Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 70: Immortal and Mortal Make Their Moves, Arriving at the Grotto Heaven (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Qi Tian)

The news that Zhao Wuji had been selected as a superior immortal by the Imperial Observatory of the Xuan Kingdom.

For Nan Zhixia, this was even more shocking than hearing that her fiancé had unilaterally broken off the engagement and then married an eighty-year-old woman.

She had only thought that Zhao Wuji might ignore her advice and go to the Imperial Observatory to verify the documents.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Wuji's spiritual talent changed from Azure to Superior Golden.

After hearing the message from the distant messenger bird again, she finally believed it and looked astonished.

"Could it be that I made a mistake when I verified his funds last time?"

This possibility is not impossible.

After all, from the time Zhao Wuji dripped his blood on her to the time she returned to her residence and used the sacred artifact to verify her identity, it took almost half an hour.

At that time, rumors were circulating in the capital that a madman from the Supreme Sect had killed the prison warden of the Yeting Palace, causing her some delay.

In a spiritually devoid environment, the spiritual energy in the blood is lost. Without immediate verification of one's qualifications, there can indeed be some errors, and it is quite possible to mistake a golden light for a blue haze.

However, regardless of right or wrong, Zhao Wuji has been recognized as a superior immortal seed and recruited into the Linglang Cave Heaven based on his golden spiritual talent.

"Linlang Cave Heaven's recruitment of immortal seeds this time mentions that it will focus on cultivating those with superior Golden Light spiritual talent. Well, this may also be a good thing for Wuji."

Nan Zhixia pondered, "However, the Linglang Cave Heaven must also be preparing for the Tiannan Secret Realm. The dangers within the secret realm are truly terrifying."

She shook her head inwardly, deciding not to think about it anymore. Since Zhao Wuji had made this choice, he should be prepared to face the calamity head-on.

Moreover, having entered the path of immortality as a superior immortal seed, this starting point is much better than I had imagined. At least I don't have to become a laborer or cannon fodder like the lower-level cultivators.

Now that she is in the Supreme Grotto, she has already glimpsed many secrets.

They knew all the major and minor grottoes in the four southern kingdoms and were secretly making plans.

The frequent actions of the Supreme Sect and the White Bone Sect are nothing more than an attempt to wrest a few more spots for the Southern Secret Realm from the Four Great Grotto Heavens.

She originally planned to find a small, reputable grotto-heaven for Zhao Wuji, who was eager to seek immortality, so that even if he only had the aptitude of Qingxia, he wouldn't be abandoned in the struggle for the secret realm.

But now, Zhao Wuji has earned the immortal destiny of the highest grade of golden light on his own, and has joined the ranks of the true disciples of the Linglang Cave Heaven.

This was far better than she had anticipated, and the weight on her heart finally lifted.

A faint smile appeared on Nan Zhixia's lips. "Now that the various grotto-heavens are competing, top-grade golden-light spiritual resources are definitely highly sought after. As for safety, there shouldn't be any worries."

Just as she was about to return to her cave, two young servants in green robes suddenly appeared from the mountain path, riding the wind as they approached. They bowed and reported:
"Your Highness, the Holy Mother and Elder Hu are waiting in the Qiming Hall. Please join Prince Fang in discussing matters."

"Your Highness Fang?"

Nan Zhixia's eyes narrowed slightly, and her heart sank.

Originally, she successfully broke through to the first level of Qi Refining after reclaiming the sacred artifact in Xuan Kingdom. Now, after two months of arduous cultivation in the cave, she has reached the second level. The title of "candidate" for Holy Maiden should be removed.

Unexpectedly, one of the other three candidates had also made contributions in the Yu Kingdom and had some fortuitous encounters. Although her cultivation was slightly lower than hers, it was enough to cause another change in the competition for the Holy Maiden and prevent her from obtaining more resources.

What is the purpose of this meeting?
Meanwhile, in the Zhao family mansion in the Xuan Kingdom.

As the last golden needle left her body, the lingering cold energy in Hua Qingshuang's left arm finally dissipated completely.

Zhao Wuji smiled as he twisted the needle. It had only taken five days since he broke through to the Qi Refining stage to successfully take off another arm.

These two arms, sculpted like cold jade, provided him with over two thousand five hundred strands of yin energy.

At this moment, the 8326 strands of Yin energy accumulated within the Yin Pearl were flowing and glowing. It was only half a leg of treatment away from the ten thousand strands mark.

"My arms are finally no longer sore and cold."

Hua Qingshuang gently gathered her sleeves, casting a rare approving glance at her, "You've worked hard these past few days."

"I'm glad you're comfortable, Peak Master." Zhao Wuji put the needles back into the box, not taking credit, and said, "We're setting off for the Cave Heaven tomorrow. I'd like to continue treating you for a while after we get there, so you can recover as soon as possible."

Hua Qingshuang ran her fingertips through a strand of hair at her temple and shook her head slightly: "Upon entering the grotto, one must familiarize oneself with the environment and also face the test of one's conscience."

She paused for a moment, then said, "It's not too late to continue your treatment once you've settled down."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to give up.

At this moment, Xiao Yue, the medicine boy who was waiting at the door, immediately entered with a tea tray, bowed respectfully, and served fragrant tea.

Hua Qingshuang took the tea, glanced at it, and exclaimed in surprise, "You brew quite a fine tea; it has a subtle, ethereal quality."

"pity."

She took a small sip of the tea, shook her head, and said, "Tea is ultimately just ordinary tea, just like this person."

Xiaoyue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji was slightly surprised, and was secretly trying to figure out what Peak Master Hua meant.

Hua Qingshuang's eyes flickered slightly as she carefully examined Xiao Yue before her, and said:
"You've been following the master of the Golden Light for so long, you've developed some intelligence," she suddenly chuckled. "However, you're still just a White Rainbow Spirit."

"Oh? Xiaoyue also has spiritual talent?" Zhao Wuji asked in surprise.

"Bai Honglingzi, in this degenerate age, cannot attain enlightenment."

Hua Qingshuang shook her head, "Serving as a menial servant is enough. The supervisor and director of the Imperial Observatory were menial servants who came from the grotto heaven back then."

"Since you are of superior immortal lineage..."

She said meaningfully, "After things settle down, you can bring a handyman to the cave to handle miscellaneous tasks. After leaving the mountain, you can find an official position in the capital and collect resources through royal channels."

For example, the Imperial Observatory, and also the Dragon and Tiger Elixir materials you recently sought to purchase.

Her first words were a warning to Zhao Wuji: in this degenerate age, don't waste your energy on those with poor aptitude. However, her next words were a genuine piece of advice, instructing Zhao Wuji on how to navigate the relationship between the grotto-heaven and the royal family to maximize his own interests.

Xiaoyue was initially slightly apprehensive and disappointed, but upon hearing the peak master's second half of the sentence, her eyes immediately lit up.

For her, the greatest satisfaction comes from being able to continue sorting medicinal herbs, brewing herbal decoctions, and collecting medicines for adults.

How can those unattainable fantasies of immortality compare to hearing that familiar "Xiao Yue" every day?
"The Imperial Family, the Imperial Observatory, and the Imperial Medical Academy"

Zhao Wuji pondered for a moment, his eyes brightening slightly. He then bowed to Peak Master Hua and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Peak Master. I understand now."

These words were quite frank, suggesting that he could place his own people in the celestial realm as menial servants to gain prestige. Once they emerged, with this celestial prestige, they could be placed in the Imperial Observatory or the Imperial Medical Academy, replacing him as the head of the academy.

Help him collect some ancient books and medicines that were under royal control in the secular world.

Otherwise, in this world where resources are divided up by the royal family and the immortal sects, even cultivators will inevitably face obstacles at every turn.

As expected, these old foxes in the cultivation world are the most cunning. With a few pointers, they can teach people how to set up their own chessboard in this era of spiritual depletion.

The next day.

Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums in front of the Imperial Observatory, twenty immortals marched out of the city in a grand procession, surrounded by an honor guard.

The entire city flocked to the scene, crowding the long street to the point of being impassable, all eager to catch a glimpse of the immortal's appearance and see what a celestial being looked like, hoping to one day have a child just like it.

As a superior immortal, Zhao Wuji sat alone in the carriage, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade slip containing the weapon-controlling technique given to him by the Flower Peak Master. He felt the bustling atmosphere around him and was not used to such a lively scene of being watched by people. He always felt like he was being made a fool of by the royal family.

According to Master Huafeng, such a grand occasion of recruiting immortals from all over the world and openly allowing the people to send them off is unprecedented.

Even the selection for Xiang Yu's treasure trove was done secretly, and preparations were made over a long period of time.

This time, however, preparations were rather hasty, and it seems to be competing with other grotto-heavens. Therefore, it is a unique event, and the landscape of seeking immortality and cultivating immortality in the world may undergo some subtle changes in the future.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, after you go to the Linglang Cave, be sure to write to me and send me some elixirs to try."

At that moment, a slightly exaggerated voice came from outside the carriage.

Zhao Wuji lifted the carriage curtain and saw Nantai, dressed in a police uniform, push through the crowd, jump up, and shout at him, attracting sidelong glances from those around him. "Don't forget to come back and marry my sister. I'll go and strangle her tomorrow!"

Zhao Wuji sighed and chuckled bitterly. This brother-in-law was really a brat, his big mouth making him look bad for his sister and giving the impression that she would never get married.

He waved his hand as if he understood, lowered the carriage curtain, and could still hear Nantai shouting.

"Brother-in-law, please don't forget to marry my sister after you cultivate immortality! The path of immortality is wonderful, but a man also needs to settle down and start a family."

The faint sounds of suppressed laughter from other immortals could be heard from behind, but no one dared to laugh too loudly, since it involved superior immortals and no one dared to offend them directly.

Li Nianwei, who was in another car, initially felt a little disappointed, but eventually couldn't help but laugh. She glanced at Nantai a few more times and found that the eccentric policeman had been taken away by his colleagues who felt embarrassed and disrupted the atmosphere.

Before long, the Imperial Preceptor Fang Shiyu personally arrived with the grotto's token to see him off.

After leaving the city, the carriage did not head straight for the Hengyun Mountains as Zhao Wuji had expected. Instead, it traveled a hundred miles around and finally stopped in front of a mountain stream shrouded in mist.

Zhao Wuji followed the others into the mountain stream, where they saw a jade boat moored in the cold pool.

After everyone boarded the boat, the National Preceptor Fang made a hand seal and cast a spell, and the boat actually rose into the air, carrying twenty immortals and breaking through the clouds, causing a stir among the crowd, who were all extremely excited.

Looking at the excited faces, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but think of Lian Yunxuan, who had died at his hands.

Lian Yunxuan, like many other cultivators with the Crimson Flame Spiritual Talent, spent sixty years doing menial labor after entering the cave heaven. He went straight to the battlefield after leaving the cave heaven, but ultimately died at the hands of a rookie cultivator who was new to the world.

How many of these people before us today will become Lian Yunxuan in the future?

Zhao Wuji noticed a gaze fixed on him from afar.

Looking back, he saw it was Consort Li, who was smiling kindly at him.

Zhao Wuji smiled in response and composed himself.

Observing the white mist all around and the two or three green hills beneath my feet, I understood.

The true location of Linlang Cave is temporarily kept secret from ordinary people, lest too many people knowing it frequently enter the mountain and disturb its spirituality.

"It seems," he thought to himself, leaning against the ship's railing, "that only those newly entering the realm of immortals are worthy of knowing the true location of the grotto-heaven after passing the tests of questioning one's heart and determining one's nature."

He had already learned from Peak Master Hua that the tests of questioning his heart and determining his nature were to test his desire for immortality and his emotions and desires.

Determining his character means determining his temperament.

Deeper down, Zhao Wuji suspected that these two trials might also contain soul-capturing techniques to cultivate disciples' loyalty.

The Flower Peak Master deliberately left him a mnemonic phrase, which may have contained a deeper meaning.

With this mantra, coupled with his strong will and powerful spirit, and the fact that the Dream Marriage Technique can counteract and eliminate some of the effects of brainwashing and hypnosis, he remained quite calm.

In any case, it's just a game of strategy, and under the guise of fairness, there will inevitably be many underhanded schemes and despicable acts.

The grotto-heaven wanted to test his sincerity, and he also wanted to take the opportunity to find out the details of the immortal sect.

The path of cultivation is a game of cat and mouse, where you test me and I try to figure you out.

The spirit boat soared through the air with the speed of a startled swan, and the surrounding clouds, waves, and mist were all blocked by the azure spiritual barrier.

As the boat gently trembled and landed, the hazy light curtain dissipated like ripples on water, in an instant.

Suddenly, the view opened up before them, revealing a misty aura emanating from the surrounding peaks, resembling a jade belt winding around the mountainside.

With each breath, it felt as if a pure, refreshing energy permeated my lungs, making my meridians tingle and almost causing me to tremble.
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(End of this chapter)