History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474
Page 163
The supple sabre-light resembled a long, meandering river as it sucked the dark clouds within the sky in place, causing Yuan Tian to be unable to immediately retreat.
At this, Yuan Tian now knew for sure that something was up, and became even more determined to first retreat before making further plans.
However, in the Yan Family ancestral temple below, after bowing to the tablets of his ancestors, Yan Zhaoge moved in a circle around the pillar of the Divine Palace, punching out at it every step he took.
Nine consecutive steps, nine consecutive fists. Yan Zhaoge’s fist-intent stimulated the pillar of the Divine Palace, causing it to light up with a dazzling radiance.
Yan Zhaoge’s forehead lit up with a rune.
The Yan Family Grand Formation glowed with an unprecedented brightness.
On the forehead of Yan Di, still clashing with Yuan Tian in mid-air, a rune also shone.
A thick rune lit up on the great earth, rapidly extending to the northeast, the space illuminated by the light seemingly turning blurry and indistinct.
The suction force of Yan Di’s sabre-light still locking down Yuan Tian, the figures of the two gradually turned blurry within the air.
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 277: Sending the lord into his coffin
HSSB277: Sending the lord into his coffin
Letting out a low howl of rage, Yuan Tian felt a rare emotion–threatened.
However, the figures of Yan Di and himself blurred in the sky, then disappeared.
Likewise, the clouds which had just recently enveloped the world also disappeared without a trace.
The clear sunlight once again shone down on the people below.
Watching Yan Di and Yuan Tian disappear, Yan Zhaoge let out a sigh of relief: “That wasn’t easy, but we succeeded.”
Ah Hu and Yan Wenzhen were at a loss as they stared at Yan Zhaoge. Someone asked, “Zhaoge, what happened to the Family Head and the Devil Saint?”
Yan Zhaoge looked towards the northeast. “They’ve been transported to Broad Creed Mountain.”
Ah Hu and the others looked at each other.
Yan Wenzhen and some of the others couldn’t exactly understand what Yan Zhaoge had said as they pondered the wording.
Ah Hu decided to ask directly: “Young Master, weren’t we supposed to prevent enemies from getting close to the clan? Especially apex experts like the Devil Saint; this kind of enemy could wreak havoc if they made it to the core grounds of our clan. Isn’t this just inviting disaster? When the time comes, if our enemies coordinate an attack….”
Yan Zhaoge spoke out. “You can rest assured, even though they were sent to Broad Creed Mountain together, father has naturally changed Broad Creed Mountain’s defensive formation.”
“Using the power of the formation, we have constructed a foreign dimension. Father and the Devil Saint have been sent there.”
“In there, father can borrow the power of the guardian grand formation. With it, he should have the upper hand over Yuan Tian when they fight. At the same time, he is close to the clan and can watch over it.”
Yan Zhaoge continued, “Even though the other experts in the clan cannot directly help since they have to protect against other enemies, as long as father has the Clear Qi Robe and the power of the grand formation, there’s a chance that Yuan Tian won’t be able to leave alive.”
“Compared to our other enemies, Yuan Tian is always the most direct threat. If we can rid ourselves of this headache, then we’ll save ourselves a lot of effort in the future.”
If a martial practitioner decided to go on rampage and there was no one present that could match his power, then he would be an unstoppable destructive force.
Ah Hu and all the others were looking towards the center of the ancestral mansion at the pillar of the Divine Palace.
Yan Zhaoge rubbed his temples. This plan had been known only to himself and Yan Di.
On the side of Broad Creed Mountain, some of the higher echelon Elders only knew that Yan Di was adjusting the defensive formation to temporarily create a foreign space as a battlefield to prevent damage to the clan itself.
However, they did not know that this foreign space was meant to be a trap set for Yuan Tian or possibly Huang Guanglie.
After all, attempting to transfer such a powerful martial practitioner into the foreign space would be an extremely difficult task.
Even if both parties were peaceful, it would still be extremely difficult. This time, a huge number of conditions needed to be met for this attempt to succeed, and it would be practically impossible to replicate.
All of the planning and preparations had been made in advance, and were only known to the father son duo of Yan Di and Yan Zhaoge.
If even his father was part of the Decimating Abyss Organization, then he could only accept his bad luck.
Yan Zhaoge thought about the present circumstances while also controlling the Divine Palace pillar.
Yan Zhaoge turned around to see Yan Wenzhen. “Third Granduncle, this time, the defensive array of the family ancestral mansion is almost entirely destroyed. To repair it, I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you.”
“It’s not a problem. After all, it was unavoidable anyways.” Yan Wenzhen turned around. “If something happens to Broad Creed Mountain, the Yan Family would inevitably also be affected.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “There should be enough materials left in the family vault to replenish the formation. If there truly is a lack of materials, then we will have to substitute different materials for now.”
“I can lend a hand on relaying the formation for now. After the conflict has passed, the family head can return to further revise the formation.”
Without taking the rumors into account and just by seeing Yan Zhaoge in action, Yan Wenzhen and the others could determine that Yan Zhaoge’s attainments in formations far surpassed any cultivator of the same level and even surpassed everyone present.
Yan Wenzhen sent out the command for everyone to help Yan Zhaoge to quickly lay out the array.
Although the ancestral formation was weaker than it had been previously, at least it was circulating again and offered some amount of protection.
Yan Zhaoge spoke out. “I will rush to Lianhu County. Third Granduncle, stay here and be extra careful.”
Bidding farewell to Yan Wenzhen and the others, Yan Zhaoge and Ah Hu left the ancestral mansion. Rather than returning to the clan, they rushed towards Lianhu County.
“Young Master, since the Decimating Abyss wants to induce the descent of the Nine Underworlds in Lianhu County, an Elder from the clan will also rush over to help, right?”
Yan Zhaoge sat on Pan Pan’s back as he looked into the distance. “Elder He and Elder Zhang, the Grand Elders, have to sit over the clan. One has to guard over the Chief’s seclusion grounds while the other needs to serve as a backbone for the clan’s administration.”
“The First Seat Elder of the Heaven Sealing Gorge must be even more vigilant, and cannot leave the clan easily.”
“Father is specifically dealing with the other’s Martial Saints or Sacred Artifacts, so if they send an Elder to deal with the situation in Lianhu County, it should either be eldest or second apprentice-uncle. The clan’s Martial Grandmaster experts of the late Essence Talisman stage are just these few.”
“If neither one of them can leave the clan, then senior apprentice-aunt Fu may come.”
Ah Hu was silent for a moment as he scratched his head. “Young Master, are you forgetting someone? The Martial Repository’s Xin Dongping is stronger than either Elder He or Elder Zhang. He is only inferior when compared to the Chief.”
“Though it is difficult to say who is stronger between the Family Head and Elder Xin, he definitely places amongst the top three experts of all of Broad Creed Mountain.”
Yan Zhaoge didn’t say anything, but inclined his head slightly upwards. “At this moment we can be absolutely certain that amongst the clan’s higher echelons, there is still an
other person belonging to the Decimating Abyss.”
“Ah Hu, if you were to guess who is most likely to be the traitor, who would you guess? Only as a speculation.”
Ah Hu opened and closed his mouth. “Eh… If I had to guess, I would say that both Elder Xin and Elder Fang are equally likely….”
Yan Zhaoge nodded. “That’s right. In Chief succession, one of them lost to the Grand Master, while the other one lost to my father.”
“Because of his loss that year, Elder Xin has a heart barrier which means that even now, he is unable to reach that highest peak and step into the realm of Martial Saints.”
“The other one was long heralded as the Hidden Dragon. Due to his loss, he may very well be hidden for an entire lifetime now.”
Yan Zhaoge gazed into the distance. “The human heart is inscrutable. We don’t know what they are thinking, but they definitely are not overjoyed about their own situations.”
Ah Hu grinned. “Young Master, you seem more wary about Elder Xin?”
Yan Zhaoge responded, “Even though second apprentice-uncle was directly competing against Father, maybe because I’m more familiar with him, I truly hope that he does not turn out to be traitorous.”
“Of course, I can’t deny that in the case that Elder Xin turns traitor, the damage to the clan may very well be heavier than it would be if it is was second apprentice-uncle.”
“Don’t look at how Elder Xin seems to be separate from worldly affairs. Actually, his impact on Broad Creed Mountain has never been insignificant. All this time, he has been unable to make that last step into the Martial Saint realm, but if he had succeeded it would have been the Chief who was embarrassed.”
Ah Hu stated, “Because of this reason, you think that Elder Xin may have his stubbornness turn into devilish intent? On the other hand, as long as the Family Head does not fall into the same situation that the Chief has, the chance of Elder Fang assuming power is simply too low.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded. “Right, there is also this possibility.”
Ah Hu hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “Young Master, what then if both Elder Xin and Elder Fang…”
Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes. “In that case, it will truly be hard for our clan to survive this calamity.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 278: Knowing of the tiger’s presence, yet still heading up the mountain
HSSB278: Knowing of the tiger’s presence, yet still heading up the mountain
Yan Zhaoge, along with Ah Hu and Pan-Pan, rushed over to Lianhu County.
There, they encountered Shi Tie and Xu Fei.
The matter of Lianhu County had finally been handed over to Shi Tie to deal with, and Yan Zhaoge also learnt of the news regarding Fang Zhun and Lu Wen.
Ah Hu’s face was bitter as he looked at Yan Zhaoge, while Yan Zhaoge rubbed his temple, “Eldest apprentice-uncle, senior apprentice-brother Xu, what is the situation now with the other peak experts of the clan?”
Xu Fei answered, “Senior apprentice-uncle Yan is battling the Devil Saint in a foreign dimension, while Elder Zhang and Elder Xin are guarding our clan’s grand formation, helping to support senior apprentice-brother Yan whilst also staying vigilant of other invading enemies. Elder He is guarding Grand Master, while senior apprentice-aunt Fu is searching for senior apprentice-uncle Fang.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded soundlessly, the conversation proceeding amidst their hurrying.
Over on the territory of Lianhu County, there existed many lakes, individually dotting the area as they resembled tiny lake kingdoms of their own.
Moving here, Yan Zhaoge had a feeling like he was back at the Lake Domain’s Clear Concealed Lake.
Nearing the south of Lianhu County, that terrifying aura that shook one’s heart, shocking one’s very soul, appeared once more.
Gazing into the distance, dense black fog filled the entire sky. Amidst the black clouds, bloodred lightning flickered, as it was like a scene from the end of the world.
Below, the numerous lakes were jet-black as ink as a massive grand formation could vaguely be seen on the ground, its countless spirit patterns flickering with black streams of light.
Yan Zhaoge swivelled his head to look at Shi Tie, “Eldest apprentice-uncle, the other party’s technique that changes the location of the descent of the Great Nine Underworlds Door is extremely intricate and profound, not being easy to break. It should not just be used just once; we must be prepared for the possibility of it being used once more.”
Shi Tie said, “It is most likely like this.”
They killed their way into the core region of the Devilish Domain Grand Formation. What was rather abnormal was that, along the way, they did not encounter the obstruction of many Decimating Abyss martial practitioners at all.
Yan Zhaoge’s pupils dilated slightly, “They have definitely set up a trap. If the core of this Devilish Domain Grand Formation here is damaged, the location of the descent of the Great Nine Underworlds Door will change once more.”
“Them not obstructing us at this moment is not that they don’t care, but that they want to make use of the time when we are suppressing the Great Nine Underworlds Door to launch a sudden assault on us.”
“At that time, if our attentions are on suppressing the Great Nine Underworlds Door, it will be greatly advantageous to them.”
Hearing his words, Shi Tie and the others all frowned.
Yan Zhaoge let out a long breath, “As for us, it is impossible for us to stand by and watch the Nine Underworlds Door descend. However…”
Looking at the devilish mark on the back of his left hand, Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes into slits, “However, our understanding towards Devilish Domain Grand Formations has also improved greatly from the last two times.”
They progressed forward, finally stepping into that crimson red devilish domain core region once more. Witnessing a tall golden tower standing tall before him once again, Yan Zhaoge remained expressionless as he showed no joy or sorrow on his face whatsoever.
The land here was completely bare, with only the mighty circulation of the Devilish Domain Grand Formation.
A red door of light at the top of the tall golden tower formed a projection on the ground, wanting to guide the Nine Underworlds to descend into this world.
Countless black spirit patterns, extending outwards in all directions, converged once more, resembling chains as they entangled the golden tower.
Not hesitating in the least, Yan Zhaoge flew forward, slamming out with his palms, continuously striking out at those black spirit patterns.
Assaulted by Yan Zhaoge, a tiny circular ring instantly surfaced on those spirit patterns.
Within the flickering white ring of light, a complicated, profound rune surfaced, engraving itself on the spirit patterns of the Devilish Domain Grand Formation like a sealing mark.
“While the pillar of the Divine Palace temporarily cannot be used…” Yan Zhaoge’s gaze was calm as he struck out continuously with his palm.
Finally coming to the foot of the tall golden tower, he struck out simultaneously with his palms, forming a massive rune that engraved itself on the tower.
“Eldest apprentice-uncle!” Yan Zhaoge called.
Shi Tie had long since been prepared as he now came up in big strides, arriving at the top of the golden tower whereupon he struck out with a palm.
The golden tower shook mightily, the countless black spirit patterns entangling it beginning to surge in reverse.
The Devilish Domain Grand Formation gradually dispersed, with the devilish qi not flowing elsewhere like the Decimating Abyss martial practitioners wanted.
The aura of the Nine Underworlds here grew weaker and weaker, that tall golden tower clearly beginning to shrink in size at this moment.
It shrunk stably, rather than collapsing in an instant.
Seeing this, Xu Fei and Ah Hu both let out sighs of relief, the latter grinning, “Young Master, I guess that at this point, even the Decimating Abyss’s strongest e
xpert in formations is not as familiar as you are with these Devilish Domain Grand Formations?”
Yan Zhaoge’s hands had currently already left the golden tower. With Shi Tie, a late Essence Talisman Martial Grandmaster suppressing it, it was already sufficient.
Not having yet replied, a vigorous dark light suddenly appeared before their eyes, easily piercing through the boundless darkness, abruptly striking over!
The speed of that dark light was such that Yan Zhaoge, Xu Fei and Ah Hu were completely unable to react to it in time.
Resembling true black lightning, its power vigorous and condensed to the extreme, seemingly able to directly rip the great earth apart!
However, Shi Tie was able to detect the enemy’s attack in time.
He transformed into Vajra, illuminating the entire world all around. Even within the devilish domain, he was like an ocean-stabilising pillar, standing firm as the devilish qi was unable to near him, most of the surrounding black fog being dispersed in an instant.
One of his hands still pressing down on the golden tower, Shi Tie’s other hand punched out, directly meeting that terrifying dark light head-on.
Bright light lit up between the heavens and the earth, illuminating the dim world.
Shi Tie looked at the newcomer. It was an old enemy, the ‘Scaly Dragon King’ Sima Chui.
The two already knew each other well. Like enemies meeting on a narrow path, they wasted no time on words, immediately beginning to fight it out.
However, as Yan Zhaoge had expected, having to also devote some of his energies to suppressing the Devilish Domain Grand Formation and the Great Nine Underworlds Door, Shi Tie was unable to meet Sima Chui with his full strength.
One hand pressing on the golden tower, Shi Tie was temporarily unable to freely shift his position, only able to face the enemy where he was.
However, he met all variations with none, resembling a lone rock, unyielding and eternal amidst the tempestuous storms and the shocking waves.