While being due to talent, it was also due to experience. Feng Yunsheng’s strength in actual combat generally far surpassed those at the same cultivation level.
As Yan Zhaoge knew, both being disciples of Fu Enshu, Feng Yunsheng and Sikong Qing sparred quite a bit.
This pair of apprentice-sisters was rather interesting. Feng Yunsheng addressed Sikong Qing as ‘senior apprentice-sister Sikong’, while Sikong Qing referred to Feng Yunsheng as ‘senior apprentice-sister Feng’.
There were obviously no tensions or conflict with the two.
Feng Yunsheng addressed the younger Sikong Qing as senior apprentice-sister because she had entered the clan later.
While the reason Sikong Qing addressed Feng Yunsheng as senior apprentice-sister was very simple.
With no grudges or enmity as fellow disciples, with it not to the extent of life and death battles, sparring at the same cultivation level, Feng Yunsheng always beat Sikong Qing by a bit.
If it was a life and death battle, Feng Yunsheng’s advantage would be even greater.
Yan Zhaoge was of no mind to interfere in Sikong Qing’s decision as he smiled, “In having such thoughts, you are also being of one mind to the martial dao, striving for improvement. I naturally have no objections on this. While I shall not speak for others, for you, perhaps this is indeed a viable path.”
“However, firstly, you had best ask for senior apprentice-aunt Fu’s opinion before making your decision, and secondly, even if you are going, you should also wait for Grand Master to leave seclusion first. It is better to speak of it after everything has been settled, with there being so many things going on now.”
Hearing his words, Sikong Qing nodded, “Senior apprentice-brother Yan’s words make sense; I understand.”
She cupped her hands towards Yan Zhaoge, taking her leave.
Looking at Sikong Qing’s back, Yan Zhaoge sighed rather emotionally, “A hundred vessels seeking the flow-who can emerge victorious of them?”
Shaking his head, Yan Zhaoge returned to his dwelling.
Speaking of diligence in cultivation, raising one’s strength and cultivation base, Yan Zhaoge’s desires had never been weaker than anyone’s.
While he had been basking in the limelight these past days, having achieved something major that most Martial Grandmasters wouldn’t be able to do, Yan Zhaoge’s inner desire for self-improvement still blazed much more strongly than most.
Returning to his room, Yan Zhaoge sat down in the meditative position, modulating his aura-qi unceasingly, a spiritual light shooting up to the heavens from above his head.
Raising his left hand, Yan Zhaoge inspected the devilish mark on its back, unceasingly analysing and researching into the concept within.
Within his dantian, the chaotic qi mass was still hazy.
After moderating his condition for a moment, Yan Zhaoge gradually retracted the spiritual light above his head, before retrieving a certain something.
It was a stone whose surface resembled a mirror. It was not transparent, instead appearing dusty.
But as Yan Zhaoge’s gaze landed on it, radiance seemed to flicker on the surface of the stone, illuminating his features.
It was precisely the Life Illuminating Immortal Stone that Yan Zhaoge had obtained in that foreign dimension in which Loose Practitioner He had once resided.
The typical use of this treasure, as most of before the Great Calamity knew, was illuminating the circulation routes of one’s aura-qi in their cultivation, showing it to others.
In other words, its main use was actually for the teaching of disciples.
In circulating their aura-qi, those of the senior generation would use the aura-qi circulation routes as shown on the Life Illuminating Immortal Stones as demonstration for those of the younger generation, letting them observe and comprehend it.
However, Yan Zhaoge knew that there was still another use for this treasure.
He extended his finger, gently swiping it across the surface of the Life Illuminating Immortal Stone, tracing the veins within. Different scenes instantly appeared on the surface of the stone.
The originally dusty stone actually gradually became clear and transparent at this moment, resembling a crystal, resembling a true mirror surface.
Spiritual light rose up once more from above Yan Zhaoge’s head, just that scenes also seemed to rise up from within, appearing exceptionally unique.
In the following days, Yan Zhaoge immersed himself in cultivation once more.
He either spent his time cultivating, unceasingly increasing his accumulation in preparation for his breakthrough into the Martial Grandmaster realm, analysed the devilish mark on the back of his left hand, or forged the Devil Shattering Arrows with his Internal Crystal Furnace a step further.
Time passed by in a flash, with quite some time already having passed since the old Chief, Yuan Zhengfeng had entered seclusion.
Broad Creed Mountain was operating as per usual, with Yan Di already having fully slipped into his new role, whilst in the outside world, whether it was the Sacred Sun Clan or the Decimating Abyss, they had also yet to make any major movements for the time being.
At this moment, everyone seemed to be of one mind, eagerly awaiting Yuan Zhengfeng successfully leaving seclusion, having successfully stepped into the Martial Saint realm.
However, whether it was Yan Zhaoge or Yan Di or the others, they all knew that this was but a mirage, just the final calm before the storm.
One day, Yan Zhaoge sat peacefully within his room, the surface of the transparent Life Illuminating Immortal Stone that resembled a crystal already riddled with cracks, resembling thin, dense spiderwebs.
Yan Zhaoge’s expression was calm as he extended his finger, tapping on the Life Illuminating Immortal Stone once.
The stone that resembled a crystal soundlessly shattered, reduced into smithereens, then turning into dust, dissipating into the air as if it had never existed.
While the spiritual light above Yan Zhaoge’s head surged greatly.
His entire body, every single acupoint, seemed to be emanating radiance.
Bathed completely in this radiance, Yan Zhaoge’s illusory aura-qi seemed to transform into true auspicious clouds at this moment, the backdrop to his body.
The bright spiritual light above Yan Zhaoge’s head now began to slowly retract into the crown of his head, as the light emanated from his entire body grew denser.
This day, Yan Zhaoge officially stepped into the ranks of Martial Grandmasters!
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 268: The calm before the storm, ends!
HSSB268: The calm before the storm, ends!
Yan Zhaoge’s entire body emanated golden radiance, his aura-qi roiling as he seemed to be surrounded by auspicious clouds.
All the acupoints of his entire body pulsed, a shocking power radiating from within his body.
One could faintly see numerous coiled true dragons made of qi; partially obscured within the auspicious clouds, they let out loud, domineering roars in unison.
Two auras, one icy cold, one fiery hot, were no longer distinct at this moment as only a vigorous strength could be felt.
Yan Zhaoge’s closed eyes now opened.
The auspicious clouds around him that were flickering with radiance seemed to gradually retract their glow at this moment, those aura-qis that resembled numerous dragons also calming.
The dazzling clouds gradually calmed, finally losing their lustre.
Yan Zhaoge’s aura now vaguely felt hard to pinpoint. He was clearly there, but it seemed like he was part of the background, making one unable to determine his position, before and after, up or down.
Time and space seemed to lose all meaning at this moment, with only chaos remaining.
The mass of qi around Yan Zhaoge’s body shockingly seemed like the scene within his dantian’s qi ocean at this moment.
At this moment, the spiritual light above Yan Zhaoge’s head had completely vanished. Meanwhile
, the light within his eyes had also been completely retracted, now appearing completely ordinary.
The chaotic qi mass formed of aura-qi around his entire body also gradually returned through his acupoints.
As he stood up, Yan Zhaoge resembled a famed sword renowned throughout the world being sheathed.
The blade of the sword was not blunt, but its sharpness was hidden, just having been temporarily put away. It would appear when it once again became necessary, erupting with a force even greater than before.
Yan Zhaoge smiled slightly, only feeling that his aura-qi was filled with spirituality, even more concealed, even more condensed, even more vigorous, and even heavier.
He vaguely felt that his understanding towards cultivating in the martial dao had increased.
His comprehension and all he had learnt in his past life merged with his martial dao-a road of improvement was already vaguely visible before his eyes.
Yan Zhaoge knew that that was his true martial soul. Now that he had a foundation for growth, it was only a matter of awaiting unceasing accumulation and analysis before finally comprehension and improvement was achieved.
And at this moment, he had already successfully stepped into the Martial Scholar realm!
It was like a great door had opened before him, letting him stride into a completely new heaven and earth.
The Martial Grandmaster realm, the early Spirit Vessel stage.
The aura-qi’s spirituality resuming simplicity, the fist-intent turning from illusory to real a step further, beginning to form spirit soil.
This was precisely the foundation of Martial Grandmasters. The spirit soil formed of Yan Zhaoge’s fist-intent was like the chaos within his dantian’s qi ocean, profound and unpredictable.
Yan Zhaoge moderated his condition for a moment longer, before opening the door and walking out.
Ah Hu was currently waiting outside, as he immediately saw that the spiritual light above Yan Zhaoge’s head that was connected to the heavens had vanished.
According to Yan Zhaoge’s personality, other than in very few unique situations, he would never retract the spiritual light above his head.
At this moment, however, the spiritual light had vanished. Appraising Yan Zhaoge carefully, Ah Hu felt his entire body’s acupoints pulsing, as though there was a true god that connected the interior and exterior of his body.
As someone who himself had experienced it once before, after first being slightly stunned for a moment, Ah Hu then rejoiced, overjoyed, “Young Master, you’ve successfully stepped into the Martial Grandmaster realm!”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “New starting point, new beginning.”
Ah Hu praised from the bottom of his heart, “Young Master, you very nearly broke Family Head’s record for the youngest Martial Grandmaster.”
“If we count from the time you became an early outer aura Martial Scholar to now, you have used even less time than the Family Head!”
Usually, in speaking such words, Ah Hu still had some intent of toadying up to Yan Zhaoge. However, at this moment, it was admiration from the bottom of his heart, as he could only feel like it was inconceivable.
Don’t look at how the big guy usually had on a wide grin on his face, following servilely behind Yan Zhaoge wherever he went.
He was only this way with Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di.
Faced with other people, while he still remained jovial on the surface, he, Ah Hu, Huang Huting, actually also had his own pride within his heart, resembling a ferocious tiger of the mountains.
However, currently seeing Yan Zhaoge having already stepped into the Martial Grandmaster realm at such a young age, Ah Hu could only sigh in admiration.
This had completely nothing to do with Yan Zhaoge’s identity, and was purely admiration of how remarkable Yan Zhaoge was.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Father became a Martial Grandmaster at the age of twenty-two; breaking this record is not an easy thing. Of those I currently know, there’s only Han Long’er who might be able to do so.”
He looked at Ah Hu, “Right, seeing how you are, you must have been specially waiting for me here. Is there anything urgent?”
Ah Hu nodded, grinning as his white teeth were bared wide, vaguely seeming a little savage.
“Young Master, there seems to be instability at home.”
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge raised his brows slightly, “Oh? At home…”
The home that Ah Hu spoke of naturally didn’t refer to the Zhao Region’s Yan Family in the Thunder Domain, but instead referred to the Central Heaven Region’s Yan Family where Yan Zhaoge had been born.
That year, when the Central Heaven Region Yan Family had fragmented out, avoiding the threat of the Zhao Region Yan Family, they had travelled a long way before arriving in the Heaven Domain, finally settling down in the Central Heaven Region.
The Central Heaven Region was where Broad Creed Mountain’s headquarters were. Here, it was not allowed for other first-rate powers to exist. At most, only some second-rate powers were allowed to develop here.
There were only two exceptions, one being the Yan Family of Yan Zhaoge and Yan Di and the other the Zhang Family of the Grand Elder, Elder Zhang.
Because of Yan Di and Elder Zhang, these two families were rooted in the Central Heaven Region. However, comparatively speaking, they kept quite a low profile.
A tall tree provides good shade. Accompanied by Yan Di’s increase in cultivation base and position, the Central Heaven Region Yan Family had also become a famed power of the Eight Extremities World.
Of course, the Zhao Region Yan Family refused to acknowledge this, but the Central Heaven Region Yan Family also didn’t care whether or not they were acknowledged by them.
The Yan Family’s current head was Yan Zhaoge’s father, Yan Di.
However, Yan Di spent most of his time at Broad Creed Mountain, his position as an Elder of Broad Creed Mountain far, far more significant than that of Yan Family Head.
As a result, the common matters of the Family were generally mostly handed by its Elders, who then reported on them to Yan Di.
“In what way is there instability at home?” Yan Zhaoge looked like he was smiling whilst also not.
His expression savage, Ah Hu replied, “Some people run off their tongues, doubting Family Head to be the old Head’s true son, in the meantime also being rude to Young Master and insulting the Madam.”
Yan Zhaoge laughed coldly, but was not angered, “Now this is interesting. Seeing father’s position in Broad Creed Mountain rise a step further, with hopes of succeeding the position of Chief, they act not to firmly get into his good books but instead using this time to cause trouble?”
“First not mentioning how unbelievable those nasty rumours are; even if they are true, it would also be the rational choice now to stand on father’s side, even helping him to destroy the evidence, quelling any conflict.”
“The stronger father is, the more stable his position, the more stable the Yan Family’s position in the Central Heaven Region also is. As the boat rises higher, the benefits also increase. Jumping up to cause trouble now-really, are they silly?”
Yan Zhaoge murmured to himself, “And if they are not silly at all, that can only mean one thing.”
“With father temporarily taking up the position of Broad Creed Mountain’s Chief, he has lots of things to do, and does not have any time to spare. However, such matters of having fire in one’s own backyard is something that cannot be ignored-how can someone whose own home is unstable be fit to manage Broad Creed Mountain’s affairs?”
“With others also not suited to suppress this, as his trueborn son, there would be none more suited than I to return home to handle the matter.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled coldly, gazing into the distance, “Indeed, the calm before the storm has ended. The other side is ready to move.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 269: Returning home to quell chaos
HSSB269: Returning home to quell chaos
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nbsp; Ah Hu asked, “It is the other side’s trap, their foremost motive being the assassination of Young Master?”
Yan Zhaoge said mildly, “This is a matter of the Yan Family, and others are not suited to handle it. With father not being able to, there is only me who can return.”
Ah Hu looked at Yan Zhaoge, “Young Master, then you’ll…”
“Return,” Yan Zhaoge said like nothing was the matter, “I must return, of course.”
After sorting out some matters, Yan Zhaoge walked to the back courtyard, where Pan-Pan was currently lying down, resting.
Seeing Yan Zhaoge, Pan-Pan immediately grew alert, no longer lazy as he had been.
Yan Zhaoge patted his huge head as he asked Ah Hu, “Father already knows of this matter?”
Ah Hu answered, “Yes, Family Head already knows.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded, “Good, it’s fine then; father will naturally have arrangements made. Let’s return.”
Descending the Earth Descending Peak, leaving the clan, Yan Zhaoge flipped himself up onto Pan-Pan, Ah Hu also doing the same.
The Pan-Pan who looked foolish and simple as well as chubby and clumsy got on all fours and ran, actually resembling swift wind and speeding lightning as they were far away in an instant.
Yan Zhaoge’s figure bobbed up and down alongside Pan-Pan’s movements as he gazed into the distance, seemingly considering something.
He lowered his head to look at the back of his left hand. The devilish mark there was already extremely faint. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t take long before it completely dissipated.
Ah Hu glanced at it, “Young Master, do you think it’s the Decimating Abyss or the Sacred Sun Clan behind this this time?”
Yan Zhaoge answered, “It’s more probable that it is the Decimating Abyss. The Sacred Sun Clan firstly has been waiting for Huang Guanglie to emerge from seclusion, and secondly also does not have such strong infiltrative powers.”
“However…” Yan Zhaoge’s gaze was rather deep and distant, “Whether they are in the know is a completely different matter altogether. The Sacred Sun Clan might be waiting for us and the Decimating Abyss to wound each other gravely, therefore giving them a great chance to invade even with Huang Guanglie yet to leave seclusion.”
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