Beastmaster of the Ages

Lin Lingxiao stood at the front of the Firmament, watching the sea of stars. Smiling, he muttered, ”Xiaoyao, it’s a shame that I’m unable to share this magnificent view of the stars with you.”

In his hand was a gold transmission stone on which the projection of a figure with seductive proportions stood. It was quite an expensive transmission stone, for it to still be able to contact someone galaxies away; not that the Firmament was that far from Ebonia in the first place.

”It’s pointless if you tell me that. You should prove your love to me with your actions,” the silver-haired figure said.

”What kind of action?” Lin Lingxiao listlessly asked.

”The alliance between the ebons and your clan. I really don’t understand where things went wrong. Things were going well, and my dad was really courteous to all of you. That’s the only way we’ll get to be with each other for the long term. Why’d your clan have to ruin everything?” she complained.

”Xiaoyao, the matter’s much more complex than you think. Opinions in the Lin Clan about the alliance aren’t unanimous. Back then, my dad was the person hanging on the balance, but now he’s decided to side with the second patriarch and protect Lin Feng as he matures. There’s nothing I can do,” he helplessly said.

”So just because your dad switched sides, you’re going to switch too? What about my dad? Who’s going to return his lost dignity? I think the Lin Clan simply won’t learn your lesson until you taste the consequences of your actions. Is it so hard to submit to us and defeat Yi Daiyan together?”

”It really isn’t as simple as you make it sound.”

”I don’t care if it’s hard or not. I only want to know one thing: are you willing to help me? If you encounter Lin Feng, just kill him and end things. Relax... I’ll tell my dad to send new spies to protect you and escort you to us once it’s done. Without Lin Feng in the picture, those old fools will lose all hope and cave. That’s the opening my dad can use to come back into the scene.”

”Xiaoyao, is that the real reason you sought me out this time?” Lin Lingxiao asked in a stern voice.

”The real reason I sought you out was to talk about a way we can be together openly in the future. This is just a means to that end, got it?!”

”Perhaps. But I have to tell you that as a member of the Swordgod Lin Clan, I’m unable to do what you said. Lin Feng is a good child. I won’t harm a hair on him. I grew up in the Infinitum Swordsea, so there’s no way I’ll be the one to cause a rift in the clan,” he said.

”Bastard... are you really going to be that stubborn? Don’t you even care about me anymore?” she asked in a hoarse voice.

”I do, but my clan is more important to me,” he said with utter certainty.

”Hehehe...” she eerily chuckled before eventually glaring at him. ”I came to tell you this because I was trying to beg them to let you live through the oncoming slaughter. I didn’t think you’d treat me this way. Goodbye, Lin Lingxiao, you utter turncoat!”

”Each of us has our own family circumstances. Don’t you think it’s unfair for you to say that?” Lin Lingxiao said without much agitation. He wasn’t a naive young boy any longer.

”You’re such a fool.” The projection on the stone vanished.

”That girl....” Recalling the passionate love they’d had during their participation in the minor reges mundi ranking event in their youth, he felt really nostalgic. However, the distance between them had only widened since returning to their respective clans. Even when they had met each other again, things felt different.

”Wait a second!” His expression suddenly changed. ”She said that she was begging them for my survival? Who are ‘they’? Goodbye?”

At that moment, the Firmament heavily shook from impact.

”Someone’s attacking!” He hurriedly put away the transmission stone and looked at the display in the ship. There were other ships on the Firmament’s flanks, as well as behind it. All of them were shaped like gears, colored black, red, and gray, respectively. They rapidly flew, cutting through the astralscape with an ear-piercing sound. Nova source energy filled the teeth of the gears, converting them into killing machines.

”Those three ether-class ships are after me!” Lin Lingxiao realized that he had been targeted. He noticed some unique symbols on the ships.

”Star Hunters? They aren’t just random nobodies! Who could’ve possibly moved them to act?” Thinking back on his recent conversation, it was clear that the ebons were behind it. ”Why would the ebons come for me... no, my dad!”

Lin Lingxiao rapidly changed the course of the ship and used his transmission stone to contact Lin Changkong. He was a genius in his own right and had gone through many battles. Among the people of his age, he was easily among the top five and quite an accomplished fighter. Lin Lingxiao calmly determined the correct course of action and didn’t hesitate to see things through.

As the three gear-ships spun toward his ship, the connection went through. ”Dad, there’s three ether-class ships after me! They’re Star Hunters! The ebons called them to get me! I’m currently traveling the Silvercluster Highway!” Lin Lingxiao yelled.

The golden figure shook with shock. ”Immediately change course for Starhold! I have friends who’ll receive you there!” Lin Changkong said. Starhold was a fourth-class nova source world near the highway.

”Okay!”

”Don’t die!”

”Yes, Dad! Star Hunters, eh? Come!” he roared as he entered the formation core of the Firmament, becoming part of the sword.

A divine astralship battle had finally broken out in the vicinity of Ebonia.

......

All fifteen council members gathered in the council hall due to the emergency. Tianming was just about to get Feiling to help him practice his swordsmanship with Perpetia, only to be drawn there by the commotion. The atmosphere in the hall was stern as everyone looked at Lin Changkong.

”His subsoul is still intact, so he’s alive. However, we’ve lost contact with the Firmament near the Lifeless Chaoshole.” Lin Changkong’s gold eyes were filled with intense worry and killing intent. Before Tianming had come into the picture, Lin Lingxiao was the sole hope for the Lin Clan’s future.

Lin Changkong’s transmission stone lit up again. ”Friend, I’m so sorry! I was just one step behind! When I arrived, I saw the Firmament being rammed into the Lifeless Chaoshole with two of the Star Hunters’ ships! It’s too turbulent inside there. I’m unable to go in,” the figure said.

That caused the looks on the others’ faces to sour.

”Thank you. Sorry for the trouble,” Lin Changkong said, taking a deep breath.

”Changkong, I watched your son grow up. He’s a tough and blessed kid, so he’ll be fine. He’ll definitely come back alive, so please believe in him.”

”I will. I’ll go fetch him,” Lin Changkong said. The words left the council hall silent.