Even as Chen Zhiliang didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, he didn’t believe that he wouldn’t be able to get anything out of Yan Zhaoge as he began questioning him more directly.
Yet, Yan Zhaoge continually diverted the topic with his replies.
Chen Zhiliang clicked his tongue in wonder, yet could not pry any further. Otherwise, it would be equivalent to truly spoiling things and sowing enmity between them.
Watching on from the side, Zheng Ming’s interest was aroused as well.
He changed the topic, “We too seldom come to this Royal Reed Sea. We just know that it has been quite restless recently. The Grand Xuan Dynasty, Radiant Light Sect, Dim Darkness Sect and so forth have continually been battling on and on. The Grand Xuan Dynasty possesses a slight advantage. A while back, they even broke the Dim Darkness Sect’s main altar.”
“It is just that I am unsure-what is the current situation like now?”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, saying, “My understanding of the situation is basically the same as yours. The Grand Xuan Dynasty was originally at a disadvantage. Still, the descendants of the lineage of Shen Lingzi who aided King Xuanwen in conquering the Royal Reed Sea in the past appeared to aid them in battle, thus helping them to turn the situation around.”
Zheng Ming, Chen Zhiliang and the others nodded slightly, not appearing surprised as they had clearly heard about this beforehand.
Yan Zhaoge continued, “Not long ago, there seemed to be another expert who appeared to aid the Grand Xuan Dynasty as well. I am not clear on that, only knowing that that expert was proficient in formations.”
“I heard the locals here mention that along with King Xuanwen and Shen Lingzi, there was also a Daoist Shi, a formations expert, who entered the Royal Reed Sea that year. Still, I cannot be sure whether that formations expert I saw was a descendant of his.”
Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang exchanged looks. As personal disciples of the Southeastern Exalt, they knew many things that would not be known by others.
When King Xuanwen, Shen Lingzi and Daoist Shi had entered the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory and settled down in the Royal Reed Sea that year, this matter had been tacitly allowed by the Southeastern Exalt. There also seemed to be the shadow of another major figure behind it.
However, it had not been clear at all what exactly the other party’s intentions were.
While they had given a reason for it back then, was that really their true motive?
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 687: Aboveboard scheme
HSSB687: Aboveboard scheme
The Southeastern Exalt’s lineage had always speculated greatly about the strange occupation of the Royal Reed Sea by the Grand Xuan Dynasty.
It was just that the Southeastern Exalt having tacitly allowed it, Zheng Ming, Chen Zhiliang and the others were not in a position to question him about it.
While Yan Zhaoge had not clearly stated this now, the hearts of the two jolted slightly as this thought rose to their minds once more.
Chen Zhiliang said mildly, “Daoist Shi is indeed very skilled in formations. His descendants should also be quite the figures.”
Paying attention to the expressions of Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang, also hearing the latter’s words, Yan Zhaoge gradually came to an understanding within his heart.
In the past, it must not have been at the orders of the Southeastern Exalt that King Xuanwen, Shen Lingzi and Daoist Shi had come to the Royal Reed Sea.
Not only were they foreign to the Royal Reed Sea, they were likely foreign to the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory as well.
As for why the Southeastern Exalt had tacitly allowed them to establish the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation in the Royal Reed Sea, attempting to find clues pertaining to the deification of the Earth Queen, there existed two possibilities.
Firstly, behind them stood a figure whom even the Southeastern Exalt was extremely fearful of. He could only pretend that he did not know what they were doing.
Secondly, they had a backer. While their backer was still not at the level that the Southeastern Exalt would have to lower his head to, the likes of him was still unwilling to offend them. Also, he did not know what exactly they wanted to do, being wholly unaware of the existence of the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation here in the Royal Reed Sea.
The first possibility was not high. In the World beyond Worlds, the Earthly Sovereign was balanced out by the other two sovereigns. No one could truly reach the extent of doing just as they pleased.
The Grand Xuan Dynasty, Qi Wei and Madame Kang still acting covertly, this went to show that they did not wish for the Southeastern Exalt or anyone else to learn the specifics of this particular matter.
If it was the latter situation, there would be many things that he could do.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, saying, “He was indeed quite the figure. If not for this Yan usually liking to analyse formations, I’m afraid that I wouldn’t have been able to escape from his Prime Earth Reversal Formation. At the end of the day, he was already a mid Seeing Divinity Martial Saint.”
Zheng Ming’s gaze flickered, “You have clashed with him?”
Chen Zhiliang, Bai Ziming and Wen Luoxia were all slightly stunned, “Within a formation set up by an
expert of the fifth level of the Martial Saint realm, this youth was actually able to escape from it even as a mere first level Martial Saint? His attainments in formations should not be as simple as usually liking to analyse it…”
Yan Zhaoge said, “Just not long ago, I’ll say shamefully, I obtained some things from a descendant of Shen Lingzi’s lineage, eventually being ambushed by his seniors and that descendant of Daoist Shi’s.”
Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang did not respond, knowing that Yan Zhaoge’s story was surely not over.
Yan Zhaoge did not beat around the bush as he directly revealed, “There were quite a few things. For example, there were the Heaven Bearing Ceremonial Fragrance, Prime Chaos Soil, Earth Ocean Lung Crystals and whatnot.”
Chen Zhiliang frowned, looking rather uncertainly at Zheng Ming, “Senior apprentice-brother Zheng, these things?”
As personal disciples of the Southeastern Exalt, they definitely possessed far greater knowledge than others would.
Especially the Heaven Bearing Ceremonial Fragrance, which was extremely unique and possessed a single specific function.
Chen Zhiliang seemed to have thought of something yet could not be completely certain. Therefore, he looked towards Zheng Ming.
Zheng Ming spoke not, his expression turning solemn.
After a while, he gazed at Yan Zhaoge who smiled and nodded, “From what I know, these things are materials which are required to establish the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation.”
Zheng Ming slowly said, “Little Friend Yan is greatly knowledgeable. This Zheng feels admiration.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “You overpraise me.”
Zheng Ming shot Yan Zhaoge a deep look. He felt that Yan Zhaoge had acted to save Wen Luoxia earlier precisely for this show.
Facing Zheng Ming’s appraising gaze, Yan Zhaoge seemed to understand what he was thinking.
His expression was frank as he did not appear flustered or restless.
Seeing this, Zheng Ming retracted his gaze, not feeling any dissatisfied.
While Yan Zhaoge had acted with a goal in mind, that scheme of his had been an aboveboard, open one. It was ultimately still left to Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang to make the decision on what to do.
Meanwhile, the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation and its connotations were something that they as descendants of the Southeastern Exalt could not simply ignore.
Having learnt of this, whether or not Yan Zhaoge might benefit from it, they had to act regardless.
On the contrary, they should be feeling grateful to Yan Zhaoge for heaving conveyed the news to them. Otherwise, if the matter escalated afterwards, no one would be able to predict what might crop up as a result.
Amongst people, their impr
essions of one another, especially first impressions, mattered greatly.
The same person, the same matter but a different impression could lead to diametrically different thoughts.
The often said ‘He’s just likable however I look at him’ or ‘I just don’t like the sight of him’ followed this very principle.
Looking at Yan Zhaoge now, Chen Zhiliang instead felt admiration, “An interesting young fellow, not just outstanding and extraordinary in the area of martial cultivation alone.”
Standing by the side, Bai Ziming remained silent throughout, just observing things silently as he too felt emotional.
Zheng Ming first steered the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel gradually out of the Clear Scenic Region.
Watching the Endless Magnetic Storms gradually disappear behind them, everyone unconsciously relaxed.
Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu looked curiously at Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang’s group.
Ah Hu sent secretly via sound transmission, “Young Master, is it fine just telling them this? The Grand Xuan Dynasty can just deny it. The saying goes that adulterers have to be caught in bed and thieves have to be caught with loot. Yet, we don’t know where exactly the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation is located.”
Feng Yunsheng felt doubtful as well, “Could it be in the capital of the Grand Xuan Dynasty? That’s not certain, right…”
The corners of Yan Zhaoge’s lips arched lightly upwards, “It is indeed not certain. However, there is no need to worry. Even if we don’t know, others can.”
Ah Hu glanced at Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang, pulling back the corners of his lips, “It can’t be that if the disciples of the Southeastern Exalt go and ask them directly, those people of the Grand Xuan Dynasty will just bring them over for a look?”
“Of course that isn’t necessary,” Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Watch quietly. It’s about to begin.”
After pondering for a bit, Zheng Ming glanced at Chen Zhiliang before giving him some instructions via sound transmission.
Chen Zhiliang nodded, swiftly vanishing from the spot.
He reappeared again very soon before handing Zheng Ming a Shadow Shrinking Pouch.
Zheng Ming glanced at Yan Zhaoge and Bai Ziming, not requesting them to take their leave as he directly retrieved some things from the Shadow Shrinking Pouch.
Zheng Ming instantly set up a grand formation on the deck of the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel.
Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly. Indeed, Zheng Ming too was rather proficient in formations.
Streams of light condensed to form numerous runes before they came together to form a grand formation, slowly rising upwards and hovering in the air above the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel.
The next moment, radiance circulated above the grand formation, manifesting numerous images.
The images depicted a vast stretch of land and next the flowing of a long river.
The illusory river extended into the distance, gushing straight towards the great sea.
Zheng Ming sustained this formation while Chen Zhiliang took helm of the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel.
The massive vessel seemed to navigate into the long, illusory river before flowing onwards with the stream.
Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu clicked their tongues in wonder upon seeing this.
Ah Hu looked at Yan Zhaoge, who said, “Those who can understand the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation would have a way to find its location. After all, this formation is reliant upon the flow of the earth veins to be established, also being a pure sacrificial formation. It is just that my current cultivation base is still insufficient for this.”
He glanced at Zheng Ming, “Just the fifth level of the Martial Saint realm would be enough.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 688: Yan Zhaoge’s aim.
HSSB688: Yan Zhaoge’s aim
Feng Yunsheng looked at the vast stretch of land portrayed within the formation above the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel and next at the swiftly gushing river in the distance, asking softly via sound transmission, “Since that is so, doesn’t this already prove that the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation indeed exists in the Royal Reed Sea, just that it is unknown who exactly it was who established it?”
Yan Zhaoge answered without giving anything away, “This cannot be determined yet. This senior Zheng Ming is currently using this formation to search for the grand formation that is affecting the circulation of the earth veins.”
“From what we currently know, of the various powers of the Royal Reed Sea, the Grand Xuan Dynasty included, none of their guardian grand formations affect the flowing of the earth veins.”
Yan Zhaoge raised his head and glanced at the formation above the massive vessel, “Therefore, if there is a large scale formation that can do this, it would be where our target lies. We would not have to worry about muddling things up and getting the wrong place.”
“However, it is not just the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation that can affect the flow of the earth veins. Therefore, we will only be able to verify it after having actually found the place.”
Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu both nodded upon hearing his words.
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “Will the Grand Xuan Dynasty give in just like that?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “Of course not. However, it would definitely not be easy to deal with the pressure of the Southeastern Exalt. This way, they would not be able to pay attention to the situation here in the Royal Reed Sea.”
“Losing the suppression by the Grand Xuan Dynasty, the tensions between the Radiant Light Sect, the Dim Darkness Sect, the North Sea Sword Pavilion and the other powers would be more easily exacerbated.”
Ah Hu scratched his head, “Young Master, your target still remains the Radiant Light Sect.”
“This is a natural thing,” Yan Zhaoge’s gaze was somewhat deep and distant, “The Extreme Yin Crown is still in their hands. I have never forgotten about that.”
Hearing his words, Feng Yunsheng said gently, “The Extreme Yin Bout has already long since become history. Currently, who the Extreme Yin Crown belongs to depends on a higher level of playing field.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “I will let you take it back with your own hands someday.”
Feng Yunsheng met his gaze, smiling, “That’s fine.”
Ah Hu said, “Speaking of mutual enmity, the Grand Xuan Dynasty likely hates you, Young Master, not any less than the Radiant Light Sect does.”
Yan Zhaoge looked at the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel beneath his feet, “Therefore, I naturally have to find some things for them to do.”
Ah Hu asked, “Young Master, do you think that the Grand Xuan Dynasty might disregard everything and go all out, directly…”
Yan Zhaoge and Feng Yunsheng both understood his unfinished sentence. He was afraid that those of the Grand Xuan Dynasty might directly silence them all. In order to prevent the news from spreading out of the Royal Reed Sea and to the Southeastern Exalt, they might really decide to even kill Zheng Ming’s group here.
While Zheng Ming’s group possessed outstanding strength, also having a powerful weapon like the Riding Wind Heavenly Vessel, the Grand Xuan Dynasty possessed Immortal Bridge Martial Saints and high-grade Sacred Artifacts.
If they just threw all reservations aside, they might actually have a chance of succeeding.
Yan Zhaoge was not nervous, “They wouldn’t do that. A considerable part of their attention is currently still occupied by the anti-Xuan forces of the Royal Reed Sea. They do not have so many experts available.”
“The Grand Xuan Dynasty holds the advantage in strength as well as the battlefield advantage. However, this does not mean that they can come and go entirely as they please. Otherwise, the Radiant Light Sect’s headquarters would already long since have been exterminated.”
“If the Southeastern Exalt were to get wind of this matter, he would be irrevocably offended beyond measure.”
“Comparatively speaking, it is more likely that they would dismantle the H
eaven Bearing Efficate Formation and fool Zheng Ming and Chen Zhiliang away before slowly working on it again after.”
Yan Zhaoge momentarily narrowed his eyes into slits, “I pocketed their Earth Ocean Lung Crystals and used them. Without this item, I wonder how long their Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation can be sustained? Would it already have halted just like that?”
Ah Hu grinned, “Young Master, if only you had pocketed a few more things back then.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed, “Only the Earth Ocean Lung Crystals were of use to me. The others would merely have been a waste of space.”
He stroked his lower chin, “There’s no use thinking about this now. We can only hope that merely lacking the Earth Ocean Lung Crystals, they will be feeling fortunate as they continue sustaining the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation.”
“Still, this isn’t very likely. After all, the Earth Ocean Lung Crystals cannot be substituted easily.”
Feng Yunsheng asked, “If the Grand Xuan Dynasty has already halted the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation and our trip this time is in vain, what then?”
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the silhouetted long river that flowed in the distance, saying slowly, “We cannot yet be certain. We will have to get there and observe the specific situation first.”
As Yan Zhaoge’s group was discussing this, Zheng Ming, Chen Zhiliang and Wen Luoxia were actually interacting privately as well.
“Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation…what exactly was King Xuanwen and Daoist Shi’s lot planning?” Chen Zhiliang’s gaze was heavily focused somewhat, “Or, what might that person be planning?”
Wen Luoxia asked, “Master, that person…refers to?”
Chen Zhiliang glanced at Zheng Ming. Zheng Ming extended his hand, spreading his fingers apart and making a ‘five’ gesture. Then, he retracted four fingers, leaving only his index finger upraised.
Wen Luoxia immediately understood, involuntarily inhaling a breath of cold air.
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