History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474
Page 48
This big man was no ordinary late outer aura Martial Scholar either; what he trained in were Broad Creed Mountain’s direct lineage Clear Qi Profound Art and Eight Sceneries Spirit Blade.
He was also a veteran of a hundred battles, possessing a rich combat experience. This was the kind of opponent that most young geniuses would be the most unhappy having to face.
However, he had been defeated by Yan Zhaoge cleanly and decisively.
Although the big man had not predicted that Yan Zhaoge would erupt so suddenly and seize the initiative and thus lost out in that aspect of the fight, there hadn’t been any flaws in how he reacted to the situation throughout the remainder of the contest. He had already performed as well as he could under those circumstances, yet he had still been defeated by Yan Zhaoge.
His defeat had seen Yan Zhaoge fighting him head-on with a higher level of power; it could in no way be dismissed as mere luck.
Yan Xu stared at Yan Zhaoge.
“While the Clear Qi Profound Art was indeed their base, many of the techniques you utilized were not of my Broad Creed Mountain.”
Yan Zhaoge said calmly, “I did not secretly learn the martial arts of other powers—I simply had some fortuitous encounters.”
“Speaking of which, Elder, don’t you also cultivate in martial arts obtained outside of Broad Creed Mountain?’
“The ownerless martial legacies that this disciple obtained from outside can be contributed to our clan’s Martial Repository in exchange for our clan’s elite martial arts. If I want to, I can also keep them to myself. This seems to be in accordance to the clan’s rules.”
Yan Xu let out a cold snort, not saying anything further.
Elder Qin, on the other hand, didn’t really care about this. His face was filled with praise as he slowly nodded to Yan Zhaoge.
This Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioner whom Yan Zhaoge had just defeated was actually somewhat weaker than Xiao Shen.
However, the result of this battle had already proven that Yan Zhaoge at least did have a chance of beating Xiao Shen head-on.
Martial practitioners of a slightly lower cultivation could surpass and defeat opponents of a higher cultivation level by utilizing superior experience, talent, mental strength, or quality of martial arts. While this didn’t often happen, it was still not that uncommon.
However, the higher the overall cultivation of the respective parties, the rarer it was to see the surpassing of levels to defeat opponents of a higher level.
To be able to attain a higher cultivation realm, everyone’s level of talent and fortuitous encounters couldn’t have been too terrible. The higher the level of cultivation base, the more this was true.
Amongst people of the same age and members of the same generation, this was even more applicable.
“I have offended you[1],” Yan Zhaoge cupped his hands towards the big man before continuing, “If Xiao Shen doesn’t admit it, I’ll just find him for another bout whenever—that’ll do.”
At that moment, someone entered to report that the the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng, had arrived in person.
As Yan Xu and Yan Zhaoge got up and welcomed him in together, the first thing that Zhao Shicheng said when he saw Yan Zhaoge was, “What cultivation realm have you attained? Under what kind of situation was it that you defeated Xiao Shen and obtained his Radiant Sun Wheel?”
As these words left his mouth, the gazes of everyone within the hall all landed on Yan Zhaoge.
Smiling slightly, Yan Zhaoge said, “I won against him in a one versus one fight, then obtained his Radiant Sun Wheel with the help of my Jade Dragon Sword.”
Having heard the details and the result of that fight, the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners all sighed in unison, questioning no further.
Rather it was Zhao Shicheng who was a little surprised as he went on to ask a few more questions.
Yan Zhaoge answered all of them, to which Zhao Shicheng exclaimed emotionally, “Ah, Yan Di has a great successor!”
Everyone present nodded unconsciously.
Someone exclaimed, “Yet another Yan Wudi!”
In his younger years, Yan Zhaoge’s father, Yan Di, had outshone all of his peers to remain undefeated amongst the Eight Extremities World’s younger generation.
Back then, as a Martial Scholar, Yan Di had been invincible amongst all Martial Scholars.
It was to the extent that eventually his contemporary Martial Scholars no longer addressed him by his original name, rather adding a ‘wu’ character between his surname and given name.
Read that way, Yan Invincible[2]!
This title was used all the way up till Yan Di ascended into the Martial Grandmaster realm.
However, as Yan Di’s cultivation had progressed these past few years, his strength had also steadily risen. The suffocating pressure that he had once brought to Martial Scholars everywhere was now gradually beginning to return and envelop all the Martial Grandmasters of this world.
The day that the name of Yan Wudi once again resounded throughout this world was not far off.
As the words left that person’s mouth, even if it was Elder Qin or Zhao Shicheng, they also did not openly refute them, as their gazes instead gradually brightened.
As they looked at Yan Zhaoge, the same thought vaguely appeared within all their hearts.
There was a Yan Wudi before; there is still a Yan Wudi now!
Furthermore, the Yan Zhaoge before them somehow seemed to be growing at an even more monstrous rate than his father before him!
[1] Like how people bow to each other before sparring. It’s manners.
[2] Wudi= Invincible. Note that the Di from Wudi is different from the Di in Yan Di, just as the Yan from Yan Xu is different from the Yan in Yan Zhaoge
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 66: No longer viewing him in the same light
HSSB66: No longer viewing him in the same light
Looking at Yan Zhaoge, Zhao Shicheng nodded his head slowly, “Zhaoge had originally already possessed outstanding talent. Looking at it now, it had actually yet to be fully put on display in the past.”
“It was only today that he truly revealed the lofty heights he had attained, and revealed the strength that he had been accumulating for so long.”
Yan Zhaoge cupped his hands towards Zhao Shicheng, “Uncle overpraises me.”
“On the contrary, I have troubled Uncle this time.”
In having joined hands with Elder Qin in repelling the East Rising Lord of the Sacred Sun Clan, Zhao Shicheng had undoubtedly already made a clear choice between the two Sacred Grounds.
As a part of the Heaven Domain’s East Heaven Region, the Eastern Tang had all along been subordinate to Broad Creed Mountain.
However, the Sacred Sun Clan was currently strong and powerful, while the Eastern Tang Kingdom was situated directly beside territory of the Fire Domain controlled by it.
The two Sacred Grounds completely breaking out into conflict was something that the Sacred Sun Clan would not want to see, due to the numerous uncertain factors involved. However, if the Sacred Sun Clan wanted to deal with the Eastern Tang Kingdom, it would be as easy as flipping their palm.
Even if Broad Creed Mountain came back to find fault with them later on, if the Eastern Tang Kingdom really incurred losses just like that, it would be a real disaster indeed.
There was always the possibility of being compensated for material as well as territorial losses, but the dead could not be revived.
Zhao Shicheng shook his head, “This time, about the Pill Pavilion’s change in leadership, I had originally already been planning to kick Zhao Shilie out to show the Sacred Sun Clan my stance. Really, it was only a matter of time.”
“This King has always been devoted to Broad Creed Mountain; it’s not like the Sacred Sun Clan did not know that. This time, it was only clearly pushing everything onto the table.”
His old friend’s only son facing danger on Eastern Tang soil, Zha
o Shicheng naturally wouldn’t sit there doing nothing.
No matter what, he would support Yan Zhaoge with all his might.
Elder Qin once again made known his stance, “As the situation is unique, this old man will be remaining in the Eastern Tang over this period of time.”
“We will be troubling you, Elder Qin,” Despite facing the great pressure brought about by the Sacred Sun Clan, Zhao Shicheng’s demeanour was calm as always.
He looked towards Yan Zhaoge, “I had not known that you, Zhaoge, actually also had such deep attainments in the dao of alchemy.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Uncle overpraises me. I myself also only recently received that piece of information and began to study it, thus gaining some attainments in that field. However, it is still insufficient to become a system; more experimentation is still needed.”
Zhao Shicheng sighed, “The Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique, like the Internal Crystal Furnace, was also completely lost following the Great Calamity, only living on within records.”
“Your attainments in the dao of luck, are really too good.”
As Zhao Shicheng spoke, he couldn’t resist joking with Yan Zhaoge for a bit, though his tone and expression still remained rather serious.
Yan Xu and the others were all slightly stunned, “Golden Needle Liberating Pill?”
Elder Qin, though, having already heard a little about this from the clan’s main headquarters, was not all that surprised.
As the Disciplinary Elder of the entire East Heaven Region, he had naturally been informed by Yan Zhaoge beforehand over this period of time when the latter had wanted to engage in some activities here.
“Didn’t you say before that it was still in the experimental phase? Have you a concrete grasp of it already?” Elder Qin’s face revealed a bit of joy at this.
Yan Zhaoge nodded, smiling, “I’m still in the process of studying it. However, I have already become gradually accustomed to using it on some more entry-level pills and medicines.”
Zhao Shicheng shook his head, “It’s one thing to be able to successfully use it on Treatment Pills, but the Smoke Cloud Powder is definitely not an entry-level medicine; it is already like a divine medicine for the treating of wounds.”
Listening to Elder Qin’s as well as Zhao Shicheng’s words, the others had gradually come to realise what this was all about.
The expressionless Yan Xu had originally had a faint coldness deep within his gaze that was fixed on Yan Zhaoge. However, that had now completely vanished, only a total calmness left behind.
This, however, did not mean that all that had occurred between them in the past had just gone poof in a cloud of smoke.
On the contrary, the way that Yan Xu now looked at Yan Zhaoge was no longer like how a member of the older generation would look down upon a member of the younger generation.
At this moment, he finally put Yan Zhaoge on the same level as himself.
This was even despite the fact that the current Yan Zhaoge’s cultivation realm was still far from his.
The Internal Crystal Furnace artifact forging method, the turning of Cloud-Veined Crystals into Jade Essence, the Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique, as well as the unordinary cultivation talent and potential that he himself possessed…
Things like this could happen once or twice, but not thrice.
Once or twice could be attributed to coincidence, to luck. However, if it was like this every time, it could no longer be called a coincidence but a thing of certainty.
Yan Xu took a final calm glance at Yan Zhaoge before retracting his gaze, seemingly no longer paying any attention to him.
But, in truth, this just reflected how determined he truly was, having actually attached even more importance to Yan Zhaoge than before.
Due to considerations on the issue of legacy, when competing members of the senior generation were locked in a stalemate, the presence of an outstanding member of the younger generation was very likely to influence the final decision of the older generation.
Not many people knew, but the caution and fear Yan Xu felt towards Yan Zhaoge and his father far exceeded other people.
This did not merely stem from the competition between factions; it also had to do with his own personal fear, hidden deep within his heart.
As Yan Di grew stronger and stronger, and his power and influence grew greater and greater, Yan Xu was already finding it harder to eat and tougher to sleep.
“What happened that year; if the two of them were to find out that I was related to it…”
“Originally, I had thought that only Yan Di poses a threat, not having expected that not only him, but, a long time later, even this junior poses a massive threat.”
“Because of him, Yan Di’s momentum will only grow, maybe even to the point where he can suppress Elder Fang. If this goes on…”
Yan Xu sucked in a deep breath, his gaze growing even calmer, while also even darker and gloomier.
Having originally still been slightly hesitant, he had, as of this moment, made up his mind for good.
Meanwhile, the other important martial practitioners of Broad Creed Mountain who were present now held much more complicated feelings than before as they looked at Yan Zhaoge.
Those who were closer to Yan Di’s faction were overjoyed though still finding it a little hard to believe, while those closer to Yan Zhaoge’s second apprentice-uncle’s faction felt incomparably conflicted.
They hailed from Broad Creed Mountain, after all. Their own clan having produced such an up-and-coming genius, the honour was shared with them, and they were happy for the clan as well.
However, this up-and-coming star just had to be from the opposing faction.
Yan Zhaoge could also roughly tell what they were all thinking.
What he had just done was actually just to set up a foundation for later. He was preparing to concoct a particular godly pill as a trump card to help secure his father the position of Clan Chief.
The pill had never appeared in the Eight Extremities World of after the Great Calamity. If it was concocted, no one would be able to recognise it.
It was not like an artifact, a spirit artifact or a weapon, which a martial practitioner could try to communicate with and just test out.
The pill had to be put into the mouth and consumed, and whatever effects it would bring about afterwards was hard to say.
To most, it was a great tonic, but to some, however, it might be a strong poison. This kind of situation could indeed happen.
This would inevitably cause people to have second thoughts. Therefore, Yan Zhaoge needed to prepare a foundation for it beforehand.
He wanted to give people the impression: “In the area of the dao of alchemy, Yan Zhaoge really is not just playing about. In fact, he is actually very proficient in it, and is worthy of our trust.”
In order to not draw too much attention, this foundation had to be built up a step at a time and in gradual phases.
Whilst building up a foundation, he would also be continuing to cement Broad Creed Mountain’s power in the Eastern Tang Kingdom while pushing away the extended claws of the Sacred Sun Clan, thus achieving many benefits with a single move.
After having fully understood everything that had happened, Elder Qin nodded slightly towards Zhao Shicheng, “I must first congratulate Your Majesty for having produced yet another excellent son.”
Zhao Shicheng’s expression was deep and calm, “Hao’er was definitely out of This King’s expectations. However, there are many things that are still yet to be verified.”
“Also, while Zhao Shilie did lose his share of the Pill Pavilion to Zhaoge, This King knows him too well. He will not retreat so easily.”
“Over the years, he has inserted quite a lot of people into the Pill Pavilion, some of whom hold vital positions. All of this needs to be cleared and taken care of.”
“However, it should be completed within the next few days,” Zhao Shicheng said in a calm manner.
&nb
sp; Elder Qin nodded, “This old man naturally knows of the King’s abilities.”
Having said thus, he turned to look at Yan Zhaoge, “Zhaoge, you have consecutively performed yet another huge merit.”
“Let’s not talk about the other rewards first; they will be decided upon by the clan later on. With my jurisdiction, I can first reward you for your meritorious contributions in the matter of the Pill Pavilion.”
“Having reproduced the ancient Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique that can increase the efficacy of pills and medicines, you also managed to eliminate the Sacred Sun Clan’s encroachment on the Eastern Tang’s Pill Pavilion at the same time.”
“Other than the share of the Pill Pavilion that you won from Prince Jin, the share of the Pill Pavilion that our clan originally held in secret will also all go to you.”
“All the profit that you gain from there will be for you to distribute at your own discretion. If the clan has need of it, we will not let you suffer a loss; we will exchange it with you at the market price or for some other resources that you want.”
“Matters of the Pill Pavilion that are related to our clan will all be decided by you.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled slightly, “I thank Elder Qin.”
The others were all left staring back and forth at one another. Only Yan Xu remained expressionless.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 67: Pressuring Yan Xu
HSSB67: Pressuring Yan Xu
Looking between Elder Qin, Yan Zhaoge, and Yan Xu, the onlookers suddenly had numerous thoughts flash across their minds.
The Pill Pavilion was the primary source of income for the Eastern Tang’s royal family. As the hegemon of the East Heaven Region, Broad Creed Mountain naturally also laid claim to a share of the profits.
On one hand, it was a symbolic gesture which guaranteed Broad Creed Mountain’s position and benefits in the Eastern Tang.
On the other, for the pills and medicines of the Pill Pavilion to be exported in large quantities outside of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Broad Creed Mountain also played a very important role.
Even if there weren’t the Golden Needle Liberating Pill technique or the Smoke Cloud Powder, the Pill Pavilion would still be generating a huge amount of profit.