Immortals of the End Times

Chapters 145 (153-154): Ancient Cultivators Surround the Mountain, Cave Master's Background, Unfettered Counterattack (Bonus Chapter 1825 for Monthly Tickets)

The numerous ancient cultivator puppets that emerged from the Blood River in the abyss of Yunfeng Cave.

They manipulated the disciples of the various grotto-heavens to obtain intelligence.

They went first to find the Supreme Cave Heaven and the Yanling Cave Heaven forces still staying in the Qian Kingdom's palace, and demanded the secret order to enter the Tiannan Secret Realm.

This kind of impolite request was once made by the Immortal Yunfeng.

As a result, Yunfeng Cave Heaven was destroyed by the combined forces of the three major cave heavens.

But now that the ancient cultivator has emerged, he still has to cross the river and suppress the local snake.

This naturally sparked another major conflict.

However, after the great battle, both Wushang Cave Heaven and Yanling Cave Heaven chose to compromise, giving up some of the secret orders to lure away the powerful dragon they had attracted across the river.

At this very moment, outside the Linglang Cave, a blood-red flag fluttered.

After a group of Linlang disciples, now puppets, stepped forward to report, two figures appeared outside the cave, radiating a terrifying spiritual aura.

The Taoist priest on the left is dressed in a tattered Northern Song Dynasty Taoist robe, with the Eight Trigrams and cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. Although the fabric is decayed, it still faintly exudes a spiritual light.

His face was withered, but his eyes were like two eerie flames. With each step he took, a blood-red lotus flower would bloom in mid-air beneath his feet, with golden seal characters floating in the lotus's heart. It was the long-lost Blood Lotus Transcending the Void Technique.

The general on the right is wearing rusty fish-scale armor, and his helmet has long since weathered away, revealing half of his rotting face.

He carried a broken halberd on his shoulder, the notch of the blade wreathed in crimson aura, and his heart pounded like a drum within his chest.

But it did not appear to be the heart of a living person, but rather a bronze tiger tally embedded in the ribs, vibrating with the sounds of clashing swords on the battlefield.

The two arrived at the entrance of Linlang Cave.

The disciples guarding the formation behind the rock formation looked horrified. Before they could even ask what was wrong, the Taoist priest flicked out three blood talismans from his sleeve.

The talisman flew out and burned in the wind, suddenly transforming into three streaks of light that struck the protective mountain formation, producing a cracking sound.

The Linglang Mountain-Suppressing Formation, which could withstand the full force of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, began to shake violently and fluctuate wildly.

The many gray-robed disciples who were guarding the formation and channeling spiritual energy to maintain its operation were all coughing up blood and collapsing to the ground.

"Lord Huang Shang requires three Tiannan Secret Orders."

The general's voice was hoarse, like a dull knife scraping bone. He slammed the broken halberd heavily on the ground and coldly shouted, "The lord said that if you don't give it to him, he will drain your spiritual veins when he comes out of seclusion, to make up for the crime of disturbing his awakening prematurely."

The Linglang Cave Heaven is located inside the Linglang Hall on the main peak.

Zhong Kui stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hall, his gaze piercing through the protective array and fixed on the two figures outside the cave exuding terrifying pressure.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted and his expression changed drastically.

"Huang Shang?!"

His voice was low and solemn, as if confirming a name that should never exist.

"Huang Shang of the Northern Song Dynasty? That old monster... how could he still be alive?!"

Upon hearing this, both Yan Lan and Hua Qingshuang's expressions turned serious.

Yan Lan frowned, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, and whispered, "It's actually this old monster?"

A cold glint flashed in Hua Qingshuang's eyes as she said in a chilling voice, "If it really is him, then we're in trouble."

Zhong Kui's face was grim, his gaze fixed on the two figures outside the cave, and he slowly said:

"This Taoist priest and the general... are both acting strangely."

His voice was low and tinged with apprehension.

"They were filled with deathly aura, as if they had been transformed into blood corpses by some kind of evil corpse magic... Their strength in life was probably extremely terrifying. Although they are dead now, they are still powerful and even retain some of their former intelligence."

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Zhong Kui remained silent for a moment before finally speaking:
“Our Linglang Cave Heaven currently only has eight secret orders.”

His gaze swept over Yan Lan and Hua Qingshuang, his tone heavy.

"If three are taken out... the number of disciples entering the secret realm will need to be reduced in each peak and hall."

"If you don't take it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yan Lan chuckled softly, a resolute glint in her eyes.

"Does the cave master want me and Junior Sister Hua to leave the cave and get rid of these two troublesome ancient cultivators?"

She raised the corners of her lips slightly, with a hint of sarcasm, yet spoke crisply and decisively:

"Those few good-for-nothings from Crimson Flame Peak don't need to waste their spots. We can give up one of Crimson Flame Peak's secret tokens!"

She paused, glanced at Hua Qingshuang, and said meaningfully:

"But there's no need to give up one spot from Cold Moon Peak; you should look for another hall."

Zhong Kui's eyelids twitched slightly, and his gaze turned to Hua Qingshuang.

However, Hua Qingshuang's expression remained cold, her eyes devoid of any emotion, clearly showing no intention of making a move.

Zhong Kui sighed inwardly, knowing that his idea of ​​getting the two out of the cave to fight the enemy was now impossible.

He immediately nodded slowly, his voice deep and authoritative:
"Hanyue Peak does not need to produce the secret order."

He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes, and continued:
"But those who go to the secret realm must bring me a bottle of... the essence of a fourth-level spiritual vein."

Upon hearing this, Yan Lan's expression changed drastically, a flash of anger appearing in her eyes, and she said coldly:
"A fourth-level spiritual vein and spiritual marrow? Cave Master, your appetite... is far too great!"

She was furious, but she suppressed her emotions and said in a cold voice:

“Even ordinary disciples might not be able to get close to such a place.”

She glanced sideways at Hua Qingshuang, about to grit her teeth and give up another secret order to shield Hanyue Peak from these harsh conditions.

However, Hua Qingshuang merely raised her eyes slightly, her gaze icy cold, and uttered a single word:
"can."

Zhong Kui narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and nodded, saying:

"Very well! I will personally collect it at that time."

His tone grew colder, carrying a hint of threat:
"If we don't obtain it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hua Qingshuang glanced at him sideways, her eyes as cold as knives. Then, she turned away with a flick of her sleeve, her robes fluttering as she left behind only a detached statement:
"If I fail to obtain it, the Xuanbing Jade Marrow in my possession... can serve as compensation."

Before she finished speaking, she had already stepped out of the main hall, her back view as solitary and aloof as a snow-capped pine tree.

Seeing this, Yan Lan's anger intensified. She coldly glanced at Zhong Kui, then suddenly slapped her storage bag, took out a secret token, and slammed it heavily on the table, saying in a chilling voice:

"Shameless!"

Immediately, she turned and left, her steps sharp as knives, clearly furious.

Inside the hall, only Zhong Kui remained for a moment.

He gazed in the direction the two women had left, a hint of coldness and murderous intent flickering deep in his eyes, only to vanish quickly, returning him to his usual composure.

"The two little snakes... are becoming increasingly out of control."

He muttered something under his breath, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

His injuries had actually healed by about 70%.

Even without the spiritual essence of a fourth-level spiritual vein, it will be fully healed in a while.

The so-called "need for spiritual essence" was nothing but a smokescreen, leading the two women to mistakenly believe that... his injuries had not yet healed.

There was another purpose: to get rid of that disciple, Zhao Wuji.

Over the past two months, through the numerous informants throughout the cave, he had discerned the role Zhao Wuji played between Hua Qingshuang and Yan Lan, and regarded him as a thorn in his side.

If he hadn't been still recovering from his injuries and unwilling to force a fight with the two women, he would have already taken drastic measures.

"Northern Song Dynasty, Huang Shang. Two Small Snakes"

He sneered, a mocking glint in his eyes.

"Do you really think my Linglang Cave Heaven only has this much to offer?"

As early as when the Tiannan Secret Realm opened in the last round, he had already secretly made arrangements in accordance with the requirements of the force behind him.

Ling Hua Lengyun found the internal passage node of the secret realm required by the force behind it in the fourth-level spiritual vein area within the secret realm.

With the secret realm reopening this time, that faction will surely send disciples to infiltrate it.

With their methods, sweeping through secret realms and plundering resources is a piece of cake... and dealing with Zhao Wuji by the way is even easier!
But he knew it in his heart.

That force is no pushover either!
The Xuan and Yu kingdoms have long been firmly under their control.

Over the years, he has outwardly submitted, but in reality he has been secretly accumulating strength, waiting for the right moment to turn the tables!
"Now, however, a variable has emerged..."

Zhong Kui's gaze was deep and his thoughts were churning.

Huang Shang of the Northern Song Dynasty, such an ancient cultivator, has survived for so long, his strength is unfathomable.

If used properly, it might... create some "unexpected" opportunities for him.

"Ah……"

He suddenly flicked his sleeve and leaped out of the cave.

Inside the cave, many elders looked uneasy, their gazes all converging on this place.

Zhong Kui remained indifferent, and the three secret tokens in his sleeve faintly glowed.

It's time to meet those two "uninvited guests" in person.

On the other side, as dusk settled, the reeds at the end of the Yunmeng River rustled and swayed in the wind.

Zhao Wuji's figure moved like the wind, landing lightly on the shore, his robes completely dry.

Looking up, a figure in pure white stood quietly on the distant rocks, her skirt fluttering like the outstretched wings of a crane. It was Nan Zhixia, who had been waiting there for a long time.

"Have you been waiting long?"

He smiled slightly, his voice tinged with amusement.

Nan Zhixia turned her head, her eyes reflecting the shimmering river water, as if starlight were floating in them.

"Just arrived."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhao Wuji had already darted to her side, his fingertips gently brushing against the strands of hair at her temples that had been ruffled by the wind.

After a short while.

Nan Zhixia's cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her head to straighten her slightly disheveled clothes. She tapped her fingertips on the storage bag at her waist and took out several items.

"Here, what you want."

She handed over a stack of ancient books, her tone tinged with confusion.

"A handwritten copy of 'The Peach Blossom Spring,' a handwritten copy of 'The Carved Olive-Pit Boat,' and a fragment of 'The Exploitation of the Works of Nature'... What do you need these for?"

She glanced at Zhao Wuji and gave a soft snort.

"It would be better to ask the grotto to give you some pill formulas; at least they would be useful for cultivation."

As she spoke, she took out five small jade bottles and a small bag of source crystals, and pushed them over together.

"Five bottles of Qi Gathering Pills and fifty Source Crystals are the first batch of support materials that Dongtian has given you."

Zhao Wuji looked at the many objects floating in front of him, his smile deepening.

"Not bad, you even have a storage bag?"

He reached out and lightly tapped Nan Zhixia's nose, teasingly saying:
"I was originally planning to give you one, but now it seems I'll save myself the trouble."

The battle that killed Elder Liang a few months ago not only gave him an extra storage bag, but also a lot of magical artifacts and source crystals.

With the credit attributed to him from the Linglang Cave Heaven, he has finally shed the label of "poor cultivator".

"Now, I can say that I have some wealth."

He jokingly shook the storage bag, and Nan Zhixia couldn't help but chuckle.

"Who asked you to deliver it? But I'm only doing this because of you."

Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and her tone carried a hint of smugness.

"Since I managed to get you to be our secret agent, I have successfully advanced to become a saintess."

As she spoke, she lightly tapped the storage pouch at her waist with her fingertip and smiled:

"In addition, since I needed to carry supplies to support you, the cave heaven bestowed this upon me."

Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening.

"Oh? Then why don't you thank me?"

He deliberately moved a few points closer.

Nan Zhixia's ears turned slightly red, and she raised her hand to give him a light punch on the shoulder, as if it were just a tickle.

"Don't be so smug!"

After the two joked around for a while, Zhao Wuji finally collected the floating supplies one by one.

The smile on Nan Zhixia's face gradually faded, and a trace of worry appeared between her brows.

“Unfettered…” she whispered, biting her lower lip.
"These benefits are probably a hot potato."

A river breeze swept by, and her voice carried a hint of solemnity.

“I have a feeling that after the Tiannan Secret Realm, our cave master... might be about to make a move against Linlang Cave.”

She raised her eyes, her beautiful gaze fixed intently on Zhao Wuji, and continued:
“Last time he asked me to instigate you to sow discord between your peak master and cave master… I suspect that he has probably already made secret contact with your two peak masters.”

As she said this, she unconsciously clenched her sleeves:
“I’m worried… that the task he’s going to give you next will be very dangerous.”

Zhao Wuji's gaze darkened slightly, but he still managed a slight smile.

"Don't worry. It's alright."

His voice was deep, yet it exuded an undeniable confidence.

"Although I am your Supreme Cave Heaven's 'spy,' in the end... it's just a play, and I still maintain a high degree of freedom."

He tilted his head slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"You want to control me and make me do those suicidal things? We'll see if your cave master has the ability."

After saying that, he raised his hand and patted his storage bag, and several talisman pills with flowing dark patterns floated out, gleaming with a faint light under the moonlight.

"Take it."

He pushed Fu Dan toward Nan Zhixia, his tone calm but full of hidden meaning.

"This batch of talisman pills is different from the ones I gave you before."

Nan Zhixia took it with both hands, and the moment her fingertips touched the talisman, she sensed a subtle fluctuation of spiritual energy.

"It is slow to take effect and cannot directly control people."

Zhao Wuji explained calmly, a hint of calculation flashing in his eyes.

"But if taken for a long time... it can gradually and imperceptibly dismantle the 'Bewitching Talisman Pill' of the Supreme Cave Heaven."

He paused, then said, "Given time, those who are under your control will gradually... obey you."

Nan Zhixia's pupils contracted slightly, her heart trembling.

"This……"

She looked down at the talisman in her hand, her delicate hand unconsciously tightening.

Zhao Wuji's move was clearly intended to help her secretly cultivate her power in the Supreme Grotto-Heaven!
If it really works out, when she raises her voice and calls for help...

"how?"

Seeing her expression, Zhao Wuji chuckled softly.

"Are you satisfied with this gift?"

Nan Zhixia looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and seriousness, which ultimately turned into a resolute expression.

"Thank you."

She carefully put away the talisman, her voice slightly low.

"I will proceed with caution."

As the night wind picked up, the two, who had spent little time together, finally reached the time to part.

"See you in the Tiannan Secret Realm in one month."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, said no more, and with a flick of his body, rose into the air on the wind.

Even in the spiritless environment outside the cave, relying on the wind to travel results in very little loss of spiritual energy.

If paired with a newly acquired golden goblet of spirit wine, it would be like 'riding the wind on a sword, carefree and unrestrained between heaven and earth; with wine, I am joyful and carefree; without wine, I am still mad.'

He had already discovered this after he mastered the art of wind control.

In this high-altitude region with strong winds, the speed of escape is in no way inferior to flying on a sword, and even...

More discreet, less effort required!
In less than an hour, the shimmering waves of the Yunmeng River had receded into the distance, and the outline of the Linglang Cave was gradually approaching.

Just as Zhao Wuji was about to land, he suddenly frowned.

"Ok?"

Below, in the mountains and forests, a faint, menacing aura emanated from the forest!

His expression changed slightly, and he immediately made a hand seal. His figure faded away like smoke and clouds, disappearing into the night in an instant.

Invisibility!
At this moment, he was like a withered leaf falling silently into the forest.

……

The moment he landed, Zhao Wuji's pupils shrank dramatically!

In the dim forest, ancient figures with withered muscles stood silently like pillars.

Under the pale moonlight.

Their wrinkled skin was cracked like withered tree bark, and eerie green flames flickered in their eye sockets.

Even more chilling is...
Among them were several menial disciples dressed in the gray robes of the Linglang Cave Heaven!
Their faces were ashen, their eyes were empty, and blood-red runes were faintly visible on their necks, clearly indicating that they had been turned into puppets!
These "people" stood silently.

Standing guard like a sculpture on the outskirts of the mountains and forests, it appears particularly eerie in the night.

And further into the valley.

A Taoist priest sat cross-legged, his body wrapped in blood-red talismans.

Beside him, a blood-soaked corpse clad in tattered general's armor knelt on the ground, black and red blood seeping from the gaps in the armor, as if it were meditating to resist the corrosive influence of the spiritless environment.

"Tsk..."

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes and quietly took a step back.

This is truly a "big event".

He remained hidden in the shadows, his gaze sharp as a blade, coldly sweeping across the scene before him.

"These people are..."

His pupils contracted slightly. "Those ancient cultivators who crawled out of the ruins of Yunfeng Cave Heaven?"

As he looked around, several disciples dressed in the gray robes of the Linglang Cave Heaven stood frozen in the distance. Zhao Wuji's eyes darkened, and his knuckles unconsciously tightened.

"Even the disciples of our grotto-heaven have been controlled..."

His gaze lingered on the gray-robed disciples for a moment, a dark glint in his eyes, while he silently retreated, like a wandering soul quietly moving a safe distance away.

Then he subtly moved his fingertips, secretly forming a hand seal, and a wisp of light silently spread from his sleeve.

The Art of Marrying in Dreams!
Before long, a gray-robed disciple on the outer perimeter suddenly trembled, took a stiff step, and slowly walked towards the opposite woods as if sleepwalking.

Beside them, two gray-robed disciples who were also under control and an ancient cultivator from the Song Dynasty slowly turned their heads, their empty gazes following for a moment before indifferently looking away.

Further into the valley, the Taoist priest and the Blood Corpse General remained silent, seemingly unaware of anything amiss.

"It's done..."

Zhao Wuji relaxed slightly and turned his gaze to the disciple who was being controlled, his consciousness flooding into the disciple's dream.

Memories flood back!

Fragmented images flashed through his mind, and his brows furrowed.

"I see……"

“They have already been to the cave and have asked for three secret orders.”

"This disciple..."

He examined the area closely and suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Life was almost extinguished, the body was like a withered tree, only the brain still retained a trace of vitality..."

Zhao Wuji's eyes suddenly turned cold.

"His mind has been controlled by some kind of evil magic, and he only obeys commands based on his remaining consciousness, like a walking corpse."

He snorted coldly and took something out of his storage bag.

A talisman pill with flowing dark patterns lay quietly in the palm of the hand; it was none other than the improved version of the Netherworld Talisman Pill!

As he made a hand seal, a wisp of light flowed out from his sleeve, silently merging into the night.

Poultry Training Techniques!
In an instant, a night owl emerged from the depths of the dense forest, its dark wings slicing through the moonlight like a shadow across the treetops, and landed steadily on his arm.

"go."

With a flick of his finger, the ethereal talisman pill with its flowing dark patterns was snatched by the night owl, which flapped its wings and disappeared into the dark forest ahead.

Before long, the talisman pill was fed into the mouth of the gray-robed disciple.

"really……"

A glint of light flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Although this person's physical body has withered and decayed, his brain is not dead and his spirit still exists!

That being the case...

Then it will be used by him!
He formed hand seals and activated the Spirit Communication Technique.

A wisp of divine consciousness, like fine silk threads, quietly entangled the remaining consciousness of the gray-robed disciple.

"Contact has been established."

Zhao Wuji closed his eyes and sensed for a moment, then summoned Night Owl and sent him several talisman pills.

"Take the pill once every six days."

With a thought, the gray-robed disciple stiffly put the pill into his sleeve like a puppet on strings. Although his movements were slow, he was able to follow orders.

"Ah……"

A calculating glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

"Zhi Xia once said that these ancient cultivators also want to enter the Tiannan Secret Realm..."

If that's the case, when the secret realm opens...
He now has an extra hidden piece in his hand!

With this thought in mind, he made another hand seal and glanced at the group of ancient Song Dynasty cultivators who stood motionless like statues.

"That's strange..."

Although these ancient cultivators had withered bodies and shrunken brains, they still retained a sliver of life and could even understand simple instructions.

If that's the case, why not control a few more!
The owl flapped its wings again, carrying the elixir away.

Before long, several ancient cultivators were also fed talisman pills. A faint glint flashed in their eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

They remained standing still, as unremarkable as ordinary puppets.

But at this moment.
Deep within their consciousness, an irresistible will has quietly emerged!

Zhao Wuji stood with his hands behind his back, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"See you in the next secret realm, and you... will be mine then."

Obeying the old master's orders on a regular basis doesn't cause any problems.

However, every six days thereafter, following the new master's orders, he would secretly take out the talisman pills he had hidden in his bosom and consume them where no one could see him.

With a thought, the controlled gray-robed disciples and ancient cultivators, unnoticed by anyone, stiffly reached into their robes and touched the hidden talisman pills.

The movements were slow, yet perfectly precise!

Zhao Wuji scoffed lightly.

"As long as the ancient cultivator leader doesn't personally search them..."

"I probably never imagined in my life that some of my most 'loyal' subordinates would have already become drug addicts and traitors!"

As the night breeze swept by, his figure vanished like smoke.

Under the invisibility spell, not even a trace of his presence was left behind.

Since this group of ancient cultivators had already taken three secret orders from the cave, he felt somewhat uneasy.

Given Zhong Kui's nature, he will definitely put pressure on the two peak masters, and might even force them to relinquish the secret order.

If a conflict really breaks out...

Those two peak masters are probably not going to come out unscathed!

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

"Even ancient cultivators covet the resources of the Tiannan Secret Realm..."

"It seems this trip to the secret realm will be successful."

"I still need to 'prepare' properly; there's less than a month left."

His figure swiftly swept across the night sky, and soon he could vaguely see the entrance to the cave in the distance.
(End of this chapter)