Beastmaster of the Ages

”That’s right.” Xiaodao looked up and continued, ”Rex Mundi, in the siege of Taixi City, the Swordgod Lin Clan gave our all. In the upcoming crisis, we still need your word that we have your support, including astral god reinforcements. If the Sun falls—”

Before he could finish, Yi Daiyan glared at him. ”Enough. There’s no need to emphasize it that much. Before the enemy comes, we have to make things clear. Whether it’s me, you, or Tianming, all of us have people and things we wish to protect. We have to stand united against our common enemy and can’t afford to plot against one another.”

”Very well,” Xiaodao agreed.

”However....” Yi Daiyan’s tone changed. ”If we gather all the astral gods of the Infinitum Bodhimanda, we have less than six million. We need at least three million of them to stand guard at home, so we can’t send all of them to reinforce the Sun. Do you understand why?”

”Of course. The ebons are still around, even though they’ve been weakened. Shenxi Xingtian and the bloodline wisteria, along with most of the wildbeast wall, are still at large,” Xiaodao said.

”Since Li Fan’s already here, that means that the elites of Intrepidus and Myriadpath Valley aren’t far off. Perhaps they’ll arrive today or tomorrow. However, we need at least a few months at our current pace to wipe out the wildbeast wall.” ℴℴ𝑚

”Yes. So?”

”I don’t wish to beat around the bush. Since you are also straightforward people, let’s speak openly. I need you to send as much help as you can to wipe out the wildbeasts in this crucial window of peace. The more we wipe out, the less we have to worry about them assailing our homes while we are away to aid you. The ebons remain a thorn in our back, even as weakened as they are. While they can’t harm us, they can harm the innocent.”

”Understood.”

At the end of the day, it all came down to the wildbeast wall and infinitum-class ships. Tianming and Xiaodao had held back somewhat in the siege of Taixi City instead of pressing the attack, because they were worried that Yi Daiyan would backstab them. But the current situation was that the Sun would be threatened by the forces of the divine wonderians. If they couldn’t bring themselves to trust Yi Daiyan, it would spell their end. Not to mention, she had only emphasized wiping out the wildbeasts. Not even she could be certain that they would have the time to take Ebonopolis.

Xiaodao turned to Tianming for an opinion. ”What do you think?”

”Either way, wiping out the wildbeast wall is the right move to make. Ideally, I’d like to take down the Ebonfiend as well. As for Ebonopolis, it’ll depend on whether we have the time,” he said. The shadow cast by Myriadpath Valley and Intrepidus was growing larger by the moment.

”That’s how I see it as well.” With their agreement, the two didn’t have to consult anyone else. Xiaodao turned to Yi Daiyan and said, ”We’ll prepare to attack the wildbeast wall right away.”

Her eyes brightened as she smiled with some relief. ”Normal ships can’t compare to infinitum-class ships when it comes to wiping out wildbeasts. The Infinitum Bodhimanda will be grateful for your immense contribution.”

”We only hope that you keep your word, Rex Mundi,” Xiaodao said.

”Rest assured.” Yi Daiyan turned and left without another word. She would have to source more ships to participate in the assault.

”Having the Gladean Ruins and Ninedragon Imperial Tomb leave the Sun is a risk. Once we finish dealing another heavy blow to the ebons, we should immediately return. Without further ado, let’s go!” Xiaodao said.

Moran could continue assimilating her new divine wonder as they made their way to Ebonia. Xiaodao was also busy with the Primordial Demonshade that Tianming had given him. He just so happened to lack a cosmic artifact, and one that was stronger than infinitum-class artifacts would be perfect for him.

Lin Xiao had the Sword in the Forest, and Xiaodao hadn’t had a weapon that could equal that up to now. The powerful cosmic artifacts of the Swordgod Lin Clan were rather stubborn indeed. Even after he had become a foundationeer, he hadn’t managed to claim ownership of the Sword of the First Branch that Gu had left behind. But now that he had obtained an even stronger sword, he no longer needed to borrow the Sword of the First Branch.

”If you manage to take control of it, tell me what class of artifact it is,” Tianming said.

”Haha... I can’t wait.” To Xiaodao, a peak-tier sword was far more tempting than a beauty. He couldn’t get enough of the sword. The only thing he was worried about was that his gourd would get jealous.

The two draconic ships cruised in Ebonia’s direction. Xiaodao was growing accustomed to how his new sword worked in the Gladean Ruins, while Tianming looked at the Grand-Orient Sword within his own ship as he recalled the might of Yi Daiyan and the Infinitum Stele, feeling as if he was missing a crucial thing.

”Putting aside the Infinitum Stele, I’ve only unlocked two cosmic impulses within the Grand-Orient Sword. There’s still seven more sealed inside!” Not to mention, his prime wonder had only reached its third form.

He felt that there was much more that he could tap into. ”The Grand-Orient Sword is equivalent to an ether-class cosmic artifact for now, so it’ll have a hard time facing off against infinitum-class cosmic artifacts. I wonder if all the elites from Myriadpath Valley and Intrepidus would have peak-tier weapons?”

It was something he had to agonize over. His Omnisentient Threads already pushed the limits of his strength far beyond where they should be, but it was clear that that alone was far from enough to change his destiny and secure the future of the denizens of the Sun. He still had no choice but to ask his seniors for protection, something he was really much aware of.

”Let’s keep trying!” The pressure felt like a stone resting on his heart as the two ships entered Ebonia in preparation for the next battle.

......

Shenxi Xingtian walked in the darkness within Ebonopolis. Gradually, a dark vortex opened up behind him. ”Brother Meng Ying, Li Fan....”

He had been waiting for them for quite a while. During the clash, Meng Ying had known that Shenxi Xingtian wouldn’t be able to help out, so he hadn’t even bothered asking for it. As such, Shenxi Xingtian still wasn’t aware of what had transpired. He turned back with a smile, only to see a white-haired, pale wretch hobble out of the Xenoworld gate, his eyes sunk into their sockets and bloodshot. He was completely haggard and filled with hate.

”Meng Ying?” Shenxi Xingtian was shocked and knew that something was wrong. The old man in front of him was unmistakably Meng Ying, or part of them anyway. He was the only remaining part of Rex Mundi Meng Ying, while his other half had left the realm of the living. The Starembryo Fiendart had been undone, signaling the end of their cultivation path. All of a sudden, his age had caught up with him, leaving him with little time to spare.

”What’s wrong?” Shenxi Xingtian murmured, ”Oh, yeah—where’s Li Fan?”

”My other half is dead. Li Fan was heavily wounded and captured. I almost died in order to escape,” Meng Ying said, his voice hoarse as he flopped onto the long table. Tears and blood flowed nonstop from his eyes.

”How could that be?! All of you should’ve been able to escape even if you’d run into Yi Daiyan herself!” Shenxi Xingtian said with disbelief.