History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474
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Yan Zhaoge waved smilingly at Xiao Ai, “Xiao Ai, what else is there that you know about my mother? Come, tell me all about that.”
“For example, you previously mentioned that Grand Master of my mother’s who was close with the Dim Radiant Emperor. Do you know his grand identity?”
Xiao Ai blinked, “Young Master, this maid is one who follows her responsibilities, not asking about Lady’s matters…”
Yan Zhaoge pulled back the corners of his lips, “Pretty good, keep it up.”
“Just tell me what you do know. It isn’t that you have to keep it a secret from me as well, right?”
Xiao Ai began rambling on about stuff, most of it indeed being minor matters seen on a daily basis.
Still, one thing amongst them did grab Yan Zhaoge’s attention, “You said earlier that my mother is from Kunlun Mountain?”
Xiao Ai answered, “This maid doesn’t know whether she’s from there. Still, she’s definitely been to Kunlun Mountain before. Once, when Lady was admiring the snow in the northern Profound Heaven Territory, she mentioned that that the scenery there was more desolate than on Kunlun Mountain.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin.
This Kunlun Mountain was not the same one as back in pre-Great Calamity times. Instead, it was a newly re-established Kunlun that stood at the core region of the World beyond Worlds, within the central Jun Heaven Territory.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 723: Daoism and Buddhism!
HSSB723: Daoism and Buddhism
It was said that following the Great Calamity, the Kunlun Nine Luminaries had established the World beyond Worlds, rebuilding Daoism and re-creating Kunlun Mountain.
The new Kunlun Mountain existed at the core region of the World beyond Worlds.
Currently, it was where the dao arenas of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were located.
It was worth noting that when the late Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tianxia had still been alive, he had possessed his own dao arena at Kunlun Mountain as well.
At its peak, the Dim Radiant Sect had operated in the central Jun Heaven Territory as well, with its main altar having been at the Moon Peace Mountain that was not far away from Kunlun Mountain.
Afterwards, it was only after having deteriorated that the Dim Radiant Sect had left the central Jun Heaven Territory and moved to the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory. In the process, it had split up into what were the current Radiant Light Sect and Dim Darkness Sect.
Ah Hu joked, “Young Master, while similarly inheriting the name of one of the five peaks of Daoism in pre-Great Calamity times, our Broad Creed Mountain seems quite less deserving of our reputation than their Kunlun Mountain ah…”
Yan Zhaoge shrugged nonchalantly, “The central peak, Kunlun, was also the especially special one in pre-Great Calamity times. Moreover…”
“Who can say for sure how it will be in the future?”
Ah Hu grinned, shooting him a thumbs up, “Young Master, your words there are really too arrogant.”
Yan Zhaoge pondered for a moment before suddenly asking as he looked at Xiao Ai, “Xiao Ai, let me ask you something.”
Xiao Ai blinked, “What is it, Young Master?”
Yan Zhaoge’s gaze turned rather distant, “Have you ever heard my mother mention what happened to the Buddhists after the Great Calamity?”
Xiao Ai thought carefully for a moment before replying, “She really did say something about that!”
Yan Zhaoge asked, “What?”
Xiao Ai said, “I don’t know any specifics. It was just this once. Once, we were searching through a foreign dimension together, and Lady muttered something aloud rather unhappily at the time.”
In Xiao Ai’s memories, what Xue Chuqing had said then was ‘What the hell are those monks up to?”
Yan Zhaoge’s gazed narrowed slightly, “Would you still be able to find that foreign dimension?”
Xiao Ai shook her head, “Lady might be able to, but not this maid.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded slowly, “Never mind, it’s fine even if we can’t find it.”
He fell into deep thought. Feng Yunsheng, Ah Hu and Xiao Ai exchanged looks, all feeling rather uncertain as to what was the matter.
Ah Hu asked curiously, “Young Master, why are you suddenly concerned about Buddhism?”
Yan Zhaoge said mildly, “Of the great thousand worlds in pre-Great Calamity times, Buddhism was flourishing just like Daoism. Yet, after the Great Calamity, be it in the Eight Extremities World and the Vast Ocean World or the likes of the Floating Life World and the Flame Devil World, I have not seen any legacies of Buddhism at all.”
“It has been the same in the World beyond Worlds as well.”
Ah Hu scratched his big head, “That is so. I once heard Family Head mention that before the Great Calamity, it is said that the Buddha Transcended just like the ancestors of the Three Purities did. Yet, Buddhism was still full of divinities and Buddhas, seemingly having even greater might than Daoism especially amongst mere mortals where there were more who believed in Buddhism than Daoism.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “It is rumoured that after the Gautama Buddha, or Tathagata, Transcended, the Future Buddha Maitreya appeared in this world and established a land of Buddhism, receiving the worship of myriad believers.”
“Yet, I don’t know what the situation is in these post-Great Calamity times.”
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes slightly as he said nonchalantly, “It is rumoured that the Buddhist arts of the Future Buddha were different from that of the already Transcended Buddha Tatahgata. Those who devoutly recite the scriptures of Buddhism will be bolstered by the might of the Future Buddha, not having to spend much effort on cultivation as they would already be exceptionally powerful.”
“Those more mysterious will obtain Buddha seats, attaining the one Sukhavati, the land of paradise.”
Ah Hu stared wide-eyed, “It can’t be?!” Young Master, then…then, what the heck are we even still cultivating so hard for? Let’s all go memorise Buddhist scriptures together!”
Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, “It is as mysterious as this in the legends. As for its veracity, that isn’t something we can say for certain.”
Ah Hu’s head swayed like a rattle drum, “It is just inconceivable no matter how I think about it.”
Xiao Ai now said, “This maid also doesn’t understand the Buddhist arts. Still, I indeed heard Lady mention before that the essence of Buddhism before the time of the Future Buddha called for one to seek the essential truth of their hearts, seeing the Buddha in their hearts as everyone was able to become a Buddha. Yet, it is different for the Future Buddha.”
“However, while it is indeed true that there were many believers of Buddhism in pre-Great Calamity times, their worshippers spread widely beneath the vast heavens, this maid doesn’t know how it has become after the Great Calamity, though Lady did seem to know something.”
Feng Yunsheng frowned, “Never having seen any Buddhist arts or scriptures before, I can’t really say much on this. Still, I feel that even if it is true, it shouldn’t be so simple a thing, right? Could there be such a good thing in this world?”
Ah Hu asked rather hesitantly, “If it is true, it feels just like a transaction in a market?”
He shrunk back his head, unconsciously looking upwards.
While this might not be true now, in pre-Great Calamity times, that you would see divinities above as you simply raised your head was no mere falsehood.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “There are many things now that we cannot be certain of. Long, long ago, there were also times were the Buddhists and the Daoists shared a good relationship. However, as one side progressed, the other side’s development would inevitably correspondingly be affected.”
As this was also not something that they had personally experienced at the end of the day, Feng Yunsheng, Ah Hu and Xiao Ai would merely discuss it for a bit before casting the thought away.
Yet, it was different for Yan Zh
aoge.
There was something that he had not said.
While he had no way of confirming it, for Yan Zhaoge, if he were to say who he thought to be the most likely perpetrator of that tribulation which had decimated the Divine Palace of the Heavenly Court, it would undoubtedly be none other than the Buddhists.
Instead, it was whether the Great Calamity of back then had been related to the Buddhists which he could not be certain of. After all, the Buddhists had been developing very well in that period of time.
Still, this was only a vague thought that lacked any proof to speak of. As for the reason and the specific details of the process, Yan Zhaoge was unable to see through them at all.
There had also been many tensions and abnormalities involved that could not be easily explained.
This was related to Yan Zhaoge not being privy to sufficient information, causing him to be unable to lightly venture a guess as his heart was filled with doubts.
The shadow of the Great Calamity that year had always hung over Yan Zhaoge’s heart, never having been forgotten by him.
In chatting with Xiao Ai this day, he had actually gained quite a bit. At the very least, Yan Zhaoge felt that his mother, Xue Chuqing, might be able to alleviate some of his doubts.
Calming his thoughts, Yan Zhaoge returned his attention back to the current matter at hand.
The Dim Radiant Mausoleum having collapsed, while they were being protected by the Dim Radiant Wheel, the Myriad Dragon Palace was still tossed about for a long time in the chaotic flows of space.
These were, after all, great tidal waves which could overwhelm even Seeing Divinity Martial Saints.
In order to ensure their safety, they could only drift along with the waves and wait patiently now.
Only after the chaotic flows of space had calmed would they be able to attempt to return to the World beyond Worlds.
Before having set off, Yan Zhaoge had already made arrangements in the World beyond Worlds such that they would not have to worry about getting lost.
A reassuring thought was that things would only be worse for Luo Zhiyuan and the others of the Radiant Light Sect.
Apart from Luo Zhiyuan who was protected by the Sun Moon Wheels, everyone else such as Guo Song would only be able to survive if they were lucky.
It was destined that the people of the Radiant Light Sect would only be able to extricate themselves from the chaotic flows of space at a later time than Yan Zhaoge’s group.
Still, it was not that there were no other problems.
For example, while those of the Dim Darkness Sect might have been able to successfully avoid the collapse of the Dim Radiant Mausoleum, they had previously offended a ninth level Martial Saint of the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory who presided over all but one, the Star Plucking Practitioner Guan Lide. He would definitely not let them go so easily.
How was the Dim Darkness Sect doing now?
As he wondered such, Yan Zhaoge lightly rubbed his temples.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 724: Double happiness!
HSSB724: Double happiness
The flow of time was different for different regions amidst the chaotic flows of space, fast at times whilst slow at others.
In an environment such as this, even Yan Zhaoge was hard pressed to grasp the progression of their journey.
He simply calmed his mind, focusing his energy on cultivation.
He was still in the phase of accumulation for his own cultivation. It would not be easy for him to merge his avatar with his spirit, hence stepping into the mid Merging Avatar Martial Saint realm.
This was related to his cultivation method. While the path of the Three Purities combined granted Yan Zhaoge power that far exceeded other martial practitioners of the same cultivation level, it was also destined to be a difficult, painstaking path.
Still, having had another great harvest in having entered the Dim Radiant Mausoleum this time, Yan Zhaoge felt no pressure at all in the area of resources and accumulation.
He had already had abundant gains in the dragon mausoleum. Now that he had obtained the many treasures at the bottom of the altar that had been piled up into a mountain, Yan Zhaoge’s personal storage had become yet more substantial.
Currently, Yan Zhaoge simply needed to cultivate diligently, stabilising his path bit by gradual bit.
In terms of resources, there was no need for him to worry at all. What he had now was more than enough to even provide for his companions.
As for his Northern Ocean Clone who had obtained the Kunpeng bone, such was really a cause for celebration.
This precious Kunpeng bone had finished the accumulation of qi and essence for the Northern Ocean Clone, saving much time that would otherwise have been needed for tempering.
At the same time, it had helped the Northern Ocean Clone in his comprehension of the Great Wilderness Fish-Roc Art, taking a crucial step in it.
After a thorough inspection, Yan Zhaoge was able to confirm that his Northern Ocean Clone already had the possibility of advancing further!
With a flawless foundation, unlimited resources nourishing his body and peak martial arts to peruse, he had now had a stroke of suitable fortune as well.
These various conditions made it such that the Northern Ocean Clone was able to consecutively advance through bottlenecks within a short period of time with the possibility of achieving his breakthrough into the fourth level of the Martial Saint realm, the mid Seeing Divinity stage.
These necessary conditions together completed a miracle that was virtually impossible to reproduce.
The Northern Ocean Clone might now be able to surpass a barrier that could not be breached in the entire lives of most elite martial practitioners, stepping into completely new heavens and earth.
Yan Zhaoge himself sat opposite the Northern Ocean Clone, carefully feeling the changes in his body.
Every step that the Northern Ocean Clone had previously taken had actually also provided Yan Zhaoge with many valuable insights and experience.
While they cultivated in different martial arts, this cultivating experience still belonged to Yan Zhaoge at the end of the day. It was not like hearing other’s experiences in which there would naturally be things that could not be conveyed.
This was a rare experience for any one martial practitioner, possessing incomparably great value.
One might also say that it was a great piece of fortune for Yan Zhaoge himself as well.
Having refined the Northern Ocean Clone, it was not just a powerful helper that Yan Zhaoge had gained. The Northern Ocean Clone’s cultivation was also incomparably valuable in aiding him through its feedback, causing him to walk a much smoother path than he would have otherwise.
The Northern Ocean Clone’s role was indispensable in him having managed to accomplish the Martial Saint realm at such a young age.
Of course, Yan Zhaoge and his clone cultivated differently in many ways as well. There were still many things that he would have to carefully ponder on and seek himself, thus improving further.
As the Northern Ocean Clone sat on the floor, golden and black light flickered about his entire body, a light mist forming.
The light mist gradually expanded as it now resembled an ocean.
He opened his eyes, the same scene being displayed in both his pupils.
In the era of the ancient wilderness, vast, boundless primordial waves seemed to go on forever as the waters of the ocean roiled unceasingly.
A Kunpeng that was massive beyond compare bobbed on the surface of the ocean, a fish in water and a roc out of it.
Traversing the great ocean, it resembled a small continent of inestimable dimensions.
Flying in the sky, with a flap of it wings, it soared above the nine heavens, vanishing without a trace.
Apart from this ancient Kunpeng that domineeringly traversed the great wilderness, countless other ancient beasts also appeared in this ocean between the heavens and the earth, rampantly presiding over t
his era of the great wilderness together.
The inside of the Northern Ocean Clone with his body, avatar and spirit completely combined resembled an independently established heaven and earth of its own.
The acupoints of his entire body were all quaking slightly at this moment.
Now, the Northern Ocean Clone who already stood at the peak of the third level of the Martial Saint realm, the late Merging Avatar stage, only had to work on achieving a single thing.
Breaking through obstructions both internal and external, connecting the universe within his body to the actual universe of the outside world with the acupoints of his body resonating with the true stars of the sky.
With this, his acupoints would have been refined into true divinities.
Along with the surpassing of this obstacle would be the opening of a door to a whole different world.
Breaking through space, able to see Divinity.
With this, a martial practitioner would increase greatly in strength.
There did not have to be many. With just a single acupoint refined, a qualitative change would immediately be seen.
The more acupoints one refined thereafter, the more powerful they would be.
Yan Zhaoge had fought with the Radiant Light Sect’s Nong Yuxuan and Cheng Song back in the Suffering River Region of the Royal Reed Sea previously.
Elder Cheng Song of the Radiant Light Sect had been at the fourth level of the Martial Saint realm, the early Seeing Divinity stage.
At the same cultivation level, the Northern Ocean Clone would easily have been able to beat him to the point of being unable to take care of his own daily needs.
Yet, the Northern Ocean Clone at the third level of the Martial Saint realm had not been an opponent for Cheng Song at the fourth level of the Martial Saint realm.
The help of at least one Sacred Artifact had been needed for him to be able to obstruct Cheng Song.
The Northern Ocean Clone who cultivated in the Great Wilderness Fish-Roc Art was extremely powerful in terms of strength, speed as well as resilience. Yet, he might not have been able to surpass Cheng Song in a protracted battle based on the exertions of the battling opponents.