HSSB83: Plans cannot keep up with changes
Everyone’s discussions were heard by Yan Zhaoge, but at this moment, he wasn’t in the mood to boast of his success.
While helping Ah Hu to adjust his body’s condition, a part of Yan Zhaoge’s mind was still focused on the reversal formation.
At this moment, Zhao Shicheng’s features had already returned to normal. With the power of the entire grand formation supporting him, it was much easier for him to recuperate from his injuries.
Seeing this, Yan Zhaoge also set his heart at ease.
Ah Hu’s breathing recovered to normal as the Divine Sun Needles clattered to the ground all around him.
He opened his eyes, grimacing as he said, “Luckily, in coming out this time, I wore the spirit artifact bestowed to me by the Family Head. Otherwise, I would really have been finished.”
Seeing that he was already fine, Yan Zhaoge laughed, “How was the taste of the Sun Rain?”
Ah Hu grinned, “Pretty vicious.”
Yan Zhaoge retrieved a cylinder, precisely that very Sun Rain, “This thing is insidious. Although it will be a little troublesome having to refill it every time it is used, is power is indeed something.”
“You can take it out to play in the future; whoever you launch a sneak attack on, you can even let the Sacred Sun Clan take the blame for you.”
Hearing this, everyone didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.
Ah Hu, however, accepted it over happily, “Young Master, this plan is good.”
“In the future, whoever Young Master doesn’t like the look of, I’ll give him a good one.”
Naturally, the two were only kidding.
Yan Zhaoge came before Zhao Shicheng.
From his appearance alone, there were already no abnormalities whatsoever on Zhao Shicheng, as if he had already made all but a complete recovery from his injuries.
Having helped to treat his injuries earlier, Yan Zhaoge had already imparted to him a portion of the Heaven-Thwarting Mantra.
At this moment, able to draw on the power of the grand formation, Zhao Shicheng’s rate of recovery was naturally very quick. While he had still yet to fully recover, his earlier wounds already no longer hindered him.
Zhao Shicheng gazed at Yan Zhaoge, slowly nodding his head, “Zhaoge, it was all thanks to you this time; if not for you, I wouldn’t have been able to wrest back control of the Jingyang Grand Formation so quickly.”
Everyone was jolted by his words, as the gazes with which they looked at Yan Zhaoge were now filled with praise as well as marvel.
It was precisely Yan Zhaoge’s methods which had allowed this situation to make a complete turnaround, almost to the point of bringing one back from the dead.
Not mentioning the fact that his personal strength as well as talent was far above the rest, he had also displayed an ability to turn the raging tides through his vigorous efforts. Really, they should no longer view this youth as a member of the younger generation who rose to prominence rather late.
Such methods, such personal value-how could they be something that an outer aura Martial Scholar could weigh?
Yan Zhaoge bowed towards Zhao Shicheng, “Uncle is erroneously praising me; it all still depended on Uncle’s role as a central pillar earlier.”
“This reversal formation is just something that I happened by by chance; while it might be useful now, it might not always be useful in the future.”
Zhao Shicheng said, “If you want to talk about central pillars, you should first look at your side’s Elder Qin, Elder Kong and them.”
“If their fight with the East Rising Lord is decided within a short period of time, the situation will still change greatly.”
Pondering deeply, Yan Zhaoge suppressed his voice with his aura-qi, sending over a sound transmission to Zhao Shicheng, “Uncle, I have a feeling that something is wrong, that we have to leave this Spirit Wind Canyon as soon as possible.”
Zhao Shicheng’s gaze flickered slightly.
Yan Zhaoge said in a low tone, “The attitude that Xiao Shen had on before he died did not seem like he was blustering and making empty claims, or perhaps cursing me due to his anger. It seemed like he was truly completely sure that I would follow in his footsteps very quickly.”
“This makes me very concerned. I know that having just gotten back control of the grand formation, you still need some time to stabilise it. However, I’m afraid that we’ll have to leave this place first.”
Ah Hu had also only just gotten back his breath, the extent of his injuries still unknown. However, Yan Zhaoge also did not leave any time for him; they could only see about that after they had left.
Zhao Shicheng glanced at Yan Zhaoge, not asking any questions as he directly agreed, “Alright, let’s leave first.”
While the Eastern Tang Kingdom martial practitioners were worried about Zhao Shicheng’s condition, they also hoped that he would quickly return to Jingyang City to oversee its affairs, where it would be convenient to cleanse the kingdom of Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie and his group of insurgents.
On the other hand, it was also in Jingyang City that Zhao Shicheng could completely unleash the power of the grand formation at its maximum level.
Moreover, the movements of Infinite Boundless Mountain were still unclear.
Though, most likely, there was probably a Martial Grandmaster expert stronger than that Elder He lying in wait somewhere within the lands of the Eastern Tang.
Not wasting any time caring about rest, they departed immediately.
As they were walking, Yan Zhaoge looked towards Xu Chuan, sending him a sound transmission, “Elder Xu, those in the valley who know about the secret of the Cloud-Veined Crystals…”
Xu Chuan smiled, “Young Master Yan, you can rest easy. Before you lot arrived here, I already sent them collectively away, finding a safe place to settle them down.”
As long as the secret was not exposed, even if the enemy let out their frustrations on the Spirit Wind Canyon, destroying its various installations, the quarry that was located deep underground could still be re-opened and mined in the future.
Yan Zhaoge nodded. Xu Chuan was an extremely alert person, also possessing a strong decision-making ability. Helping him up previously had indeed been a right choice.
If Xu Chuan’s cultivation could reach an even higher level, his father could indeed devote some effort to grooming him, helping him to walk up to even great heights.
Yan Zhaoge instructed, “While we have already retreated, closely keep an eye on the movements within the Spirit Wind Canyon.”
While Xu Chuan found this a little weird, he still went to pass down these instructions.
Having heard Yan Zhaoge’s words, Zhao Shicheng asked him through a sound transmission, “You are worried that there are even stronger experts of the Sacred Sun Clan nearby. But if there were such people present earlier, why did they not make a move?”
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes, saying in a light tone, “If there really were experts who could launch an attack within a short period of time, that would correspond with Xiao Shen’s unusual behaviour before he died.”
“If it is like that, I think I can guess what they want to do.”
Yan Zhaoge sucked in a deep breath, “Keep from moving beforehand to avoid startling us, but lay in ambush nearby, in case Xiao Shen and the others are unable to kill us. I having killed Xiao Shen was only an accident in their eyes.”
“Originally, it was only meant as a supplementary move in case anything went wrong. However, due to the reversal formation, we turned the tables on them in an instant, killing off their first wave into retreat without the situation even falling into a stalemate, whereupon they retreated immediately.”
“They wanted my death to look a little more natural, as if it was only caused by the personal enmity between me and Xiao Shen.”
“That would be beneficial towards obscuring their true goal.”
Zhao Shicheng looked at Yan Zhaoge, “True goal?”
Yan Zhaoge’s gaze was deep and distant, “We have possibly still underestimated their appetite.”
“Killing me would only be a beginning; even the Eastern Tang would only be something they conveniently got along the way. What they want, is far more than I had predicted.”
The Sacred Sun Clan’s people had only been temporarily forced into a retreat. Seeing Yan Zhaoge and the others leaving the Spirit Wind Canyon, they hurriedly attempted to pursue and attack them.
They did not care about killing or injuring Yan Zhaoge and his party; it was only to get ahold of their trail and not lose track of them completely.
Seeing the way they looked, Yan Zhaoge now felt even more certain that the Sacred Sun Clan most likely had a peak expert in the vicinity, having already hurried over here.
If they could not lose their tail, with the other side’s superior speed, they would definitely catch up in not too long a time.
However, this was, after all, the land of the Eastern Tang, within the Heaven Domain.
With their stronger ability as well as their desire to avoid battle, they quickly made use of the surrounding geography to lose their pursuers.
After that, some news were transmitted over via a secret channel.
Almost as soon as Yan Zhaoge and the others had left, high-ranking experts of the Sacred Sun Clan had entered the Spirit Wind Canyon!
Counting in the time they had used to shake off their pursuers, they had cut it really close indeed.
Yan Zhaoge let out a long breath, his gaze becoming firm and bright, smiling as he looked towards Zhao Shicheng, “Uncle, let us move separately here on out.”
“The enemy’s target is me, but you too have to be careful.”
“Returning to Jingyang City would be equivalent to giving the enemy a definite target.”
Zhao Shicheng’s gaze froze, “I could also be targeted, yet not because of the Eastern Tang? If it’s like this…”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “It’s good that you know; do not spread the matter.”
“If the Sacred Sun Clan wants to play it big, then let’s just play with them,” Yan Zhaoge smiled, “As the old adage goes, plans cannot keep up with changes.”
Hearing this, Zhao Shicheng’s gaze shook slightly, as he stared silently at Yan Zhaoge.
As Yan Zhaoge met his gaze calmly, Zhao Shicheng nodded slowly, “Alright. Remember to be cautious in all matters; do not forget about your own personal safety.”
“Zhaoge firmly remembers Uncle’s teachings,” Yan Zhaoge answered, “I will properly pay attention to and grasp the balance between concealing our movements and drawing the enemy’s attention.”
Watching as Zhao Shicheng departed, Yan Zhaoge sent a sound transmission to Ah Hu, passing him a few instructions.
The Ah Hu who would definitely not head west when the Young Master said to head east or catch a chicken when the Young Master said to beat a dog, fell into a slightly dazed state.
As if he had bitten his own tongue, his voice continuously stuttered, “You…Youn…Young Master, isn’t this a little…”
HSSB84: Life is like a stage, fully dependent on one’s acting skills!
Watching the Ah Hu who appeared as though he had bitten his tongue, Yan Zhaoge laughed, shaking his head, “What are you so tensed up about?”
“You just need to report the information we currently have on hand as well as my conjecture. The final plan as well as decision-we can just wait for their notification.”
“If they want to start a big show, we’ll just continue acting the rest of it out.”
“If they want to be conservative, we’ll just immediately hide wherever’s safe. After all, this isn’t the Fire Domain. Even if the Sacred Sun Clan’s people want to dig a few metres deep into the ground in order to search us out, it also won’t be that easy.”
Listening to Yan Zhaoge’s words, Ah Hu grimaced as though his teeth hurt a little, “Young Master, we’re really playing a little too big this time. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn’t be something that someone at our level could stick a hand in.”
“If we are even slightly careless, even if the general victory goes to our Broad Creed Mountain, you yourself could also be sacrificed in the process.”
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge laughed, “Whether or not the effort is worth it, depends on whether or not the potential gains are huge enough.”
Retracting his smile, he said slowly, “No matter how many times he comes, I would also slaughter that Xiao Shen, never ever going soft on him.”
“However, in terms of the clan’s overall power, we are indeed a step behind the Sacred Sun Clan. If we don’t think of a way to make up for this gap and just go on as usual, we would be lagging behind with every step.”
“After all, the Sacred Sun Clan is also progressing, and will not just stand still waiting for us. Conversely, they will make use of their lead to try to weaken us as much as possible.”
Yan Zhaoge looked at Ah Hu, “It is actually you who shouldn’t take the risk with me, lest you be inadvertently harmed in the process.”
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “I’ll definitely be following you, Young Master.”
“Anyway, if there were to be no one at all by your side, that would be too abnormal.”
“Our immediately leaving the Spirit Wind Canyon could still be attributed to us being concerned about the situation over at the Eastern Tang; our enemy might not suspect anything. However, if you move alone, they will immediately know that their plan has already been exposed.
Yan Zhaoge patted his shoulders, “Go and relay the news first; we’ll make further plans then.”
Ah Hu nodded, “Yes, Young Master.”
The group from Broad Creed Mountain moved stealthily, making many twists and turns to avoid the notice of the Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners.
The Sacred Sun Clan mostly had a clear idea of whatever industries their side possessed in the Eastern Tang. Now, there was strict monitoring going on everywhere, especially on the road back to Jingyang City.
However, Broad Creed Mountain had after all operated here for many years, also possessing the support of the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng. A few secret industries as well as gathering points were something that the Sacred Sun Clan was not privy to.
As Yan Zhaoge had thought, if they devoted all their efforts to hiding in the Heaven Domain, the Sacred Sun Clan would be hard-pressed to find them within a short period of time.
This was unless the Eastern Tang completely fell under their control, allowing them to completely search through the entire area with the patience of plowing land.
A few days later, Xu Chuan came to find Yan Zhaoge, “Young Master Yan, King Zhao and the others went to Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie’s fief!”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Good move.”
“Our concealing ourselves and not returning to Jingyang City could still be understood, but as the head of a kingdom, if Uncle Zhao did not return to his own capital, it would inevitably raise suspicion.”
“However, if he instead made a trip to Zhao Shilie’s fief, going there and back, he would have bought much time cleanly and without leaving any traces behind.”
“Zhao Shilie was injured by Uncle, his connection with the Jingyang Grand Formation completely severed.”
“Without the Jingyang Grand Formation, remaining in Jingyang City would be like waiting for Uncle to come back, close the doors and beat the dog. His only option would be to retreat to his own fief and wait for an opportunity to arise once more-awaiting that moment when the battle between the East Rising Lord and Elder Qin is finally decided.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, “The Sacred Sun Clan must have supported Zhao Shilie with a considerable amount of resources.”
“Uncle raiding his old nest and getting whatever he requires from it, he would then be able to use it to fix whatever was damaged.”
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan nodded, “Having failed to obtain the Jingyang Grand Formation, the role that Zhao Shilie will be able to play in this war has fallen to a very limited one.”
“The Sacred Sun Clan’s peak experts having their fair share of problems to deal with, they most likely don’t have the time to care about him. Zhao Shilie can only hole up and peacefully await the moment where everything has been settled before emerging once again.”
“If the East Rising Lord and the other experts of the Sacred Sun Clan obtain victory, Jingyang City would still find it hard to defend itself. Zhao Shilie could naturally then rise back up behind the East Rising Lord and the others.”
“If the East Rising Lord’s side is defeated, Zhao Shilie will decisively retreat into the Fire Domain, requesting the protection of the Sacred Sun Clan.”
Xu Chuan looked at Yan Zhaoge somewhat hesitantly, “However, if as Young Master Yan predicted, the Sacred Sun Clan has experts other than what we had predicted earlier lying hidden in wait, also having some sort of scheme, over at Zhao Shilie’s fief…”
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, “They already don’t see anything in Zhao Shilie’s bunch.”
“Moreover…” Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes, “Moreover, I having killed Xiao Shen, their primary target should now be me.”
Saying thus, he turned to look at Xu Chuan, “I have troubled Elder Xu and my fellow Broad Creed Mountain disciples in accompanying me in taking this risk.”
Xu Chuan smiled, “Young Master Yan is being too serious; I believe that Young Master Yan will definitely prosper despite facing danger.”
Yan Zhaoge glanced at him, “Why do you say that?”
Xu Chuan sent over a sound transmission, “While the Sacred Sun Clan has experts present, Young Master Yan should also have something that you are leaning on, isn’t it?”
“Young Master Yan killing Xiao Shen should only have been an accident; perhaps the original target you were aiming for wasn’t the Sacred Sun Clan. I suspect that it’s…”
Xu Chuan’s finger traced out a ‘Yan’ character in the air[1].
Yan Zhaoge slowly shook his head, “This matter concerns some confidential information; even I myself am not too sure on the exact details of the situation.”
“However, you had best not be too optimistic. Travelling together with me, the situation that you lot will face might very possibly be worse than the worst case scenario you have pictured.”
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan was slightly taken aback.
However, he didn’t go further to question Yan Zhaoge, instead answering with a stern expression on his face, “As one of the clan’s Acting Elders in the Eastern Tang, with outside enemies having invaded, I am duty-bound to stand on the frontlines. Even if I die as a result, it would be because it was in my fate to face this tribulation.”
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, “While it is said that way, sometimes, when temporarily giving up would be a wise choice, the sin of not having battled should not be pursued.”
“As for me, I was born in Broad Creed Mountain, my father being one of the most important Elders of the clan. I share the clan’s honour and glory and have enjoyed the clan’s resources as well as granted privileges, with the clan protecting me from the wind and the rain.”
“Thus, when I am required to stand out to do something for the clan, I definitely won’t shrink back.”
“Dying pointlessly in doing something with no value at all is something that I definitely won’t do. However, taking risks-I’m fine with that.”
Yan Zhaoge looked at Xu Chuan, “However, the lot of you have no need to accompany me in doing so.”
Xu Chuan answered solemnly, “Young Master Yan can rest easy. I know the rules. What shouldn’t be asked, I won’t question.”
“As for the others, whether or not they are willing, I will also not force them. At the same time, I will also make the appropriate preparations, guaranteeing that no suspicions will be raised.”
“As long as I don’t end up being a burden instead, I myself, am willing to take this risk alongside Young Master Yan.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “You definitely won’t be a burden, Elder Xu. As a Xiantian Martial Scholar, your cultivation base is even stronger than mine.”
“However, the crux of the matter this time doesn’t lie with the level of our cultivation bases,” Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the distance, saying in a light tone, “The crux of the matter this time lies with keeping an accurate grasp on information, as well as the concealing of our true goal.”
“Life is like a stage, fully dependent on one’s acting skills ah!”
The last two sentences were said softly and in an obscured manner. Xu Chuan was unable to hear it clearly, as he could only look towards Yan Zhaoge with a blur expression on his face.
[1] Yan Xu’s ‘Yan’
HSSB85: Broad Creed Mountain’s pain
As they switched their hiding place once more, Ah Hu turned back and gazed into the distance.
This was the direction of the Spirit Wind Canyon, although it had long since gone out of sight.
Ah Hu said a little sorrily, “The surface installations of the Spirit Wind Canyon have all been destroyed. Still, fortunately, the various mining resources located underground, the Cloud-Veined Crystals included, were not damaged.”
Standing by the side, Xu Chuan was not really disturbed by this, “Even while the Sacred Sun Clan has gained control of that area, they also won’t go around causing wanton destruction. If they want to let out their anger, it isn’t to the point where they would let it all out on the little, unimportant Spirit Wind Canyon. Damaging some of the structures left behind by our clan and leaving some marks behind would already be about it.”
“As long as the secret of the Jade Essence is not leaked out, even if they occupy the Spirit Wind Canyon, it would also be for the ordinary mining of resources.”
Xu Chuan looked towards Yan Zhaoge, sighing as he said some words of praise, “Everyone under the heavens, previously all underestimated Young Master Yan.”
“Even not mentioning his important contributions like the Internal Crystal Furnace and the Cloud-Veined Crystals, his personal strength alone is something that the entire current younger generation would have to bow down before.”
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “It is laughable how before, they were still doubting my Young Master’s position as one of the current era’s Four Young Masters.”
“The Radiant Prince Huang Jie is but ranked alongside Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong as one of the Four Rising Suns, but while at the same cultivation level as Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong, my Young Master defeated them as easily as retrieving an object from his bag.”
Xu Chuan pondered as he said, “If it is the Radiant Prince Huang Jie, other than the fleeting news of him becoming a Martial Scholar that year, little information about him has been heard these past few years.”
“Be it as one of the Sacred Sun Clan’s Four Rising Suns or one of the current era’s Four Young Masters, the Radiant Prince is also the most secretive one. It is indeed a little hard to determine his current level of power.”
“Not counting the Radiant Prince, out of the Sacred Sun Clan’s Four Rising Suns, there is only the Shining Sword Tang Yonghao who might be able to contend with Young Master Yan a little, I guess.”
“But even if it is Tang Yonghao, it would probably be impossible for him to be like Young Master Yan, easily defeating Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong whilst at the same cultivation level.”
The Shining Sword Tang Yonghao, publicly recognised as the head of the Four Rising Suns, the oldest amongst the four.
At the same time, he was also the most famous genius of the Sacred Sun Clan’s younger generation.
The Radiant Prince Huang Jie keeping too much of a low profile, if not for the fact that he was the son of the current Clan Chief, his radiance would have been completely obscured by Tang Yonghao.
In the lands where the Sacred Sun Clan sat supreme, there were many who hailed Tang Yonghao as the current younger generation’s number one figure in the entire Eight Extremities World.
Not counting the Maidens of Extreme Yin whose situation was unique, not factoring anything else but only looking at a martial practitioner’s personal strength, Tang Yonghao towered over the younger generation of the Eight Extremities World.
Of course, were it in the Domains ruled by the other Sacred Grounds, this point definitely wouldn’t be admitted.
But everyone agreed that at the very least, Tang Yonghao was one of the strongest contenders for the younger generation’s number one figure.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Tang Yonghao has some real ability. However, as I see it, what’s harder to come by is that he does things in a somewhat open and aboveboard manner.”
“Still, if he wants to compete for the position of the younger generation’s number one figure, he’ll first have to be able to defeat our clan’s senior apprentice-brother Xu.”
Xu Chuan smiled, nodding.
The ‘Heavenly Roc’ Xu Fei of Broad Creed Mountain, of the same age as Tang Yonghao, the two having contested with each other ever since their youth all the way till they had become the outstanding geniuses of today. He was one of the leading figures of Broad Creed Mountain’s younger generation.
Yan Zhaoge shook his head as he broke out smiling as well. Thinking about it, Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, with the rivalry between their respective younger generations, could be described as neither being willing to give an inch to the other.
Xu Fei vs Tang Yonghao, Lu Wen vs Xiao Shen, the Yan Zhaoge of the past vs Chao Yuanlong, etcetera.
Continuing to look at those who were even younger, of their representative-type figures, Sikong Qing also bore the heavy responsibility of matching up against Meng Wan.
Looking up the age ladder, the enmities and rivalry also continued unceasingly.
Both sides either both had victories or defeats, or were always locked in a stalemate.
It was really ‘You are the wind and I am the sand, entangling entangling until the end’.
All these years, other than Yan Zhaoge’s father Yan Di who had completely suppressed all his peers, both sides had always been contesting on such terms.
Strictly speaking, not counting Yan Di’s batch, the Sacred Sun Clan had always still been holding the advantage.
This was the result of the Sacred Sun Clan’s advantage of being stronger overall.
Xu Chuan sighed, “I’ve heard that the old Clan Chief has the intention of going into death seclusion, just that it is unknown whether or not he will be able to become a Martial Saint.”
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge did not speak.
Not counting that Sacred Sun Saint of the legends who had gone missing, whether he was dead or alive a total mystery, what Broad Creed Mountain lacked in comparison to the Sacred Sun Clan was a Martial Saint.
That year, having resisted the invasion of the Flame Devil World, Broad Creed Mountain had suffered catastrophic losses.
Luckily, with the grace of their ancestors, with a Sacred Artifact guarding their clan, Broad Creed Mountain’s guardian formation, through the efforts of numerous generations, was impregnable.
One had to thank the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou, who, though having died, in the years that he had been in power, had helped Broad Creed Mountain to preserve the last of its original vitality.
Over the years, having built up and accumulated its strength, disciples had finally began coming in an endless stream again as Broad Creed Mountain gradually developed, at least not having devalued the name of the Sacred Grounds.
However, Broad Creed Mountain’s greatest pain was that after the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou had fallen, it had yet to produce even a single Martial Saint.
Transcending the impure and entering Sainthood-this was an extremely difficult task.
Even within the entire Eight Extremities World, the number of Martial Saints there currently were could be counted with one’s fingers.
Yan Zhaoge slowly said, “The injuries Grand Master received that year did still eventually leave behind some hidden problems for him, causing him to not be able to tread that very last step even after such a long time.”
Xu Chuan face was also filled with sympathy and regret.
Yan Zhaoge’s Grand Master, Broad Creed Mountain’s number one expert as well as its current Clan Chief, Heaven Equalling Yuan Zhengfeng.
He was publicly regarded as the first person below the Martial Saint realm in the entire Eight Extremities World, at the peak of the Martial Grandmaster realm, a longtime Transcending Impurity Martial Grandmaster.
With his excellent talent as well as fearsome martial prowess, becoming a Martial Saint would originally have been a minor issue for him.
However, in his younger years, he had been fundamentally damaged and had always been unable to remedy this, such that even after having entered the Transcending Impurity stage for many years, he had always been unable to take that final step and tread into the Martial Saint realm.
Even martial practitioners outside of Broad Creed Mountain often sighed in pity at how the old Clan Chief was just a paper-thin distance away from the Martial Saint realm, yet for him, taking that final step had the difficulty of crossing a lake of lightning.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Sun Clan had its former Clan Chief, the current Grand Elder ‘The Sun Comes East’ Huang Guanglie, also known as the East Coming Martial Saint.
The father of the Radiant Prince Huang Jie, the old Clan Chief Huang Guanglie’s son Huang Xu, was the current Chief of the Sacred Sun Clan, also a longtime Martial Grandmaster expert.
The Sacred Sun Clan was similarly protected by a Sacred Artifact. The combination of the Martial Saint Huang Guanglie and that Sacred Artifact together with Huang Xu and the other numerous experts of the Sacred Sun Clan who were constantly surfacing together gave the Sacred Sun Clan the power and authority of the current era’s top Sacred Ground.
Broad Creed Mountain was also unwilling to start a full-blown war with the Sacred Sun Clan as long as it wasn’t absolutely necessary due to very this reason.
The Sacred Sun Clan similarly kept Broad Creed Mountain’s development in their eyes, having constantly redoubled their efforts in keeping them in check all these years.
The two Sacred Ground’s current contest in the Eastern Tang this time was only a rather more intense clash of theirs.
Many years ago, Huang Guanglie had gone into secluded cultivation once again. When he emerged, it was unknown what changes would have come on him and hard to estimate how much his strength would have progressed.
Broad Creed Mountain’s Clan Chief Yuan Zhengfeng’s current intention to go into death seclusion in an attempt to break through into the Martial Saint realm was also due to the fact that the pressure the Sacred Sun Clan was exerting on them had been getting greater and greater in recent years.
Therefore, although Xiao Shen had first made a killing move, when Yan Zhaoge had really killed him, Xu Chuan and the others naturally had had complicated, unsettled feelings well up within their hearts.
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the distant horizon, in the direction of Broad Creed Mountain.
“The preparations are almost complete; after everything is in position, I can open the furnace and begin attempting to concoct the pill.”
HSSB86: Lacking most in time
For no matter what reason, Yan Zhaoge’s Grand Master, the Heaven Equalling Yuan Zhengfeng, was currently still only a Martial Grandmaster.
Under him, Broad Creed Mountain’s three most outstanding Martial Grandmasters were hailed as the Broad Creed Three Heroes.
First was Yan Zhaoge’s eldest apprentice-uncle, the First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain’s Disciplinary Hall, the ‘Iron Lion King’ Shi Tie.
Next was Yan Zhaoge’s second apprentice-uncle, the First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain’s Assignment Hall, ‘Hidden Dragon’ Fang Zhun.
Finally, there was Yan Zhaoge’s father, Yuan Zhengfeng’s Final Disciple, the current First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain’s Martial Inheritance Hall, Yan Di.
The four of them, coupled with the other experts of Broad Creed Mountain, meant that Broad Creed Mountain was actually superior to the Sacred Sun Clan in terms of the strength of their Martial Grandmasters.
Even excluding Yuan Zhengfeng, in the area of Martial Grandmasters, Broad Creed Mountain was in no way inferior to the Sacred Sun Clan.
But, sigh. There was still the Martial Saint Huang Guanglie above them.
Causing Broad Creed Mountain’s martial practitioners to be even more worried was the fact that Yuan Zhengfeng was gradually getting older.
Under normal circumstances, Yuan Zhengfeng could actually only be considered to be at his prime, rather than being old.
However, with the injuries he suffered that year having injured his very fundamentals, what was affected was not just merely whether or not he could become a Martial Saint. His unrecovered injuries had also been affecting his longevity.
As time passed and dragged on, hopes of Yuan Zhengfeng achieving his breakthrough into the Martial Saint realm correspondingly decreased.
Of Broad Creed Mountain’s other experts, within the elder generation, he himself was already the one with the most hope of succeeding in that breakthrough.
As for the senior generation with Yan Di at their head, there were also some who had hope of becoming a Martial Saint.
But even more so than Yuan Zhengfeng, they required more time as well as opportunities.
However, what Broad Creed Mountain currently lacked the most was just that-time.
First, they were facing the pressure of the Sacred Sun Clan. Next, there was also his own body to worry about. Due to these, the old Clan Chief Yuan Zhengfeng had no choice but to resolve himself.
He would try to step into the Martial Saint realm within a short period of time, and he would either succeed, or perish in the attempt.
As Yan Di’s son, Yan Zhaoge was completely clear on the situation within the clan.
He naturally knew what Broad Creed Mountain currently needed the most.
Yan Zhaoge’s store of knowledge grew as he increased in strength and carried out some analysis and research, making use of what he learnt as he combined pure theory with actual practicality.
How to create a Martial Saint was something that Yan Zhaoge was currently still in the process of researching.
Transcending impurities and achieving Sainthood-the difficulty of that was immense.
Even if there was a way, in the current Eight Extremities World, the required resources as well as environmental conditions were also very hard to fulfil.
However, treating the problem by its root.
Ever since Yan Zhaoge had arrived in this world and came to understand the environment he had been placed in, the area of research he had given the most priority to was how to treat the old Clan Chief, Yuan Zhengfeng’s old injuries.
He had spent far more time and effort on this than on the Internal Crystal Furnace and such, just that the difficulty of this matter was also higher.
If he succeeded, it would not just be about Yuan Zhengfeng having his injuries healed. He would also be able to attempt his breakthrough into the Martial Saint realm with a greater assurance of success.
The pressure brought about by Huang Guanglie having gone into secluded cultivation once more caused Yuan Zhengfeng and Broad Creed Mountain to reveal their keen edge as they advanced, no longer continuing to move like they normally did.
Ah Hu grinned from the side, “On this matter, the Radiant Prince Huang Jie is often nowhere to be seen. Could it be that that old Clan Chief of the Sacred Sun Clan is teaching and grooming him personally?”
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan smiled, “This possibility does exist. However, even if it is true, he should only be giving some simple pointers. Teaching him thoroughly-Huang Guanglie doesn’t have so much time for that.”
Yan Zhaoge’s eyes narrowed, “The Radiant Prince Huang Jie…interesting.”
Now, Xu Chuan received a message sent over by one of his subordinates, his expression instantly turning grave.
“Young Master Yan, there are unusual movements by the border. The Sacred Sun Clan has dispatched even more of its experts into Eastern Tang territory. Their cultivation and number are unknown.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “As to our positions, release some fake news to bewilder our enemies.”
“Keep in contact with the clan; we will need people to meet and guide us as well as help conceal our movements.”
Xu Chuan answered, “I understand.”
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the defensive line of the Eastern Tang capital Jingyang City, his gaze distant.
Continually shifting their locations, they did encounter search parties of the Sacred Sun Clan in the process, but very quickly killed their way out and escaped.
Just having switched their hiding place once more, Yan Zhaoge and the other suddenly received news.
The Eastern Tang’s First Prince, Zhao Yuan, was currently being surrounded by martial practitioners of the Sacred Sun Clan.
Yan Zhaoge looked like he was smiling but also somewhat not as he raised his brows slightly, “While Brother Zhao Yuan does not actually hold the title of the Supervising Crown Prince, at this time, we should grab hold of this chance to put on a good performance in front of him.”
“With Uncle Zhao on conquest abroad, what is he doing here, outside of Jingyang City?”
“Giving the chance to the Third Prince Zhao Sheng just like that?”
Xu Chuan answered, seemingly somewhat vexed, “When Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie retreated, he destroyed a number of the spirit patterns of the Jingyang Grand Formation along the way.”
“With the other Martial Grandmaster of the Eastern Tang sitting over Jingyang City, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng were both ordered to repair the spirit patterns.”
He looked at Yan Zhaoge, saying in a low tone, “Our clan’s Elder Yan, meanwhile, brought some martial practitioners of our clan out of the city to clean up the remnants of the Sacred Sun Clan and Zhao Shilie’s gang.”
“Originally, they had still thought that it would very safe, but because of Xiao Shen’s death, the Sacred Sun Clan sent more troops in. That’s why they encountered the enemy so easily.”
Yan Zhaoge asked, “In that case, what about Yan Xu? He doesn’t care?”
Xu Chuan said drily, “The Third Prince Zhao Sheng was the first to meet danger, and Elder Yan went over to assist him. Within a short period of time, he probably won’t be able to make it in time to assist the First Prince.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, not saying anything as he lowered his head to look at the map, “It is not far from our current location ah.”
Xu Chuan frowned, looking at him, “Young Master Yan, we…”
“Under the circumstances that we are able to do so, we naturally have to help him out a bit,” Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, promptly striding out.
Xu Chuan gave a wry smile, “Young Master, it’ll be whatever you say. Regardless, this Xu will be risking his life to accompany the lord today.”
Yan Zhaoge’s party climbed over hills and passed through ravines, very soon coming to feel a quaking of the earth ahead of them.
Before them, the very air itself felt somewhat like it was on fire, releasing waves of roiling heat which grew more and more intense as they neared.
“This is a characteristic of the Sacred Sun Clan’s martial arts,” Yan Zhaoge and the others all well knew this within their hearts as they continued moving along speedily. Indeed, they soon saw that in the distance at the foot of a mountain, two groups of martial practitioners were currently locked in an intense battle.
One side was precisely formed of Eastern Tang martial practitioners with their First Prince, Zhao Yuan, at their head.
And the other side, naturally consisted of martial practitioners of the Sacred Sun Clan.
The Sacred Sun Clan had the numerical advantage, its people also possessing a stronger individual power. Zhao Yuan and the others looked already to be in a very precarious situation indeed.
Not saying anything, Yan Zhaoge immediately led Xu Chuan and the others in killing into the battlefield from the enemy’s flank.
With the situation as urgent as a fire that had to be extinguished, Yan Zhaoge held nothing back as the Jade Dragon Sword danced and coiled, instantly killing till the enemy troops fell apart like a mountain collapsing.
The group from Broad Creed Mountain killed their way to in front of Zhao Yuan, who smiled bitterly, “Having heard that the Sacred Sun Clan had sent in more troops, we had already been retreating as at fast as speed as was possible. Who knew that we would still be surrounded and trapped.”
Yan Zhaoge thought, “My return path to Jingyang City was a key focus of the enemy’s interception strategy. This was you guys going and colliding into it head on.”
“Brother, this time, I have implicated you. It will be hard returning to Jingyang City; we should probably go somewhere else instead.”
As he said this, the Broad Creed Mountain and Eastern Tang Kingdom forces met, together ripping apart the encirclement of the Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners and breaking through to the outside.
After having lost their pursuers, both sides finally had the time for some idle talk.
Zhao Yuan shook his head as he walked, “Zhaoge, your killing Xiao Shen might have caused your name to resound throughout the entire world, but you should still be mindful of the Sacred Sun Clan’s revenge.”
Implicated by me- this was not merely referring to the Sacred Sun Clan…
As Yan Zhaoge was pondering about this, his heart suddenly jumped.
Ah Hu and Xu Chuan, the two Xiantian Martial Scholars, both gazed into the distance.
There, a massive golden sun slowly and gradually rose up from amongst the numerous mountains.
Within the massive golden sun, a figure gradually materialised. It was a one-eyed Elder with a square face and big ears, wearing a golden robe on his body.
A Martial Grandmaster expert!
