A green sword-light that resembled an azure dragon crossing the heavens flashed by.
Of the five Martial Grandmasters of the Decimating Abyss, following the white-haired old man, another of them, an early Spirit Vessel Martial Grandmaster, was nailed to death on the spot!
Having already received reminders from Yan Zhaoge earlier via sound transmission with his aura-qi, Xu Fei and Ah Hu also rushed out, each dealing with one of the two remaining Decimating Abyss Martial Grandmasters.
At the same time, Yan Zhaoge arrived by Shi Songtao’s side.
Dim light shone in Shi Songtao’s hands as he struck out at Yan Zhaoge with a sword.
Intercrossing his hands, Yan Zhaoge shifted his body, continuously exerting force with his feet, resembling the shifting of stars as he instantly maneuvered behind Shi Songtao.
He hacked out with his left hand. With the rumbling of thunder, resembling a massive heaven-splitting blade, it hacked down on Shi Songtao’s sword-wielding arm!
As a muffled snapping sound resounded, Shi Songtao’s left elbow instantly fell limp, the sword within his hands falling to the ground.
“I will be offending you,” At the same time, Yan Zhaoge kicked out, stomping down on Shi Songtao’s knee.
Resembling a lumberjack hacking down a great tree with the swinging of a mighty axe, he directly forced Shi Songtao’s down onto the ground on one knee!
Yan Zhaoge extended his right hand, fingers forming a claw, as he grabbed onto Shi Songtao’s neck from behind, suppressing the latter till he was completely unable to move.
“The third sentence…” Yan Zhaoge exhaled, “Of my twenty-two fellow disciples here, senior apprentice-brother Shi, you will not be killing a single one of them.”
Accompanied by his words, only now did the white-haired old man’s flesh and blood, smitten by the thunderbolt, splatter down onto the ground in an all-encompassing rain of blood!
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 281: Thunderbolt-like methods
HSSB281: Thunderbolt-like methods
Hearing the resounding of thunderbolts, the Decimating Abyss martial practitioners here were all greatly shocked.
They all looked towards the strongest of their number, that white-haired old man, only to see him shockingly splattering down in a rain of blood!
They were all stunned, and stood there listlessly as the flesh and blood splattered onto their faces. They were unable to believe that the white-haired old man, a late Spirit Vessel Martial Grandmaster, had been instantly slain on the spot just like that!
Only when his dispersed blood vaporised in the form of black smoke, and finally vanished without a trace, did they regain their wits.
But in just that blink of an eye, Yan Zhaoge had killed another, and had at the same time taken down Shi Songtao!
Against these Decimating Abyss martial practitioners who had yet to become Martial Grandmasters, Yan Zhaoge stood where he was, the Immortal Crane Wings unfurled behind his back.
Like a rain of light the crane feathers shot out in all directions, and instantly riddled all the Decimating Abyss martial practitioners with holes.
On the other side, Xu Fei and Ah Hu were also taking care of their two opponents.
The originally captured Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners now discovered that in the blink of an eye, their safety had all been secured!
They were stunned, and all looked to Yan Zhaoge who, resembling the descent of a heavenly soldier, had instantly swept all the enemies clear.
Without even a chance to hold them hostage or kill them to vent anger all of the Decimating Abyss martial practitioners, Shi Songtao included, had already been swept up by the trio led by Yan Zhaoge in an instant.
Looking at Yan Zhaoge’s relaxed appearance, it seemed that if not for fear of the Decimating Abyss Martial Grandmasters possibly hurting or killing them, even without Xu Fei or Ah Hu having to move, he himself could have forcibly cleared the area on his own.
Even Shi Tie and Sima Chui, clashing in mid-air, split up some on their attention to focus below.
This time, however, it was Shi Tie attacking, causing Sima Chui to be unable to think about anything else.
Yan Zhaoge stood where he was, unceasingly breathing and moderating his condition.
Now, the purple orb formed of the Eye of the Thunder Emperor fragment completely dimmed, fully run dry of spirituality.
It resembled a dusty stone orb, unremarkable to the extreme, as it was kept by Yan Zhaoge.
An Instant’s Thunder, focusing and blazing all its power in a single instant.
After a single blow, the power Yan Zhaoge could currently unleash from the Eye of the Thunder Emperor fragment would all be depleted.
However, it was also precisely because of this that the power of An Instant’s Lightning was so remarkable.
That white-haired old man, being of the late Spirit Vessel stage, having formed a spirit seed, birthed spirit sprouts, and already being on the road to forming a true martial soul, was one who had experienced countless battles in the past, and possessed great experience as well as great strength.
In facing Yan Zhaoge in a head-on battle, regardless of who the victory went to, it was definitely not be something that could be decided in a single exchange.
However, now, he had been blown up by Yan Zhaoge’s An Instant’s Thunder to the point that not even his corpse or his bones remained!
An Instant’s Thunder possessed incredible power, able to decimate both gods and ghosts, but the power of the Sacred Artifact fragment was closely linked to Yan Zhaoge’s own essence, qi and mind.
As the Eye of the Thunder Emperor fragment fell dim at this moment, Yan Zhaoge’s own essence, qi and mind also deteriorated greatly.
Yan Zhaoge had been prepared for this beforehand. As he had unleashed the power of the Sacred Artifact fragment, in that short instant, he had also erupted with all of his potential, going all out in that moment before his condition truly deteriorated, capturing Shi Songtao and instantly killing his other opponent.
At this moment, Yan Zhaoge had Shi Songtao held by his neck, and was suppressing the circulation of his aura-qi and shaking his flesh and blood such that the latter was unable to move.
However, Yan Zhaoge could clearly feel that Shi Songtao was still resisting, struggling unceasingly.
Beneath his skin, an explosive force surged unceasingly, shocking Yan Zhaoge’s fingers to the point of numbness.
Even having the other by his vitals, with his energy deteriorating alongside the Eye of the Thunder Emperor fragment, for just those few breaths of time, Yan Zhaoge felt like he was almost unable to hold Shi Songtao.
However, accompanied by Yan Zhaoge’s breathing and moderating of his condition, he gradually recovered some of his strength, and still held Shi Songtao firmly.
Xu Fei and Ah Hu also very quickly finished their individual opponents.
Ah Hu came beside Yan Zhaoge, questioning him with his gaze. Yan Zhaoge shook his head slightly, indicating that he didn’t require his help.
Meanwhile, Xu Fei helped those injured fellow disciples while settling his gaze on Shi Songtao.
In mid-air, seeing that he was unable to do anything to Shi Tie, also noting how the golden tower suppressed by Shi Tie was getting shorter and shorter, Sima Chui knew that if he didn’t retreat quickly, Shi Tie would be completely released at the moment when that golden tower was completely levelled.
At that time, whether he would be able to retreat successfully was an unknown.
Waving his lance, Sima Chui began to retreat.
Shi Tie expanded his fist-intent, enveloping the surrounding area and guarding Yan Zhaoge and the others. He didn’t chase Sima Chui, his palm still pressing on the surface of the tall golden tower.
Suppressed by him, the tall golden tower shrunk unceasingly.
The Devilish Domain Grand Formation was already on the verge of collapse at this moment.
With Yan Zhaoge suppressing Shi Songtao, the othe
r rescued Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners could finally heave a sigh of relief. It was just that their gazes began moving between Shi Tie and Shi Songtao, a strange atmosphere brewing within the air.
“Ah Hu,” Yan Zhaoge sighed lightly.
Ah Hu nodded, substituting Xu Fei’s role, helping those Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners to treat their injuries, at the same time also beginning to take them out of this place.
Bearing complicated feelings, the Broad Creed Mountain martial practitioners were silent as they finally left with Ah Hu without asking anything.
Xu Fei’s expression was solemn as he came before Shi Songtao.
Shi Songtao instead calmed at this moment.
He was currently unable to swivel his head to look at Yan Zhaoge behind him, but he still said in a mild tone, “Your reputation is well deserved.”
Yan Zhaoge asked, “Senior apprentice-brother Shi, I have offended you. Still, that second sentence of mine just now, that question-what exactly is the answer?”
Shi Songtao suddenly fell silent.
On the top of the golden tower, his gaze sweeping Shi Songtao’s entire body, Shi Tie suddenly said, “Check his Shadow Shrinking Pouch.”
Xu Fei nodded, searching out a Shadow Shrinking Pouch from Shi Songtao’s body.
Shi Songtao looked coldly at him and Shi Tie, his gaze finally coming to rest on that Shadow Shrinking Pouch, a pained look appearing within his eyes.
Opening that Shadow Shrinking Pouch, three transparent ice coffins appeared within. One was completely empty, while the other two were occupied.
One of the occupants was a beautiful woman who looked to be in her early twenties, just that her eyes were tightly shut, as she was seemingly in a deep slumber.
The other contained a young boy who looked to be around ten years of age.
The shape of the boy’s face was similar to the woman’s while the area between his brows was similar to Shi Tie and Shi Songtao.
Xu Fei’s expression did not relax, “Jun’er still has life in him, but it is also hanging by a thread. But Sister Yuzhen…”
Yan Zhaoge looked over. Shi Tie’s grandson and Shi Songtao’s son Shi Jun had been but three when he had gone missing that year. By his appearance now, it was just like he had grown up naturally.
However, the situation was just not an optimistic one.
As for Shi Songtao’s wife Ying Yuzhen, looking at her current condition, it was doubtful if she still lived…
“These ice coffins temporarily seal their bodies. In the meantime, we must properly think of a plan,” Yan Zhaoge looked at Shi Songtao, “Senior apprentice-brother Shi, at this point, why not speak honestly on some matters? That year, who exactly was it that saved you, while also guiding you to join the Nine Underworlds? Was it someone of our clan?”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 282: Origins of the Decimating Abyss
HSSB282: Origins of the Decimating Abyss
Hearing Yan Zhaoge’s question, Shi Songtao was silent for a long time before he asked quietly, “You should already have guesses of your own?”
Yan Zhaoge and Xu Fei looked at him, Shi Tie’s gaze also focusing on him.
Shi Songtao raised his head to meet Shi Tie’s gaze, saying in an indifferent tone, “Actually, I have never seen his true face. When he saved me and passed down the Dark Light Killing Arts and other martial arts to me included; I have never truly met him face to face before.”
“However, if you ask me, I feel that it is senior apprentice-uncle Fang.”
Hearing his words, Shi Tie’s eyes shone with a brilliant light as he fixed his gaze closely on his son.
Yan Zhaoge’s and Xu Fei’s gazes hardened.
“Since you have never seen his true face before, how can you be sure that that is second apprentice-uncle?” Yan Zhaoge asked in a heavy tone, “Based on voice? People with such a cultivation base can already disguise their voices, with it very difficult for us to distinguish at our level.”
Shi Songtao said mildly, “That’s why I say that it is just a feeling.”
“Of course, it is not baseless. This deduction of mine is based on the fact that the Abyss Lord, not relying on the Earth Domain, can still guide the Devilish Domain Grand Formation to cause the descent of the Nine Underworlds. Consolidating some clues, I arrived at this conclusion.”
His neck being held by Yan Zhaoge, he was unable to swivel his head around, but he still asked Yan Zhaoge, “Why do you think that senior apprentice-uncle Fang, Fang Zhun, originally of the moderate faction like the clan’s longtime Elders, later turned forceful and aggressive in style, becoming like our fathers?”
Shi Songtao looked at Shi Tie, “You don’t really believe that it is because he and Grand Master both lean towards toughness that senior apprentice-uncle Fang changed in direction?”
“A figure like senior apprentice-uncle Fang-is it possible for him to change so easily?”
Shi Songtao’s expression was indifferent as no despondence, sadness, happiness or mockery could be seen within it whatsoever, his tone mild as clear water.
Restricting his movements from behind, Yan Zhaoge asked, “Second apprentice-uncle is the Decimating Abyss’s Lord?”
From the higher echelon Decimating Abyss experts that they had captured earlier, Yan Zhaoge and the others of Broad Creed Mountain had come to know that their leader was internally known by them as the Abyss Lord.
In actual fact, the true leader of the martial practitioners who had joined the Nine Underworlds and the Decimating Abyss was the Nine Underworlds.
While the Abyss Lord was the peak expert amongst them all, with the greatest level of understanding towards the Nine Underworlds, grasping many secrets.
From a certain perspective, he was like the spokesman of the Nine Underworlds.
Guiding the descent of the Nine Underworlds and a grand formation to form a domain of devilish qi had been proposed by the Abyss Lord.
As for whether it had been created on his own or the method had been obtained through communication with the Nine Underworlds, no one knew.
At the same time, the Abyss Lord was also extremely mysterious, with no one knowing of his true identity at all.
“The Devil Saint Yuan Tian is not their Lord ah…” Yan Zhaoge looked at Shi Songtao, “Your meaning is that the change in second apprentice-uncle’s usual style and way of thinking is related to the Nine Underworlds and the Decimating Abyss?”
Shi Songtao said mildly, “You should also know of Broad Creed Mountain’s radical faction’s evaluation of the moderate faction?”
“Perhaps through senior apprentice-uncle Yan’s influence, I remember that you also have the style and way of thinking of the radical faction.”
While he was before Shi Tie, while it was words on some seniors of the clan, Yan Zhaoge still said calmly, “Conservative and delusional, impractical, placing their hopes on our enemies.”
A considerable portion of Broad Creed Mountain had lived through Broad Creed Mountain’s darkest ages back during that time. Those longtime Elders that still lived now hoped to avoid going into conflict with outside enemies, with the Sacred Sun Clan at their head, as much as possible, silently accumulating their strength till they grew powerful and rose up once more.
When it was necessary for such, some sacrifices and concessions could be made, in order to gain more time.
This form of thought was the same as the method of operation of the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou when he had been in power back then.
At that time, it was this way that Broad Creed Mountain had slowly made it past their darkest ages, finally inviting the light of spring once more.
However, with the old Chief Yuan Zhengfeng at their head, the senior generation of experts, led by Yan Di, Shi Tie and some others, held the opposite view.
Because as they saw it, at the same time that they were developing, the other powers, like the Sacred Sun Clan, were all improving in strength as well.
The other po
wers would not be as kind as to remain where they were, waiting for Broad Creed Mountain to develop and catch up to them, to the point of even surpassing them.
Not just that, suppression, restrictions and attacks would descend like a tide.
The current era now was already different from when the Heaven Diviner, Zhan Xilou, had been in power.
The greatest difference was that, Zhan Xilou was already no more!
A matter that all disciples of Broad Creed Mountain conceded was that when the Exalted Heaven Shaker Zhan Dongge had perished that year, with Broad Creed Mountain tragically suffering great casualties, taking a great blow to its vitality, if not for Zhan Xilou, Broad Creed Mountain would probably not exist today.
Because of Zhan Xilou’s presence, the Broad Creed Mountain of that time had been able to persist on amidst their sufferings and accumulate their strength, able to guarantee that their core interests were not compromised, having the background to remain unflinching at their bottom line.
And now, if they still remained fully conservative and willing to make concessions, that would be no different from blind observance.
Depositing their hopes onto the enemy was something that the radical faction was unable to accept.
Shi Songtao said, “Then, under what conditions do you feel that the moderate faction’s thoughts are feasible?”
Yan Zhaoge knit his brows, “Unless, the Sacred Sun Clan is like how our clan was that year.”
Broad Creed Mountain’s deterioration had begun from the invasion of the Flame Devil World, numerous casualties surfacing as countless Broad Creed Mountain experts surged to meet the Flame Devils in battle.
That had not happened on Broad Creed Mountain’s territory, in the Heaven Domain.
And as Yan Zhaoge saw it, if the thoughts of the moderate faction were not to remain as building castles in the air, it was only possible that something like what had happened with the invasion of the Flame Devils that year occurred once more, with the casualties definitely primarily having to be of the Sacred Sun Clan or the Heavenly Thunder Hall.
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