Accompanied by the submersion of Clear Concealed Island, in the central region of Clear Concealed Lake, the lake waters formed a massive vortex whose centre was pitch black, resembling a black hole.
The black hole emanated a fearsome suction force, wanting to pull in everything in the surrounding area.
Hovering Island was located just above that black hole. Affected by that massive suction force, the collapsing fragments of Hovering Island, as well as the Heavenly Connection Meet participants there, all began plummeting towards it!
“Change in the plan!” Exchanging glances, Yan Zhaoge and the others could all read the same thought in one another’s eyes.
Luckily, from when the black clouds had enveloped the sky once more, they had all had some predictions regarding this.
Although that the Clear Concealed Island beneath them had already sunk and a black hole was formed was virtually out of all their predictions, it was still not to the extent that they were caught off guard and rendered completely helpless.
Yan Zhaoge gently tapped his feet on a fragment of Hovering Island, his entire person leaping in the air, landing on Pan-Pan’s back. Ah Hu followed closely beside him.
Turning to look, Yan Zhaoge could relax as he saw that Sikong Qing had already been caught by Xu Fei’s outstretched hand, a fragment of Hovering Island beneath his feet as he hurriedly fled far away.
Of the other Sacred Ground descendants, Infinite Boundless Mountain had Ji Hanru at their head, Turbid Wave Pavilion had Xie Youchan and Ruan Ping while Jade Sea City had Song Chao and Ye Zhongzhou.
The various Xiantian Martial Scholars who possessed a higher cultivation base all took care of their fellow junior apprentice-brothers and sisters whose cultivation levels were slightly inferior.
Making use of the fragments of Hovering Island, they all fled, trying their best to get out of the central region with its black hole beneath them.
Hovering Island shattered, thus leading to their descent, their speed of descent was much more rapid due to the influence of the black hole.
Inner aura and outer aura Martial Scholars lacked the strength to timely evade and break free from the attraction of the black hole, requiring Xiantian Martial Scholars to assist them.
Of the disciples of the six great Sacred Grounds, only the Heavenly Thunder Hall was doing rather poorly, because Xie Ziyi, originally already carrying injuries, was currently unstable in the mind.
At this moment, he seemed a little unable to save even himself, let alone Chen Lin and the others.
Luckily for them, on the Sacred Sun Clan’s side, Tang Yonghao noticed this problem in time. With his supreme cultivation, he managed to gather Xie Ziyi, Chen Lin and the others before breaking out of the area together.
All rushing outwards, having reacted promptly in a proper manner, they managed to avoid the fate of being sucked in by the black hole.
However, at the boundaries of the region containing the black hole, an immense suction force could still be felt. The surroundings resembled a pit of quicksand, wanting to drag all the present cultivators within.
Under the effects of the massive formation of shining black light, Clear Concealed Lake which had earlier possessed beautiful scenery and contained deep profundities had changed completely.
In the distance, the black waters of the lake roiled unceasingly, as though it was boiling.
And close to the region with the black hole at the lake’s centre, the lake water vanished, leaving behind only pitch darkness as Clear Concealed Lake seemed to have become nothing but silt and sludge.
Treading on the sludge, Yan Zhaoge, Ah Hu and Pan-Pan instantly felt as though the black sludge beneath them had a life of its own as it swirled towards their feet.
That terrifying aura which shook people’s hearts was currently growing stronger and stronger.
Externalising their aura-qi to keep the sludge away, they continued towards the outskirts of Clear Concealed Lake.
The further away they got from the centre of the formation, the weaker its negative influence.
One step heavy and one step light, following closely behind Yan Zhaoge, Ah Hu said vexedly, “Didn’t they say that everything was within their control? Why are they playing with your lives now?”
Yan Zhaoge first gazed back towards the black hole that had appeared where Clear Concealed Island had been, “While the Heavenly Thunder Hall provided us with some information that allowed us to suss out some spies of the Decimating Abyss Organisation within our midst, this does not mean that we had a clear grasp of all their spies.”
“It is not that the Heavenly Thunder Hall withheld the information, but that what they knew was also limited.”
“Before this, all of our preparations were based upon the information at hand, and it was precisely because this information was limited that the plan was made as conservatively as possible, in preparation for unforeseen circumstances like this that might occur.”
Yan Zhaoge had a seldom seen grave expression on his face, “But something still went wrong in the end. This goes to show that the extent of the encroachment of the Decimating Abyss Organisation, or should I say the Nine Underworlds, into the Eight Extremities World, into even the inner echelons of the six great Sacred Grounds, our Broad Creed Mountain included, far surpasses all our predictions.”
“The Martial Grandmasters in charge of ambushing and surrounding the enemy here consist of the most trustworthy people who are least suspect as chosen by the various Sacred Grounds.”
At this point, Yan Zhaoge sighed, “But looking at it now, amongst these people, there were also enemies. I only hope now that there are not too many of those; otherwise, this time would really be like a lamb entering the mouth of a tiger.”
Ah Hu’s face was bitter, “Who could it be ah? Those able to make it to such high positions amongst the six great Sacred Grounds-why would they get together with Decimating Abyss ah?”
Yan Zhaoge did not speak, his gaze deep as he pondered, “It all falls to the backup plan now, but if the backup plan has too been exposed, and is specifically targeted against by the enemy, today’s matter is destined to be hard to resolve.”
Intense ripples of energy emanated from the distance in all directions. Obviously, numerous experts, scattered all over the place, were currently locked in battle.
Meanwhile, the terrifying aura enveloping Clear Concealed Lake grew denser and denser.
The formation of black light seemed to be opening a great door leading from this world to the hell of the Nine Underworlds.
Accompanied by the continuous use of the formation, the black sludge beneath their feet also began getting stranger and more violent.
The martial practitioners on the lake were like flickering candles within the wind, extinguished one after another as they were suddenly enveloped and swallowed by the black sludge.
“Young Master!” Ah Hu’s expression was stern, but Yan Zhaoge told him, “Don’t worry about me; just pay attention to your own safety, be especially carefully guarding your mind from the devilish qi.”
“Currently, the Great Nine Underworlds Door is actually still far from truly opening, with only a tiny wisp of aura being emanated from a slit in the door. If we guard our essence at its core, we can keep our minds stable.”
Having said that, they were both individually swallowed up by the sludge.
The world before Yan Zhaoge’s eyes grew dark, but he didn’t feel himself being suffocated as truly being within that devilish qi that seemed like sludge, it instead felt as though he was within some dense mist.
Pan-Pan followed closely by Yan Zhaoge’s side, surveying their surroundings curiously.
Leading it along, Yan Zhaoge progressed forward slowly. Now, the scene before his eyes suddenly changed as a purple light of thunder flickered.
Within the light of thunder, a figure appeared. That person was precisely Xie Ziyi!
It was only that the current Xie Ziyi had completely recovered from his injuries, his st
rength and aura seemingly even stronger than before, just that his entire person appeared strange while also distorted.
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, his eyes lit up, a strange smile appearing on his face.
The next instant, Xie Ziyi’s figure suddenly vanished without a trace. When he next appeared, a terrifying, evil purple sword-light was already right before Yan Zhaoge!
“Consumed by the darkness and fallen to the dark side?” Yan Zhaoge knit his brows slightly, “Since you’re courting death, I’ll grant your wish.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 182: The Xie Ziyi who suffered a blow
HSSB182: The Xie Ziyi who suffered a blow
Xie Ziyi’s features distorted slightly as the corners of his mouth curled up into a strange and demonic grin.
His figure flashed as he was instantly gone from the spot. It seemed like his speed had increased even further as compared to before.
It was just that the current Xie Ziyi’s Heavenly Thunder Hall direct lineage movement techniques were unlike before, fast as flashing lightning, tough and blazing, resembling thunderbolts from above the nine heavens.
Accompanying his increased speed, Xie Ziyi’s martial technique had also begun emanating a strange, gloomy feel.
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows slightly, raising his hand. Jade light raged forth from his sleeve, resembling a dragon soaring through the skies!
The jade light stopped momentarily in midair before shooting down directly at the demonic purple sword light.
Xie Ziyi’s figure once again reappeared, still clutching the Vapor Sealing Sword with one hand. He gazed icily at Yan Zhaoge, his pupils suffused with a yellow mist. Behind him, a faint projection flickered with eerie red light.
He looked at Yan Zhaoge, his mouth twisting into a creepy and distorted smile.
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes. “So, you’ve fallen to the devil….”
Xie Ziyi abandoned all restraint, roaring “Yan Zhaoge, come, let’s fight!”
His body abruptly turned as Xie Ziyi disappeared again, followed by the purple sword light.
The next time he reappeared, he was already behind Yan Zhaoge, stabbing out with his sword.
Yan Zhaoge resolutely stood still. Without moving a single step or turning around, he brought his sword up behind his back and accurately intercepted Xie Ziyi’s attack.
“Again! Again!” Xie Ziyi laughed, “This is different from before! Yan Zhaoge, I’ll tear out your heart and liver!”
Moving as quickly as a ghost, his body flickered in and out of sight. Surrounded by demonic purple light, his movements were was erratic and unpredictable in the gloom.
“Pan-Pan, don’t worry. You can rest there with peace of mind.” Saying this, Yan Zhaoge was also standing firmly with both legs rooted the ground like nails. The Jade Dragon Sword in his hands flashed as it continuously intercepted Xie Ziyi’s attacks.
“After falling to the devil there is indeed some improvement with regards to strength. However, the magnitude is nothing that impressive.” Yan Zhaoge stood still with a serene expression as he tracked Xie Ziyi’s attacks. “Despite instability of the emotions, there is no loss of calm while in combat. It looks like his strength won’t fall due to his rage.”
Comparing Xie Ziyi’s present state to his past state, Yan Zhaoge felt like he had a good understanding of the situation. “Generally, becoming a fallen practitioner will increase the target’s strength, but the increase will be fairly small.”
He looked at Xie Ziyi, and suddenly laughed: “This might be a little bit unfair for you.”
“After falling to the devil, your strength truly did increase. Unfortunately, that upgrade seems to be rather small.”
Xie Ziyi, who was flickering in and out of sight, suddenly came to a stop.
His pupils became increasingly yellow as the crimson blood light became more radiant. Staring at Yan Zhaoge, he let out a creepy laugh.
A berserk purple sword light shot forth, instantly cutting through tens of meters of space as it shot straight towards Yan Zhaoge. It was almost as if, with sufficient width, this sword could cut through heaven and earth.
After one sword, there was yet another sword!
It was the Thunderbolt Combo!
“Yan Zhaoge, I told you! I am different from how I was before!” Even as he laughed menacingly, the third sword strike was unleashed!
All the blood vessels in his body stood out as if they were about to burst, making him look like some sort of monster. Even as his face revealed a hideous leer, it seemed to reveal the immense pain he was experiencing.
The rolling black mist attached to his body. Though it was unable to restrict or repair the tearing of his body’s meridians, it helped to ease his pain to a great extent.
Xie Ziyi exploded with tormented yet elated laughter. Using the Thunderbolt Combo, he was able to chain together three magnificent sword strikes, cutting straight towards Yan Zhaoge.
Yan Zhaoge calmly watched Xie Ziyi. Brandishing the Jade Dragon Sword, Yan Zhaoge sent a jade sword light soaring towards the sky,
After that one sword strike flew out, with scarcely a moment’s delay, another sword light was sent out.
After that sword light, then another, then a fourth sword light. And then another…
Xie Ziyi stared with a dazed expression after seeing Yan Zhaoge make five successive sword strikes. Under his incredulous expression, the sixth sword strike flew out!
Finger Flicking Shocking Thunder, Six Chains!
The purple sword qi completely broke apart, dispersing in the air like ash. For a moment, the black mist was also split apart, leaving the air empty.
The horrifying jade sword aura split apart into dragon-like fluttering jade snakes, tearing straight through Xie Ziyi’s body.
The last image that Xie Ziyi ever saw was Yan Zhaoge calmly looking at him and asking, “And just what is different?”
Xie Ziyi opened his mouth, wanting to roar, but found himself unable to make any sound.
He was unwilling, he was resentful, and most of all, he was afraid.
Despite becoming the embodiment of the Nine Underworld Evil Devils, he was still unable to beat this opponent!
Xie Ziyi’s current resentment and hatred was even more intense than it was at the time when he had fallen to the devil.
Alas, his life had come to an end, his fire snuffed out.
His mutilated body landed on the ground and broke apart into wisps of black smoke which merged back into the surrounding devilish qi.
Yan Zhaoge looked at the strange sublimation of Xie Ziyi’s corpse and raised his eyebrows. “It is just as the records said. Even though their flesh and blood is indistinguishable from a normal person’s, they are no longer entirely human.”
This devilish mist surrounding the lake was an area attack with devilish qi that would affect the minds of its victims. It would target a specific desire or obsession and continuously amplify it.
Ultimately, the inner illusion of the desired external reality combined with the devilish qi would begin to cause irreversible changes, slowly transforming one’s body into that of a Nine Underworlds Evil Devil’s.
In the initial transformation, the beginning of the fall, this drastic change from one species to another could grant strength that corresponded with the despair and hopelessness felt. It could be a large boon or a small one depending on the practitioner.
If the original body was seriously injured when falling to the devil, then there would be a substantial amount of healing, or possibly even a full recovery.
Falling to the devil, especially in an area with dense devilish qi, would always result in various degrees of improvement.
It was also noteworthy that regardless of what external factors are in play, that critical last step of falling into the devil could only happen of the martial practitioner’s own will.
Even if the martial practitioner had a Heart’s Devil from past encounters, the ultimate decision to fall to the devil must come fr
om the affected person himself.
If someone was steadfast and unwavering in their determination to resist the devilish will, no one would be able to force them to fall to the devil.
On a fundamental level, falling to the devil was simply magnifying someone’s innate desire or obsession to the breaking point until that one desire suppressed all other thoughts and rationality. When falling to the devil, the inner and outer self combined together.
Just because one’s body was invaded by devilish qi didn’t mean that they would fall to the devil.
Yan Zhaoge walked over to the place where Xie Ziyi’s corpse had dissipated and put away his Vapor Sealing Sword. Apart from his sword, Xie Ziyi had left behind several other notable items, among which was an embroidered bag.
Opening the bag, Yan Zhaoge found a coin-shaped object with a strange gold mark engraved in an intricate pattern.
Yan Zhaoge carefully examined the coin. He felt that the pattern was vaguely familiar.
Unable to recognize it, he temporarily suppressed his curiosity, and put away his loot.
The giant panda Pan-Pan inquisitively came to Yan Zhaoge’s side and let out a throaty rumble.
Being exposed to the dense devilish qi also made Pan-Pan feel very uncomfortable.
In fact, it was also possible for spirit beasts to fall to the devil.
Yan Zhaoge walked through the devilish domain while simultaneously comforting Pan-Pan.
Suddenly, Yan Zhaoge felt a vague threat of danger burst from his heart!
An extremely dangerous feeling appeared in his mind.
At practically the same time, a streak of gloomy sword light emerged from the devilish domain and shot straight towards the back of Yan Zhaoge’s head!
Martial Grandmaster!
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 183: The roaring right eye
HSSB183: The roaring right eye
The dim sword-light zigzagged, seeming as though it had completely merged with the dark domain of devilish qi.
The sword-light seemed as though it possessed a life of its own as, like a poisonous snake, it soundlessly stabbed towards the back of Yan Zhaoge’s head.
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