That person was more than just the king of Eastern Tang Kingdom, one of East Heaven Region’s powerful and influential figures. More importantly, he was an old friend of Yan Zhaoge’s father from when he was young and he had also shown a lot of care towards Yan Zhaoge in the past.
When there were abnormalities at the Dragon Sealing Abyss, the strongest warriors of Eastern Tang Kingdom including the lord and the overseer from Broad Creed Mountain would naturally respond first because they were the closest. As the first to arrive on the scene, they had already investigated and suppressed the unusual activity. Yan Zhaoge’s expedition to the danger zone, the Dragon Sealing Abyss, required that he acquire a thorough understanding of the area and information on its newest developments.
After visiting the Lord of Eastern Tang Kingdom, Yan Zhaoge paid an official visit to the affairs elder of Broad Creed Mountain managing Eastern Tang Kingdom.
This visitation would not be as easygoing or harmonious as the previous one, because this member of Broad Creed Mountain’s presence in Eastern Tang Kingdom happened to belong to Yan Zhaoge’s second martial uncle’s faction.
The Eastern Tang affairs elder appeared to be a serious old man on the outside. He peered at Yan Zhaoge and without any unneeded nonsense, he stated what was already known about the situation in a couple simple sentences. Yan Zhaoge listened and pondered at the same time.
“Sun Saint Sect’s Chao Yuanlong has also appeared at the Dragon Sealing Abyss. Keep focused and be prepared,” the elder stated tranquilly after describing the changes that occurred in the Dragon Sealing Abyss.
Yan Zhaoge smiled and said, “Was it not because of him that the sect asked me to lead this expedition?”
In the present world, several Holy Grounds stood equal to one another. The Sun Saint Sect is one of those few enormous forces that could to compared to Broad Creed Mountain. In fact, its strength was even greater than Broad Creed Mountain and imperceptibly held the position of number one Holy Ground.
Chao Yuanlong was one of Sun Saint Sect’s great geniuses of the younger generation, he too was known as a chosen son of heaven. It just happened that he was of similar age to Yan Zhaoge and possessed the same level of cultivation, internalized astral qi late phase. In the Eight Extremities World, he is also a famous up and coming member of the young generation.
The original owner of Yan Zhaoge’s body conflicted with Chao Yuanlong three times, and all three exchanges ended up in a tie. The two were known to be old adversaries of the younger generation in the Eight Extremities World.
The Eastern Tang affairs elder said, “That person is also a rare talent. To cultivate the Greater Yang Golden Needle Technique of the Sun Saint Sect to the eighth level, he needs more than just incredible aptitude; immense perseverance is also necessary. If he can break through to the next level, you should understand without this old man telling you, correct?”
Greater Yang Golden Needle Technique is an unpopular martial technique of the Sun Saint Sect. If cultivated to a high level, it can demonstrate extremely formidable prowess. Among warriors of the same level, it is one of the techniques existing at the peak.
However, its might is rather limited in the early stages, at least before reaching the sixth level. Only after reaching the seventh level will it demonstrate its power.
And it just so happens that the technique was very difficult to cultivate. The process requires the cultivator to endure the pain of a raging inferno scorching their body, as if the entire body was being stabbed by ten million steel needles. Cultivating this technique is like abusing yourself.
Moreover, the Sun Saint Sect naturally has stronger and more profound techniques for the disciples as their cultivation increased. Therefore very few sect members would choose to cultivate this technique.
Yan Zhaoge spoke nonchalantly, “At his age, to have cultivated the Greater Yang Golden Needle Technique to the ninth stage is rare indeed. In the entire history of the Sun Saint Sect, there are no more than five who have achieved this. To become famous within his generation at the Sun Saint Sect, he would naturally have some aspect surpassing the norm.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed, “Thank you elder for your reminder. I am well aware of the situation.”
Eastern Tang affairs elder gave him a glance before he calmly said, “If that is the case, then you may go. Should something happen at the Dragon Sealing Abysss, immediately make a report. Take care of the disciples on this expedition and do not allow any mishaps to occur.”
Yan Zhaoge got up and said, “Then I will be taking my leave. Take care elder.”
Looking at Yan Zhaoge’s departing back, the old man’s placid eyes slowly closed, “Fickle and frivolous brat, he can speak the words but lacks understanding.”
—————————————————-
The Dragon Sealing Abyss is an enormous rift valley that stretches horizontally across the land. Both sides are surrounded by mountains and it is so deep that its depth cannot be seen. Black mist covers this place all year long.
The black mist is a harmful substance. The deeper one goes into the Abyss, the thicker the mist becomes. Even strong warriors do not dare venture inside unless necessary. There are also many strange demonbeasts born within these mists that are unusually aggressive.
Venturing deep in the Dragon Sealing Abyss where the black mist covers everything also causes bizarre spatial disorders, which make it difficult to determine one’s actual location. It is extremely difficult for those outside to rescue those lost within.
Nevertheless, there are often warriors who enter the place to seek treasure because the Dragon Sealing Abyss produces many special treasures that are completely unique or at least rare elsewhere.
Of course, many of those who enter are never seen again alive.
Therefore one must carefully consider the risks. The Dragon Sealing Abyss is a place famous for peril.
Yan Zhaoge and his expedition left Eastern Tang Kingdom’s capital and traveled all the way to the outer edges of this danger zone.
“Do you all know the history of the Dragon Sealing Abyss?” Standing on the mountain ridge right beside the steep drop, Yan Zhaoge said, “The Eight Extremities World is commonly divided into eight vast territories, known as Heaven, Earth, Wind, Thunder, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Lake.
“One of these, the earth territory, has become a wasteland after many years of transformation. It is the world’s largest danger zone. Because of this, we now call that place the ‘Underworld’.
“And from the Underworld many giant cracks extend to the surrounding regions. This Dragon Sealing Abyss happens to be one of the largest of these cracks. And a large portion of this Abyss happens to pass through our Broad Creed Mountain’s Heaven Territory.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “A sudden anomaly at the Dragon Sealing Abyss without any clear cause, we will need to remain prudent.”
All the Broad Creed Mountain disciples nodded to signal their understanding.
Under Yan Zhaoge’s lead, everyone slowly walked down into the rift.
Even though this is a dangerous place, people have already built paths on the outer edges.
Lanterns lit up along the path at fixed intervals. Thin streams of green smoke steadily rose and partitioned off the black mist from a small area allowing people to advance forward.
This is Eastern Tang Kingdom and Broad Creed Mountain’s work. When the strong members of both forces reacted and came to suppress the anomaly, they created this pathway. Afterward, they guarded the Abyss while contacting Broad Creed Mountain waiting for people to come and investigate the abnormalities.
Had the anomaly not been promptly suppressed, the black mist might have surge out of the rift.
Yan Zhaoge’s group visited those local forces responsible for guarding this place, then they started to advance deeper into the Dragon Sealing Abyss.
Yan Zhaoge walked in the very front. Part of his attention was on the surrounding while he pondered in his mind, “This black mist is
chaotic dao baleful qi as expected. Even though it can be used to create something that benefits the internal crystal furnace. The substance itself is harmful in a hundred ways without a single benefit.
“No wait… perhaps it isn’t without a single merit?
“There is a large difference in increase of strength between internalized astral qi middle phase to late phase and internalized astral qi late phase to externalized astral qi early phase. The latter produces a much larger increase. While it can’t be said to be the difference between heaven and earth, but at least it is like shedding one’s mortal body and being reborn again.”
Yan Zhaoge thought to himself, “When astral is externalized, the body’s defenses become extremely strong.
“If an internalized martial scholar attacks an externalized martial scholar with all his strength, assuming the externalized martial scholar is not defending his weak points, then there is a chance of success. Otherwise, most of the time, the internalized martial scholar is just wasting his strength.
“On the other hand, an externalized martial scholar can release astral qi outside his body and demonstrate amazing attack power. Breaking through an internalized martial scholar’s astral qi defense layer is quite easy.”
“Too bad that while internalized to externalized is only a single step, this step is a wide gap that is difficult to cross. Breaking through will not be easy. The main difficulty is the large amount of time required to meticulously polish one’s astral qi and refine one’s body.”
Walking through the Dragon Sealing Abyss surrounded by incalculable danger, Yan Zhaoge unexpectedly smiled.
“However, if one uses the whirlpool reverse stream method from the heaven and hell reversal technique with some modifications, then conduct this chaotic dao baleful qi into one’s body, then trash can be changed into treasure. A great whetstone can be obtain for polishing one’s astral qi. This is perfect for helping me break through the hurdle of externalizing astral qi outside the body, from internalized martial scholar to external martial scholar.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 9: Taking the Road Less Traveled, Acting Cool without Explanation
If you have an idea then try it out immediately. The group explored the Dragon Sealing Abyss and traveled for some time. When the group stopped for rest, Yan Zhaoge immediately sat down cross-legged and began to meditate.
Among the group, Ye Jing’s gaze focused on Yan Zhaoge.
“There will eventually be a day when I will defeat you. When that time comes, let’s see if you can maintain your loftiness, your disdain, and that prideful look on your face…”
Other than his old grudge, the current Ye Jing felt a strange emotion that could not be described when faced with Yan Zhaoge.
It was somewhat like the mutual appreciation between geniuses, but there was more a sense of awkwardness and annoyance.
It was almost as if they were natural adversaries, and this made him feel like he was being suppressed, which further led to him feeling out of sorts.
“Strangely, the Li Flame True Fire he mentioned back in the affairs hall is extremely useful for me as well,” Ye Jing thought in his mind, “If it falls into his hand and is used for his purposes, that would truly be a waste…”
Just as Ye Jing was thinking those thoughts, his eyes suddenly widened and progressively widened some more.
Si Kongqing and the others also discovered something unusual had happened at this time. Yan Zhaoge was currently cycling the dreaded black mist avoided by everyone into his body.
This act in their eyes was just like suicide by poison.
Yan Zhaoge did not care about what the bystander thought. Looking inside his body, chaotic dao baleful qi could be seen gathering under the control of the secret technique as it formed something similar to a grinding wheel. Then affected by surging astral qi, it started to spin incessantly.
As it spun, the astral qi inside Yan Zhaoge’s body became increasingly sharp like a blade being polished, and he could faintly detect his qi starting to penetrate its way out of his body.
“Excellent. Compared to normal cultivation, the efficiency increased by three to five times or possibly more. Even though it’s only applicable for training from internalized astral qi to externalized astral qi but it can still save a large amount of time. The externalized martial scholar realm is now close at hand.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded in satisfaction. His training session had reached the end of a phase thus he stopped his cultivation for now. He opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was a bunch of shocked and dazed disciples starring at him.
“It’s really easy to attract the eyes of others when one stops walking the usual path…” Yan Zhaoge thought to himself and grinned, “This bro’s lifetime of acting cool truly needs no explanation.”
One of the young disciples eyes flashed with sudden understanding, “Due to the sudden change in the Dragon Sealing Abyss, the black mist is more turbulent than before. This type of never before seen change is bizarre and cannot be explained. Senior brother Yan took the mist into his body in order to better analyze these changes, right? But this type of method is far too dangerous.”
Yan Zhaoge was surprised for a bit. He was slightly speechless at the people’s ability to make up nonsense for things they don’t understand.
Everyone responded with sudden realization. They nodded their heads having been convinced, “So that’s how it was.”
Ye Jing still had some doubts and his finger subconsciously stroked the dark red ring he wore.
Seeing Ye Jing, Zan Zhaoge couldn’t help but roll his eyes though he did it so faster than anyone could perceive, “He actually does have a ring…”
While he probably had his own fortunate encounters, secret methods, and other things Yan Zhaoge didn’t know about, but Ye Jing’s quick rise and his speedy cultivation and more importantly his ability stand from the masses, it wasn’t difficult to connect those things to his ring.
However, Yan Zhaoge did not care about the ring at all.
At this time, everyone else was shouting his praise and proclaiming their admiration, “Even if a martial scholar had cultivation higher than senior brother Yan, they still would not dare to directly take the black mist into their body, right?”
To them, the black mist was something that could take their life at any time. Whereas to Yan Zhaoge, he seemed indifferent to it.
“In short, this isn’t something you should rashly imitate. Otherwise it’s like opening the door for a thief or letting a wolf into your room, very dangerous.” Yan Zhaoge said. He stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes. Then he took the lead and started walking once more. The others hurried to catch up.
At this time, a tall figure sped towards them from behind group and caught up with Yan Zhaoge. This person was Ah Hu.
Yan Zhaoge did not stop. His pace continued undisturbed neither slow nor fast. When Ah Hu came up to Yan Zhaoge’s side, he sent a sound transmission, “Prince, we have the information. While we haven’t been able to verify but rumors say that Ye Jing attracted the discerning eyes of elder Shi after the new disciple youth competition.”
Yan Zhaoge turned and gave Ah Hu a look after hearing this news.
Ah Hu nodded, “It is rumored that elder Shi admires how he constantly strove to improve himself in order to get to this point and his persevering disposition. He is prepared to observe Ye Jing for a while and should there be no problems, he intends to accept Ye Jing as his direct disciple.”
Yan Zhaoge revealed a sneer, “No wonder…”
This elder is not like those other elders. Elder Shi could not be compared to the elder Cui from before, or even the affairs elder overseeing Eastern Tang Kingdom. None of them are anywhere close to his level.
Elder Cui is only a deacon elder and moreover he was the type that slowly achieved his position through countless years of accumulation.
The Eastern Tang Kingdom affairs elder is an affairs elder but above him there is still the Eastern
Region elder who governs the entire East Heaven Region.
Whereas, Elder Shi is the head elder of the punishment hall of the entire sect, who wield the power of enforcing all the rules and punishments. In terms of rank, he is equal to the Eastern Region elder, but in terms of authority and power, he is far stronger.
He is Yan Zhaoge’s eldest martial uncle, and Broad Creed Mountain’s current sect leader’s eldest direct disciple.
This man is upright and outspoken. He considers himself less talented than Yan Zhaoge’s father and second martial uncle, and thus publicly announced his withdrawal from the race for the successor position early on. He is willing to support whoever wins the race because everything is for the sake of developing the sect.
In truth, even if elder Shi considers himself not as capable as his two junior brother, his actual ability is comparable to the two. Moreover, he is a veteran martial grandmaster, one of Broad Creed Mountain’s numbered peak experts. In the entire Eight Extremities World, his prowess is well known far and wide.
He might not be participating in the race to be successor of the sect but his opinion is weighted very heavily nonetheless. Even the current sect leader regards his opinion very highly.
No matter who becomes the next sect leader, he will continue to occupy the punishment hall head elder position. He is not just in name but also in reality, a super big shot of the sect.
At the present time, this eldest martial uncle remains neutral in the competition between Yan Zhaoge’s father and his second martial uncle.
Considering Ye Jing’s attitude towards Yan Zhaoge, should Ye Jing be killed for what seems to be jealousy of a love rival, elder Shi’s reaction can easily be imagined.
Even if there is no evidence, only suspicions, it could still affect the opposite party’s perception.
Ah Hu continued, “About this matter, Ye Jing himself probably is not in the know. Elder Shi desires to observe him for a while longer.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474 Page 13