Immortals of the End Times

More than a month later, at the summit of Qingyu Peak.

The morning mist was torn open by the sword energy, and Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the cliff, looking down at the mountain peaks below that pierced into the sea of ​​clouds like sword blades.

"Master Zhao".

The sword attendant behind him held a jade box and said respectfully, "This is the supplementary edition of the 'Asking Heaven Sword Manual' sent by the Sword Pavilion this month. Only your divine sense combined with the sword token can read it."

"it is good!"

Zhao Wuji lightly touched the jade box with his fingertips, and his divine sense swept over the newly engraved sword manual inside.

As the first swordsman, he can not only study the sect's treasured sword manual created by the Sword Lord of Asking Heaven at any time, but also access the cultivation insights left by the swordsmen of previous generations.

Lately, through studying sword manuals and gaining insights, his swordsmanship, which had been improving slowly after reaching an outstanding level, has gradually begun to show significant improvement, moving towards the pinnacle.

At this moment, a sword-shaped jade slip in the box was emitting a faint light, recording the insights gained by a swordsman three hundred years ago when he broke through the differentiation of sword light.

“The materials for the sword-making workshop have been prepared.”

Another sword attendant handed over a jade book, saying, "As requested by Master Zhao, adding three or four ounces of star-patterned cold steel will enhance the toughness of the Cold Soul Sword. Before forging, the sword should be cleaned first."

"it is good!"

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly.

Washing swords in the Sword Washing Pool is an honor reserved only for sword masters.

While ordinary disciples could only apply for a sword-cleansing opportunity once every ten years, he could use it once every three months, and could draw upon the purest sword essence in the pool to cleanse his own sword.

It's like giving your precious sword a full-body massage.

Suddenly, a clear sword sound rang out from the mountain path, and three stewards arrived riding on clouds.

The elderly man at the head of the group had silver hair and a black and gold token hanging at his waist, which indicated his identity as a steward of the Sword Pavilion: "The 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Sword Formation Diagram' that Master Zhao requested has been retrieved from the Sword Pavilion. In addition, a sword escape technique and a jade slip containing a spirit-suppressing technique have also been delivered."

As the old man spoke, he presented the jade box.

"Thank you all for your help."

Zhao Wuji rolled up his sleeve, and three jade slips flew out of the jade box and hovered in front of him.

As the top swordsman, he has the privilege of choosing three classic texts from the Sword Pavilion for free, which is indeed convenient.

He scanned the jade slips containing the Sword Escape Technique and the Divine Suppression Technique with his divine sense, and the escape technique "Golden Rainbow Piercing the Sun" and the "Divine Suppression Totem" caught his eye.

"This spirit-suppressing technique, perhaps once I learn it, will be able to unlock the secrets of my spirit-exorcising technique?"

Zhao Wuji pondered.

"Master Zhao, the spiritual vein nodes of Qingyu Peak have been adjusted."

The steward continued to report, "According to the rules of the Sword Sect, the First Sword Disciple can monopolize 30% of the spiritual energy each day for cultivation or research into techniques."

"good!"

After everyone had left, Zhao Wuji entered the meditation room.

The spirit-gathering array engraved on the ground was humming, and the spiritual energy of the fourth-level spiritual vein flowed through the array patterns as if it were a tangible substance.

Compared to the Wang family's spiritual veins, the spiritual energy here is sharper and purer, and with each breath, it feels as if countless tiny sword beams are traveling through one's lungs.

He sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, and the three golden cores slowly rotated in his dantian. The dragon scale patterns on the surface of the Blood Fiend Golden Core in the very center became increasingly clear.

He hadn't been practicing for very long.

Suddenly, a sword flashed past the window; it was Xiao Chenzhou arriving on the Sunset Sword.

This fourth swordsman, with whom Su Chen had some prior acquaintance in the Sword Tomb, has now surpassed Su Chen in cultivation and Li Feiyuan in swordsmanship, and has been promoted to the third swordsman, receiving a boost in treatment.

These days, he often comes to discuss swordsmanship with him. Today, he wore a silver-threaded soft armor magic weapon over his unicorn robe, clearly indicating that he had just returned from some dangerous place.

"Senior Brother Zhao."

Xiao Chenzhou flicked his finger and tossed a piece of ice through the window. "This is the Huaihai Xuanbing you wanted."

The wisps of icy cold air were the final material needed to strengthen the Frost Soul Sword.

Zhao Wuji chuckled and accepted the gift, saying, "Junior Brother Xiao, with this outfit, have you gone demon-slaying again? This Huaihai Xuanbing is quite valuable, I..."

"Hey!" Xiao Chenzhou quickly raised his hand to stop him, "It's just some spiritual material I picked up along the way, let's not talk about its value."

The main purpose of this trip was to test the swordsmanship taught by Senior Brother Zhao and apply the newly learned sword techniques in actual combat. Unfortunately…

Xiao Chenzhou shook his head and sighed, "These demons have become increasingly cunning lately, hiding their true colors and revealing their true nature."

I only slew some minor demons and monsters; I didn't even encounter a decent opponent. It wasn't satisfying at all!

Zhao Wuji couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.

Although not all of the sword cultivators in the Qilin Sword Sect are bloodthirsty, whenever it comes to slaying demons and eliminating evil, their sword energy soars to the sky and their fighting spirit is high.

He encouraged Xiao Chenzhou and cautioned him, "Demons are cunning and treacherous, Junior Brother Xiao, you must be careful not to fall into an ambush."

After Xiao Chenzhou left, he continued his cultivation, trying to comprehend the newly acquired Divine Suppression Technique.

"Suppressing heaven and earth, divine might as a prison!"

Zhao Wuji brought two fingers together and pointed them towards his brow, whereupon a dazzling golden light suddenly burst forth.

As the ancient incantation was uttered, eight golden lines emerged from his forehead, intertwining to form a profound Dao seal for suppressing evil.

The four core divine senses within the sea of ​​consciousness trembled simultaneously, and the tadpole-shaped runes of the exorcism technique on the surface of the Yang Pearl, which had been dormant for a long time, lit up one by one.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, a resounding Daoist voice echoed in the void.

The spiritual energy within a radius of a hundred feet instantly froze.

"This is."

The sword guards standing watch by the mountain path suddenly knelt down.

The lead swordsman was horrified to discover that his divine sense was being suppressed by a mountain.

Inside the room, with each word of the incantation uttered, a golden wheel-like mark appeared between Zhao Wuji's eyebrows.

As the final word "敕" was uttered, the seven-layered wheel seals suddenly overlapped into a dazzling pillar of light.

Within a hundred feet, the spiritual energy fluctuated violently, restless and oppressive.

The four sword servants were all shaken and paralyzed, unable to move even their fingers, like insects trapped in amber.

"receive."

Zhao Wuji lightly flicked his sword finger, and the strange phenomena in the sky instantly vanished.

The Taoist seal on his forehead vanished as a stream of light, leaving only a scorching golden hexagram on the opposite wall.

Inside the third Yang Pearl, the secret text of the Exorcism Technique was deciphered by another 30%, reaching 90% completion. The key points of minor supernatural powers such as "Soul Capture" and "Soul Refinement" vaguely emerged and flooded into his mind.

Outside the Sword Pavilion, the several sword servants who had been stunned gradually regained control of their bodies, looking at the Sword Pavilion with awe, their backs already soaked with cold sweat.

"Not bad. After practicing the Mind-Suppressing Technique for a while, the Mind-Expelling Technique will be unlocked."

Zhao Wuji was very satisfied with the magical properties displayed on the surface of the Yang Pearl.

The Qilin Sword Sect came to the right place. He searched through the Wang family's entire library but couldn't solve the problem of the Exorcism Technique; only the other unsealed Yin-Yang Pearls were affected.

Now the problem is easily solved.

"All that's left is the Demon-Slaying Technique. Perhaps it's time to go out and slay some demons?"

Zhao Wuji lightly touched the sword token at his waist, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

Although a Sword Master enjoys many privileges, after reading the three classic texts, if one wishes to read more advanced techniques, one must exchange them for contributions from the Sword Sect.

Even the most treasured martial art of the sect, the Heavenly Sword Manual, can only be borrowed up to the first volume of the Golden Core chapter.

He stepped out of the sword hut with his hands behind his back and saw that several sword servants looked dazed, clearly still intimidated by the lingering power of the divine suppression technique he had just used.

He immediately cast an apologetic glance at her and smiled with a flick of his sleeve.

"I'm going down the mountain for a stroll, you don't need to come with me."

At the foot of Qilin Mountain, many ordinary towns are brightly lit, and at night they are teeming with tourists.

Martial artists came and went in droves, and those seeking immortality flocked to the area.

Since the revival of spiritual energy, many grotto-heavens and sects have gradually opened their gates.

No longer hoarding resources and strictly controlling them.

Even more remarkably, immortals appeared in the human world, accepting many disciples.

Therefore, the sight of immortals and Taoist figures, which were once rare, can now be seen everywhere.

The number of people seeking immortality and enlightenment has more than doubled compared to the past.

Even after the spiritual energy revived, demons and monsters still avoided the Qilin Sword Sect's territory.

More than a dozen small kingdoms thrived here, and the Jian Dynasty's carriages, which paid tribute every year, were particularly illustrious.

However, the most bustling place is the cluster of market towns strung together at the foot of the Thirteen Peaks of Qilin.

After the spiritual energy was restored, this place gradually regained its former prosperity and has become a gathering place for cultivators from Beiyun Dizhou and immortals from all over the world.

Even though entering the market still requires paying two source crystals as payment for spiritual energy consumption, cultivators still flock to the market.

The rare treasures and secret information circulating here, coupled with the peaceful and prosperous situation under the intimidation of the Sword Sect, are far beyond what mere source crystals can compare to.
Zhao Wuji used a fake form incantation to transform into a disheveled wandering cultivator in a blue robe. He casually handed over two source crystals and entered the market, strolling around leisurely.

As they walked, they heard snippets of news such as "A five-colored deer demon has appeared in the Central Plains, foreshadowing a dynasty's struggle for control of the Central Plains" and "Demon cultivators from the states beyond the river are hiding their whereabouts, acting furtively."

His gaze swept over the gleaming cold iron and talismans on some stalls, and as he looked at the many Qi-attracting cultivators around him, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

This is the kind of atmosphere the cultivation world should have.

When he was cultivating in the Linglang Cave Heaven, he rarely saw cultivators from other cave heavens and sects, except for his own fellow cultivators.

Although these Qi Refining stage gadgets in the market are no longer of much use to someone of his level.

But simply strolling around with hands behind one's back, observing the various aspects of cultivators, and listening to rumors from all directions, is quite interesting.

A sudden commotion arose on the bluestone street. Zhao Wuji looked in the direction of the sound and saw the crowd parting like a tide.

Five disheveled but dignified cultivators were spreading out a bloodstained animal hide, on which were piled large chunks of demonic beast meat that gleamed with a bluish light.

"It's actually the flesh and blood of the Azure Ape Demon!?" A burly man carrying two swords gasped in shock. "This beast has skin of copper and bones of iron; ordinary flying swords can't even scratch it! Judging by its spiritual power, it's probably already at the peak of Qi Refining, right?"

The crowd immediately erupted in uproar.

A female cultivator covered her mouth and took two steps back, while several young cultivators turned pale and subconsciously pressed down on their magical artifacts.

The Azure Ape Demon is ranked as a lower-grade Bing-class demon in "The Nine Provinces Demon Mirror". Upon reaching adulthood, it possesses the strength of perfect Qi Induction, making it extremely powerful.

"Fellow Daoists, please see the truth."

The white-bearded old man at the head of the group clasped his hands in a respectful bow. His tattered robe was still stained with undried blood. "I am the Transmission Elder of the Flying Eagle Cave in Xiliang Mountain, Yunzhou."

A month ago, the Crimson-Eyed Demon King of the states beyond the river colluded with demonic cultivators and destroyed our mountain gate.

He sighed, "Our cave master was tragically killed, and we also managed to kill this green ape demon with great difficulty during our escape, in which we suffered many casualties."

The old man smiled bitterly, removed the restrictive talisman that was wrapped around the beast meat, and immediately wisps of demonic energy rose up.

The faint outline of a blue ape could be seen among the fleshy texture, causing another stir among the onlookers.

"Five source crystals per pound."

The accompanying female cultivator's voice trembled, "This was obtained by many of our fellow disciples at the cost of their lives; it's already at cost price."

A murmur of discussion immediately arose from all around.

Everyone's just here for the spectacle. Five-element crystals cost one pound; who has the money to buy them?

Everyone was thinking, "If this fellow Daoist doesn't buy, then I won't buy either," just taking a look to satisfy their cravings.

However, a few rogue cultivators had their eyes gleaming, clearly planning to scavenge for any leftovers after the event ended.

"Azure Ape Demon, Crimson-Eyed Demon King, Demonic Cultivator"

Zhao Wuji pondered, "These demonic beasts and demonic cultivators have actually colluded together?"

Previously, the demonic beasts he encountered were all in groups, but he had never encountered a demonic cultivator before.

Now, it seems that the situation has changed.

Could it be that the demonic beasts have all gone into hiding recently because it was the idea of ​​the demonic cultivators?

"Isn't the Sword Sect going to do anything about it?" Suddenly, a question arose from the crowd.

The old man sighed and shook his head, saying, "I sent the blood letter three days ago, but there has been no response yet. After all, apart from a few states like Zhongzhou, demons are causing trouble in other states, and many grotto-heavens and small families have suffered."

Before he finished speaking, the pile of demonic flesh suddenly burst into a burst of blue light, startling several timid cultivators who staggered backward.

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes, and his double pupils under the brim of his hat flashed as he discovered that a wisp of demonic soul still lingered deep within the flesh and blood.

"I was just strolling around and I actually had this unexpected gain. The soul of this green ape demon is still intact."

He became interested and casually made a hand seal to cast the Spirit Communication Technique, the spiritual runes flashing and disappearing in his palm.

"receive."

Without a sound, the struggling demon soul was taken away.

The onlookers felt a sudden chill in the mountain wind, unaware that the chief swordsman had already captured the remnant soul of the demon beast.

With a flick of his green robe, Zhao Wuji disappeared into the marketplace.

Then, like a flash of sword light, it swept towards the main peak.

This lingering demonic soul might be able to uncover some of the recent movements and secrets of demons.

"Zheng!"

At this moment, the first sword token at his waist suddenly trembled, and the elder of affairs transmitted a message: "Your Highness! There is an important matter that requires your personal decision. Please come to the Affairs Hall for a discussion!"

As the number one sword disciple, "Heavenly Qilin," only the Sword Lord of Asking Heaven and the Sword Ancestor of Qilin can address him as a disciple.

The other elders must all be addressed as "Your Highness," or "Master Zhao" or "Sword Master Zhao" to show respect.

Even when the sect needs his help with important matters, he must be invited with the courtesy of discussion.
(End of this chapter)