Beastmaster of the Ages

The fleeing celestial orderians were terrified. After killing the last person in front of him, Tianming looked ahead but there weren’t any more orderians in sight as the army had completely scattered. There was no way to chase after them. Getting Lan Huang to turn around, he led the Azurecloud warriors back into the Azuresky Myriadsword Formation. At the same time, Yin Chen rapidly spread out, searching for celestial orderians near Azuresoul Palace. Tianming would kill those who remained. With Yin Chen around, their opponents wouldn’t have a chance to wreak any more havoc. On the way back, he counted the celestial orderian corpses as he passed them.

”At least one million eight hundred thousand out of four million celestial orderians perished. They lost three hundred thousand trying to break the formation. Then once I joined the battle, we killed six hundred thousand more together, and many more died during their escape. I consider that a bargain.” Without a doubt, the celestial orderians had paid a heavy price in the battle, second only to the battle of the Myriaddragon Mountains, in which they lost close to two million elite cultivators. Although this was Azurecloud’s final stand, Tianming’s role in turning the tide couldn’t be ignored.

When he returned to the formation, the feverish cries of the Azurecloud warriors were so loud they shook the entire continent. They weren’t cheering because they had lost so many compatriots in the battle for victory, but for Tianming. Neither side could laugh in any war. At that moment, they all had their attention on the young man whose white hair had been dyed red. Having watched him chase their enemies, their blood boiled with passion.

”Li Tianming!”

His name resounded through Azurecloud. This time, he had achieved a complete reversal without the Ninedragon Emperor or a hundred thousand dragon imperials. However, Tianming believed they were the ones who supported him and were responsible for their victory. He didn’t have to explain anything; their hearts were already connected by the Omnisentient Threads. They were his friends. One glance was all it took to understand their hearts. That was his path of cultivation and way of life, and he liked it.

”Tianming.” It was his old friends, Long Wanying, Gujian Qingshuang, Yun Tianque, Jiang Qingliu, and the starry-eyed Yu Ziqian. Having fought in the battle, Lingfeng was also present. Qingyu was the only one absent, due to her sensitive identity. Tianming’s blood-stained face was no longer indifferent. He quickly approached them, his expression gentle.

”What should we do with her?” They had captured Li Yunxi. In fact, she was the strongest of the Xuanyang Army. Even Li Xuanyang, whose arms and legs had been severed, had managed to escape, yet Li Yunxi had ended up severely injured and captured. Pinned on the ground and struggling hard, she was covered in blood, despair written all over her face. At that moment, Tianming appeared in front of her. Like a wild animal, she fought to pounce on him, falling into silence when a cold sword pressed against her eyes. It was Godsin.

”It’s been a long time,” Tianming said.

”Bastard, now that you’re back, you’re going to die. In less than two days, His Solar Majesty will come and turn Azurecloud into hell on earth. I know you’ll run, but everyone that you saved today will die because of you. You can’t save them. You’re no savior, you’re just a joke.” Li Yunxi sneered.

”That’s a pity. I might’ve let you live if you were more obedient, but the first thing you did is threaten me,” he said.

”Who cares about living? I’m not afraid of death. I just wish I could watch His Solar Majesty hack you to pieces!” Filled with anguish, Li Yunxi stared at the corpses of her compatriots. She was partially responsible for their deaths.

”How many people did you kill?” Raising the Godsin, Tianming stared at her coldly.

“I’ve been in Azurecloud since the start. Li Xuanyang and I are both responsible for all the deaths here. I don’t need your kindness. If you have the guts, then kill me!” Li Yunxi glared at him. She was still trying to challenge him.

Without another word, Tianming waved his sword. Her head rolled and headless body fell limply to the ground. Yet another beauty had perished in a pool of blood.

”Stay alert. We must be ready for battle at all times.” Putting away the Godsin, Tianming swept his gaze across the others.

”Yes!”

Li Yunxi’s blood ignited the warriors’ confidence. They were all aware that the war was far from over. On top of the two million celestial orderians who had escaped, there was still a great army near their territory, north of Azurecloud. How many more would have to sacrifice their lives for this ancient continent to usher in a new era? Silently absorbing the blood of the fallen, the Azurecloud Divine Tree was the only thing that continued to flourish.

......

Tianming returned to the Azuresoul Sword Hall. No one asked him where he went or what he had experienced. Before survival or death, everything else was insignificant.

”Aunt Ying, how’s the condition of the Divine Sun Palace?” Leaning against the door frame, Tianming looked out at the blood-filled tree in the distance.

”It’s probably useless without the Solar Wheel. The sun emperor hasn’t used it since you left.” Eyes filled with tenderness and concern, Long Wanying helped wipe the blood from his body. ”Tianming, you should leave if the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb is still here. The Azuresky Myriadsword Formation can’t protect you and you’ll be in danger once the sun emperor comes. I know that you’ve grown a lot but you’re still not strong enough to deal with him. Don’t let this ruin you.”

Tianming laughed. ”Aunt Ying, now that I’m back and I’ve revealed my totems, I won’t be able to leave. The sun emperor knows how much I care about this place and he’ll threaten me with the Azuresoul Palace if I try to leave. Then I’ll have no choice but to come back.”

”Then forget about us.” Gujian Qingshuang solemnly said. ”Tianming, you’re our only hope against this tyrant. As swordpupils, we aren’t afraid of death. Return to lead the Myriad Solar Sects when you’re strong enough to fight the sun emperor. We won’t have any regrets even if the Azuresoul Palace ceases to exist in the future. At least our descendants still have hope.”

”I agree. Rationally speaking, the best thing for you to do is leave. Today’s victory is worth our lives. I’ll be smiling in the netherworld,” Yun Tianque said.