Immortals of the End Times

"You dare to show off your mere illusions before me?"

With a furious roar, the Demon Lord swung his scarlet sleeves, sending out several yin-thorn magic weapons wreathed in ghostly flames.

"Boom!"

Amidst the deafening roar of the mountain rocks shattering, fragments of rock rained down.

"Huh?! It's actually a real-life scene?"

The Demon Lord's pupils suddenly contracted.

This was indeed a solid cliff, but there hadn't been any such rocks in front of us just moments before.

He suddenly looked around at the churning mist and let out a sharp roar: "Disperse!"

"Woooo!!"

Countless wronged souls poured out from the Soul-Eating Banner, their cries of ghosts and howls of wolves shaking the surrounding wilderness.

As the cold wind raged, the fog within a hundred-foot radius dissipated, revealing the true landscape.

The ground cracked into ravines under the pressure of the Nascent Soul cultivator, and nearby ancient trees snapped in half one after another.

More than ten miles away, seeing that the Demon Lord had already fallen into the Shifting Scene Trap, Zhao Wuji's fingers flashed with silver light, locking the two figures firmly in the Invisibility Technique.

Although his skill in shifting scenery is still at a level of proficiency, he is not yet capable of moving mountains and rivers.

However, it can instantly transfer itself or its target to a preset scene, switch the battlefield environment, and also change the scenery of a local area, blurring the lines between reality and illusion.

With the help of array formation techniques, it would be difficult for the Demon Lord to avoid being caught in the trap.

Yan Lan held her breath and focused her mind. She saw the Demon Lord's scarlet robe fluttering without wind, as he frantically scanned the surroundings with his divine sense.

She couldn't help but exclaim in a voice transmission, "Junior nephew, your current methods are truly beyond the reach of even Nascent Soul True Monarchs. No wonder you were able to sever the demonic body of the Bone Nether Demon Lord. You truly deserve to be called the number one sword cultivator in the Nine Provinces."

"and"

Yan Lan's beautiful eyes flickered slightly, and she parted her red lips to say, "Junior Nephew, the divine sense you just unleashed was too strong, actually able to resist the soul skill attack of the Demon Lord."

Zhao Wuji remained calm, lightly touching his sleeve with his fingertips, and said, "My spiritual sense may not be as refined as that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

However, its advantage lay in the large number of divine cores it had comprehended, resulting in a sufficiently vast total amount of divine consciousness that could barely withstand the impact of the primordial spirit.

He thought to himself that he had actually devoured quite a few powerful divine souls over the years.

The Golden Core Demon King alone possessed several souls, and it even devoured Yang Xiong's complete Nascent Soul soul.

The Demon Lord's soul skills might be fatal to ordinary cultivators, but to him, they were nothing more than that.

However, a Nascent Soul cultivator is still a Nascent Soul cultivator, and he did not want to confront the other party directly unless absolutely necessary.

After all, it's time-consuming and laborious, and it's easy to expose your hand, so it's really not worth the effort.

"Let's go, he's almost free. Let's head to Mirror Lake Sword Realm!"

Zhao Wuji called out, put his arm around someone, and whispered.

"Senior Uncle, please forgive me!"

Then, he pulled Yan Lan's slender waist into his arms and disappeared into the air like lightning.

Yan Lan lay back in his arms, her slender, jade-like arms naturally encircling his neck. At first, her cheeks flushed slightly, but in an instant, her eyes sparkled, and her red lips parted slightly as she said, "Nephew, your movements of lifting a woman by the waist are quite skillful."

She patted Zhao Wuji's hand. "How is it? Is your waist still supple, Master Uncle? How does it compare to your other Daoist partners?"

Zhao Wuji shook his head with a helpless laugh, knowing that his senior uncle was teasing him again. He said, "Once I'm far away from the range of this demon lord's consciousness, I'll put you down, senior uncle. Please don't tease me anymore, senior uncle."

Upon hearing this, Yan Lan not only did not let go, but pressed her delicate body even closer, almost pressing her magnificent breasts against her chest.

She breathed softly and chuckled, "In the past, when my master teased you, you would retaliate with your golden needles."

Don't think your senior uncle doesn't know your little tricks. Why are you shy now?

Warm and fragrant nephrite in my arms.

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhao Wuji caught sight of those fiery red lips so close to his face, and the enchanting scene of him administering acupuncture to Yan Lan years ago involuntarily surfaced in his mind. He felt a little hot and laughed.

"I was young and ignorant back then and offended my senior brother. Please don't hold it against me."

Yan Lan keenly sensed his change, her heart trembled slightly, and upon hearing his words, she felt a trace of disappointment.

However, she was a reserved person at heart, but whenever she saw this junior disciple, she couldn't help but get close to him and tease him.

At this moment, he couldn't help but wonder to himself, what's wrong with me? Why do I always want to joke around with my junior apprentice like this?
Thinking this, she suddenly fell silent, but she refused to loosen her arms around herself.

Zhao Wuji noticed the change in her mood and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

His hands, which were holding her soft, supple waist and long, slender legs, were already sweating.

This senior master is really a hot potato.

Half an hour later, the two successfully arrived at the edge of the Mirror Lake Sword Realm.

What appeared to be a vast lake was a mirror-like expanse of water, calm and still, yet faintly shimmering with a chilling aura of swordsmanship.

The lakebed is densely covered with all kinds of ancient swords, some rusty, some still sharp, and some with tattered robes and withered bones floating among them.

The lake water was crystal clear, but it was no ordinary water.

Instead, it was sword energy condensed to its extreme from countless sword energies, transforming into thousands of silver rays flowing in the lake, sometimes like fish playing, sometimes like silver snakes dancing wildly.

Zhao Wuji stood in mid-air, his gaze sweeping across Mirror Lake like lightning, a slight smile playing on his lips as he said:
"This lake is seven-tenths similar to the pool in the Sword Valley of my Qilin Sword Sect. It seems that our ancestor built it based on this place... Surely he didn't dig up the lake water from here and bring it back?"

He chuckled softly, set Yan Lan's body down, and the two of them slowly descended.

The lakeside is surrounded by jagged rocks, and not a blade of grass grows there.

Only a few strange grasses, shaped like sword blades, grew tenaciously. Their leaves were like blades, with a bewitching sharpness flowing along their edges, and when they swayed gently, they produced a sound like metal clashing.

Just as the two were about to step into the dead forest.

Zhao Wuji suddenly stopped in his tracks, his gaze flashing like lightning towards a certain spot on the lakeside.

A young cultivator dressed in the attire of Huaihai Sword Island lay face up in a pool of blood, his body covered in sword-shaped water plants.

Each blade of grass pierced his body like a sharp sword, pinning him down like a hedgehog.

The man's eyes were wide open, and his face was frozen in a look of utter horror, clearly indicating that he had suffered an extremely terrifying attack before his death.

"It's Shan Zhihui from Huaihai Sword Island!"

Yan Lan pursed her red lips, a hint of solemnity and shock flashing in her beautiful eyes. "This person was at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, with considerable swordsmanship skills, and ranked just above me, yet he died such a tragic death."

Zhao Wuji's double pupils flickered slightly, and he saw that the sword grass that pierced through the corpse was still trembling slightly.

The blood stained the grass was slowly absorbed, seemingly strengthening the power of the restriction and making its sharpness even greater.

"Strange"

He felt a chill run down his spine; the dangers of the Mirror Lake Sword Realm were likely far greater than he had anticipated.

The nearby grove of dead trees was even more eerie, with each ancient tree twisted like a drawn sword, its branches straight, its bark naturally bearing sword patterns, exuding a chilling aura.

"Be careful!"

"If I can't handle it later, I'll retreat immediately!"

The two exchanged a glance, and Zhao Wuji gave the order. As soon as they approached the woods, strange phenomena began to occur by the lake!

"Shhhhh!"

The sword grass by the lake instantly straightened like a bow, and the tips of the grass blades burst forth with a sword-like light, pointing directly at the two of them.

The withered branches trembled, as if ten thousand swords were drawn from their sheaths and aimed at the two of them.

In an instant, sword energy soared into the sky from the lakeside.

Countless sword intents surged forth like a tide, locking onto the auras of the two, their chilling killing intent like ten thousand swords hanging overhead.

"Ok?"

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and an astonishing sword intent suddenly erupted from his body as he stood with his hands behind his back.

"Buzz!"

The void trembled, and the sword's cry was like a dragon's.

The moment this sword intent appeared, it was like a king holding court, with ten thousand swords bowing their heads.

The moment the sword grass by the lake touched this sword intent, the tiny sword glints bursting from the tips of its leaves were extinguished, and it trembled as if it had encountered a natural enemy.

"Nephew/Master."

Yan Lan's beautiful eyes widened as she saw Zhao Wuji making a sword incantation, his body radiating sword energy like a galaxy hanging upside down.

Each strand contains the supreme truth of "all methods returning to oneness" in "one sword, ten thousand methods".

Wherever the sword intent passed.
"Shh! Shh! Shh!"

Thousands of sword-shaped aquatic plants drooped low along the lake shore, like subjects bowing their heads.

The withered branches trembled violently, then drooped and withered, their sharpness completely gone.

"Let's go, Uncle-Master!"

Zhao Wuji breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that at least his mastery of the "One Sword, Ten Thousand Techniques" realm was impressive enough.

He walked forward with his hands behind his back, his steps unhurried, like an emperor in a sword patrolling his territory.

Yan Lan felt a gentle sword intent lift her up, as if riding a dragon and riding the wind, and safely step into the edge of the Mirror Lake Sword Realm, which even Nascent Soul True Monarchs were wary of.

Zhao Wuji's gaze swept over Shan Zhihui's corpse, then he suddenly raised his hand in a grabbing motion. "Whoosh!"

The ancient sword token and storage bag at the waist of the Huaihai Sword Island disciple immediately flew into his palm.

Without the protection of the sword token, the sword grass around the corpse suddenly surged with sword energy. Countless fine sword energies, like snakes, burrowed into the seven orifices of the corpse, and the flesh and bones began to gradually crystallize, actually transforming into a sword puppet.

"This"

Yan Lan's beautiful eyes trembled slightly, and her red lips parted slightly, "Is this ancient sword domain truly going to slowly transform every sword cultivator who falls here into a sword puppet?"

Zhao Wuji stood calmly with his hands behind his back and said, "This place was originally the dojo of an ancient sword immortal, and it should not have been open to the public. Later, many sword cultivators broke in to explore it, which naturally triggered the backlash of the restrictions."

"If it's not open to the public, why are there so many ancient sword tokens circulating in the world?" Yan Lan asked, frowning.

"this problem."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly. "I once consulted the Sword Lord. It is said that these sword tokens were originally held by the sword servants and attendants under the command of that ancient sword immortal."

He paused, then continued, "Many of these sword servants later became the founders of major sword sects, or their teachers and mentors. That's why the Sword Token was able to be passed down."

"but."

Zhao Wuji toyed with the sword token in his hand, his tone turning cold, "The holder of the token only obtains the qualification to enter the Sword Domain, but may not necessarily gain the recognition of the forbidden area."

Perhaps specific techniques will be needed to truly gain the dojo's recognition.

He paused slightly as his gaze swept over the sword grass by the lake.

"Or, sword servants and sword slaves, after death, they assimilate with the Sword Domain Dojo and become sword puppets. This can also be considered another way to protect this Dojo."

Zhao Wuji sighed, "In the past, there were many sword cultivators who believed that dying in the sword domain and becoming a sword puppet was a worthy death, just like a warrior dying on the battlefield, rather than on a woman's belly."

"so."

Yan Lan pondered, "That's why these cultivators who perished here were devoured by the restrictions and turned into sword puppets?"

"good."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Shan Zhihui's frozen, horrified face, and said.

"However, it seems that this fellow Daoist from the mountain does not wish to die here and become a sword puppet. Since I have taken his sword token and storage bag, this can be considered a karmic connection. Let him die in peace."

With a wave of his hand, he directly put Shan Zhihui's body into his storage bag, intending to return it to Huaihai Sword Island after leaving the Sword Domain.

After doing all this, Zhao Wuji looked at the calm, mirror-like lake in front of him.

"Be careful."

Yan Lan parted her red lips slightly, a hint of solemnity flashing in her beautiful eyes, "It is said that this lake has its own sword realm, which can reflect the inner demons of cultivators, transforming them into sword-wielding phantoms that specifically harm people's minds and consciousness."

If you rashly enter the water, you will be attacked by countless sword spirits in the lake, some of which you will surely fear.

As she spoke, she took out the Zhenhai Stele and activated it by making a hand seal.

But then, the gray mist on the monument surged and quickly outlined a map-like silhouette, pointing directly to the depths of Mirror Lake.

"It really is at the bottom of the lake." Yan Lan's pretty face changed slightly.

If the Nine Cauldrons of Yu the Great are truly hidden deep within the Mirror Lake Sword Realm, retrieving them would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

In the past, sword cultivators who came here would at most comprehend sword intent by the lake. Who would dare to venture into this extremely dangerous Sword Lake?

Zhao Wuji's expression was solemn, his eyes slightly lowered, and he nodded slightly.

It should be understood that above the realm of "One Sword, Myriad Techniques" lies "One Sword, Domain Transformation".

The ultimate form of "one sword transforms into a domain" is "one sword creates a world"!
Now I've stepped into the Mirror Lake Sword Realm.

This is equivalent to facing a peerless swordsman who is two major realms above him in swordsmanship.

With such a disparity, the outcome was predictable.

If he were to face those cultivators of the same realm who had only comprehended sword qi and thunderous sound, I'm afraid they wouldn't even last a single exchange before being defeated.

Therefore, in order to find the Nine Tripods of Yu the Great in such a desperate situation, the only option is to find another way and use other means to deal with the situation.
Meanwhile, throughout the ancient sword domain, numerous tragedies unfolded as demon kings from beyond the rivers hunted down sword cultivators from the sword sect.

"boom!"

In a secluded valley, a golden, ten-zhang-tall demonic roc with wings like blades cut a disciple of the Tianshan Sword Sect in half at the waist.

Its sharp claws tore the storage bag apart, and it swallowed the bloody exploration map whole.

"Useless. Since you don't know the whereabouts of Zhao Wuji, you only deserve to be food."

Thousands of miles away, on Broken Sword Cliff, a cold wind howled and sword energy crisscrossed.

Xiao Chenzhou and Kong Jingxian stood back to back, their sword techniques causing cracks to spread across the sword array's light barrier as they moved, their expressions filled with shock and anger.

Tao Han, the sect leader of the Seven Cultivation Demon Sword Sect, stood in mid-air opposite them.

A dark green robe fluttered in the wind, half of his face was as handsome as a demon, while the other half was covered with blue scales, and a single horn grew from his forehead, exuding a demonic aura.

"Hehehe"

As Tao Han chuckled sinisterly, the bone sword in his hand trembled slightly; the blade was actually pieced together from the spines of seven different demonic beasts.

With each swing, a shrill beastly roar erupted: "You two little brats have some guts, quite tenacious. Hand over the exploration map obediently, and I'll spare your corpses!"

Just as the sword formation was about to collapse
"Zheng!!"

A dazzling sword rainbow, as bright as the sun, cascaded down from the sky like a silver river, instantly forcing Tao Han back a hundred feet.

Amidst the sword light, Pang Xixue, clad in a deep blue robe, strode through the air, her silver hair fluttering, her eyes flashing with a cold light.

"Tao Han!"

Pang Xixue roared, her voice booming like thunder, "You half-human, half-demon wretch, bullying the weak, do you even deserve to be called a sword cultivator? Today, I will act on behalf of Heaven!"

Before he finished speaking, he pointed his sword, and the Heavenly Saint Sword transformed into hundreds of sword energies that suddenly condensed, turning into a rain of swords that swept across the sky.

Each sword aura contained the immense true meaning of the 'Heavenly Saint Sword Seven'.

The sword's momentum was like a mountain collapsing, causing the void to tremble wherever it passed!
"Old man!"

Tao Han grinned ferociously, his bone sword flashing through the air, seven beast souls roaring from its blade, "Today I will taste the flesh and blood of the Supreme Elder of the Immortal Saint Sect!"

Just as their swords were about to collide.
"Elder Pang! I, Wei, have come to lend you a hand!"

A clear, long howl came from the clouds.

Wei Le, the sect leader of Baiyu Sword Tower, arrived on his sword, dressed in white, like a celestial being descending from heaven.

As he made a hand seal, hundreds of white jade sword lights poured down like rain, aiming straight for Tao Han's back.

Seeing this, Pang Xixue's brows relaxed slightly: "Sect Leader Wei's arrival is just in time, let's unite."

"Pfft!"

Before he finished speaking, Wei Le's sword light suddenly changed direction, and the white jade sword rainbow, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, instantly tore through Pang Xixue's protective spiritual shield!
As blood splattered, Pang Xixue staggered backward, her left shoulder pierced.

"Elder Pang!" Xiao Chenzhou and Kong Jingxian both changed color.

"Wei Le! You!!"

Pang Xixue's eyes widened in fury, her silver hair whipping wildly, "Shameless scoundrel!"

"Hahaha!"

Wei Le burst into laughter, his face suddenly filled with murderous intent. "Old scoundrel Pang, do you really think I'm here to help you?"

After saying this, the sword technique changed again, and the white jade sword light transformed into a swimming dragon, aiming straight for Pang Xixue's throat.

"boom!!"

At the critical moment, a dazzling silver light suddenly burst forth from Pang Xixue's body.

A dazzling sword wheel flew out from his dantian, instantly forcing Wei Le back ten feet.

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he roared at Xiao Chenzhou and his companion, "You two, get out of here immediately!! Pass on the message!"

As his silver hair danced in the air, he made a hand seal with his sword fingers, actually using his life essence as a catalyst to summon his natal sword pellet.

The silver light from the exploding sword pellet swept in all directions like a tidal wave, clearing a path for the two to survive.

Amidst this bloodshed and carnage.
"Shh!"

A dazzling sword rainbow, as bright as the sun, pierced the sky, causing the restrictive sword energy to retreat wherever it passed.

The Immortal Saint Sect Master, Cang Yunzi, wore a Daoist robe that fluttered in the wind. His eyes swirled with Yin-Yang sword energy, which condensed into a Tai Chi Dao diagram behind him.

Along the way, the restrictive sword energy dissipated upon contact, as if entering an uninhabited place, heading straight for Sword Immortal Mountain, the core of the Sword Domain.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away at Luojianping, booming sounds echoed.

"Crack!"

Xiao Xuan, the swordsman of the Tianjing Sword Sect, had his right arm severed at the shoulder, and blood spurted out three feet.

He knelt on one knee, his face pale as he stared at the three hideous, demonic figures before him.

"It took too long."

The Nine Nether Demon Lord stood with his hands behind his back in mid-air not far away, his tone indifferent as ice, "We are going to Sword Immortal Mountain, and Cang Yunzi must have already set off."

"Yes! We'll send this kid on his way."

Upon hearing this, the demon kings grinned maliciously, their claws flashing with a chilling light.

Xiao Xuan's pupils shrank sharply. Before he could even crush the life-saving jade talisman, six demonic rays pierced his body like thunder.
(End of this chapter)