Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 96: The Secret of the Furnace, Plotting to Seize the Dynasty
"Senior Brother Zhao, please be busy. I will come to talk to you after I finish my sect mission."

Consort Li clearly did not want to involve Zhao Wuji, so she pretended to be calm and waved her hand with a smile.

Before Zhao Wuji could speak, a hoarse voice suddenly came from not far away.

"Junior Brother Zhao! You're here too!"

Yu Zishan strode out of the palace gate with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, followed closely by the sharp-nosed Li and the square-faced Wang, who were acting like foxes borrowing the tiger's power.

Upon catching sight of Zhao Wuji, the two men immediately shrank back, looking like quails seeing a hawk.

"Senior Brother Yu!"

The blue-robed disciple who had spoken earlier was taken aback when he saw Yu Zishan's figure. He immediately stepped forward, smiled, and bowed, seemingly someone who had once received tributes from Yu Zishan.

"Junior Brother Qi!"

Yu Zishan slapped the blue-robed cultivator heavily on the shoulder, causing the man's jade crown to tilt slightly: "This Junior Brother Zhao is a master of both alchemy and swordsmanship from Cold Moon Peak. Even I, Old Yu, admire him greatly!"

His eyes widened: "What were you two talking about just now?"

"Ah, this." The Qi-surname cultivator's smile froze slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and a stiff smile appeared on his face: "Senior Brother Yu is joking. It's nothing. I just met Senior Brother Zhao. I admire him very much, so I chatted with him for a few minutes."

He was secretly alarmed. Yu Zishan was the second senior brother of the Spiritual Materials Hall, with the strength of the fourth level of Qi Refining, yet he treated this new disciple with such courtesy, and even seemed to be showing some apprehension.

Everyone knows what Yu Zishan is up to in private, yet he was recently injured while patrolling the mountain. Could it be...?
The cultivator surnamed Qi felt a chill run down his spine, but he chuckled and stole a glance at Li Shiyu, his mind racing.

He had originally been entrusted with sending the Imperial Concubine to the mining area to suffer some hardship. But now...
Although the person behind the scenes was slightly more powerful than Yu Zishan, if you add the unfathomable Zhao Wuji and the connections behind Li Shiyu, it's a different story.
"Forget it, it's best not to get involved in this mess."

Suddenly, the cultivator surnamed Qi burst into loud laughter, quietly hiding the communication talisman he had secretly made in his sleeve.

One incense stick later, in the small courtyard next to the Jade Rain Palace.

Li Shiyu skillfully prepared tea, and the steam rising from the celadon cup subtly revealed her dimples.

"My humble abode is simple and cannot compare to my senior brother's cave dwelling."

She fiddled with the tea set, a hint of determination and confidence flashing in her eyes. "Once I've been promoted to the Blue Robe True Disciple, I won't have to suffer this kind of humiliation anymore."

She paused, picked up the teacup and offered it to Zhao Wuji, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, saying, "Thank you so much, Senior Brother Zhao, for today."

Zhao Wuji took the teacup, shook his head and chuckled, "I didn't actually do anything. It was someone I had a grudge against in the past who helped you out of that predicament. Truly, life is unpredictable."

He had originally intended to distance himself from Yu Zishan and the others, but unexpectedly, Yu Zishan himself came forward to help him, leaving him indebted.

"The fact that you can command respect from even your enemies speaks volumes about your abilities, Senior Brother."

Li Shiyu suddenly leaned forward, her clothes carrying a faint fragrance: "In this world, weakness is the original sin, and ruthlessness is the norm."

"And you, senior brother..."

She changed the subject, "It's something that can make even the ruthless bow down."

"Junior sister is too kind," Zhao Wuji shook his head, but he also agreed with the view.

Li Shiyu's beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I heard that Peak Master Hua has returned to the sect, which is truly cause for celebration. It's a pity that Elder Yu has been away from the sect for quite some time now."

She sighed softly, "That's why some petty people took advantage of my misfortune."

Just as Zhao Wuji was about to speak, Li Shiyu put down her teacup and paced back and forth, saying, "Senior Brother Zhao is indifferent to fame and fortune, and focuses solely on cultivation, but now the two great grotto-heavens are at war, the future is uncertain, and resources are becoming increasingly scarce."

Her tone suddenly changed, and she abruptly stopped and turned around, "Senior Brother Zhao, have you ever thought about achieving great things? To control so many resources?"

Her beautiful eyes turned to Zhao Wuji, her delicate hand clenched into a fist, as if she wanted to grasp the spiritual energy of the entire cave in her palm, giving her a bit of the aura of a future empress.

Just then, the setting sun shone through the hall, illuminating her eyes like spring water brimming with affection, her crimson lips like rosy clouds tinged with dew, and a jade pendant on her lapel rising and falling slightly with her breath.

Zhao Wuji was taken aback, and the absurd dream he had seen some time ago immediately came to mind.

That day, the crabapple blossoms were laden with fruit, and her crimson lips parted slightly, causing her to feel a little hot.

"What do you mean by that, junior sister?" He pretended to be confused and put down his teacup.

Li Shiyu gripped her skirt tightly and said with a complicated expression, "I was originally a fisherman's daughter."

That winter, snow was falling on the river. When a sedan chair carried me into the palace gate, my embroidered shoes were still stained with the smell of fish.

Her expression turned bitter. "Back then, I had just entered the palace, and I was trembling with fear, just hoping to survive."

To survive in this cannibalistic place, I had to learn to bite.

Her wide sleeves fluttered, revealing a somewhat fierce and imposing aura.

“But Emperor Zhaoming has long been obsessed with the Dao of immortality,” she suddenly sneered, “living like a eunuch, never even stepping into the palace of the concubines. I thought I would just grow old and die in the palace.”

“Until that day when tea was served.”

Her tone suddenly changed, and she turned sharply to look at Zhao Wuji, "He sensed my golden spiritual energy."

He was quite pleased and thus bestowed upon me the title of Imperial Concubine, but surprisingly, he did not favor me. Instead, he gave me a cultivation manual.

She turned around abruptly, her beautiful eyes blazing with light, tinged with hatred. "He made me practice the contents of that technique. At first, I thought it was my hope of seizing power, so I listened and practiced it."

Not long after, he banished me to the cold palace, claiming it was to protect me.

I continued to practice that technique every day, but saw no results. However, a strange reaction occurred within my body; my spiritual energy seemed to gradually concentrate here from my spine.

She pressed her hand suddenly to her lower abdomen, her eyes filled with hatred.

"Three years in the cold palace have refined me into a living vessel!"

Zhao Wuji was moved, his gaze becoming solemn.

Li Shiyu chuckled softly, slowly approaching Zhao Wuji, and asked, "Senior Brother Zhao, do you know what kind of cultivation technique that is?"

She suddenly leaned closer, her soft, delicate body almost pressed against Zhao Wuji's chest.

As her red lips parted slightly, the fragrance of orchids brushed against his earlobe. "That cultivation technique is called 'Nine Revolutions of the Maiden.' I am the furnace, the furnace that Zhaoming old man drains dry." "Junior Sister Li, you shouldn't tell me these secrets."

Zhao Wuji sighed.

Li Shiyu tilted her head slightly, her red lips almost touching Zhao Wuji's ear, "Senior Brother Zhao, are you scared?"

She stuck out her tongue slightly. "Are you afraid of me or that old man Zhaoming?"

Zhao Wuji smiled faintly, "I'm not afraid, I just don't want to cause trouble."

"Troublesome?" Li Shiyu sighed softly. "It seems that Senior Brother has no ambition to achieve great things?"

She suddenly slipped and fell, her fragrant body landing in my arms, her skirt billowing like waves.

"What if I were willing to offer the entire Xuan Kingdom as my dowry and even dedicate this cultivation technique to you, Senior Brother?"

As her delicate hand moved swiftly, it suddenly darted down and precisely seized the vital point.

"Huh?" She breathed softly, her red lips pursed, and suddenly chuckled, "Senior brother's 'magical artifact' is much more honest than his words~ This magical artifact probably doesn't mind the trouble?"

"It seems that after the curse was lifted that day, all the emotions and hatred that she had suppressed for so many years were completely released and erupted."

Zhao Wuji thought to himself, the scene from that day flashing through his mind. Sensing the other person's movements, he sighed helplessly and said, "I may be called Wuji, but I am still a man. Junior Sister, you are not an ugly woman."

"Senior brother~" Li Shiyu bit her red lips lightly, her fingertips tracing circles on Zhao Wuji's chest, "It would sound much nicer to call me Imperial Concubine."

Her jade-like hand slid down restlessly, but her wrist was suddenly clamped.

Zhao Wuji's eyes turned slightly cold. He suddenly grabbed her hands, stared sharply at Li Shiyu, whose eyes were filled with shock and panic, and laughed.

"Your Highness, do not think that I will be affected by these things. It is only natural to experience fleeting pleasure, but it can never shake my resolve. The pleasure and benefits you offer cannot prevent greater risks."

"Would you do the same thing to someone else?"

He suddenly pushed Li Shiyu away and stood up.

This shrewd junior sister was momentarily panicked and at a loss. Seeing that Zhao Wuji was truly angry, she suddenly knelt down, her hair disheveled, and looked on the verge of tears.

"Please forgive me, senior brother. I did not mean to offend you. I am by no means a promiscuous person. It's just that since I entered the sect, I have been taken care of by you. I have long admired you and think about you day and night, and sometimes even dream about you."

Senior brother is exceptionally talented and powerful, and may have many admirers among them. Shiyu is just an ordinary person among them.

But Shi Yu had only wanted to help her senior brother achieve his great cause and repay his kindness, while also freeing herself from her own constraints. As for anyone else, Shi Yu would find it difficult to accept their trust, both emotionally and rationally!

Seeing that his words were sincere and earnest, Zhao Wuji's expression gradually softened.

Most importantly, he had indeed seen the scene in his dream that day, and what the other party said was true.

In my dream, besides him, there was indeed no one else.

"Get up."

Zhao Wuji said calmly.

"Yes!" Li Shiyu stood up pitifully, and then consciously raised her fair hand to straighten Zhao Wuji's clothes and smooth them out, looking very considerate.

Zhao Wuji secretly praised the imperial concubine, saying that she was indeed trained in the palace and that her skill in soothing men was unparalleled.

Unfortunately, the other party's plans were far-reaching. Even though he was slightly tempted, he dared not say anything given his current strength, especially since the other party wanted to have his child in his dream, which made him hesitate.

He then said, "I will keep today's events a secret. As for what you're planning, keep it to yourself for now."

Li Shiyu was delighted to hear this, knowing that Zhao Wuji had softened his stance and had not refused outright, which was a good thing.

There is ample time
"Senior brother, please rest assured, I understand the implications. If you ever feel tired from cultivation in the future, you can always come to my place to taste this 'Snow-capped Green' tea."

She stepped forward and suddenly her warm, delicate hand grasped Zhao Wuji's palm.

As Zhao Wuji frowned, he suddenly realized that he had two more source crystals in his hand.

Li Shiyu said softly.

“Old man Zhaoming will provide my junior sister with some supplies every month. Since her cultivation level is low, she doesn’t need too much. Senior brother can come and take some from her often.”

Zhao Wuji was speechless.

This person is incredibly shrewd, extremely shrewd.

We'll use the resources given to us by Zhaoming to set a trap for him, let him taste the sweetness, and maintain a close relationship.

He glanced at Li Shiyu's fair face, shook his head and sighed, "I find it hard to imagine that my junior sister was once a fisherwoman."

Li Shiyu's heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head, saying, "That fisherwoman has long since died within the cold palace walls."

She suddenly looked up, her eyes sparkling: "But in this equally cold cave, I can come back to life because of my senior brother."

Zhao Wuji coldly replied, "I have a fiancée."

Li Shiyu smiled brightly, "I don't mind."

Zhao Wuji frowned. "I can't give you any title, nor will I agree to anything you ask for."

Li Shiyu gave a soft "Mmm," and said, "I don't mind."

Zhao Wuji felt a throbbing sensation in his temples.

Why did I go out for a stroll today? How did I end up getting myself into a trap?

He stuffed the source crystal back into his hand, then turned and left. "Keep it for yourself. You can take the Dragon-Tiger Pill I gave you last time once you've accumulated enough cultivation, so you can break through sooner."

"Yes!" Li Shiyu replied softly from behind, "Senior Brother mentioned last time that he lacked spiritual materials for alchemy, so Junior Sister has already sent a message to the royal family to request some."

Zhao Wuji paused, then suddenly quickened his pace, disappearing at the end of the corridor in the blink of an eye.
I've updated 6,500 words. I'll add another chapter tonight. Please vote with your monthly tickets!

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(End of this chapter)