Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 319, Part 405: The Heavenly Net of Jianmu, the waxing and waning of the moon (Bonus chapter for monthly votes: 9797)

A sword light as cold as the moon suddenly dissipated, turning into a shower of silver light that cascaded down like a waterfall.

"Ugh!"

The Palace Master of Illusion Moon let out a muffled groan, her snow-white wide sleeves stained with blood, and she staggered backward.

She endured the excruciating pain, her jade fingers forming a hand seal, and the dissipated sword light darted about like silver snakes, fleeing wildly in all directions.

Zhao Wuji's eyes were cold, and he lightly traced a sword finger in his sleeve.

"Zheng!"

The Soul-Splitting Frost Sword transformed into an icy blue sword rainbow that shot out of the sky, sweeping across the heavens like a polar cold wave.

Wherever it passed, the silver sword light froze inch by inch, then shattered with a 'crack', turning into countless ice crystals that fell like rain.

Just as the sword rainbow was about to extinguish the main sword light.

"Wait a minute!"

The Palace Master of Illusion Moon shouted and suddenly flung something out of her sleeve.

The object was entirely withered and yellow with a hint of green. As soon as it appeared, it caused the surrounding spiritual energy to surge wildly back. It was a tree seed!
"A demon tree seed?!"

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted sharply, his fingers formed a hand seal, and he pulled back abruptly.

"laugh!"

The icy blue sword rainbow was abruptly deflected three inches, grazing the edge of the seed.

The violent aftershocks of the sword energy plowed a trench more than ten feet deep into the ground, but ultimately did not harm the seed in the slightest.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, the Palace Mistress of Illusionary Moon vanished like smoke, leaving only a cold snort echoing: "This item is given to you, but I will remember what you have bestowed upon me today."

"My lord! Why don't we give chase?"

The Demon Roc Sect Master was so anxious that his golden eyes blazed with fury. Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a chill run through his body.

"Are you teaching me what to do?"

Zhao Wuji glanced at him sideways.

The Demon Roc Sect Master's feathers immediately bristled, and he hurriedly lowered his body, saying, "I dare not! I would never dare!"

The remaining sword energy surged within the Sword Tomb. Zhao Wuji turned around with a flick of his sleeve and said calmly, "My purpose in coming here is only to explore the mysteries of this Sword Tomb, not to fight and kill."

"but."

His eyes flashed as he looked at the Demon Roc Sect Master: "She has been struck by my Soul-Splitting Sword Intent and should be severely injured by now. If you have any old grudges against her, go and settle them yourself."

"Subordinates take orders!"

The Demon Roc Sect Master's eyes flashed with ferocity, and his wings spread out angrily, quickly transforming into a golden rainbow that pierced the sky.

Although he had no deep-seated hatred for Huan Yue, she was, after all, the former lover of the Nine Nether Demon Lord. If the Nine Nether Demon Lord knew of his betrayal...
Thinking of that terrifying and powerful demonic figure, Yao Peng broke out in a cold sweat.

Although the Lord is strong, he is ultimately not a Nascent Soul cultivator. How can he possibly defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator like the Nine Nether Demon Lord?
"Phantom Moon is severely injured; we must eliminate her completely!"

With a long cry, the demon roc shattered the flowing clouds and increased its speed by three times, relentlessly pursuing the place where the moonlight had dissipated.

His speed of escape is renowned throughout the Nine Provinces. For the Palace Master of Illusion Moon to escape his pursuit is as difficult as ascending to heaven!
Zhao Wuji watched the demon roc transform into a golden rainbow and disappear into the distance. His gaze narrowed slightly, and he turned to stare at the tree seed in his palm that was radiating a vibrant life force.

As you rub your fingertips together, you can clearly feel the surging wood-elemental spiritual energy within, an aura that shares the same origin as the demon tree clone, pulsating like the tides.

With a slight thought, the branches of the demon tree clone within the First Pot Heaven swayed.

A dark gold vine snaked out from the sleeve, coiling around the tree seedlings like a serpent.

With a soft "hiss," the tree seed was swallowed whole by the thorny petals of the Seven Emotions Demon Flower at the end of the vine.

"boom!!"

A sudden storm of spiritual energy swept through the space of the Pot Heaven.

The main trunk of the demon tree clone trembled violently, its dark gold patterns surging like lava, and thousands of leaves simultaneously bursting forth with dazzling blue light.

New branches sprout from the bark of the tree trunk, the bark gleaming with a jade-like luster, and sap flowing like jade can be faintly seen within.

The most amazing part is the central part of the trunk.

The tree heart, which had been dormant for many years, was now throbbing vigorously, causing many of the vines clinging to it to sway and completely refine and absorb the tree seed.

Zhao Wuji felt a sudden shock in his mind.

In a daze, it seemed as if a gigantic tree, reaching to the heavens and the earth, rose up from the ground.

Its crown is like a canopy that blocks out the sun and reaches straight to the heavens, while its roots are like dragons and pythons that plunge into the netherworld.

The unique primordial aura of the Jianmu tree, like waves crashing against the shore, caused his primordial spirit and golden body to tremble slightly.

"Is it truly a remnant of the Jianmu tree?"

As the illusion dissipated, Zhao Wuji's pupils suddenly contracted.

At this moment, the demon tree clone seemed to have undergone a complete transformation. Its main trunk was as smooth as jade carving, and each leaf was imprinted with natural Dao patterns.

The tree's essence continued to circulate within him, surging like mercury syrup, constantly strengthening the life force of the demon tree clone.

Zhao Wuji could clearly sense that this transformation was not yet over, but was becoming increasingly intense.

"A single tree seed can actually enhance the life essence of the demon tree's clone."

His eyes flickered slightly. "It seems to have awakened some kind of hidden talent or supernatural power? However, it also seems to be somewhat lacking."

As his double pupils, tinged with blood moon light, pierced through the deep blue pool water, he clearly saw three verdant tree species at the bottom of the pool, slowly rising and falling with the undercurrent.

Each one exudes the same ancient charm as before.

"If it were to devour these three demon tree seeds as well..."

With a thought, Zhao Wuji's demon tree clone immediately extended several dark gold vines, which burrowed into the depths of the sword pool like serpents.

Dark gold patterns appeared on the surface of the vines, resisting the erosion of the sharp sword energy in the pool.

"Crash!!"

As the pool water churned, three lush green tree species were entangled by their branches.

In an instant, the sword energy surged, slashing at the branches like a silver snake dancing wildly, but was deflected by the dark gold patterns the moment it touched them, scattering dazzling sparks.

"town!"

Zhao Wuji made a hand seal with his sword fingers, and a chilling sword domain suddenly unfolded around his body.

Countless sword energies, like subjects paying homage, formed an absolute domain within three zhang around him.

The previously raging sword energy in the pool immediately became as docile as a lamb, no longer daring to act recklessly.

"This Moonlit Sword Cleansing Pool can be used to refine flying swords, so it should not be wasted."

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred slightly.

"go with!"

With a flick of his sleeve, four sword lights shot out in succession.

The Soul-Splitting Frost Sword emitted an icy blue light.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword exhaled chilling sword energy.

The Blood Fiend Needle Sword glowed with a scarlet blood-red light.

The True Martial Broken Sword exudes an ancient and simple sword intent.

The moment the four swords entered the pool, the water boiled as if being cooked, and streaks of sword energy wrapped around the swords like silver threads, beginning to refine and temper them.

Within the first Heavenly Realm, the Demon Tree clone was rapidly refining and absorbing other tree species.

Eight days passed in the blink of an eye.

"Zheng!!"

The clear, melodious sound of swords echoed throughout the sword pool.

Four swords burst forth from the water, their blades shimmering with light.

The Soul-Splitting Sword gleamed even brighter, and ice crystal patterns appeared on its spine.

The Cold Soul Sword's sword energy has solidified, reaching the peak of level five.

The blood-red needles and swords were blindingly bright, their malevolent aura almost tangible.

Although the Zhenwu Broken Sword has not been repaired, the gap still exudes a profound sword aura.

At this very moment, within the First Heavenly Chamber, the main trunk of the demon tree clone swelled three times in size like a towering pillar, and dark gold patterns appeared on its surface, each pattern seemingly flowing with golden blood.

The edges of the newly sprouted leaves gleamed with a jade-like luster, and emerald-like spiritual liquid flowed through the veins. The branches were even harder than a level six magic weapon.

The three tree species completely merged into the heart of the tree, transforming into three streams of blue water that surged endlessly within the trunk.

With each rotation, the demon tree clone's spiritual power surged, causing its cultivation level to approach the late Nascent Soul stage.

Sudden.

"boom!"

Zhao Wuji's mind trembled violently, and a magnificent scene appeared as if the world had been created:

It was a towering Jianmu tree that rose from the ground, its crown like a canopy that blocked out the sun.

Just as the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, and all things were annihilated, countless branches and vines suddenly intertwined, transforming into thousands of gnarled giant arms, crouching down like a mother embracing her infant, completely isolating the world-ending calamity from the outside.

That protective gesture was like divine mercy, creating a haven of peace amidst the torrent of destruction.

"Jianmu Tianluo!"

The true name of the supernatural power resounded like a thunderclap.

This defensive supernatural talent was already imprinted in the essence of the demon tree clone, shaking Zhao Wuji's mind.
"Lord!"

At this moment, the Demon Roc Sect Master had already returned, and was waiting quietly with his head bowed outside the Sword Tomb.

Zhao Wuji came to his senses and scanned the area with his divine sense. He noticed several deep sword marks on the wings of the Demon Roc Sect Master, the dark gold blood of which had not yet dried. He frowned slightly.

"Lord!"

The Demon Roc Sect Master lowered his head, a hint of shame flashing in his golden eyes. "Your subordinate has destroyed the physical body of the Illusion Moon Palace Master, but... her nascent soul still escaped."

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly. "Where did you escape to?"

"Sword Immortal Mountain!" Sect Master Yaopeng gritted his teeth and said, "She must have gone to find the Nine Nether Demon Lord!"

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, without being harsh.

In a battle between Nascent Soul cultivators, unless there is a significant disparity in strength, it is extremely difficult to completely annihilate the opponent. Nascent Soul cultivators possess incredible speed, and if they self-destruct their Nascent Soul upon near death, even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators would have to retreat.

Even if an ordinary cultivator has the upper hand, they may not be able to completely capture a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Once the Nascent Soul escapes, the consequences will be dire.

Except him, of course.

Even if he wasn't a Nascent Soul True Monarch, but only a cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core stage.

However, he is proficient in all kinds of earthly evil techniques that can track and lock souls, making it difficult for enemies to self-destruct their nascent souls in front of him, let alone escape.

"It's alright," Zhao Wuji said calmly. "You've done your best."

Upon hearing this, the Demon Roc Sect Master felt somewhat relieved.

"Let them protect the Dharma from the outside."

He casually gave an order, then turned his gaze to the depths of the sword tomb.

"Yes!"

The Demon Roc Sect Master immediately flapped his wings and soared above the Sword Tomb, his golden eyes flashing like lightning as he watched all directions.

Zhao Wuji glanced at the dim sword pool, flicked his sleeve, and his figure flashed, transforming into a stream of light that plunged into the seventh level below the sword mound.

He continued downwards, venturing deep into the seventh level of the Sword Tomb.

With each level you descend, the dangers within the Sword Tomb become increasingly terrifying.

The second layer of Illusory Moon Sword Mist is like gauze or a curtain, capable of eroding divine consciousness and bewitching the mind. If one is not careful, one will fall into the illusion and find it difficult to extricate oneself.

The third layer is a storm of sword energy, with countless broken swords transforming into a torrent of sword energy that sweeps in like a raging sea, annihilating all intruders.

From the fourth to the seventh level, the remnant souls of ancient sword cultivators, dormant in the air, cling to broken swords and transform into sword puppets.

Each one possesses combat power at the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul level. They are transformed from cultivators who perished in the ancient Sword Domain, controlled by restrictions and reduced to a part of themselves, making them nearly immortal.

Only by completely destroying its core sword intent can it be killed.

However, these dangers are nothing compared to Zhao Wuji's current strength.

As the illusory moon sword mist swept in, he lightly traced a line with his sword finger.

With a single sword strike, a domain unfolded, and the sword mist, like snow meeting the blazing sun, instantly melted away.

A storm of sword energy raged, but he stood with his hands behind his back, his sword intent like that of a king descending, causing all swords to submit, and the storm itself to dissipate, daring not to approach him.

As for those sword puppets, they didn't even have the courage to draw their swords.

Under the awe of his sword domain and sword intent, they all lowered their swords, like subjects paying homage to their king, daring not to act rashly.

Even if you encounter a few daring ones, they will not escape the crushing force of a series of earthly evil arts such as exorcising spirits, chasing souls, and capturing spirits.

In this way, Zhao Wuji made rapid progress and arrived at the eighth floor.

The sword intent here is as solid as a substance, and the void twists and turns like folded silk.

Every breath of air contained a sharp sword intent; an ordinary Golden Core cultivator would likely be instantly torn to pieces upon reaching this place.

"kill!!"

A deafening sword cry, brimming with boundless killing intent, exploded forth!

Suddenly, a silver-white sword puppet burst out of the wall.

Its entire body is like a sculpture of ice, and wherever the sword's edge passes, the surrounding walls are cut with fine cracks.

This was none other than a sword puppet transformed from a Nascent Soul sword cultivator who had perished. In his lifetime, his swordsmanship had reached the level of "one sword can break through all laws".

"Get out!"

Zhao Wuji let out a cold shout, like a decree from the heavens, his voice shaking the nine heavens.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword shot out in response, its sword light sweeping across the sky like a polar ice wave. Wherever it passed, the air froze inch by inch, condensing into countless ice crystals that fell in a flurry.

Before the sword even arrived, the biting cold had already covered the sword puppet's silver-white body with a layer of frost.

"kill!!"

The sword puppet let out a sharp cry, and its silver-white sword suddenly split into countless forms. Each sword shadow was as solid as a tangible object, outlining a vast 'galaxy sword map' in the void.

As the sword diagram unfolded, starlight swirled, and countless sword energies poured forth like a galaxy, each strand containing a sharp killing intent capable of tearing apart a Golden Core cultivator!
"Dang! Dang! Dang!"

The sound of metal clashing resounded through the sky.

The Cold Soul Sword Light clashed fiercely with the Milky Way Sword Diagram, and the sparks that flew out were like a torrential rain. Every spark that landed created a crater several feet deep.

Zhao Wuji pointed his sword repeatedly.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword suddenly split into nine, forming the 'Sword Questioning the Nine Heavens' sword formation of the Heavenly Questioning Sword Technique.

Upon seeing this, the sword puppet's silver-white body suddenly became transparent.

It merged with the boundless sword energy, transforming into a 'silver waterfall of swords' that cascaded down across the heavens and earth!

The sword waterfall was like a celestial river flowing backwards, each drop of water a sharp sword aura, overwhelming and unavoidable!
"Soul Capture!"

Suddenly, Zhao Wuji's eyes blazed with golden light, like the sun rising in the sky.

With a hand seal, golden chains burst forth, forcefully tearing the sword soul of the sword puppet's true form from the sword waterfall.

"Exorcise the spirits!"

The second golden pattern descended like a net, instantly slowing the sword puppet's movements as if it were trapped in quagmire.

"cut!"

The Frostfire Sword seized this fleeting opening and slashed down with immense force!

"Crack!!"

The silver-white sword puppet disintegrated instantly, and countless sword beams fell like stars.

In the instant it vanished, the void suddenly rippled like water.

Like the bright moon rising over the sea.

A bright, clear moon rose from the void, its cool light spilling like mercury onto the ground, illuminating the entire Sword Tomb.

That was a sword intent that was as solid as a physical object!

The sword intent was like a full moon hanging in the sky, crystal clear, with fine silver patterns flowing on its surface, each pattern seemingly containing the supreme principles of swordsmanship.

Where the moonlight shines, even the raging sword energy submits, swirling and circling around it as if on a pilgrimage.

"This is."

Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly, and he reached out and grabbed the sword intent into his palm.

As the sword intent entered his body, he immediately felt a vast and profound understanding of swordsmanship surging into his consciousness.

In a daze, he seemed to see a white-robed swordsman standing under the moon, his long sword waving lightly, the sword light pouring down like moonlight.

The sword move appeared gentle and soft, yet it struck the mountain the instant it touched it.

"laugh!"

The towering peak split open silently, its cross-section as smooth as a mirror!
"The Crescent Moon Sword Intent. The sword intent of the Crescent Moon Sword Immortal, the eldest disciple of the ancient white-robed sword immortal!"

Zhao Wuji was shaken.

This sword mound was built by the Crescent Moon Sword Immortal for the ancient White-Clad Sword Immortal.

The sword intent it contains is naturally of the same origin as the sword intent of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, but it is also different.

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass possesses a fierce and domineering sword intent, like a celestial sword cutting through the sky, yet it can be both hard and soft, tenacious and resilient, endless and indestructible.

The Crescent Moon Sword Intent, on the other hand, is gentle and restrained, like moonlight pouring down, nourishing things silently, yet concealing deadly intent, capable of taking lives without a sound.

Both sword intents have their own merits.

But the Crescent Moon Sword Intent is more like the gentler side of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.

"The crescent moon, the crescent moon has its phases of waxing and waning, this sword intent is unique in that it is crescent, but never complete, no wonder it is named the Crescent Moon."

If it is perfected, it should be close to the sword intent of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass.”

Zhao Wuji pondered carefully and felt that his swordsmanship had improved by leaps and bounds.

Inside the Yin Pearl, his swordsmanship proficiency skyrocketed, and his understanding of "One Sword Transforms into a Domain" reached a new level.

"With the help of this sword intent, my swordsmanship can take another step forward!"

His eyes gleamed with delight.

His gaze then shifted to the moonlight barrier flowing at the entrance to the ninth floor, a golden glint flashing in his eyes.

"Could it be that the restriction on this final layer has always existed?"

He muttered to himself, "For thousands of years, has no one ever been able to break through the barrier and enter?"

A blood moon appeared in his eyes as his double pupils swept across the scene.

At the entrance, the Illusionary Moon Sword Mist appeared as light and ethereal as smoke and gauze, but in reality, it concealed deadly intent.

Every wisp of mist contains a sharp sword aura; a slight misstep could result in decapitation.

"Chu Tianyun obtained seven supreme jade slips here back then."

Zhao Wuji pondered, "Perhaps there are clues to other treasures hidden in the deepest part of this sword tomb."

With a flash, he gracefully landed in the passage.

In an instant, thousands of moonlit sword energies surged forth like a tide, these sword energies as gentle as moonlight caressing the face.

But the moment it touches the skin, it bursts with a bone-chilling cold, as if it wants to cut a person into a thousand pieces.

"Disperse!"

Zhao Wuji's sword domain flowed spontaneously around him, and the misty green sword fog brushed past like a light veil, deflecting all the incoming sword energy and sparking sparks as they collided.

He carefully sensed it, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "It's alright. It's just sword energy forming a domain."

Although these sword energies were sharp, they shared the same origin as the Crescent Moon Sword Intent, and were not as sophisticated as the One Sword Formation.

Having grasped the essence of the Crescent Moon Sword, breaking this restriction is as easy as a skilled butcher carving up an ox.
"but."

His gaze suddenly sharpened.

Deep within the sword domain, there seemed to be some familiar fluctuations, which surprised him.
(End of this chapter)