Meanwhile, while the increase in strength of their ally, Broad Creed Mountain, benefited them, it also brought them pressure.
To the Heavenly Thunder Hall and Infinite Boundless Mountain, a similar problem actually also existed.
Even Turbid Wave Pavilion, having always remained strictly neutral with an isolationist stance, faced with the clearly increasing superiority in strength of Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, also had to pay attention to it.
If they wanted to remain neutral and at the same time completely independent, either they must possess no value in the eyes of others to pay any attention to them, or they must have strength that people would not dare to threaten lightly.
Turbid Wave Pavilion definitely didn’t satisfy the first condition.
And if they always remained where they were, not advancing in strength, whilst the Sacred Sun Clan and Broad Creed Mountain continued progressing, that the second condition would be unable to be fulfilled was also a matter of sooner or later.
With it already being so for the neutral Turbid Wave Pavilion, it was even less of a question for the other three Sacred Grounds, Jade Sea City, Infinite Boundless Mountain and the Heavenly Thunder Hall.
If they could not keep up with the footsteps of Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, they would gradually fall behind, losing the initiative in the Eight Extremities World’s greater scheme of things, only able to helplessly go where the waves took them.
To Infinite Boundless Mountain, their most pressing need was like that of Broad Creed Mountain previously, as they urgently required the emergence of a Martial Saint expert.
Like this, wielding the Heaven Cleaving Axe, they would be able to gain a supremely stable foothold in this world.
And for Jade Sea City and the Heavenly Thunder Hall, gaining another Martial Saint would definitely be best. But if they could not do so, they had to obtain a Sacred Artifact of their own!
On Broad Creed Mountain, while retrieving the Unfalling Ghost Rock from his Shadow Shrinking Pouch, Yan Zhaoge pondered, “Forging a Sacred Artifact is not a simple thing.”
“Even in the pre-Great Calamity era, where forging Sacred Artifacts and spirit artifacts was much easier than it is now, Sacred Artifacts were also not so easily obtained.”
There were two reasons for the rarity of Sacred Artifacts. First was the immense difficulty of the forging process, and the second was the extreme rarity of the required materials.
Yan Zhaoge appraised the Unfalling Ghost Rock, “This definitely shouldn’t be the main material. It should instead be a rather critical supplementary material.”
“Only having the main material can one determine the forging method, gaining a clear plan and thoughts on the forging of one’s Sacred Artifact. And only after that would be the gathering of supplementary materials.”
“From the looks of it, Jade Sea City already has the main material. What kind of precious treasure would it be?”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin. In the current Eight Extremities World, the main materials of Sacred Artifacts were basically one-of-a-kind, with no other treasures that were the same.
Because of the forging method and process, the forged Sacred Artifact would generally be rather more compatible with the martial arts of the one who forged it.
But generally speaking, the compatibility of the main material was also very important.
For example, if Jade Sea City used a fire-type or earth-type treasure to forge their Sacred Artifact, it was not that it was impossible, but the difficulty of the forging process would be extremely immense.
Yan Di said, “As we are diligently advancing forward, the others have also never been standing still on the spot. Everyone is also striving for greater heights.”
“I’ve heard that Infinite Boundless Mountain’s Chief Chu Yan has the intention of entering secluded cultivation once more, attempting a breakthrough into the Martial Saint realm.”
“Other than diligently cultivating, the martial practitioners of the Heavenly Thunder Hall have definitely also been planning for the forging of their own Sacred Artifact, and this would not be a matter of a few days or even generations, rather being something that they have been striving for all along.”
“Even Turbid Wave Pavilion should never have gone lax in searching for fortune as well as materials with which to forge a Sacred Artifact of their own. If they want to remain independent and neutral, the more firmly they want to do so, the clearer they must be on the need to themselves be powerful,” Yan Di said quietly, “We and the Sacred Sun Clan are ahead by a step, but if we do not continue progressing, there will definitely come a day where our advantage no longer exists.”
Yan Zhaoge suddenly laughed, “Then, do you think that we should still give away this Unfalling Ghost Rock?”
Yan Di similarly laughed, pointing towards Yan Zhaoge, “Give it, why not?”
“Right, why not?” Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Now, we are still allies at the end of the day, having common enemies, the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall, who are also not that easy to deal with. Jade Sea City should understand this point. Even if things change in the future, it should also only happen after these two have been taken care of.”
“With everyone running together, and us even in the lead, what is there that we have to fear.”
Yan Zhaoge patted the Unfalling Ghost Rock, “Advancing together, my Broad Creed Mountain’s advantage will only grow greater and greater.”
Yan Di smiled, “Matters of the world are hard to predict, and no one dare say that they would surely be able to laugh to the last. Still, working against our enemies is a sure thing, while working against our allies-does our clan even lack that bit of self-confidence?”
Yan Zhaoge spread his hands apart, “Of course, the precondition is that this ally doesn’t have any foolish thoughts.”
Yan Di said, “As the youngest Martial Saint of the current Eight Extremities World, Song Wuliang is not that foolish, let alone the fact that the hatred between them and the Sacred Sun Clan is not inferior to the tensions between us and the Sacred Sun Clan in the least.”
Of the current known Martial Saint experts of the Eight Extremities World, the newly ascended Yuan Zhengfeng and the recently deceased Devil Saint Yuan Tian included, of those seven, Jade Sea City’s Lord, the Jade Sea Martial Saint Song Wuliang, was the youngest of them all.
Of course, this youngest was in comparison to those like Yuan Zhengfeng and Huang Guanglie. Song Wuliang’s actual age was not that low, with him being much older than those like Shi Tie and Fang Zhun.
However, strictly in terms of seniority, Song Wuliang was actually of the generation after Yuan Zhengfeng’s, being counted of someone as the same generation as Shi Tie and Yan Di.
On the other hand, Song Wuliang had borne a son rather late, the ‘Seven Seas Young Master’ Song Chao still not being very old.
Yan Zhaoge suddenly thought of something as he looked at Yan Di, “Right, father, the news that spread over at our Family…”
The matter he was referring to was the rumour that Yan Di was not truly descended of the Central Heaven Region Yans.
While it had been suppressed with Yan Zhaoge’s thunderbolt-like methods, the truth of the matter was still a little hard to say.
The words that Yan Di’s grandfather had left behind were the greatest problem.
The identification of his Third Granduncle Yan Wenzhen was that the letter was real, and not faked…
At least, with Yan Wenzhen’s vision, he was unable to tell that it had been falsified.
With this, the matter was actually a considerably major one.
In truth, Yan Zhaoge himself was not especially mindful of this matter, but it was hard to say what Yan Di might think.
Yan Di looked calmly at Yan Zhaoge, “I count myself as a member of the Yan Family, and the people of the Family also count me as family. That is already sufficient.”
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge silently nodded
.
Yan Di said, “The fifth Extreme Yin Bout is soon to come.”
“This time, we can let junior apprentice-sister Feng participate. She needs to personally experience the portion of the Extreme Yin Bout that requires establishing communication with the Extreme Yin Crown, as well as increase her combat experience against other Maidens of Extreme Yin,” Yan Zhaoge stroked his temple, “Still, if no major unforeseen circumstances occur, there is not much hope of obtaining victory this time.”
“My original plan was for junior apprentice-sister Feng to make a full out bid for the Extreme Yin Crown in the sixth Extreme Yin Bout. However, with the Sacred Sun Clan also cultivating their Maidens of Extreme Yin with the Yin-Yang coexisting technique, their strength has improved even further. Despite junior apprentice sister Feng’s extreme efforts that far surpass the norm, patience is still required for her to make up for the time she has lost.”
Hearing his words, Yan Di nodded, “Since this matter has been fully handed over to you, you should handle it as you see fit. Since she is to participate in the upcoming fifth Extreme Yin Bout, you should accompany her there this time.”
Yan Zhaoge said, “Precisely my intentions.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 321: Adding on a gift!
HSSB321: Adding on a gift
Broad Creed Mountain had many matters to take care of following the great tribulation it had suffered. Not only did this include rebuilding the clan, many manpower adjustments also had to be made.
First not mentioning anything else, with Xin Dongping having been dealt with and Shi Tie having perished in battle, the two vital positions of the First Seat Elder of the Martial Repository as well as the Disciplinary Hall were now open.
People were needed to fill up these gaps.
While Yan Zhaoge did not speak regarding this, his position now was unordinary, with him having the qualifications to participate in all the internal meetings of the clan.
Broad Creed Mountain’s final decision was to call back the two higher echelon experts of the clan dispatched to the East Sea and the Earth Domain.
In order to deal with the threat of the Flame Devil World at the East Sea, the six great Sacred Grounds had formed an agreement long ago, each having to dispatch an expert who was at least a mid Essence Talisman Martial Grandmaster, to be stationed at the East Sea for the long term, guarding the vital region where the Flame Devil World was connected to the Eight Extremities World.
The personnel dispatched could be modified at their own discretion, but each Sacred Ground required at least one peak Martial Grandmaster to always be stationed at the East Sea, forming the first line of defence together, watching over the movements of the Flame Devil World, dealing with the usual small scale conflicts that occurred.
If the Flame Devils showed any major movements, the Heavenly Thunder Hall, Jade Sea City and Turbid Wave Pavilion who bordered the sea would send troops to reinforce as quickly as possible.
Based on the situation, Infinite Boundless Mountain, Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan who were located inland would also dispatch experts to reinforce them when need be. However, that would usually only be in very serious cases, such as that full-out war with the Flame Devils that year.
Such a situation had already not occurred for many years. Generally, those rather more major incidents, such as that during the incident at Clear Concealed Lake previously and this time’s great tribulation at Broad Creed Mountain, would be dealt with by these powers who bordered the sea.
The usual conflicts with the Flame Devils, exterminating those of them who had infiltrated the Eight Extremities World, were the responsibility of the six Martial Grandmasters dispatched to the East Sea by the six great Sacred Grounds.
Under them were fellow members of their respective clans, either stationed at the East Sea for the long term or temporarily there for tempering.
Feng Yunsheng’s old Master back in the Sacred Sun Clan had perished in a conflict with the Flame Devils when stationed at the East Sea.
The bigwig stationed at the East Sea by Broad Creed Mountain was usually known as the East Sea’s First Seat Elder.
This was a very tough and miserable job, not having many benefits, also having to fight with the Flame Devils all the time.
Therefore, Broad Creed Mountain’s East Sea’s First Seat Elder had always followed a rotational basis.
What was worth mentioning was that before he had taken up the position as the First Seat of the Martial Inheritance Hall, Yan Zhaoge’s father had been the East Sea’s First Seat Elder, slaying a great amount of Fire Devils on the East Sea, flames enveloping the entire sky, incinerating the heavens and roasting the sea, his fame shaking the world.
And the current East Sea’s First Seat Elder was another late Essence Talisman Martial Grandmaster of Broad Creed Mountain, Chang Zhen.
In the great tribulation of Broad Creed Mountain, Chang Zhen had wanted to return to the clan to assist, but had just happened to encounter an invasion of the Flame Devils, chaos ensuing.
The Sacred Sun Clan’s longtime Elder stationed at the East Sea had met up with him, the two at a standstill whilst clashing against the Flame Devil experts, Chang Zhen therefore being held back at the East Sea.
Today, with the great tribulation of Broad Creed Mountain over and the invasion of the Flame Devils having finally been quelled completely, Broad Creed Mountain dispatched someone to replace Chang Zhen, deploying him back to the clan.
The new East Sea’s First Seat Elder was someone Yan Zhaoge was familiar with, being the Master of Feng Yunsheng and Sikong Qing, Fu Enshu.
A situation similar to this happened with the Earth Domain.
While the Decimating Abyss had been destroyed, the Earth Domain still remained, with people still needed to warily watch over it. However, Broad Creed Mountain still had to do some personnel modifications.
Song Chao transmitted Broad Creed Mountain’s intentions to Jade Sea City, who replied very quickly, agreeing enthusiastically to the exchange of a great amount of goods and resources between them, saying that they would try to raise and satisfy the goods Broad Creed Mountain desired as much as possible.
The two had originally already been allies, with much interaction going on between them. However, with the massive scale of this time’s exchange, both sides needed to prepare correspondingly for it.
Song Chao had also felt that Yan Zhaoge and Broad Creed Mountain might have already caught on to his side’s intentions.
However, Broad Creed Mountain did not make things difficult for Jade Sea City because of this, not specially raising the prices in the trade between the two sides.
While the prices were still comparatively higher than they had been before, to Jade Sea City, having obtained the Unfalling Ghost Rock, it was completely worth it.
Being a friendly and open person, Song Chao was exceptionally grateful when he next saw Yan Zhaoge.
“Senior Brother Song is too polite with this,” Yan Zhaoge grasped a piece of jade in his hand as he looked at Song Chao, “The relationship between our two clans has always been good. Helping each other out is only a natural thing.”
Song Chao said, “Junior Brother Yan need not reject this. This intricate piece of jade might turn out to be a piece of fortune, but it might also turn out to be nothing. Using it as a gift, Song Chao actually feels guilty, just that I do not have anything else on me that might hold sufficient value.”
Yan Zhaoge fingered the piece of jade, smiling slightly as he also knew full well why Song Chao had added on this gift, “Senior Brother Song is full of sincerity; if I reject it again, it would be rude. Since that is so, I thank Senior Brother Song for your gift.”
Song Chao shook his head, “It is Junior Brother Yan who is being too polite.”
Yan Zhaoge pondered slightly for a moment before he asked, “Is Senior Brother Song returning to the Water Domain soon?”
Song Chao said, “We will be leaving within the next two days.”<
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Yan Zhaoge rose, “I’ll see you out then.”
The two left together, Yan Zhaoge sending a sound transmission via aura-qi and instructing Ah Hu on something, the latter nodding and leaving.
As Yan Zhaoge arrived at Song Chao’s temporary lodgings alongside him, just entering the courtyard, they saw two figures traversing the area unceasingly as they sparred.
The two were Sikong Qing and Li Jingwan, the sparring between them being a rather friendly one. On one hand, this was a closed door spar, not known by the outside world. On the other, they stopped when things were just sufficient, not letting it go too far.
They had not gone to the great training grounds beneath the Fire Leaving Peak specifically for the sparring of Broad Creed Mountain disciples, nor to the Martial Inheritance Hall, instead staying where Song Chao’s group temporarily resided, sparring behind closed doors.
The current cultivation bases of the two were not low. If they were to go all out in fighting, their destructive power would already be very shocking, to the point of even being able to destroy all the surrounding buildings.
Therefore, their current sparring was mostly based upon the variations in their techniques as well as their understanding in their martial arts, not drawing greatly on their aura-qi, being somewhat similar to when Yan Zhaoge had competed in the Big Dipper Sword against Lu Wen in the Martial Repository that year.
But even so, as the two elegant figures flew around, it still truly bedazzled one’s eyes.
Looking at Sikong Qing’s figure, Song Chao sighed as he said, “I had already had a feeling back at the Heavenly Connection Meet, but had not truly discovered then, that the talent of this Junior Sister Sikong is truly shocking.”
Yan Zhaoge nodded.
The two combatants were both currently in the late outer aura Martial Scholar realm.
To Li Jingwan, as someone of close to Yan Zhaoge’s age, this was very normal. To the direct disciples of the six great Sacred Grounds, the average speed was entering the outer aura stage around the age of twenty, the Xiantian stage around the age of twenty-five, and the Heavenly Connection stage around the age of thirty.
History's Strongest Senior Brother c1-1474 Page 186
