Therefore, they all thought of this now.
“It is not an Immortal Artifact. I heard it is only an embryonic Immortal Artifact,” The Southeastern Swordsmistress shook her head now.”
Hearing this, the others all frowned, “A long path has to be traversed for an embryonic Immortal Artifact to become an Immortal Artifact. That is something only True Immortals can forge in the first place. Even if ordinary people obtained one, they would still not be able to refine it completely, right?”
The Southeastern Swordsmistress slowly said, “Normally speaking, that is indeed the case.”
She gazed towards the horizon in the direction of Broad Creed Mountain.
“Besides Broad Creed Mountain’s upcoming official opening ceremony, the news also mentioned that the Yan father and son have both already ascended the Immortal Bridge.”
Everyone else nodded with admiring whilst also rather complex expressions on their faces.
Everyone present had virtually personally witnessed Yan Zhaoge progressing up to this point from when he had first arrived in the Royal Reed Sea of the World beyond Worlds that year.
Within less than twenty years, he had already traversed a path that most people would be unable to complete throughout their entire lives.
Relative to the longevity at his current cultivation level, the time he had used was extremely short.
Someone said, “Considering Yan Zhaoge’s strength when he was a late Seeing Divinity Martial Saint, now that he has ascended the Immortal Bridge, if he were to set up the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation at Circumference Mountain, he might be able to protect himself from the Southern Exalt. Still, he would probably not be a match at all for the Heaven Emperor.”
“The location indicated on the invitation we were given is Broad Creed Mountain, Spirit Inheritance Region, Royal Reed Sea,” The Southeastern Swordmistress slowly said.
The martial practitioners of the southeast exchanged looks, “Without the Nine Bends Yellow River Formation, with the Immortal Artifact still in its embryonic form, what is to be done?”
One of them eventually forced a smile, “When the Heaven Emperor returns, the Brocade Emperor should probably be back too? I wonder if the Brocade Emperor will intervene when the time comes.”
Apart from the Southeastern Swordsmistress’s group that was stationed at the border areas, Broad Creed Mountain naturally sent an invitation to Golden Court Mountain too.
While they did not know when the Southeastern Exalt would return to Golden Court Mountain, they naturally had to send an invitation out of courtesy.
The same went for Kunlun Mountain’s Ingenious Flying Peak’s Red Lotus Cliff.
The Brocade Emperor had still yet to return, with Fu Ting in secluded cultivation and unable to leave.
Still, having already received instructions from the Brocade Emperor previously, as Ingenious Flying Peak martial practitioners received the invitation, they immediately responded that they would be sending a representative to Broad Creed Mountain to observe the ceremony when the time came.
It was not limited to the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory as powers that usually had ties with Yan Zhaoge and Broad Creed Mountain received invitations too.
Chief Liu Xiangtong of the central Jun Heaven Territory’s Heavenly Hut Mountain’s Jade Mountain Sect received an invitation too, for instance.
Instead, Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di pondered over whether to send an invitation over to the Northern Exalt’s lineage at Cloud Pavilion Mountain’s Profound Remnant Locale in the northern Profound Heaven Territory.
The Northern Exalt’s granddaughter Guan Yuluo was on great terms with Broad Creed Mountain’s disciple Feng Yunsheng. Still, this was a personal friendship.
Her identity was too unique as anything that she did would generally be understood by others as the intent of the Northern Exalt.
Meanwhile, the Northern Exalt was not in any conflict with the Heaven Emperor and the Southern Exalt.
If it was just Feng Yunsheng alone, he might protect her considering how she had saved his granddaughter’s life before.
Still, Yan Zhaoge was not delusional enough to believe that this warranted him opposing the Heaven Emperor for the sake of helping him and Broad Creed Mountain.
In sending an invitation to Profound Remnant Locale, even if they just invited Guan Yuluo alone, it would still be unknown what would happen as it might still make things difficult for them.
Feng Yunsheng was not around too as Broad Creed Mountain ultimately still decided not to send Profound Remnant Locale an invitation.
Still, Yan Zhaoge did send over his personal letter, inviting Guan Yuluo to help investigate Feng Yunsheng’s situation again in the north.
With that, the other party would not have to feel awkward over whether to come to Broad Creed Mountain.
Broad Creed Mountain did send an invitation over to the northeastern Sky Heaven Territory’s Green Sky Mountain’s Grave Thunder Palace.
As for whether the Northeastern Exalt Liu Zhenggu would accept and come, that really depended on he himself.
Besides all the guests invited by Broad Creed Mountain, the spirits of others surged as they received the news.
Countless youngsters and even famed solitary practitioners began looking forward to the day Broad Creed Mountain officially opened its doors.
Ever since Yan Zhaoge had shaken the world in the shocking battles at Vast Spirit Mountain and Circumference Mountain that year, countless people had been waiting for this day.
Meanwhile, Illusory Coming Peak that was far away at Kunlun Mountain in the central Jun Heaven Territory and the southern Blazing Heaven Territory’s Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope both naturally received the news as well.
Besides them, Nongli Mountain of the western Turtle Heaven Territory, Three Foot Mountain of the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory and countless powers of the southern Blazing Heaven Territory similarly got wind of this.
Many people ground their teeth in rage.
Those of Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope who had suffered most tragically at Yan Zhaoge’s hands that year were riled the most intensely.
Just as fury was surging within their hearts, they sensed Phoenix Ritual Mountain where they were located suddenly shaking in its entirety.
A sea of flames obscured the sun in the northern skies as a phoenix flew over.
The spirits of the Wutong Slope martial practitioners collectively rose.
The Southern Exalt Zhuang Shen had finally returned to the southern Blazing Heaven Territory!
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 1014: The phoenix weeps blood
HSSB1014: The phoenix weeps blood
After leaving the southern Blazing Heaven Territory and heading to the central Jun Heaven Territory, the Southern Exalt Zhuang Shen had been gone for around eight to nine years. Now, he had finally returned to Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope.
For most mortals where life was but a quick hundred years, eight to nine years was already not short.
Still, for martial practitioners with high cultivation bases, a single session of secluded cultivation could already last more than ten years.
The last time the Southern Exalt Zhuang Shen had been in secluded cultivation, nearly twenty years had passed.
It was just that it had never been the case that the world before Zhuang Shen seemed to have been changed completely, things still remaining but people no longer being the same.
At this moment, he was sitting on the main seat in the great hall, unblinkingly looking at those of his lineage.
Zhuang Shen’s features had not changed in the least as compared to in the past.
He still looked quite handsome, merely in his thirties as he snow-white hair was tied in a simple bun.
Still, looking at the people before him, Zhuang Shen’s face was sunken as water.
His in-law and junior apprentice-brother whom he had always been on close terms with, the ‘Blazing King’ Peng
He, was gone.
His junior apprentice-brother ‘Treasured Branch Suppressing Peak’ Zhang Shuren was also no longer there. While he had not been as close with him as he had Peng He, Zhuang Shen had respected him and placed great trust in him and his competence.
The prided disciple who he had most favoured and taken great pains to raise, ‘Phoenix Pupils’ Yuan Xiancheng, was similarly nowhere to be seen.
Besides them, there were also many other people of Wutong Slope who would never again appear within this great hall.
Finally, there was also his son, Zhuang Chaohui…
Looking at the desolate scene before him, Zhuang Shen was silent for a long time.
Amongst the crowd, a middle-aged man with the appearance of a scholar said, “With senior apprentice-brother Zhang and junior apprentice-brother Peng no longer here and the southeast dominant, we could only defend Phoenix Ritual Mountain and await your return, senior apprentice-brother Zhuang.”
Looking at this middle-aged man, Zhuang Shen slowly said, “It has been tough on you, junior apprentice-brother Mao.”
The middle-aged man lowered his head, replying, “Please think of something, Chief.”
This person was Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s other ninth level Martial Saint bigwig, ‘Phoenix Crying Southern Territory’ Mao Yuansheng who had been acclaimed alongside Peng He and Zhang Shuren.
He, Peng He and Zhuang Shen were descended of the same lineage.
Several hundred years ago, when the previous generation had still been in charge of Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s lineage and Zhuang Shen’s Master had been leading them, Mao Yuansheng had actually been the descendant who was looked most highly upon.
At that time, their Master had thought more highly of Mao Yuansheng as compared to Zhuang Shen, even having once expressed his desire for Mao Yuansheng to take over his mantle and continue with the management of Wutong Slope’s lineage.
It was just that Zhuang Shen who had been comparatively ordinary in his youth had risen with great momentum afterwards, eventually coming to overtake him.
With their Master having unexpectedly died early on, he had not been able to decide on the next candidate for Chief.
In the end, Zhuang Shen had won the succession.
Still, it was true that the lineage of Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope had flourished in his hands as the Phoenix True Form Scripture had become increasingly refined.
When Zhuang Shen had attained the Human Exalt stage afterwards, Phoenix Ritual Mountain had reached an unprecedented peak in its history.
While Zhuang Shen had not suppressed Mao Yuansheng, his relationship with him was indisputably the most estranged amongst the three ninth level Martial Saint bigwigs of Wutong Slope.
Zhang Shuren had gone on orders to guard Circumference Mountain at the border areas. While this seemed like he had been sent far away, it actually showed how deeply Zhuang Shen trusted him.
If it really was a tough vocation, it was impossible that Zhuang Shen would have also sent his favoured disciple, Zhuang Chaohui, there.
The one helping Zhuang Shen to preside over things at Phoenix Ritual Mountain’s Wutong Slope after he had left for the central Jun Heaven Territory was ‘Blazing King’ Peng He with whom he was closest.
Ever since those past events, Mao Yuansheng had actually always been keeping a rather low profile.
The ‘Phoenix Crying Northern Territory’ of the past seemed to not quite live up to his reputation now.
This time, it was also only with the deaths of Zhang Shuren and Peng He that Mao Yuansheng had returned to Wutong Slope to preside over things.
As Wutong Slope’s expert who was second strongest after Zhuang Shen, Mao Yuansheng instead became even more low key.
“Think of something?” While Zhuang Shen’s expression was calm with no fluctuations visible from it whatsoever, all the Wutong Slope martial practitioners could sense the world they were in seemingly catching ablaze in its entirety.
A fiery phoenix spread its wings and cried out before them. Still, it was clearly shedding tears of blood.
Seeing this illusion of a phoenix weeping blood, everyone, including Mao Yuansheng, shivered.
The illusion vanished. Zhuang Shen remained expressionless as it was like his emotions had not rippled in the least.
Still, everyone knew that the illusory phenomenon from earlier was actually the true manifestation of his innermost thoughts.
“Thirty-seven people from our Wutong Slope died in the hands of the one surnamed Yan.”
Zhuang Shen stood up, “Amongst them were two late Immortal Bridge Martial Saints, my most prided disciple and the most outstanding descendant of our younger generation and my own son.”
He looked at Mao Yuansheng, “If I do not come back this time, you should assume the role of Chief, junior apprentice-brother Mao.”
Mao Yuansheng lowered his head, “I am willing to support senior apprentice-brother in going southeast.”
“What?” Zhuang Shen furrowed his snowy-white brows, “Our lineage cannot be broken.”
Mao Yuansheng raised his head, looking at Zhuang Shen.
Zhuang Shen said, “Whatever it was that Xiancheng and the others died because of, the truth is that all of them perished at Circumference Mountain.”
“While I am back, Cao Jie has returned too. If we battle at Circumference Mountain, things will be difficult to predict.”
Mao Yuansheng was silent for a while before he said, “Why must you go to such lengths, senior apprentice-brother…”
Zhuang Shen said calmly, “To take revenge for Master, I dared to battle a ninth level Martial Saint when at the seventh level of the Martial Saint realm.”
“Could it be that now that I am ruling the south and have gotten on in years, I would have become more cowardly?”
Mao Yuansheng was silent as he finally said after a while, “So this is why you are ‘Phoenix Soaring Nine Heavens’ and I am only ‘Phoenix Crying Southern Territory’?”
“I may die earlier than you,” Zhuang Shen said mildly, “I am stronger than you, but others may be stronger than me.”
“Still, do not think that rage has rushed to my head and knocked me silly. I am calmer than I have ever been.”
“For taking revenge heedless of the costs, first comes taking revenge. Heedless of the costs only comes afterwards.”
Hearing Zhuang Shen’s words, the spirits of Mao Yuansheng and the other martial practitioners of Wutong Slope all rose slightly.
Now, the space outside of Wutong Slope shook like the rippling of water.
A figure walked out from within.
His arrival did not startle anyone of Wutong Slope as only Zhuang Shen sensed it, “Brother Lang is here, I see. Zhuang Shen has failed to show courtesy.”
“Brother Lang? Lang…” Hearing this, Mao Yuansheng and the others were first shocked before they rejoiced, “The Western Exalt is here?”
Zhuang Shen said mildly, “This is separate from the matter with Chaohui and Xiancheng. I have also invited Brother Lang to our Wutong Slope as a guest to discuss punishing the southeast together.”
Amidst his words, a middle-aged man walked inside, “Brother Zhuang, I have heard about what has happened. My condolences.”
Seeing this, the Wutong Slope martial practitioners collectively greeted, “We greet the Western Exalt.”
This person was none other than the Chief of the western Turtle Heaven Territory’s Nongli Mountain, the Western Exalt Lang Qing.
“Since you already know, I will not explain things further,” Zhuang Shen said, “I wonder if Brother Lang is willing to assist me?”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 1015: Seeking assistance
HSSB1015: Seeking assistance
The Western Exalt Lang Qing was dressed in scholarly attire just like Mao Yuansheng. Still, he had an outer Daoist robe draped over him.
He had a short beard which was very trimmed very neatly.
“We have a comm
on enemy in Cao Jie,” Lang Qing said, “The newly arisen Broad Creed Mountain is an unexpected variable.”
“From how things look now, this Broad Creed Mountain is virtually like a new watchdog that Cao Jie has reared. If we do not first get rid of this nail, Golden Court Mountain will forever remain stable.”
Lang Qing slowly nodded, “I too would be very happy to pull out this nail first. Still, this does not seem possible at the moment.”
Zhuang Shen did not feel that Lang Qing was trying to push things away as he instead asked calmly, “Have you heard something, Brother Lang?”
“That’s right. I came here this time for the sake of informing you about it.” Lang Qing nodded, “The Brocade Emperor is back in the World beyond Worlds.”
“Also, word from Ingenious Flying Peak is that he intends to protect Yan Zhaoge and Broad Creed Mountain.”
As soon as this was said, the expressions of all the Wutong Slope martial practitioners present sunk.
They had not expected that the Brocade Emperor would express such a clear and definite stance.
Still, no one raised any doubts regarding this.
The Southeastern Exalt Cao Jie was on close terms with the Brocade Emperor. Meanwhile, while the Western Exalt Lang Qing and Cao Jie could not easily coexist, he could be considered a good friend of the Brocade Emperor’s.
After failing to successfully mediate between Cao Jie and Lang Qing, the Brocade Emperor generally helped neither of the two sides, maintaining a neutral stance.
Still, for Wutong Slope, this was a mountain that would be difficult to overcome.
Zhuang Shen slowly asked, “Since when was this?”
“It was virtually at the same time as when we emerged from seclusion,” Lang Qing answered, “He was clearly planning for this since long ago.”
“With the Heaven Emperor still yet to return from extradimensional space, if we head to the southeast now, we will only be pointlessly colliding with a wall.”
Lang Qing was speaking rather politely with this.
For Lang Qing whose relationship with the Brocade Emperor was not bad, it might just be colliding with a wall. Still, for Zhuang Shen and Wutong Slope, things might not end up as simply as that.
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