Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 97: The Spirit Tide Returns to the Mountain, the Peak Master Shows Concern (Bonus Chapter for Alliance Leader Qingdeng)

At the summit of Cold Moon Peak, a ray of dawn pierces through the sea of ​​clouds.

Zhao Wuji sat cross-legged on the blue stone in front of the cave entrance, his Cold Soul Flying Sword encircling him for three zhang, its sword energy like a snow dragon twisting the mist, tearing the morning haze into countless ice crystals.

The swordsmanship, though only at the beginning stage, can transform into a three-zhang (approximately 10 meters) sword rainbow. The speed of the sword is so fast that it is difficult to follow with the eyes. It can also wrap the body in the air and fly, far surpassing ordinary air-flying techniques. However, it consumes spiritual energy like a flood, so it has not been used lightly so far.

Suddenly, a glint flashed in his eyes as he looked toward the distant main peak of Linlang.

But then, from the distant clouds, came bursts of spiritual energy that sounded like muffled thunder.

The five-colored cloud ring suddenly rippled outwards, like the breath of a giant whale, feeding back the spiritual energy it had swallowed to the surrounding peaks. The spiritual pressure, like muffled thunder, shook the hundred-mile-long sea of ​​clouds, causing it to boil.

"Over the past few days, the Linglang Zhou Tian Star Array has finally been shut down. It seems that the Peak Master's injuries have almost healed?"

Zhao Wuji sheathed his sword and stood up.

A mountain breeze, carrying a surge of spiritual energy, rushed towards him, causing his pores to open up, like a long-parched riverbed suddenly receiving sweet rain, his meridians filled with a tingling and pleasant sensation.

This feeling is like surviving from the spiritual depletion of the Dharma era to the era of spiritual revival. At least there is a similar feeling, making people cherish this gift from heaven and earth that has been lost and regained.

"Wow--"

"My lord, it seems there's a lot more spiritual energy in the air now."

Not far away, Xiaoyue, the young apprentice, was skipping and twirling around in the courtyard, her apron covered in mud, the hem of her skirt fluttering in the wind.

Zhao Wuji watched with a smile, seeing the spiritual energy from all directions flowing like a spring breeze, bringing warmth and spring back to the land. The protective array in the distance was gradually becoming brighter, like the first bloom of the moon.

"Let's go down the mountain and take a look, and while we're at it, we'll stop by the consignment shop in the market to see if those few Buddhist artifacts have been sold."

He straightened his robes, preparing to go down the mountain to check on the situation inside the cave before the peak master returned.

Since returning from his brief reunion with Consort Li, he has been cultivating in his cave for the past few days.

Even during a period of spiritual energy depletion, he still managed to condense two streams of spiritual power every day, but his progress in other techniques was as slow as a tortoise.

At the foot of the mountain, spiritual energy surged like mist and cascaded like a waterfall, overflowing over the three peaks and ten palaces.

"Haha, the spiritual energy within the cave has been restored."

A disciple in blue robes laughed heartily, his fingers forming a hand seal as he performed a flight technique, his robes fluttering and swirling in mid-air.

Three or five disciples in green robes hurried toward the spirit field, their fingers forming a spirit-testing incantation, afraid of missing the best opportunity for the spirit land to revive.

In contrast, the outer gate area of ​​the cave, bounded by Lotus Mountain, even though the spiritual energy has recovered, is like an old woman pacing back and forth, reluctant to grace this gloomy place. It is clearly under the control of the array of the Spirit Monitoring Hall.

Now, some of the gray-robed disciples have returned from outside the cave and are handing over their tasks in the gray-tiled General Affairs Hall.

Some had severed arms wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, while others had sallow complexions and severely depleted spiritual energy. They sat silently under the low eaves, adjusting their breathing to recover.

The silence of the gray-robed disciples contrasted sharply with the cheering blue-robed disciples, like an invisible high wall formed by the concentration of spiritual energy that stretched between the inner and outer sects.

Zhao Wuji and the others used their aerial agility to fly to the Lotus Moon Valley market.

They discovered that groups of disciples in blue robes and green gowns had gathered in the market, and their numbers were considerably greater than a few days ago.

Many disciples with cold and stern auras sat on the ground, with cloths spread out in front of them, displaying items they had brought back from the border battlefield.

Some broken magical artifacts, used talismans, nearly destroyed array flags, and array formation insights.

"Three level-two Explosive Flame Talismans only cost two Source Crystals."

"This piece of Xuan Ironwood was snatched from the scum of Yunfeng Cave, but unfortunately most of its spiritual essence has been lost. However, it is still a decent spiritual material."

The vendors' shouts rose and fell. Zhao Wuji walked with his hands behind his back, his eyes gleaming as he glanced at the various goods. Finally, he chose two Earth Escape Talismans, one Water Mirror Talisman, and a book of array formation notes.

After some haggling, they bought them all for five source crystals.

He had used these two talismans before, and they worked very well with his fighting style.

His knowledge of formations might help him draw out the 'formation' technique from the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Techniques.

Aside from that, he didn't see many other good things; they were mostly broken and fragmented items.

In this degenerate age, it's unrealistic to expect to find good resources in the market. Talismans that can be used in actual combat are already considered good resources.

The book "True Explanation of Talisman Crafting," which teaches how to make talismans, is also available in the Scripture Pavilion of the Cave Heaven, but it requires 300 merit points, which Zhao Wuji did not exchange for to learn it.

He had exhausted his energy by learning the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Techniques and refining elixirs.

There's really no need to learn talisman making, especially since the materials required are enormous. It would be better to learn array formation later and then delve into array techniques.

With a flick of his sleeves, he quickly arrived at the consignment shop.

In front of the blue stone counter, Deacon Shu, dressed in an indigo robe, beamed with delight upon seeing Zhao Wuji. "The three magical artifacts that Junior Nephew Zhao left behind last time have actually been bought by someone."

He turned and took out a brocade pouch from the cabinet, from which thirteen source crystals jingled as he poured them out: "A total of eighteen source crystals were sold; as usual, I'll take five as a commission."

He then lowered his voice: "However, I have prepared another small gift for you. I'll include some news with you. Would you like to hear it?"

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji asked, "What news?"

"Latest battle report from the border." Deacon Shu dipped his fingertip in tea, drawing a bloody mark on the counter: "Yunfeng Cave Heaven has suffered heavy losses of cultivators, including a late-stage Qi Refining elder. It is said..."

He suddenly narrowed his eyes: "It was the Supreme Mother of the Supreme Grotto-Heaven and Fei Yunzi who joined forces with us to besiege and kill them."

"The Supreme Grotto-Heaven?" Zhao Wuji's pupils constricted slightly. "Wasn't there a rumor that the Supreme Grotto-Heaven, in conjunction with the Cloud Phoenix Grotto-Heaven, attacked us?"

"That's just hearsay among the disciples." Deacon Shu chuckled as he wiped away the tea stains. "Initially, Wushang Cave Heaven did intervene, but it was to help us. Otherwise, Peak Master Hou and the others might not have been able to escape. You can ask your peak master later and you'll understand."

Moreover, this alliance in the cultivation world is nothing more than a piece of paper used for pasting windows; alliances only exist when there are mutual benefits.

Zhao Wuji was speechless for a moment.

For a century, Wushang Cave Heaven and Linlang Cave Heaven have been locked in a fierce struggle, with Wushang Sect stirring up trouble in Xuan Kingdom and challenging the royal family's authority.

Now, however, because of the external enemy Yunfeng Cave, they have actually managed to shake hands and make peace, forming an alliance of interests.

In the world of cultivation, there are no eternal enemies. It's all about weighing the pros and cons.
However, this is ultimately a good thing. At least the pressure on the cave will not be too great, and the cultivation environment may be much better.

"If the Supreme Grotto-Heaven and the Jade Grotto-Heaven unite, perhaps we can meet Zhixia openly in the future. However, she must reveal her true identity to me first."

With that thought in mind, he took the Source Crystal and went to the Purple Cloud Palace again to find Yan Boyuan and purchase some spiritual herbs and waste pills for refining the Golden Jade Pill.

Inside the Purple Cloud Hall, Yan Boyuan traced the list on the jade slip with his fingertip, shook his head and sighed, "'Tempering Vein Flower' has been listed as a Class A combat readiness item, and it cannot be used without an elder's order."

As he spoke, he pushed three jade boxes out from the bottom of the cabinet. “Take these auxiliary medicines first. I’ll have to deal with the main medicine for a few more days.”

"Now that the Spirit Herb Garden is closed for renovation, the quotas for each hall have been reduced by 30%."

Yan Boyuan smiled wryly and lowered his voice, "These are the portions I managed to get from the senior brother in charge. I'm sorry I couldn't help much."

Zhao Wuji quickly cupped his hands in thanks, "Senior Brother Yan, you flatter me. I am already grateful that you helped me buy these."

"As for the useless pills, what do you need them for?"

Yan Boyuan was puzzled. Suddenly, he pulled out a gray cloth bag, which jingled. "The waste pills you want are not worth much, but they are materials strictly controlled by the Hundred Waste Pavilion."

He looked around. "Most of it will be allocated to the spirit herb garden as fertilizer, and the array hall will also need it as fuel for refining array cores. I also got some talisman ink from my senior brother. You can take it all."

Zhao Wuji remained silent upon hearing this.

Even the discarded pills were completely divided up. This world truly squeezes everything dry, leaving no stone unturned, leaving no loopholes for anyone to exploit.

He had no choice but to temporarily abandon the idea of ​​using the ingestion technique. In the midst of the pushing and shoving, he gave Yan Boyuan three source crystals, and then left with a lot of supplies.

After returning to Cold Moon Peak, Zhao Wuji and Xiao Yue had just finished sorting and organizing the spiritual materials when Dai Zhiyun's clear voice called out from outside the cave.

"Junior brother! Quickly come with me up the mountain. The peak master has returned and is waiting to see me in the main hall!"

"came back?"

Zhao Wuji was startled and immediately put down the waste pill in his hand. He instructed Xiaoyue to help him tidy up, wiped his hands, and then walked out of the cave to go up the mountain with Dai Zhiyun.

"How is the Peak Master's recovery progressing?"

"She said she's recovered about 70%, and now she just needs to rest." Dai Zhiyun was in a good mood, walking briskly with her clothes fluttering in the wind.

"Junior brother, now that the Peak Master has returned, we can finally be relieved of our duty to guard the peak."

The two quickly arrived outside the Cold Moon Palace.

Even from a hundred feet away, Zhao Wuji could sense the familiar, cold, and powerful spiritual aura emanating from within the hall.

He quickly walked towards the door, but before he even entered, he heard a cold, clear voice.

"Wuji, it's only been a month since I last saw you, and you've already broken through again?"

Zhao Wuji stepped inside and saw Hua Qingshuang sitting on the ice jade throne with her snow-white sleeves hanging down. Her familiar cold eyes were like a deep pool reflecting a sword, and the spiritual pressure surrounding her body was still as imposing as ever.

He immediately bowed deeply, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

"I've met the Peak Master!"

He then said, "During this period of turmoil in the cave, in order to protect myself, I had no choice but to take two Dragon Tiger Pills. I was fortunate enough to break through to the third level of Qi Refining."

"Hmm," Hua Qingshuang nodded calmly, her jade fingers lightly tapping the armrest, her tone unusually gentle: "Pills are ultimately external things. Taking too many will cause toxicity to accumulate in your meridians, which will affect you when you try to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."

Before the words were finished, they had already expressed all the concern.

"Yes! Thank you for your guidance, Peak Master." Zhao Wuji bowed respectfully.

"During my absence, I appreciate your efforts in maintaining the condition of Cold Moon Peak."

Hua Qingshuang's gaze swept over the solemnly standing Dai Zhiyun. "Zhiyun has already reported everything."

Her gaze suddenly sharpened, landing on a scorched black finger mark on Zhao Wuji's robe chest, and her tone abruptly turned cold.

"This is... something Yan Lan left behind after attacking you?"

Today's update is nearly 10,000 words long, please vote with your monthly tickets, my friends!

Some readers also said that I wrote the protagonist as a gigolo. Although that's also satisfying.

However, the protagonist is not without value or has done nothing. For example, he heals the peak master multiple times, and he also makes deals with Consort Li, giving her the Dragon Tiger Pill and fulfilling Consort Li's request.

This isn't the kind of "lying down and living off a woman" persona; rather, it's someone who has put in a lot of effort and possesses immense value, otherwise others wouldn't be seeking favors from the protagonist.

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(End of this chapter)