History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474

by 八月飞鹰, Ba Yue Fei Ying, August Eagle

  Great Devils like these were limited in the first place. Yan Zhaoge’s inability to confirm it was actually equivalent to him only being able to lock it down to a couple of targets within a certain radius.

  While he did have some guesses, he was unable to confirm them.

  “Nine Underworlds?” The Female Emperor Jie Mingkong who had resealed herself in ice following the opening ceremony and ceased to speak appeared to be very concerned by this.

  As the ice sculpture glowed with lustrous light, her voice resounded by their ears, “Let me see.”

  “We will be troubling the Female Emperor then,” Yan Di looked at Fang Zhun who nodded and retrieved an ice coffin.

  A woman was lying down with her eyes closed within the transparent ice coffin, seemingly in a deep slumber. This was none other than Shi Jun’s mother and Shi Songtao’s wife, Ying Yuzhen.

  Having received instructions earlier, Shi Jun had been waiting outside as he now inhaled deeply and entered as instructed.

  History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 1049: The reason behind seeking to capture Xue Chuqing

  HSSB1049: The reason behind seeking to capture Xue Chuqing

  Shi Jun sat cross-legged, closing his eyes.

  A strange sigil was vaguely visible on his forehead at this moment.

  That was the seal concealed at the depths of his soul as it now condensed and took form upon being stimulated by the Female Emperor Jie Mingkong.

  Jie Mingkong still seemed to be in a deep slumber within that layer of ice.

  Still, the lustre on the surface of the ice statue glowed perpetually, eternally unextinguished.

  Meanwhile, there was something like a sigil on the forehead of Ying Yuzhen within the ice coffin too. The pattern it had was different from the one on Shi Jun’s head.

  Still, from both of these emanated a strange, ominous devilish qi.

  Yan Zhaoge and the others observed the sigils silently as they waited patiently.

  After a while, the lustre on the surface of the ice sculpture gradually vanished as the sigils on the foreheads of Shi Jun and Ying Yuzhen temporarily disappeared too.

  “I regret to say that I too cannot see through the specifics,” The Female Emperor’s voice resounded.

  Hearing this, Yan Zhaoge’s eyes lit up slightly, “Even True Immortals cannot see through its foundation. A great Devil that can possess such methods would naturally be extraordinary. As a result, the search radius for the suspects has decreased yet further.”

  The Female Emperor had evidently come to the same conclusion, “Before the Great Calamity, both Daoist and Buddhism frequently exterminated devils. Many great Devils of the Nine Underworlds were brought to an end by them.”

  “During the Great Calamity, the Nine Underworlds was affected too, suffering tragic casualties.”

  While Devils would be reborn after they died as they were said to be undying and inextinguishable, there were no absolutes in this world as it was not like they could not be extinguished for good.

  “The great Devils currently still active in the Nine Underworlds are limited in number,” The Female Emperor said slowly, “Still, this does not eliminate the possibility of some devils having executed schemes before being extinguished so that they would still have a chance of reviving afterwards.”

  Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly.

  This was actually his initial guess which had finally been verified now.

  It was just that he did not know which mighty figure the mechanisms left behind on Shi Jun and Ying Yuzhen originated from.

  Yan Di looked at Nie Jingshen, Bao Tao and Wang Pu, “Shi Jun and his mother are descendants of my late senior apprentice-brother. Now that he is no longer around, I must naturally take good care of them.”

  “When senior apprentice-brother Yue has returned from extradimensional space, we may have to bother him to take a look too.”

  Bai Tao said, “Senior apprentice-uncle Yan is a loyal, righteous person who values relationships greatly. I believe that Master will understand.”

  After a painstaking millennium, the Sword Sovereign Zhen Yuebei himself too was taking care of the sole remaining bloodline of his late Master.

  “Also, since the matter concerns the Nine Underworlds, Master will definitely not let down his guard so easily,” Bai Tao elaborated, “Even if it was unrelated to you, senior apprentice-uncle Yan, he would still concern himself with this matter. After all, this involves great Devils of the Nine Underworlds that could also be extremely powerful.”

  Wang Pu said, “Please keep this matter from spreading further before Master’s return if you can.”

  Yan Zhaoge, Yan Di and those of Broad Creed Mountain slowly nodded.

  “I hope that this little brother here and your mother can return to Kunlun Mountain’s Northern High Peak with us if possible,” Bai Tao said, “No one can know when the great Devil’s sigil might activate.”

  Back at Kunlun Mountain, before the Sword Sovereign’s return, the Female Emperor would still be nearby to help them out in the off chance that something happened.

  If even the Female Emperor could not do anything, they would have no choice but to request the help of the Concealed Sovereign who was constantly stationed in seclusion at Kunlun Mountain.

  Yan Di said, “I’m afraid that not only would this be troublesome for Jade Capital Crag, you would have to bear a risk too.”

  “It is fine,” Wang Pu shook his head, “If calamity really struck, the possibility of quelling it would be much higher at Kunlun Mountain than in the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory. With the Female Emperor and maybe even the Concealed Sovereign making a move, the damage caused would thus be greatly reduced too.”

  Yan Di considered this for a moment before cupping his hands towards them, “Since that is so, I will be troubling you.”

  Bai Tao’s trio hastily said that this it was no trouble at all. The Female Emperor who was sealed in ice said nothing as she was clearly giving her tacit consent.

  Shi Jun felt rather reluctant to part with his sect despite what had been said.

  Still, thinking that this was for the good of he and his mother, he said nothing as he abided by these arrangements.

  After the matter of Shi Jun and Ying Yuzhen had been decided on, this conversation drew to a close.

  Still, afterwards, Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di paid a special visit to the guest lodgings and looked for the Southeastern Exalt Cao Jie in private.

  As soon as Cao Jie saw them, he knew what they had come for.

  “We have come for the matter of my mother this time. Please tell us what you know, Southeastern Exalt,” Yan Zhaoge cut to the chase.

  Cao Jie glanced at Yan Di, “Yes, while you have yet to attain the Human Exalt stage, being protected by the Grand Simplicity Splendour Cloud, there should be no problem for you. You, however…”

  Looking at Yan Zhaoge, he could not help but sigh.

  “I am deeply moved by the Southeastern Exalt’s concern,” Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Still, maybe it is due to the Dim Radiant Wheel, or maybe it is due to the last of the Dim Radiant Twelve Arts, the art of peerless infinity, but although I journeyed to the Immortal Court and also learnt the name of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord there, there are no abnormalities at all which have overcome me.”

  “It should not to be the extent where I would be illuminated and converted just like that, the treasured-light of the power of faith being born within me.”

  Cao Jie was rather taken aback by this, “Those experts of the Dim Radiant Sect who were proficient in the Dim Radiant Twelve Arts and beneath the Human Exalt stage that year were all unable to resist it. Not yet having become a Immortal Artifact, the Dim Radiant Wheel is this effectual?”

  Yan Zhaoge said, “I cannot say this for sure. Still, is that Immortal Court and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord really so miraculous?”

  “Merely learning of the name of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord, a shadow would be left behind within our hearts as he would be able to i
lluminate and convert us?”

  “In the tens of millennia that the Future Buddha has existed, I have never heard of such domineering methods.”

  From Yan Zhaoge’s previous interactions with Cao Jie, the latter already knew that he did also know about the current blessed lands of Buddhism. Thus, he was not surprised to hear the Future Buddha being mentioned.

  In reply to Yan Zhaoge’s query, Cao Jie said slowly, “If not for this, the World beyond Worlds would not have had to ban news of the Immortal Court from circulating just as we would guard against a venomous snake.”

  “It is actually also because of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord and the Immortal Court that the news on Buddhism was restricted by us.”

  “The Immortal Court and the blessed lands have many conflicts. While they are sworn enemies, they are actually the same kind intrinsically. Therefore, we restricted all the information regarding them.”

  Cao Jie raised his head slightly, saying, “As for why the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord possesses this miraculous ability, I could not know.”

  Yan Di asked, “When I came to know Chuqing that year, let alone a Human Exalt, she was still far from even the Martial Saint realm. In that case, she…”

  “Her situation is unique,” Cao Jie said, “There is a supreme treasure descended in her lineage which can ensure that she is not illuminated despite knowing of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord.”

  Yan Di raised his brows lightly, “Oh, such a treasure must be very rare indeed.”

  “Half the River Diagram!” Cao Jie nodded in agreement.

  Yan Zhaoge put a hand to his head, “It is no wonder then.”

  The Yellow River and Nine Halls diagrams were supreme treasures of legend which had left countless tales behind.

  It was just that they had already vanished from sight for many years even before the Great Calamity.

  He had not thought that his mother might actually possess half the Yellow River diagram.

  Yan Zhaoge nodded quietly, “My mother…or should I say the late Dim Radiant Emperor and my mother’s Master, the Bright Connection Emperor-what exactly happened between them and the Immortal Court?”

  “Long story,” Cao Jie had a rather complex expression on his face, “Essentially, it is all regarding a single object.”

  History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 1050: Millennia old secret

  HSSB1050: Millennia old secret

  “In the legends, this object is known as Heavenly Essence Stone.”

  Cao Jie said slowly, “I myself was only told of this after attaining the Human Exalt stage.”

  Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di focused their gazes on him.

  Cao Jie sounded far away as he said, “There is information which indicates that the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord is searching for a treasure known as Heavenly Essence Stone.”

  “If this treasure is obtained by him, not only will martial practitioners beneath the Human Exalt stage be illuminated upon hearing his name, even Exalts, even Emperors of our orthodox Daoism who have already opened the door to Immortality would no longer be safe as well!”

  Yan Zhaoge’s brows were knit tightly as he pondered, “Heavenly Essence Stone…”

  This name was foreign even to him.

  He had not heard of it even in the Heavenly Court’s Divine Palace back in pre-Great Calamity times.

  “We have not been able to confirm the veracity of this piece of information as it is still contentious even today,” Cao Jie continued, “Still, at that time, someone would not risk disbelieving that this threat did indeed exist.”

  Yan Zhaoge said, “The Dim Radiant Emperor, Yin Tianxia!”

  “That’s right. The Dim Radiant Sect’s conquest into distant dimensional space that year was but a feint,” Cao Jie said, “The Dim Radiant Emperor’s true goal was to find the Heavenly Essence Stone.”

  “At that time, the conflict between Buddhism and the Immortal Court was at its most intense as the majority of the Immortal Court’s experts were engaged in battle with the Buddhists. The Immeasurable Heavenly Lord and Future Buddha had tied each other down too.”

  “In the end, the Dim Radiant Emperor really pulled the tooth off a tiger, wresting away a fragment of the Heavenly Essence Stone.”

  At this point, Yan Zhaoge could basically understand what had happened, “Still, the Dim Radiant Emperor also perished as a result?”

  Cao Jie answered, “That’s right, it is precisely so.”

  “Although he died, that fragment of the Heavenly Essence Stone still did not fall into the possession of the Immortal Court.”

  “The Immortal Court was naturally unwilling to let it go just like that. As a result, the World beyond Worlds suffered immense pressure and had to pay a steep price.”

  News indicated that the Bright Connection Emperor Hu Yuexin and her descendants had obtained that Heavenly Essence Stone fragment. Thus, they became wanted fugitives of the World beyond Worlds and the Immortal Court.

  Meanwhile, some people from the Immortal Court also suspected that clues might be concealed amongst the relics of the late Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tianxia.

  While those of the World beyond Worlds could basically confirm that the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment was unrelated to the Dim Radiant Mausoleum and the Dim Radiant Wheel, those of the Immortal Court did not fully believe this.

  As a result, those in the World beyond Worlds who were in the know had turned a blind eye to the Dim Radiant Emperor and warned those of their lineage not to get involved with it.

  “We originally believed that your mother obtained the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment inadvertently as trouble was drawn to her as a result,” Cao Jie looked at Yan Zhaoge, “Still, it is probably because of your mother that you were able to obtain the Dim Radiant Wheel. As such, it seems that the Bright Connection Emperor and the Dim Radiant Emperor were co-conspirators in that previous incident in the first place.”

  He sighed slowly, “The Bright Connection Emperor is a great taboo in the World beyond Worlds as I too do know not much about her. I only know that many of her ideas clashed with that of the Earthly Sovereign.”

  “From the looks of it now, the tensions between them must have hinged primarily on their stances towards the Immortal Court.”

  Hearing this, Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, “So, what you mean is that the Earthly Sovereign holds the attitude of trying to appease the Immortal Court?”

  Cao Jie answered, “It is not to that extent. Still, the Earthly Sovereign does not like to take risks.”

  “The Great Calamity caused us orthodox Daoists of the Three Clear lineages to be depleted greatly as regaining our vitality has not been easy.”

  “Ever since the Kunlun Nine Luminaries established the World beyond Worlds, many sacrifices were made for the stable situation we see today to be forged as we finally gradually regained our vitality in recent years under the leadership of the Three Sovereigns. Part of the credit here naturally goes to the Earthly Sovereign.”

  Yan Di raised his brows lightly, “If the rumour is real and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord manages to gather that complete Heavenly Essence Stone, wouldn’t all this have been for naught, dissipating into ashes overnight?”

  Cao Jie said mildly, “The problem is that we cannot confirm the veracity of this matter.”

  “Perhaps the Heavenly Essence Stone does indeed exist, and the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord and the Immortal Court do desire it greatly.”

  “Still, are its effects really as the Dim Radiant Emperor claimed?”

  Cao Jie shook his head slowly, “No one knows if the Dim Radiant Emperor acted for the sake of all or for his own personal gain.”

  “Even if he was unselfishly acting on behalf of all Daoism, willingly sacrificing himself in the process with the dao tradition of his Dim Radiant Sect even being destroyed as a result, there is still no one who can guarantee that he was not fooled and made use of by others.”

  His mind seemed to drift off somewhat, “Thus, some approved of and
supported him while others denied and criticised him.”

  Yan Zhaoge murmured aloud, “They suspect it to be a ploy of the Immortal Court’s?”

  He exchanged looks with Yan Di, father and son both frowning as they pondered.

  The actions of the Dim Radiant Emperor might have been righteous and saintly as he could be said to have performed an immeasurably meritorious service which the entirety of Daoism’s Three Clear lineages had to be grateful to.

  Yet, it was also possible that he had found a righteous-sounding excuse for his own personal gain. Being greedy and selfish, he had dragged others down into it with things ultimately ending terribly.

  Even worse was if this was a trap that the Immortal Court had set up. By stepping into it, apart from his own death, the Dim Radiant Emperor Yin Tiaxia had also entrapped the World beyond Worlds, forcing them into a passive, vulnerable state.

  Yet, there was hardly any way for this to be verified now.

  Therefore, this had become a rather contentious issue.

  Along with that, Xue Chuqing who had been drawn into things with the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment was in hot soup too.

  Regardless of the intentions of the Dim Radiant Emperor and the Bright Connection Emperor, they had wrecked the plans of the Immeasurable Heavenly Lord. Even with the Dim Radiant Emperor’s death, this matter was still not considered over as responsibility ultimately still had to be taken by the World beyond Worlds.

  As the head of the Three Sovereigns who led their policies, whether the Earthly Sovereign believed the Dim Radiant Emperor and the Bright Connection Emperor was not important. He had to account for things to the Immortal Court officially, at least.

  This was especially so when the reason behind the incident, the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment that had been wrested away by the Dim Radiant Emperor, had always been nowhere to be found.

  Therefore, the relics of the Dim Radiant Emperor had become a taboo while the Bright Connection Emperor who had always been hostile towards the Immortal Court had become the dark history of the World beyond Worlds. Meanwhile, Xue Chuqing who might have obtained the Heavenly Essence Stone fragment had become a wanted fugitive.