Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 112: The Peak Master's Past, the Formation of the Array Dao
"Zheng——"

The cold spirit faces the frost, the two swords vie for brilliance, like a soaring dragon and a rising phoenix.

Two peerless cold swords met in mid-air, but instead of the expected metallic clang, they seemed to pass by like wisps of icy rain intertwining with a rainbow.

The sword energy condensed around the Frost Flying Sword intertwined with the azure sword light of the Frost Soul Sword, and bloomed into hundreds of ice crystal lotus flowers in the void.

Each lotus petal reflects the colorful glow of the sunset, making the entire sea of ​​ice lotus flowers look like a dream.

In that split second, Zhao Wuji's sword gesture changed again. The Cold Soul Sword suddenly transformed into a rainbow, but instead of attacking the peak master, it drew a bright blue circle around her three zhang away.

The sword energy condensed but did not erupt, as if it had transformed into specks of starlight suspended in the void, faintly forming a profound array.

"Please, Peak Master, assess my skills." Zhao Wuji sheathed his sword, his robes fluttering with composure. "This move, 'Cold Star Points at the Moon,' is my first attempt at integrating the Dao of Arrays into my swordsmanship. When the sword energy is condensed and not yet released, it is like a dragon lurking in the abyss; once unleashed, it strikes straight at the heart of the enemy."

Peak Master Hua gazed at the suspended azure starlight, a slight smile playing on his icy lips: "Not bad, turning rainbows into points, condensing without dissipating. What a fine prototype of a sword formation!"

A hint of amazement flashed in her eyes, "You've only been studying array formations for a little over a month, yet you've managed to integrate them into your swordsmanship and comprehend such variations."

With a slight lift of her hand, the Frost Sword suddenly transformed into a rainbow, drawing seven perfect arcs in the air, like a rainbow.

"This move has broken through the barrier of rainbow transformation that I haven't been able to comprehend for five years."

As she spoke, Zhao Wuji's swordplay changed with the sword techniques in his hands.

The countless suspended cold stars suddenly transformed into a torrential downpour of icy rain, sweeping towards Hua Qingshuang like an inverted Milky Way.

Each "raindrop" is a sword aura condensed to the extreme, which is similar to the "dripping water wears away stone" technique in the Xuanbing Sword Art.

"it is good!"

Hua Qingshuang's jade fingers flew, and the Frost Sword instantly blossomed into a nine-petaled Frost Sword Lotus.

As the lotus petals spun, a chilling aura emanated from them, completely blocking the incoming rain of swords.

"What a magnificent Mystic Ice Sword Lotus!"

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji pointed his sword, and the rain of swords suddenly gathered into a rainbow, which struck the heart of the sword lotus.

"Zheng!"

Despite being struck, the sword lotus bloomed with three more layers of petals.

The tips of the two swords, Cold Soul and Frost, clashed precisely at this moment, like needles meeting wheat awns, bursting forth with dazzling brilliance.

From a distance, they looked like two peerless sword lotuses reflecting each other in the void.

"Whoosh-"

The two sword lights each transformed into rainbows and returned.

Hua Qingshuang gently stroked the icy sword, a complex emotion flickering in her usually cold eyes:
"If you meet a swordsman on the road, you must present your sword; if you are not a poet, do not discuss poetry."

She looked at the young man who was four years younger than her, and her voice carried a rare touch of emotion: "When I was ten years old, I followed my father to cultivate outside the cave. After half a year of Qi Induction, I reached the fourth level of Qi Induction after two years inside the cave."

He mastered the Xuanbing Sword Technique at the age of eighteen and achieved mastery by the age of twenty-four.
But this realm of sword energy transforming into rainbows has trapped me for a full five years.

She gazed at Zhao Wuji and sighed, "I have seen many geniuses at the pinnacle of Ziguang, but I have only recently discovered that in the path of cultivation, spiritual talent alone is not enough; one must also have comprehension."

Unfettered, your comprehension is beyond the reach of genius!
"Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me. Today, you have broken through my sword barrier, and I have achieved sudden enlightenment, my sword energy transforming into a rainbow!"

Hua Qingshuang lightly stroked the rainbow-like tail of the Frost Sword with her fingertips, her eyes shining brightly, "Giving you the Frost Soul Flying Sword was the best decision I ever made!"

"Peak Master! You flatter me!"

Zhao Wuji quickly clasped his sword and bowed, saying, "I merely had a stroke of luck, relying on the sword's energy, to gain some enlightenment on the brink of death."

He didn't expect that Hua Qingshuang would express such serious sentiments and even bring up the past.

Clearly, his guidance and instruction to the other party to break through the sword barrier and transform sword energy into a rainbow had greatly unsettled the other party and impacted them.

However, his comprehension was actually not as exaggerated as the other party claimed, and was even far inferior to Hua Qingshuang, who had comprehended the current level on her own.

He relied solely on swordsmanship from the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Techniques.

The techniques of condensing sword energy into threads and transforming it into rainbows are merely basic methods among the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Techniques. Once he has mastered swordsmanship, he casually throws out some insights into swordsmanship from a high vantage point, making him appear to be extremely talented in the art.

In fact, aren't the array formations that come with array formation techniques and the medicine that comes with medicine techniques also the same?

However, he was indeed quite curious about the sword energy infused within the sword token.

This sword energy is too powerful. Who is the master who infused this sword energy?
How come I've never heard of a cultivator with such powerful swordsmanship within this cave?
"It was my father who infused the sword token with sword energy."

A crystal sword token flew out from Hua Qingshuang's sleeve.

The lingering sword energy within the command was chillingly cold, causing the surrounding snowflakes to condense into sword shapes, leaving Zhao Wuji astonished.

"It has been eleven years since my father passed away." Hua Qingshuang gently stroked the sword token with her fingertips and lowered her head. A trace of sadness flashed between her frost-covered brows. "The sword energy in these sword tokens is one less each time it is used. When it is exhausted, the cave master must personally replenish it."

"The Peak Master's Father"

Zhao Wuji was deeply shaken.

How could a cultivator who could leave behind such terrifying sword energy perish so silently?
What's even stranger is that the cave has been peaceful for the past ten years, and there has never been any earth-shattering battle.

"My father's death may be related to the Tiannan Secret Realm, or perhaps..." Hua Qingshuang suddenly stopped speaking, her icy eyes sweeping over like swords, "Knowing too much now will not do you any good. Now that you have comprehended the Profound Ice Sword Technique, once you break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refining, you may not be unable to contend with Ji Mobai."

She slightly raised her jade-like hand from her sleeve, "At that time, I will personally sit on the platform to discuss merits for you."

"many"

Before Zhao Wuji could even utter a word of thanks as he cupped his hands in thanks, he suddenly felt the surroundings change drastically!

boom--

An overwhelming spiritual force suddenly pressed down, as if the entire Cold Moon Peak had crashed onto his shoulders. His robes fluttered wildly under the violent spiritual pressure, and his skin felt as if it were being pierced by thousands of needles. Most terrifyingly, this spiritual force was mixed with wisps of sword energy, and if he was not careful, his skin would be torn apart!

Zhao Wuji looked up in astonishment at Hua Qingshuang, whose robes fluttered and released terrifying spiritual power.

"Peak Master."

Hua Qingshuang maintained her powerful spiritual aura, her clear, cold eyes scrutinizing Zhao Wuji, who still stood upright despite being enveloped and intimidated by her spiritual power, a satisfied smile curving her lips.

“Not bad.” Hua Qingshuang waved her wide sleeves lightly, and the overwhelming spiritual power receded like a tide. “If you can remain unmoved under my spiritual pressure, then Kang Youyuan’s mere Qi-inducing eighth level spiritual power is naturally no match for you.”

Her gaze shifted slightly, recalling those nights when she received acupuncture treatments.

This disciple was still able to accurately place the needle even under the pressure of her late-stage Qi Induction Realm; her composure was truly extraordinary.

Zhao Wuji suddenly felt a lightness in his body and laughed, "Peak Master is wise. When that old ghost Kang fled with serious injuries, he even dissipated most of his spiritual power. How could he compare to Peak Master?" "Go." Hua Qingshuang suddenly interrupted with a wave of her sleeve, her frosty face revealing no emotion. "Cultivate well."

"Yes!"

After bowing in greeting, Zhao Wuji turned and left.

Hua Qingshuang stared at his back for a long time with her clear eyes before slowly looking away.

When a man's strength and status improve, he will naturally attract unwanted attention from women.

After delivering supplies up the mountain today, Consort Li Shiyu, who came to pay her respects, made her vaguely aware of some clues.

However, this woman was Emperor Zhaoming's personal concubine, and although she wanted to remind her, she didn't know how to say it.

"Maybe next time."

She wished that the women Zhao Wuji came into contact with were all innocent and carefree, like Xiao Yue, so that at least he would be safe.

The mountain wind, carrying fallen leaves, concealed the fleeting complexity in the peak master's eyes.

"grown ups!"

As soon as Zhao Wuji stepped into the cave, a figure in pale yellow rushed into his arms like a swallow returning to its nest. The medicine boy, Xiaoyue, happily embraced him, exclaiming excitedly.

"My lord, you've been away on the battlefield these past few days, and Xiaoyue has been so worried that she hasn't been able to sleep well for days. Now that you're finally back..."

Zhao Wuji chuckled, casually pinching her rosy cheek as they walked, "You still can't sleep well? You often fall asleep while cultivating, when else can't you sleep well?"

"You're making fun of me!" Xiaoyue's ears turned bright red, but she suddenly puffed out her chest. "I've been cultivating diligently these past few days, and I've already developed two strands of spiritual power!"

As she spoke, she extended two slender, jade-like fingers and waved them.

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. "Then you have improved."

Xiaoyue was immediately overjoyed and pulled him by the sleeve, running towards the pharmacy to introduce the medicinal herbs that had been processed recently, as well as some other medicinal herbs that had been collected.

"I heard you've been quite impressive out there lately, sir. Xiaoyue couldn't get any Purple Round Flowers a while ago, but these past two days a senior brother from the Purple Cloud Palace has offered to sell them to me."

Her voice suddenly lowered, "However, of the six source crystals left by the adults, two have already been used up too quickly."

Turning the corner of the corridor, the neatly stacked spoils of war came into view inside the cave. Xiao Yue stroked the broken alchemy cauldron of Li Shaojun, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I never expected you to bring back so many good things on your trip, sir. These all look incredibly valuable, don't they? This cauldron is a bit broken, but it's big enough to hold three or five of me."

"Yes, these are all things I can use."

Zhao Wuji felt quite pleased as he looked at Xiao Yue, who was meticulously calculating every penny.

All these treasures in the room are not as vibrant as the person before me.

Watching Xiaoyue's cheerful and busy figure, Zhao Wuji's eyes warmed. Although this girl did not understand the great path of cultivation, she was sincere and pure. With her taking care of things in the cave, it was indeed easy to clear one's mind.

"Remember to take the fasting pills on time."

He flicked Xiaoyue's smooth forehead with his finger, "If I find you eating ordinary pastries and pig's trotters again..."

Before he could finish speaking, the little girl covered her forehead, her ear tips so red they looked like they could bleed.

Zhao Wuji shook his head and chuckled, took out eight array flags, walked out of the cave, and began to try to set up the array.

As he lightly tapped the flag with his array-setting technique, the hidden cloud patterns on the flag lit up one by one.

Although it was only a rudimentary form of the Earthly Fiend Formation Technique, with the help of these captured formation flags, a formation combining illusion and defense was formed in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Although the array formation made of the array flags is better than that made of ordinary grass, trees, rocks and stones, and can be maintained for a longer period of time, the array will still fail once the spiritual power he infused into it is exhausted.

These types of battle flags are generally easy to carry and can be easily arranged into a formation when out in the field.

If more people are stationed in the formation to act as its core, constantly infusing it with spiritual energy, the formation's power can be maintained for a long time. However, if it is separated from people, it will be difficult to operate on its own for an extended period.

Therefore, it is also necessary to make array plates and insert array flags into the corresponding positions to form the nodes of the array hub, which can then absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on its own.

"We need to refine the array plate as soon as possible."

Recalling the Wine God Array in Yelang Kingdom that rotated on its own by borrowing the spiritual energy of mountains and rivers, Zhao Wuji's eyes flickered slightly.

A truly superior formation should be based on a formation plate and guided by formation flags, connecting with the spiritual veins of heaven and earth to form a self-circulating system. Only then can the formation be considered truly impregnable.

The artifact hall within the cave is where array plates can be made.

After setting up the formation, Zhao Wuji took a lot of Bright Cloud Wood spiritual materials and the damaged spiritual armor to the Magic Weapon Hall.

Having contributed one hundred merits, I asked the steward of the Magic Artifact Hall to help me make an array plate and repair the spirit armor.

Subsequently, the magical artifacts obtained from the disciples of Yunfeng Cave were sent to the market consignment shop for consignment.

After all that work, the sun was already setting in the west.

Back in his cave, he finally had time to cultivate while studying the alchemical cauldron of Li Shaojun, a Taoist alchemist from the Han Dynasty.

This cauldron was the first magical artifact he had acquired that was related to cultivators from past dynasties.

Although he had lost all his spirituality, the dregs in the cauldron had once helped him separate the sunflower components, thus enabling him to refine the Golden Jade Pill.

Currently, some medicinal residue remains at the bottom of the cauldron, which may allow us to separate some sunflower components again using the pill-making technique.

"According to the Imperial Preceptor's notes, these medicinal dregs are the transformation of the Taiyi Golden Elixir from the past, which is why they can condense into green dew when exposed to moonlight."

Unfortunately, due to its age, even if it condenses into dew, consuming it would be harmful rather than beneficial.

"But I possess the art of ingesting toxins, which allows me to transform poison into nourishment. I can even use my medical skills to regulate the residue of medicinal herbs."

Zhao Wuji pressed his palm against the mottled cauldron, feeling a slight tremor in his fingertips.

A few wisps of faint dragon energy still lurked within this ancient cauldron, which is thousands of years old.

With a slight thought, the Yang Pearl within his body spun gently, absorbing all the golden energy like a whale sucking in water, adding more than twenty strands of Yang energy.

With a burst of strength, he lifted the heavy cauldron and carried it to the center of the courtyard outside the cave. By then, a moon had already appeared on the horizon.

"The moon is in full bloom tonight."

Zhao Wuji gently stroked the dragon pattern on the handle of the cauldron, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

Under the moonlight, the dark brown dregs of the medicine would seep out Taiyi Green Dew.

Although it is like poison to ordinary people, under his refinement through the art of ingestion, he might be able to taste some of the saltiness of the ancient elixir, Taiyi Golden Elixir.
(End of this chapter)