Everyone here had some old friends or acquaintances here that they knew, all of them feeling the same sense of tragedy, pained at their losses.
And to the entire Broad Creed Mountain, it was still the loss of Shi Tie that affected them the most.
Not including the traitors Xin Dongping and Elder Wang, Shi Tie was Broad Creed Mountain’s greatest expert who had perished in this time’s tribulation.
Including the traitors of the Decimating Abyss who had been amongst them, Broad Creed Mountain has suffered quite the loss this time, its vitality having somewhat suffered.
Luckily, the consecutive increases in cultivation base of Yuan Zhengfeng and Yan Di as well as the increase in strength of the Clear Qi Grand Formation had made it such that Broad Creed Mountain’s overall power had increased rather than decreased.
Through counterattacking the Fire Domain and the territory the Sacred Sun Clan occupied in the Wind Domain, Broad Creed Mountain had seen great gains, also helping to make up for their losses.
Meanwhile, their enemies, the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall, had similarly suffered tragic losses, especially the Sacred Sun Clan, having come to the point of vomiting out blood with the loss of their Sacred Artifact, the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler.
The burial ceremony was presided over by the new Chief Yan Di, as Yuan Zhengfeng and all the other higher echelon experts of Broad Creed Mountain were present, sending Shi Tie and the others off for the last time.
Runes shone within Yan Di’s pupils, causing the Clear Qi Grand Formation to circulate slowly.
As the grand formation circulated, a clear streak of light shot into the distance, forming an illusory scene, resembling a whole new heaven and earth.
It was a foreign dimension, greatly from the one in which Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di had battled Xin Dongping and Yuan Tian previously.
This space flickered with the light of water, resembling a massive lake.
This entire foreign dimension, this entire small realm, seemed to consist solely of this lake.
The expressions of Yan Zhaoge, Xu Fei, Feng Yunsheng, Sikong Qing, Ying Longtu and the other Broad Creed Mountain disciples were solemn.
Song Chao and the others, having come to view the ceremony, were also fixated on that lake world.
Li Jingwan said softly, “This is the burial ground of generations of Broad Creed Mountain disciples, the Heavenly Life Lake…”
Song Chao nodded, “That’s right.”
Broad Creed Mountain’s custom was that after its disciples had perished, other than in the circumstance of a special request from the family of the deceased, such as bringing the deceased back to the family to be buried, their bodies would all be kept and buried within the Heavenly Life Lake.
After the others had been buried, Yan Di personally carried the transparent ice coffin containing Shi Tie’s body, coming to the realm of the lake.
Standing in the air above the massive lake, placing the ice coffin down before him, Yan Di looked silently at Shi Tie’s serene features within, not speaking for a long time.
Shi Tie’s face even carried a hint of a smile, with some consolation, even some joy.
Yan Di’s face was sunken as water as he slid his hand over the cover of the coffin.
Now, a figure came to Yan Di’s side. Yan Di did not move. He knew who the newcomer was.
Fang Zhun’s expression was clear as usual, gentle and refined, just that his usual smile was currently nowhere to be seen as his gaze was deep.
He reached out, as though wanting to place his hand on the cover of the coffin like Yan Di.
However, when his fingers were just an inch away from the coffin, Fang Zhun’s hands halted in mid-air, as though somewhat not daring to touch it.
Yan Di said softly, “Eldest apprentice-brother would not blame you. Master, I and the others all don’t feel that way as well.”
Fang Zhun’s expression did not change as he instead resembled a statue, solidified in mid-air, not saying a word, not moving an inch.
While the chaos caused by the Decimating Abyss had been quelled, with Xin Dongping and the others all already killed, Fang Zhun felt that he was actually the true source of this great tribulation.
It was he who had first opened that great, forbidden door.
Although with his supreme willpower, he had managed to close the great door once more, causing the dark shadows of the Nine Underworlds, attempting to infiltrate the Eight Extremities World for the first time, to shrink back, Xin Dongping had trod on his shoulders, following the marks of the route he had once walked, only then finally taking that nightmarish step.
Sometimes, it was really hard to say for sure whether it was he or Xin Dongping who was the true founder of the Decimating Abyss.
Looking at Shi Tie in the ice coffin before him and the disciples of Broad Creed Mountain who had already entered the Heavenly Life Lake below, many more figures seemed to surface before Fang Zhun’s eyes.
From the incident of Clear Concealed Lake, to that at the Sand Region’s Yunwu County, to this tribulation at Broad Creed Mountain now.
Also already knowing about Shi Songtao’s matter, Fang Zhun was even more silent at this moment.
Yan Di said, “Do not let this matter affect you too much; what eldest apprentice-brother wants to see is a worriless Broad Creed Mountain.”
Fang Zhun retracted his hand, nodding slowly before he turned and left.
Yan Di inhaled deeply, relaxing his hand on the ice coffin, now beginning to descend downwards.
Shi Tie’s figure gradually grew smaller and more distant, the ice coffin sinking into the lake, ripples undulating within.
Yan Di gazed at the gradually disappearing Shi Tie within the water, his gaze not even leaving him for a moment.
On the Heaven Rising Peak, Yuan Zhengfeng’s face was full of sadness as he looked at the figures of Yan Di and Fang Zhun, as well as that transparent ice coffin.
The person within the ice coffin was his eldest disciple, the first ever disciple in his life.
Having gone through thick and thin together for so many years, many things still seemed just like they had happened yesterday.
“Lion, Master is clear on my injuries. If I enter secluded cultivation, it will be very hard to say if I can emerge alive. I am of a mind to choose you as the next Chief; are you will to take up this burden?”
“Master, junior apprentice-brother Fang and junior apprentice-brother Yan-they are both much more outstanding than this disciple.”
“The former is too radical while the latter is too flamboyant. While they have gradually matured along with age, if they are to succeed the position, they still require tempering. Sadly, the Sacred Sun Clan and other external enemies might not give us so much time.”
“This disciple’s personality is much too pedantic, not being good material for the Chief position. This disciple believes that whether it is junior apprentice-brother Fang or junior apprentice-brother Yan, both of them will definitely become pillars of our clan in the future. This disciple is rough and foolish, but is also willing to fight for the clan with all I have. Whatever the task, the time or the location, as long as the clan needs this disciple, this disciple will definitely step forward, not shrinking back in the least.”
“That’s also right. Your personality is too straightforward, and might lose out to the hidden calculations of the likes of Unreasonable Old Huang and Bald Shen. Forget it; since you so are so insistent against it, we will have to look at ‘Hidden Dragon’ and ‘Wudi’, seeing who can first prove their ability, taking up this important position…”
Thinking back on past times, Yuan Zhengfeng closed his eyes somewhat painfully.
He had faced Huang Guanglie head-on whilst supporting Broad Creed Mountain’s continued existence for so many years, his fame shaking the entire Eight Extremities World. Yet, at this moment, the Heaven Equalling Saint Yuan Zhengfeng, having already stepped into the Martial Saint realm that he had sought for so many yea
rs, just seemed so extremely weak.
Seeing this, the Grand Elders Zhang Kun and He Ning behind him both sighed.
They had only seen such a senior apprentice-brother Yuan once before. That was after his Master, the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou, had perished in battle.
But today, it had appeared once more.
“You said you will definitely step forward when we need you to do so, and that you indeed did,” Yuan Zhengfeng murmured to himself in a voice only he could hear, “But, silly little boy, after stepping forward, the waves having calmed, you also have to step back into position for Master ah!”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 319: A pressing goal
HSSB319: A pressing goal
Yan Zhaoge attended the entire viewing ceremony, Xu Fei and Ying Longtu just by his side.
The two direct disciples of Broad Creed Mountain had removed the black-bordered blue robes they usually wore, only white clothes remaining, along with white sashes tied around their foreheads.
Han Long’er was choking on his tears unceasingly, not being able to rein them in.
Unlike the time when his parents had died, the current him could already comprehend the meaning of death, understanding that yet another of the people he was close to had left him forever.
Xu Fei’s great frame resembled a stone statue as he hugged Han Long’er’s shoulder.
He was expressionless, his tiger-like eyes reddened, not stopping Han Long’er’s weeping as he just tightly held onto his junior apprentice-brother, providing him with support.
Yan Zhaoge looked at Xu Fei, “Senior apprentice-brother Xu…”
Xu Fei sucked in a deep breath, shaking his head, “Relax, I’m fine.”
Yan Zhaoge spoke no more, looking silently at his father sending his eldest apprentice-uncle Shi Tie off for the final time.
At the end of the burial ceremony, under Yan Di’s control, the spatial passage leading to the Heavenly Life Lake began to close once more.
The expressions of Yan Zhaoge and the other Broad Creed Mountain disciples were solemn as they bowed solemnly towards the Heavenly Life Lake, vanishing gradually before them.
Song Chao and the people from the other powers who had come to view the ceremony also all half-bowed.
After the burial ceremony had ended, Song Chao came before Yan Zhaoge and Xu Fei, sighing, “My condolences.”
Yan Zhaoge and Xu Fei nodded, the former then asking softly as he looked at Song Chao, “City Lord Song has entrusted Senior Brother with words to bring over here?”
“In view of our clan being in mourning, Senior Brother has not mentioned it up to now, and this Yan acknowledges this. While there is still some followup that has yet to come, the burial ceremony can basically be considered over. If Senior Brother Song has something, you can speak directly on it now. If you wish to meet my father or Grand Master, I can also help you to communicate your intentions.”
The pain within their hearts would not dissipate so quickly, and their anger towards their enemies would only accumulate and grow unceasingly.
However, the dead were already gone, and the living had to look forward. Not forgetting about those who had perished did not mean being unable to extricate themselves from those negative emotions.
Some matters that had already come before their eyes still had to be calmly taken care of in a timely manner.
Striving forward strongly, in order not to lose even more.
Hearing Yan Zhaoge’s words, Song Chao hesitated no longer, nodding candidly, yet shaking his head immediately after, “It is a private matter of mine, indeed requiring Junior Brother Yan’s help. It is not extremely important, just that it seemed a little inappropriate to speak of it before the ceremony.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “Since that is so, Senior Brother Song should just speak directly then.”
Song Chao said, “It’s like this. Having cleaned up your household, exterminating the Abyss Lord Xin Dongping, I wonder if your clan has gained anything in terms of resources?”
“I am referring to special products of the Earth Domain that are usually very hard to gather.”
Yan Zhaoge asked rather curiously, “What is it that Senior Brother Song wants?”
Song Chao explained, “It is something known as the Unfalling Ghost Rock, being a special spirit rock of the Earth Domain, not found elsewhere, only produced in small amounts there.”
Yan Zhaoge raised his head and considered. From his memories, there had really been something like this amongst Xin Dongping’s private possessions.
Song Chao continued from the side, “I am willing to exchange other resources for the Unfalling Ghost Rock. In terms of price, I will definitely leave Junior Brother Yan satisfied.”
With Yan Zhaoge’s current level of authority in Broad Creed Mountain, there was completely no problem with him handling the resources and materials obtained from Xin Dongping.
And there really were things from Jade Sea City and the Water Domain that he wanted.
However, in other to avoid his target being exposed too early, Yan Zhaoge said, “Due to the immensity of the matter, Xin Dongping’s private possessions are currently being personally handled by my father. Senior Brother Song can follow me to meet my father, speaking on the situation.”
“With the good relationship between our two clans, if we do indeed have the Unfalling Ghost Rock, there shouldn’t be a problem then.”
Song Chao nodded, “I will be disturbing Senior Yan.”
Earlier, he had also met Yan Di, but had not brought up the matter of the Unfalling Ghost Rock then. Now, he met with him once more, explaining the situation.
After receiving a sound transmission from Yan Zhaoge via aura-qi, Yan Di said, “We indeed have the Unfalling Ghost Rock, but it is rather limited in quantity. How much does Little Friend Song need?”
Song Chao answered, “I just require around three feet of it.”
Yan Di nodded, “Then my clan indeed does have a sufficient amount of it, and can give it to Little Friend Song.”
“With our clan just having undergone a great tribulation, we have many things that require attention, urgently requiring many resources. Actually, I also want to have greater interaction with your clan in terms of exchange of resources, originally also having had the intention of sending this message to your father through you.”
With that, it would not just be a matter of a few objects being exchanged between the two sides, rather concerning many, various types, with also greater quantity.
Song Chao hurriedly said, “This junior will definitely send the news back to Jade Sea City as soon as possible.”
Yan Di said, “That would be best.”
After sending Song Chao temporarily back to rest, Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di sat down across from each other.
Yan Zhaoge stroked his temple as he said, “Just slot in the things that I want within the clan’s list of goods.”
“Naturally,” Yan Di now asked, “Do you feel that this is something Song Chao wants privately?”
Yan Zhaoge answered, “I feel not. Rather than it being a personal thing, the possibility of Jade Sea City wanting it is greater.”
Yan Di said, “Song Chao is not as conspicuous as you. If he wants to find something, most would not pay any attention to it. It would instead come much more concealed than with the open flowing of goods.”
“Everyone under the heavens know that you can freely move most of the clan’s resources. Him contacting you and privately finding you for help also seems rather normal.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, “I did not directly agree to his request, instead bringing him to you. He should also know that his thoughts have been exposed, having been seen through by us?”
Yan Di answered, “He should naturally know.”
Yan Zhaoge lightly tapped the table by the side, “Unfalling Ghost Rock, Unfalling Ghost Rock…what does Jade Sea City want this thing for?”
“If we cannot immediately think of what the other side
wants, what they want to do, we could instead consider what they lack, what they urgently need…” Yan Zhaoge’s tapping ceased, swivelling his head to look at his father, the father and son both opening their mouths and exclaiming together, “Sacred Artifact!”
While the Sacred Sun Clan had lost the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, Huang Guanglie’s cultivation base had successfully improved a step further.
For Broad Creed Mountain, Yuan Zhengfeng had Transcended Mortality and entered Sainthood, becoming yet another Martial Saint expert of the current Eight Extremities World, at the same time also possessing the Sacred Artifact, the Clear Qi Robe.
The current Broad Creed Mountain had already replaced the Sacred Sun Clan as the only Sacred Ground of the Eight Extremities World that possessed both a Martial Saint and a Sacred Artifact.
Of the six great Sacred Grounds, Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan had already clearly become superior to the other four Sacred Grounds.
With Broad Creed Mountain restricting the Sacred Sun Clan, Jade Sea City could naturally let out a breath of relief. Otherwise, rather than seeing their hated enemy, the Sacred Sun Clan, sweeping over the world and gaining hegemony over the Eight Extremities World, Jade Sea City would rather commit mass suicide by jumping into the sea.
However, of the Heaven-Mountain-Water alliance, evenly matched and joined together by a common cause, one of them had suddenly gained the momentum of rising from an ally to the head of the alliance. This would inevitably lead to the unhappiness of the two other powers.
At least, they would definitely feel more strongly the pressing need to rise in strength.
Yan Zhaoge raised his head slightly, “Not having completely resolved the chaos by the Flame Devils on the East Sea, they’ve already run over looking for the Unfalling Ghost Rock. This matter of Jade Sea City’s must be rather pressing ah.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 320: Advancing together, I am the victor!
HSSB320: Advancing together, I am the victor
To Jade Sea City, the increase in strength of their longtime enemy, the Sacred Sun Clan, was inevitably incomparably terrible news to them.
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