Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 283, 351: Divine Sword Intent, All Laws Return to One, The Path of No Return (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Zhao Wuji was completely unaware that the Bone Nether Demon Lord and the Demon Kings, two Nascent Soul level demon giants, were secretly plotting to kill him deep within the Nine Netherworlds.

If he knew that he was being targeted by two demon kings at the same time, he would probably be so shocked by this situation that he would burst into laughter.

At this moment, Zhao Wuji was standing in front of the Wentian Cliff deep in the Qilin Sword Valley, observing the sword marks left by the founder of the sect, Qilinzi.

Not far away, in the forest of sword steles, Kong Jingxian stood with his hands behind his back, his blue robe fluttering in the wind.

His gaze was sharp as he looked into the distance at the sword mark that ran across the cliff face.

The sword mark, though weathered by thousands of years, still exudes a suffocating divine sword intent, as if it could cleave the heavens and earth in two.

Zhao Wuji

He murmured to himself, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

The figure standing before the sword mark remained motionless, seemingly having merged with the sword intent.

Kong Jingxian frowned slightly, recalling his own embarrassing moment when he first examined this mark.

The sword intent of the Nascent Soul stage was like a monstrous wave. He could only hold out for two days before suffering a backlash, spitting out blood and retreating in defeat.

Even with my improved swordsmanship, I would never dare to try it again so easily.

"His swordsmanship is indeed superior to mine."

He narrowed his eyes slightly, then shook his head slightly, "But this sword mark was left by our ancestor after all, how can it be easily deciphered?"

He slowly closed his eyes and continued to study the sword tablet in front of him, but his heart was no longer at peace. "I want to see how long you, Zhao Wuji, can last."

Beneath the cliff of Wentian, Zhao Wuji's expression was solemn. Just the sight of the sword marks made his mind tremble violently, as if thousands of sharp swords were pointing directly at his heart, ready to pierce through his soul at any moment.

"Buzz!"

The Yin Pearl trembled violently in his sea of ​​consciousness.

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted sharply, and his swordsmanship proficiency, which had remained unchanged for a long time, began to rise again.

Swordsmanship: Unparalleled (1301/10000)

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the Sword Stele Forest, Kong Jingxian suddenly opened his eyes and stared intently at the figure that had been motionless for three days in front of the Asking Heaven Cliff, his gaze fixed.

"Three days."

He frowned slightly, a hint of disbelief appearing in his eyes. "To be able to comprehend the ancestral sword mark for three days without suffering a backlash?"

Just then, sword energy suddenly went berserk in front of the cliff!

Countless sword lights danced wildly like silver snakes, cutting hundreds of cracks into the rock face.

Kong Jingxian's tense body relaxed slightly, but the shock in her eyes grew even stronger.

Soon, on the fourth day, the fifth day...
The sword energy swirled within the Sword Stele Forest, yet it could not conceal the increasingly solid figure before the cliff face.

Zhao Wuji frowned, his eyes were closed, and countless sword energies surged past his eyes in his mind.

From sword energy as thin as a hair to sword energy with thunderous roar.

Ultimately, all of them returned to that vast, star-like sea of ​​stars—the myriad techniques of the sword.

As his understanding deepened, the oppressive feeling of being pierced by a thousand swords gradually disappeared.

What shocked him even more was that after the sword strike, two more dazzling sword lights pierced through the void.

That was clearly the highest sword realm that even he had never reached, and it was also the supreme sword path that Qilinzi comprehended when he ascended to the Nascent Soul stage.

He tried his best to capture the trajectory of the two sword lights, but the sword energy around him surged and churned uncontrollably, cutting countless fine cracks in the rock wall.

In the forest of sword steles, Kong Jingxian had already been alerted. He stared intently at the figure enveloped in a storm of sword energy in front of the cliff, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

"The sixth day, that's been so long. It seems he has already grasped the realm of 'One Sword, Ten Thousand Techniques'."

Kong Jingxian's expression was complex. The realm of "one sword, ten thousand techniques" was the realm he had been desperately pursuing but could not attain.

"I'm afraid he can already see those two sword lights."

A complex mix of emotions welled up inside him, emotions he couldn't quite put into words.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief that Zhao Wuji had ultimately failed to fully comprehend it, at least the other party had not left him too far behind, far beyond his reach.

He was deeply moved that someone had touched upon the realm he had so desperately sought but could not attain.

"Ah"

He chuckled softly, unsure whether he was mocking the other person's recklessness or his own cowardice.

The muscles beneath the sword robe tensed involuntarily, then he forced himself to slowly relax.

"That's fine too."

He closed his eyes and regulated his breathing, trying to calm the chaotic sword energy. "At least it proves that that realm does exist. I can still catch up!"

"Zheng!"

Just as Zhao Wuji's sword energy was about to spiral out of control, a clear and melodious sword sound suddenly came from the silent pool beside him, accompanied by a faint exclamation of praise.

"It is neither a wind-blown banner nor a heart-shaped object; it is a long and arduous journey from which we cannot find it."

The white clouds leave no trace, yet they drift down to the deepest part of the precipice.
Intentionally or unintentionally, your sword spirit has plummeted like a white cloud off a precipice, pursuing a realm even deeper than the precipice itself. Truly worthy of being a sword genius praised even by the heavens!

Zhao Wuji was suddenly jolted awake from his reverie of sword intent, his back already beaded with cold sweat.

I was so engrossed in the illusion of the sword marks that I almost fell into it and couldn't escape.

At this moment, my mind is clear, and I realize that my spiritual consciousness has been greatly depleted.

He came to his senses, immediately turned around, and solemnly bowed towards the pool of water where sword energy was swirling. As his sleeves fluttered, a clear and melodious sword sound rang out: "Thank you for your timely advice, senior."

After a slight hesitation, Zhao Wuji glanced at the Sword Stele Forest in the distance, and thinking of the rumors that had been circulating in the sect, he tentatively asked, "Senior, could you perhaps be the Qilin Sword Ancestor of our sect?"

The pool water suddenly boiled, and thousands of sword energies, like dragons returning to their nests, all disappeared into an ancient, unsteady sword.

As the sword trembled, a distant voice seemed to come from ancient times: "Indeed, I am the ancestor of the Qilin Sword."

"You're quite an interesting child. After entering the valley, you ignored all the sword steles and went straight for the ancestral sword marks."

The sword light suddenly intensified, as if it were examining the sword, saying, "However, with your mastery of all techniques in this sword strike, you are indeed worthy of it."

"It truly is a sword that encompasses ten thousand techniques!"

Inside the Sword Stele Forest, Kong Jingxian clenched his fist slightly, slowly exhaled, and his sword heart, which had been rippling, returned to calm. Suddenly, he made a hand seal to cast a sound-blocking spell, so as not to eavesdrop on the conversation between the ancestor and Zhao Wuji.

"It really is the Ancestor!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji bowed again, his black hair falling down to conceal the sharp glint in his eyes: "This disciple is dull-witted. Even though I have studied these sword marks for a long time, I have ultimately failed to reach the supreme sword realm of my ancestor."

"Hahaha"

The ancient sword suddenly burst forth with a laugh like a dragon's roar from the heavens, causing the water in the pool to surge back three feet. "Even I, an old man, am stopped at the level of 'One Sword Transformation Domain' when my ancestor was at that level. The fact that you can glimpse the true meaning of these two sword lights has already surpassed thousands of sword cultivators in the Nine Provinces. You are only half a step away from the realm of the Sword Lord of Asking Heaven."

"Half a step away. Does that mean all laws return to oneness?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji's expression became even more respectful, and he bowed deeply once more, saying, "This disciple is foolish. If it weren't for your guidance, senior, I would have almost lost my way in the realm of sword marks."

"May I ask, Master, what are the profound mysteries behind the sword's transformation into a domain and its transformation into a realm?"

The ancient sword trembled slightly in the pool, its sword energy rippling outwards.

The voice of the Qilin Sword Ancestor carried a hint of regret: "One sword transforms into a domain, which means to open up a small world with sword intent, forming a sword domain that is invincible."

"And 'One Sword Transforms the World'... Ha, that truly uses the sword to evolve the origin of the world. Even I, back in my day, only witnessed my patriarch demonstrate it once. After that, I could only glimpse its essence from the sword mark itself."

He paused, his sword light flickering as if scrutinizing Zhao Wuji: "The two sword lights you just saw, the former like a flowing river of stars, is the realm of sword transformation left by our ancestor."

If the latter is the trace of a sword that transformed the world at the beginning of chaos, when heaven and earth were created, then it is the trace of a sword that the ancestor left behind.

The fact that you can sense both simultaneously indicates that you have reached the level of the unity of all things.

Zhao Wuji gazed thoughtfully at the traces left by the rampaging sword energy around him: "When I was comprehending this just now, I vaguely felt that at the end of the unity of all laws, there seemed to be something even more vast..."

"stop!"

The ancient sword suddenly rang out, interrupting, "Don't think too much about it! You haven't even perfected the unity of all laws yet. Trying to force your way into the realm of transformation will only destroy your Dao heart."

Whoosh! !

The sword energy suddenly converged, transforming into a phantom image floating on the water's surface.

It was an elderly man with white hair reaching his shoulders and sharp, sword-like eyes.

"I will follow the teachings of my ancestor."

Zhao Wuji immediately composed himself, pondered for a moment, and tentatively asked, "Disciple has heard that our patriarch once slew a demon from beyond the realm with his sword. I wonder what this 'beyond the realm' refers to? Is it the real outer world?"
Or perhaps a secret realm like the Nine Heavens or the Nine Netherworlds?

"Oh?"

A soft exclamation came from the ancient sword, its sword aura rippling as if scrutinizing the user. "You've only been in the Golden Core Realm for a few years, yet you're already pondering the secrets of the Nine Heavens and the Nine Netherworlds?"

The sword's cry carried a hint of amusement. "However, these two perilous places have claimed countless Nascent Soul Dao Lords throughout history, and are not places a cultivator of your level should even tread."

Zhao Wuji's gaze narrowed slightly, his black hair moving without wind: "This disciple believes that cultivating immortality is the path of seeking truth. Rather than waiting to be trapped in this world when the spiritual energy is exhausted in three hundred years, it is better to actively explore the ultimate principles of heaven and earth."

He slightly raised his head, a sword intent flickering in his eyes, like a dragon raising its head, "What exactly is this world like? This disciple must find out. I humbly request the Ancestor to enlighten me!"

"Ugh"

The ancient sword suddenly let out a long sigh, and the sword energy receded like a tide, instantly transforming into a barrier that blocked the two from communicating. "Your temperament is exactly the same as Wentian's."

The sword trembled slightly, as if recalling the past, "The name Li Wentian is meant to question the Heavenly Dao. His father was my personal disciple, the previous Qilin Sect Master." The sword light dimmed suddenly, "Unfortunately, he ultimately fell in the heavens."

"what?"

Zhao Wuji's pupils shrank suddenly, and the unstoppable sword intent in his eyes abruptly froze. He hadn't expected this turn of events.

The Qilin Sword Ancestor's sword trembled slightly, emitting a deep sword sound: "Anyone who steps into the Nascent Soul realm will gradually come into contact with the deepest secrets of this world."

Everyone knows that the secret to the depletion of spiritual energy lies in the Nine Heavens, while the mystery of the collapse of the Celestial Court is hidden deep within the Nine Netherworlds.

pity"

The sword light flowed with a sigh, a sense of vicissitude permeating the air: "Throughout history, there have been many like you who sought to explore the truth of the world, but in the end..."
Yet no one could break this deadlock; this path was ultimately a path of no return.

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted slightly. Although he had a premonition, he still said unwillingly, "Since we know it's a road of no return, and since the path of cultivation has already ended at the end, why do countless cultivators still rush to cultivate and willingly endure the suffering of the end times?"

"Hahaha"

The ancient sword suddenly burst forth with a desolate laugh, its sword energy surging like a tide. "Some know that this path is cut off, so they forbid their descendants from stepping onto the path of immortality. But what does it matter?"

The sword light vanished abruptly, turning into a soft sigh, "It is human nature to strive for higher goals. Cultivators can decide their own path, but they cannot stop future generations from seeking the Dao."

"As long as there is a distinction between immortals and mortals, as long as social classes exist, there will always be people willing to risk their lives."

The sword's edge trembled slightly, as if in a cold laugh: "Even if you bluntly say the road ahead is blocked, you will still be seen as an obstacle, disregarded even by your own family, let alone..."

The sword's cry suddenly turned long and drawn out, "Cultivating immortality can ultimately prolong life. Even if one cannot overcome the great calamity of the end times, those with exceptional talent can still live hundreds of years longer than ordinary people."

"Throughout history, many forces have concealed the truth about cultivating immortality in order to control resources. However, when spiritual energy recovers, the truth will eventually come out, and a large number of mortals will still embark on the path to immortality."

"The old have turned into piles of bones, while the new still yearn for the path to immortality. This is the cycle of reincarnation. Generation after generation, people embark on this path, and the best among them cultivate to the level of you and me. Then, like you, they will be unwilling to be confined to the world and will eventually embark on that road of no return."

"The Road of No Return"

Zhao Wuji's gaze narrowed slightly, and he asked in a deep voice, "Does the Ancestor have no curiosity about the Nine Heavens? Does he not wish to resolve the calamity of the end times and attain the Great Dao of Freedom? Rather..."

"Are you saying that I, your ancestor, am just waiting to die?"

The ancient sword trembled slightly, emitting a weathered sword cry: "How could I not want to? In fact, I myself repeatedly tried to force my way into the Nine Heavens back then, but alas..."

"The third time, I nearly lost my life and returned severely injured. If not for that, how could I have gained so little in the Ancient Sword Domain and ended up in this predicament?"

It's not that I'm unwilling, but rather...

The sword intent suddenly subsided, turning into a soft sigh, "Even I am powerless to do so."

Even the patriarch felt that he was not up to the task.

Zhao Wuji frowned slightly: "Is there truly no solution to this path?"

"Not necessarily."

The ancient sword suddenly emitted a clear and melodious sword chant, "If you insist on taking this path of no return, perhaps the only way is to find another way."

Unfortunately, by the time I realized it, it was too late; time was running out.

"Find another way?"

A glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

"The ancient sword domain is the path."

The sword rang out like thunder, causing the pool water to surge backward. "It was no accident that our patriarch ultimately disappeared here. Perhaps this is the direction he pointed out."

"Ancient Sword Domain?"

"That used to be the ruins of the Celestial Court's Sword Domain."

The ancient sword shone brightly, reflecting countless sword shadows. "It not only contains the relics of the Celestial Court, but is also rumored to contain information and traces of the seven supreme treasures of heaven and earth!"

"The Seven Great Treasures." Zhao Wuji's heart trembled as he thought of the Nine Yin Nine Yang Pearls in his sea of ​​consciousness.

He suddenly recalled Huang Shang's pursuit of the Nine Cauldrons of Yu the Great and the jade slip containing tree species obtained by Chu Tianyun. All sorts of information flashed through his mind like lightning.

"Indeed, the Seven Great Treasures. You should prepare for the Ancient Sword Domain first. The Nine Heavens are too far away from both of us."

But then the illusory figure raised a hand and pointed, and a jade slip suddenly flew out from the bottom of the pool and landed in his arms.

"These are some insights I have gained about the way of the sword. With your level of understanding, you can also comprehend them. Information about the seven great treasures has also been recorded in them."

The phantom gradually faded away, leaving only the lingering echo: "Go and cultivate diligently."

"Disciple thanks the Ancestor for his guidance."

Zhao Wuji put away the jade slip, bowed deeply, then turned around and gazed intently at the sword mark that stretched across the sky and earth on the cliff face. He thought to himself, "It's not too late to comprehend these two supreme sword marks after I have thoroughly comprehended the realm of the unity of all laws."

For now, his swordsmanship is not yet at a high enough level.

Now, he has been in seclusion in Qilin Sword Valley for six days. He should spend the rest of his time cultivating in the Sword Pool to improve his cultivation.

Sword Pool is the core forbidden area of ​​the Qilin Sword Sect, and the sect's top resource.

The pool water is not ordinary spiritual liquid, but is formed by the fusion of sword energy and spiritual energy left behind by top sword cultivators of all generations, transforming into a vast ocean of shimmering silver sword intent.

A moment later, Zhao Wuji's sword light pierced through the air and landed on the edge of the sword pool in an instant.

The surface of the pool shimmered with silver light, and sharp sword beams occasionally burst forth from the water, tracing dazzling paths through the air before falling back into the pool.

The countless sword spirit crystals settled at the bottom of the pool shone brightly, like a reflection of a galaxy, making the entire sword pool appear dreamlike.

Ordinary cultivators, let alone enter the pool to cultivate, would be cut and wounded all over their bodies by the scattered sword energy if they even approached within three zhang of the pool's edge.

"What a magnificent sword pool!"

Zhao Wuji let out a long laugh, and sword energy rose around him like a dragon.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering even without wind, and stepped into the pool without flinching or dodging the overwhelming sword energy.

The moment they stepped into the sword pool, thousands of sword energies pounced on them like hungry wolves.

He remained calm and composed, his eyes blazing with sword intent, and the realm of "one sword, ten thousand techniques" unfolded with a thunderous roar.

In an instant, the originally violent sword energy seemed to submit to the king of swords, flowing like rivers into the sea, transforming into streaks of silver snakes that snaked around and burrowed into his body through his pores, surging endlessly through his meridians.

Twenty-odd days passed in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Wuji suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils seemingly reflecting the interplay of Yin and Yang. Inside his Niwan Palace, the Yin-Yang Pearl's cultivation level had risen to [Mid-stage Golden Core (24811/60000)].

His martial arts cultivation level has further improved to [52233/60000].

Within the dantian, the inner golden elixir had condensed into a round and heavy shape, a sign of a stable foundation in the middle stage of the golden elixir realm.

"If I were to refine the Purple Locust Demon Core into the Nine-Turn Yin-Yang Pill..."

A glint of light flashed in his eyes, "After taking it, breaking through to the late stage of the Golden Core True Form Realm will be a natural outcome."

Zhao Wuji stood up and flew out of the sword pool.

Looking towards the direction of the Sword Stele Forest not far away, I found that Kong Jingxian was no longer there, obviously it was time for the training in Sword Valley.

He immediately turned around, faced the direction of the Sword Valley pool, and solemnly bowed to take his leave.

As the pool water rippled slightly, the voice of the Qilin Sword Ancestor, like the ringing of a sword, echoed: "Go. Remember, before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, do not question the Nine Heavens!"

The sword intent suddenly turned serious. "The Nine Provinces Sword Cultivation Tournament will be held in three months. You should focus on preparing for the trip to the Ancient Sword Domain."

"Before reaching the Divine Transformation stage, do not inquire about the Nine Heavens."

Zhao Wuji was shocked. These eight characters were exactly the same as the admonition given by the Supreme Elder of the Immortal Saint Sect back then.

He bowed deeply again, his black hair falling down to conceal the sharp glint in his eyes: "This disciple will remember."

After saying this, Zhao Wuji turned and left, his robes fluttering as he left behind a clear, melodious sword sound, before disappearing in a flash of sword light.

As Zhao Wuji's figure completely disappeared outside the Sword Valley's restrictions, a faint sword intent suddenly flowed in the void.

The voice of the Sword Sovereign of Heaven came from the invisible sword domain: "Ancestor, what do you think of this boy?"

"Hey"

The ancient sword trembled slightly, and the sigh of the Qilin Sword Ancestor was like an autumn leaf falling into a pool: "Although this child's talent is unparalleled in this era, no less than yours, he is just as stubborn as you were back then."

The sword light flickered, “Wentian, we both know that path is blocked.”

The Qilin Sword Sect needs to proceed cautiously and steadily. Surrounded by demons and monsters, we bear the responsibility for the survival of countless disciples, vassal forces, and even ordinary people.

Suddenly, a three-foot-long sword wave erupted from the pool, transforming into the figure of the Qilin Sword Ancestor: "Although Kong Jingxian is slightly inferior, he is still a sword genius that is only seen once every five hundred years."

The old man sighed, "Since Heaven gave birth to Zhou Yu, why did it also give birth to Zhuge Liang? But only he can lead the Sword Sect further."

As for Zhao Wuji

The old man waved his sleeve, producing a clear and melodious sword sound, "If he wants to ride the waves, then let him go all out!"

Zhao Wuji transformed into a sword rainbow and streaked out of Qilin Sword Valley, his divine sense sinking into the sea of ​​consciousness.

Golden patterns flowed across the surface of the Yin-Yang Beads, revealing a profound level of swordsmanship:

"Reaching the Pinnacle (5112/10000)"

His eyes flashed with sword intent like sparks, and as he formed a sword incantation, hundreds of sword energies burst forth from his fingertips, only to converge into one in an instant.

"This improvement is indeed significant. I have entered the second stage of 'One Sword, Myriad Techniques, One Unity,' where a single sword strike can evolve into countless techniques. The journey to the Ancient Sword Domain may yield tremendous gains and uncover even more secrets."

(End of this chapter)