Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 79: Zhi Xia Confesses, Demonstrates a Challenge (Bonus Chapter 3 for First Subscription)

After Xiaoyue agreed to go to the grotto to work as a servant and medicine boy, she happily packed her bags, carefully categorizing the rare medicinal herbs bestowed by the emperor into jade boxes and then sealing them.

After that, all affairs in the official residence were handled by Xiaolin, with Chunhua and Lao Liang assisting him.

Zhao Wuji instructed the Ye siblings to stay and eat well in the mansion.

When the time is right, he will go to Yelang Kingdom again to find more wine and obtain more Four Treasures Wine and sobering stones.

However, for Ye Wu and Xiao Lin, the matter of searching for wine in Yelang Kingdom is just a dream for now, so as not to cause them any danger.

Before leaving, Xiao Lin hurriedly retrieved a letter from the post station and handed it to Zhao Wuji.

The sender of the letter was none other than his fiancée, Nan Zhixia.

Zhao Wuji opened the letter, the scent of ink filling the air, and saw the elegant and graceful handwriting, as if seeing the words themselves brought the person to life.

"I am very pleased to hear that you have been admitted to the Linglang Grotto Heaven with your superior immortal seed. I sincerely congratulate you."

Now that you have found your destiny with the immortals, Zhixia will no longer travel to search for immortals for you.

"The fairy maiden I met in Yunmeng City last time was quite accomplished. She clearly knew that Xia also had spiritual talent. Now I am traveling around with the fairy maiden to cultivate. When I have completed my cultivation, I will return to the capital and have a chat with you."

Judging from Zhixia's expression, she doesn't seem angry that I joined the Linglang Cave Heaven.

Zhao Wuji's lips curled up slightly, "Moreover, it seems that my fiancée is gradually becoming more open with me about some things."

The letter clearly conveyed a sense of unspoken tension, a prelude to a future confrontation.

Since his fiancée has been writing to him continuously, and seems to be preparing to confess in the future.

She clearly still values ​​this relationship and is thinking about a suitable way to meet him again.

Zhao Wuji glanced at the address at the end of the letter and found that it was sent from Tianmu Prefecture, at least a month ago.

"Tianmu Prefecture is almost close to Yun Kingdom. It seems Zhixia is indeed traveling."

Zhao Wuji burned the letter, then went out of the house and instructed the servants to load the wine onto the carriage.

He has not yet obtained a precious magical artifact like a storage bag.

Transporting all 100 jars of imperial wine back to the grotto was no easy task, and it caused quite a stir.

Therefore, he only brought the two catties of gold-plated wine that he had hidden, and then selected twenty jars of imperial wine.

When the wine is finished, send Xiaoyue back to fetch more.

Last night at the Penglai Palace, he drank about a pound of imperial wine. After returning, he used a sobering stone to refine it and carefully comprehend its mysteries.

It was discovered that after consuming one jin (500ml) of imperial wine, the spirit intensity would increase by approximately 20% after the sobering stone was used to relieve the effects of the wine.

However, if one wants the azure light to transform into golden light, one's spiritual strength needs to increase by at least 100%.

Therefore, based on the calculation of ten catties per jar of imperial wine, one should drink half a jar and then sober up before maintaining the golden mango spirit for a day.

In contrast, the Golden Goblet Wine, requiring only an ounce, has the same miraculous effects, demonstrating a world of difference.

Even so, this imperial wine is already the finest of all.

An hour later, two carriages loaded with imperial wine and supplies drove out of the imperial city and sped towards the Hengyun Mountains.

The wheels rolled over the official road, raising clouds of dust.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Wuji absorbed all ten source crystals into the Yin-Yang Pearl.

The yang energy in the yang pearl increased by 400, reaching 1816 strands, which made up for the more than 70 strands of yang energy consumed in the past two and a half months.

The second Yin Bead also increased the total amount of Yin energy to more than 2,500 strands.

The immense Yin energy within this second Yin Pearl was obtained from the numerous acupuncture treatments he had given to Peak Master Hua over the past two months.

However, to fully accumulate the second Yin Pearl, it requires 20,000 strands of Yin Qi and two Yin Marrow.

Fortunately, Zhao Wuji discovered that the Yin energy required for the second Yin Pearl was just as he had guessed (see Chapter 7).

It seems to no longer be limited to the yin and yang energies that have deep ties with living beings, but can efficiently absorb the moon's yin energy and transform it into yin energy, with an efficiency thirty times higher than the first yin pearl.

Now, the second Yin Pearl can absorb the Taiyin Qi and transform it into a wisp of Yin Qi every day, no longer the predicament of having to wait more than a month to obtain a single wisp.

This seems to point to a new direction: new Yin Pearls that no longer need to be bound by the constraints of living beings; both moonlight and Yin energy can be used.

But right now, what he lacks most is yang energy.

Whether it's to unseal the second Yang Pearl and acquire more of the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Techniques, or to achieve Yin-Yang harmony and resolve the lifespan calamity, a large amount of Yang energy is needed to fill the Yang Pearl.

"Unfortunately, although there is a lot of dragon energy in the Xuan Kingdom's palace, it is like a flower in a mirror or the moon in the water."

Since that old man Zhaoming can track dragon veins and dragon energy, he must also be able to sense abnormal dragon energy fluctuations. A small amount of loss is not a problem, but a large amount of loss would be a different story.

Zhao Wuji sighed inwardly.

On this trip back, he actually wanted to take advantage of his status to absorb the dragon energy within the palace and transform it into yang energy.

But inside the Penglai Palace, he sensed something was amiss. His powerful spiritual senses detected a dense dragon aura concentrated on Emperor Zhaoming, like the blazing sun in the sky.

If one dares to absorb it on a large scale, it will inevitably be detected.

"Fortunately, he has a long lifespan, so he can slowly make arrangements later, place and cultivate connections within the royal family, and gradually take action."

Zhao Wuji only had a few candidates in mind at the moment.

Consort Li is the future Empress.

Li Nianwei, this star official, came from the Imperial Observatory. After leaving the cave, she will be able to reasonably take charge of the Imperial Observatory.

Finally, there was Xiaoyue, his most trusted confidante.

The wheels rolled on until nightfall, and finally arrived at the gate of the Linglang Cave in the Hengyun Mountains.

A blue light flew out from Zhao Wuji's sleeve, and the True Inheritance Waist Token disappeared into the thousand-foot stone wall like a swimming dragon.

In an instant——

"Boom!" The stone wall rippled with water-like patterns, and spiritual energy surged like a tide.

Xiao Yue's lips parted slightly as she watched the towering stone wall transform into a transparent water curtain, revealing a misty mountain passage that appeared out of thin air.

The methods of immortals are truly extraordinary.

"I pay homage to the true master!"

Inside the passage, eight gray-robed disciples were channeling their spiritual energy to maintain the mountain gate's formation. Upon seeing Zhao Wuji drive the carriage in, they immediately bowed and paid their respects, their voices like the clanging of metal echoing through the mountainside.

"So this is the power of a true disciple? You're already this powerful since you just entered the immortal sect." Xiao Yue's heart trembled. She felt that all eight people in the passage were imposing, yet they all bowed to the master.

Zhao Wuji drove past, and after exiting the passage, headed straight for Hanyue Peak.

Along the way, he encountered mostly people in gray robes, with the occasional disciple in blue robes. Upon seeing him, they would immediately bow and not dare to be disrespectful.

Only after he left did people dare to whisper among themselves.

"This person is Senior Brother Zhao, a superior immortal seed who was spotted by Peak Master Hua of Hanyue Peak as soon as he entered the sect. He reached the second level of Qi Refining in just two months and is a true disciple of the Blue Robe Sect."

This speed of advancement is comparable to that of the senior brothers and sisters from Lonely Cloud Peak and Flying Star Peak, who are all top-tier immortal beings.

“In all these years, apart from Dai Zhiyun, Peak Master Hua has not recruited any other immortal seed. This Senior Brother Zhao must have extraordinary abilities.”

"If you don't have the skills, how can you take on the job? I heard that Crimson Flame Peak and Cold Moon Peak have already issued a challenge letter between their disciples. The challenge will be held in two days. You can go and see for yourself."

"."

Zhao Wuji's spiritual senses were like a net; listening to the discussions of his fellow disciples in the distance, he couldn't help but smile.

The Cold Moon Peak did not release any information about the battle between the disciples of Crimson Flame and Cold Moon Peaks.

It seems that the Crimson Flame Peak side has spread the word.

Some people want to see Hanyue Peak make a fool of itself.

It seems that in a couple of days, he will have to make a good impression. He cannot tarnish the reputation of the peak master, nor can he allow his fellow disciples to laugh at him and secretly say that he is a handsome but useless young man.

Although there's nothing wrong with being a great white eagle, Zhao Wuji is confident that he can earn respect on his own.

As he passed by the medicinal herb field, he spotted Li Nianwei inspecting it from afar.

The other person seemed to sense something, turned around, her black hair fluttering, and gave him a graceful bow.

Zhao Wuji flicked his sleeves and returned the greeting with a glint in his eyes. "This woman and Li Shiyu are both under the spell of the Bewitching Heart Curse. We will have to remove the curse for them in the future before we can help and command them with peace of mind. Otherwise, we will only be doing the work for the cave master of the cave."

Soon, the carriage entered Hanyue Peak.

Dai Zhiyun had already heard the news and had been waiting for a long time. She greeted him with a smile, "Junior Brother is finally back!"

With a gentle wave of her hand, she directed a group of servants to unload the goods.

The apprentice, Xiaoyue, wanted to help but seemed at a loss. Dai Zhiyun, however, had already taken her hand affectionately: "You must be the apprentice beside Junior Brother Zhao. Please come with me."

Then, she began to carefully teach Xiaoyue the rules of the cave and arrange the process of entering the mountain to work as a servant.

With such a kind senior sister, Zhao Wuji was happy to have an easy time.

Even though the two carriages had become tainted by worldly affairs, in the end, it was this senior sister who ordered the servants to send them away.

He immediately relinquished his responsibilities, saving himself the trouble of disciplining Xiaoyue. After returning to his cave, he began cultivating to prepare for the battle two days later.

As for Xiaoyue's subsequent moral character assessment
He was also prepared.

The first time the Dream Marriage Technique was used to break the curse, it was on Xiao Yue. Dong Tian wanted to take away the loyalty of the medicine boy who had accompanied him for four years, but that was just wishful thinking.

Inside the cultivation chamber of his cave, Zhao Wuji internally examined the Yin-Yang Pearl.

Minor achievements in pill manipulation, minor achievements in spiritual communication, minor achievements in consuming elixirs, and minor achievements in guiding exercises.

He has already begun to grasp the basics of the Qi-sealing technique.

As for the art of dream marriage, invisibility, bird taming, and swordsmanship, these are all things that beginners are just starting to learn.

"I have mastered nine of the seventy-two Earthly Fiend Techniques. The Dream Marriage Technique and the Invisibility Technique are nearing breakthroughs. I need to practice diligently from now on."

In a spiritually rich environment like a grotto, improving one's proficiency in cultivating techniques is far more effective than simply depleting one's own spiritual energy in the outside world.

At least the spiritual energy consumed in the grotto-heaven will be quickly restored without a long wait, which is one of the benefits of a blessed land.

The sun and moon revolve, and two days pass in the blink of an eye; the time for the duel is fast approaching.

The disciples of Cold Moon Peak and Crimson Flame Peak officially agreed to a magical duel in the Dharma Hall within the cave.

In no time, many disciples in green and blue robes who had already heard the news rushed to the Dharma Hall to watch the battle.

As for the gray-robed disciples, they didn't even have the right to watch the battle, as their daily chores and cultivation already filled their time.

"Junior Brother Zhao, don't be nervous later. I'll take the lead for you!"

At this moment, in the side hall of the Dharma Hall, Dai Zhiyun's face was tense as she cheered and encouraged Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji remained calm and composed. Seeing Dai Zhiyun's nervous yet encouraging expression, he smiled in surprise and said, "Okay, thank you, Senior Sister Dai. I'm not nervous, so you shouldn't be either."

"I'm not nervous. I'm very calm now. After all, I've experienced more than ten battles in the cave heavens before."

Dai Zhiyun forced a calm smile and said, "I told you yesterday that there are four people from Crimson Flame Peak who can fight. Among them, Senior Brother Fei and Senior Sister Ge are the strongest. I'm afraid I'm no match for them."

She lowered her voice again.

“But one of them will definitely fight first. I will fight first to block one of them for you. Even if I lose, as long as my junior brother fights to a draw or even wins, we will have succeeded.”

Zhao Wuji thought for a moment, glanced at Peak Master Hua who was silently resting with her eyes closed behind her, and said, "Senior Sister, how about this, let me go first. You are the senior sister, if you go first, it will only be giving them an advantage."

"Huh?" Dai Zhiyun exclaimed in surprise, "But..."

"As Wuji said." At this moment, the cold voice of the Flower Peak Master came. Dai Zhiyun was about to argue, but had to swallow her words back.

Inside the side hall on the other side.

The four disciples of Crimson Flame Peak were also discussing the order of appearance for the upcoming duel.

With an air of confidence, Fei Yun toyed with the fire jade in his hand and said, "We must send Dai Zhiyun to fight first from Hanyue Peak. After all, Junior Brother Zhao has just entered the sect and has little experience in combat. He will definitely observe first."

He looked at the female cultivator opposite him, whose figure was flat and unremarkable, and said, "Junior Sister Ge, this Junior Sister Dai is nothing to worry about. You don't need to be too ruthless, lest you scare Junior Brother Zhao behind her."

"If Junior Brother Zhao is too timid and too scared to go on stage, then we won't be able to complete the task Master entrusted to us."

Upon hearing this, the people nearby burst into laughter, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

However, upon catching a glimpse of a red-clad figure appearing at the doorway not far away, the group immediately fell silent, suppressing their smiles.

Fei Yun hurriedly and solemnly warned, "Everyone, remember, do not underestimate the enemy!"

However, facing a junior brother who had only just entered the Qi Refining stage and a junior sister Dai who was not good at fighting, it was a major psychological hurdle to be fully prepared as if facing a formidable enemy.
I updated with over 9,100 words today. Please vote with your monthly tickets and give a thumbs up to the characters in the character list!

Come again tomorrow.



(End of this chapter)