HSSB69: A rare opportunity
On a hill far away from Jingyang City, a few figures were standing silently, gazing at the distant Eastern Tang capital.
The sunlight fell on them, causing their golden robes to look even more dazzling and eye-catching.
The middle-aged man leading them was precisely the Sacred Sun Clan’s Elder, the East Rising Lord of the Seven Reigning Suns.
Beside the East Rising Lord stood a golden-robed Elder, the Sacred Sun Clan’s Principal Elder in the lands of the Eastern Tang. Other than that, there were also some other Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners present.
Amongst the crowd there stood a white-clothed youth, his face filled with a long, thick beard. While he looked like a gallant and unrestrained person, his eyes actually harboured the coldness of a snake.
The youth’s face was still a little pale. As he looked in the direction of Jingyang City, his gaze was filled with anger and resentment.
Naturally, this youth was Xiao Shen.
At this moment, the hatred he felt towards Yan Zhaoge was no less than his hatred of Feng Yunsheng in the slightest.
Not only had Yan Zhaoge defeated him, having already caused him to lose a lot of face; earlier, in broad daylight in front of everyone, Yan Zhaoge had even publicised the matter of him having had his lower body injured by Feng Yunsheng.
Xiao Shen’s entire face had been completely ripped apart.
Him having been injured by Feng Yunsheng had always been firmly kept under wraps; even within the higher echelons of the Sacred Sun Clan, those who knew about it were also limited.
Now, however, everyone knew.
Although none of the others were looking at him, standing within the crowd at this moment, Xiao Shen kept having the feeling that there were disdainful and mocking gazes being directed towards him from all around, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.
This anxiety and embarrassment was completely transformed into hatred, directed in great amounts towards Yan Zhaoge.
The golden-robed Elder swivelled his head to look at the East Rising Lord, “Inform the clan to dispatch more experts over; we can’t just let it end like this.”
“Meng Wan having lost the Extreme Yin Crown last year and Chief having remained in secluded meditation for so long, looks like some people have forgotten that it is our Sacred Sun Clan who is the current top Sacred Ground!”
“So what if the Eastern Tang Kingdom is in the Heaven Domain? As long as my Sacred Sun Clan is willing, we will likewise trample all over them.”
These words could only be said by the East Rising Lord. Were it someone else, that person would actually be casting doubt on his ability, causing him to feel unhappy instead.
Just standing there, the East Rising Lord resembled a dazzling sun hanging high up within the sky.
He gazed silently at the faraway Jingyang City, “How are our previous preparations?”
The golden-robed Elder slowly shook his head, “Still not thorough enough.”
The East Rising Lord said, “While we haven’t made sufficient preparations, the same also goes for Broad Creed Mountain.”
“However, the current abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss can help to bolster the areas in which we are lacking, instead giving us the chance to succeed.”
The golden-robed Elder’s spirits instantly lifted, “You’re right; that is indeed the case.”
The East Rising Lord turned to look at Xiao Shen, “All other things aside, it seems that Yan Zhaoge wouldn’t be hard-pressed to defeat you?”
“My abilities are slightly inferior,” Sucking in a deep breath, Xiao Shen replied with much difficulty.
The East Rising Lord gazed towards Jingyang City once again, “Your cultivation is a level higher than his, but you are still slightly inferior. If the two of you were at the same cultivation level, I’m afraid the result wouldn’t have been much better than in Yuanlong’s case.”
Clenching his fists tightly, Xiao Shen lowered his head.
The East Rising Lord said mildly, “Looking at it like this, it is like I have seen yet another Zhan Dongge, yet another Yan Di; or a potential which surpasses even theirs.”
“This type of good seed; what a pity that it still originates from Broad Creed Mountain.”
“It would be best if we could deal with him before he grows up.”
Hearing his words, Xiao Shen’s breathing instantly sped up.
The East Rising Lord did not look back at him, “Just wait patiently. Perhaps you will have a chance to personally kill Yan Zhaoge and avenge yourself.”
“Being able to personally slaughter Yan Zhaoge-there is nothing better I could ask for.” Xiao Shen’s breathing stabilised as he said in a lighter tone.
…………
Having taken his leave of Zhao Shicheng, as Yan Zhaoge left the residence, he saw Ah Hu waiting for him there.
Walking up to him, Ah Hu gave a simple laugh, “Young Master, how’d it go?”
Yan Zhaoge shrugged, “Junior apprentice-sister Feng will be escorted back to the clan’s main headquarters. Meanwhile, we will continue staying here; I still have matters to attend to.”
“Both Yan Xu and I will not interfere in junior apprentice-sister Lin’s matter. Yan Xu will hand over the things in his hands to me, though I don’t think he’s given up yet.”
At this point, Yan Zhaoge ordered, “Ah Hu, about the matter of harm befalling junior apprentice-sister Lin, get people to take note of the direction of the rumours. If there are any changes, notify me immediately.”
Ah Hu scratched at his head, “Young Master, what kind of changes do you mean?”
“Now, the direction of the rumours is that junior apprentice-sister Lin came to bother me due to jealousy, ending up with me accidentally killing her out of impatience.”
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes, “If the direction of the rumours changes, saying that junior apprentice-sister Lin still remained fond of Ye Jing and had actually come to re-enter his embrace, instead being beaten to death by a furious me, that could only mean one thing…”
“Yan Xu-it’s possible that he’s already found Ye Jing.”
“While spreading such rumours would indeed wreck my reputation, they would not harm me at my core. Doing so would only be setting up some sort of foundation for something.”
Yan Zhaoge said leisurely, “I have a feeling that this time, Yan Xu…intends for me never to return to Broad Creed Mountain again.”
Ah Hu stopped laughing, his expression turning grave, “He wants to kill Young Master?”
“But why? There’s no reason for that ah. While you made things difficult for him a few times, even if he is frustrated? and angry, it also shouldn’t be to the extent of wanting to kill you, right?”
“After all, you, Young Master, are different from ordinary members of the younger generation. Unless, Elder Fang…”
After thinking deeply for a time, Yan Zhaoge said, “It shouldn’t be what second apprentice-uncle wishes for; it should be Yan Xu’s own idea. Maybe it was just me hallucinating, but I felt that in junior apprentice-sister Lin’s death this time, Yan Xu’s behaviour was a little weird.”
Ah Hu exclaimed in a deep tone, “Is he crazy? That’s already past what’s acceptable.”
“The potential that you, Young Master, are currently displaying already presides over members of same generation. Elder Fang would be hard-pressed to produce a junior who could contend with you.”
“If something were to happen to you, the Head of our Yan Family aside, the old Clan Chief would already not let him get away with it!”
Yan Zhaoge said mildly, “He obviously wouldn’t bear the blame himself. That Ye Jing is just the best scapegoat for him.”
Ah Hu relaxed, smirking slightly, “Just that Ye Jing, can kill Young Master?”
Yan Zhaoge spread his hands apart, “Haven’t we just offended the Sacred Sun Clan’s people terribly? Moreover, there’re still the Crimson Spirit Flag Master as well as the Ghost Hatchet Elder who’s related to Ye Jing.”
“I dying in the hands of Martial Grandmasters would naturally be the most ideal situation for him.”
“If Yan Xu had to do it personally, he could just narrate that those Martial Grandmasters who have the ability as well as the motive to heavily injure me did so, before Ye Jing supplemented the final blow.”
“If Yan Xu wanted to kill me, it would be much easier than those Martial Grandmasters from outside.”
“Elder Qin’s arrival has kept back the Sacred Sun Clan’s people, but at the same time, those people have also engaged Elder Qin’s attention.”
“That Yan Xu, has the space to move about as a result.”
Ah Hu said earnestly, “Young Master, I seriously advise you to directly return to Broad Creed Mountain alongside Miss Feng.”
His hands behind his back, Yan Zhaoge let out a long breath, smiling as he walked, “Ah Hu, to be honest, until just now, I had truly been seriously considering the solution you speak of.”
“However, it wasn’t for my personal safety, but, rather, that of those of you who follow beside me, who might be inadvertently dragged into the fray.”
“If it were only myself…” Yan Zhaoge’s smile gradually turned cold, “Even if Yan Xu didn’t make a move on me, I would be thinking of making a move on him!”
“Unlike earlier with Wen Ningzhi and Cui Xin, finding a chance to take down a Principal Elder would really be somewhat tough.”
Yan Zhaoge chuckled, “But at the same time, taking down a Principal Elder would also be a great loss for second apprentice-uncle’s side, in no way comparable to how little they suffered when I took down those two simple Elders of the Assignment Hall of theirs.”
Ah Hu blinked, “Young Master, this is playing with fire ah; you might get yourself burnt badly.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed carelessly, “In this world, what things are there that hold completely no risk?”
Very quickly, the experts from Broad Creed Mountain arrived in Jingyang City.
After conversing for a time, Yan Zhaoge eventually still decided to remain in the Eastern Tang, whilst Feng Yunsheng would return to Broad Creed Mountain alongside those who had arrived.
“Go back and take good care of your injuries to prepare yourself. When I return, your nightmare will also be beginning,” Yan Zhaoge was all smiles as he looked at Feng Yunsheng, “What awaits you, is suffering beyond your wildest imagination.”
Raising her brows, Feng Yunsheng asked laughingly, “How much suffering is that?”
Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, “Tentatively…you will feel that, being pursued by those Sacred Sun Clan disciples out for your life previously, had actually been a pretty leisurely thing indeed.”
HSSB70: Glacial Dragon’s Roar
Feng Yunsheng was to be escorted back to Broad Creed Mountain by some of the clan’s experts.
Having considered the recent high tension between Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, to prepare for the worst, a portion of the experts that had been dispatched over here this time remained to assist Elder Qin in keeping the situation in the Eastern Tang as well as the rest of the East Heaven Region stable, and deal with the Sacred Sun Clan’s retaliatory actions that might possibly follow.
After having seen Feng Yunsheng off, Yan Zhaoge returned to his lodgings, pondering as he walked.
This time, they had thoroughly offended the Sacred Sun Clan, and with the level of ability as well as potential that he had been displaying in recent days, it was very likely that they would keep a firm eye on him.
Moreover, there was also a Yan Xu watching him ferociously from the side.
With Yan Zhaoge having stepped into the mid outer aura Martial Scholar realm, even having won against the late outer aura stage Xiao Shen, his entourage of black-clothed martial practitioners was now no longer travelling alongside him.
As guards, they were already not serving much purpose. On the contrary, staying by Yan Zhaoge’s side might inadvertently cause them to become embroiled in the matter, and in that situation, who would be the one protecting who?
Still, the black-clothed martial practitioners did not leave the Eastern Tang Kingdom, having stayed on, ready to follow Yan Zhaoge’s orders at any moment.
The group consisting of Yan Zhaoge and Elder Qin soon proceeded to Overlooking Abyss City.
There, Yan Zhaoge and the others saw the corpse of the late Lin Yushao.
It was there that Yan Zhaoge finally got a good look at Lin Yushao’s true features for once, as opposed to viewing the memories of his body’s original owner which had been like watching a movie on a screen.
As Yan Xu had said, the body’s visible wounds all appeared to have been inflicted by an early outer aura Martial Scholar with the Tushita Palm.
The remnant marks left behind by purple Tushita fire permeated her entire body.
…also covering all other traces.
“What a short, unlucky life…” Yan Zhaoge fell silent.
Leaving the place, he gazed up towards the sky, “Ye Jing has really reached this stage?”
“Right, in the icy pond earlier, he seemed to have been injured once again. If he had continued using that secret technique of his to treat his wounds, it would have a severe influence on his mind.”
“That way, it is indeed possible that he would become more violent as well as antagonistic.”
Yan Zhaoge’s gaze turned cold, “If you really want to eliminate yourself from this world, I will personally send you off myself.”
Returning to their lodgings, Ah Hu said in a light tone from beside him, “Young Master.”
Seeing Ah Hu’s smile that appeared simple and honest but was, in actual fact, cheap and dirty, Yan Zhaoge rolled his eyes.
Following Ah Hu’s gaze, he saw a beautiful, graceful girl, currently standing by the roadside.
“Junior apprentice-sister Sikong, you have left seclusion?” Yan Zhaoge asked, “And from the looks of it, you’ve successfully broken through the bottleneck and stepped into the Martial Scholar realm?”
The girl was precisely Sikong Qing, a cold and aloof air about her.
She bowed solemnly towards Yan Zhaoge, “Many thanks for senior apprentice-brother Yan’s earlier pointers. After leaving seclusion, I have specially come to express my gratitude.”
“I have also heard about the matter regarding junior apprentice-sister Lin. My condolences, senior apprentice-brother Yan.”
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, “I’m fine; thank you for your concern.”
Having said thus, he began appraising her all over, “Not bad, a sixteen year old Martial Scholar is rare even in our clan. Junior apprentice-sister Sikong indeed strives forward with great determination.”
“However, do not be complacent as a result; you should know that the Sacred Sun Clan’s Meng Wan was already a Martial Scholar at the age of fifteen.”
Sikong Qing’s expression was calm, her gaze resolute, “Yes, I know.”
“Neither proud nor impatient-very good,” Yan Zhaoge nodded, “You are completely devoted to the martial dao, with a firm will, so I am also not afraid of dealing you too strong a blow. Other than Meng Wan, the Sacred Sun Clan also had another person who had already stepped into the Martial Scholar realm when she had yet to turn sixteen.”
“And now, she has joined our clan.”
Sikong Qing said calmly, “I hope to be able to frequently exchange pointers with her in the future; I believe that I would benefit much from the experience.”
Looking at her, Yan Zhaoge suddenly broke into a smile, “However, like Meng Wan, she is also a Maiden of Extreme Yin. Their situations are rather unique; in order to obtain good results in the Extreme Yin Bouts, the Sacred Sun Clan employed some growth accelerating methods in rearing them.”
“This way, their foundation would inevitably be less stable, causing their extraordinary quick cultivation speed to drop to slower than usual in the future.”
“But with the Sacred Sun Clan’s and our own Broad Creed Mountain’s background, even if their future cultivation speed were to decrease, that would only be relative to themselves. They would still be far faster than most people. Also…”
Hearing Yan Zhaoge’s words, Sikong Qing finished his words for him mildly, “Also, the Extreme Yin Crown has the effect of increasing the cultivation speed of Maidens of Extreme Yin.”
“After having secured a victory in the first Extreme Yin Bout, during the year where the Extreme Yin Crown was in her possession, Meng Wan’s cultivation soared by leaps and bounds, being far faster than was usual for her.”
“That Senior Sister from Jade Sea City who won the second Extreme Yin Bout over Meng Wan also saw her cultivation progress tremendously after having taken over possession of the Extreme Yin Crown.”
Sikong Qing’s gaze was resolute and unwavering, “Many thanks to senior apprentice-brother Yan for the reminder. I definitely won’t be complacent.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Very good. Now that you have already reached the inner aura stage for Martial Scholars, the next step will be to use your newly-formed aura-qi to open the acupoints around your body.”
“After that has been achieved, you will have reached the mid inner aura Martial Scholar realm. What comes next would be the washing of the internal organs, strengthening your body a step further.”
“When you are capable of forming a wall of qi with the aura-qi within your body, you will have reached the late inner aura stage. At that time, the strength of your body, be it in terms of attack or defence, would have greatly increased, and you could begin your preparations for breaking through into the outer aura stage.”
“One step at a time; stably and steadily. I believe you can do it.”
Sikong Qing nodded, “I will work hard; thank you senior apprentice-brother Yan for worrying about me.”
The two parted ways. Gazing at Sikong Qing’s departing figure, Yan Zhaoge was silent for a long time.
Ah Hu came up to the front, giving a simple laugh, “Young Master, Miss Lin just departed, and you are already planning to eat up Miss Sikong? That’s not very good…”
Yan Zhaoge said impatiently, “Can you not always be thinking about your lower half?”
Ah Hu scratched his head, “Why did Young Master look at that Miss with that kind of gaze then?”
Yan Zhaoge squinted his eyes, “Perhaps it was just me hallucinating, but having stepped into the Martial Scholar realm, Sikong Qing appears like she has undergone a compete renewal, some heaven-shaking, earth-overturning changes having happened to her body.”
“While from a Martial Artist to a Martial Scholar there exists a heavenly gulf, and managing to cross it would mean a completely new world, the changes on Sikong Qing seem to be even greater than that, just that this feeling is still very indistinct.”
Ah Hu gazed for a long time at Sikong Qing’s figure which was almost already out of sight, before he said, puzzled, “Young Master, other than having broken through to become a Martial Scholar, I just can’t see what other changes she has on her.”
Yan Zhaoge pursed his lips, “Perhaps.”
“Right, earlier, I asked you to send people to follow that Zhao Hao. Do you have anything to report about that?”
Ah Hu replied, “He has made no movements for the time being, from the looks of it appearing far more law-abiding than all of you say.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “Continue observing him closely, but don’t come into contact with the people from the Eastern Tang.”
Temporarily pushing everything else to the back of his head, after returning to his lodgings, Yan Zhaoge took out the Nine Treasures Ice Gourd that he had obtained from Elder Qin.
This object’s original use was to store and preserve other items, especially some types of spirit grass as well as spirit medicines.
Once some spirit medicines were plucked, the spiritual qi within them would dissipate very quickly, rendering them useless. At such a time, having a Nine Treasures Ice Gourd would prevent one from encountering miserable failure.
After removing the stopper from the gourd, Yan Zhaoge retrieved the Profound Jade within which the Glacial Dragon Bone Soul was sealed.
The power of the Glacial Dragon Bone Soul had already been partially absorbed by Yan Zhaoge. Now, Yan Zhaoge began absorbing its essence into his body once again.
Under the nourishment of the essence of the Glacial Dragon Bone Soul, Yan Zhaoge’s cultivation base began rotating unceasingly as the essence was continually being transformed for his own use.
With the help of the Peerless Heavenly Scripture, Yan Zhaoge could achieve this grand feat that most Martial Scholars would find it hard to perform for real, thereby increasing his cultivation speed.
However, this time, while he was cultivating, Yan Zhaoge had one of his hands pressing down upon the Nine Treasures Ice Gourd.
The essence of the Glacial Dragon began circulating between the Profound Jade, the gourd and within Yan Zhaoge’s body.
Gradually, the cold air around the Nine Treasures Ice Gourd grew thicker and thicker. From within the gourd, the roar of a dragon could also faintly be heard.
The figure of a white dragon now faintly appeared on the surface of the gourd.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Glacial Dragon’s Roar, complete.”
HSSB71: Hidden undercurrents surging
In the following days, most of Yan Zhaoge’s time was spent staying in Jingyang City.
Part of his time was spent working on his martial skills as well as improving his cultivation. Meanwhile, he also gathered the required materials and forged a new Internal Crystal Furnace.
The Internal Crystal Furnace having been successfully forged, Yan Zhaoge placed the seed of Li Yan True Fire within it, before beginning to test it out continuously.
Having gained the seed of Li Yan True Fire, the efficacy of the Internal Crystal Furnace increased as expected.
And having been nourished and cultivated by the Internal Crystal Furnace, the seed of Li Yan True Fire also gradually looked to be growing stronger.
Using the same technique, Yan Zhaoge used the aura-qi within his body to guide the flame essence held within the Li Yan True Fire fire seed into his body, to aid in his cultivation alongside the ice essence of the Glacial Dragon Bone Soul.
As time passed and the ice and the fire, intermingled, Yan Zhaoge’s aura-qi began growing increasingly dense and refined at a swift rate as he progressed steadily towards the late outer aura stage.
Other than that, Yan Zhaoge would also make a trip to the Pill Pavilion whenever he had the time.
There, under his guidance, a batch of alchemists with the Eastern Tang’s First Prince, Zhao Yuan, at their head, were constantly at work improving the Pill Pavilion’s production methods.
The quality of Pill Pavilion products increased unceasingly, while the cost of their materials as well as their selling price remained basically unchanged.
Gradually, the Pill Pavilion was no longer being constrained within the Eastern Tang Kingdom. Rather, it was rapidly expanding towards the rest of the East Heaven Region as well as territories of the Fire and Mountain Domains which were situated nearby, growing more and more powerful by the day.
The Eastern Tang’s Pill Pavilion was like a ferocious dragon crossing the seas as it began snatching up dominant positions in foreign markets, the channels of trade through which it profited growing more and more stable.
Its products being of the most superior quality yet still inexpensive, this quality to price ratio being something that would cause peoples’ hair to stand on end, outside of the Eastern Tang, even if the local alchemist community wanted to join hands to suppress this foreign dragon, it still looked like it would be very tough indeed.
“Your vision must be precise, your control over your aura-qi stable.”
Within the Pill Pavilion, seated at the head of the table, Yan Zhaoge was saying, “At present, this technique can still only be used by Martial Scholars. Luckily, as the background of the Pill Pavilion runs deep, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”
Mr Wang as well as Zhao Yuan both nodded.
Yan Zhaoge stood up, dusting off his clothes, “That’s all for today. I will still be remaining in the Eastern Tang for quite a period of time; if there is anything, we can talk about it next time.”
The people of the Pill Pavilion hurriedly rose together in a gesture of respect as Yan Zhaoge left the room.
Outside the Pill Pavilion, walking on the road, Ah Hu said quietly from behind Yan Zhaoge, “Young Master, there’s been word from Jade Sea City, expressing their thanks to you and Broad Creed Mountain for your reminder.”
Yan Zhaoge glanced back at him, “Oh, their Maiden of Extreme Yin really went to Hell?”
The Earth Domain was located in between the Fire and Water Domains, one west, one east.
As the Water Domain where Jade Sea City sat supreme was connected to the Earth Domain, the Sacred Ground’s martial practitioners were often moving about the outskirts of the Earth Domain.
Ah Hu answered, “It was during an investigative mission. She almost ended up accidentally entering the region where Miss Feng’s Extreme Yin Physique was crippled.”
“Having investigated afterwards, it was as if her group had been intentionally led there.”
“Luckily, having reached the outskirts, Jade Sea City’s clan headquarters received your, Young Master’s, warning, in that grave instant where the horse was about to plunge off the cliff.”
“While their Maiden of Extreme Yin did sustain some injuries, it was still nothing much, not to the extent of Miss Feng.”
Ah Hu laughed, “Young Master, Jade Sea City really owes you a huge favour this time.”
“As I see it, the person who led Jade Sea City’s Maiden of Extreme Yin there was most likely of the Sacred Sun Clan.”
Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, “If the Sacred Sun Clan had been allowed just a little more time, they could have made much more thorough arrangements, completely putting Jade Sea City down without leaving any traces of their misdoings behind.”
“I’m afraid that hearing that junior apprentice-sister Feng had been brought away by me, they had known that the information was going to be leaked. Therefore, they were forced to act beforehand, trying to seize a valuable chance during that brief window of opportunity.”
Ah Hu said, “Right, Young Master. I saw that Zhao Hao just now.”
As Yan Zhaoge had a share of the Pill Pavilion and Zhao Hao had just tried to tear down Yan Zhaoge and Zhao Yuan’s faces earlier, having returned to Jingyang City, Zhao Hao seldom came to the Pill Pavilion anymore.
Zhao Hao was also not that completely stupid-his cooperation with the Pill Pavilion with regard to the Smoke Cloud Powder did not break off.
Not only that; he also provided the Pill Pavilion with a new pill formula for a type of spirit medicine, working together on propagating it.
Over this period of time, Zhao Hao’s performance had been getting more and more outstanding, having already caused his position in the eyes of the people of the Eastern Tang Kingdom to rise.
No one would previously have thought that a black horse like that would actually suddenly domineeringly appear in the fight for the position of Crown Prince between the First Prince Zhao Yuan and the Third Prince Zhao Sheng.
Zhao Hao’s outstanding performance would inevitably draw many focused gazes.
According to what Yan Zhaoge knew, Yan Xu had previously met with Zhao Hao in private, but had achieved no progress with him, at least on the surface.
Whether it was Yan Zhaoge or Yan Xu, both of them were of Broad Creed Mountain, while it was obvious that Gao Zhe, the Pill Fire Divine Sword of before, and Zhao Hao, the Eastern Tang’s current Sixteenth Prince, were hostile to Broad Creed Mountain from the start.
“Over this period of time, Zhao Hao has had contact with Infinite Boundless Mountain; they seem to be walking very closely together,” Ah Hu reported to Yan Zhaoge.
Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, “As expected.”
As the Eastern Tang Kingdom lay within the territory of the Heaven Domain, Broad Creed Mountain naturally had the most control here.
Like a ferocious dragon crossing the seas, the Sacred Sun Clan’s encroachment on the Eastern Tang was also very deep.
In comparison, the Sacred Ground who sat supreme over the Mountain Domain, Infinite Boundless Mountain, was much more low-profile in the Eastern Tang. However, if one thought that Infinite Boundless Mountain was a benevolent entity, that might not actually be the case.
Like the Sacred Sun Clan, the Infinite Boundless Mountain was similarly encroaching on the Eastern Tang Kingdom, just that they lacked a good opportunity to do so more successfully.
And for Zhao Hao, while he would not choose Broad Creed Mountain, he also could not choose the Sacred Sun Clan, which already had Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie.
After all, Zhao Shilie was a Martial Grandmaster. While Zhao Hao displayed a shocking potential, it was still unknown when he could catch up to him.
Under such circumstances, it would naturally be impossible for the Sacred Sun Clan to forsake Zhao Shilie for him, Zhao Hao.
If he was willing to be Zhao Shilie’s assistant, the Sacred Sun Clan would actually be willing. However, Zhao Hao was obviously unwilling to be under someone else.
What he wanted was the Eastern Tang throne, to have his words hold the greatest weight, taking much of the country’s resources to aid him in his cultivation so that he would quickly reach his past peak once again, maybe even surpassing that.
Zhao Shicheng was already putting in effort in rearing him, but he obviously wanted much more.
Under such circumstances, Zhao Hao and Infinite Boundless Mountain naturally clicked instantly.
“His thoughts have already deviated from Uncle Zhao’s. Without us even having to say anything, Uncle Zhao will naturally handle it.”
Yan Zhaoge said mildly, “Even if Infinite Boundless Mountain wants to stand by the conflict between our Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan and reap some benefits from the side, it also won’t be that easy.”
“Continue watching closely. If there is anything, report it back quickly.”
Hearing his words, Ah Hu nodded, “Yes Young Master.”
…………
Within the Jin mansion, Zhao Shilie had a grave expression on his face as he looked at the golden-robed Elder before him, “So, it will be happening soon?”
The golden-robed Elder replied, “It might not be so soon. You just need to make your preparations and wait quietly for the time to come.”
Zhao Shilie asked, “The abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss are no trivial matter. Now that we are surer that they were artificially induced, if the matter truly has a connection with Hell…”
The golden-robed Elder said, “No matter; my Sacred Sun Clan has already especially dispatched experts to the outskirts of Hell to maintain surveillance over the area.”
“The East Rising Lord and I will be here as well, and will also be paying attention to the Sealing Dragon Abyss at all times. If a major incident really takes place, we will deal with it as necessary.”
“However, the good opportunity that the changes in the Sealing Dragon Abyss have created should also be grasped.”
The golden-robed Elder stood with his hands behind his back, “Crisis, crisis, how does one define crisis? Where danger and opportunity coexist-that is crisis. Only seeing the opportunity and diving in recklessly greedy for reward or only seeing the danger and standing there uselessly without moving forward; both are the actions of a fool.”
Zhao Shilie was also not a timid person who shrunk back from everything. Seeing that the Sacred Sun Clan had already set in place preparations with regard to the Sealing Dragon Abyss as well as Hell, he was relieved.
He fell silent for a moment, before asking, “Still, if we really want to kill Yan Zhaoge…”
The golden-robed Elder said mildly, “Isn’t there still that Zhao Hao and Infinite Boundless Mountain?”
HSSB72: Late outer aura stage—stepping into the air!
Because of the matter with Feng Yunsheng, the relationship between Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan had been very strained in recent days.
In the land of the Eastern Tang, the tension between the two sides completely came out into the open—sparks flew as the two sides clashed on all fronts constantly.
From the viewpoint of the outside world, if there hadn’t been the unceasing abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss on the side, the two Sacred Grounds might already long since been at blows.
Having left Jingyang City, Elder Qin and the Sacred Sun Clan’s East Rising Lord clashed once again in the vicinity of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
The result was that neither side was able to do anything to the other, because their fight could have affected the nearby Sealing Dragon Abyss. Adding on the fact that the abnormalities there had intensified, the two sides finally decided to end things for now.
As the focal member that everyone was debating over, Yan Zhaoge had been extremely low-key these past few months, holing up at home and seldom coming out.
Still, the life that Yan Zhaoge passed was as fulfilling as before—cultivating to improve himself, working on his alchemical skills, and performing Internal Crystal Furnace research.
Other than that, Yan Zhaoge also kept track of what he had asked Ah Hu to take note of earlier.
“Young Master, it is indeed as you expected,” Ah Hu said, standing before Yan Zhaoge. “Rumours have now begun spreading that Ye Jing and Miss Lin had still held feelings for each other. You were shocked and angered because of it and accidentally beat Miss Lin to death as a result.”
“Before this, what happened to Ye Jing in the Sealing Dragon Abyss was also because of you having secretly harmed him due to your burning jealousy.”
Ah Hu looked towards Yan Zhaoge. “Young Master, as you said earlier, does this means that Ye Jing has fallen into Yan Xu’s hands?”
Sitting on his chair, Yan Zhaoge’s fingers gently rapped on the table surface as his eyes narrowed into slits. “The possibility of that is very high.”
“He definitely won’t let me have the chance to confront Ye Jing directly.” Yan Zhaoge propped up his leg. “I’m afraid that he really wants to kill me this time.”
From when the Sacred Sun Clan had come knocking up till now, for a very long period of time, Yan Xu had been very well-behaved.
While he wouldn’t go out of his way to be tolerant to Yan Zhaoge, he also wouldn’t come finding trouble for him, appearing perfectly normal.
Some would think that this was because Elder Qin remained in the Eastern Tang, while others believed that it was because the pressure Elder Qin had previously placed on Yan Xu had deterred him sufficiently.
As Yan Zhaoge saw it, however, this was the calm before the storm.
What was coming were wild winds and violent storms that would be even more ferocious, like when a person’s attack increases in ferocity upon retracting his fist to prepare for a next strike.
Ah Hu drew back the corners of his mouth. “He’s waiting for a chance to fish in troubled waters, but there might not actually be such a chance.”
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, “The Sacred Sun Clan has always been watching hungrily from the side, while Infinite Boundless Mountain is also watching us sneakily. What we see now is actually a very fragile peace.”
“Everyone is just waiting for an opportunity.”
After considering the matter for a bit, Yan Zhaoge turned his head to look at Ah Hu. “Elder Qin will be staying here at Overlooking Abyss City over this period of time?”
Ah Hu replied, “The abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss have been showing signs of intensifying. If nothing else especially big happens, Elder Qin will be remaining here.”
“The Sacred Sun Clan’s East Rising Lord is also nearby. However, he hasn’t come to find trouble again, probably because of his concerns regarding the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded. “I will be going into seclusion for a period of time. Unless Elder Qin moves, do not disturb me.”
Ah Hu scratched his head. “What for, Young Master?”
Yan Zhaoge only smiled, not speaking.
The others were all a little surprised by Yan Zhaoge’s decision.
At first, they thought that Yan Zhaoge was intending to forge some artifacts with his Internal Crystal Furnace. Later, they guessed that he wanted to cultivate in some martial art.
But as time passed, they suddenly found that Yan Zhaoge’s seclusion had exceeded a dozen or so days.
“It can’t be that he is planning to break through into the late outer aura Martial Scholar realm?” Someone couldn’t help but guess.
As these words were spoken, everyone else was so shocked that they all jumped before shaking their heads. “How is that possible?! It was only half a year ago that he stepped into the mid outer aura Martial Scholar realm. How would it then be possible that…”
As they continued, they suddenly all fell silent.
They had suddenly realized that it was just like this that Yan Zhaoge had stepped into the mid outer aura Martial Scholar realm not even a month after he had reached the early outer aura stage.
Such a speed was already not something that terrifying would be enough to describe.
From that angle, taking half a year to go from the mid to the late outer aura stage, didn’t really seem like it would be that hard for people to accept?
…accept your mother, who would be able to accept it!
Everyone couldn’t help but want to break out into curses.
“Who knows what special means he used initially when breaking through from the early to the mid outer aura stage in order to hurriedly see short-term gains?” Someone said in a low tone, then snorted.
After everyone had clearly seen who that person was, their expressions were all a little complicated.
It was the previous Acting Elder of the Spirit Wind Canyon, Wen Ningzhi.
Earlier, when the investigation had ended, Wen Ningzhi had finally still managed to pass through it by the skin of his teeth, only having been punished for neglecting his duties, but at least having finally been cleared of having consorted with the enemy.
However, while he was still an Assignment Hall Elder now, he didn’t have an actual position to act in, thus being an idle person who just followed by the Eastern Tang Principal Elder Yan Xu’s side, waiting for his orders.
The Acting Elder positions with actual power in the various lands were always occupied, without having any extra spots.
With Elder Qin there watching over them, Yan Xu also couldn’t really make arrangements for Wen Ningzhi now. Therefore, Wen Ningzhi could only stay idle there.
It was even unclear whether he would still be able to continue staying on in the Eastern Tang after this.
Perhaps the faction of Yan Zhaoge’s second apprentice-uncle Fang Zhun, Yan Xu included, still trusted Wen Ningzhi, but he had inevitably been tagged with the ‘incompetent’ label.
The future ahead of him was totally dark.
Wen Ningzhi said in a heavy tone, “The Sacred Sun Clan has the method of sending the Divine Sun Needle into the body. While such techniques are few and far between within the Eight Extremities World, there are still a number of them.”
“Perhaps faced with the pressure of the late outer aura Martial Scholar Xiao Shen at that time, Yan Zhaoge chose to employ a method which would see him making quick but short-term gains, being like drinking poison to sate thirst. That would also be a very normal thing.”
“Just that like this, his future cultivation will definitely be affected as a result!”
“The heavens are balanced—how could all the good things be enjoyed by one person?”
Some people gazed at Wen Ningzhi mockingly, feeling that he probably loathed the sight of Yan Zhaoge because of what he had suffered at his hands before.
Many others, though, had the same thought well up within their minds.
Otherwise, only taking a month to break through from the early to the mid outer aura stage indicated a cultivation speed that would really be a piece of extremely shocking news which completely went against common sense.
And it was also not an ordinary person’s common sense. Even in the world of geniuses, this was also an impossible feat.
Someone sighed lightly by the side, “Even if such is indeed the case, there was nothing that could have been done about it, right? Even having to face troubles later on, it would still be better than having been killed or wounded by Xiao Shen right on the spot.”
Between his words, everyone’s hearts suddenly moved.
Looking over, they saw someone walking in—that person was precisely Yan Zhaoge.
“What is everyone conversing about so happily?” Yan Zhaoge asked with a smile on his face.
Someone went up to meet him, “Zhaoge, you’ve left seclusion? It sure took you long enough…”
His words suddenly broke off mid-way, as though his voice had been cut in half by a pair of scissors.
Some others looked over and were also immediately frozen, their mouths unconsciously gaping wide and their eyes staring till they turned round.
Wen Ningzhi frowned. Looking over from the back row, he only felt that Yan Zhaoge’s height seemed to be somewhat higher than before.
After struggling his way through the stunned, dazed crowd, making it to the front row, and clearly seeing what was going on, he nearly lost it and fainted right on the spot.
Yan Zhaoge’s height had not actually increased. It was only that he was currently suspended in the air, with more than a foot between his feet and the ground.
“Having broken through successfully, I naturally left seclusion,” Yan Zhaoge said carelessly as he walked towards the crowd.
The distance of a foot was naturally not Yan Zhaoge’s hovering limit. However, in this type of occasion, it was already enough.
If his body could hover temporarily within the air, he would also be able to keep himself moving continuously airborne with the help of his qi.
This was precisely the trademark of a late outer aura Martial Scholar!
TN: Boom! Come on, who was surprised? Admit it!
HSSB73: The time to shine has come once again
While Yan Zhaoge appeared completely ordinary on the outside, his body currently contained an explosive power.
Within each of the acupoints on his body, there seemed to be coiling an ice dragon as well as a fire dragon.
Fire and ice intersected like yin and yang, complementing each other and benefiting from each other’s strengths as each cycle passed.
In the time it took to lift a hand or raise a leg, it was like there were innumerable ice and fire dragons moving about impatiently together.
Having reached the front of the crowd, Yan Zhaoge finally landed on the ground, bowing in greeting.
Only now did everyone finally recover from their dazed, stunned state, though the way they looked at Yan Zhaoge now was, understandably, extremely weird.
He had taken a month before achieving his breakthrough from the early to the mid outer aura stage, then spent half a year before once again breaking through into the late outer aura stage.
At first glance, the speed of the latter seemed to have decreased.
But everyone present knew that the former required achieving a certain epiphany and level of understanding before one could break through the bottleneck and form weapons with their qi, whereas the latter required lots of pure, grinding effort, accumulating and refining one’s aura-qi to a certain point before the breakthrough could be successful.
From a certain perspective, what was needed was just a lot of time.
However, in such a time-consuming process, Yan Zhaoge had actually also surpassed people by so, so much, having completed it in a far shorter time.
“How exactly did he manage it?” Everyone could only feel dizzy as their heads spun, “Could it still be said that there was a shortcut for this?”
Like the Sacred Sun Clan’s Divine Sun Needle technique, as long as it was a technique that helped one to progress using such unnatural ways, it would generally by followed by some severe side-effects. Oftentimes, the cost would be greater than the benefits. Unless there was no other choice, no one would choose to utilise such methods.
Also, such methods could not be used more than once. After having been used the first time, the side-effects it would leave behind would eliminate the possibility of using it ever again.
Therefore, the way everyone was looking at Yan Zhaoge now was like how they would look at a monster.
Yan Zhaoge pretended not to notice this. Taking to the air and levitating had been to show off his new cultivation base. Now that this goal had already been achieved, he no longer had to express anything about it in words.
What words could he say?
Just take a glance and figure it out for yourself.
“En, it should be just like this.” Yan Zhaoge was very satisfied with the effect, thus completely not mentioning the topic that the crowd had been discussing previously, instead asking like nothing had happened, “Everyone gathering here—could it be that something major has happened?”
The others awakened one by one, one of them answering, “The black fog within the Sealing Dragon Abyss has been rapidly expanding once again, even more densely than before. Even ordinary Martial Scholars are finding it hard to approach.”
“With the abnormalities in the Sealing Dragon Abyss having intensified, Elder Qin, Elder Yan and the others are preparing to venture deep into the Sealing Dragon Abyss and suppress the black fog, as well as investigate the situation.”
The scale of the abnormalities this time was something that had never been seen before.
But to Broad Creed Mountain, the Sacred Sun Clan as well as the Eastern Tang Kingdom, it was also a good chance to settle the problem for good.
If they only treated the symptoms rather than the root, it would turn into a long-term problem, involving even more of their attention in the future.
Before this, the few powers had always been observing from the side, just waiting for the problem of the Sealing Dragon Abyss to completely erupt out for good before moving once to see where the cause of the symptoms lay, thus resolving the situation.
At the same time, the root of the problem should lie in Hell.
Yan Zhaoge nodded. He had exited seclusion at just the right time.
Not speaking unnecessarily, Yan Zhaoge and the others went together to meet Elder Qin as well as the other high-level experts of Broad Creed Mountain.
Other than Elder Qin and Yan Xu, Broad Creed Mountain also had a long-time Elder who had hurried over to the East Heaven Region to help keep an eye on the Sacred Sun Clan. He was likewise a longtime Martial Grandmaster, possessing strong ability.
Seeing Yan Zhaoge, Elder Qin said, “This time, you shouldn’t enter the Sealing Dragon Abyss along with this old man and the others.”
“In such a critical period, it’s very hard to say what actions the Sacred Sun Clan will take. Our clan places caution as a priority—we cannot afford to not stand vigilant against them.”
Yan Zhaoge answered, “I understand.”
That Elder who had just arrived from Broad Creed Mountain remained outside to hold down the formation as well as look after Yan Zhaoge, also monitoring the Sacred Sun Clan’s movements in the meantime.
Yan Xu, being naturally familiar with the situation as the Principal Elder of the Eastern Tang, was also left to assist with the situation outside.
Elder Qin and the others were thus set to venture into the depths of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
From the Eastern Tang, their King, Zhao Shicheng, would also venture there personally.
Although, as king, he shouldn’t take the risk himself and stand at the frontlines like a simple foot soldier, he was duty-bound to participate as he was the only one who could activate the power of Jingyang City’s grand formation from a long distance away.
The lands of the Eastern Tang were firmly connected with the Sealing Dragon Abyss. As Jingyang City was the central area where all of the power of the Eastern Tang Kingdom’s earth veins congregated, it would be of great help to the expedition.
In order to prepare for the worst, the group of Broad Creed Mountain experts led by Elder Qin would travel alongside Zhao Shicheng and the other Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Sun Clan also transmitted over the news that due to the fact that Hell along with the Sealing Dragon Abyss was a major, pressing issue, a group of their experts led by the East Rising Lord would also be venturing into the depths of the Sealing Dragon Abyss.
Infinite Boundless Mountain similarly sent news that they would not ignore this matter.
As the news was sent over, the Eastern Tang Kingdom citizens who were hovering on the brink of danger yet having a limited knowledge of the true situation naturally all rejoiced and danced in celebration.
At this moment, on the surface, the three Sacred Grounds looked like they had reached a common agreement and forgotten what had happened in the past between them.
But the inside story was something only that those involved would themselves know.
Standing on the ramparts of Overlooking Abyss City, gazing far away, Yan Zhaoge could see the contours of the Luliao Mountains. At the same time, in another direction but still close to them, he saw an area with a thick black fog rising into the heavens.
Half of the entire sky appeared to have been enveloped by it.
Standing by Yan Zhaoge’s side, Ah Hu’s expression was more grave than usual. “If the aura cannot be externalised, it would even be impossible to go near its outskirts.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his chin. “The crucial point actually lies with Hell. The various Sacred Grounds have already dispatched some peak experts over to investigate, with the lineup being even more terrifying over on this side. From our clan, my father headed out personally.”
Ah Hu stroked his chin as well in a copycat manner. “With the Family Head moving personally, there shouldn’t be any problems, right? The other Sacred Grounds probably also sent over their top bigwigs.”
Yan Zhaoge looked around his surroundings. “It’s with me that there might easily be problems.”
“I have now become professional bait, specially used to get people on the hook.”
“Earlier, it was the Crimson Spirit Flag Master. Now, it is the Sacred Sun Clan’s people.”
Ah Hu frowned, “Young Master, there have been no news of the Crimson Spirit Flag Master for such a long time. It can’t be that he will also come over to fish in troubled waters this time?”
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, “To him, the water here is already too troubled to fish in. With three Sacred Grounds staring at this region of the Eastern Tang, it would be completely impossible for him to sneak himself in.”
“As soon as he appeared, he would die immediately.”
“Although Elder Qin has entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Elder Kong is waiting outside specifically for the people of the Sacred Sun Clan.”
Ah Hu gave a simple laugh. “Young Master, your time to shine has come once again.”
“Get lost!” Yan Zhaoge scolded laughingly, “In your eyes, do I only ever rely on this kind of method to shine?”
After having finished laughing, Yan Zhaoge asked, “Back to serious matters—has the news been sent out yet?”
Ah Hu also stopped laughing and replied with a serious expression, “It was sent out as soon as Elder Qin and the others entered the Sealing Dragon Abyss.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, then looked towards the distance as he muttered to himself, “If he wants to move, it should be with this wave. What I am interested in is—how does Yan Xu intend to deal with me?”
As time passed, the faraway black fog roiled, its momentum seemingly growing to the point of wanting to surge into the heavens.
Who knows how long after, the black fog suddenly shook vigorously, before a bright, dazzling light rose up from within it, charging straight up towards the horizon!
Everyone from Overlooking Abyss City who had been paying close attention to the situation all let out a sigh of relief.
Although the situation was unclear, the momentum of the black fog was obviously gradually getting under control.
But Yan Zhaoge very quickly received yet another piece of news.
Upon receiving this piece of news, his good mood that had been borne from the situation within the Sealing Dragon Abyss falling under control, completely vanished.
“The King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng, met with danger in the Sealing Dragon Abyss!”
