Beastmaster of the Ages

”Cultivating in the Caeli Vault would be beneficial for you?” Lin Chongyao asked.

”Yes.” Tianming nodded.

The four of them looked at one another, their expressions reflecting their predicament.

”The four of us aren’t busy at the moment, but there’s no saying how long we can stay here,” Lin Changkong helplessly said.

”If you move to the council hall, your progress will be much slower without the rex mundi’s caelum,” Lin Xiao contemplated.

”Yes, it’s an important time for Feng’er. We must give him the best resources… But the Caeli Vault is too dangerous. The loss would be too much for us to bear if the enemy succeeds. Although it might take him a few years, or even more than a decade, if he cultivates in the council hall, it’s safe. As long as he’s alive, there’s hope,” Lin Chongyao said.

”I’ll do whatever you think best.” Tianming nodded. Cultivating in the Caeli Vault wasn’t an option; he too was helpless. The elders occupied positions of importance in the Lin Clan and couldn’t be his full-time bodyguards.

”How about this?” The others turned to look at Lin Xiao. He continued, ”At the moment, the four of us are available, and so is the Phantavoid. Feng’er can stay in the Caeli Vault until something happens and two or more of us have to leave. If that happens, I’ll take him to the council hall. How does that sound?”

”That sounds fine. It’s safer to have at least three people protecting him.” Lin Changkong nodded. They all had other responsibilities, so rotating protection duties was a great idea.

”If more than two of us have to leave for a short period of time, we can get others to fill in,” Lin Xiong added. After all, there were a total of eight council members on their side.

”Yes.”

These elders were the backbone of the Lin Clan, yet they were willing to serve as bodyguards for Tianming, which showed how much they valued him

”Thank you.” Tianming bowed to each of them, moved by their actions.

”What’re you doing! The elders are optimistic about your future. We’re waiting for you to support the Swordgod Lin Clan,” Lin Changkong laughed.

”Of course.” He would repay their kindness.

”Shall we get started?” Lin Chongyao asked.

”Let me return to the council hall for a few days to prepare,” Tianming said.

”Alright, I have to make arrangements as well,” Lin Changkong replied. If they were to serve as Tianming’s bodyguards for a long time, they would first have to deal with other matters.

”Let’s go.”

The Phantavoid set off for the council hall. This time, Tianming wanted to go back to speak with the girls.

I’m a twelfth-level stellaminor, so I’ve finally caught up to Feiling and Xiaoxiao. We’ll compete to see who can become an astral god first! Tianming thought to himself.

He was startled by a pat on the shoulder. A smiling Lin Xiao looked at him and said, ”By the way, I forgot to mention that Ling’er and Xiaoxiao have completed their transformation and become astral gods. Achieving that at around the age of thirty is a rare accomplishment. In fact, calling it a miracle wouldn’t be exaggerating. They didn’t participate in the minor reges ranking, but that’s just as shocking as taking first place. You’re a lucky one, kid.”

”What?” Tianming was upset. “Yin Chen, you stinky bug! Why didn’t you tell me?”he cursed.

”I wanted… to see… you show… off and… be slapped… in the…face instead,” Yin Chen laughed.

”Fuck.” They had all become so smart. That said, Tianming was still happy for the girls. It had only been a matter of time before they became astral gods. He hoped to make faster progress.

I won’t be able to match Ling’er now. His plan had been to battle three hundred rounds with her before retreating. Unfortunately, he had the intention, but not the strength. How miserable!

He was the only one discouraged by the news; Lin Changkong and the rest were astonished and delighted.

”A thirty-year-old astral god… I never would’ve imagined!”

”And two of them at that!”

”Fortunately, the girls are Feng’er’s wives, and their hearts seem to be set on him. I can see why sister-in-law is anxious for them to have a baby. With such granddaughters-in-law, one would worry that they would run off,” Lin Xiong said.

”Hey, are you questioning my grandson’s charm?” Lin Xiao asked.

”I wouldn’t dare!” Lin Xiong laughed.

”Lin Feng is already incredibly talented, and he’s even stronger with his wives. There has never been anyone like him before, and it’s possible there won’t be anyone like him in the future,” Lin Changkong sighed.

The others stared in shock, even more determined to protect Tianming and his wives.

”Their lives are of the utmost importance. We can ignore everything else involving the Lin Clan,” Lin Changkong said. He saw hope in Tianming.

”You’re right, but there are some things that we can’t control. We can’t always do as we please in this world. Who knows what those villains will do to force us to fight?” Lin Xiao said, his gaze solemn as he thought of Lin Dan. He didn’t want to fight, but the enemy had killed his close relative.

Everyone had people they cared about.

Lin Xiao’s words steered the conversation in a somber direction.

”Second Patriarch, I don’t think we should publicize the girls’ achievements. We might draw more hatred,” Lin Changkong said.

”We’re the only ones who know about them at the moment. We must keep the news to ourselves,” Lin Xiao said.

”Alright.”

”To be honest, I wish we could skip ahead a hundred years. I really want to see what Feng’er and his wives will be like then,” Lin Xiong wondered aloud.

”Live on and you’ll be able to see it,” Lin Changkong said, looking at Tianming.

Their hearts and minds were focused on the Lin Clan’s future. Tianming was the only one still worried about not matching Ling’er.

”Dammit, I’m going to become an astral god if it’s the last thing I do.”

......

As soon as he returned to the council hall, Tianming studied the girls. He could tell that Feiling and Xiaoxiao had definitely undergone a complete physical transformation. Feiling had always been breathtakingly beautiful, even when he first met her. Xiaoxiao was just a fourteen-year-old girl at the time, but now it seemed like she had been reborn altogether. She had a unique temperament and a demeanor that resembled the Archaionfiend—cold, bewitching, and pure, yet seductive. After the transformation of their albi into astrons, there was a faint glow to their skin that made them seem noble and sacred. Tianming couldn’t help but envy them.

”Didn’t we agree to be trash together? But now you’ve become astral gods.” Tianming looked like he had swallowed sour grapes. ”Um, I have a question. Do you have tips for becoming an astral god?”

”All you need are hands.” Xiaoxiao smirked.

”Fuck you!” Tianming didn’t have both hands. He looked at where his right hand used to be, too heartbroken for tears.