Beastmaster of the Ages

”Those with sixsource beasts are considered upper-middle tier in House Qitian, while only the core bloodline has sevensource beasts. Eightsource beastmasters, on the other hand, are the most elite of the core bloodline,” Suishen Zhao said.

”Does it go higher?” Tianming asked.

”Yes. Eminent Muyu, for instance, has a ninesource beast and needs nine pieces of manna to evolve each time,” Suishen Zhao said with awe and respect. The fact that House Suishen considered House Qitian the leaders and representatives of the human race showed how much they respected source beasts.

”Qitian Muyu? Does that mean the most promising young disciple of House Qitian isn’t on the same level as his senior?”

”That’s not the case.”

”But a ninesource beast should be much stronger than an eightsource beast, right?”

”It is. However, juniors top out at eightsource beasts. No junior can have a ninesource beast.”

”Why?”

”The reason for that is that eightsource beasts usually become ninesource beasts after enough training, evolutions, and fortuitous encounters. Eminent Muyu used to only have an eightsource beast. But after he broke through one day, his source beast formed a new body and turned into a ninesource beast. It’s really rare, but it happens. In fact, all Qitian source beasts can ’level up’. Fivesource beasts often evolve into sixsource beasts.”

”So they can still grow on top of being so powerful....” Tianming understood why House Qitian was so powerful. ”So, what’s the highest-tier source beast possible for House Qitian?”

Suishen Zhao immediately answered, ”A tensource beast, of course. That’s what they call a true myriadpath source beast. Tensource beastmasters are really rare, even in history, but if they show up, they inevitably become valley lords. The current valley lord is a tensource beastmaster!”

”I see.” Tianming had a rough grasp of House Qitian’s true might by now.

”My sister finally got the edge!” Suishen Zhao suddenly yelled.

Tianming had had his attention on the battle the entire time as he asked those questions. He saw House Qitian’s fierce might with his own eyes. It’s no wonder she was so sure that she couldn’t defeat Qitian Jian at the same level. Even now, it still takes a lot out of her to deal with the eightsource Tian Luan. Among geniuses, Qitian Jian seems unmatched compared to those of his level.

Qitian Jian had only lost twice in a row because his level was overtaken. But still, he was still a worthy opponent!

Suishen Yao eventually overcame that obstacle and won, but didn’t seem overjoyed. Instead, she raised her hands in salute. ”My performance was laughable, considering that I’m a level higher than you.”

Qitian Jian said, ”That only shows that talent in combat pales compared to talent in cultivation. I acknowledge both of my defeats and wish you success in your endeavor.”

He left the Fortuna Arena immediately after that. He was probably thinking of a way to break through again through seclusion. He would only leave the ranking in another ten or so years, so reaching the top again could be his new goal.

Things grew much merrier when Suishen Yao finally made it to the second spot, no longer stuck in third place like her brother had once said. They were all getting hyped up for the battle that would truly change Suishen Yao’s fate.

”Will she really be able to reach the top?”

”What’re the odds? Yumo Xue seemed to have had a much easier time defeating Qitian Jian than she did.”

”It didn’t look that easy to me, though.”

”Either way, one thing’s for sure—if all three of them were the same level, Qitian Jian would be the strongest.”

”You don’t say!”

Suishen Yao took a deep breath and turned back to look at Tianming and Eminent Jiguang. ”Do your best!” Eminent Jiguang cheered.

”I will!” Defeating Qitian Jian was a huge boost to her confidence. She rested for a little while, then issued Yumo Xue a challenge.

Eminent Ranxing must’ve seen that battle. I wonder what he thinks now that his daughter has surpassed her old self,

Tianming thought. He couldn’t see Eminent Ranxing, but he would bet that the old man was as cold as ever. His daughter was challenging his authority and defying him, after all. ”Suishen Yao, you can do it!”

”We support you!”

Thanks to Tianming’s popularity, Suishen Yao had also gained a lot of support. She looked at Tianming and took the energy of his resolute gaze to challenge a foe that few thought she could match. Many people noticed her glance.

”Fighting for your happiness isn’t a sin!”

”We’re in the modern age! What’s with all that arranged marriage garbage? Why can’t Pathkeeper Li just be with the one he loves?”

”Suishen Yue, get out of there!”

People were loudly shouting slogans and had no fear of being caught at all. They represented the popular will, after all.

When the crowd was at its most agitated, the bale-covered Yumo Xue descended on the Fortuna Arena like a ghoul, causing the atmosphere to suffer a sudden chill. Unlike Qitian Jian, he raised his chin when he looked at Suishen Yao and wore a dark smile.

”After so many years, I didn’t think the day would come when you would need me to help choose your man.” The words sparked quite a bit of anger in the crowd.

”Stop it with that nonsense!”

”Don’t be creepy. You just happened to be in the way.”

”What’re you acting so arrogant for? How many days do you think you’ll be able to stay in the top spot? I bet Pathkeeper Li will stomp you beneath his feet if you give him a few more years!”

”How gross.”

Yumo Xue scanned the crowd with an icy gaze. ”Looks like you guys grew some balls. Any who dares to talk shit about me shall die!”

His threat caused quite a few people to quiet down. All they could do was huff and puff without being able to say a word.

”Hahaha, I thought you guys were going to rebel!” Yumo Xue said.

”Enough nonsense. Fight!” came the voice of a House Yumo elder.

Hearing that, Yumo Xue quieted down. He turned his baleful mask toward Suishen Yao and said, ”As long as I’m here, all you and Li Tianming can do is to watch his beloved get viola—”