Immortals of the End Times

Time flies like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it's the last day of the public notice period.

For seven whole days, not a single person dared to challenge Zhao Wuji, the Heavenly Kirin.

The other thirteen prodigies all experienced challenges to varying degrees.

Especially Xiao Chenzhou, who was the weakest of the fourteen, had to deal with a fierce battle almost every day.

If it weren't for the tournament rules explicitly stating that challengers only need to fight once a day, poor Xiao Chenzhou would probably have had to fight more than ten matches in a row, leaving him exhausted.

However, on this very last day, a challenge was delivered to Zhao Wuji's courtyard by the swordsman of the Holy Sword Envoy Lin Dengxian.

Lin Dengxian, the Holy Sword Master of the Immortal Saint Sect, is actually going to challenge Zhao Wuji!

This news struck like a thunderbolt, instantly causing a huge uproar in the White Jade Sword Tower.

Many sword cultivators had been eagerly anticipating a sword duel between these two recognized sword prodigies, but they waited anxiously until the last day of the announcement before it finally happened.

In an instant, all the eagerly awaiting cultivators rushed to Zhao Wuji's courtyard like a tidal wave.

Even the other sword cultivators among the top fourteen put down their affairs and rushed to watch the battle.

Who doesn't know that Lin Dengxian has already comprehended the swordsmanship realm of 'one sword, ten thousand techniques'?

Although his cultivation level is not among the top in the current generation of the Immortal Saint Sect, his swordsmanship is undoubtedly the best.

In previous Kyushu First Sword Cultivator Tournaments, the champion position was mostly won by the genius sword cultivators of the Immortal Saint Sect. This year, with Lin Dengxian present, it should be no exception.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Wuji appeared out of nowhere and stole the glory from the Holy Swordsman.

What's even more astonishing is that the sword control technique this Heavenly Qilin displayed when facing the Demon Lord clearly demonstrated the profound realm of 'one sword, ten thousand techniques'.

Such a peak duel between two peerless sword cultivators is nothing short of a rare opportunity for other sword cultivators.

At this moment, Lin Dengxian, the Holy Sword Master who was challenging them, had not yet appeared, but there was already a great commotion outside Zhao Wuji's courtyard.

Numerous sword cultivators arrived shoulder to shoulder, crowding the area within a radius of several hundred feet, creating a noisy and excited atmosphere.
Inside the room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Zhao Wuji lightly pinched the challenge letter between his two fingers, and his purple-gold sleeves moved without wind.

On the plain white paper, the two characters "Fighting Swords" are like two dragons coiled together, and the ink strokes seem to echo with the whistling of swords.

Each stroke is like a drawn sword, its sharp aura almost piercing through the paper; an ordinary cultivator would feel a stinging pain in their eyes and tears would flow uncontrollably at the mere glance.

"Good sword."

His eyes were like an abyss, and within his double pupils, a galaxy seemed to swirl, easily piercing through the myriad sword intents leaping from the page.

The seemingly sharp and assertive brushstrokes actually conceal a harmonious and serene artistic conception that returns to simplicity.

Like a sharp blade sheathed, concealed yet powerful; or like the calm before a river or sea is overturned.

"Outwardly a sage, inwardly a king, exceptionally outstanding."

With a light tap of his fingertips on the table, before the teacup even rippled, the sword energy vanished without a trace.

"Zheng——!"

Suddenly, the sound of a sword rang out from outside the house, growing louder as it approached.

The sword's cry initially sounded like the fluttering of mosquito wings, only he could hear it, but in an instant it transformed into a dragon's roar that soared to the heavens.

It grew louder and louder, resounding through the sky and audible to the entire audience.

Upon hearing the sword's cry, the many sword cultivators outside the courtyard were filled with awe, their expressions changing as if they had seen a saint among swords. Even the flying swords in their sleeves and at their waists trembled in unison.

The noise outside the courtyard suddenly fell silent.

"One sword, ten thousand techniques!"

The crowd dispersed like a receding tide.

Tianjing Sword Master Xiao Xuan retreated three steps with his sword drawn, the crystal pattern between his brows flickering. He had challenged Lin Dengxian and experienced this level of sword skill firsthand, but was defeated. At this moment, his expression was complex and full of admiration.

Kong Jingxian slowly clenched his fist, his expression solemn.

He had no confidence in defeating Lin Dengxian in a sword fight.

Moreover, Zhao Wuji, who is even stronger than him, has unknowingly widened the gap between him and Zhao Wuji to such an extent.

Suddenly, the clouds parted in the distance, and a figure in white robes rode a sword towards them.

With his handsome features and a clear light flowing through his fluttering robes, he was none other than Lin Dengxian, the Holy Sword Envoy of the Immortal Saint Sect.

"The Holy Sword Master has arrived!"

Among the crowd, many eyes of awe were focused on that figure.

Lin Dengxian landed gracefully, and with a slight flutter of his sleeves, the sword light disappeared.

He stood with his hands behind his back, and his clear voice entered the courtyard: "I am Lin Dengxian of the Immortal Saint Sect, and I have come to pay my respects to Fellow Daoist Zhao, the Heavenly Qilin."

The courtyard gate creaked open.

Zhao Wuji, dressed in a purple-gold robe with a qilin pattern, stepped out.

The four swordsmen outside immediately bowed and greeted, "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Fellow Daoist Lin."

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly. "I have received your challenge, fellow Daoist. In fact, I have been waiting for you for a long time, knowing that you would come to my door!"

Lin Dengxian smiled calmly: "Fellow Daoist Zhao fought against the Demon Lord with great might under the spotlight. I am ashamed to admit that I am no match for him."

However, the competition among sword cultivators focuses on the art of sword control, rather than other combat techniques.

Therefore, I have shamelessly come to your door today, daring to request a duel, and I hope you will generously offer your guidance.

"please."

Zhao Wuji was also very straightforward, stepping aside to let him through the courtyard door.

Once the two entered the courtyard, the four sword attendants closed the gates tightly and stood guard in all four directions.

Although this action could not stop many cultivators from flying around to watch, it clearly indicated that the two were dueling, and others should stay away and not enter.

The cultivators outside immediately began to find the best angle to observe the sword, unwilling to disperse.

Ancient pines sway gently in the courtyard, and the stone table and chessboard still bear the morning dew.

Zhao Wuji swept his sleeve across the stone table: "Fellow Daoist Lin, since we have both comprehended the Myriad Techniques of One Sword, let us exchange our understanding of this realm in this courtyard today."

Every blade of grass and every tree in this courtyard can be a sword.

"That suits me just as well."

Lin Dengxian's eyes flashed with sword intent, and though the ancient flying sword in his sleeve remained undrawn, the pine needles beside him moved without any wind.

A harmonious and flowing Tai Chi Yin-Yang sword intent quietly spread.

As a ray of morning light pierces through the clouds, pine needles suddenly shoot out.

Each strand was wrapped with the flowing energy of Yin and Yang, its trajectory mysterious and unpredictable.

"Ding!"

Zhao Wuji slightly raised his fingertips.

Several black and white chess pieces on the stone table rose into the air, carrying with them the exhilarating intent of the Azure Lotus Sword, like shooting stars chasing the moon.

It precisely intercepted every single pine needle, its trajectory crisscrossing freely.

The piece's momentum remains undiminished.

With a whoosh, the swords transformed into a sword array imbued with the mysteries of the stars, aiming directly at Lin Dengxian's face, the Azure Lotus Sword Intent leaving a trace in the air.

The Azure Lotus Sword Intent was so profound that the disciples of the White Jade Sword Tower outside the courtyard blushed with embarrassment.

He felt that Zhao Wuji was the true disciple of the Sword Tower, while he himself seemed to be an imposter.

"Brother Zhao, this sword is truly exquisite!!"

Lin Dengxian let out a long, exhilarating roar, like a dragon's cry, his eyes burning with even greater fighting spirit.

His swordsmanship was unparalleled among his peers!

Today he has unexpectedly encountered such a formidable opponent!

Far from being afraid, he felt even more joyful.

boom! !

As his robes billowed, the morning dew on the chessboard suddenly condensed, transforming into a translucent ice crystal sword that hovered and swirled in the air, reflecting the vast universe like a mirror.

The ice crystals spun, rotating like a millstone, drawing back the starlight and lotus sword intent carried by the chess pieces, just like the Tai Chi Yin-Yang sword intent!

The sword light reversed, but its sharpness remained.

The two remained completely still, their clothes perfectly in place.

The sword intent, however, had already clashed silently for several rounds within a small space, penetrating ordinary objects such as pine needles, chess pieces, and ice dew.

Although it seemed calm and serene, the courtyard was still.

However, the subtlety of the clash of sword intent, the exquisite control, and the hidden dangers within it have fully demonstrated the sword-wielding prowess of the two top sword cultivators.

The many sword cultivators outside the courtyard wanted to exclaim in surprise, but dared not disturb them. They held their breath, their expressions a mixture of shock and confusion.

Such sword control techniques are beyond the comprehension of ordinary sword cultivators; in fact, many sword cultivators may never understand them in their entire lives.

"it is good!"

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, and the Cold Soul Sword in his sleeve finally transformed into a stream of light and was drawn from its sheath.

The sword's edge was gleaming, and even before its full form was revealed, a powerful, seemingly slow yet swift, white lotus sword intent had already arisen.

In the courtyard, all the withered yellow leaves were stirred by the sword intent.

It stopped falling and instead seemed to stop suspended in mid-air, then silently twisted and deformed.

In an instant, it transformed into hundreds of tiny, crystalline swords, each shimmering with the radiance of white lotuses, hovering densely in mid-air, humming and vibrating, poised to strike.

That "slowness" is the tranquility of hovering and gathering momentum.

"Speed" is a deadly thunderbolt that can erupt at any moment.

"What a seemingly slow but actually swift White Lotus Sword Intent!"

High in the clouds, Wei Le, the master of the White Jade Sword Pavilion, who had arrived at some unknown time, exclaimed in amazement, his eyes filled with admiration and regret as he looked down at Zhao Wuji.

Unfortunately, such an outstanding sword prodigy was not a disciple of his White Jade Sword Pavilion.

Almost simultaneously, in the courtyard, Lin Dengxian's ancient sword, hidden in his sleeve, was drawn from its sheath with a clear, resonant sound.

The sword's cry was clear, melodious, and lingering.

The moment it was drawn, a clump of green bamboo beside the stone table cracked open with a 'crack', its joints bursting open inch by inch!

Each broken bamboo shard burst forth with a clear, sharp, and powerful sword aura, containing the true meaning of the flow of Yin and Yang in Tai Chi.

Like bamboo shoots after a rain, they grow layer by layer, endlessly renewing themselves.

A small sword made of fallen leaves formed from the essence of hundreds of white lotus swords.

And that torrent of broken bamboo shavings, layer upon layer, with the yin and yang sword energy of Tai Chi circulating endlessly.

They collided with a deafening roar in mid-air!
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!"

The dense clanging of metal echoed throughout the courtyard, as if countless invisible swords were fiercely clashing.

Before the broken leaves and bamboo shavings could even hit the ground, they were once again drawn in by the vast sword intent that erupted from the eyes of the two men, a sword intent that had reached the pinnacle of all techniques!
Fallen leaves and broken bamboo rise again!

Re-condense!

In an instant, it transformed into a rain of myriad sword techniques, even more violent, purer, and imbued with the simplest principles of swordsmanship.

The contradictory sword energy, carrying both destruction and rebirth, frantically twisted, collided, and annihilated in mid-air!
Once the sword is drawn, all techniques follow!

"Brother Lin, pay attention! This is the second level of One Sword, Myriad Techniques!"

Zhao Wuji lightly slashed with his sword.

A surge of sword intent rose.

Seemingly casual, a profound and mysterious sword intent suddenly rose from his body, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to stagnate in an instant, as if all laws and principles were floating and rotating within his sword intent. The huge ancient pine tree in the courtyard was pulled by this and suddenly shook violently.

The thick, dragon-like branches seemed to transform into the hilt of a sword reaching for the sky, while countless tree roots, coiled underground, burst forth from the soil with a thunderous roar.

"Boom——!"

It was as if countless sword energies soared into the sky, causing the bluestone paving stones of the entire courtyard to crack inch by inch, and mud to fly everywhere!

"All Laws Return to One Sword!"

The Supreme Elder of the Immortal Saint Sect, who had come to watch the battle, was startled, his eyes beneath his white hair flashing with a sharp light.

Zhao Wuji's swordsmanship has even surpassed his own; the sword technique of unifying all methods into one is a true essence of swordsmanship that even he has not yet comprehended.

"This child is truly a prodigy!"

Beside him, Huang Shang's gaunt face twitched slightly, his black robe fluttered without wind, and in his cloudy old eyes, fear and coldness intertwined.

Even with his thousands of years of experience, Zhao Wuji's swordsmanship talent was something he had only seen a handful of people who could compare to.

At this moment, the cultivators outside the courtyard were even more horrified.

The ancient pine tree transformed into a sword, its roots forming the blade and the earth's veins the sheath. Hundreds of gnarled and resilient roots seemed to have become sword blades, gleaming with a cold metallic light.

Like a torrent of wooden swords that had been gathering strength for a thousand years, it tore through the air, emitting a deafening shriek, and rushed towards Lin Dengxian.

Rumble!

The ground of the entire courtyard was instantly overturned and torn apart, creating a magnificent spectacle!

Lin Dengxian's expression changed drastically. He forcibly suppressed the tremor in his heart, and with a flash of light, he lightly touched the ground with his toes and retreated as swiftly as a flowing cloud.

Whoosh! !

A white ribbon suddenly appeared from his sleeve. It was originally an ordinary silk ribbon for attaching a sword, but now it seemed to come alive, transforming into a nimble and agile white dragon.

Like a soft sword.

It precisely entangled itself around the onrushing torrent of roots!
"Chichichichi——!"

Wherever the ribbon passed, the bark, as tough as refined iron, crumbled and peeled off inch by inch, and wood chips scattered like snowflakes.

However, although the might of this wooden sword was temporarily suppressed, the sword intent it contained had already stirred the air into a hissing sound!

The time is now!
"Om-!"

The Frost Soul Sword has finally revealed its sharpness!

Zhao Wuji activated his sword technique, and the small icy blue sword in his sea of ​​consciousness instantly shone brightly, its blade lightly gliding across the void.

The void seemed unable to contain this extreme sharpness.

Where it was drawn, a deep, dark blue frost mark suddenly condensed and spread out at an incredible speed!
"Crack——!"

When the frost touched the stone table in the courtyard, the hard boulder cracked open as if it were tofu!

But what exploded and flew out was not rubble, but countless solid, incomparably sharp ice crystal sword energies that embody all laws!

Each ice crystal contains the resolute will to sever all laws!
"Well done!"

Lin Dengxian shouted, and the golden energy in his dantian was released violently, making his whole body seem to be plated with a layer of gold, exuding a magnificent spiritual power.

choke! !

The simple and unadorned flying sword broke free from its restraints and sped away like lightning, following the direction of its finger!

The moment the sword danced, it wasn't a myriad of sword shadows, but rather a phantom image of a slowly rotating, yin-yang symbol unfolding behind him.

He used the sword as a guide, and Tai Chi was used to move it!

"rise!"

The ancient sword's blade angled diagonally towards the ground, generating a powerful pulling force!

click!
The boundless, all-encompassing ice crystal sword energy that burst forth from the cracked stone table on the ground was completely absorbed by the power of Tai Chi Yin Yang.

The condensed ice crystals no longer dispersed, but instantly coalesced and shaped in the air, transforming into a huge ice sword over three zhang long, crystal clear, and exuding a chilling aura!
The Tai Chi Ice Sword descended with a thunderous roar!
The tip of the Cold Soul Sword pointed directly at its edge!
"Zheng—!!!!!"

The two swords clashed fiercely from a distance, their sharp tips striking each other!
The expected loud explosion did not occur.

The moment they touched each other, something unexpected happened!
The formidable three-zhang-long Tai Chi ice sword was actually enveloped by Zhao Wuji's sword intent of returning to oneness.

Like the first snow falling under the warm spring sun, it begins to melt and disintegrate silently and irresistibly!
In that instant, the Cold Soul Sword that Zhao Wuji had unleashed seemed to erupt with an indescribable devouring power.

The Cold Soul Sword seemed to transform into a black abyss.

Lin Dengxian's enormous ice sword, composed of the unified ice crystal sword energy of all laws, didn't even have time to unleash the dual mysteries of ice and Tai Chi contained within it.

The moment the sword energy came into contact with the domain of the Frost Soul Sword, its essence was instantly analyzed, dismantled, copied, and assimilated!
The massive size of the ice sword shrank dramatically, and the sword energy that made up the sword body surged into the Cold Soul Sword like rivers flowing into the sea, becoming part of its power.

The profound mysteries of Yin and Yang transformations flowing within the Tai Chi sword intent were instantly understood and integrated into the Cold Soul Sword's own sword system.

The patterns of ice and Tai Chi began to flash in the flow of sword intent within the Cold Soul Sword itself.

It's as if this is its inherent characteristic!
The detached ice crystal fragments did not dissipate; instead, under the guidance of the Cold Soul Sword Intent, they floated and swirled, instantly condensing into miniature yet equally sharp icy sword shadows.

Their aura no longer belonged to Lin Dengxian, but was completely imprinted with Zhao Wuji's "All Laws Return to One" mark.

Thousands upon thousands of miniature, icy sword shadows appeared densely, their tips turning and pointing directly at Lin Dengxian!

"not good!"

Lin Dengxian's expression changed drastically, and the many sword cultivators watching in the courtyard retreated again and again.

They were simply unable to withstand the chilling sword intent erupting from the courtyard, as if the entire courtyard had become an ice crystal sword domain, and even the four sword servants had to retreat from it.

"break!"

Zhao Wuji uttered a single word of truth.

The Frost Soul Sword suddenly unleashed an invincible intent to end things!
The countless miniature sword shadows of the fused and replicated Cold Soul were like soldiers receiving an imperial decree.

It transformed into a dazzling yet dangerous silver frenzy, silently tearing through space.

Wherever he went, the Yin-Yang sword curtain and protective aura that Lin Dengxian had just attempted to construct with the ancient sword...

All of them melted and vanished like thin ice under the scorching sun.

"what!"

Lin Dengxian let out a long roar, and the subsequent streams of Yin-Yang sword energy that he had been trying to unleash to stabilize his position had only flown a few feet away from the sword, and their forms had not yet been fully revealed.

Under the impact of this torrent that destroys all laws, it crumbled and disintegrated inch by inch, completely erasing without even a ripple.

His sword seemed to be facing a void abyss that devoured everything; the birth of the sword light was the destruction!
"No! It's not destruction, it's returning to nothingness, it's unity, all laws returning to one!!"

Lin Dengxian's eyes widened suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, and he disregarded the danger as he forced his way to probe the true essence of that sword intent.

"Boom—!!!!!"

An indescribable, violent sword pressure exploded outwards from the two of them.

The entire courtyard felt like it had fallen into an icy hell, and the ground seemed to be kneaded by an invisible giant hand.

The blue bricks and jade steps are crumbling inch by inch.

Deep, ten-foot-deep ravines of ice crystals tore through the earth like angry dragons turning over.

"Crack!"

The artificial mountain was blasted into dust, and the lotus pond water surged into the sky, only to freeze into grotesque ice pillars in mid-air.

The surrounding light was distorted and distorted, as if even the light of day was frozen by this extreme cold.

The cultivators watching from outside the courtyard were struck dumb, and those with weaker cultivation were even thrown back by the scattered sword energy, their faces turning pale.

However, the fervor inherent in the sword cultivators kept them rooted to the spot, their eyes, filled with shock and burning desire, fixed on the eye of the storm.

There, a peerless sword intent, seemingly capable of freezing a thousand miles, is being nurtured!

"Zheng!!"

Zhao Wuji's sword finger suddenly changed, and the cold light that filled the sky flowed like a hundred rivers into the sea.

Despite possessing such formidable sword intent and energy, he could still control it with ease, once again astonishing many cultivators with his terrifying swordsmanship.

"Om..."

The Cold Soul Sword, like a dragon returning to its sleeve, emitted a low, yet majestic, chime.

Ice crystal powder and water vapor filled the air, blurring the view.

The violent and chaotic sword energy gradually subsided.

Only broken leaves, bamboo shavings, and completely annihilated ice crystal powder fell like a gray snow, beautiful yet chaotic, covering the entire unrecognizable courtyard ruins.

Tianjing Sword Master Xiao Xuan was swept by the aftershocks of the sword energy, his whole body covered in chilling frost, and the ice crystals that had formed on his eyebrows reflected a dazzling cold light, but he was completely unaware of it.

His figure hovered in mid-air, staring intently at the crisscrossing ice crystal ravines on the ground, his eyes trembling with astonishment: "To control the heavens with a sword and unify all laws, to turn grass, trees, bamboo, and stones into swords, this is a realm that ordinary sword cultivators cannot reach!"

His fist clenched tightly, "Will I ever have the chance to reach this level in my lifetime?"

Above, the clouds were suddenly torn open by invisible sword energy.

A white cloud suddenly transformed into the phantom of a three-foot-long green sword.

The ethereal figure of the Sword Master Wentian emerged from the sword shadows, his wide sleeves, adorned with sword patterns, fluttering in the wind.

He lowered his gaze to look down at the courtyard, which had become an ice prison. Even his usually cold eyes showed a ripple of emotion, filled with admiration and a touch of daze.

Even someone as proud as him had to admit that this disciple's swordsmanship talent had surpassed his own and might even rival that of the progenitor, Qilinzi.

Because even he is currently only at the state of oneness of all laws.

But he was extremely passionate about the sword and devoted himself to the way of the sword for over a hundred years before he achieved this.

Zhao Wuji, however, has been cultivating for less than sixty years.

At this moment, in the courtyard where the ice and mist had dissipated, Zhao Wuji and Lin Dengxian stood a few feet apart.

The scattered ice crystal fragments on the ground floated into a ring under the pull of the two people's energy, as if a shattered galaxy was surrounding them.

Zhao Wuji remained calm, his black hair fluttering slightly in the remaining air currents. His sword intent had completely dissipated, leaving only a trace of profound Daoist charm, seemingly encompassing all the myriad techniques of the sword path.

On the other side, Lin Dengxian's robes were tattered like cotton, his body was covered in ice crystals, his arms were covered with hideous sword marks, and blood dripped from his fingertips.

However, his eyes shone like stars, showing no sign of dejection, but rather an unprecedented sense of amazement and solemnity.

"One sword gives rise to myriad techniques, and all techniques return to one sword."

Lin Dengxian shook off the ice crystals around him, wiped the blood from his lips, and despite his weak breath, his voice was still strong and powerful.

He solemnly sheathed his sword and bowed deeply, saying, "Today I have witnessed the true essence of swordsmanship from Brother Zhao, and I will benefit from it for the rest of my life."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly and returned the gesture with his sword: "Fellow Daoist Lin's sword heart is clear, and I, Zhao, have also gained something from it."

"Hahaha!"

A long laugh, as resounding as a great bell, echoed through the sky.

Pang Xixue, the Supreme Elder of the Immortal Saint Sect, descended on a cloud. With her white hair flying and her sleeves fluttering, the pure Nascent Soul power transformed into sweet rain and fell, causing Lin Dengxian's injuries to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Pang Xixue exclaimed "Good!" three times, her eyes gleaming. "Both of you are the pinnacle of swordsmanship in this era, especially you, young friend Zhao. No one can shake your position as the leader!"

After saying that, he spread his sleeves again, and two dazzling beams of light shot out from the sky.

A jade pill the size of a longan, imbued with the aura of creation, and a piece of purple-gold spiritual sand, exhaling innate sharpness, landed steadily in Zhao Wuji's palm.

"Young friend Zhao, these are the Creation Jade Spirit Pill and the Purple Gold Fire Stone Sand, which are rightfully yours!"

"Thank you, Elder Pang!"

Zhao Wuji immediately bowed and accepted the Creation Jade Spirit Pill and the Purple Gold Fire Stone Sand. The moment his fingertips touched the spiritual objects, he suddenly frowned.

With his medical expertise, even through the medicine bottle, he immediately understood the astonishing potency of the elixir upon contact, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"This pill truly deserves the grand prize awarded to the champion. With this pill, my immortal cultivation will surely advance to the late Golden Core stage!"
(End of this chapter)