Beastmaster of the Ages

”These wildbeasts are a real pain. We won’t be able to cover all of the Swordsoul Purgatory unless we activate the strongest formation, so there’s always some that slip through the net. They enter the Swordsoul Purgatory through the second- and third-level formations. It’d require a huge amount of resources to use the strongest formation, which will affect the cultivation of hundreds of millions of Lin disciples. At the moment, we can use all formations below the strongest one, so the ebons’ warbeasts will continue entering the Swordsoul Purgatory,” said Lin Changkong.

”What level is the strongest formation?” Tianming asked.

”High sanctuary class. It’s considered an astralguard formation and is more powerful than the astralguard formations of most sanctuary-class nova source worlds. It’s the fruit of our ancestors’ combined efforts and can cover the entire Infinitum Swordsea. Even an ether-class astralship would lose half its lethality. Only an infinitum-class astralship would be able to destroy it in a short time,” Lin Changkong proudly said.

Tianming had always known that the astralguard formation of even a heliacal-class world was more powerful than a grade-nine divine formation on the sun. The Sky Palace Formation was an example of a grade-nine divine formation, yet it couldn’t compare to the sun’s astralguard formation. Thus, astralguard formations were far more powerful than divine formations. After all, they were created and constantly upgraded by thousands of generations.

”Can astralguard formations be set up on the ground?” Tianming asked.

”Of course.”

Tianming had always thought that astralguard formations were only meant to protect nova source worlds. But on second thought, the astralguard formation that enveloped the entire Infinitum Swordsea could also protect a fourth-level nova source world. Its terrifying power was evident. At the same time, it consumed a lot of resources. If it was used for a long time, the Lin disciples’ cultivation rate would decline.

”For the most part, the best astralguard formations of clans on Ebonia are high sanctuary class. There’s only three clans who have ether-class formations, and they’re all considered powerful clans that have existed for aeons. The ebons are one of them,” said Lin Xiao.

Ebonia was a sixth-level nova source world, so of course the astralguard formation was high class. It wasn’t so surprising that the best formations of the clans within Ebonia were ether-class. It was clear that the Swordgod Lin Clan was also one of the top, long-established Infinitum Regal Clans.

”What about the luxdaemons?” Tianming asked.

”They’re newcomers with a shallow foundation. Most of their accomplishments belong to Yi Daiyan alone. Some time ago, I heard their astralguard formation had reached low sanctuary class, but I don’t know how true that is. If it’s still deific class, one ether-class astralship would be able to destroy it.… In fact, that’s the luxdaemons’ real weakness! Astralguard formations are the crystallization of the wisdom of countless generations. They’re the city walls of our homeland and embody the clan’s foundation!”

Lin Xiao’s words deeply shocked Tianming. The walls of their homeland! From his battle in the Myriaddragon Mountains, he understood how important ”city walls” were. Thousands of generations gave their all to protect their homeland and descendants. Without city walls, caeli, bloodlines, and legacies were useless. The ebons would be intimidated by the luxdaemons if they had strong city walls, and as long as those walls stood strong, the luxdaemons’ home couldn’t be destroyed and their people would live on. The ebons endured the Lin Clan’s two successive reges mundi because of their ether-class “city walls.”

”So that’s why Grandpa said that Gladeus is safer than the Infinitum Swordsea. They have an ether-class formation, which is one level above the Infinitum Swordsea’s.” He was still in shock. The city walls of a clan was actually comparable to an astralguard formation that covered an entire fourth-level nova source world!

What was the foundation of a long-established clan? That was it. Others built astralguard formations around their planet, but the Swordgod Lin Clan built theirs at home. Perhaps that was what made them an Infinitum Regal Clan.

”Feng’er, there’s nothing to fear. The collapse of the Infinitum Bodhimanda will be the day we activate the astralguard formation. But in fact, the Infinitum Bodhimanda has never really fallen. Every period of unrest has been suppressed by the peace-loving people of the Infinitum Mundus. Not even the ebons are qualified to destroy our pursuit of peace and prosperity.” Lin Xiao smiled.

”That’s right. That bitch Yi Daiyan wants power all to herself. She won’t allow the Infinitum Bodhimanda to fall,” Lin Xiong laughed.

].

”I couldn’t wait for her to die before. But now that we’ve offended the ebons, we’ll be the first ones to go if she dies. Dammit, we’ve all become licking dogs,” Lin Chongyao mocked himself.

”It’s fine. We’ll all lick together.” Tianming couldn’t help but laugh when he thought of Li Wudi’s words.

Lin Xiao was speechless.

”Grandpa, what level is the Grandnorth Dongshen Clan’s guard formation?” Tianming asked.

”Low sanctuary class. They’ll be in danger if there’s an attack from an ether-class astralship.” Pinching his beard, Lin Xiao shook his head and sighed.

Low sanctuary class was the standard for fourth-level nova source worlds. It was clear that the Grandnorth Dongshen Clan had a strong foundation as well. However, they were up against the ebons.

”The world down under leads directly to the heart of their home. There’s three hundred million members of the Dongshen Clan living there, many of whom are women, children, the old, and the weak. If something happens to their formation, the consequences will be unimaginable.” Lin Xiong grit his teeth.

”Fortunately, the ebons have no excuse to attack them with an astralship, even if there are disputes between them.”

Astralship attacks were forbidden. As long as they dispatched their infinite beastmasters and astralships, they would no longer be faultless; it wouldn’t be a fair fight for resources.

”We must be on guard. Yin Chen says Chi Hun’s there. He’s been sneaking around lately. Any plans he has must involve the formation.... He must be up to something,” said Tianming.

”Alright, I’ll remain in contact with them,” Lin Xiao replied.

That was the current situation. Yin Chen was the only one that could be of any assistance, but Tianming had a hunch that things were about to change.

......

After returning from the Swordsoul Purgatory, Tianming headed to the Caeli Vault. The last time he’d encountered the Grandvoid Swordfiend’s caelum, he’d left before he had time to delve into the details. The elders had also suggested that he should cultivate using the Grandvoid Swordfiend and Unisword Goddess’ caeli. Perhaps he might achieve twice the effect with half the effort.

Because the four elders had nothing else to do, they waited for him outside the Caeli Vault.

Tianming didn’t bother with courtesies. After saying goodbye to them, he entered the reges mundi level. Now that Lin Lingxiao was no longer in Ebonia, there were few that entered the space, and it was dead silent.

”Foundation, caelum....” Tianming calmed his heart and mind, focusing on the sword and recalling the legacy on the ancestral guidance stele.

”I’ll start with the Grandvoid Swordfiend. Delayed Capture, Flowerfall Flow…. What suggestive names!” Raising his hand, he wielded his sword. In the darkness, the Grandvoid Swordfiend’s pitch-black, starlike caelum had appeared behind him.