History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474
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There were generally three of them ultimately acclaimed as the bigwigs of the dao of the sword.
A personal disciple of the Jade Clear Ancestor, the Lord of Primordial Beginning- Cultivated Deity Jade Cauldron.
A disciple of the Prime Clear Ancestor, the Lord of Numinous Treasure-Daoist Plentiful Treasure, also known as the Lord of Plentiful Treasure.
The third one was the Heaven Reigning Purple Osmund Polaris Grand Sovereign Emperor of the Four Imperials.
Apart from them, there were the Lord of Broad Accomplishment, the Lord of the Daoist Way, Master Red Essence, Master Amidst Clouds, Turtle Spirit Divine Mother and the Incongruence Divine Mother who were all experts of the sword as well.
Of these, Cultivated Deity Jade Cauldron and the Lord of Plentiful Treasure were both mighty experts back from the investiture of the gods in days long past. They had seldom been seen afterwards, their whereabouts being a mystery to all future descendants.
It was the same for the Lord of Broad Accomplishment and some others as well.
As for the Purple Osmund Emperor, he had still been active when the Heavenly Court had ruled the heavens and the earth prior to the descent of the Great Calamity.
Therefore, everyone was used to hailing the Purple Osmund Emperor as the number one expert of the dao of the sword in pre-Great Calamity times.
It was just that no further news of him had been heard following the descent of the Great Calamity.
Seeing the appearance of Golden Court Mountain before him, Yan Zhaoge would naturally come to think of this.
Even though many legacies and information had been discontinued as a result of the Great Calamity, Yan Di and the others had heard of the Purple Osmund Emperor before as well.
Therefore, just a slight mention from Yan Zhaoge was enough for Yan Di to catch his train of thought.
Arriving at the foot of Golden Court Mountain, Chen Zhiliang smiled, saying to Yan Zhaoge’s group, “Please follow me, everyone. Master has said that there is no need to announce your arrival. After arriving here, you can simply ascend the mountain straightaway.”
Yan Zhaoge, Yan Di and the others all nodded, “The Southeastern Exalt is polite.”
As they entered Golden Court Mountain, it was as though they were wandering amidst starlight.
“Speaking of this, Golden Court Mountain is still somewhat particular. It is just unknown how this Golden Court Mountain compares to that Golden Court Mountain,” Yan Zhaoge suddenly smiled.
He blinked towards Yan Di, Feng Yunsheng, Ah Hu and Xiao Ai, “During the investiture of the gods way back in the ancient past, Golden Court Mountain with its Jade Abode Cave was the dao arena belonging to the personal disciple of the Lord of Primordial Beginning, the Lord of the Daoist Way.”
“The Lord of the Daoist Way had a supreme treasure known as the Five Fires Seven Fowl Fan. The supreme martial arts of the Grand Xuan Dynasty, the Five Fire True Arts and the Seven Fowl Treasured Spear, were both gained from projecting the concept of this treasure.”
Yan Zhaoge chuckled, “The decision to dispatch King Xuanwen over to the Royal Reed Sea of the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory more or less existed as an indication of goodwill somewhat.”
While the Southeastern Exalt’s martial arts had nothing to do with those of the Lord of the Daoist Way, having set up residence at Golden Court Mountain, there would inevitably be an inscrutable feeling of closeness that he felt regarding him.
The higher one’s cultivation base, the more such major figures usually paid attention to such things.
“Still, I am more interested in the fact that in the legend of the investiture of the gods, it was none other than the Lord of the Daoist Way who wrested away the Immortal Ending Sword of the Prime Clear lineage.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, the hint of a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
Hearing his words, Feng Yunsheng and the others exchanged looks.
Having already heard of the Earthly Sovereign’s decree that descendants of the Prime Clear lineage were not allowed to set foot in the World beyond Worlds as well as Lin Hanhua’s matter, Yan Di too could not help but raise his brows slightly, “This really seems too much to be a coincidence. Could it be that the Southeastern Exalt…?”
Yan Zhaoge shrugged. From what he knew, the Numinous Treasure Four Swords of the Jade Clear lineage had already been lost before the time of the Great Calamity.
The Immortal Ending Sword Scripture that Lin Hanhua cultivated in was most likely of the Prime Clear lineage.
Yet, it was likely not a coincidence that Lin Hanhua had become a disciple of the Southeastern Exalt. As he had thought earlier, there should be a tacit understanding therein which outsiders would not know about.
At the top of Golden Court Mountain’s main peak sat rows of palaces.
Starlight descended from the sky in an endless stream, congregating amongst the palaces and illuminating them such that they were glowing brightly all over.
The radiance was not piercing, instead being very comfortable. Yet, the momentous force behind it was heavy as it virtually gave one the feeling of suffocation.
Chen Zhiliang made arrangements for Ah Hu and Xiao Ai to wait outside as Yan Zhaoge, Yan Di and Feng Yunsheng were allowed to enter the main palace.
Yan Zhaoge and Feng Yunsheng exchanged glances, knowing that the latter had most likely been allowed to enter due to the Extreme Yin Crown and the Cold Sun Divine Sabre.
The interior of the great hall was grand and beautiful. Yet, raising their heads and looking upwards, the ceiling was completely pitch black as infinite starlight flickered there.
Stars densely dotted the ceiling, resembling a massive star diagram which enveloped high up above.
A purple-clothed man stood within the great hall, seemingly standing at the exact centre of the sea of stars as he guided them in their ceaseless illumination.
It was rather hard to determine that man’s age from his appearance at first glance. His gaze shone like bright stars of the night sky whilst also like icy-cold sword-light.
Seeing the trio, he said, “Broad Creed Mountain was the East Peak of Daoism in pre-Great Calamity times, being acclaimed alongside Kunlun Mountain. Now that it can be re-established, such can be considered a cause for celebration.”
Yan Di cupped his hands, “I thank the Southeastern Exalt for your auspicious words.”
This purple-clothed man before them was the current monarch of the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory and the master of Golden Court Mountain, the Southeastern Exalt Cao Jie.
His earlier words had exhibited that he had no intention of stopping Broad Creed Mountain from moving to the World beyond Worlds and accepting disciples there.
Yan Zhaoge said, “Due to the pressing nature of things, I often acted without thinking too much in the Royal Reed Sea before this. I hope that the Southeastern Exalt can understand.”
Cao Jie shook his head, seemingly unconcerned as he asked suddenly, “Is Ancestor Hei still alive?”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 799: Meng Wan’s origins
HSSB799: Meng Wan’s origins
Ancestor Hei was the expert who had slain the great demonic Taotie and made the Heaven Swallowing Sword Box and Earth Devouring Burner in order to forge the Evil Sword Taotie.
The phoenix bone which Zhuang Chaohui so desperately yearned for also belonged to him.
If one were to calculate it, Ancestor Hei had been active even before Cao Jie had.
It was only reasonable that he had not previously known that he possessed a secret hideout in the Southeastern Yang Heaven Territory.
Now that he knew, however, he certainly could not pretend not to know about it.
After all, Ancestor Hei’s cultivation base that year had not been any lower than his.
Yan Zhaoge answered, “Ancestor Hei has likely perished. Still, I am not clear on the specifics.”
“However, according to the reaction when I refined that Sacred Artifact, its origin
al owner is no longer of this world.”
Hearing his words, Cao Jie nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping across the trio, “Zhiliang mentioned that while you obtained the Extreme Yang Seal, you do not know about the Exalted Solar Luminary.”
Yan Zhaoge answered candidly, “To be honest, it was only after coming to the World beyond Worlds that I heard of the Exalted Solar Luminary’s name.”
“This treasure was originally used to suppress a crevice to the Nine Underworlds before I obtained it in the Eight Extremities World. Its original owner did not leave any message behind.”
“The technique for wielding this treasure is also something I myself slowly figured out from analysing the treasure itself.”
Hearing this, Cao Jie did not say whether he believed it or not, “Then, have you ever seen the Exalted Lunar Luminary before?”
The trio similarly shook their heads.
Yan Di said, “The Extreme Yin Crown was incidentally discovered by martial practitioners of the Eight Extremities World. There was no contact that took place with its original owner.”
Yan Zhaoge elaborated, “It was after having come to the World beyond Worlds and heard about the Nine Luminaries of New Kunlun Mountain that in reference to the Extreme Yang Seal, we guessed this treasure to be related to the Exalted Lunar Luminary. This was confirmed by the Grand Xuan Dynasty and your disciple, Mister Chen, afterwards.”
Cao Jie nodded slowly, his gaze falling on Feng Yunsheng, “Lend me your sabre for a look, Little Friend?”
Feng Yunsheng unstrung the Cold Sun Divine Sabre and handed it to the Southeastern Exalt scabbard and all.
“The power of corrosion, not Ketu but that of the Rahu Star of the eclipse…” Cao Jie unsheathed half the black sabre, gazing at it for a moment, “Afterwards, the power of reversed sun was additionally refined within. The two merging as one, the sabre may come to surpass the Rahu Sabre of the past.”
He sheathed the sabre, gazing at Feng Yunsheng for a while, “Not the reincarnation of a mighty expert, yet able to live alongside this sabre, whilst also not a sabre spirit. Rare, rare indeed…”
Cao Jie shook his head, returning the Cold Sun Divine Sabre to Feng Yunsheng.
There seemed to be nothing more that he wanted to ask as he just appraised the trio carefully.
While there was admiration and approval in his gaze, he did not actively try to recruit them.
Cao Jie waved his hands, “The southeastern Yang Heaven Territory is large, and you can go wherever you want. Still, things have not been concluded over with Wutong Slope over at the southern Blazing Heaven Territory. There could still be some continuation to it.”
Sensing that that was their cue to leave, the trio cupped their hands, taking their leave of him.
Exiting the great hall, Feng Yunsheng asked rather quizzically, “It feels like there was something that the Southeastern Exalt wanted to say but did not?”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “It is probably about the Immortal Ending Sword Scripture that I cultivate in.”
Yan Di said, “Your guess regarding Lin Hanhua should be correct.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded as they now met Chen Zhiliang, Ah Hu and Xiao Ai who were waiting for them outside.
Knowing that the Southeastern Exalt had officially allowed Broad Creed Mountain to create their headquarters and accept disciples in the Royal Reed Sea, Chen Zhiliang smiled, “Congratulations.”
Yan Zhaoge spread his palms apart, his true essence condensing to depict the image of a girl on his palm, “There is still one more thing. I wonder if Mister Chen recognises this person?”
That girl was gentle, beautiful and quiet, acuity visible within her eyes that resembled water. She appeared a little intelligent whilst also weak, resembling a small deer.
It was precisely the appearance of Meng Wan.
Seeing her, Chen Zhiliang shook his head slightly, “I have never seen her before. What, is this an acquaintance of yours, Little Friend Yan?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “You could say that. Still, we have lost touch. I am currently searching for her.”
Chen Zhiliang pondered for a bit before saying, “Well, how about Little Friend Yan come with me to see senior apprentice-brother Mu? He is good with faces, and is familiar with many even outside of the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory.”
“I will be troubling you then,” Yan Zhaoge nodded to Feng Yunsheng before following Chen Zhiliang to see Mu Jun.
Having previously brought Tang Yonghao back, Mu Jun was currently still on Golden Court Mountain, having yet to leave.
Seeing Chen Zhiliang bring Yan Zhaoge over, Mu Jun asked with his usual smile, “Little Friend Yan has already seen Master?”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “It wouldn’t be good to disturb your Master for too long.”
Mu Jun said smilingly, “Little Friend Yan seems to be in a good mood. It seems that Master must have agreed to the matter of your lineage coming up to the Royal Reed Sea?”
“I have Mister Mu to thank for the good words you put in for us before your Master,” Yan Zhaoge too was all smiles.
Mu Jun smiled, shaking his head, “Nothing I say can change those decisions Master wants to make.”
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, he said sort of pointedly, “There is something that Little Friend Yan may not know of. That old acquaintance of yours has already entered my Golden Court Mountain’s lineage.”
“Master personally accepted him as a disciple. He is my youngest apprentice-brother now.”
Mu Jun’s words indeed seemed to carry a bit of a friendly reminder.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Tang Yonghao is remarkably talented and righteous in his character as well. The heavens are favouring the worthy indeed. “
Mu Jun smiled, nodding, “You speak rightly.”
Yan Zhaoge continued, “In having come this time, I actually want to ask Mister Mu about someone.”
After showing Mu Jun the image of Meng Wan, Yan Zhaoge observed the changes in his expression.
After glancing at it, Mu Jun fell into deep thought.
He did not rush to answer as he instead said slowly, “Junior apprentice-brother Tang mentioned this person before as well, saying that she was his fellow disciple back in the Eight Extremities World and that she was later taken away by the southern Blazing Heaven Territory’s Zhuang Chaohui within the underwater palace of the Clear Scenic Region.”
Yan Zhaoge answered candidly, “That’s right.”
Mu Jun fell into deep thought once more.
After a moment, he said very earnestly, “I have never seen her before, and I myself have also never gone to the lower world where you hail from before, but…”
“Looking at her, I seem to find her familiar somehow.”
Yan Zhaoge’s spirits rose as a quizzical look also appeared on the face of Chen Zhiliang beside him.
Meeting Yan Zhaoge’s gaze, Mu Jun said slowly, “Those features are somewhat similar to someone whom I met before in the past.”
While Mu Jun looked young, he was actually rather old already. The number of people he had seen in his life before was kind of uncountable.
Still, Meng Wan’s appearance was exquisite and the same would surely also apply for someone who looked similar to her. As long as Mu Jun had viewed that person before, he would surely be left with some sort of impression.
With Mu Jun’s cultivation base, the strength of his soul, his acute perceptiveness and his shocking powers of memory, he was able to dig up from the depths of his memory even people he had met only once more.
“Still, I cannot say with certainty that a relationship definitely exists between the two.”
Now, Mu Jun thought carefully for a bit more before raising his hand and drawing in mid-air.
An image of light was formed before Yan Zhaoge.
The figure of a girl who bore at least a seventy percent resemblance to Meng Wan hence appeared.
“There really is one?” Chen Zhiliang felt astonished.
After gazing at the image for a wh
ile, Yan Zhaoge asked softly, “Muster Mu, do you know where she comes from?”
Mu Jun answered, “Disciple of the Southern Exalt’s lineage, a disciple of Wutong Slope Liu Xianting.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 800: The famed Yan Zhaoge
HSSB800: The famed Yan Zhaoge
“Personal disciple of the Southern Exalt, Liu Xianting?” Yan Zhaoge repeated.
Mu Jun nodded, “I have only met her once before. It was thirty years ago, and we did not talk then.”
He paused for a moment before continuing, “I have not heard any news of her in recent years, not knowing if she has been adventuring outside or residing at Wutong Slope. My understanding of her is also limited.”
“Beneath the boundless heavens, how many billions of lifeforms are there? It is not rare at all to see people with similar appearances yet are unrelated by blood. Therefore, I cannot dare to be certain that she is indeed related to the person whom you and junior apprentice-brother Tang speak of.”
“Still, connecting this with the matter of Zhuang Chaohui taking her away for no apparent reason at all, I think that there may really be a connection here.”
After saying so, Mu Jun glanced at Yan Zhaoge.
Tang Yonghao definitely hoped for Golden Court Mountain to think of a way to help save Meng Wan.
It was just that because of how sensitive an issue his phoenix bone was, he was unable to really speak up regarding this matter as he could only just abide by the arrangements that they made.
If Mu Jun were to make the decision, he definitely would not want to find unnecessary trouble.
With the phoenix bone, Golden Court Mountain’s interactions with Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope would be enabled greatly.
Yan Zhaoge pondered, “Since that is so, Meng Wan should be in no danger of dying after being brought away by Zhuang Chaohui at the very least.”
“Zhuang Chaohui should have done so for personal reasons, this being not much related to the phoenix bone.”
Mu Jun said, “If this old friend of you as well as junior apprentice-brother Tang is related to Liu Xianting in actuality, that is.”