Beastmaster of the Ages

The name of Lin Feng resounded like a loud thunderclap. The youth, allegedly only around a hundred years old, had risen on Ebonia and crushed his peers among the ebons and other Infinitum Regal Clans, finally taking first place in the rankings. Even on Gladeus, he was the main topic of conversation. And that very youth had appeared before their very eyes, now the disciple of the etherean. By the time the tens of thousands of astral gods snapped out of the shock, around half of them cheered.

”Congratulations, Etherean!”

”Congratulations, Lin Feng!”

”The two of you are the pride of the Swordgod Lin Clan!”

The people of the tenth branch were rather forward and direct. However, some had their brows furrowed, wondering at the implications of Lin Xiaodao taking a disciple.

”Etherean, can we talk in private?” someone in the crowd suddenly asked. The cheers and chatter weakened and vanished almost instantly. The one who spoke was a tall and lanky elder with black and gray hair. His eyes were grayish white. Based on his appearance alone, he gave off a terrifying impression. Clearly, he had authority that was only inferior to Lin Xiaodao himself. He was probably Lin Zhongtian, the current leader of the tenth branch and Lin Xiaodao’s eldest uncle.

Lin Xiaodao’s parents had passed away early, so he was raised by Lin Zhongtian and his third uncle, Lin Zhonghai, for a time. Lin Zhonghai was standing beside Lin Zhongtian, though in stark contrast, he had quite a rounded, chubby figure that made him look a little like a ball. His chin had a few overlapping layers. Not to mention, the mass around his body was mostly fat, unlike Lin Xiong’s powerful muscles. Even so, it didn’t matter much, as astral gods’ bodies were primarily made of astrons. The fact that Lin Zhonghai had such a build meant that there was some benefit to it. It wasn’t as if he was truly fat.

Lin Zhongtian was quiet and deathly, almost like he had crawled out of a coffin, but Lin Zhonghai looked pompous and spoiled. The latter’s thin mustache curved upward as he beamed a smile at Tianming, giving him quite a friendly impression.

Lin Xiaodao had mentioned that they were about as powerful as council members in the Infinitum Swordsea. More importantly, before his own rise, these two were the ones who had helped the tenth branch grow to prominence to the point that they could be self-sustaining without the aid of the main clan, forging their own destiny on Gladeus. No doubt, they were greatly regarded for their contributions and achievements. As such, most of the elites in the tenth branch immediately quieted down when they heard that Lin Zhongtian wanted a private talk.

”Very well! My good disciple, get to know your brothers and sisters first. Don’t be shy! Your master shall go talk to those two elders for a bit,” Lin Xiaodao said, his messy hair flailing as he turned. He seemed to be hinting that he had everything under control.

If these two figures don’t agree with Master about how he interfered in the mundus’s affairs, things will get messy, Tianming thought. After the three of them left to talk, Tianming smiled at the astral gods as his master had instructed. Being a visitor in a foreign land, a haughty attitude was the last thing he should have. Not to mention, that wasn’t his style to begin with. If he wanted to build up his Omnisentient Will, these astral gods would be crucial to his foundation. His amazing performance during the minor reges mundi ranking event, coupled with his humble attitude, quickly earned him the acknowledgement of many.

......

The tall, lanky Lin Zhongtian and short, stumpy Lin Zhonghai sandwiched Lin Xiaodao between them, expressionlessly looking on as Tianming talked to the rest. Lin Zhongtian wore a stern face, Lin Zhonghai seemed to be beaming as usual, and Lin Xiaodao seemed relaxed with his hands behind his back.

”Xiaodao, what were you thinking?” Lin Zhongtian said, still looking at Tianming. Only two people in the entirety of Gladeus were on a first-name basis with the etherean.

”What do you mean?” Lin Xiaodao asked.

”What were you thinking when you brought the son of Lin Mu, the scourge that caused the Ancestral Swordheart to be stolen, here to Gladeus?” Lin Zhongtian said.

”Uncle, there’s no need to add so many qualifiers to his identity. His name is Lin Feng, and he’s my disciple. I’ll raise him to become the best fighter in the entire Infinitum Mundus.”

”Nonsense!” Lin Zhogntian gripped his fists in anger.

”Brother, calm your anger and let’s focus on talking. Xiaodao, you shouldn’t be so reckless either. Your uncle’s only considering what is good for you,” Lin Zhonghai said, interjecting and pushing Lin Xiaodao to the side. Lin Xiaodao merely grimaced without saying much.

Lin Zhongtian took a deep breath, his eyes still on Tianming. ”Xiaodao, we believe that you truly fulfilled your obligations to the clan this time around. The Infinitum Swordsea has looked down on us for all these years. Even though we’ve achieved all this, and Zhonghai and I are more than worthy of being admitted into the council, they kept us out all this time on account of our bloodline and consider us a lower-tier branch family. Yet they still rely on us for their finances and profits!”

”Keep going. I’ll wait,” Lin Xiaodao said with a shrug.

Lin Zhongtian finally turned to look at his nephew and sighed, ”Forget it. It’s not something that we brothers aren’t used to. Even with your help, there’s no changing the fact that Infinitum Swordsea is stuck in the crossfire between Yi Daiyan and the ebons. One day, they’ll be destroyed. As for us here on Gladeus, we worked so hard to achieve what we have today so that our descendants can enjoy the results of our efforts. We can’t let the Infinitum Swordsea drag us down!”

”Anything else?” Lin Xiaodao calmly said, not smiling anymore.

Lin Zhongtian turned to face him. ”I know that the ebons desperately want to get their hands on Lin Feng’s treasure! Not to mention, Yi Daiyan’s the one who killed his father. Plus, his talent and background made him the focus of attention across the entire Infinitum Mundus! Bringing him here to Gladeus and announcing that you’re taking him as your disciple so publicly will bring us trouble! You’ll force us to take the brunt of the fatal disaster that’s meant for the Infinitum Swordsea! It isn’t like I’m doubting your capabilities, or that child’s talent. I only want to ask: on what basis did you make that call?” Lin Zhongtian agitatedly asked.

”Brother! Calm down! Xiaodao must have a reason for doing what he did, right? Xiaodao, explain it to us so that we can rest without worrying,” Lin Zhonghai said, tugging on the hands of his brother and nephew.

Lin Xiaodao took a swig from the gigantic green gourd he carried on his back, enjoying the fine wine. The glistening beverage trickled down from his beard. Then he cleared his throat and burst out laughing.

”What’re you laughing about?” Lin Zhongtian asked, eyes wide.

”Both of you! I’m aware of your visit to the Infinitum Swordsea. Even though you made it sound like you were completely oppressed and sidelined, to be honest, I feel like you two were too proud. You didn’t even take them seriously. Not to mention, Ku didn’t refuse to let you enter the council—he only wanted you to take the test per the regulations the ancestors devised. You two merely got your pride hurt and immediately left, threatening to leave the Lin Clan to boot! Who was the one that made such a bad impression on them in the first place?” Lin Xiaodao said.

”Uhh....” Lin Zhonghai seemed rather embarrassed. He tugged on Lin Xiaodao’s shoulder and awkwardly said, ”Xiaodao, how could you say that? You’re our nephew. How can you trust the testimony of others over ours?”

”So? Lin Xiaodao, you decided to repay the Infinitum Swordsea using the lives of our people? You want our lovers, friends, and family to pay the price for their mistakes?” Lin Zhongtian pushed his brother aside, expression twisted with rage.

”Xiaodao... uh... just listen to us and take this chance to cut ties with the Infinitum Swordsea! We’ll stand on our own and leave them to their fate. You already did your part by saving them this time. If we don’t pull ourselves out of this quagmire, we’ll be dragged in as well! You’re an etherean, but you’re young and filled with potential. Once the Infinitum Swordsea falls, you’ll be free of their control and be able to rule over Gladeus in its entirety! By then, the ebons would’ve suffered enough casualties that they might not dare to invade us either!” Lin Zhonghai said. He had always been on his brother’s side; this was just a push-and-pull routine they had devised to pull their nephew over.

Lin Xiaodao chuckled when he heard that.

”What are you laughing at?” Lin Zhongtian coldly said.

”I’m laughing at how we’re indeed family! Even our thoughts are the exact same!” Lin Xiaodao said.

”What do you mean?” Lin Zhonghai asked.

”Can’t you be more serious?” Lin Zhongtian said.

”I’m serious!” Lin Xiaodao licked his lips, stretched comfortably and yawned, then smiled. ”Don’t worry, I’m no fool. I won’t do something that doesn’t benefit me. Not to mention, you’ve completely told me your intentions. As your nephew, I’m incredibly thankful that the two of you raised me, believe me. See? These are tears of gratitude. As such, I’ve decided to do everything you say!”