of newly brewed Starry Night Wine neatly arranged beside the Yin Sha Spring.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, the corpse of the Nascent Soul Realm snake demon he had just killed fell to the side with a 'thud,' exuding an astonishing murderous aura.

The little girl was startled at first, then stamped her foot in surprise and delight, saying, "My lord, your speed in slaying demons is too fast! I can hardly keep up!"

"No rush," he smiled calmly. "There won't be any more demons to kill in the coming days, so you can take your time to clean up. If you're really too busy, ask Xiaoyue to help you."

Zhao Wuji waved his sleeves and walked to the Yin Sha Spring, gazing at the Yin marrow crystal the size of a pigeon egg at the bottom of the spring.

"The third Yin marrow is almost formed."

"It's almost time to perfect the third Yin Pearl and unseal the fourth, but with the resurgence of spiritual energy, there are cultivators everywhere outside. I'll have to find a good place to complete the transformation later."

Suddenly, a series of sharp cracking sounds came from the direction of the blood pool.

More than 500 carefully cultivated Blood King Gu are gnawing on the leg bones of the demon beast, and the fang-shaped bone fragments are rapidly melting under the mouthparts of the Gu worms.

The bone fragments that had settled at the bottom of the pool had solidified into a layer of blood-red crystalline sand.

Most of the blood and bones of these monsters were obtained when hunting the Pig Demon King, with a small portion from those killed recently.

With the arrival of the era of spiritual revival, these demonic beasts have emerged, providing a considerable amount of natural spiritual materials.

Zhao Wuji flew to the blood pool, flicked his fingers and made hand seals, using his left hand to perform a pill-making technique and his right hand to perform a medical technique.

The crystal sand immediately boiled as if it were alive, and was slowly refined by medical techniques into more than sixty Blood Fiend Pills the size of rice grains.

"Now that the skills of pill making and medicine have been improved to a high level, the work of alchemy has been saved."

Even the more complicated ones can be refined using the well-practiced stone-boiling technique.

He put away the Blood Fiend Pill, then looked at the array not far away, and flew over.

Within the formation, the jade box trembled.

Xinghe Daoist's primordial spirit was carried by the Gu worm and floated in the air. His soul was much more solid than it had been two years ago, and at this moment it was greedily absorbing spiritual energy through the cracks in the jade box.

"Fellow Daoist, are you really not going out now?"

Zhao Wuji lifted the seal on the jade box, and the numerous Gu worms emitting disturbing spiritual fluctuations transformed into chains and loosened.

"hold on!"

Xinghe Daoist's soul trembled, and he glanced warily at the gray spots of the end of Dharma outside the formation not far away. "My remnant soul and primordial spirit cannot withstand any more torment. Fellow Daoist, if you want to go to the Qilin Sword Sect, then go ahead."

"After you've cultivated in the Sword Sect for a few years, when the spiritual energy outside is abundant enough to support Nascent Soul cultivation, I'll go out then."

As he spoke, his soul separated into a ball of memory light, within which appeared the coordinates of the Xuan Tian Sect's secret treasure: "This is the location of the void node of Beiman Mountain in Huaihai Yizhou, and the method to break the restriction is also engraved inside."

Fellow Daoist Tiannan, you keep your word and are willing to let me go. I am extremely grateful, but please allow me to stay in your precious land for a few more days. I will offer this secret treasure as collateral in advance.

"Oh?"

A strange light flashed in Zhao Wuji's double pupils. He nodded slightly, accepted the ball of light, and recorded it into a jade slip.

"Fellow Daoist Xinghe is quite straightforward."

He smiled faintly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.

This old Taoist from the Milky Way has actually become addicted to living in his pot-shaped space.

It's probably because he's honest, reliable, kind, and upright.

After cultivating in the Pot Heaven Space for a whole night.

Zhao Wuji continued on his journey. The closer he got to the territory of the Qilin Sword Sect, the fewer monsters roamed along the way, until they were almost extinct.

On the contrary, the number of cultivators from all walks of life gradually increased.

Many rare cultivators from the grotto-heavens realms were now mixed in with the group of rogue cultivators, rushing to the markets under the Sword Sect's jurisdiction to trade.

"Whoosh!"

A magnificently decorated spirit boat suddenly soared through the sky, swaggering across the horizon and heading straight for the thirteen towering sword-like peaks that pierced the clouds like sharp swords.

Zhao Wuji, high in the sky, glanced at it indifferently and did not pay any attention. He was about to look away when he suddenly heard his name called out from inside the boat, which made him raise his eyebrows slightly.

Divine senses, like a gentle spring breeze and nourishing rain, quietly brushed against the protective shield of the spirit boat.

Within the hazy light screen, several sword cultivators held cups and discussed the Dao:
"The Qilin Sword Sect has made an exception and opened a grand sword-fighting ceremony, inviting sword sects from all over the world to witness the event. It is truly the first grand event since the revival of spiritual energy! We can only hope that Master Zhao's swordsmanship is truly remarkable and will not disappoint us!"

"I heard that in this sword competition, the Qilin Sword Sect is going to make an exception and appoint that Master Zhao as the new Sword Master. As a Golden Core Master, and to receive such an honor, he must be a man of great reputation."

"You can't say that. Becoming a sword disciple of the Qilin Sword Sect isn't just about having high cultivation. Without extraordinary sword control skills, how can one command respect? I've heard that the number one sword disciple, Saint Qilin Kong Jingxian, might be coming back."

Since the Heavenly Sword Sovereign reached the Nascent Soul stage, Brother Kong's sword control technique has become the best in Northern Cloud!

"Sacred Kirin, the Number One Swordsman"

Zhao Wuji withdrew his divine sense and pondered, looking into the distance. He had heard of this name many times before.

"This person is renowned; I hope he can help me break through in my swordsmanship!"

He continued his ascent at a steady pace, and soon felt the surrounding spiritual energy becoming increasingly dense.

Between the thirteen sword peaks ahead, the spiritual energy was so dense that it could not be dispersed, like mist and haze, enveloping the mountains in a hazy, ethereal light.

Countless flashes of light appeared, and sword rainbows darted about.

At times, mythical birds would spread their wings, tracing magnificent trails among the clouds, creating an atmosphere befitting a celestial paradise.
(End of this chapter)