Immortals of the End Times

Chapters 155-169-170: Pointing the sword at the cave master, controlling the cave heaven, and subduing Xuanji Peak (Two chapters combined, please subscribe)

A thunderous roar!

The moment the Nine Revolutions Primordial Spear collided with the Mysterious Heaven Seal, a blinding spiritual light illuminated half the sky.

The lake below was split in two by the violent spiritual pressure and energy!
Silt from the lake bottom, mixed with aquatic plants, rose into the sky.

"choke!"

Hua Qingshuang's frost flying sword suddenly transformed into thousands of crystalline fragments.

Each grain was a condensed thread of sword energy, reflecting her cold and aloof features.

The storm of sword threads instantly tore seven rips into Cheng Youlu's Netherworld Banner.

The vengeful ghost in the banner had just poked its head out with a wail when Yan Lan's crimson ribbon twisted it into bursts of phosphorescent fire, which exploded like fireworks!
"Old Ghost Zhong! Die!"

Yan Lan roared, and the Flaming Sun Wheel, along with the Red Diamond Magic Artifact, transformed into a fire python tens of feet long, spewing out lava-like streams of fire from between its scales.

A fierce dragon tail swing slammed into Zhong Kui's back!

"clang!!"

Zhong Kui quickly turned his Nine Revolutions Primordial Spear to parry, and a golden ripple exploded where the spear shaft collided with the fire python.

The trees dozens of feet below instantly turned to carbon, and the powerful energy at the center of the ripples forced several people beside them away.

Just then, a gust of wind blew by, causing subtle ripples in the air, and Zhao Wuji's figure returned to the battlefield as if he were a ghost, invisible.

They witnessed Zhong Kui and Qingming Cave Master Cheng Youlu in a sorry state, surrounded and attacked by the crowd.

"Nine Dragons Flying Fire!"

The Lord of Yanling Cave formed hand seals, and nine crimson fire dragons roared as they tore at the Netherworld Bone-Eating Banner.

Instantly, the banner of the ghost was charred and shattered, and countless ghosts howled mournfully in the flames, turning into wisps of green smoke. Each wisp of smoke that dissipated condensed into a painful human face.

"clang!"

Zhong Kui's Nine Revolutions Primordial Spear unleashed a blinding golden light, with powerful spear beams carving out nine cracks in the air.

But the next moment...
"Bang!" "Bang!"

The White Bone Cave Master unleashed the Myriad Bone Soul-Devouring Needle, the Profound Cloud Cave Master unleashed the Starlight Falling Sun Sword, and the Supreme Cave Master's Profound Heaven Seal simultaneously struck!
The three cultivators at the Concentration Realm unleashed their full power, crushing the spear's edge into a shower of golden light.

"puff--"

Zhong Kui and Cheng Youlu coughed up blood and staggered backward, completely exhausted. This was a spiritless environment, and all they had consumed was their own magical power.

Just then, the ancient general standing beside the ancient Taoist priest, who had been as still as a statue, suddenly had his blood and qi surge like smoke, his muscles bulging, and his bulging arms making his tattered armor creak.

"Martial arts practitioners among ancient cultivators!?" Zhao Wuji's eyes narrowed.

A broken piece of spear flashed with a blinding bloody light in the general's hand and was suddenly thrown out of his hand!

"boom!!"

The gun shot out like a dragon, the air exploded!
The broken spear, carrying terrifying blood-fiend energy from a martial arts master, instantly pierced through Cheng Youlu's hastily summoned protective magic weapon, the "Azure Armor," penetrating half of his chest!
As the blood mist exploded, the lingering force of the spear pierced Zhong Kui's shoulder blade, the sound of bones cracking clearly audible.

"what!!"

Zhong Kui let out a miserable howl, his eyes wide with rage. He immediately gritted his teeth and made a hand seal, causing his primordial energy to surge: "Nine Revolutions Clone, Escape!"

In an instant, his figure split into three, transforming into three streams of light—red, blue, and white—that were indistinguishable from reality. He directly abandoned the heavily injured Cheng Youlu and broke through in different directions!
"Want to leave?!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes. He gritted his teeth, instantly dispelled his invisibility spell, and his figure transformed into a hurricane as he swept away!

He made a hand seal and cast a Qi-restricting technique on one of the fiery red clones that was rushing towards him!

The fiery red clone suddenly froze under the pressure of the qi restriction.

This moment of stiffness lasted less than half a breath.

But Zhao Wuji seized this fleeting opportunity, pointing his sword and unleashing a torrent of spiritual energy within his body.

The Frost Soul Flying Sword instantly transformed into a dazzling cold light, shooting out of the sky and triggering a rumbling thunderous sound!
"Qiang!!"

The sword energy and thunderous sound arrived first, like a silver snake tearing through the sky, accurately striking Zhong Kui's fiery red clone!
"Pfft!"

Flames flew, and the clone disintegrated on the spot amidst rolling thunder.

The two Zhong Kui clones, one blue and one white, in the distance, both let out a muffled groan, their speed decreasing sharply. They turned back, glaring with a mixture of shock and anger: "You little bastard!!"

Upon seeing this, the Supreme Cave Master Bai Chengshang was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "Well done!"

"Go to hell!"

Just then, Hua Qingshuang's Frost Flying Sword fell like a celestial river, suddenly attacking Zhong Kui's Flowing Cloud clone.

The Cave Master of Xuanxiao grinned and raised his hand, shattering the jade talisman in his hand.

A streak of crimson lightning flashed through the clouds like a red serpent, twisting and turning as it struck down!

"Boom!!"

Zhong Kui's blue figure was completely engulfed by the raging lightning.

Only his true form, at the moment it was struck by Hua Qingshuang, suddenly exploded, dispersing like flowing clouds, and once again revealed a disheveled figure a hundred feet away.

"what!--"

He let out a wild howl with disheveled hair and suddenly unleashed an ancient mirror.

The mirror reflected the figure of the Xuanxiao Cave Master who had caught up the closest, along with Hua Qingshuang's sword, Yan Lan's fire, and Bai Chengshang's Xuantian Seal.

The moment all the killing moves were about to strike, they simultaneously bombarded the reflection of the Xuanxiao Cave Master in the mirror.

Click! !

The mirror suddenly shattered, and the reflection of the Xuanxiao Cave Master within it was also torn to pieces.

The Xuanxiao Cave Master, who was in pursuit, screamed and fell from the sky as if struck by lightning.

The others were also taken aback, and having learned from the previous experience, they all slowed down their pursuit.

Just then, Zhong Kui unleashed an astonishing dragon aura and blood mist from his entire body. The Nine Revolutions Primordial Spear resounded and struck out like a dragon, and he transformed into a blood dragon and sped away.

"Brother Zhong, save me!!"

Seeing Zhong Kui flee so decisively, Qingming Cave Master Cheng Youlu let out a long, unwilling howl.

But soon, Cheng Youlu was surrounded and attacked by the White Bone Cave Master, the Supreme Cave Master, and the Flame Spirit Ancestor, and screamed in agony.

'Snapped--'

Below, a gust of wind swept across the ground, instantly transforming into Zhao Wuji's figure, who caught the shattered mirror falling from the sky.

"Unrestrained!"

Hua Qingshuang stood in mid-air, her wide sleeves fluttering as she looked down at Zhao Wuji's figure appearing below. Anger flashed on her pretty face. "I told you to leave, but you came here to cause trouble!"

Yan Lan lightly touched the air with her bare feet, the crimson silk ribbon wrapped around her waist rippling with scorching heat as it flew towards her. Her crimson eyes flashed as she said, "Little nephew, you're being naughty. If the one you just struck had been that old ghost's true form, you would have been in real danger."

She stared at the fierce spiritual power emanating from Zhao Wuji and said in surprise, "It seems you really did gain a lot in the secret realm, breaking through realms one after another and already reaching the eighth level of Qi Refining."

Zhao Wuji nodded, bowed, and then transmitted his voice, "Two peak masters, I did indeed have a great encounter in the secret realm this time, otherwise it would have been difficult to fight against those mysterious dynasty cultivators."

In fact, those cultivators were summoned by Zhong Kui.

One of their objectives was to kill me and the other cultivators from our grotto-heavens, and then take away the cultivators from our grotto-heaven and the Azure Nether Grotto-heaven.

"Sure?"

Hua Qingshuang's eyes were slightly cold.

"It sounds so dangerous, yet you managed to escape alive and even had a miraculous encounter. It seems you are a person of great fortune."

Yan Lan smiled and nodded, glancing at the scene not far away where the fierce battle was nearing its end.

"Two Peak Masters!"

Zhao Wuji suddenly transmitted his voice, "I have found the Yin-Yang Twin Lotus. The two peak masters can return to Linlang Cave Heaven immediately, kill Zhong Kui, and take control of the cave heaven."

Hua Qingshuang looked into the distance, a hint of worry on her face, and shook her head, saying, "After escaping with his three burrows, it's unlikely that Old Ghost Zhong will return directly to his cave. However, we should still go back immediately."

Whether it's occupying the cave to control the mountain gate formation, or consuming the Yin-Yang Twin Lotus to break through cultivation, one can gain a decisive advantage!

"it is good!"

Yan Lan smiled upon hearing this.

Just then, a scream pierced the night sky from not far away. It was the final blow of the Supreme Cave Master, Cheng Youlu, who had been beheaded by the Supreme Cave Master. The scream then came to an abrupt end.

"go!"

Hua Qingshuang frowned, and with a flick of her wrist, a white ribbon, as bright as moonlight, shot out and wrapped around Zhao Wuji's body.

With a flash of light from their swords and magical artifacts, the two sped away, flying through the air and quickly escaping.

"Ah this."

The white silk ribbon pierced the sky like the bright moon, and Zhao Wuji felt a tightness around his waist as he was pulled into Qing Leng's embrace.

Hua Qingshuang's fair hand rested on his waist, and the icy true energy emanating from her fingertips formed a protective shield, completely blocking out the howling gale.

The cool fragrance of snow lotus and winter plum blossoms lingered around his nose, and Zhao Wuji's breath hitched slightly.

That slender waist was so close, yet it seemed both near and far because of the layer of icy spiritual energy shield separating them.

He secretly suppressed the ripples of emotion that were stirring in his heart.

He knew very well that the peak master was worried that his escape speed was not fast enough.

Looking back, Mirror Lake had shrunk to a blurry silver light, and there was no time to say goodbye to Zhixia.

In the distance, atop an ancient pine tree, Nan Zhixia, hiding in the mountains to avoid the battlefield, watched as Zhao Wuji's figure was swept away by the white silk ribbon wrapped in green frost. Finally, her tense heartstrings relaxed.

What followed was a complex and incomprehensible emotion.

Even if she is the other party's legal fiancée, the distance between them can create a strong sense of crisis.

No matter how strong the golden thread of a marriage contract is, how can it withstand the insurmountable chasm of cultivation?

She needs to cultivate as soon as possible, but fortunately, her exceptional spiritual talent allows her to catch up.

At this moment, by the riverbank, the ancient Taoist priest and the general coldly withdrew their gazes from the battlefield.

They never fully intervened in the fierce battle, as if they were restraining themselves.

However, in his two attacks, he struck vital points with a single blow, demonstrating his extremely ruthless combat experience and keen insight.

Now that the dust had settled, the two of them simultaneously turned their gaze to the blood corpse puppet that had initially revealed the state of the secret realm.

The blood-corpse puppet slowly turned its head, its empty eyes staring at the Taoist priest and the general. "Bang!!"

Suddenly, the Blood Corpse Puppet's head exploded into a bloody mess, and it died instantly.

The general slowly retracted his outstretched finger, and with a single glance, the last remaining blood corpse puppet stepped forward to touch the corpse.

After some searching, I found an empty medicine packet.

The general and the Taoist priest exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing a complex mix of understanding and doubt.

who is it?

He was able to control the blood corpse puppet that was only loyal to Lord Huang Shang.

Two hours later, Zhao Wuji returned to Linlang Cave Heaven with the two peak masters.

They discovered that the cave was indeed completely peaceful.

The disciples and elders proceeded as usual, and when the disciples saw the three returning, they all bowed respectfully.

They were clearly unaware of Zhong Kui's defection and the fierce battles outside.

"Since Old Ghost Zhong dares not return, he might as well hand over the cave to us!"

Yan Lan sneered and immediately transformed into a crimson rainbow, heading straight for the summit of Linlang Peak.

Hua Qingshuang's cold gaze turned toward Xuanji Peak, and she was about to head there when Zhao Wuji, sensing her intention, stopped her.

"Peak Master, you and Senior Uncle Yan will take control of the main peak together, and I will leave Xuanji Peak to you."

Hua Qingshuang was surprised and turned to look at Zhao Wuji. Seeing his calm and confident expression, she couldn't help but think of Zhong Kui's clone, which had been destroyed by Wuji's sword before, and reminded him.

"The Peak Master of Xuanji Peak is at the ninth level of Qi Refining cultivation."

Zhao Wuji bowed calmly, "Peak Master, rest assured, I am proficient in formations, and I am confident in Xuanji Peak."

"Alright!" Hua Qingshuang gazed deeply at Zhao Wuji with her beautiful eyes, said no more, and flew towards the direction of Linlang Peak.

At this moment, a powerful spiritual pressure swept across the entire mountain gate like a volcanic eruption, startling countless disciples who looked in horror toward the location of the main peak of the Linglang Mountain.

"All disciples and elders of the Linglang Cave Heaven, listen to my command! Cave Master Zhong Kui colluded with foreign enemies to harm his disciples. He has already been punished by us in the Tiannan Secret Realm. From today onwards, the Cave Heaven will be temporarily managed by me and Junior Sister Hua!"

Yan Lan's voice resounded throughout the entire cave like a raging storm, as thunderous and deafening.

Many disciples in gray and green robes with low cultivation levels were so intimidated by this terrifying power that they collapsed to the ground, their expressions filled with shock and confusion.

"Bang!!"

Yan Lan's crimson silk sleeves surged like angry dragons, shattering the mountaintop's restrictions with a deafening roar. Standing atop the main hall and pavilion, he rode on the blazing sun wheel.

Several guards who remained behind bravely rushed out, angrily shouting "Insolence!", but Yan Lan lashed them out with a fiery python, burning their magical artifacts to ashes.

"You are the ones who dare to be so insolent! Who dares to obstruct me?!"

"Stop!"

Hua Qingshuang flew over at the opportune moment, tossing out a recording bead that captured the scene of the various cave masters confronting each other at the entrance of the secret realm. She said in a cold voice:
"The evidence of the Cave Master's betrayal of the Cave Heaven is here! The Azure Nether Cave Master has been executed, and Zhong Kui has fled in panic. Now, the old thief Zhong has brought immense disaster upon our sect. Are you loyal to the Cave Heaven, or will you serve Zhong Kui?"

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, Hou Baichang, the master of Guyun Peak, arrived with his men. Upon hearing this, he hesitated and said, "Yan Lan! Hua Qingshuang! Even though you are both candidates for cave master, you have not yet become official cave masters. Trespassing on the main peak is already an overstepping of your bounds. To slander the cave master with mere words, are you perhaps planning a rebellion?"

Not far away on Xuanji Peak, the Xuanji Peak Master also let out a long roar and rushed out of the Xuanji Hall where he was in seclusion. His Taoist robe billowed, and he released a terrifying spiritual power of the ninth level of Qi Induction.

He made hand seals to activate the array flags and the mountain-protecting array, then roared, "You two candidate cave masters, if you have no concrete evidence, we will deal with you, you madman, according to the sect rules today!"

Boom!
The moment he activated the mountain gate formation, the entire Xuanji Peak began to tremble violently.

Suddenly, the clouds and mist in the Linglang Cave Heaven surged, gathering the spiritual energy from all directions within the cave heaven, and actually condensed in mid-air into a phantom image of a Bagua array that blotted out the sky.

However, just as the great formation was about to activate, a figure appeared like a ghost in the center of the formation's node!

The man raised his right hand slightly, and the Cold Soul Flying Sword flew out with a "clang," its clear and melodious sword sound resounding through the sky. The sword's body was as clear as ice, and wherever it passed, the air condensed into fine ice crystals.

"Shh!"

With a single sword strike, the temperature atop Xuanji Peak plummeted.

Thirty-six ice crystal sword shadows split apart, arranged in the number of the Heavenly Dipper, each sword shadow precisely nailing to the key array eye of the mountain-protecting formation.

“Crack!!”

The Bagua array pattern that was taking shape was frozen solid, and then shattered inch by inch like glass!

Amidst the refracted ice crystals, the astonished and bewildered face of the Xuanji Peak Master was reflected.

"You are Zhao Wuji!?"

The Xuanji Peak Master's pupils shrank suddenly, and he hurriedly made a hand seal, causing the "Xuanji Demon-Suppressing Abacus" hanging at his waist to tremble wildly.

Nine abacus beads, crafted from century-old black iron, spun in mid-air.

Each bead burst forth with dazzling golden light, forming a demon-subduing array in the air, and each bead spewed out streams of energy!

"Nine Pearls Suppress Demons!"

With a roar from the Xuanji Peak Master, the nine abacus beads, arranged in a large array, simultaneously unleashed terrifying energy.

The first abacus bead transformed into a hundred-foot-long blade of energy, the second condensed into a rain of arrows, and the third directly manifested as the phantom of a golden-armored divine general.
The remaining six beads are intertwined into a net that completely seals off the entire void!

"Playing with beads? You think you can play with them as well as I can?"

Zhao Wuji chuckled, a golden glint flashing in his eyes. He made a hand seal and used the Pill Manipulation Technique to forcibly reverse the control of the abacus beads.

Instantly, the nine abacus beads arranged in the great formation trembled and hovered in mid-air, and the demon-subduing formation immediately showed a flaw of stagnation.

"laugh!"

With a flick of his sword, an ice lotus suddenly bloomed at the tip of the Frost Soul Flying Sword, which then blossomed into a giant ice lotus.

"Crack!"

The hundred-foot-long blade aura that attacked first suddenly froze, and then crystal-clear ice flowers formed from the blade tip at a speed visible to the naked eye!

Then came a rain of arrows, each one freezing into an ice sculpture in mid-air!
Most astonishingly, the golden-armored general was frozen solid, still in the posture of wielding an axe, and turned into a huge ice sculpture. When the sword energy passed through it, it exploded with a bang!
The ice lotus spun past, freezing the nine abacus beads one by one into ice lumps. The crystalline frost flowed upwards along the spiritual patterns, spreading in the blink of an eye to the array flag in the hands of the Xuanji Peak Master.

"Impossible! You were clearly only at the fifth level of Qi Refining before!"

The Xuanji Peak Master was horrified and retreated rapidly. Nine golden lights protecting his body lit up one after another, but Zhao Wuji's sword momentum suddenly changed.

"Ding!"

The sword lotus suddenly transformed into an ice explosion, blasting through the Xuanji Peak's outer defenses. It turned into a point of cold sword light, pointing three inches in front of his throat. The cold air emanating from the sword tip instantly condensed into an ice ring around his neck.

Upon closer inspection, countless tiny sword intents flow within the ice ring; with just a slight activation, they could take one's life!

In an instant, the entire Xuanji Peak fell into a deathly silence. The cold light reflected from the ice rings illuminated the horrified faces of the disciples flying in from all directions.

As Zhao Wuji danced in his secret purple robe, the spiritual power emanating from his body at the eighth level of Qi Induction caused many disciples who sensed it to tremble with fear.

Li Shiyu, who rushed over to witness this magnificent scene, was overwhelmed with emotion and extremely excited.

"Entraining Qi. Eight layers?!"

"Senior Brother Zhao, you only went to the secret realm, and you've already broken through three levels?!"

Many disciples, and even the elders and deacons who rushed over, were all stunned by the astonishing cultivation and combat power displayed by Zhao Wuji.

The eighth level of Qi cultivation might not be the most terrifying thing.

What's most terrifying is that even after reaching the late stage of Qi Refining, Zhao Wuji can still defeat the strong with the weak. He can easily defeat the Qi Refining Ninth Level Xuanji Peak Master, who controls the great formation, even at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

terrible!
Just as the situation was about to become tense, a long howl suddenly came from the outer gate of the cave.

"Everyone, hold your hand! Master, please hold your hand too!!"

Many disciples of the mountain gate looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ji Mobai, the chief of Guyun, flying over, with Lu Yongnian and Chang Mingxi, who looked panicked and bewildered, by his side.

"Mo Bai!"

When Hou Baichang, the master of Lone Cloud Peak, saw Ji Mobai's figure, the coldness in his eyes immediately faded.

"Master!"

Ji Mobai flew over quickly, holding a memory bead high in his hand.

The image clearly showed the scene of the dynasty cultivators slaughtering and manipulating the disciples of the Linglang Cave Heaven in the secret realm. The voice was as powerful and resounding as ironclad evidence: "Master! Peak Master Hua and Peak Master Yan are right. If we had not been saved by Senior Brother Zhao, we would probably have met with misfortune by now!"

He paused, his eyes resolute, and said, "This was all orchestrated by Cave Master Zhong. Cave Master Zhong has betrayed our Linlang Cave Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples from the surrounding mountain gates were in an uproar, their expressions changed drastically, and some even became indignant.

Even if all the disciples of the grotto-heaven are under the influence of the Bewitching Curse, this curse only bewitches them to be loyal to the grotto-heaven.

In the past, the cave master represented the cave heaven, which could be considered as being indirectly loyal to the cave master.

But now that the cave master has harmed his disciples and betrayed the cave, the many disciples who are loyal to the cave will naturally no longer be loyal to those who betrayed the cave, even if it is the cave master!

"Mo Bai!" Hou Baichang carefully browsed the contents of the recording bead, and after looking at Hua Qingshuang's recording bead, he gradually became convinced.

"Did Master Zhong really betray the cave heaven?"

Upon seeing this, the Xuanji Peak Master muttered to himself, his aura suddenly weakening, and the spiritual light of the mountain-protecting array vanished in an instant.

The elders and deacons from the surrounding halls who had come upon hearing the news were speechless for a moment, and gradually put down the magical weapons they were using to attack.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yan Lan stepped forward, the blazing sun wheel distorting the air: "The traitor Zhong Kui has fled, and I and Cave Master Hua will surely capture him! From this day forward, the Linglang Cave Heaven will be jointly ruled by me and Cave Master Hua! Anyone who disagrees!"

A fiery dragon suddenly burst forth from her fingertips, coiling across the sky. "Come and test my wrath!"

The elders immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

Many disciples gradually began to shout that they would support anything that was good for the cave heaven.

"Peak Master Lu, please forgive me!"

Zhao Wuji retrieved his Cold Soul Flying Sword and bowed slightly to the Xuanji Peak Master.

Peak Master Xuanji returned the greeting with an embarrassed expression, forcing a smile as he said, "As expected of someone valued by Cave Master Hua, Junior Brother Zhao, your cultivation speed and combat talent are unparalleled! I admire you!"

Zhao Wuji lowered his gaze slightly, then suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Peak Master Lu is too kind, however..."

He paused, his eyes suddenly sharpening, "Peak Master once managed the mountain gate's grand formation for Zhong Kui for many years, so he must know his methods very well."

Now that he's seriously injured and has fled, if he doesn't return to his grotto...where will he hide?

"This……"

Lu Liyan's pupils contracted, his brows furrowed deeply, and he twirled his cuff with his fingers. He was secretly alarmed; this kid really wanted to kill them all!
He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons, before finally raising his head slowly, a hidden meaning flashing in his eyes: "Junior Brother Zhao... if Peak Master Hua and Peak Master Yan join forces, what are the chances of them killing Zhong Kui?"

(End of this chapter)