Beastmaster of the Ages

”Really?” Tianming was looking forward to it. The grievances over the past hundred years had all been caused by Lin Mu.

”Right now, Grandpa, Grandma, and the other elders are still in the Infinitum Swordsea, caught between two powerful opponents. I might be able to make up for their regrets if I do all I can to help here! After all, I must atone for my father’s mistakes.” He was really relieved that Yin Chen and Ji Ji could be of assistance. However, he wasn’t on Gladeus for a vacation.

Lin Xiaodao said, ”I have to stoke the flames and prepare for war. I doubt I’ll have time to look after you, so I’ll take you to Skyhold Palace. There’s a passage that leads to the Gladean Ruins. It’s safe for you to cultivate there!”

”Alright.” The power struggle on Gladeus wouldn’t just happen overnight. Tianming was in no hurry; after all, Yin Chen and Ji Ji had already left.

”Let’s go!”

After Tianming said goodbye to his new friends, the ”family of four” boarded Lin Xiaodao’s astralship and headed toward Skyhold Palace, which was located at the center of the nova source eruption not too far from Skycross Bladegrave. As soon as the Reaper took off, Tianming was immediately greeted by the sight of a new Gladeus. A beautiful pink storm surrounded the astralship and the entire world was enveloped in a pink glow. Despite how dreamy it looked, ordinary people would be torn into pieces by the strong wind and blown to every corner of the star if they were caught in this storm.

”Gladeus would look even more beautiful from the stars,” said Lin Xiaodao.

Human beings were insignificant compared to nova sources. Even though Lin Xiaodao was able to control the star’s source to a significant degree, his lifespan of several thousand years was short relative to the life cycle of nova sources. Time would continue flowing even after all living creatures on Gladeus were dead. Its nova source had seen countless generations live and die. War was nothing more than a tickle to a star.

”Are you going to act soon?” Tianming asked.

”Yes, the sooner the better. Now that the groundwork is almost done, all that’s left is for them to walk into our trap, then we can make an issue out of it,” Lin Xiaodao replied.

”The Hellstar Formation’s been running without a legitimate reason for too long. The ebons are unhappy, aren’t they? Have they sent others to put pressure on you?” Tianming asked.

”Yes, and we’re going to use it to cause dissent,” Lin Xiaodao explained.

”I see.” Tianming didn’t ask about the specifics. Anyway, he believed that Lin Xiaodao and the others would have thought it out. ”Do you think your uncles will agree to go to war?” he asked.

Lin Xiaodao chuckled to himself. ”They might seem stunned, but they know what I’m thinking.”

”I understand.” It was great that they were all united.

Lin Xiaodao continued, ”In fact, Ebonia’s bound to reach this point because of Yi Daiyan’s position. It’s clear that the ebons blatantly violated the rules after what happened in the Infinitum Swordsea and Mount Taia. The Infinitum Bodhimanda only exists in name the moment we enter a factional war. Everyone knows that. It’s true strength that will force the neutral parties to pick a side, not public opinion or the banner of justice. The strong have many allies, so the ebons have many friends. That’s precisely why we must tear them down and destroy their prestige! The winner has always been right. Since we decided to fight, we’ll fight to the death. We can control the right of speech and public opinion after we win.”

“Yes!” Tianming nodded. ”I completely understand. Since the Infinitum Bodhimanda only exists in name, it isn’t justice that will move the neutral parties or even the majority, but the outcome! If the ebons win the war, they’ll be more powerful than ever. They’ll be unshakable. But as long as we defeat them, they can shout their slogans and wave their banner of justice all they want and it won’t matter.”

”Yes, you’re smart. War is about victory or defeat! All that slogans and banners are are means to control public opinion. No matter how powerful the ebons are, as long as they’re defeated, they’ll look like fools to the world.”

It was straightforward and simple. There were almost no civil wars in the Infinitum Bodhimanda. The ebons were like a big, strong bodybuilder, flexing their muscles to intimidate everyone else. However, their true power would only be known after a real war of swords and spears. And because of their terrible loss on Mount Taia, their reputation had declined. Lin Xiaodao’s proactive strategy was like a skinny man provoking a muscular bodybuilder. The strong man could say that, by eliminating the Skycross Lin Clan, he represented justice and peace, but if he were to fail, those who had been suppressed by him wouldn’t be indignant at the injustice. On the contrary, they would laugh.

”The Infinitum Bodhimanda’s controlled the mundus for too many years. There’s too much hypocrisy and oppression. Beneath the appearance of peace, there’s shame and humiliation, countless people bowing their heads. Since all the rules and mutual understandings have become just a piece of paper, then I’ll be the one to tear it up! This time, I’ll be victorious!” Lin Xiaodao looked down at the world, his eyes lighting up. He was a man with a dream.

......

They finally arrived at Skyhold Palace. It was built on an island in the sky that floated in the eruption of nova source similar to the Voidsky Flame Pillar. The palace was the first place in the entire star to be bathed in the erupting nova source. Prior to Ji Ji’s arrival, the palace had been hidden in the gloomy nova source storm like a city in hell. But now it was a dreamy pink paradise surrounded by misty fountains of nova source.

“Dammit! My palace looks so girly. It doesn’t match my imposing demeanor at all!” Lin Xiaodao was dumbstruck.

”I’d say you’re vulgar at best…” Tianming mocked.

Glaring at Tianming, Lin Xiaodao turned his attention to the three beauties behind his disciple. ”Fine! It doesn’t match me, but it works for you. Your grandma asked me to get you to have more babies. This is the perfect place for young people like you. You can have it. Anyway, I won’t be here a lot.”

”What!” Tianming rolled his eyes and looked at the dreamy city in front of him. It really was perfect for uninhibited drinking and reveling in the moment.

”I should stop dreaming. That’s too much debauchery!”

The three girls appeared flushed under the pink light. Or fifty-two girls, to be exact.