Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 128: Martial Immortal, Wild Market
The surface of the cold stone wall is covered with a dense array of pinholes, as fine as hair, which correspond to the 365 acupoints on the human body.

In the center, a golden needle is deeply embedded in the stone wall, surrounded by runes that spread like a spider web, exuding an ancient and mysterious charm.

Judging from the arrangement of the three corpses, it seems they were fighting over this object in life. The finger bones of one of the corpses are still stubbornly pointing to the end of the golden needle, as if they were unwilling to give up until death.

Zhao Wuji's gaze sharpened slightly as he slowly stepped forward.

He gently traced the needle holes on the stone wall with his fingertips, then looked down at the ancestral gold needles in the needle box at his waist.

The two are almost identical!
"Could there be some hidden secret behind my golden needles?"

He was filled with suspicion, but did not act rashly. Instead, he held his breath, protected his palm with his inner energy, carefully pinched the golden needle on the stone wall, and gently pulled it out.

"Buzz!"

The golden needle suddenly trembled violently, as if it were a living thing, and the end of the needle turned around like a venomous snake, biting fiercely at his palm!

Zhao Wuji felt a tingling force surge up his arm, causing his entire arm to stiffen instantly.

"The phoenix nodded?!"

His expression changed drastically. He flipped in mid-air, his true energy bursting from his fingertips, and used the needle-cutting technique to forcefully suppress the trembling of the golden needle.

In an instant, the needle flashed like lightning, and the energy spread in all directions. With a flick of his wrist, he finally removed the golden needle completely!
"Click——"

The stone wall trembled slightly, and a line of ancient seal script slowly appeared on the previously empty surface:
"Later generations of disciples must use golden needles to draw blood and press all 365 acupoints within a single breath before they can enter."

Zhao Wuji's eyes sharpened.

They knew this was truly a test for their descendants.

Even those descendants whose acupuncture skills are not up to par are not qualified to access the secrets behind the stone wall.

To accurately insert needles into all 365 acupoints on the human body in a single breath is an extremely demanding test of acupuncture skills.

Even Dongfang Bubai from wuxia novels would probably sigh in despair if he came here.

But Zhao Wuji could actually do it.

The family heirloom, the Golden Needle that brings salvation like a phoenix nodding, and the Silver Needle that brings life like a dragon wagging its tail, were once demonstrated to the Peak Master.

Without hesitation, he pricked his fingertip with the golden needle, and blood stained the tip of the needle.

The next moment, he flicked his wrist, and the needles rained down like a storm, instantly turning into a blur, piercing every needle hole on the stone wall with perfect accuracy!
A muffled thud came from deep within the ancient well as a mechanism turned, and a crack slowly opened in the stone wall, revealing a deep passageway.

"Since it was left by our ancestors, it should not harm our own bloodline."

Zhao Wuji put away the set of golden needles that gleamed with an eerie light and cautiously stepped into the passageway.

At the end, a dusty stone chamber suddenly appeared.

The incomplete ancient array in the center had dim spiritual patterns, yet it still emitted a strange fluctuation that suppressed spiritual power.

Seven dull, dragon-scale-shaped crystals were embedded at the core of the formation.

With his keen eyesight, he could naturally see that this formation was actually built on the "Hidden Dragon Vein" node.

Despite being in the Dharma-ending Age, the faint spiritual energy remaining in the earth's veins still sustains the operation of the Spirit-Sealing Array.

Those three ancient cultivators were clearly unfamiliar with the mysteries of formations, and their spiritual power was completely depleted after they rashly entered.

In despair, they repeatedly tried to break through the formation, but each time their vital points were sealed by the "Phoenix Nodding" mechanism. Driven by hunger, they eventually killed each other.

Upon entering the stone chamber, Zhao Wuji discovered that the four walls were covered with densely packed medical diagrams.

On the central stone table lay a yellowed ancient book, "The Golden Chamber Record of Acupuncture and Moxibustion," along with a letter sealed with wax.

He went over and checked it over, and after confirming that there were no traps or poisons, he turned the pages of the book to examine it.

After an incense stick had burned, Zhao Wuji looked surprised and uncertain.

The book records the "Golden Needle Acupuncture Technique" created by the famous physician Huangfu Mi of the Western Jin Dynasty and the ancestors of the Zhao family. It describes how the technique stimulates the meridians, forcibly breaks through the limits of the human body, and leads to the path of "Martial Immortal".

The last page also contains the ancestor's annotation: "If spiritual energy is depleted, the path to immortality is severed, and spirituality is lost, the martial arts immortal lineage can break through the barrier by borrowing blood energy, but it requires the Nine Revolutions Rejuvenation Soup as a guide, supplemented with the essence blood of demonic beasts, before one can enter the gate."

"There really is a lineage of martial arts immortals. My Zhao family ancestor entered the lineage of immortals through the path of medicine and martial arts. It was a path he co-created with Huangfu Mi."

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted.

Huangfu Mi of the Western Jin Dynasty was quite famous. His book, "The Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion," was the first monograph on acupuncture in history. Historical records state that he lived in seclusion on Lingtai Mountain in his later years, practicing alchemy and seeking immortality. After that, his whereabouts became unknown.

Like Ge Hong of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, this person has a somewhat legendary quality.

Unexpectedly, he had become close friends with the ancestors of the Zhao family, and they studied medicine and martial arts together.

However, the people involved are from a far more distant era; the Western Jin Dynasty was more than 1,500 years ago.

According to the information he had investigated, the end times should have started in the Ming Dynasty.

But now, after reading the book on the family's heritage, I learned that there seems to have been an event of spiritual energy depletion during the Western Jin Dynasty, which overturns the existing understanding.

He couldn't help but think of the saying that 'spiritual energy is like the tide'.

It seems that in past dynasties, there were also events where spiritual energy was depleted on a small or large scale, and then there were periods when spiritual energy was revived.

Otherwise, why would the saying that spiritual energy would revive in the future circulate in the Linglang Cave Heaven? It must be because a similar event had occurred in the past.

Zhao Wuji's gaze then fell upon a wax-sealed letter to the side.

Upon opening it, they discovered that it was left by the previous owner's father, Zhao Tianlang.

"If my son sees this, he will know that the Zhao family's ancestral motto of 'practicing medicine to save the world' is actually a cover-up. Our clan is originally a lineage of medicine and martial arts, specializing in the path of 'martial arts immortality'..."

Zhao Wuji finished reading the letter, his expression slightly complicated.

It turns out that Zhao Tianlang's death was not due to his association with the Nan family, but rather because in his later years he imitated Li Yuanba of the Sui and Tang dynasties by forcibly drawing heavenly lightning to break through his cultivation realm, ultimately resulting in his being shattered to pieces.

This final letter was left behind on his deathbed.

The letter describes the path of "Martial Immortal". If this lineage is on the right track, in the early stages one can not rely on spiritual energy for cultivation, but instead use pills, demon blood, and acupuncture techniques to stimulate the potential of the physical body, which can make combat power soar.

The realm after the Grandmaster of Martial Arts is the first realm of martial arts cultivation after entering this lineage. In the early stages, one can physically withstand the magical weapon attacks of a Qi-inducing early stage cultivator, possessing unparalleled divine power.

Even in regions where spiritual energy is depleted, one can roam freely without restraint based solely on physical strength and blood.

Zhao Tianlang had just entered this realm and easily used acupuncture to neutralize the effects of the talisman pill in Nan Zhixia's body.

The letter mentioned that there were even more complex restrictions deep within the stone chamber, which could only be forcibly broken by someone with a "mid-stage martial arts cultivation" physique, a level that Zhao Tianlang desperately sought.

"I never expected that my family would come into contact with the lineage of martial arts immortals. My cheap old man was quite the hidden talent when he was alive."

Zhao Wuji put the letter into his pocket, turned around and looked at the passage at the other end of the stone chamber, giving up the idea of ​​continuing to try his luck.

This martial arts method of becoming a human immortal is truly tailor-made for the Dharma-ending Age. Even when spiritual energy is depleted, it can still maintain formidable combat power.

However, the required resources are quite staggering, such as elixirs and the essence of demonic beasts, which are not easy to obtain in the Dharma-ending Age.

Furthermore, once you reach the middle stage, you'll need to rely on spiritual energy to cultivate. Compared to traditional cultivation, this path likely consumes even more resources, but it seems to yield greater combat power.

However, he only plans to study it first and try it out. If he achieves something in the future, he will come back to obtain a deeper inheritance.

Unlike Zhao Tianlang, who could only break through to the mid-stage of martial arts cultivation step by step before entering the deeper levels, he was not like Zhao Tianlang.

To delve deeper and obtain more inheritance, he only needs to dismantle the spirit-suppressing array using array formation techniques.

Alternatively, one can learn the art of opening walls or the art of summoning later, and still obtain what is within, without being in a hurry.

Zhao Wuji turned around, glanced at the two characters "Suspended Pot" carved on the wall, and then turned to leave.

He doesn't plan to damage the place for the time being and will try to preserve its original appearance.

On their return, they were blocked by a magical formation.

Following the instructions in the book, Zhao Wuji escaped safely by navigating the corresponding array mechanisms, unlike the three skeletons in the room who died tragically, unable to leave.

The next day.

Huangyunfang Market.

A thin mist floated on the bluestone pavement in the market, and lanterns with cinnabar talismans written on them swayed gently in the wind.

After leaving his ancestral home, Zhao Wuji flew to this nearby market controlled by the cave heaven to see if he could collect some medicinal herbs and other useful items.

Although he wore a bamboo hat, it could not conceal the demeanor of a true disciple. His blue cloud-patterned robe, typical of a true disciple of the Linglang Cave Heaven, was quite eye-catching.

The guards saw it from afar and immediately bowed to greet it, not even daring to check its token.

Within the market, the surrounding cultivators looked at him with awe and dared not look at him for long.

When passing by, they all bowed and gave way with great respect.

"I hadn't noticed before, but there are still some rogue cultivators and independent practitioners within the Xuan Kingdom, possibly from small families."

Zhao Wuji strolled through the market with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the passing cultivators.

Most of the people I saw were rogue cultivators who had just entered the first level of Qi Refining, dressed in ordinary clothes and without a single magical artifact.

Occasionally, a few cultivators at the second level of Qi Refining could be seen, dressed in uniform family robes, their expressions revealing a hint of arrogance. However, upon seeing him, they immediately bowed and smiled ingratiatingly.

"Where exactly do these independent cultivators and small families cultivate?"

Zhao Wuji nodded casually in response, secretly thinking to himself.

"One source crystal equals one bushel? Last month it was only half a crystal?"

Just then, the sound of an argument between a rogue cultivator and a shop assistant at the spirit rice shop pierced through the fog.

Zhao Wuji walked over and noticed that the bag of spirit rice was clearly marked with the words "Chen Clan" and below it were cloud patterns from the Linglang Grotto-heaven, indicating that it belonged to a small family that relied on the grotto-heaven.

"Fellow Daoist, please forgive me," the shopkeeper explained to the rogue cultivator. "The situation at the front is tense, as you are aware. The supply route has been intercepted three times already."

The rogue cultivator was about to argue when he suddenly saw Zhao Wuji approaching. His expression changed instantly, and he became very respectful. He quickly bowed and left.

"Senior!" Upon seeing Zhao Wuji's blue robe, the waiter hurriedly bowed, his body almost bent at a ninety-degree angle.

Zhao Wuji was intrigued to see that this fellow had no cultivation level, but possessed martial arts strength at the Meridian Opening Realm, yet dared to argue with cultivators.

He reached out and grabbed a handful of spirit rice.

The rice grains were crystal clear like jade, with an inner spiritual charm, and were no less than those planted by the gray-robed disciples of the grotto heaven.

With a slight release of spiritual energy from between his fingers, the grains of rice immediately emitted a faint spiritual glow.

“One piece of source crystal equals one bushel.” He said with a half-smile, “Rice is quite precious these days.”

The waiter tensed up, about to explain, when Zhao Wuji suddenly changed the subject:
"Where is the Chen family rooted? And how was the spirit rice cultivated in this spiritless environment?"

"In response to your question, senior," the shopkeeper swallowed hard, "the Chen family is based in Heyun Mountain, and it is said that there is a spiritual spring in the clan. The spiritual rice grown with the help of this spring is a hot commodity within a hundred miles."

Although the waiter was puzzled by the question posed by this true disciple, he dared not be negligent. "Patriarch Chen, I've heard you're a Grand Immortal Master at the third level of Qi Refining, very powerful, but compared to you, senior, hehe..."

He rubbed his hands together with a fawning smile.

"There is even a spiritual spring. It seems that the world is vast, and one does not necessarily have to rely entirely on grotto-heavens to survive, at least not for lower-level cultivators."

As Zhao Wuji pondered, the sound of metal clashing suddenly came from the north gate of the market.

However, a few rogue cultivators dressed in animal skins kicked over a talisman stall.

The leader, with a blood-red centipede tattoo on his neck, grabbed the stall owner by the collar and roared, "You dare to sell a vine talisman for two source crystals? I'll chop you up, you opportunist!"

Zhao Wuji glanced over, and his spiritual power surged forth like a tidal wave.

The wild cultivator suddenly froze, his whole body feeling as heavy as if it were filled with lead. When he saw Zhao Wuji's blue-robed figure again, his face turned pale.

At this moment, the market patrol rushed over and immediately subdued the rogue cultivator. Then, with great respect, they bowed deeply to Zhao Wuji: "Thank you for your help, senior, in suppressing these ignorant fools."

"It seems that the markets outside are indeed quite chaotic. Even though they are controlled by the cave heaven, these rogue cultivators can still cause trouble if they get angry."

Zhao Wuji wandered around the market for a while, but his interest gradually waned.

Compared to Dongtian Market, this place is as shabby as a rural market.

He felt like a pro player returning to the starting village market to shop, only to find low-end talismans and supplies.

Not to mention the three-hundred-year-old Polygonatum required by the "Golden Chamber Acupuncture Record", even slightly better medicinal herbs are hard to find.

As for treasures like the Dragon-Tiger Pill, even if all the independent cultivators in the entire market were to sell their entire fortunes, they probably couldn't afford even half of it.

In this degenerate age, the scattered cultivators and markets outside have reached their dead end, with resources extremely scarce.

"Alright, let's go back and see if we've resolved Junior Sister Li's troubles."

Zhao Wuji turned and left the market, his spiritual senses failing to detect any rogue cultivators following him.

Obviously, the kind of swindling that often happens in novels, where the villain eats the richest man, is impossible for him. Rogue cultivators who are out in the world all have a good eye for things.

Zhao Wuji made a hand seal and flew away, his inner core's spiritual power flowing, transforming into a streak of light that pierced through the air.

This trip lasted several days, but only consumed about forty strands of spiritual energy, which was still within a manageable range.

As she flew through the air, the sleeves of her robes fluttered, revealing glimpses of the newly acquired golden needle at her waist.

Half a day later, he flew up and down to the Mangshan area near the imperial city, close to where the little jade fox lived.

But they were shocked to find many figures in the forest, more than ten martial artists carrying bows and knives, conducting a large-scale search in the woods.

Someone had a bloody fox carcass hanging upside down on their shoulder, its fiery red fur glaringly bright in the sunlight.

"Huh? This is."

Zhao Wuji's eyes changed slightly. When did the little jade fox's habitat become a hunting ground?
A mountain breeze swept through the treetops in the distance, carrying faint sounds of bloody wailing and beastly roars.
(End of this chapter)