Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 78: Sword Intimidates Imperial Power, Crimson Flames Intense Killing Intent (Second Update, Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Master Hua once advised Zhao Wuji to know how to leverage existing power and create momentum, such as sending the medicine boy Xiaoyue to a celestial sect for training before she returned to the world to work.

For example, at this very moment, the current is like flowing water, capable of carrying a boat but also capable of capsizing it.
Faced with the suspicion and shock of Emperor Zhaoming and Grand Preceptor Fang, Zhao Wuji did not flatter them. He took out the sword only to answer Grand Preceptor Fang's question.

Knowing when to stop, Zhao Wuji calmly withdrew his attack before the cold sword light faded, and said with a faint smile, "I only gave the sword to Peak Master Hua to protect the Dao, Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand."

Then, changing the subject, he asked, "I wonder if the news of reinforcements following the slaying of this evil cultivator can be considered a merit?"

The more understated and unpretentious he appeared, the more astonished and suspicious the emperor and the imperial advisor became.

Emperor Zhaoming's eyes flashed with a sharp light, while Grand Preceptor Fang lowered his eyelids slightly, pondering even more deeply.

"Hahaha!" The emperor clapped his hands and laughed: "Junior Brother Zhao, rest assured, not to mention the merit of the cave heaven, I will immediately issue an edict to reward you handsomely!"

He glanced at the Grand Preceptor out of the corner of his eye, stroked his beard and smiled, "Last time Elder Yu was tracking this fiend but lost him. I reckon that even if the elder is concerned about saving face, he will apply for merit for you in the Cave Heaven."

"That's excellent." Zhao Wuji feigned embarrassment at the opportune moment. "Mainly because our magical artifacts were damaged during the battle, and we also consumed some source crystals. Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."

"Hey—" Emperor Zhaoming hurriedly pretended to be displeased and stopped him, "Although you are still the head of the Imperial Medical Academy of Xuan Kingdom, now that you have entered the immortal sect, you should address each other as fellow disciples."

"I hereby grant you special permission that you may henceforth not bow to me when you see me, and you may be exempt from those customary rituals."

As the emperor, he had seen all kinds of situations and people. He was well aware of the momentum behind Zhao Huafeng's favor and the great potential that Zhao Wuji was showing. He believed that Zhao Wuji could at least become the next national advisor in the future, or even stronger.

If we don't treat virtuous and talented people with respect and make friends now, when will we ever get another chance?

The Grand Preceptor Fang, who was standing to the side, said no more. He raised his cup at the right moment, his smile not reaching his eyes: "Junior Brother Zhao, your act of eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path today is truly virtuous."

Although he had powerful backers within the grotto-heaven, none of them had ever received such favor as Zhao Wuji.

The three then drank and chatted. After several rounds of drinks, Emperor Zhaoming asked Zhao Wuji what kind of reward he wanted.

Zhao Wuji then took the opportunity to bring up some medicinal materials for refining the Dragon Tiger Pill, as well as the imperial wine from the palace.

The wine he was drinking was imperial wine. Although it was not strong, it contained a bit of yang energy, perhaps because it was related to the emperor. It was no weaker than Qinghualang aged wine.

This imperial wine, one may drink more of, and with the help of a sobering stone, one can also use the imperial yang energy to enhance the strength of one's spiritual qualities.

"I do not wish to cultivate in the immortal sect like Junior Brother Zhao, but still prefer the ways of alchemy and wine."

Emperor Zhaoming tapped the dragon table lightly with his finger, a half-smile on his face: "But these medicinal herbs are all strictly controlled by the grotto heavens."

Actually, I noticed it when you were searching for it at the Imperial Hospital some time ago, but this kind of medicinal material won't be available on the market.

He pondered for a moment, like an autumn leaf falling, before finally smiling: "Very well! You have rendered meritorious service this time, so I will bestow upon you three medicinal herbs. As for the imperial wine, bring out a hundred jars!"

"Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother!" Zhao Wuji raised his cup in respect, his sleeves fluttering as he felt a surge of joy in his heart.

I was eighteen that year, and I was like a lackey in front of the Penglai Palace Square.

Now, wearing a blue robe, he is even more noble than wearing a python robe, and they can even be called brothers.

When he comes out of the mountains again next time, even the emperor will probably have to call him senior brother.

However, this was all just a facade; Zhao Wuji didn't actually have much affection for the emperor.

Everyone was just being hypocritical, weighing each other's value, and re-evaluating each other's ways.

Not long after, Zhao Wuji took his leave. As he left the palace, the moonlight filled his robes, and in the wooden box in his hand, ten Origin Crystals shimmered with a faint light.

This was one of the emperor's rewards, which also included the value of taking away Zuo Zhenzun's magical artifacts.

If Zuo Zhenzun's magical artifacts were given to the White Bone Sect, their value might exceed ten source crystals.

However, since many cultivators who have not learned the White Bone Sect's method of controlling magical artifacts have been able to unleash their full power, these artifacts are readily available on the market.

Therefore, ten source crystals are more than enough.

Ten source crystals were enough to help Zhao Wuji absorb four hundred strands of Yin and Yang energy, which was already a great harvest.

As for the medicinal herbs and imperial wine bestowed by Emperor Zhaoming, they will be delivered to his official residence in batches tomorrow, and can be taken into the cave at that time.

Meanwhile, within the Linglang Cave Heaven, atop Crimson Flame Peak, the red rocks blazed like fire, and the entire mountain resembled a giant crimson sword piercing the sky.

The Taoist temple with its red bricks and green tiles on the summit looked like a burning flame under the setting sun.

Crimson Flame Peak Master Yan Lan's fingertips flickered with a wisp of crimson true fire, burning the challenge letter in his hand to ashes.

As the flames flickered, a bright red light shone in her eyes, and she sneered, "Your Martial Uncle Hua has finally accepted the challenge."

A red glint flashed in her eyes as she looked at the four disciples standing solemnly opposite her, not daring to breathe, and smiled faintly.

"Now it's up to you guys."

"In terms of aptitude, three of you four possess the golden light of spiritual talent; in terms of strength, you have all been taken in as my disciples and carefully nurtured."

Yan Lan waved her sleeve, her voice growing cold: "Over the years, the grotto heaven has been secretly selecting immortals. Your Uncle Hua is too proud and arrogant, refusing to accept a single disciple, not even choosing you. Instead, he chose the useless Dai Zhiyun to come up the mountain. Hehehe, this is also a sign of looking down on you."

"Now she's finally figured it out. She brought in a handsome young man with good potential from outside, and provided him with resources and strong support, which is why he broke through to the second level of Qi Refining in just two months."

Unfortunately, it's too late to mend things now.

"We will live up to our teacher's expectations and win this battle!"

The four disciples all spoke in unison. "Hmm." Peak Master Yan nodded slightly. "With the strength of the four of you, all of you are already at the third level of Qi Refining. Defeating Dai Zhiyun and that kid will be a piece of cake. In fact, you might only need to send two of you."

However, I have an additional requirement for you.

"Please give me your instructions, Master!"

"Be ruthless." Peak Master Yan's eyes flashed coldly. "That Zhao Wuji is indeed quite talented and has a knack for cultivation. He hasn't fully matured yet, so this is a great opportunity to cripple him."

Even if we can't cripple his cultivation, we should at least make him lose a finger or a hand.

This lad is a divine healer in the mortal realm; this time, I will make him unable to lift those golden needles.

The disciples were stunned upon hearing this, and a chill ran down their spines.

This is too cruel. Although the disciples in the cave are exploited and oppressed, this is not the case.

But at the level of the Blue Robe True Disciple, everyone got along quite amicably.

Even if there is a real grudge, they rarely take revenge openly to cripple the other party, otherwise they will be investigated by the Criminal Law Hall.

"Go ahead and do it with confidence. It's normal to make mistakes during a battle."

Yan Lan calmly instructed, "Whatever happens, I'll take care of it. The Hall of Punishments won't hold you accountable."

The group breathed a sigh of relief and immediately pledged their loyalty. A handsome young man smiled and said...

"Master, rest assured, when the time comes, I will strike with lightning speed and severely injure Zhao Wuji, accurately crippling his hands. Uncle Hua will surely regret it."

Uncle Hua wouldn't even glance at us back then, but he chose this pretty boy. In my opinion...

With a "smack," Master Yan slapped him across the face with his backhand. A gust of red palm wind made him stagger three steps, and his crown and belt shattered.

The young man covered his face, looking embarrassed and bewildered.

Yan Lan smiled enigmatically, "I am quite satisfied with what you said earlier, but how dare you disciples interfere in your Uncle Hua's private affairs?"

Her expression turned stern, her eyes flashing coldly. "I say she's capable, yet you dare to criticize her? You're all smug and arrogant, taking advantage of my favor. Speak while kneeling!"

The four disciples immediately fell silent, and the tall young man even knelt down to admit his mistake.

Yan Lan tucked the red silk ribbon from her sleeve and said coldly, "Get back to practicing your skills!"

"If we underestimate our enemy, we will be defeated."

Before the words were even finished, the temperature inside the hall suddenly rose by three degrees.

Although she and Hua Qingshuang didn't get along, she never underestimated this junior sister.

Otherwise, a duel wouldn't be initiated by disciples.

Back then, the two of them cultivated the "Six Revolutions Profound Ice Technique" and the "Six Revolutions Blazing Sun Technique" at the same time. The two beauties stood side by side, which can be considered as having a very deep friendship.

Unfortunately, later, due to the various treasures bestowed by the cave master and the position of peak master, conflicts of interest arose, leading to their parting ways.

She had a miraculous encounter and obtained a treasure, which allowed her to safely survive the Fiery Tribulation. The fire poison in her body was not much, but Hua Qingshuang remained.
"Crack!" A crack appeared on the armrest of the jade throne as she squeezed it: "The position of Peak Master." "The supreme treasure of the grotto-heaven." "And that damned thing."

"Unfortunately. Since we are already adversaries, junior sister, don't blame me for being too harsh on the newcomers on your mountain."

The next day.

Inside the official residence of the Xuan Kingdom's imperial city.

Zhao Wuji looked at the courtyard filled with wine jars, tapped the jars lightly with his fingers, listened to the mellow echo, and smiled slightly.

"My lord is truly amazing!" Xiaoyue lifted her skirt and weaved among the wine jars, the silver bells in her hair jingling. "I couldn't find these medicinal herbs even if I ran my legs off in the city, and you obtained so many just by asking!"

Zhao Wuji smiled calmly, put his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, his blue robes fluttering. "This is the difference between disciples of the immortal sect and ordinary people."

He suddenly turned around and stared at Xiaoyue: "Xiaoyue, do you remember what the peak master once said? Would you like to come with me to cultivate in the cave heaven?"
“If you go away for a few years and then come out again, it will be much easier for you to help me collect spiritual materials and even ancient books. You might even be able to get a job at the Imperial Observatory.”

"Ah?" Xiao Yue's almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise, and the medicine grinder in her hand clattered to the ground. "This servant...this servant can go to the immortal mountain?"

Zhao Wuji smiled and flicked his sleeve. “There are some servants on Cold Moon Peak. Now that I am a true disciple of the Blue Robe Sect, I can take you up the mountain. We are just missing a knowledgeable medicine boy from the cave.”

"The medicine boy of the cave dwelling?"

Xiao Yue's eyes sparkled, but her mind wasn't on cultivating immortality; instead, she was on assisting her master, grinding cinnabar in the morning and collecting spiritual dew in the evening.

The most important thing is...

When we return to the capital, I can even help my superiors peek at the forbidden books in the Imperial Observatory!
Cultivating immortality is just too wonderful!
Xiao Yue suddenly lifted her apricot-colored skirt and performed an awkward curtsy: "I humbly obey the decree of the Immortal Master."

Her black hair swayed gently in the wind as she counted on her fingers, a sly smile playing on her lips: "Grinding medicine, brewing tea, stealing."

She suddenly covered her mouth, "Oh no, it's about 'borrowing' books for the Immortal Master!"

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji shook his head and chuckled. A gentle breeze flew out from the sleeve of his blue robe, just in time to catch the girl's skirt that was about to be stepped on.

It's time to go back; the peak master is waiting for him to participate in the duel.
(End of this chapter)