Beastmaster of the Ages

”Facing an invader who not only stole your baleflame, but is also the youngest son of the head of the invaders, he doesn’t capture you and only asks you to kowtow. That can only mean one thing—he’s no survivor of the Yin-Yang World,” said the valley lord.

”What?” Qitian Muchen had to admit that he had previously been frightened by the shadow of death looming over him, but upon hearing what his father said, realization dawned upon him.

”So he’s one of us?” asked Qitian Muyu.

”Odds are, he is.” Qitian Muyue nodded.

”I’m a hundred percent certain. I’ve been to the Yin-Yang World countless times. There are no surviving people,” the valley lord said, expressionless. Although his voice wasn’t loud, his every word was certain.

”One of us?” Qitian Muchen was furious. ”So he’s been one of us the entire time and hides his identity with some kind of special item? He’s targeting members of House Yumo? Is it just one person or are there more?”

”You were the one who witnessed him kill. During this period of time, the deaths from House Yumo have increased, which means that he’s still killing. He didn’t kill you or those girls. Does that person, or perhaps group of people, have a grudge against House Yumo?” Qitian Muyue pondered out loud.

Thinking for a moment, Qitian Muyu said, ”There aren’t many in Myriadpath Valley who are stronger than you. We should be able to find out who’s behind this. Are you sure he’s a specter?”

”Yes! He has no lifebound beast, his body is very strong, and he’s an expert swordsman. It was hard to see through his moves, as they were also shrouded in purple mist,” Qitian Muchen said.

”It isn’t so often that a specter kills members of House Yumo. Apart from House Yumo, there’s even fewer specters stronger than Qitian Muchen. We can list those above sixth-level foundationeers and go through them one by one,” said Qitian Muyue.

”When I find the bastard, I’ll make him pay! He’s in big trouble,” Qitian Muchen fiercely said.

”The question is, is the Mistrunner working on his own or are there more of them?” Qitian Muyu asked.

”Anyway, the two that I came across had quite a gap in combat power, though their methods are similar. It’s possible they’re the same person, but how could the Mistrunner advance a level in that short a time?” Qitian Muchen mused.

The valley lord, who had been listening to them talk, shook his head and said, ”Perhaps it isn’t one of us. Have you forgotten about the Infinitum Mundus? There’s now a force in the Million Mundi that’s unhappy with the way House Yumo family obtains starblood.”

”Could the people of the Infinitum Mundus have gone to the Yin-Yang World? Doesn’t that mean the Infinitum Mundus is nearby?” Qitian Muchen asked in shock.

”If it isn’t, there’s little chance they could’ve gone to the Yin-Yang World without the Myriadpath Celestial Formation.” Qitian Muyue was also a little confused.

”A specter from Myriadpath Valley who isn’t of House Yumo might be strong enough to defeat Qitian Muchen, but there isn’t anyone likely to kill Eminent Baigui and the others. The deaths of those eminents weren’t far apart. They were slaughtered,” Qitian Muyu said.

”Sounds interesting,” the valley lord coldly laughed. ”I’ve been to the Yin-Yang World so many times, but I’ve never come across any crystal coffins or monochrome flowers in the lifebearer tortoise. Now they’ve appeared, yet someone else is ahead.... It seems I’ll have to meet this person, or group of mysterious opponents.”

Hearing that, the youths’ eyes lit up. Qitian Muchen and his siblings were relieved.

“Father, are you going to the Yin-Yang World to see for yourself?” Qitian Muyu asked.

”Yes, everything will become clear once we get this Mistrunner. We’ll know the secrets of the Yin-Yang World when we get our hands on that flower,” said the valley lord.

”What an honor for that Mistrunner to have the valley lord personally take a trip,” Qitian Muchen said with a smile.

The valley lord glanced at his youngest child, then turned to Qitian Muyu. ”Take them to the Imperial Garden after Yazi’s recovered a little. It should be back to full health after a good meal. Myriadpath source spirits have a great healing effect. There won’t be any scars or sequelae.”

Upon hearing that, Qitian Muchen knew that his father didn’t blame him. He was ecstatic and quickly nodded.

Then, just like that, the valley lord disappeared before the three of them.

Qitian Muchen took a deep breath. After confessing everything to his father, he felt more relaxed and realized he would never play any tricks in front of his father in the future. The man would immediately see through his lies. Compared to his father, he was still a greenhorn!

”It doesn’t matter if the Mistrunner’s from Myriadpath Valley or the Infinitum Mundus. Their primary target is House Yumo, so we aren’t the ones who should be anxious! Let Father take care of everything. Take it easy, got it?” said Qitian Muyu.

”Big brother, big sister, I understand.” Qitian Muchen nodded. His gaze turned to Yazi. The little beast was enjoying itself in the pool.

Qitian Muyu sneered, ”Those of House Qingchuan raised in the Imperial Garden have all recovered and are ready for consumption—especially Jian Zhenhei. His myriadpath source spirit is definitely a great tonic for Yazi, so it can eat as much as it wants today.”

”But big brother, he’s the grass you grew. Are you really willing to give him to me?”asked Qitian Muchen.

Putting his arm around his brother’s shoulders, Qitian Muyu said with a smile, ”We’re brothers, so of course I am. I’ve told you since we were young that we’re different from Houses Yumo and Suishen. We’re close—our fates are intertwined. Since ancient times, fighting among siblings has always been the worst tradition! We’re at the top of the food chain. As long as we’re united, who can stop us? No matter who becomes the valley lord in the future, we have to strive for perfection by relying on our own ability. It’s what Father’s always taught us! What’s the big deal about giving you the grass I grew?”

Qitian Muchen repeatedly nodded. ”Yes, we’re different from House Yumo and Suishen. House Qitian’s the best in the astralscape of order!”

”That must be done. Let’s go to the Imperial Garden!” Qi Tianmuyu said with a smile.

The Imperial Garden.

Although its name sounded nice, it was in fact House Qingchuan’s prison. Jian Qinghe was also there. House Qitian placed shackles on them and only occasionally allowed them to move around.

***

The Outer Yin.

Tianming held the monochrome figurine in his hand, pondering it but not finding any clues.

It’s similar to the myriadpath idol—I wonder if my caelum can enter it? With that in mind, he calmed down, took a deep breath, and slowly fell into a deep sleep. Just before his caelum entered the Xenoworld, it quickly fled into the monochrome figurine.

”Huh?” Tianming was shocked.