In analysing the Nine Underworlds Grand Formation, other than the one time he had directly faced off against it, those things brought back by Shi Tie had also displayed considerable use.
Unfortunately, Xin Dongping had also obtained some gains from those at that time.
Yan Di spoke again. “The Glacial Dragon Martial Saint disappeared too long ago. While the whereabouts of his Sacred Artifact is unknown, no one can be sure if it even still exists in this world. If you are trying to find it, I have no objections, but don’t lose yourself over a matter such as this.”
Yan Zhaoge responded, “Rest easy, father. I understand.”
After pausing for a moment, Yan Zhaoge quietly said, “The Glacial Dragon Martial Saint’s Sacred Artifact truly is quite an uncertain thing. Therefore, not all my hopes for this time’s journey are on it.”
“The truth is that this is just an incidental pursuit. In fact, you could even call it a cover-up.”
Yan Di raised his eyebrows. “Hm?”
Yan Zhaoge explained. “When the Sacred Sun Clan and Heavenly Thunder Hall came to attack us, it truly was removing any pretense of face. The only reason that things have calmed down once more is that our two sides are back in equilibrium for the time being.”
“Their power is great, and will naturally pose a danger to us in the future.”
Ever since that year when Huang Guanglie’s master, the Purple Sun Martial Saint Zhang Chao, and the chief of Black Nightmare Mountain had attempted to attack Broad Creed Mountain only to be repelled at the hands of the Exalted Heaven Shaker Zhan Dongge, enmity had already arose between the two sides.
Afterwards, due to the fall of Zhan Dongge at the hands of the Flame Devils, Broad Creed Mountain had suffered a huge blow to its vitality. With the Sacred Sun Clan slowly accumulating strength, Broad Creed Mountain did not have easy times.
Were it not for the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou leading the clan, Broad Creed Mountain might not have been able to survive those dark, dark times.
However, when Zhan Xilou passed away, Broad Creed Mountain had once again been left without a Martial Saint expert, tough times descending once more.
Though the fate of the Purple Sun Martial Saint was unclear, Huang Guanglie stepped into the Martial Saint realm. Adding the power of the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler on to that, the Sacred Sun Clan became extremely powerful.
Even though Yuan Zhengfeng was strong and they possessed the Clear Qi Robe, Broad Creed Mountain could only rely on the Clear Qi Grand Formation. Forced into a position where their defences were stable, yet they did not possess sufficient strength to advance, they could only helplessly watch on as the Sacred Sun Clan seemed to get stronger and stronger, their encroachment greater and greater.
Jade Sea City had been tied up with the Heavenly Thunder Hall and the Flame Devils on the East Sea while Infinite Boundless Mountain had remained sitting on the fence. In this situation, Broad Creed Mountain had been under enormous pressure.
If it weren’t so, Fang Zhun would most likely never have set his eyes on the Earth Domain.
The outcome of this was that Fang Zhun had barely managed to pull himself back before the cliff’s edge, while Xin Dongping had continued down this path, eventually establishing the Decimating Abyss.
Huang Guanglie, wanting to completely dominate the Eight Extremities World, had then entered seclusion in hopes of another breakthrough. Only then had Broad Creed Mountain been given some breathing space.
However, the pressure on Broad Creed Mountain had not abated. If Huang Guanglie successfully emerged from his seclusion, having advanced in his cultivation, the Sacred Sun Clan would inevitably become even more dominant.
However, the situation now was entirely different.
Yuan Zhengfeng had successfully broken through into the Martial Saint realm. Even though Huang Guanglie had a breakthrough, he had lost the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler.
For the time being, with Yuan Zhengfeng and the Clear Qi Robe guarding Broad Creed Mountain, Huang Guanglie would certainly not dare to attack Broad Creed Mountain.
On the other hand, with Huang Guanglie alive, attacking the World Illuminating Peak would also be folly.
If the two met in a different location, Yuang Zhengfeng, bolstered by the Clear Qi Robe, would be able to hold the stronger position over Huang Guanglie.
As for their allies, Infinite Boundless Mountain and Jade Sea City were able to pressure the Heavenly Thunder Hall from both sides.
The wheel of fortune had turned, and it was now Broad Creed Mountain’s turn to reverse the situation against the Sacred Sun Clan and settle some old grudges.
It was just that with Yuan Zhengfeng’s ascent into the Martial Saint realm, Broad Creed Mountain’s strength had also risen greatly. Though Infinite Boundless Mountain and Jade Sea City also wished for Yuan Zhengfeng to suppress Huang Guanglie, having an ally whose strength was so much higher than their own, how they felt about that was also an unknown thing.
The Sacred Sun Clan had deep reserves of power. If Broad Creed Mountain wanted to completely destroy them and repay the debt of having been attacked, it would still be extremely difficult.
The Eight Extremities World’s gloabl situation had temporarily settled into a fragile and dangerous equilibrium.
Yan Zhaoge said, “If we want to emerge victorious in this struggle for power, there are two general ways to do so. We can become stronger, or we can weaken our enemies.”
“If we can find the Glacial Dragon Martial Saint’s inheritance, that will naturally raise our clan’s strength by a large degree. However, there is no way to be sure of this matter.”
Yan Zhange’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “It is only polite for one to repay their visitors in kind. Here, I’ll send the Sacred Sun Clan a return gift.”
Yan Di calmly said, “Even without the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, dealing with Huang Guanglie would be difficult.”
Huang Guanglie was, without a doubt, the current backbone of the Sacred Sun Clan. If he was injured, their entire clan’s strength would likewise suffer greatly.
On the same hand, even though Huang Guanglie had come to Broad Creed Mountain and figuratively smashed his head bloody against a wall, his strength was something that was evident to all.
In terms of personal strength, the Huang Guanglie who had recently succeeded in his breakthrough could probably be considered the current strongest expert of the entire Eight Extremities World.
Without the Clear Qi Robe, Yuan Zhengfeng would still be inferior to him in terms of strength.
During the battle at Broad Creed Mountain, it was only with Yuan Zhengfeng’s power that Yan Zhaoge’s killing formation had been able to take get rid of Huang Guanglie’s Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler.
Yan Di asked, “You want to take action against their Maiden of Extreme Yin?”
Yan Zhaoge shook his head. “Huang Guanglie together with Meng Wan can be considered to the strongest areas of the Sacred Sun Clan. Even though Meng Wan’s cultivation base is low, she holds a great advantage in the Extreme Yin Bouts, and they will value her even more highly now, heavily protecting her. It is even to the point where they might even consider assassinating junior apprentice-sister Feng. This is where most of their attention is currently concentrated.”
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes slightly into slits. “I want to attack where they least expect it—where they are least prepared for it.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 317: The site of the Sacred Sun Clan’s weakness
HSSB317: The site of the Sacred Sun Clan’s weakness
Hearing Yan Zhaoge’s words, a ponderous look appeared on Yan Di’s face, “You said just now that the legacy of the Glacial Dragon Martial Saint was but on the side, even concealment.”
“Your meaning is that your true target also lies to the north? Or perhaps, your method will be applied there?”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “That’s right.”
He gazed towards the n
orth, then looked towards the south before saying softly, “My goal is their Sacred Sun Clan’s Southern Underground Palace!”
Hearing his words, Yan Di’s gaze focused slightly.
The Southern Underground Palace: to the south of the Fire Domain existed an endless chain of mountains, many volcanoes amongst them. A massive sea of lava existed beneath the ground, its depths unknown, spreading outwards to boundaries unknown.
Like the Wind Domain’s Great Western Desert, it was a long existing major danger ground of the Eight Extremities World.
However, it was also an important foundation of the Sacred Sun Clan.
How important was it?
It had many uses, but just one of them was already sufficient to explain the problem.
The Sacred Sun Clan’s supreme martial art, the Extreme Yang Fist, above the Seven Great Sun Arts. To cultivate successfully in it, one needed the assistance of the flames of the Southern Underground Palace.
If not for the environment there truly being too unconducive, the Sacred Sun Clan would not have chosen the World Illuminating Peak for its headquarters.
To speak of it, there was the true sacred ground of the Sacred Sun Clan, with the World Illuminating Peak just being where they were usually stationed.
Yan Di said, “The Southern Underground Palace is a place like the Great Western Desert. While we know that it is very important to the Sacred Sun Clan, it would be difficult to assault and damage it. Even attacking it and occupying it would also not be feasible.”
If they could have damaged the Southern Underground Palace, in the previous war of the Eastern Tang, having forced the Sacred Sun Clan completely back to the World Illuminating Peak, Broad Creed Mountain and Jade Sea City would already have made a move on it.
Yan Zhaoge said, “That’s right; the creations of the heavens and earth are incomparably majestic, not being things that can easily be shaken by human methods. At the very least, the current me definitely cannot do it.”
“However, it’s not that I want to forcibly damage that place.”
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the north once more, “I can’t still say it for sure now. Only after I have arrived at the Extreme Northern Lands and surveyed for the area for a bit will I be able to come to a conclusion; what exists now is only a vague line of thought.”
Yan Di asked, “From where does your line of thought originate? While you always have some strange, wonderful ideas, what is it this time that gave you inspiration, letting you think up something so greatly wild?”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Father, it is written in the ancient records that a strange incident once occurred before the Great Calamity, concerning a great martial power of that time, the Snowy Immortal Palace. I wonder if you have heard of it?”
“Are you talking about the drying up of the Heavenly Ice Springs of the Snowy Immortal Palace?” Yan Di pondered for a while before answering.
The Great Calamity had made many things extinct, turning many things into legends, in the form of vague, incomplete rumours.
Many things had been made extinct, while some scattered, fragmented things had been passed down over the ages, being known by the people of the Eight Extremities World now.
However, the veracity of many of these things was currently already unknown.
Yan Di looked at Yan Zhaoge, “It is rumoured that the legacy of the Snowy Immortal Palace was not cut off due to the Great Calamity, having already disappeared before that.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “I am also not too clear on the specifics. However, from browsing through ancient texts, I have my own thoughts and guesses on the subject, just that I still have to personally test out and verify them on site.”
“Not the site where the Snowy Immortal Palace once existed-that place is lost gone. What I want is to survey the environment of the Extreme Northern Lands, that is similar to that of the past Snowy Immortal Palace.”
To Yan Di, it was a rumour, but Yan Zhaoge knew for a fact that the Snowy Immortal Palace had indeed already been destroyed before the descent of the Great Calamity.
However, he was indeed unclear on the specifics of the situation.
Not having checked it out on site before, Yan Zhaoge indeed currently couldn’t be sure on the true reason for the Heavenly Ice Springs drying up. However, he indeed had thoughts on the matter, having analysed out some underlying principles from consolidating his knowledge in other areas.
However, he still had to perform some experiments to properly verify these thoughts.
Yan Di said, “If you want to head to the Extreme Northern Lands, you can. However, you have to pay attention to your safety. After all, that place is rather near to the Heavenly Thunder Hall.”
“With Master having Transcended Mortality and entered Sainthood, and with me having entered the Transcending Mortality stage as well, our clan has already increased in power to the point of being able to completely abandon our earlier conservative stance. The Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall will also rein themselves in a little. But if you want to head to the Extreme Northern Lands and the North Sea, you still have to be careful.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “Yes, I understand.”
Yan Di paused for a moment before continuing, “You have to pay more attention to the matter of Jun’er and his mother.”
Yan Zhaoge’s expression was solemn, “You can rest assured. This is eldest apprentice-uncle’s sole remaining bloodline; I will definitely protect it.”
Yan Di spoke no more, walking to the window with his hands behind his back, gazing out into the distance.
Many old memories surfaced within Yan Di’s mind.
……
“I am surnamed Shi, named Shi Tie, Master’s oldest disciple.”
……
“Junior apprentice-brother Yan, you are a supreme genius blessed by the gods, a hundred times stronger than me. In the future, you will definitely become a legendary figure like Ancestor Heaven Shaker.”
……
“Eldest apprentice-brother, you are really giving up on the competition for Chief succession?”
“That’s right.”
“If you were the one to succeed the position, I would be willing to stay your subordinate, but if it is second apprentice-brother, I feel like trying to compete for it a bit.”
……
“Eldest apprentice-brother, regarding the matter of Songtao’s family, my condolences…”
“I’m fine, don’t worry. Right, junior apprentice-brother Yan ah, I know that you are also very busy, but if you have the time, do pay a little more attention to Zhaoge.”
……
Yan Di’s usually always tyrannical, incisive gaze was currently uncharacteristically unfocused.
Yan Zhaoge could basically understand Yan Di’s feelings, also feeling similarly dismal as he soundlessly retreated outside, closing the door with him.
Other than the people of Infinite Boundless Mountain, Jade Sea City and Turbid Wave Pavilion had also sent people over to congratulate Yuan Zhengfeng on his ascension into the Martial Saint realm, and Yan Di on his official ascension to the position of Chief.
From Jade Sea City had even come someone Yan Zhaoge was familiar with.
While he was only a Spirit Vessel Martial Grandmaster, as the son of Jade Sea City’s Lord, Song Wuliang, the arrival of the Seven Seas Young Master Song Chao was sufficient in expressing their sincerity.
“Senior Brother Song has travelled a long way; our clan warmly welcomes you,” Yan Zhaoge received Song Chao and his group, “However, we have just experienced a huge tribulation. Despite having successfully tided through it, many of our fellow disciples have perished. Therefore, despite father having taken up the position of Chief and Grand Master having ascended into the Martial Saint realm, my clan does not intend to hold a ceremony.”
“Currently, our entire Mountain has many things that need to be done. If there is anywhere that you feel slighted, please do not hold it on us.”
Song Chao said, �
��This is only natural. In ascending your Mountain, we also hope to offer up joss sticks to the deceased seniors who were sacrificed.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “We thank everyone from Jade Sea City.”
Beside Song Chao, part of the group of Jade Sea City disciples, a girl said, “Senior Brother Yan, my condolences.”
It was Li Jingwan, whom he had met at the Heavenly Connection Meet.
Yan Zhaoge said, “Junior Sister Li is kind.”
He led the way, leading Song Chao, Li Jingwan and the others up the mountain.
After the offering of joss sticks, Yan Zhaoge said, “After a bit, our clan will bury our disciples who perished in this tribulation. If you want to stay behind to observe the ceremony, that will also be fine.”
Song Chao seemed to have something he wanted to say, but his expression remained calm as usual as he nodded, “Since that is so, we will be bothering you.”
Despite his dismal feelings, Yan Zhaoge had not lost his basic calm. Seeing this, he knew that Song Chao probably had another purpose in coming over here.
It was just that if he mentioned it now, it would inevitably be a little rude. Therefore, he meant to leave it for after the burial ceremony.
Yan Zhaoge took note of this, his expression not changing.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 318: Eternally sitting over Broad Creed Mountain
HSSB318: Eternally sitting over Broad Creed Mountain
For now, Yan Zhaoge could not think of what Song Chao and Jade Sea City wanted.
However, at least for the time being, he did not intend to continue pondering on this.
To the entire Broad Creed Mountain, what they were most concerned with now was the burial ceremony.
In this time’s great tribulation, first facing the terror of the Decimating Abyss, next being attacked by the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall, the number of Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners who had died were not few.
Shi Tie was one of them, and other than him, there had also been other disciples of the clan who had perished. Currently, their corpses had all been recovered, to be buried together.
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