Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 115: Sword Heart Turns to Demons, Storage Items Fall into Hands
"Ji Mobai! Stop...!"

Seeing the astonishing Lone Cloud Sword Qi suddenly unleash, Elder Li of the Hall of Merit's expression changed, and he was about to shout to stop it.

At this moment, however, the Lone Cloud Flying Sword hummed and trembled, almost out of control as if it contained some kind of spirituality.

This scene immediately brought Ji Mobai, who was in a state of mental chaos, back to his senses. He abruptly forced the fierce sword energy he was unleashing to change course.

"Click——"

A huge gash was instantly cut open in the jade-green floor tiles.

Zhao Wuji's external Frost Soul Flying Sword suddenly split into two swords and condensed into a star array, yet it remained completely unharmed.

Instead, Ji Mobai coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turned pale, and he knelt on the ground, his body trembling violently like a leaf, staring intently at the Lone Cloud Flying Sword that had fallen to the ground with a buzzing sound.

The cold, sharp light of the sword reflected on his distraught face!

The Lone Cloud Flying Sword is solitary, bright, and pure, possessing astonishing spirituality, and disdains bullying the weak.

The mournful cries emanating from the spirit sword were even more shocking to his mind than the excruciating pain from the backlash of sword energy within his body.

If the flying sword hadn't awakened itself just now, he would have almost fallen into the demonic trap of a twisted sword heart.

"I"

Ji Mobai turned around blankly, seemingly unaware that he was injured from forcibly twisting the sword energy and felt as if his body was about to split open. He looked back at his master sitting on the high platform opposite him.

But Hou Baichang had already stood up at some point, his hand forming a sword-finger gesture, as if he had been preparing to intervene.

But this hurt him even more.

"Mo Bai." Hou Baichang stood with his hands behind his back, his voice like a deep pool of ancient water, "Sword cultivators value their state of mind the most. You have ultimately become attached to appearances. The reason you have never understood the state of sword heart clarity lies in this. I hope you can take this as a warning."

His gaze was like a sword, as if he could see through the demons in his disciple's heart.

His disciple was too arrogant and had never experienced defeat. This time, the loss of the first merit was a setback. He wanted to use Zhao Wuji as a sword to temper his disciple's arrogance so that he could become a great man in the future. Therefore, he went with the flow and put pressure on the Hall of Merit.

But he wasn't sure if Zhao Wuji's sword was sharp enough to truly defeat his disciple, but now it seemed...
"Disciple understands."

Ji Mobai staggered to his feet, the blood still wet on his lips.

Now that his mind was clear, he realized with a start that he had almost fallen into the clutches of his inner demons. Even his long-time companion, the Lonely Cloud Sword, had abandoned him, which showed how dangerous the situation was.

He turned to look at Zhao Wuji, who was standing with his sword sheathed, a complex mix of emotions and admiration flashing across his eyes.

Even at that critical moment, the opponent did not back down, but instead transformed their swords into a formation, clearly indicating that they had other means of self-defense.

He was completely convinced.

He was certain there was no conspiracy, no injustice; all that existed was the deep-seated resentment and delusion within him that he refused to believe others were stronger than him.

"Junior Brother Zhao, it turns out I've been clinging to appearances all along!"

He suddenly bowed deeply to the ground. This bow was not only to the other party's swordsmanship, but also to the obsession he had broken. "I should not have broken my promise just now. It was wrong of me to doubt that you could possibly be stronger than me."

I am unworthy to wield the Lone Cloud Flying Sword!

At this moment, Ji Mobai turned to Hou Baichang and said, "Only today do I realize that the true meaning of swordsmanship lies not in victory or defeat."

The blood at the corner of his mouth was still wet, but his eyes were clear: "Please take back the Lone Cloud Flying Sword, Master. After I have refined my sword heart, I will make the Lone Cloud Flying Sword recognize me again!"

"good!"

Hou Baichang flicked his sword finger, and the Lone Cloud Sword flew into his sleeve in response, but a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

The cheer startled the stunned crowd, and an uproar erupted in the hall. No one had expected that today's sword duel would end like this.

"Senior Brother Ji actually..."

Amidst the clamor, only Li Shiyu clutched the hem of her skirt, saying, "I knew it. My Senior Brother Zhao wouldn't lose to this Bai Jimo."

Her eyes were practically sparkling with excitement, and she was already racking her brains about how to celebrate for her senior brother afterwards.

Ji Mobai turned around and bowed to Zhao Wuji again, this time with a deeper bow than before.

A proud person will never do anything shameful.

He had just lost face, but now he felt the intense gazes from all around him, which seemed like a refreshing spring, dispelling all the pent-up emotions in his heart.

Zhao Wuji raised his hand in a gesture of respect and returned the gesture.

Seeing that Ji Mobai was able to pull back from the brink of defeat just before unleashing his sword, choosing to injure himself rather than betray his sword spirit, this secret of Guyun Peak can be considered to have some integrity.

"He's still a human being."

"As for whether he is a person of importance, we'll see if he can truly grow in the future. If he is a person of importance, it's because he was at least able to pull back from the brink."

Before Zhao Wuji could finish his thoughts, he caught a glimpse of Hua Qingshuang on the high platform, her face covered in frost. Her cold eyes pierced Hou Baichang and Elder Li, causing the temperature in the hall to drop sharply. He was taken aback.

"Peak Master Hou, Elder Li." Hua Qingshuang's pretty face was filled with murderous intent as she stared coldly at Hou Baichang and Elder Li of the Hall of Merit, asking a question.

"Now that the contest between my disciples is over, I must ask you two for an explanation."

Elder Li was immediately taken aback, then realized what was happening and wanted to raise his hand to beg for mercy, but faced with Hua Qingshuang's icy face, he could only smile bitterly at Hou Baichang.

"Junior Sister Hua."

Hou Baichang was also greatly troubled, but he remained calm and looked at Hua Qingshuang, saying, "You arrogant fool almost caused a disaster. I am willing to offer twenty Origin Crystals."

"The credit for this achievement was determined by the elders and personally approved by the cave master." Ice crystals condensed at Hua Qingshuang's fingertips. "Just because Wuji's cultivation is still shallow, does that mean he can be questioned so easily?"

Her phoenix eyes flashed like lightning, her gaze filled with authority. "Or does Senior Brother Hou think that my disciples are easy to bully?"

The temperature inside the hall plummeted, and a layer of white frost quietly covered the jade floor. Hou Baichang looked at the swirling cold mist in the other's sleeves and knew that things would not end well today. He could only frown and say helplessly, "Junior Sister Hua, my disciple is already seriously injured and knows he has made a mistake. How do you want to punish him? Please tell me."

"When a disciple makes a mistake, the master takes responsibility."

Hua Qingshuang didn't even glance at Ji Mobai, but stared at Hou Baichang and said, "I will not hold this against a junior, but you, senior brother, need to make some compensation."

"Oh?" Hou Baichang's eyes flashed. "Junior sister, please speak freely."

Hua Qingshuang said, "We will open the Lonely Cloud Sword Cave to Wuji so that he can go in and cultivate for a month."

Hou Baichang narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Zhao Wuji, "This boy is truly remarkable!"

Hua Qingshuang's face was as cold as ice, but the corners of her lips were slightly raised as she said softly, "I have said before, his sword control skills are no less than mine."

Hou Baichang took a deep breath and said, "Alright! The Lonely Cloud Sword Cave can be opened to him for one month."

Zhao Wuji's heart skipped a beat. He had heard of the fame of the Lonely Cloud Sword Cave. The cave was a place that only the true disciples of Lonely Cloud Peak could enter, and it was said to contain the sword intent of the peak masters of all generations.

Unexpectedly, Hua Qingshuang's purpose in coming to support him was this.

He immediately thanked Peak Master Hou, but he still had to maintain a semblance of respect.

"And you, Elder Li?" Hua Qingshuang suddenly looked at Elder Li again and said calmly, "If the established merit can be questioned at will, what about the rules of the cave heaven, and what about the dignity of the cave master?"

"I...I know I was wrong!" Elder Li bowed deeply to the ground, his back already soaked with sweat. "This time, it was indeed my fault for failing to maintain order and discipline."

If he had known these two great figures were fighting, why would he have gotten involved in this mess? At this moment, he wished he could turn into a wisp of smoke and escape.

"That's enough." Hua Qingshuang waved her hand lightly, and the stagnant chill in the hall suddenly dissipated. "It's good that you know. As an elder of the Hall of Merit, I will not ask you for any compensation, lest you break even bigger rules."

Her sudden decision to stop while she was ahead was like a pardon to Elder Li, but this unexpected leniency only instilled in him a deeper sense of awe for the Cold Moon Peak Master.

Seeing this, the many disciples in green and blue robes around him felt an even deeper sense of awe and respect for him.

In terms of age, Hua Qingshuang is not as old as some of the older disciples in Qingyi who have been out of practice for many years.

In terms of seniority, he is nothing compared to these elders who are often over a hundred years old.

But back when her father was still alive, she was already the most dazzling sword among the Blue Robe True Disciples.

After her father died, this seemingly weak woman cleaved a bloody path with a three-foot-long sword, defeated seven senior brothers in succession when she seized the Purple Robe Secret, and challenged three elders with her sword when she competed for the position of peak master.

This reputation for being formidable is not just empty boasting; it was earned through battles fought on the renowned 'Frosty Soul' sword.

Now, the Frost Soul Flying Sword has a formidable new master!
Soon, as Elder Li announced the battle achievements again, this time there was not a single dissenting voice. As each general stepped forward to receive their reward, their gazes involuntarily drifted towards the figure in blue robes. Those gazes that had once held scrutiny and amusement had now transformed into complex expressions of admiration.

He entered the Dao in a year, becoming proficient in both alchemy and swordsmanship. He broke through to the third level of Qi Induction by refining the Dragon-Tiger Pill, and then, in a life-or-death situation, he suddenly comprehended the transformation of sword energy into a rainbow, directly entering the fourth level!
Such a rise to prominence is something even the most demanding elders have to admit: this young man has already made a name for himself!
"This is a storage bag?"

Zhao Wuji felt a subtle spatial repulsion emanating from his palm, as if he were holding a small, independent world. As his spiritual light flowed, an indescribable excitement welled up in his heart.

"I finally have a storage bag."

Zhao Wuji was somewhat excited, and his gaze unconsciously drifted to the ancient spirit stone radiating spiritual light in Ji Mobai's hand not far away, feeling a bit envious.

Ancient spirit stones are extremely rare, with only a handful being mined in a year in the mining area.

I was quick to agree to the duel with Senior Brother Ji, but I should gamble on the ancient spirit stones he possesses.

However, this thought of wanting more after getting what one has only flashed through my mind for a moment.

Zhao Wuji let out a soft breath, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards the beautiful figure on the high platform. He just wanted to return to his cave as soon as possible to study the storage bag.

Just then, Hua Qingshuang turned around as if she had sensed something, and that fleeting smile was like a plum blossom blooming in the cold winter, a touch of brilliance emerging from the frost.

"Peak Master, sometimes you look much better when you smile more."

Zhao Wuji thought to himself that he was amazed by the charm of the scene just now.

Before I could think it through, fellow disciples came one after another to offer their congratulations.

He returned the greetings and pleasantries one by one, and when the ceremony ended, he couldn't wait to fly back to his cave.

"The master is back."

Back inside the cave, Xiao Yue, the medicine boy who knew nothing about the Hall of Merit, excitedly came over and curiously examined the storage bag together.

"My lord, is this the legendary storage bag? How many treasures can it hold? Can it fit Xiaoyue inside?"

Zhao Wuji chuckled, flicked Xiaoyue's nose, and shook his head, saying, "This storage bag can hold a lot of good treasures, but it can't be used to hold living things. If I put you in it, I can replace the medicine boy with someone else."

"It died as soon as it was put in?"

Xiaoyue was startled and hesitated to touch the storage bag, afraid of being sucked in. She then stomped her foot and said coquettishly, "Master, you're so mean! You're just trying to scare me!"

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily, looked at the storage bag in his hand that was incredibly magical, both in novels of his past life and in cultivation in this life, and immediately made a hand seal.

With his right hand forming the Meridian Seal and his left hand stroking the bag's patterns, spiritual energy flowed from his thumb into the storage bag's restrictive hub.

"The universe contains even the smallest things, and every inch holds a treasure—open!"

(End of this chapter)