Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 117: A Poor Man's Cultivation of Immortality, Sword Intent in the Sword Cave (Bonus Chapter for Monthly Tickets: 513)

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, gazing intently at the white jade notice board.

On the crimson kill list of Yunfeng Cave Heaven, the first three lines of large vermilion characters were strikingly conspicuous:

"Whoever slays Hua Qingshuang will be rewarded with a thousand source crystals, a storage bag, and three treasures from the secret vault!"

"Whoever kills Zhao Wuji will be granted Kang Youyuan's relics (including 300 Source Crystals and three magical artifacts), and promoted to the position of Xuan Sha Peak Master!"

"The one who executed Hou Baichang."

Upon closer inspection, he discovered that the rewards offered by Elders Wen and Jiao were actually less than his own.

Zhao Wuji couldn't help but smile bitterly to himself. This wasn't a kill order; it was clearly putting him on the hot seat! What merit did he, an ordinary disciple, possess?
"Senior Brother Zhao, you are truly amazing! There are only two disciples on the Kill Ranking in our Linglang Cave Heaven, and your bounty is the highest, the honor is top-notch!"

A blue-robed disciple stood to the side, giving a thumbs-up with a look of deep respect.

"There is still one?"

Zhao Wuji was taken aback. He slowly read on and finally saw Ji Mobai's name at the end, with a reward of fifty source crystals.

Zhao Wuji's eyes twitched slightly. Yunfeng Cave Heaven's move was clearly intended to make him the target of public criticism, to praise him to death.

Ji Mobai is actually at the sixth level of Qi Refining, while he is only at the fourth level of Qi Refining on the surface.

Those who accept the bounty will see the difference in the bounty amounts and know to pick the easy target with the higher reward.

But looking at the admiring and respectful gazes of his fellow disciples, he clearly didn't feel 'worried' at all, but rather proud, as if being on this list was such an honor that he wished he could take their place and make a name for himself.

"To take his place."

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred, and he carefully examined the list, but found no further details.

This is quite normal, since the list is an internal ranking of Yunfeng Cave Heaven, and the rewards are probably for cultivators of Yunfeng Cave Heaven. It would be difficult for him to find a loophole.

"If it's just a matter of bringing my head to meet them, I only need to learn the Head-Continuing Technique from the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends Techniques, and I can kill myself and then scam the bounty."

Zhao Wuji clicked his tongue twice with some regret, then looked at the list of killers released by Linlang Cave Heaven and memorized the names and physical characteristics of some of the cultivators.

Afterwards, he wandered through the market and engaged in several verbal battles with the stall owners, finally purchasing one Earth Escape Talisman and one Water Mirror Talisman at a low price.

In addition, he purchased a magical artifact, the Phantom Cloak, for seven Source Crystals, which could be used to protect against and confuse enemies.

When unfolded, this object can split into three illusory images, making it an excellent magical artifact for warding off disaster.

"Brother Zhao is now famous far and wide, but he's still the same when it comes to bargaining."

The disciple, still dizzy from being hacked, shook his head with a wry smile, packed up the talismans and magical artifacts, and handed them over, saying, "You really are shrewd and calculating."

"Junior Brother Wu, you are unaware of this."

Zhao Wuji shook his head and sighed, "I may seem successful on the surface, but in reality, I'm also short of money. Alas. Look at my robes."

He pointed to the charred finger marks on the chest of his robe, then casually put the talisman and magical artifact into his storage bag, and took out ten source crystals to give to the other person.

This action immediately drew envious and jealous glances from those around, who were speechless at Zhao Wuji's words.

They're using storage bags now, and they still say they're poor.

I was almost fooled by this tattered robe.

After completing his shopping, Zhao Wuji gathered some information in the market.

The Supreme Grotto-Heaven may soon be coming to the Grotto-Heaven for a friendly gathering.

Apart from that, the two great grotto-heavens of Yunfeng and Linlang are still in the process of testing each other and have not yet gone to war, which puts us at ease.

"Let's go check out the Sword Cave first."

He rose into the air, gazing at the darkening sky, and muttered to himself, "This war has dragged on for so long, even Earth Escape Talismans have risen in price to one Source Crystal each."

As he ran his fingertips along the cloud patterns on the storage bag, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

It would be hard to believe that I could carry such a treasure but not be able to fill it. Half of this storage bag is empty, which is a bit embarrassing.

He is indeed somewhat poor now. In the past two months, due to the excessive depletion of spiritual energy in his cave, he has handed over three source crystals to the Spirit Monitoring Hall.

The purchase of spirit-eating insects for research cost eleven source crystals.

Now, he only has about twenty source crystals left in his pocket, and he will need to consume them in the spiritless environment after leaving the cave. He is really in a tight spot.

After a cup of tea, outside Guyun Peak, clouds and mist swirled.

"Senior Brother Zhao!" Upon seeing Zhao Wuji's figure, the disciples guarding the mountain were immediately on high alert, their words stammering.

"Junior brother, there's no need to be nervous."

Zhao Wuji smiled and bowed, "I've only come to apply for entry into the Sword Cave for cultivation; I hope you will inform me."

"Ah? Okay, okay, I'll go and report it right away."

Upon hearing this, the disciple felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly rode his sword up the mountain.

Before long, several blue-robed disciples hurriedly arrived, each with a solemn expression, leading Zhao Wuji up the mountain as if welcoming a formidable enemy, leaving him speechless for a moment.

"Senior Brother Zhao, I have already informed the Peak Master."

At first, the disciple guarding the mountain bowed respectfully and said, "The peak master instructed me to take you directly to the Sword Cave, but you will only have one month to cultivate inside. The peak master instructed you not to go in and out frequently."

Zhao Wuji glanced at the two serious disciples of Guyun Peak on his left and right, and nodded slightly to indicate that he understood.

The way these disciples of Lone Cloud Peak were on high alert as if they were watching him as he was being escorted to the Sword Cave, as if they were afraid he would cause trouble at Lone Cloud Peak.

"Where's your Senior Brother Ji?" The atmosphere on the way was dull, and Zhao Wuji couldn't help but casually start a conversation.

The three disciples from Lonely Cloud Peak all stiffened, and the leader forced a smile, saying, "Senior Brother Ji has been in seclusion in the Sword Cave for over two months."

"How fortunate they are!"

Zhao Wuji couldn't help but sigh.

The secret teachings of Lonely Cloud Peak are indeed generous. Considering that the mines of Cold Moon Peak were already depleted during the time of Peak Master Hua's father...
"Senior brother, you can choose any training room in the Sword Cave."

The disciple solemnly reminded him again, his eyes gleaming, "However, please do not wander around. Within this month, you may enter and exit the Sword Cave three times with this sword token." The disciple handed over a sword token.

Zhao Wuji noticed the wariness in the other person's eyes, smiled, and reached out to take the sword token.

It seems that ever since he defeated Ji Mobai with his sword, these disciples of Guyun Peak have been looking at him as if he were some kind of ferocious beast.

The implication was clear: they were afraid he would cause trouble for Senior Brother Ji.

Passing through layers of clouds, a pitch-black cliff suddenly appeared before us.

The wall was covered with crisscrossing sword marks of varying depths, each mark seemingly still retaining a chilling aura of sword energy, sending shivers down one's spine.

"Senior Brother Zhao, this is the Lone Cloud Sword Cave."

The leading disciple said respectfully, then took out a sword token, made a hand seal, and thrust it into the cliff face.

boom--

The surface of the cliff rippled like water, slowly opening a deep cave entrance.

In an instant, a chilling sword aura swept over you, as if countless invisible blades were lightly scraping your skin, making your hair stand on end.

A glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, and he secretly praised, "What a sacred place for swordsmanship!"

"I'll go in and take a look first."

He stepped into the cave, but the disciples of Lonely Cloud Peak did not follow. They simply bowed from a distance and said, "Senior Brother Zhao, it is inconvenient for us to enter. Please cultivate on your own."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, said nothing more, and walked straight into the depths.

The cave was dimly lit, with only a few luminous pearls scattered on the stone walls emitting a faint, cold light.

The further you go in, the stronger the sword intent permeates the air.

It was as if countless invisible sword energies were intertwining in the void, sometimes sharp as lightning, sometimes heavy as a mountain, and sometimes ethereal as clouds.

"Is this the sword intent left behind by the successive peak masters?"

Zhao Wuji was shocked. Upon closer inspection, he felt that each sword mark seemed to be alive, exhaling a unique sword intent—it had the domineering power to split mountains and shatter rocks, the gentleness to unravel silk threads, and even the cunning and ruthless methods.

These completely different sword philosophies intertwined and collided here, forming a mysterious balance that broadened his horizons.

Suddenly, the second Yin Bead inside her body trembled slightly.

Under his inner vision, he saw that his swordsmanship had easily improved by a little.

Swordsmanship: Beginner Level (92/100)

He looked around at the simple caves carved out of the stone walls, then randomly chose one to enter. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and concentrated, letting the sword intent wash over him as he slowly comprehended it.

A moment later, he felt as if he were in a vast sea of ​​swords.

Countless sword shadows surged within his sea of ​​consciousness, each seemingly containing supreme sword principles.

"So that's how it is... The flowing water is long and winding, the clouds and mist are ethereal, and the thunder is fierce..."

A new understanding emerged in Zhao Wuji's mind, and his swordsmanship proficiency gradually fluctuated and increased.

However, at that moment, he suddenly sensed an extremely subtle sword intent, seemingly there but not there, yet it rang out with a melodious sword cry that made his soul tremble, which startled him.

"This sword intent... it seems to be the sword energy of the Sword Order. It's even somewhat similar to the sword intent of Peak Master Hua's father?"

He suddenly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them.

Hua Fengzhu's father was once the peak master of Hanyue Peak, but he has long since perished. How could his sword intent appear in Guyun Sword Cave?
"Could it be... that there is a connection between the two peaks that I am unaware of? Is this also the reason why the peak master sent me to the Lonely Cloud Sword Cave to cultivate?"

Zhao Wuji seemed to be deep in thought and was about to explore further when he suddenly sensed a sharp sword intent coming from the depths of the cave, as if it were a warning or a response.

He frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "It seems that this Sword Cave still holds many secrets... It would be better to return to the peak and consult Peak Master Hua before going into seclusion."

His trip was originally to explore the area. If he really intended to cultivate here for a month, he would need to prepare enough fasting pills and instructed Xiaoyue to guard the cave.

Upon considering this, he immediately stood up and brushed his sleeves.

Deep within the Sword Cave, in a dimly lit stone chamber,

"Ok?"

Ji Mobai suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with sword-like light.

Just now, he vaguely sensed that many sword intents in the cave suddenly became excited, as if welcoming a prodigy of swordsmanship, showing an unprecedented affinity.

"Could it be that I have already grasped the meaning?"

He pressed his sword finger to his heart, then shook his head self-deprecatingly, "Is it so easy to achieve a clear sword mind?"

At this moment, the sword intent within the cave had returned to silence, as if the previous disturbance was merely an illusion.

An illusion, it must be an illusion.
Ji Mobai sighed softly and closed his eyes to meditate again, unaware that the person who had triggered the resonance of sword intent had already left.
Zhao Wuji quickly returned to Hanyue Peak, took out several bottles of fasting pills from his cave dwelling and put them into his storage bag. He then carefully instructed Xiaoyue on how to look after the cave dwelling before heading straight to Hanshuang Palace to request an audience.

"You've already been to the Lonely Cloud Sword Cave?"

A cool, clear voice came from inside the hall.

Hua Qingshuang stepped gracefully out from behind the ice crystal screen, her purple robes cascading down like water.

She seemed to have just soaked in the Hanfeng Hot Spring, her cascading black hair still carrying the misty vapor, which made her sculpted face even more exquisite and beautiful, and her red lips even more luscious.

Zhao Wuji lowered his head, not daring to linger on that curvaceous and tall figure, and bowed respectfully: "I did go. But..."

He paused briefly, "I sensed a sword intent in the sword cave, which is very similar to the sword intent of the sword command I activated back then, which was your father's sword intent back then."

"Click——"

The frost flowers that had formed beneath Hua Qingshuang's feet suddenly shattered.

She stood silently for a long time, her lips slightly parted, her eyes unfocused: "As expected... you also sensed the sword intent that I sensed back then. I wasn't wrong."

Zhao Wuji looked up in surprise at Hua Qingshuang, wondering what the peak master wanted to say.
(End of this chapter)