For just a slight moment, Pan Botai’s entire person was nearly engulfed by the flames of fury and humiliation raging within his heart.
Not having met a setback like this in a long time, his mental state had actually become a little unstable.
However, sucking in a deep breath, Pan Botai swiftly calmed himself down.
The Sacred Sun Clan’s plans having been countered by Broad Creed Mountain, now also being unable to seize the upper hand, the most rational move for them was only retreat. Otherwise, what awaited them would definitely be greater losses.
Promptly and decisively, Pan Botai now temporarily tucked away the hatred and fury from Xiao Shen’s death, choosing to first prioritise avoiding battle.
However, his entire body’s worth of rage also transformed into a deep killing intent.
As he retreated, Pan Botai’s gaze was constantly moving between Yan Di, Shi Tie as well as Yan Zhaoge.
The Ah Hu beside Yan Zhaoge felt stared at till his hairs rose on end, as he asked in a small voice, “Young Master, he won’t completely throw away his face, not caring about anything else and only thinking of making a move on you, will he?”
“It’s not like this possibility doesn’t exist,” Yan Zhaoge said, “It’s only that all he can do is think about it.”
“The Twilight Lord having been injured, eldest-apprentice uncle is now free to act. And there is no possibility whatsoever of Pan Botai breaking through the combination of father and eldest-apprentice uncle.”
“Even if eldest apprentice-uncle were to be held back doggedly by the Twilight Lord, father alone would be enough to protect me; the only difference would be that he would have to focus on defending.”
Yan Zhaoge spread out his hands, “Father is extremely domineering, his attacks shocking the heavens. However, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t proficient in defence. It’s just that most of the time, there is no need for him to do so.”
“Moreover, Pan Botai should first worry about himself.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Father, is not someone who likes singing the ploy of the empty city.”
Just having said this, yet another voice resounded from across the horizon, “Does your Sacred Sun Clan really think that it is invincible under the heavens? Already having reached the point of being completely and utterly lawless, your actions totally unbridled and without restraint.”
From the horizon, there seemed to come the sound of great sea tides rising and falling, creating the false illusion for those who heard it that they had arrived by the seaside.
But as the voice neared, they realised that that was, shockingly, actually the sound of a person breathing.
A green-robed Elder with a wild and intractable look on his face strode through the air, roiling waves of qi spreading out in all directions, resembling the tides of the sea.
The faces of Pan Botai and the Twilight Lord instantly fell.
The newcomer was actually a longtime Elder and Martial Grandmaster expert of the Sacred Sun Clan’s longtime enemy, the Sacred Ground Jade Sea City of the Water Domain.
But what really caused them fear was not actually this green-robed Elder.
It was their sudden realisation why with Broad Creed Mountain’s Sacred Artifact not having left the Mountain, Yan Di had still been able to break through the blockade and ambush of the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler.
The Extreme Yin Crown!
The Extreme Yin Crown that was currently in the hands of Jade Sea City!
“The Extreme Yin Crown must have left for the East Sea; if it had come here, we would have noticed it,” The Twilight Lord said in a low tone.
As an implacable enemy of their’s, the Sacred Sun Clan kept a close eye on Jade Sea City’s movements at all times.
Pan Botai’s face sunk, “Like how we concealed and brought out the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, they must have relied on the fruit of the Fog Concealed Tree!”
“That year, the Fog Concealed Tree bore two fruits in total. One of them fell to us, while the other fell within the hands of the Demonic Saint. From the looks of it now, that fruit was actually somehow acquired by Jade Sea City without our knowledge.”
“All this can be talked about later; what’s most important is now.”
The Extreme Yin Crown had held the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler back, freeing Yan Di to rush over to the Eastern Tang.
The Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler moving out, the intention had been to take Broad Creed Mountain unawares, with them unable to cope with the situation as they quickly slew Yan Di with the might of the Sacred Artifact.
If the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler had been engaged in a protracted battle by the Extreme Yin Crown, the current situation was extremely unfavourable to the Sacred Sun Clan.
Broad Creed Mountain similarly possessed a Sacred Artifact!
It did not have to be asked for it to be known that after having achieved the initial bewildering of their opponents, Broad Creed Mountain’s Sacred Artifact which had remained intentionally unmoving all along, was already on the move at this very moment!
And, it would definitely not go to the Eastern Tang, but to where the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler was!
Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, “After the first Extreme Yin Bout, upon gaining control over the Extreme Yin Crown and taking public property for your private use, you then relied on the might of two Sacred Artifacts to run rampant and expand. At that time, you should already have expected that this day would come. Since you started it, when the wheels of fate rotate and your position changes, don’t blame others if they follow up on what you did.”
“Heh, don’t you want to play something big?”
“You plotted against my father, while my Broad Creed Mountain plotted against your Sacred Artifact; let’s just wait and see whose mouth is bigger.”
Now, the distant sky suddenly rumbled.
Infinite sunlight slowly appeared on the horizon once again, before, very quickly, a great sun soared through the skies!
The sun that had appeared this time was slightly smaller and slightly dimmer than the one Pan Botai had formed with his intent earlier.
However, this time, there were a total of eight golden suns, revolving within a ring!
Ah Hu drew back the corners of his mouth, “…The World Illuminating Lord.”
While the newcomer’s cultivation was inferior to Pan Botai’s, in terms of atmosphere, he was even stronger than the Twilight Lord at his peak.
Compared to the mysterious Twilight Lord, the pressure that this person emitted was even more intense.
The current head of the Seven Reigning Suns, the World Illuminating Lord.
The leading figure of the Sacred Sun Clan’s senior generation of experts, once having contested with the current Clan Chief, Huang Xu for his seat.
This time, with the Sacred Grounds having joined hands in entering the Earth Domain and suppressing the abnormalities within, the Sacred Sun Clan had dispatched the World Illuminating Lord.
The eight golden suns halted within the air, gradually converging towards their centre as they formed a single mass.
From within the infinite light, a golden-robed middle-aged man emerged. He too could be considered handsome, just that his nose, hooked like the beak of an eagle, was rather prominent.
This person’s image had also long since resounded throughout the entire Eight Extremities World, being someone that everyone here naturally recognised. He was precisely this generation’s head of the Seven Reigning Suns, the World Illuminating Lord.
Having arrived, the World Illuminating Lord said in a deep tone, “Uncle Pan, we must end it here. Broad Creed Mountain’s Clear Qi Robe is on the move.”
The Clear Qi Robe, was the Sacred Artifact that sat over Broad Creed Mountain!
The World Illuminating Lord said, “The Clan Chief has already been retreating with the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, but Jade Sea City has been doggedly hounding us every step of the way. We’ve got to shak
e them loose before the Clear Qi Robe arrives, or the results will be unimaginably disastrous.”
“Has senior apprentice-brother Huang still not left seclusion?” Pan Botai once again felt something weighing heavily down on his chest.
The World Illuminating Lord was silent for a moment, before he answered, “They want to leave behind the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler. If they can force senior apprentice-uncle Huang to leave seclusion before having achieved all that he had set out to do, they would have gained even more.”
“The people from Infinite Boundless Mountain had originally also been running amok in the Eastern Tang, also watching hungrily by the side. But they have suddenly quietened down now, no longer contesting with Broad Creed Mountain, looking as though they are giving them a convenience.”
“This time, we are really the target of persecution of all.”
The fury on Pan Botai’s face instantly vanished as his expression turned grave.
At those words, the people from the Sacred Sun Clan all fell silent.
[1] Also known as the Empty Fort Strategy. Basically, the defending side pretends that there are forces lying in wait behind their walls while actually, there aren’t any
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 105: Good people don’t live long, calamities endure a thousand years
HSSB105: Good people don’t live long, calamities endure a thousand years
At this moment, the people of the Sacred Sun Clan all felt extremely pressured.
Of the current six great Sacred Grounds, the Turbid Wave Pavilion seldom interacted with the outside world, not leaning on or towards any other power.
The Heavenly Thunder Hall and Jade Sea City had Martial Saints but no Sacred Artifacts, while Broad Creed Mountain and Infinite Boundless Mountain had Sacred Artifacts but no Martial Saints.
While the Sacred Sun Clan had a rather close relationship with the Heavenly Thunder Hall, Jade Sea City had engaged the latter’s attentions even as it sent over the Sacred Artifact it currently had possession of, the Extreme Yin Crown, by way of the Earth Domain.
Now, Infinite Boundless Mountain had adopted the attitude of keeping out of the current conflict, content to see how things would play out.
Huang Guanglie not having left seclusion, the Sacred Sun Clan was placed in an awkward predicament.
“While hindered by his old injuries, Yuan Zhengfeng will face extreme danger if he enters seclusion in an attempt to ascend into the Martial Saint realm, if he succeeds, Broad Creed Mountain’s strength will skyrocket.”
The Twilight Lord said slowly, “At that time, even if senior apprentice-uncle Huang were to be successful in his improvements, with Yuan Zhengfeng also having upped levels, the situation would still be the same as it is now.”
“While our Sacred Sun Clan holds the upper hand, we are unable to completely suppress Broad Creed Mountain.”
In deciding on the Clan Chief’s successor, many factors had to be considered.
Just in terms of martial prowess alone, Yan Zhaoge’s father, Yan Di, was the old Clan Chief’s most prided disciple.
Having someone proper to succeed him was also one of the greatest assurances for Yuan Zhengfeng, bearing great risks as he headed into secluded cultivation.
If Yan Di fell, not only would Broad Creed Mountain’s most promising senior generation be crippled, at the same time, a shadow would also be cast over Yuan Zhengfeng’s heart, influencing his decision.
Even if Yuan Zhengfeng remained firmly set on attempting his breakthrough, with the worries hanging over his mind increasing, the chances of him succeeding would naturally decrease.
The World Illuminating Lord spoke, “This time, we’ve lost. Now, let’s focus on how we can reduce our losses.”
Looking at that Jade Sea City Elder, Pan Botai’s gaze was cold and gloomy, “Jade Sea City has only temporarily gained a little. With the third Extreme Yin Bout on its way, they won’t be staying so full of themselves for long.”
Now, infinite light lit up in the distance, containing power even stronger and more abundant than that of Pan Botai, the World Illuminating Lord, the Twilight Lord and the rest of the Sacred Sun Clan experts added together.
It was as though there was a formless boundary separating the heavens and the earth; one side was as per normal, whereas the other had completely transformed into a world of light.
A majestic force that caused everyone to avert their eyes dazzled the heavens, illuminating the lands beneath.
The expressions of Yan Di, Shi Tie and that Jade Sea City Elder did not change, as they looked silently in that direction where the world was entirely engulfed by white light.
The white light instantly flashed past, as, closely following it, a bright moon slowly appeared on the horizon.
Its moonlight seemed truly able to compete with the true sun in the sky in terms of brilliance.
As the bright, clear moonlight descended, the suns formed of the intents of Pan Botai and the others seemed to dim.
Beneath the cold, tranquil moonlight, the heavens and the earth instantly turned cool.
Having just appeared on the horizon, the moon had already attracted everyone’s attention.
Because that was precisely the power manifestation of the Sacred Artifact, the Extreme Yin Crown.
While that world of white light, was the manifestation of the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, another Sacred Artifact.
Like the great sun rising and setting, measuring the height of the heavens.
However, the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler was currently of no mind to entangle with the Extreme Yin Crown, also not paying any attention to Yan Di and the others as it just swept over Pan Botai and the other Sacred Sun Clan experts, carrying them along as it escaped into the distance.
“Their reaction was very fast ah; if Huang Xu had just hesitated slightly, he would have been trapped between the Extreme Yin Crown and your clan’s Clear Qi Robe,” the Jade Sea City Elder curled his lips.
Striding forward, his figure was enveloped and tucked away by the bright, clear moonlight.
Shi Tie said to Yan Di, “Junior apprentice-brother, you sit over the East Heaven Region and talk with Zhaoge; I’ll accompany the Extreme Yin Crown in their pursuit.”
Yan Di nodded, “Senior apprentice-brother is too kind.”
Shi Tie also flew into the air, integrating within the bright, clear moonlight as they pursued the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler carrying Pan Botai and the others, having escaped far into the distance.
With Sacred Artifacts within the air, Yan Zhaoge could clearly feel the entire world shaking alongside them.
As a resonance was faintly formed between the Sacred Artifacts, Yan Zhaoge could feel that other than the Extreme Yin Crown and the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler, there was still an extremely strong existence in the distance, causing these very heavens and earth to shake.
It did not even have to be asked for it to be known that that should be his Grand Master, Yuan Zhengfeng, rushing over with Broad Creed Mountain’s Clear Qi Robe, his target being the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler.
The two sides, one pursuing, one escaping, were gone in an instant, disappearing into the horizon.
However, where Yan Zhaoge was, he could still feel the very air being pressured to the point of trembling.
Shi Tie and the others having left, Yan Di gathered the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners present, assigning them tasks to carry out.
The Sacred Sun Clan would inevitably be chased out of the Eastern Tang and, by extension, the entire East Heaven Region this time. With that, the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners who were battling it out in the various lands began expelling their enemies in an all-out rush.
Moving personally with the Clear Qi Robe, Yuan Zhengfeng pursued the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler alongside the Extreme Yin Crown, chasing it all the way back to the Fire Domain.
Broad Creed Mountain and Jade Sea City would naturally send martial practiti
oners to follow up with the seizing of resources and the occupying of territory.
“While resources and profits are still easy to talk about, wanting to run a circle round and occupy territory will be a little hard,” Yan Zhaoge gazed into the distance in the direction of the Fire Domain, “As long as the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler is not destroyed, when Huang Guanglie leaves seclusion, they will definitely get back what we will now be seizing from them.”
Landing on the ground, Yan Di said mildly, “Huang Xu’s reaction was not slow as he immediately retreated. However, this was still within our predictions.”
“Being able to leave the Great Sun Heaven Measuring Ruler behind, being able to force Huang Guanglie out of seclusion; those would naturally be best. However, the Sacred Sun Clan definitely won’t be a sitting duck for that.”
“However, not having perished this time, they should at least have left a layer of skin behind. Before Huang Guanglie leaves seclusion, they will not dare to lightly cause trouble again.”
His hands behind his back, Yan Di similarly gazed into the distance, “This way, Master will be able to go into secluded cultivation in peace, at the very least not having to worry about outside enemies invading and harassing us. Also, what we’ll gain will be beneficial to the clan’s development.”
Yan Zhaoge smacked his lips, “The Extreme Yin Crown, at the end of the day, is not solely owned by Jade Sea City.”
Yan Di said, “If we helped Jade Sea City to forcibly keep the Extreme Yin Crown, Infinite Boundless Mountain would inevitably be pushed towards aligning with the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall. Even Turbid Wave Pavilion wouldn’t agree to it.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “That’s how it is.”
And even in the scenario where Jade Sea City held sole ownership of the Extreme Yin Crown, their relationship with Broad Creed Mountain might also not be as close as it currently was.
“Actually, this time, it was rather dangerous. If any small part of it did not go to plan, the results could have been completely different,” Yan Di swivelled his head to look at Yan Zhaoge, “Just like the Sacred Sun Clan; just having a loophole in a tiny part of their plan detected by you, they were instead schemed against by us.”
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