Immortals of the End Times

Inside the Hall of Affairs.

As Zhao Wuji stepped into the palace, the noisy hall instantly fell silent.

"It is His Highness, the Heavenly Qilin!"

"It seems His Highness has come in person to deliver the mission!"

The disciples inside the hall gasped in surprise and quickly made way for them, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Elder Xu, the steward in the hall, was originally recording the mission with his head down when he noticed something was wrong. He looked up and his expression immediately became serious. He quickly got up to greet him.

"Your Highness!"

Elder Xu of the Affairs Hall smiled broadly: "I just heard the news of the Purple Locust Hall Master's execution, could it be..."

"Elder Xu, your information network is quite impressive."

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly and flicked his sleeve.

Several scales and fangs, gleaming with demonic energy, landed on the table, each exuding the ferocious aura unique to powerful demons.

"One Purple Locust Demon King and seven Condensation Great Demons were taken from them."

He spoke calmly, with a smile on his face.

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples in the hall were in an uproar, their eyes filled with shock.

"As rumored, it was indeed His Highness who slew the Purple Locust Demon King!"

"Seven-headed Great Demon of the Condensed Mind... Your Highness actually swept through the demon's lair single-handedly?"

Elder Xu's expression also became excited as he scanned the area with his divine sense.

The residual demonic power on these keepsakes cannot be faked.

In particular, the fragment of the tree heart covered with purple veins was the very essence of a mid-stage Golden Core demon king.

"Your Highness is truly awe-inspiring! This old man will record your merits immediately."

Elder Xu quickly took out the jade book and respectfully said, "Killing a Golden Core Demon King will earn you one Grade A merit, and seven Nascent Soul Great Demons can be exchanged for one Grade A merit. May I ask what Your Highness wishes to exchange for?"

The other disciples in the hall clicked their tongues in amazement upon hearing this.

Two Class A merits are something an ordinary disciple might not be able to accumulate in a lifetime!

"I would like to exchange for a training qualification in Qilin Sword Valley."

Zhao Wuji smiled calmly.

"Qilin Sword Valley".

Elder Xu was startled. "There are three sword valleys in the sect, and Qilin Sword Valley is the most core and secret one."

According to the sect rules, only sword disciples are allowed to enter Sword Valley.

"Your Highness's status is naturally not an issue; it's just that you need a Class A merit to exchange for a month's worth of cultivation time."

"can."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly and smiled, "I'd like to trouble Elder Xu to exchange another Class B merit for ten days of use of the Sword Cleansing Pool."

Now that his cultivation has improved and the enemies he faces are becoming increasingly powerful, it is time for him to use the rare and precious materials he has collected over the years to reforge the Blood Fiend Needle Sword.

This set of magical flying swords had been with him for many years.

However, the main materials for level four spiritual materials are no longer sufficient; it's time to upgrade them.

Otherwise, the identity of the Tiannan Patriarch will become somewhat embarrassing in the future.

After I finish the formalities...

Zhao Wuji rolled up his sleeves, put away the merit jade token and exchange voucher, turned around and transformed into a sword light, rushing towards the Sword Washing Pool of Flying Rainbow Peak.

As the sword light fell upon the summit of Washing Sword Peak, the gray-robed steward guarding the pool, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them upon hearing the sound.

Upon seeing that it was Zhao Wuji in person, he hurriedly stood up and respectfully bowed, saying, "Greetings, First Sword Master! Your Highness's personal presence is an insult to this old man, please forgive me for failing to greet you properly."

Zhao Wuji smiled and nodded: "Steward, there's no need to be so polite. I wish to requisition the Sword Cleansing Pool for ten days to cleanse my sword. Please activate the formation."

"This?" the deacon exclaimed in surprise, bowing as he said, "According to the rules, registration must be completed half a month in advance."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Wuji flicked his finger, and a sword-shaped token fell into his palm.

"The Affairs Department has given its approval."

The steward immediately bowed even lower: "It was my fault! Your Highness, please come with me!"

He turned around and immediately shouted at the disciples who were sitting cross-legged outside the Sword Washing Pool, trying to comprehend the sword spirit within, "You all leave immediately! The First Sword Master needs to use the pool! Do not disturb him here."

Upon hearing this, the disciple by the pond hastily stopped his practice and immediately bowed.

"No need."

Zhao Wuji raised his hand to stop them, his gaze sweeping over the disciples who hurriedly stood up. He smiled faintly and said, "Sword cultivation should not be done behind closed doors. Since these disciples are trying to comprehend the sword intent, there is no need to drive them away."

Since there was an array blocking the way inside the Sword Washing Pool, he didn't care that these disciples were watching from the outside.

The steward was taken aback for a moment, then smiled broadly and bowed deeply: "Your Highness has a heart as vast as the sea; it is I who am narrow-minded."

Upon hearing this, the disciples' eyes immediately filled with gratitude, and they all bowed solemnly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness!"

Seeing this, the steward quickly led Zhao Wuji to the best spot in the center of the pond.

He then took out three 'Sword Cleansing Stones' that were as clear as ice from his sleeve and respectfully placed them at the bottom of the pool: "These are the essence of a sword's soul that has been refined over a hundred years. They can help Your Highness achieve twice the results with half the effort."

Zhao Wuji glanced at this extra tribute and saw through the trickery.

Clearly, the disciples who were meditating outside the Sword Washing Pool had already bribed this steward, who was trying to curry favor with him to avoid any repercussions. He immediately said indifferently, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Go ahead!"

Wait for the steward to leave.

Zhao Wuji waved his sleeve.

"laugh!"

A stream of crimson light emerged from the sleeve, quickly dispersing on the pool water and transforming into eighteen blood needles that intertwined into a net in mid-air.

The Blood Fiend Needle Sword has been through years of battles, and its surface is covered with fine scratches.

Stimulated by the spiritual energy of the Sword Washing Pool, it emitted an excited and pleasant hum of sword energy.

"go with!"

Zhao Wuji pressed down with his sword finger, and the needle sword immediately sank to the bottom of the pool.

He patted his storage bag, and with a flick of his wrist, two level-four spiritual materials that he had once obtained from the Yang family arrived from thin air.

A piece of pure white "blood marrow crystal" feels like it's flowing with fresh blood when touched.

A section of "Yin-Yang Evil Iron" wrapped in malevolent energy, swirling with intense malevolent energy, was extremely cold and sinister.

"melt!"

He clasped his hands together abruptly, and the Sword Cleansing Pool formation began to operate with a roar. The pool water boiled as if being cooked, and the blood marrow and spiritual crystals transformed into a blood-red liquid that enveloped the main body of the needle sword, while the Yin Yin evil iron disintegrated into thousands of iron wires that moved around repairing the cracks in the sword's body.

"These alone are not enough for the Blood Fiend Needle Sword to complete its transformation into a level-five magic weapon flying sword."

Zhao Wuji's eyes narrowed.

The stored Crimson-Eyed Demon King's claws and the remnants of the Purple Locust Tree heart were simultaneously thrown into the pool.

The former exploded with overwhelming bloodlust, while the latter unleashed a chilling demonic power. The two forces formed a blood-red vortex at the bottom of the pool, completely engulfing the needle sword.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Sword Washing Pool had turned from clear to dark red, and the surface of the water was churning with a chilling, malevolent aura.

Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged by the pool, refining his flying sword while simultaneously processing and comprehending his own swordsmanship and sword intent.

In the void before him, a sword intent, solid as a tangible substance, flowed.

The sword intent of Nirvana is like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The Yin-Yang sword intent transforms into a Tai Chi cycle, and the Azure Lotus and White Lotus sword intent blooms with layers of radiant light.
"All laws return to one." He suddenly opened his eyes and pointed his finger like a sword, piercing the sky.

All the sword intent instantly collapsed into a single point of cold light, which, when it suddenly burst forth, transformed into the cycle of the four seasons.

Spring breezes transform into fine rain, summer thunder condenses into lightning, autumn frost forms the sword of winter, ultimately returning to a primordial sword light that is about to dissipate.

The second stage of One Sword, Myriad Techniques – All Techniques Return to One!

He had already vaguely come into contact with this realm.

"boom!!!"

Suddenly, a ten-foot-long blood wave erupted from the bottom of the pool, and eighteen scarlet streaks of light burst forth from the water.

The main sword is shaped like a phoenix's fiery feathers, with lightning patterns and blood-red energy interwoven between the feather textures.

The seventeen needle-swords flew around like crimson meteors, leaving cracks in the void wherever they passed.

"The level-five magic weapon, Blood Fiend Needle Sword, is complete!"

Zhao Wuji laughed loudly and was about to sheathe his sword.

Suddenly, the Blood Fiend Needle Sword hummed and trembled, releasing a rampaging aura of calamity that corroded the spiritual patterns of the Sword Cleansing Pool's array.

The pool water turned turbid yellow at a visible speed, and the essence of sword intent from past generations was about to be corrupted and destroyed.

"not good!"

Zhao Wuji's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly made a hand seal with his sword fingers.

The eighteen scarlet streaks of light instantly converged like a startled swarm of bees, and the main sword and the needle sword intertwined to form a net, forcibly locking in the surging calamity and evil energy.

"Congeal!"

He drew his fingers like a sword across his brow, revealing a golden vertical pupil through his skin.

The illusory image of the Heavenly Dao with its single eye manifested from the core of the fifth divine thought, its pale golden light cascading down like a waterfall, assimilating and absorbing the filthy and malevolent energy inch by inch.

At the same time, the Blood Shadow Sword within the Niwan Palace hummed and trembled, transforming into a blood-red vortex that swirled in mid-air, greedily devouring the remaining calamities.

Within three breaths, the dark red turbid water in the Sword Washing Pool receded completely.

The newly formed Blood Fiend Needle Sword was reflected on the water's surface.

The main sword, shaped like a phoenix's fiery feathers, trembled slightly, while seventeen crimson needle swords danced around it.

Thunder patterns and bloodlust intertwine among the feather textures, and the clear, melodious sword cry is like a phoenix's cry echoing through the heavens.

With a flick of his sleeve, Zhao Wuji unleashed seventeen crimson streaks of light, like blood-red swallows returning to their nests, which vanished into his sleeve in an instant.

He raised his eyes and looked towards the distant Qilin main peak shrouded in clouds and mist, his gaze seemingly piercing through the layers of clouds and landing on the secluded valley shrouded in sword intent—Qilin Sword Valley.

The most mysterious and core sword valley among the three major sword valleys of the Qilin Sword Sect.

"Now it's time to go in, take a look, and reflect on it."

He was very curious about the sword mark left by the legendary Nascent Soul Daoist Qilinzi, the founder of the Qilin Sword Sect, and what kind of sword intent and insights it contained.

Is there any information about slaying extraterrestrial demons with a sword? Will it also reveal the secrets of the Nine Heavens or the Dao Lord of the Transformation Realm?

Beyond the rivers and mountains, the demonic energy of the Nine Netherworlds surged like a turbulent tide.

The majestic demon palace floats above a bottomless abyss in a rift in the Nine Netherworld.

Eighteen soul-binding chains descended from the cliffs of the eight directions, firmly anchoring the palace between reality and illusion.

The hall was filled with demonic energy and boiling blood. The Bone Demon Lord sat on his throne, surrounded by nine demonic avatars formed by the Nine-Nine Returning Heart Demon, arranged like statues.

Some have blue faces and fangs, while others have three heads and six arms, and each has a scarlet magic crystal embedded between its eyebrows.

"boom!"

Suddenly, a jagged gaping hole appeared in the void, and a mountain-like beastly shadow shattered the void with some unknown sorcery or supernatural power.

The newcomer had a lion's head and dragon horns, and its entire body was covered in black scales. Lava-like crimson gold patterns flowed between each scale, and its whole body exuded a strong demonic aura.

"The Demon Kings?"

Inside the main hall, the nine clones of the Bone Demon Lord simultaneously opened their eyes, eighteen beams of blood-red light piercing the darkness. "You old thing, you actually dared to leave the Ten Thousand Demon Cave and send this dragon-lion clone to my place? Aren't you afraid I'll gladly accept this clone of yours?"

The blood pool beneath the throne suddenly erupted with waves hundreds of feet high, and the nine clones laughed coldly in unison, their demonic voices causing the chains to clang like thunder.

The giant beast with a lion's head and dragon horns remained motionless, its golden eyes reflecting the rain of blood as it coldly spoke.

"Bone Demon, you are nothing more than nine demonic avatars. I have devoured far more demonic bodies than you. I'm not afraid of you devouring me, I'm afraid you won't dare!"

"This lord dares not?" The Bone Demon Lord's laughter exploded like thunder, causing the demonic energy in the bottomless abyss to surge.

Countless demonic figures twisted and roared amidst the sonic waves, as if the netherworld were in turmoil.

The behemoth suddenly lowered its voice, and a ghostly light gleamed between its scales and claws: "I have come here by order of the Nine Netherworlds."

"The Nine Netherworld Demon Lord?!"

The Bone Demon Lord's laughter stopped abruptly.

He could mock the demon kings, but he dared not mock the Nine Netherworld Demon Lord.

As long as he relies on the Nine Nether Portal, he cannot provoke the Nine Nether Demon Lord who guards the Nine Nether Portal.

“Recently, these so-called righteous sword cultivator forces, such as the Qilin Sword Sect, have become too rampant, completely breaking the agreement and tacit understanding we made with the eight major sects back then.”

Sparks flew from the fangs of the demon kings. "My subordinate Zi Huai, your thirteenth demon son, and the Crimson-Eyed Demon King all perished at the hands of the same person! They should not have died!"

"You mean Zhao Wuji, the number one swordsman of the Qilin Sword Sect?!"

The Bone Demon Lord's voice was as deep and cold as the ice of the deepest hell, each word brimming with suppressed rage:

“You’re right… These self-proclaimed righteous hypocrites have long since torn up the old agreements.”

He sneered, his eyes blazing with demonic fire, as if recalling the bloody battle of yesteryear:
"Back then, we joined forces with the Nine Netherworld and forced them to retreat in defeat! If it weren't for that ridiculously strong guy from the Immortal Saint Sect who even defeated the Nine Netherworld Demon Lord, how would they have had the chance to sign that bullshit agreement?"

"Humph!"

The demon kings spoke coldly, their demonic aura surging like raging waves, "According to the Nine Provinces Agreement, at the end of the Dharma era, we will retreat to the provinces beyond the river and shall not set foot in any of the eight provinces."

"But after the spiritual energy revived, there should have been a place for our four states to live! And now?"

He suddenly swung his claw out, unleashing a murderous aura:

"Not only did those sects openly and secretly obstruct us, but the number one swordsman of the Qilin Sword Sect alone slaughtered three of my demon kings, one Golden Core cultivator, and more than ten Nascent Soul demons! This is not competition; it's clearly an attempt to wipe us out!"

Upon hearing this, the Bone Demon Lord was so enraged that he laughed, and the demonic patterns on his body twisted as if they were alive:
"This kid... is indeed too arrogant!"

His nine demonic bodies emitted murderous intent from their eyes. "I have decided to emerge from seclusion and personally set a trap to kill him! Fellow demon kings, it seems you and I... have the same idea?"

The demon kings shook their heads and said in a low voice, "I came here not just to kill a swordsman and vent my anger against the Qilin Sword Sect, but these are just side things."

"Nine Netherworld has issued a decree, informing Dead Bird and the others that during the Nine Provinces Sword Cultivation Tournament, they must wipe out that group of so-called prodigy sword cultivators in one fell swoop! They will compete for the entry sword tokens to the Ancient Sword Domain."

"it is good!"

The demonic flames in Bone Nether Demon Lord's eyes surged, but then suddenly froze. "Wait! Such a large-scale war would only reignite the Great War of the Nine Provinces, wouldn't it? Why is Nine Nether so confident this time?"

"Hehehe, it's not just about having a grasp of things."

The demon kings suddenly lowered their voices, their demonic eyes gleaming with an eerie light, "Have you forgotten? The strange phenomenon that appeared above the Central Plains' energy veins on the day of the spiritual energy revival?"

With a flick of his claws, demonic energy condensed into an illusion: a towering Jianmu tree pierced through the nine heavens, celestial palaces appeared and disappeared in the sea of ​​clouds, surrounded by collapsed ruins and a sword domain.

"That old monster from the Immortal Saint Sect was right in his prediction; this resurgence..."

The voices of the demon kings trembled, whether from fear or excitement, "This is the only change in thousands of years! Even the Nine Netherworlds have sensed the shift in the yin and yang energies of heaven and earth."

Those damned, terrifying beings in the Nine Heavens have been frequently causing trouble in recent years.

A flicker of fear and excitement appeared in its pupils. "A new variable has been born in the world."

(End of this chapter)