Immortals of the End Times

Inside the main hall of the Immortal Saint Sect, representatives of sword cultivators from the three sects and six schools gathered together.

The hall was filled with spiritual mist, and sword energy could be seen and hidden. The robes of the cultivators from different sects shimmered with different colors under the spiritual light.

Representatives from top sects with long histories, such as the Qilin Sword Sect, the White Jade Sword Pavilion, and the Tianjing Sect, sat in the highest seats.

These sects all produced Nascent Soul Dao Lords in the past, and now that spiritual energy has revived, they have all produced Nascent Soul True Lords to preside over them, so their demeanor and status are naturally extraordinary.

The next seat was occupied by representatives of the dominant sword cultivator forces from various states, such as the Kuanglan Sword Sect and the Huoyun Sword School. Although they were also quite imposing, they were ultimately inferior to those at the top.

Zhao Wuji, dressed in a purple-gold robe with a qilin pattern, sat upright in the seat.

As soon as he, the newly promoted number one sword disciple of the Qilin Sword Sect, took his seat, he attracted the attention of the surrounding sword cultivators, who exchanged subtle glances and whispered among themselves.

"That old fellow Pan Yun just suffered a silent loss."

"I heard that when this boy killed the Crimson-Eyed Demon King with his sword, the Cold Soul Sword Light split into nine ice rainbows. I'm afraid that the splitting of the sword light has already reached the stage of light splitting into shadow."

"This person is even more mysterious than Kong Jingxian, and his rise to power is simply astonishing."

Among the many gazes were both scrutiny and apprehension.

Compared to Kong Jingxian, who was already famous throughout the land and whose cultivation was traceable, this Heavenly Qilin who appeared out of nowhere was even more unpredictable.

It can be said that it remained silent until it made its move, and when it did, it seized the top spot among the Qilin with the force of a dragon crossing the river, astonishing everyone present.

At this moment, many sword cultivators in the hall had sword intent hidden in their eyes, clearly intending to test the waters before the Nine Provinces Sword Tournament, but none of them were confident. They were all observing their surroundings and exchanging subtle glances.

Zhao Wuji remained calm, knowing that a sword duel was inevitable after his arrival.

Although this battle is not a matter of life or death, it is related to the Qilin Sword Sect's voice in the Nine Provinces Sword Tournament.

Whether it's agreeing on the conference rules or competing for participation slots and prizes, everything must be based on merit.

However, he only needs to show his strength slightly and surpass the other Sword Sect disciples; he doesn't need to be too flamboyant and put himself in the spotlight.

After all, this so-called "Number One Sword Cultivator Tournament of the Nine Provinces" is nothing more than a formality to compete for ancient sword domain quotas.

The real opportunities lie within that ancient sword domain.

The most important thing is to be able to step inside and find the ancient relics.

As for the empty title of "Number One Swordsman"?

He scoffed.

As long as you can enter the Sword Domain, what difference does it make whether you're number one or number one hundred? The rewards for higher rankings are just extras in the context of the Ancient Sword Domain.

At this moment, a heated debate erupted inside the hall after the initial polite exchanges.

The cultivators from different sects tore away the polite formalities and their words clashed like swords.

"It's all just pretense and evasion."

Zhao Wuji tapped the table lightly with his fingers, but his gaze swept over the person at the head of the table with great interest.

Elder Wei of the Immortal Saint Sect, with his white eyebrows reaching his shoulders, was resting with his eyes closed.

At the lower end, Fu Yue, the sect leader of Penglai Sword Pavilion, sat upright beside him, dressed in a green robe and wearing a jade crown, yet he did not recognize this 'Tiannan Ancestor' whom he had met once before.

"Old ghost Huang Shang clearly said he had taken control of this pavilion. I didn't expect even the sect leader of Penglai to come? Was he acting on Huang Shang's orders, or did he come on his own?"

A crimson glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes as he observed Fu Yue.

The Immortal Saint Sect is so powerful that it's impossible for them not to know the current situation in Penglai, yet they still tacitly allowed them to attend. This situation is more complex than expected.

"Thirty slots are the only fair way!"

Pan Yun of Baiyu Sword Tower suddenly slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his gray robe billowing as he brandished a chilling sword aura.

Li Canghai, standing beside Zhao Wuji, swept his sleeves and sneered, "Ten people from each sect are enough! Does your White Jade Sword Pavilion only have mediocre people filling the ranks? Do you need so many slots? When will this sword competition even start?"

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became tense, as if swords were drawn and bows were about to be drawn.

Despite their differing opinions, the representatives remained silent, allowing the two sides to clash.

Who doesn't know the formidable reputation of the Eight Great Sword Masters of the Qilin Sword Sect?
Li Canghai's proposal of ten people clearly indicates his intention to stand out from the crowd.

However, the White Jade Sword Tower is also full of talented people, with twelve sword masters and twenty-eight constellations inside. The requirement for thirty people to participate in the sword competition is also advantageous to it.

"Very well! Li Canghai, let's stick to the old rules and see if our Baiyu Sword Tower is just a charlatan."

Pan Yun was so angry that he laughed and suddenly put down his teacup.

The three sword cultivators behind him opened their eyes almost simultaneously, and three bright sword lights burst forth from their eyes, twisting into a spiral in the air. Their sword intent, like a silver dragon roaring to the sky, rushed straight towards them, clearly indicating that they had come prepared.

"Um!?"

Zhao Wuji watched coldly, when suddenly the core of the fifth divine sense deep within his double pupils trembled, and the illusory image of the Heavenly Dao's single eye in his sea of ​​consciousness abruptly opened.

In an instant, his eyes became as deep as the ocean, seemingly reflecting the boundless sky, so profound that they were breathtaking.

The moment the three incoming sword lights touched that gaze, they were as if falling into an endless abyss of sword energy, shattered by countless invisible sword energies, without even causing the slightest ripple.

"Ding!!"

The aftershocks of the sword intent dissipating caused the teacups on the table to tremble slightly, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.

The surrounding disciples of the Immortal Saint Sect all turned their heads in shock, and even Elder Wei, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The sword intent contained in the Qilin's eyes and the fleeting pressure made him feel a slight tremor in his heart.

"What?! Using eyes as swords, they can actually break through the combined attack of three of us?"

Pan Yun's expression changed drastically, and the three disciples behind him were even more shocked and horrified.

Their combined sword intent, which they had been preparing for a long time, was completely shattered by a single glance from the other party!

"Hahaha!"

Li Canghai suddenly burst into hearty laughter, flicked his sleeves, and swept his gaze like lightning towards Pan Yun.

Although he didn't speak, the sarcasm in his expression was palpable.

The three Golden Core cultivators of the prestigious White Jade Sword Pavilion joined forces to launch an attack, but it was easily resolved by a single person from the Qilin Sword Sect. What else could this be but a mere pretender?
"Damn it! How could such a terrifying Heavenly Qilin suddenly appear in the Qilin Sword Sect?"

Pan Yun's face was extremely ugly. Suddenly, the young man in the golden robe sitting next to him raised his eyebrows, and his sword energy was like a dragon soaring into the abyss. His sharp sword intent soared straight into the sky!
"Zheng!!"

Instantly, the sound of swords rang out in the hall. The golden-robed youth's eyes flashed like lightning. With a flick of his finger, an invisible sword aura shot out like a dragon, aiming straight for Zhao Wuji's brow!

"A war of attrition? That's a gross underestimation of the Qilin Sword Sect!"

Xiao Chenzhou, his robes fluttering, suddenly stood up amidst a long laugh.

His eyes narrowed, and crimson sword energy burst forth from them, like a river of blood surging backward, fiercely meeting the attack!
"laugh!"

The two sword energies collided in mid-air, but instead of producing a deafening roar, they were like a gentle breeze, only causing a slight ripple. The sword energies clashed and eventually dissipated into specks of light in the air.

However, everyone present held their breath.

Although the exchange just now was not a full-blown fight, it already demonstrated the ultimate mastery of swordsmanship by both of them.

The sword energy is condensed as fine as silk, the eyes are used as swords, and the sword intent is controlled by the heart. This level is beyond the reach of ordinary Golden Core sword cultivators.

"Bi Chuqiao".

Xiao Chenzhou stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "Back then, our swordsmanship was roughly equal, but now..."

He smiled, and crimson sword energy swirled around him like a serpent. "I have received guidance from Senior Brother Zhao, and my swordsmanship has advanced another step forward."

"Among the younger generation of your White Jade Sword Pavilion, only Zheng Haoyue can suppress me; the rest..."

Xiao Chenzhou glanced at the young man in gold and shook his head with a cold laugh. "He doesn't even have the qualifications to make Senior Brother Kong draw his sword, let alone challenge Senior Brother Zhao?"

"Xiao Chenzhou, with the guidance of this Heavenly Qilin, has improved so much?"

Bi Chuqiao's pupils contracted sharply, and her golden robes fluttered even without wind.

He stared intently at Xiao Chenzhou, then looked warily at the calm Zhao Wuji. The sword energy flickered at his fingertips, but he ultimately did not make another move.

He wasn't sure.

"Hahaha, good!"

Suddenly, a clear sound of jade chimes rang out from the seat of the Tianjing Sect.

An old man wearing a star-studded crown clapped his hands and laughed, "What a magnificent Qilin Devouring Sword! I heard that when young friend Zhao slew the demon king with his sword at Balong Mountain, the Cold Soul Sword split into nine ice rainbows. I wonder how it compares to Kong Jingxian's Seven Swords Dividing Light?"

The hall suddenly became dead silent.

This seemingly casual question was actually meant to force Zhao Wuji to reveal his swordsmanship skills on the spot.

Zhao Wuji smiled calmly and said, "These are just some petty tricks, not worth mentioning."

A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the elder of Tianjing Sect, then he smiled and raised his cup in a toast from afar: "Zhao Jianzi's swordsmanship is profound, I toast you."

Before the words were even finished, the teacup flew through the air, and the water inside quickly froze into ice, with a faint aura of sword energy swirling within.

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly, and he had already seen through the mystery.

If one were to catch this tea with their hands, not only would they be injured by the sword intent within the cup, but they would also trigger the eruption of countless invisible, icy sword energies, making them look utterly foolish.

But he remained calm and composed. With a seemingly slow but actually fast movement, he lightly touched the rim of the cup with his fingertips, using the White Lotus Sword Intent combined with his own sword control technique to catch it with a "flower-picking" motion.

"Ding!"

The moment the teacup touched his hand, the sword energy that was about to erupt from within it suddenly froze, transforming into a crystal-clear ice lotus in his palm, which slowly bloomed.

"I am deeply grateful for the elder's kind invitation."

With a flick of his wrist, Zhao Wuji sent the ice lotus teacup flying back, its speed increasing by a third.

"not good!"

The elder of Tianjing Sect's expression changed drastically. He immediately realized the danger and hurriedly reached out to catch it, but the moment he touched the cup...

"boom!"

The teacup shattered, and the Ice Lotus Sword Qi erupted with a deafening roar!
The elder of the Tianjing Sect had his sleeves billowing and his spiritual power surging. He had to take three steps back to barely manage to neutralize the attack, and a layer of frost even instantly formed on his temples.

The guests present were slightly taken aback by what they saw!

The gazes of everyone at Baiyu Sword Tower were even more fixed.

They clearly recognized that the White Lotus Sword Intent contained in this technique had reached a state of perfection.

Even those who specialize in the "Azure Lotus Sword Manual" cannot comprehend the White Lotus Sword Intent to such an extent.

For a moment, the hall fell into complete silence.

The disciples of the Immortal Saint Sect watching from the corner were filled with admiration, whispering their praises: "Truly deserving of the title of the number one swordsman of the Qilin Sword Sect!"

"This Master Zhao is quite handsome and dashing. I wonder if he has a Daoist partner?"

"What is this junior sister thinking? This is a Golden Core cultivator, a future True Monarch seed. He won't choose his Daoist partner casually. I think junior sister should focus on the person in front of her. It's better to keep the good stuff in the family."

Inside the hall, Elder Wei laughed heartily and smoothed things over, saying, "Gentlemen, I think we've almost finished the part about presenting swords to swordsmen. It's time to get down to business."

During the ensuing discussions, Elder Baiyujianlou's face remained downcast, and he struggled to speak with any authority.

However, the influence of the Qilin Sword Sect has clearly increased significantly.

"Your Highness, well done! Hahaha, look at that old dog Pan's face, it looks worse than if he'd swallowed a fly!"

Second Elder Li Canghai secretly transmitted his voice, his tone full of pleasure.

"The White Jade Sword Tower wanted to test Your Highness's abilities, but they couldn't even bear to send out that brat Zheng Haoyue. I wonder what they're up to. Once we return to the sect, I will definitely recommend you for credit!"

"Know when to stop, as long as the goal is achieved."

Zhao Wuji smiled faintly, noticing the subtle gazes around him, but he didn't care.

Just now, he hadn't even used much of his true skill; he easily dominated the entire scene by relying solely on the fifth core of his divine sense, the 'Dao Eye,' combined with the Eye Sword Technique.

With these methods, those who are testing him cannot fathom his true strength.

Just as he closed his eyes to rest, Elder Wei suddenly transmitted his voice to him. The voice was gentle but contained hidden meaning: "Master Zhao, I heard that you once comprehended Master Zhang's Yin-Yang Sword Intent at the Sword Tomb?"

"Ok?"

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred, and he turned to look at Elder Wei. Seeing that the other man was looking at him with appreciation and nodding in greeting, Zhao Wuji immediately nodded slightly in response.

"Indeed! Elder Wei, what guidance do you have for me?"

His purpose in coming to the Immortal Saint Sect was not only to support the Qilin Sword Sect, but also to take the opportunity to investigate the secrets of the Wudang merger.

Especially the story of Zhang Zhenren's traversing the heavens and severing the Dao, and the ancient mystery of the depletion of spiritual energy.

The fact that this elder from the Wudang lineage had taken the initiative to reach out was a pleasant surprise, giving him a glimpse of an opportunity.

"Master Zhao's swordsmanship is profound, and his talent in swordsmanship is so high that I have never seen anything like it in my life."

Elder Wei's voice transmission was like a gentle breeze, yet it carried a hint of fervor.

"To be honest, I come from the Wudang lineage of the Immortal Saint Sect. Seeing your demeanor, I feel quite close to you. I wonder if you would have some free time after the meeting to enjoy tea and discuss the Dao with me?"

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

This old Taoist
Is this a stroke of good fortune, or is there something else going on?
(End of this chapter)