Beastmaster of the Ages

Lin Xiao could do naught but sigh. He felt rather torn about Yi Daiyan’s help. It was a fact that her actions had been a great boon to the Swordgod Lin Clan. Her announcement would be spread to all corners of the Infinitum Mundus through transmission stones. Every single word she uttered would spark great changes.

Shuntian Bolong, Murong Tianhua, and Wu Su, on the other hand, seemed shocked by the unforeseen consequences.

”Rex Mundi! I have an objection!” Shuntian Bolong yelled.

”The judgment has been handed down. Obey it or your sentence shall be death,” said Yi Daiyan from within the fog. Then she turned and motioned to the Mundus Enforcers. Yishker Sayedi and Yushan Taifeng led their troops to subdue the three offenders.

”Qi Xuantian!” Murong Tianhua called out in a panic, contrary to her well-put-together attire. ”What’re you waiting for?! Let’s just revolt! We have an advantage with our divine astralships! Let’s wipe them out and fight! The Eastpole Skyshaker Family shall put our full support behind the ebons!”

”Wait a second....” Qi Xuantian was completely troubled. He asked the ruler of the ebons for an answer, then helplessly turned to the other three. ”Friends, the time for that has passed. The current circumstances are far from ideal for starting a war, so the three of you will unfortunately have to go to the Ebonic Incarcery. But don’t worry, for the day we break into it won’t be long. We’ll help all of you escape. After all, we have to answer to your clans as well.”

”How long do you expect us to wait?” Shuntian Bolong asked. He knew that the day would definitely come—and it wouldn’t be long, for the second rex mundi and the ebons weren’t that patient. In fact, had things gone their way, they would’ve started the revolt this very day itself! Alas, the ebons didn’t expect that they would lose their fifth strongest fighter without even being able to take control of the Swordgod Lin Clan.

”It’ll be settled in two to three years,” Qi Xuantian said.

”Alright, I trust you! Given how ruthless Yi Daiyan is, our three clans won’t reconcile with her!” Shuntian Bolong snapped. The Central Shuntian Clan itself hadn’t actually taken a side in this conflict. Shuntian Bolong was someone like Lin Yun and Lin Jie and had acted on his own accord, so his words barely carried any weight.

Either way, they had no choice but to be sacrificed. They didn’t resist the Mundus Enforcers taking them in, despite how frustrated they were. Six hundred thousand astral gods idly watched, though feeling torn about it.

Once the three had been dealt with, Yushan Taifeng said, ”The Rex Mundi has decreed that the investigations at Mount Taia shall be solely conducted by the Mundus Enforcers. All unrelated parties are to leave immediately!”

Qi Xuantian had no choice but to order his troops to return in the divine astralships Chi Hun had left behind.

”Additionally!” Yishker Sayedi announced, ”There’s been another instance of divine astralship use in combat in the Infinitum Swordsea. The accused, Lin Jie, has fled into hiding after using a divine astralship against his own people. It’s a sin that is not to be forgiven. The sentence for him is death, and he’s now a class-one fugitive of the Infinitum Mundus. We’ll give it our all to apprehend him and also warn all that those who harbor him shall receive the same sentence!” It was yet another piece of joyful news.

Once the announcements had been finished, Yi Daiyan’s projection receded back into the golden scroll. Yushan Taifeng turned to Lin Xiao and Lin Xiaodao with a smile and curt nod. ”Congratulations, Etherean Lin. From now on, you’re the eighth rex mundi. The Swordgod Lin Clan is fortunate to have you.”

”You flatter me, Brother Yushan. Not to mention, there’s only been, is now, and will only ever be one rex mundi in the Infinitum Mundus,” Lin Xiaodao said with a chuckle.

”Well said.” Yushan Taifeng saluted him. ”Words to live by.” Only after that did he leave with the criminals.

Yi Daiyan’s appearance had completely upended the entire incident, putting the battle at Mount Taia to an end. It was a completely lopsided battle, yet Lin Xiao, Lin Xiaodao, and the others’ presence had allowed the Grandnorth Dongshen Clan to survive while losing far less than the ebons had. They loudly cheered to vent their relief, sending the entire mountain into a celebratory mood. Even Dongshen Zhuojun couldn’t help but smile. Only Dongshen Yang came to Lin Xiao’s side for a stern look.

”The ebons endured it today, but as the clan that holds grudges the most, they’ll only grow angrier. The day for the Code of Infinitum to be broken again will come even sooner,” Lin Xiao said.

”That’s right. The ebons have deep roots, and they’re much stronger than us. Once they revolt, our Dongshen Clan will no doubt be among the first they cross off their list of nemeses,” Dongshen Yang said, shaking his head in worry. They knew that today was no more than a prelude for what was to come. The Infinitum Mundus that had seen some time of peace would soon enough be in turmoil once more.

”Big brother, my grandson’s injured and unconscious. I have to go back to tend to him,” Dongshen Yue said.

”Then go ahead!” her brother said.

”Lin Xiaodao, are you coming with us?” Lin Xiao asked.

”Sure thing. I can’t wait to see my new disciple,” Lin Xiaodao said as he hovered over.

”Did you prepare a gift?” Dongshen Yue asked.

”Hey! I was going to ask you for his tuition fees! I don’t teach for free!”

The old couple didn’t know what to make of it.

......

The Fishguts was still parked at the council hall. Tianming seemed to be going in and out of awareness as his body transformed like never before. ”Ying Huo, you guys, come in....”

”Where to? I don’t swing that way, you know,” Ying Huo said. Only that fool could possibly joke at a moment like this. The other lifebound beasts, including a large number of Yin Chens, flooded into Tianming’s lifebound space without bothering to take turns.

”Wait, are you becoming an astral god?” Ying Huo hurriedly flew inside the lifebound space as well. The preparations for symbiotic cultivation were all ready inside the lifebound space.

”Yes,” Tianming softly said.

”Why now? Have you rested enough? You’re still badly injured. The girls outside are all crying,” Meow Meow asked, perplexed.

”Because...” Tianming’s voice sounded deeper after he took a deep breath, ”after fighting with Huang Qi for so long, I finally know why she chose now for the final push. Once I become an astral god while the Order Relic is fused with me, she’ll no longer have a chance! We have to take the plunge now!”

Right after that, he let out a cry of pain, scaring the people around him. The six walnuts in his head were messing around once more. His head turned into that of a bee before the very eyes of those around him.