Yan Zhaoge retracted his gaze, “It was a light image restored through a secret technique after all, not being the real, actual formation. I cannot say this for certain. However, I feel that it was somewhat different from the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation that I know of from past experience.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 696: With us, it will be different
HSSB696: With us, it will be different
Yan Zhaoge no longer looked in the direction where the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation had been as he turned back and said, “Alright, I’ll not think about it for now. Let’s depart as well.”
Ah Hu asked, “Where are we going now, Young Master? To the northern regions of the Royal Reed Sea? Or to the Clear Scenic Region?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “We should not go to the Clear Scenic Region now. The Endless Magnetic Storms there are currently rampaging severely. Although Wen Luoxia did enter the sea, she was unable to unearth the treasures hidden within, from the looks of it.”
“As for the northern regions of the Royal Reed Sea, there is currently no need for that as well.”
Originally, the Grand Xuan Dynasty had stopped attacking the North Sea Sword Pavilion, changing their target to the Radiant Light Sect.
However, the anti-Xuan forces had decisively pursued them out of the vicinity of the North Sea, attacking and harassing the Grand Xuan Dynasty all the way. The two had clashed on and off, a neverending chain of battles arising.
They were still quite some distance away from the headquarters of the Radiant Light Sect.
Yan Zhaoge guessed that the Grand Xuan Dynasty had intended to bait the rebels out, making use of their assault on the Radiant Light Sect headquarters to force the anti-Xuan forces to give up on their geographical advantage over at the North Sea.
After the anti-Xuan forces had been lured out of the Grinding Hut Region’s sword domain, if they were still in close proximity, they could still retreat back in at any time.
After they had been lured far away enough into the middle of nowhere, the Grand Xuan Dynasty would suddenly turn back and counterattack, with the anti-Xuan coalition likely then unable to retreat into the Grinding Hut Region anymore.
This way, forcing a battle out in the open, the Grand Xuan Dynasty who held the advantage in terms of strength would inevitably have a greater chance of winning.
This was an aboveboard scheme. Even while the anti-Xuan forces knew of the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s intentions, they could only continue playing by their game.
Otherwise, the Grand Xuan Dynasty could simply just directly trample over the Radiant Light Sect’s headquarters, not meeting a loss however they fought.
The Grand Xuan Dynasty held the initiative in deciding where the main battlefield would be. This was where their advantage lay.
The anti-Xuan coalition could only look to make up for this in other areas as much as possible, creating the most beneficial conditions for themselves amidst a disadvantageous environment.
“Due to the Southeastern Exalt, the Grand Xuan Dynasty currently has to lower their flags and cease their drums. Even tricky methods like pretending to retreat and then attacking cannot be used. They will really have to honestly return home and lay low, not daring to do anything petty,” Yan Zhaoge said, “Therefore, in order to avoid the anti-Xuan coalition making use of this chance to pursue and kill them, they will have to make a clean retreat.”
“Retreating in a single go before hanging the flag of ceasefire high, retracting their defensive lines.”
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, “They are more powerful. When they are lying low and in full defence mode, the anti-Xuan forces would not be able to start a war easily. The anti-Xuan forces only want to keep from provoking the Southeastern Exalt a step further with something already having been stirred up. Still, it is not to the extent that they would not retaliate when attacked.”
Ah Hu mimicked his movements, “They will definitely keep the news under wraps, certainly not allowing the news of them having offended the Southeastern Exalt to spread.”
“Young Master, are we going to look for the main anti-Xuan forces and tell them this news then?”
“As the Grand Xuan Dynasty is retreating, the anti-Xuan forces should make use of it to launch a fierce counterattack. That might just be the final chance to deal a heavy, severe blow to them.”
Yan Zhaoge smiled, “It is indeed so. Still, it might not definitely be possible. The Grand Xuan Dynasty should still be rather well organised in their troop deployment.”
Having said this, they continued on their way.
The Grand Xuan Dynasty and the anti-Xuan forces were currently still locked in the heat of battle, continually clashing with each other. It was not hard to locate them like this.
Checking for information along the way and eventually arriving in some northeastern region of the Royal Reed Sea, Yan Zhaoge’s group could even feel the shaking of spiritual qi over in the distance.
That was due to the standoff between numerous experts having disrupted the spiritual qi cycles of the surrounding environment there.
Gazing into the distance, Yan Zhaoge saw a streak of light and the light of fire flickering in the distant horizon.
A great battle was clearly underway yet once more.
Roiling waves of qi swept through the surroundings, instantly causing the great sea to surge as great waves of tsunamis arose, pressuring towards the current location of Yan Zhaoge’s group.
Yan Zhaoge’s eyes narrowed slightly, “What fierce attacks.”
This clash had begun very suddenly, and it now ended very swiftly as well.
In virtually just an instant, one side of combatants swiftly retreated, seeming like they desired not a battle to the death with their opponents.
Still, their formation clearly remained organised as they retreated in an orderly fashion, seemingly long having been prepared for this as they prevented their opponents from tying them back down.
As for the attacking side, their momentum remained fierce as they made as if to pursue with the look of definitely not sparing their enemies, wanting to permanently end them there for good.
Ah Hu asked rather hesitantly, “Young Master, are we too late?”
Yan Zhaoge said, “We aren’t. The most obtrusive things on the attacking side are a streak of sword-light and a streak of fiery light.”
These were indeed eye-catching due to the great strength of their wielders such that Yan Zhaoge was able to feel the aura contained within even from a long distance away.
Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu were currently too insufficient in terms of cultivation base. All they could see was bright light all round, quaking their hearts into unease as they were unable to identify them.
However, with Yan Zhaoge’s current cultivation base, he was able to make the distinction.
That sword-light was like a long river of time, distant and eternal. Meanwhile, that fiery light was brutal and ferocious, with the silhouettes of seven birds as they soared high vaguely visible within.
The former was unquestionably the Time Flowing Sword as wielded by an expert of Shen Lingzi’s lineage, while the latter was the result of the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s royalty unleashing the Seven Fowl Treasured Spear with the Five Fires True Art.
Yan Zhaoge said, “If I were the Grand Xuan Dynasty, the decision to advance or retreat being in my hands and when to retreat being grasped by me, before I retreated, I would also launch a fierce attack like this. Anyway, as I possess the advantage, I definitely wouldn’t be taking a loss.”
The anti-Xuan coalition did not have the intention of battling the Grand Xuan Dynasty here in neutral territory without the battlefield advantage. They merely wished to delay the steps of their advance.
This act had already played out so many times before, the enemy advancing and they retreating, the enemy retreating and they pursuing.
Even if the Grand Xuan Dynasty did nothing, the anti-Xuan forces would first provoke them before retreating follo
wing that one strike. When the Grand Xuan Dynasty ceased in their counterattack, they would leave for the moment.
Now that the Grand Xuan Dynasty seemed like a completely enraged beast, no longer advancing towards the headquarters of the Radiant Light Sect as they instead launched an attack on their own, the anti-Xuan forces couldn’t be any happier. At the same time, though, they definitely wouldn’t have a decisive battle with them here as they also naturally retreated faster and more determinedly.
Yan Zhaoge curled his lips, “It is just that the Grand Xuan Dynasty likely has the same intentions as them this time. After the anti-Xuan troops have fled, the Grand Xuan Dynasty too will fly the coop.”
“When the anti-Xuan forces realise this and think of pursuing, it might already be too late then.”
Ah Hu asked, “Couldn’t the Grand Xuan Dynasty have used this method before?”
Yan Zhaoge replied, “Previously, the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s main target was not the Radiant Light Sect’s main headquarters but forcing the anti-Xuan forces into battling out in the open, thus being able to disperse their strength and destroy them to the greatest extent.”
Just destroying the Radiant Light Sect’s headquarters alone, the Grand Xuan Dynasty would actually not gain much as a result. The anti-Xuan troops could just stop thinking about it for good, retreating entirely into the sword domain of the Grinding Hut Region in the northern regions of sea.
It was not that the anti-Xuan coalition was not trying hard. It was just that the Grand Xuan Dynasty had a certain advantage in possessing the initiative.
The Radiant Light Sect would not be able to say anything about this, merely able to whole-heartedly assist the North Sea Sword Pavilion in defending.
Most of their experts were there, such that their legacies would not be discontinued as a result.
“Therefore, the Grand Xuan Dynasty did not want to shake off their enemy before this, and the anti-Xuan coalition was fully aware of this. One might say that the two sides actually had quite the rapport going, just that they were simply going at it over and over,” Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Now, however, the Grand Xuan Dynasty has changed its mind, while their enemy are completely in the dark about this.”
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, “With us, it will be different.”
History's Strongest Senior Brother Chapter 697: First meeting
HSSB697: First meeting
Yan Zhaoge gazed into the distant horizon, “The Grand Xuan Dynasty’s attack is fierce, and they will soon retreat very swiftly as well. Even if we contact the anti-Xuan forces now, it would be very hard to leave them behind here.”
He shook his head, “At the end of the day, the Grand Xuan Dynasty has more resources and greater strength. Still…”
Carefully observing the battling sides, Yan Zhaoge smiled, “Still, it might not be the same for elsewhere.”
Saying thus, he brought Feng Yunsheng and Ah Hu along in approaching the outskirts of the battlefield.
This was naturally in the direction that the anti-Xuan forces were retreating in.
The momentum of the attacking side was unprecedentedly fierce such that the anti-Xuan forces were unable to retain a stable footing for a time.
In order to avoid being completely surrounded and forced into the decisive battle out in the open like this, the anti-Xuan forces continued retreating more and more, heading towards the north as they left this region of sea.
Finally, the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s offensive gradually came to a halt.
After having successfully drawn away from their pursuers, the anti-Xuan forces all sighed slightly in relief before sending people to vigilantly scout, confirming the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s movements.
Ceasing their attack, the Grand Xuan Dynasty halted, seemingly having given up on the pursuit once more as they turned back, continuing on their earlier journey.
Both sides were incomparably familiar with this scene, already having experienced it so many times.
Now, it seemed like it was just the same situation playing out once more.
The difference here was just that because the Grand Xuan Dynasty’s offensive had been too fierce, the anti-Xuan troops had retreated quite a bit more.
When the anti-Xuan coalition tried to catch up with and keep an eye on the Grand Xuan Dynasty again, though, they suddenly discovered to their great surprise that their speed was actually increasing as they moved along. It actually appeared as if they would lose sight of them very soon.
The higher echelon experts of the anti-Xuan powers were all very astonished, this abnormal situation causing everyone to feel wary.
This instead decreased their speed of pursuit as they all appeared to be hesitating.
Yan Zhaoge’s group now approached the camp of the anti-Xuan coalition.
Seeing that the anti-Xuan forces were instead slowing in their pursuit, revealing a hesitant attitude, the trio could only smile wryly as they exchanged looks.
The Grand Xuan Dynasty that was more powerful had suddenly done something abnormal. The anti-Xuan forces were naturally nervous at this for fear that they might fall for their enemy’s scheme.
Being a little more vigilant at a time like this was only natural. However, it was a pity that it was precisely such a mindset that the Grand Xuan Dynasty was making use of.
As they slowed now, this removed their final hopes of pursuing the Grand Xuan Dynasty, allowing them to successfully retreat as they wanted.
Yan Zhaoge shook his head slightly, a smile appearing on his face as he looked at the person coming over towards him, “Elder Wu, long time no seen! I trust you’ve been well.”
A black-clothed old man walked over towards him. It was precisely the Dim Darkness Sect Elder that Yan Zhaoge had initially met at one of their branch altars in the southern part of the Royal Reed Sea, the Head of the Non-Brightness Hall Wu Zixiu.
Yan Zhaoge had first found a Dim Darkness Sect disciple on the outskirts, asking him to convey news of their arrival.
Receiving news of Yan Zhaoge, the Dim Darkness Sect clearly viewed it with great importance as Wu Zixiu had very quickly arrived to greet him.
Seeing Wu Zixiu, Yan Zhaoge smiled, “You came all the way over from the southern part of the Royal Reed Sea as well?”
Wu Zixiu was a mid Seeing Divinity stage expert of the fifth level of the Martial Saint realm. Being the Head of one of the Dim Darkness Sect’s three halls, he was a bigwig and of the higher echelons even amongst the entire anti-Xuan coalition.
After the Dim Sun Cold Moon Ritual had ended, with the main altar of the Dim Darkness Sect having been destroyed and requiring his urgent assistance, that he had appeared with many troops of the Dim Darkness Sect in the northern regions of sea was something that could easily be expected.
Wu Zixiu sighed, “Our last meeting still seems like it was yesterday. Not only are you safe and well, Little Friend Yan, you have even Transcended Mortality and entered Sainthood. This truly causes one to sigh in admiration.”
He clearly knew that it had only been a year at most from the time Yan Zhaoge had stepped into the Transcending Mortality Martial Grandmaster realm to when he had successfully attained the Martial Saint realm.
Such a swift, rapid improvement was truly unheard of.
Especially with this youth possessing such unmatched might, which made it all the more noteworthy.
“This old man heard from my fellow disciples that it was precisely you, Little Friend Yan, who broke the Heaven Fire Tribulation Thunder Formation. That Radiant Light Sect’s Nong Yuxuan was merely a shameless cretin who tried to steal your credit,” Wu Zixiu sighed emotionally, “This old man and many fellow disciples were also in the Grinding Hut Region’s sword domain at the time. Speaking of this, I really have to thank you.”
“In the Heavenly Inheritance Region and the Suffering River Region, the situation was very chaotic. Afterwards, you and those of the Radiant Light Sect had all vanished. Hearing of this, my sect was saddened. Fortunately, you and your fellow d
isciples are naturally favoured by heaven’s fortune.”
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, “You are welcome, Elder Wu.”
He looked at Wu Zixiu, “We can slowly talk about this afterwards. In having come this time, this Yan actually has something important to report. It has to do with the Grand Xuan Dynasty as well as the Southeastern Exalt.”
Hearing the words ‘Grand Xuan Dynasty’, Wu Zixiu’s expression was calm.
However, hearing Yan Zhaoge mention the Southeastern Exalt, the old man’s expression instantly turned solemn.
Matters that concerned the Southeastern Exalt within the southeastern Yang Heaven Territory were never minor.
A matter that simultaneously had to do with both the Grand Xuan Dynasty and the Southeastern Exalt was naturally something that the Dim Darkness Sect Elder, Wu Zixiu, had to take note of.
Yan Zhaoge succinctly explained what had transpired. Wu Zixiu was rendered wide-eyed and tongue-tied at this.
The Grand Xuan Dynasty had secretly set up the Heaven Bearing Efficate Formation within the Royal Reed Sea for many years, having done so without anyone’s knowledge. This matter concerned the Earth Queen of the legendary Four Heavenly Ministers of Daoism, and the Southeastern Exalt already knew about this matter now.
In order to avoid antagonising the Southeastern Exalt further, the Grand Xuan Dynasty was forced to retreat, having no choice but to lay low and quietly for the moment whilst sending someone over to Golden Court Mountain to meet the Southeastern Exalt and properly explain things to him.
Being a bigwig of the Dim Darkness Sect, after Wu Zixiu understood this information, he instantly connected this to much more.
Looking at the deeply pondering Wu Zixiu, Yan Zhaoge pointed in the direction the Grand Xuan Dynasty was currently retreating in, “The Grand Xuan Dynasty’s current movements can actually already prove the veracity of this Yan’s information.”
Wu Zixiu also gazed in that direction, sighing amidst his realisation, “If it really is so, we would have missed a good opportunity. While we might not have been able to deal them a debilitating blow, we could still have taken advantage of their plight somewhat.”
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