Beastmaster of the Ages

”How can we cooperate?” On the transmission stone, ’Lin Jianxing’ seemed to be shuttling through a dense crowd. The second branch of the Lin Clan on his ship was currently in jubilation, enthusiastically celebrating their recent victory.

In contrast, on the Ebonfiend Minor, despair loomed. Even the core powerhouses of the ebons were dispirited. The battlefront on the Sun had been decisively defeated, while in the first battle of the starry sky, the Lin Clan, whom they had previously looked down upon, had given them a harsh reality check. Their overwhelming sense of superiority had plummeted, returning them to the era when they’d been ruled by two generations of Lin Clan reges mundi.

A little over a decade ago, the ebons had only aimed to eliminate Yi Daiyan. The envisioned opponents were always Yi Daiyan and the few other regal clans that supported her. When did they ever consider the declining Lin Clan worthy of their attention?

The sudden change was unbearable for Shenxi Tianxi. He dared not even report the situation to Shenxi Xingtian! The Second Exterminatus Army had been dealt a crippling blow that was so huge it meant that, without external assistance, they could never hope to win against the formidable Lin Clan. All his hopes now rested on the monstrous being from the ancestral world.

Thus, taking the initiative, Shenxi Tianxi said, ”All along, you’ve wanted Lin Feng. I discussed it with my father, and Lin Feng can be handed over to you!”

The resources and wealth on the Sun had already exceeded their expectations. A quasi-infinitum-class world, two infinitum-class ships... just those three things were enough to give the ebons an overwhelming advantage over Yi Daiyan and her supporters.

Shenxi Tianxi had also considered that even if they didn’t want the ancestral world treasure, once they took control of the Sun, they would still have a more than ninety percent probability of establishing a dynasty-type superpower, dominating the Infinitum Mundus. The Ninedragon Imperial Tomb, Gladean Ruins, and Ebonfiend could dominate in any mundus; they didn’t even need to split the Flameyellow Coffin with Rex Mundi Meng Ying now, either.

As for Weisheng Moran... she was useless to the ebons, so it wouldn’t be a problem to give her away as a favor.

Thus, Shenxi Tianxi was full of anxiety, as he knew this risk he was taking would determine the ebons’ future. He did all of it without discussing it with Shenxi Xingtian, his mother, or his aunt, who all belonged to the top ten on the reges mundi ranking.

”Give me Lin Feng?” ‘Lin Jianxing’ was still shuttling through the crowd as his voice came through the transmission stone. He lowered his head, and the ship was in chaos. Everyone was smiling and tens of millions of people had gathered together, but no one noticed him.

”Yes!”

”Two infinitum-class ships, a quasi-infinitum-class world, and the many treasures from that world will all belong to you?” ’Lin Jianxing’ asked with a cold smile.

”Senior, I believe you’re mysterious, and your past is definitely beyond our imagination. I’ve had contact with you, and compared to my father, I trust your vast experience more. The resources and wealth of a nova source world and those infinitum-class ships are useful to us, but perhaps they’re just a burden to you,” Shenxi Tianxi chuckled.

”Who says they’re a burden? I want them too. Without an astralship, how can I leave?” ’Lin Jianxing’ chuckled.

”In that case... I’ll decide. The Gladean Ruins will belong to you, how about that?” It was a rare opportunity, and Shenxi Tianxi had to make concessions.

”Hehe, how do you have the audacity to negotiate with me? I’ve been lurking here and don’t need to be in a hurry. As long as I capture Lin Xiao, Lin Feng’s life is mine. Each member of this clan is deeply emotional and easily hot-headed. Seize that point and they’ll be doomed.” ’Lin Jianxing’ sneered. Capturing an old man could make a young man with a promising future submit!

”Senior.... Although you say that, going alone is still somewhat risky, isn’t it? If we coordinate and launch an attack from both inside and outside, the chances of success will be much higher. The Lin Clan still has some tough characters that won’t be easy for you to fight. This is also our only opportunity. Once we reach the Sun, they’ll disperse and become more vigilant, and our chances will be even slimmer. If we capture Lin Xiao here, threaten them, then have us support you on the Sun, forcing Lin Feng, Lin Xiaodao, and the others to submit, it will be more successful, won’t it?” Shenxi Tianxi hastily said.

In reality, he understood that the alien monster was still chatting with him here rather than simply cutting off the transmission because it didn’t have absolute confidence, either. Whether it was capturing Lin Xiao in the crowd or later using him as leverage, it wouldn’t be that easy for one person to face the rising Lin Clan without support.

What if Lin Xiao committed suicide? There were too many variables! It meant that cooperation was certain and the real focus was on dividing the spoils.

”How about this, senior? Lin Feng’s ship is very unusual. It started as a sanctuary-class ship, and now it’s infinitum-class. It must have many secrets of its own. Once we complete our cooperation, it’ll belong to you, how does that sound?” Shenxi Tianxi didn’t know that the core of the Flameyellow Fusion Formation was the Ninedragon Imperial Tomb, or he would never have made such an offer.

Furthermore... he harbored a sinister plan. If they truly managed an earth-shattering reversal and captured the Lin Clan, the ebons would be invincible. By that time, why should they share the spoils with an alien monster? They weren’t like the Lin Clan, and abduction and coercion wouldn’t work on them. The alien monster wasn’t like Rex Mundi Meng Ying, who had the entire divine wonderian race backing them up.

Of course, those were matters for later. Right now, Shenxi Tianxi just wanted to persuade him. His attitude was as sincere as possible. ”Senior, if so, us ebons will only obtain the Gladean Ruins and a distant ether-class world. We already have Ebonia, so it isn’t that useful and we also have to return its nova source to Gladeus.”

”Compared to your current miserable state, running for your lives and hiding like cowards, that’s a lot better, isn’t it?” ’Lin Jianxing’ mocked with a cold smile.

”Yes, yes, yes.” Shenxi Tianxi suppressed his anger and took a deep breath. He tentatively asked, ”Senior, does that mean we should join forces?”

”Seeing as we had the good fortune to meet in the Infinitum Swordsea, I’ll give you a chance. You’ve played your cards terribly in this great game.” ‘Lin Jianxing’ shrugged.

“Yes, yes, yes....”

”Though, the reason you’ve lost like this isn’t necessarily due to your decisions. After all, you even invited the divine wonderians. It’s just that the other side has too many hidden cards,” ‘Lin Jianxing’ said.

”But that also means that they have treasures on them. Especially Lin Feng! If you capture him, you’ll certainly greatly benefit and will definitely rise to the peak again in the future!” Shenxi Tianxi flattered.

”Enough of your nonsense. Prepare yourselves. I’ll find an opportunity to act, and you should launch a simultaneous attack, targeting the Grandvoid. Disrupt their formation to the best of your ability. This is your ebons’ only chance for a reversal. If you don’t apply pressure to the other side, the ebons can just wait to be slowly boiled to death!” ‘Lin Jianxing’ coldly said. ”After all this talk, whether or not you’re willing to take the final gamble is up to you.”

The Grandvoid referred to the giant black sword of the second branch of the Lin Clan. Like the Dreamchild, the Grandvoid Swordfiend had spent many years modifying his ship. In the latter half of his rex mundi career, aside from pursuing younger individuals, he had focused on researching astralships.

”Senior, rest assured! If we still miss this opportunity, we truly don’t deserve to win.”