Immortals of the End Times

Faced with Yan Lan's worries, Zhao Wuji smiled and reassured her, "Uncle-Master, don't worry. Now that I have mastered the One Sword Transformation Domain technique, and with the combination of array formation and double pupils, I should be able to enter the Mirror Lake Sword Realm without any problems."

Even if we ultimately fail to reach the deepest point and find the Nine Cauldrons of Yu the Great, at least we should be able to escape unscathed. However…

He changed the subject, lightly twirling a strand of hair between his fingers: "To be on the safe side, I'll send my clone ahead to scout ahead."

Before the words were even finished, a strand of hair plucked from between his fingers transformed into a blue rainbow and disappeared into the lake.

Yan Lan's beautiful eyes brightened slightly. She saw that the clone had seven-tenths of the original's charm in every gesture, and even the composure between its brows was exactly the same.

"Nephew, your clone technique is truly wondrous!"

She parted her red lips slightly, unable to hide her admiration, "There are many similar clone techniques in the cultivation world, but ordinary clones are merely in form. Your clone, however, retains even some of the power of the technique and the sword dao realm you have comprehended."

"Although it can be preserved, it actually requires me to use my divine sense to control it. In the end, it is more like a puppet technique."

Zhao Wuji smiled slightly, without revealing too many of the advantages and disadvantages of the clone technique.

There are quite a few clone techniques in the cultivation world.

Even some low-level spells and talismans contain clone techniques like the substitution of one person for another.

However, those who can achieve such profound mystery as the Earthly Fiend Clone Technique are extremely rare.

That's why he would perform it in front of others.

He had used it before, both during the Sword Cultivation Tournament and when he faced off against the Bone Nether Demon Lord. After all, the clone techniques passed down by those major sects were all unique and powerful, and he didn't want to expose his Earthly Fiend Technique.

"Wow!"

As the clone entered the water.

Suddenly, thousands of water jets exploded on the lake's surface.

The clone made a sword incantation and unleashed a sword domain, spreading sword energy around its body like mist, which actually brought all the attacking water swords under its control.

As Zhao Wuji's double pupils shifted, the weakest point of the restriction was clearly revealed. His clone swiftly deployed an array technique, coordinating with the sword domain, and managed to tear a gap in the chilling sword realm.

Ten zhang, fifteen zhang
Finally, after penetrating more than twenty feet, the clone exhausted its spiritual power, and the sword domain collapsed with a roar, being submerged and torn apart by the surging lake water and sword energy.

Although it was only twenty zhang away, it was a world of difference compared to the previous predicament where it was impossible to move an inch.

"It's done."

Zhao Wuji smiled and turned around, extending his hand to Yan Lan: "Uncle-Master, let me take you down for a look."

"Okay!"

Yan Lan smiled gently, her slender fingers lightly touching Zhao Wuji's palm.

Suddenly she stepped forward, her red skirt billowing as her voluptuous body pressed close, and she said with a charming smile, "Master, come closer, lest you be torn to pieces by these myriad sword energies. It would be too unsightly to perish like that."

Zhao Wuji felt the subtle fragrance of orchids waft towards him, and felt a soft touch in his arms. He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head.

This senior master is truly restless for even a moment.

He simply and naturally wrapped his arm around his senior sister's plump, warm, and soft body, and together they dived into the water.

"Wow!"

The waters of Mirror Lake suddenly parted, and countless sword energies attacked like a swarm of silver fish.

Zhao Wuji made a hand seal with his sword fingers, and a misty sword fog instantly rose around his body, transforming into a domain. The ever-changing fog was just like the transformation of countless sword energies and sword techniques, and even formed a sword array, enveloping the two of them.

The incoming sword energy collided with the sword domain, splashing out countless water droplets and mist, making the two figures appear hazy and illusory, like looking at flowers through the mist.

All the sword energy from the lake was subdued and tamed, merging into the sword mist like rivers flowing into the sea.

"Master, sense the direction."

Zhao Wuji gave a deep reminder, his gaze sweeping down to the deep, inky lakebed below.

The depth and breadth of this Mirror Lake are extraordinary. To grope blindly in the dark will only waste energy and be even more dangerous.

"it is good!"

Yan Lan made a hand seal and summoned the Zhenhai Stele. A guiding light appeared on the surging gray mist on the stele's surface.

"Master's nephew."

Her beautiful eyes lit up, and she pointed lightly with her delicate finger: "Over there!"

call! !

The sword domain carried the two of them as they swam down like fish.

Zhao Wuji's sword-like eyebrows were tightly furrowed, and the golden lines in his double pupils flowed like lightning.

As they continued to descend, the surrounding lake water became increasingly frigid and bone-chilling.

Each seemingly ordinary drop of water, under his double pupils, resembled a miniature sword realm, within which countless sword energies danced wildly like silver snakes.

The misty sword domain was violently distorted by the impact of countless sword energies.

Zhao Wuji changed his hand seals in quick succession, fully activating his array formation technique. His double pupils allowed him to see through the flow of the restrictions, and he managed to find several weak points in the vast tide of swords.

"break!"

He pointed his sword like lightning towards the northeast, and the sword domain collapsed and deformed, transforming into a cone-shaped sharp point that pierced into the gap of the restriction.

The surrounding sword energy surged like raging waves crashing against the shore, but under the guidance of the array formation, it split into two streams, actually tearing open a passage of about an inch.

However, he gradually found it difficult to control such a vast amount of sword energy over a long period of time.
"The flow has stopped!!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly made a hand seal.

The flow-cutting technique is like a blade being drawn from its sheath, forcefully severing the surging torrent ahead.

However, the moment the water flow dissipated, his double pupils suddenly contracted.

Countless sword energies condensed within the scattered water droplets, transforming into thousands of fine sword beams under the pull of the restriction. Although their power was halved, they still poured down like a torrential downpour.

"Humph!"

Zhao Wuji's eyes turned cold. Although the pressure had eased, he still dared not be careless.

He flipped his sleeve and made a hand seal again.

Water-restricting technique!
"Wow!!"

As if encountering a natural enemy, the waters from all directions retreated, making way for a passage.

However, the sword energy and sword intent remained unaffected, still penetrating the water barrier and heading straight for his face.

Zhao Wuji frowned.

The sword technique changed.

The sword domain suddenly contracted, catching all the incoming sword energy and slowly grinding and dissolving it like a millstone under the activation of the array technique.

The misty sword domain had shrunk to less than ten feet in diameter, with sharp edges constantly protruding from its surface, indicating that the suppressed sword energy inside was launching a frantic counterattack.

"Truly troublesome!"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Zhao Wuji's forehead, and his double pupils reflected the hundreds of struggling sword lights within the sword domain, each one seemingly about to break free of the domain.

"Master's nephew!"

Yan Lan could see Zhao Wuji's struggle, so she pressed her delicate body even closer to the shrinking sword domain and pointed to a spot in the darkness below where a sliver of light shone through, "There are still about six hundred feet left!"

"It doesn't matter!"

Zhao Wuji gave a low shout and suddenly slapped his storage bag.

"Zheng!!"

An ancient-looking scabbard appeared in response; it was the "Hidden Edge" scabbard obtained from the Seven-Colored Sword Pavilion!
"Buzz!"

The scabbard trembled like a dragon's roar, and the Dao patterns on the scabbard suddenly lit up with a dazzling, cold light.

It opened its sheath as if it were starving and thirsty, and turned into a vortex to frantically devour the surrounding sword energy.

The originally violent sword light, like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea, all disappeared into the sheath. Inside the sheath, it seemed as if thousands of sword shadows were moving and colliding, bursting out with the sound of metal clashing, their power astonishing.

Each time it absorbed a sword aura, the scabbard trembled violently, and the Dao patterns on its surface moved like living things, lighting up inch by inch.

As the rust peeled away, it transformed into a stream of seven colors that flowed across the scabbard, eventually condensing into a dazzling sword-shaped rune that flowed endlessly across the scabbard.

"it is good!"

Taking advantage of this respite, Zhao Wuji quietly opened the space in his sleeve, and pure spiritual energy surged into his meridians like a river overflowing, quickly restoring his magical power.

He made a hand seal with his sword fingers, and a misty sword fog rose up around him, enveloping the two of them like a cascading galaxy.

Yan Lan felt a tightening around her waist, and her whole body was enveloped by the sword light like a willow catkin.

"go!"

A soft shout exploded like a thunderclap.

Wherever the sword mist passed, the attacking sword energy and lake water were either subdued by the sword domain or devoured by the greedy sword sheaths, while the rest retreated under the technique of cutting off the flow of water.

The two of them left a vacuum trail more than ten feet behind them, like a dragon passing through the land.

Pointing directly to the hazy light six hundred feet away
at the same time.

More than three months have passed since sword cultivators from various sects and demons from beyond the river entered the Sword Domain to compete for opportunities.

On this day, the Yang family of Nanchu Prefecture and the Wang family of Beiyun Di Prefecture were simultaneously besieged by several armies of cultivators.

A murderous aura soared into the sky, affecting the cultivation families and numerous markets in the vicinity of the two locations!

On Wangjia Balong Mountain, the teleportation array in the level 5 spiritual vein cultivation room suddenly lit up.

A burly figure draped in a black cloak stepped out of the formation; it was Zhao Wuji's demon tree clone.

Hearing the deafening roar outside, his eyes flickered, and he instantly flew to the mountaintop.

"Wuji, just as you predicted."

Hua Qingshuang approached with her robes fluttering, pointing to the sky-covering spirit boat battle formation outside the mountain-protecting array. Her pretty face was frosty. "The Zhou family and the Hongnong Yang family have joined forces to attack. The two Nascent Soul auras on those spirit boats must be Zhou Wu and Yang Tianci in person!"

The demon tree clone stood with its hands behind its back, its cloak fluttering in the gale.

This demonic tree clone is the primordial spirit condensed from Zhao Wuji's divine consciousness and will; it can be considered Zhao Wuji's second mind, connected to his original consciousness.

Gazing at the billowing dust outside the formation, a cold smile appeared on his lips. "Those two old foxes dragged it out for more than three months before making their move. It was also because I specifically asked Lü Xianghan to oversee the Yang family that those two old foxes thought they had seized the opportunity and assumed the Wang family was vulnerable."

Little did they know, I was waiting for them to walk right into my trap!

Hua Qingshuang frowned, her gaze passing through the protective array to the surging spiritual light outside. She said with a frown, "But Zhou Wu and Yang Tianci are, after all, two Nascent Soul True Monarchs, and they must have brought Xiang Yu's remains with them this time."

"The two of them are attacking together. Even with our mountain-protecting formation and advantageous terrain, we're afraid we'll have a hard time repelling them."

She stroked the jade talisman at her waist with her fingers: "Two months ago, I sent a message to Senior Xinghe, but I have never received a reply."

It's unknown whether he has successfully broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and regained his strength, or even if he is willing to come to our aid!

"It doesn't matter."

The demon tree avatar shook its head slightly, and with a wave of its hand, it caused the spiritual veins of Tyrant Dragon Mountain to roar: "Let's use the great formation to hold them off for a while, until my main body is free to act."

A chilling killing intent suddenly emanated from beneath the black robe: "That will be the time when these two old dogs are both executed!"

"what?"

Hua Qingshuang's usually icy expression showed surprise. "Wasn't your true form in the Ancient Sword Domain? Could it be that you were able to come out ahead of time?"

"Has the Peak Master forgotten?"

The demon tree clone laughed, "My true self is skilled in setting up formations, especially teleportation formations. Entering the Sword Domain requires waiting for the right time, but leaving the Sword Domain does not."

Hua Qingshuang's expression softened slightly, but she still frowned and said, "But your true form has not yet entered the Nascent Soul stage, while Zhou Wu and Yang Tianci are Nascent Soul True Monarchs who have been in the industry for many years. Isn't it too risky for them to take the initiative to attack like this?"

The demon tree clone shook its head and said, "Peak Master, you are overthinking it. My main body has already obtained great opportunities in the Sword Domain, and my combat power has increased significantly."

Moreover, they took the initiative.

He suddenly raised his hand and pressed it on the core of the protective array, transmitting spiritual energy. The protective array of the entire Balong Mountain immediately shone with spiritual light: "With the protection and influence of Xiang Yu's fortune that you, Peak Master, can use Xiang Yu's true head and right arm together with my true self to unleash its maximum power, at least one of Zhou Wu and Yang Tianci must be left behind!"

Hua Qingshuang's heart trembled slightly upon hearing this. She knew Zhao Wuji too well; he would never fight a battle he wasn't sure of winning.

Clearly, from the day he stepped into the Ancient Sword Domain, these deadly traps were already part of Zhao Wuji's plan.

Some plans were discussed with her, while others were kept completely in the dark.

"boom!!"

The protective array suddenly trembled violently, its patterns flickering like a candle in the wind.

Hua Qingshuang immediately made a hand seal and telepathically commanded the entire clan: "Wang family disciples, listen to my command! Quickly form the Big Dipper Spirit Infusion Array!"

"Yes!!"

Hundreds of beams of spiritual energy shot into the sky in an instant.

"Master Hua, why resist so stubbornly?"

Amidst the churning sea of ​​clouds outside the formation, a majestic and icy voice suddenly resounded.

On a massive spirit ship, Zhou Wu's imposing figure appeared.

This Zhou family patriarch, a Nascent Soul True Monarch, wore a purple-gold crown, his temples were gray, and his voice was like the clash of cold iron: "Old ghost Lü from the Lü family, who is allied with your Hua family, is currently a guest at the Yang family, obviously in league with Yang Xiong."

"How could Yang Xiong, with his ambitious nature, possibly abandon his own clan for the sake of the Wang family?"

Before the words were even finished, some of the Wang family members inside the formation turned pale, and the formation flags in their hands almost slipped from their grasp.

Several young members of the tribe trembled with fear, their whispers spreading like a plague.

"Has the Lü family truly betrayed the alliance?"

"If the Yang family doesn't intervene, then we..."

"Noisy!"

Hua Qingshuang gave a clear shout, her icy gaze sweeping across the crowd, instantly silencing the restless throng.

Seeing this, Zhou Wu sneered, exchanged a glance with Yang Tianci beside him, and suddenly raised his palm to press down on the great formation.

The Nascent Soul's oppressive aura swept over like a tidal wave: "I will say it one last time: if the Hua family head is willing to lead the Hua clan and the Wang family to submit, we will not only allow you to continue to lead the Wang family, but also grant your entire clan permission."

Zhou Wu suddenly narrowed his eyes and stared at a certain spot within the formation, "To continue to prosper for thousands of years, all you need is for the Hua family to contribute the fortune and destiny of Xiang Yu to my Zhou family and the Yang family of Hongnong!"

"Hold them off for now!"

On Mount Balong, the demon tree clone spoke calmly, his eyes deep and unfathomable, "After my return, none of them will be able to leave."

Even with the combined strength of his clone and Xiang Yu's remaining body, he was more than capable of defending the royal family.

However, if one were to suppress both Zhou Wu and Yang Tianci, two Nascent Soul cultivators, simultaneously...

Ultimately, only the deity's personal presence can ensure absolute safety!
Hua Qingshuang nodded upon hearing this, her face turning icy cold, her skirt remaining perfectly still in the fierce wind: "This matter is of great importance. Since Patriarch Zhou wishes to discuss the thousand-year agreement..."

She suddenly flipped her palm, coordinating with the great formation to repel the overwhelming pressure, radiating the spiritual power of a perfected Golden Core cultivator, her voice echoing across the land, "Shouldn't we allow my Wang family to finish our clan meeting before discussing this further!"

"Delaying time?" Zhou Wu's eyes, hidden beneath his purple-gold crown, suddenly turned cold, reflecting the ethereal figure within the formation.

"It's nothing more than a cornered beast fighting back."

Yang Tianci stroked his beard and chuckled, the jade pendant at his waist jingling. "The Immortal Martial Sect should have already made its move against the Yang family. This woman will find out soon enough."

He waved his sleeve, "The so-called reinforcements will never arrive."

Seeing that Zhou Wu was still hesitant, Yang Tianci added ominously, "Patriarch Zhou, if we push her too hard, this woman might risk self-destruction. At that time, Xiang Yu's fortune will have shifted to who knows where, wouldn't we have wasted our time? It would be better to push her to despair and let her resist."

This is how to subdue the enemy without fighting!

Zhou Wu frowned upon hearing this, and the lightning that had gathered in his palm to break the formation gradually dissipated.
(End of this chapter)