HSSB110: The future is uncertain

"To be rewarded ah…" Yan Zhaoge smiled, "Being highly looked upon by the clan, I enjoy more benefits than our ordinary disciples."

"When the clan needs me, it stands to reason that I diligently contribute as best I can."

The Shi Tie seated just a seat directly below Yuan Zhengfeng said, "It is good that you feel this way. Still, our clan metes out punishment and reward as is deserved; we will definitely not mistreat any of our disciples who have contributed."

Yan Zhaoge bowed, "I thank Grand Master, eldest apprentice-uncle."

Yuan Zhengfeng said, "The specifics of the rewards can be mentioned later on. First, let's discuss the more pressing issues at hand."

His gaze settled on Yan Zhaoge for a few moments before he addressed him, "This old man heard from Yan Di that you are aiming for Infinite Boundless Mountain's Cloud Portent Mountain?"

Cloud Portent Mountain was located in the eastern part of the Mountain Domain and was quite a huge distance away from Infinite Boundless Mountain itself. However, they had always viewed it with great importance.

The reason for this was that the mountain produced a valuable resource known as Giant Spirit Magnetite.

In the entire Eight Extremities World, only two locations produced this resource - Infinite Boundless Mountain and this Cloud Portent Mountain.

The core qi circulatory art of Infinite Boundless Mountain was known as the Giant Spirit Profound Art, being on the same level as Broad Creed Mountain's Clear Qi Profound Art and the Sacred Sun Clan's Great Sun True Qi.

The Giant Spirit Profound Art was renowned for its gigantic strength. Its nature was extremely firm and unyielding, emphasizing forcefulness. However, the difficulty of cultivating this profound art was also correspondingly high.

Many years ago, the founder of Infinite Boundless Mountain had inadvertently discovered Giant Spirit Magnetite at that very mountain. Finding that the ore was useful in the cultivation of the Giant Spirit Profound Art, he occupied the mountain and established the clan there, setting down their very first foundations.

However, as time passed, the Giant Spirit Magnetite quarry in Infinite Boundless Mountain slowly dried up.

Fortunately for them, the neighboring Cloud Portent Mountain also produced this resource.

However, in the present day, Infinite Boundless Mountain itself was no longer a source of Giant Spirit Magnetite, while Cloud Portent Mountain was also able to produce less and less of it. In fact, it seemed as though Cloud Portent Mountain was about to be entirely exhausted as well.

Without the Giant Spirit Magnetite, Infinite Boundless Mountain's martial practitioners could still cultivate in the Giant Spirit Profound Art, but would find the difficulty of doing so greatly increased. In addition, their cultivation speed would also be lower.

For Infinite Boundless Mountain, this was one of their greatest worries.

Over the years, Infinite Boundless Mountain had been searching for a new source of Great Spirit Magnetite whilst congregating the clan's experts in trying to refine the Great Spirit Profound Art.

The former had not seen any results, whereas while some progress had been made in the latter, it was also limited.

Because of this, Yuan Zhengfeng and the others immediately gained interest when Yan Zhaoge set his sights on Cloud Portent Mountain.

Yan Zhaoge's expression turned proper, "I cannot say for sure before having visited the actual location, but there are indeed opportunities awaiting us there."

He paused for a moment, then looked around at the others, "This time, we weren't able to exclude the Sacred Sun Clan from the Extreme Yin Bout?"

In response to Yan Zhaoge's inquiry, Yan Zhengfeng and the others did not feel that he was being insubordinate. Rather, a hint of praise even appeared within Yuan Zhengfeng's gaze.

Fang Zhun responded, "Originally, we had planned to ally with the other Sacred Grounds to exclude them from the next Bout."

"However, Turbid Wave Pavilion and Infinite Boundless Mountain both did not declare their stance, so we had no choice but to drop the topic."

"Thus, the Sacred Sun Clan's Maiden of Extreme Yin will still be participating in the upcoming Bout."

Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly.

Within Infinite Boundless Mountain, there had actually always existed a large split in opinion.

Infinite Boundless Mountain seemed to always be leaning towards the side that offered a higher price, standing in between the Heaven-Water Alliance of Broad Creed Mountain and Jade Sea City and the Thunder-Fire Alliance of the Sacred Sun Clan and the Heavenly Thunder Hall.

However, they had never actually given up on developing till they were strong enough to stand at the head of the Sacred Grounds.

In order to expand and develop, they needed a focus and a direction. However, where the mountain was, everything to the north and the west was just a desolate expanse.

As a result, they had to either expand eastwards and clash with the Heavenly Thunder Hall or expand southwards and clash with Broad Creed Mountain.

To them, an overly strong Sacred Sun Clan or an overly strong Broad Creed Mountain were both things that they would not be happy to see.

As for whether to befriend the Sacred Sun Clan or Broad Creed Mountain, Infinite Boundless Mountain had long been torn over this question.

Yan Zhaoge said seriously, "Disciple researched ancient texts and found that Giant Spirit Magnetite and the Giant Spirit Profound Art are both things which existed before the Great Calamity."

"Disciple plans to go to Cloud Portent Mountain later on and study the site itself; perhaps I'll gain something from it."

For the upcoming third Extreme Yin Bout, if the Crown of Extreme Yin landed in the hands of the Sacred Sun Clan, to Broad Creed Mountain, bringing Infinite Boundless Mountain over to their side would become especially important.

As for whether they would be raising a tiger to repel a wolf, allowing Infinite Boundless Mountain to gain power and eventually come to pose as a major threat, Yan Zhaoge was not worried about that, having an answer to it.

To the left of Yan Zhengfeng, an old woman spoke, "This time, you killed Pan Botai's grandson and also served a key role in the war in the Eastern Tang. I'm afraid that the Sacred Sun Clan will be keeping a close eye on your movements."

"Though the Sacred Sun Clan ate a big loss this time, for them to assassinate a Martial Scholar would still not be a difficult thing."

"Staying within the Heaven Domain, we can guarantee your safety, but the Mountain Domain is a different matter. Is there not someone you could send in your place to examine matters at Cloud Portent Mountain?"

Yan Zhaoge smiled, saying, "Many thanks for senior apprentice-grandaunt's concern, but this matter will have to be decided by you Elders. If the Sacred Sun Clan is fool enough to fall into two consecutive traps, let's leave behind the people they send over for good this time?"

That Elder raised her eyebrows, "You want to set up another ambush? At such a young age, do you really think yourself to be invincible?"

Fang Zhun said, "At least before they obtain the Crown of Extreme Yin, the Sacred Sun Clan will not move lightly. They indeed have to worry up us setting up a trap for them once again."

"Even if they do get the Crown of Extreme Yin, with Infinite Boundless Mountain's stance still unclear, they would not dare to move lightly in the Mountain Domain. Otherwise, they would only be pushing Infinite Boundless Mountain towards our side."

"The real threat would be Huang Guanglie leaving seclusion stronger than before; at that time, the Sacred Sun Clan's counterattack would truly begin."

Fang Zhun lowered his voice, "At that time, I'm afraid that it would an even more intense war than this one, perhaps even an all-out war."

"Because of that, we need to quickly begin our preparations, to increase our clan's chances of victory."

Yuan Zhengfeng spoke, "This time, we acted to make it more convenient for our future movements, and not so that we can be even more indecisive than we were before."

"Zhaoge, if you want to go to the Mountain Domain, you can. But, for safety's sake, you cannot go alone."

Yan Zhaoge nodded his head, "Grand Master, I understand."

Yuan Zhengfeng laughed, "Alright, let's talk about what Zhaoge would like to hear now."

He looked at Shi Tie, who nodded, "In the war of the Eastern Tang, Zhaoge first detected the scheme of the Sacred Sun Clan, then was even willing to brave extraordinary danger in leading our enemies into a trap."

Shi Tie turned around and gave Yan Di a look, "From our assault on the Fire Domain this time, a portion of the spoils of war will go to you. Later, you can ask junior apprentice-brother Yan for it."

Yan Di laughed, "Even before we invaded the Fire Domain, this little rascal was already talking about it."

Yan Zhengfeng and the others all laughed. The thick-skinned Yan Zhaoge chuckled but did not speak.

Shi Tie continued: "And before this, you first saved Zhao Shicheng's life, then helped him to wrest back control of the Jingyang Grand Formation, saving the Eastern Tang. This too deserves a reward from the clan."

"Afterwards, you helped us capture the Ghost Hatchet Elder Han Sheng, contributing a great deal to our efforts against the Decimating Abyss organisation."

"For these three merits, we would actually simply have rewarded you with a spirit artifact." Shi Tie looked at Yan Zhaoge, "However, you currently possess at least two spirit artifacts, as well as all of Yan Xu's personal property. Right now, you don't lack spirit artifacts at all—rather, you have an excess."

Martial Scholars were unable to fully draw on the power of a spirit artifact. Being able to control one was already very good; any others would be kept in reserve as it was very difficult to control different spirit artifacts simultaneously.

At the Spirit Wind Canyon, Yan Zhaoge had only used the Radiant Sun Wheel; the Jade Dragon Sword had actually only been there to serve as the eye of the reversal formation.

Shi Tie continued: "Therefore, the clan has decided to reward you with a Qilin Spring Baptism."

Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge instantly smiled.

HSSB111: Qilin Spring Baptism

The baptism ceremonies that Yan Zhaoge knew of were many, quite a number of those being the leading ones of previous generations.

However, there were very few of those whose external conditions could be satisfied, while Broad Creed Mountain's own Qilin Spring Baptism, in Yan Zhaoge's eyes, also looked somewhat promising.

On Broad Creed Mountain was the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring. When bathed and baptised in this spring, martial practitioners would benefit greatly. This baptism was known as Heavenly Spring Baptism.

As Yan Zhaoge saw it, the Heavenly Spring Baptism could only count as average leaning towards superior.

But if a Qilin Stone was added in, transforming it into a Qilin Spring Baptism, it would then be an extremely high-grade baptism ceremony.

It was just that the Qilin Stones was extremely limited in number, and every one used meant every one lost.

At this moment in time, Broad Creed Mountain only had three Qilin Stones left. Thus, the allocation and use of every single one of those was treated with the utmost seriousness.

As per what Yan Zhaoge knew, after the investigation into Feng Yunsheng had concluded, if she could really regain her Extreme Yin Physique, the clan's internal division had already decided to prepare her a Qilin Spring Baptism.

Therefore, Broad Creed Mountain's current store of Qilin stones actually numbered only two. Put it another way, there were only two more chances for Qilin Spring Baptisms.

Being able to receive the reward of the Qilin Spring Baptism was on one hand due to his great contributions this time in the Eastern Tang, and on the other due to his consecutive victories over Chao Yuanlong and Xiao Shen, where he had displayed greater potential and strength than before.

The latter was possibly the more primary reason.

"I will abstain from arrogance and impatience, working doubly hard in my cultivation," Yan Zhaoge smiled as he answered.

Shi Tie nodded, "Shortly after this, you follow me to receive your Qilin Stone. Your Qilin Spring Baptism will be presided over by junior apprentice-brother Yan."

As Yan Zhaoge followed Shi Tie and left, the Elder a seat below Yuan Zhengfeng now opened his mouth for the first time, saying slowly, "Able to perform merits, but also able to cause trouble-too impetuous."

Yuan Zhengfeng waved his hands, "He's different from other youngsters. Yan Zhaoge generally has the means to himself take care of the trouble he's caused, not needing others to clean up for him."

"Even having caused such a huge incident this time in the Eastern Tang, he was also able to take advantage of the situation instead, turning misfortune into fortune. That's very good indeed."

That old woman shook her head, "He can't depend on luck every single time."

Yuan Zhengfeng laughed, "Being lucky every single time, itself already proves that he did not just purely depend on luck."

"Youngsters should be a little more headstrong; otherwise, having reached our age, wouldn't they be even more conservative than we are now? That would really be stretching our necks out breathing heavily and waiting to enter the soil."

The two Grand Elders fell silent, while Fang Zhun smiled from the side.

Yan Di rose, bowing silently towards Yuan Zhengfeng, "Master, two senior apprentice-uncles, I will go and make preparations for the Qilin Spring Baptism."

The next time Yan Zhaoge saw his father again was already by the side of the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring.

From its exterior, the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring resembled a mirror of white jade, no waves or ripples appearing whatsoever on its surface, the spring water a clear and warm white.

The spiritual qi within was contained and not exposed, not being visible from the outside at all. But just standing by the side of the spirit spring, Yan Zhaoge already had the feeling of being relaxed and happy.

The Qilin Stone was a spirit stone that was fiery red in colour, being translucent with a flickering silhouette vaguely visibly within, while looking like the mythical Qilin, also resembling raging, leaping flames.

Yan Zhaoge handed the Qilin stone over to Yan Di. With a flick of Yan Di's finger, that spirit stone flew into the air above the spring water, whereupon it was frozen in place by his fist intent.

Yan Di gazed towards the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring whose surface did not even contain a single ripple.

The next moment, the surface of the spring which had originally seemed like a solid body began bubbling frenetically as though it was boiling.

From being extremely passive, to being extremely active in but an instant.

Streams of water shot up into the air, converging around the Qilin Stone in the shape of an umbrella.

Yan Zhaoge immediately strode into the air above the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring, hovering seated in the meditative position above it before his entire person slowly sunk downwards and into the spring water below.

Gazing over from afar, it would be seen that as his figure descended, the Qilin Stone surrounded by the streams of water in mid-air also descended with him.

When Yan Zhaoge was completely submersed in the water, the streams of water in the form of an umbrella above him, supporting the Qilin Stone right at their peak, submerged along with him.

Looking over, Yan Zhaoge saw the Qilin Stone rapidly dissolve, transforming into numerous streaks of red light which combined with the clear white spring water that surrounded and revolved around him.

Being within the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring gave off a completely different feeling from soaking in water.

It did not feel any different from earlier in the air of the outside world.

However, his entire person actually seemed trapped within a solid body and completely unable to move, like a small insect caught within amber.

Now, those red streaks of light, roiling about in the clear white spring water, actually gradually took form!

The head of a dragon, the body of an elk, the tail of a cow, the hooves of a horse.

Grand and stately, bright and dignified.

It was, shockingly, a Qilin!

The red silhouette of a Qilin surrounded Yan Zhaoge's entire body, enveloping him within.

As time passed, this Qilin silhouette actually shrunk as it seemed to be fusing within Yan Zhaoge's body.

While the clear white spring water, guided by a large amount of spiritual energy, also fused within Yan Zhaoge's body.

Yan Zhaoge silently shut his eyes, circulating his profound art and absorbing the spiritual energy bit by bit as he observed the changes happening within his body.

"My qi ocean has expanded a step further, the total amount of aura-qi it can hold increasing…"

"My tendons have strengthened a step further, being able to withstand a greater eruption of force than before…"

"My marrows have also strengthened, its blood creation as well as recuperative abilities improving…"

"Even my mind seems to work better and faster than before…"

"It is not just something temporary, but rather something long-term that will be of use in my future cultivation."

The corners of Yan Zhaoge's mouth revealed a hint of a smile at his satisfaction with this result.

After the entire baptism ceremony had finally concluded, Yan Zhaoge emerged from the Heavenly Clear Spirit Spring, standing silently by the side of the water whilst not moving an inch.

Yan Di also did not hurry him as he stood by the side and waited.

Yan Zhaoge could only feel that all the aura-qi within his body was surging ceaselessly. Unable to comfortably contain it, he suddenly released a long roar, the roar resembling a dragon roaring to the nine heavens, not dissipating in a long time!

This roar resounded throughout the entire area, shaking one's very soul.

It was a long time before Yan Zhaoge's roar finally came to an end. Slightly moving his body about, he felt that his body's foundation was much stabler than before, with the feeling of having accumulated a strong foundation in preparation for his future breakthroughs also much clearer.

Swivelling his head, Yan Zhaoge smiled, "The Qilin Spring Baptism's legendary reputation is well-deserved indeed."

"Cultivate diligently," Yan Di smiled, "Having returned this time, I will not test your cultivation anymore. That bunch of little fellas of the Sacred Sun Clan are already sufficient in proving your progress these past days."

"Having just finished with the baptism, you should return to your dwelling and nourish your aura-qi a little. The things that I've brought for you back from the Fire Domain this time are already there."

Some warmth surfaced within Yan Di's eyes, "You will be going to the Mountain Domain soon; return to your dwelling and properly make all the preparations that you need."

Yan Zhaoge nodded slightly, "You can rest easy; I won't be complacent."

Returning to his dwelling, Yan Zhaoge indeed saw that a large amount of treasures had been placed there. Ah Hu guarded the mountain of treasures, breaking out in a smile so wide that only his teeth and not his eyes could be seen.

Going through them, Yan Zhaoge found that a good number of things that he needed somewhat more urgently were present.

"Let me see: Flowing Cloud Mirror…Underground Fire Pith…Fire Patterned Jade…Heaven Ascending Vine…" Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, "A great harvest ah!"

All of these things of the Fire Domain, even in the Sacred Sun Clan, were extremely hard to come by, being rare and valuable beyond compare.

To the Sacred Sun Clan, these treasures all had countless wonderful uses, being things whose demand could never be met.

Usually, the Sacred Sun Clan strictly kept these treasures from flowing to the outside world. Even if one wanted to exchange it with treasures of the Heaven Domain, it would also be extremely difficult.

Even if a deal was successfully struck, only some inferior quality products could be obtained.

And this time, Yan Zhaoge had obtained a considerable portion of what he had wanted, with all of them being superior grade products too.

Yan Zhaoge first lifted up a Flowing Cloud Mirror as he began to chuckle, "The Flowing Cloud Mirror with the Blood Refining Orb; this time, the Blood Devil Plate is within sight."

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