Beastmaster of the Ages

Inside the transmission stone, a faint silhouette wrapped in a pink glow silently observed Tianming for a moment, then softly asked, ”Where are you?”

”The Myriadpath Celestial Formation,” he replied, scratching his head. He had initially intended to return and briefly let them know he was alright, as he wanted to try sending the yin-yang essence back to the Sun.

Unexpectedly, Suishen Jiguang replied, ”Wait for me there,” before closing the transmission stone.

That left him feeling disoriented in the breeze. Honestly, after years of wearing his mask and a decade spent with her, acting as a junior again gave him a bit of mental pressure.

Ahem, gotta keep it steady later and not blow my cover, he thought.

Soon enough, a slender woman in a white dress flew toward him, her pink hair flowing like a waterfall. Her dress swayed, gracefully merging with the starlight. Her aura had changed; she had shed the last traces of her innocence and fully embodied a woman’s allure, becoming a true enchantress.

Even now, Tianming’s heart beat faster just seeing her. His Grand-Orient Sword shamefully pointed toward her like an eager compass, ignoring the memory of ten years of abuse....

Before he knew it, Suishen Jiguang was standing right in front of him, looking at him with mock exasperation as she chided, ”Where have you been messing around this time?”

”Well...” he said with a bashful smile, ”I was just, you know, helping out at home.”

”Helping out at home?” she pursed her lips. ”Seems like you’re someone with a strong sense of loyalty.”

”Yes, yes, that’s right,” Tianming sheepishly chuckled. Openly meeting her with his own identity felt comfortable. Every part of his body was a natural actor, with the exception of one specific part that was always obediently led around.

”Alright then, the situation’s chaotic right now. Myriadpath Valley’s on high alert and dangers are everywhere. You aren’t allowed to run around anymore. Come back home with me,” Suishen Jiguang said, her voice gentle.

”Home?” Tianming paused for a moment.

”You married into House Suishen. Isn’t the Suishen Cave your home now? Or does your heart only have the place you grew up in it?” she replied, slightly biting her lip as though she were a bit upset.

”You’re joking, Auntie. Home is where family is. You’re my family, and Suishen Cave is obviously my home!” Tianming quickly replied.

Suishen Jiguang shook her head. ”Don’t say such things lightly. You’re Yaoyao’s husband, so she’s your real family. It wouldn’t be good if others heard you say this.”

”Bah! I’m number one on the Fortuna Heavenly Ranking! Anyone who dares to say anything can meet my fists,” Tianming joked.

”Sure, with that confidence of yours.” Eminent Jiguang smiled, then turned to fly back toward Myriadpath Valley.

The sight of her fluttering dress and enchanting silhouette naturally stirred something in Tianming, filling his mind with images. The view from behind is the best.

Just as he thought that, she turned back with a frown. ”Why aren’t you coming? I told you, no more running around.”

”Alright, alright.” Only then did he follow alongside her. Home? The term felt a bit foreign to Tianming. But, anywhere Suishen Jiguang was was definitely a Valley of Warmth, there was no doubt about that.

”Did you know?” she suddenly asked.

”Know what?” he replied, puzzled.

”I brought Yaoyao’s mother back,” she said. Her eyes continued looking ahead and her voice was calm.

”Oh? That’s wonderful!” Tianming clapped his hands together, his expression full of joy. He had already decided to pretend to be unaware of her subsoul in Myriadpath Valley being broken for the past ten years. Otherwise, he would have to perform a tearful reunion. Looking excited, he asked, ”How is she?”

”She’s doing well,” the eminent replied with a soft laugh as she glanced at him.

”Yaoyao and Little Zhao must be thrilled!” Tianming happily said.

”Aren’t you happy?” she asked with a charming smile.

”Me?” Tianming paused before foolishly laughing, ”Of course I am, I now have a mother-in-law!”

Suishen Jiguang couldn’t help but laugh. Her radiant and natural smile was like a pink rose, delightful and refreshing. ”Your mother-in-law wants to see her darling son-in-law. Are you nervous?” she asked.

”Someone as outstanding as me? Not a chance!” Tianming confidently said, but the thought of meeting Suishen Xiyue did make him feel a bit of pressure. I just wanted to say hello, but now my mother-in-law wants to meet me. Seems like I won’t be leaving anytime soon....

But his heart was now calm, and he feared nothing. Thus, he strode forward with his head held high.

***

Inside the Aurora Sea, two elegant figures stood by a small cottage on the shore. They were Suishen Xiyue and her daughter, Suishen Yao. Suishen Xiyue was gently combing her daughter’s hair, looking at the young woman in the mirror with eyes full of affection.

”Yaoyao’s all grown up. You used to be a mischievous kid, but the bloom of love’s given you a woman’s charm,” Suishen Xiyue softly said. In her mind, her daughter had only been a little tomboy yesterday, but now she had blossomed into a graceful young woman. It only reminded her of how quickly time passed.

”What? Absolute hogwash. I developed my charm on my own!” Suishen Yao proudly pouted.

Suishen Xiyue lightly pinched her daughter’s ear, half-amused, and said, ”What’s wrong with you, child? You think you brought that charm out by yourself?” she chuckled.

”Your auntie’s already gone to bring him here. I want to see just what kind of remarkable person, who isn’t of House Suishen, could captivate my proud daughter so deeply that she would defy House Suishen’s leader and give him her Suishen Blood before her wedding.” She’d only just returned and, even without asking, had picked up bits and pieces of that remarkable story.

Hearing that, Suishen Yao’s face turned bright red. ”What? Mom, you don’t even know the real story! Didn’t Auntie tell you all the details?”

Suishen Xiyue looked at her daughter with surprise. ”Aren’t you embarrassed to tell your mother all the details? Besides, how could your auntie just stand there while the two of you were being affectionate?”

”Ugh!” Suishen Yao nearly fainted, so she grit her teeth and recounted everything that had happened, step by step, for Suishen Xiyue.

When she finished, she summarized, ”So, Mom, to put it simply, we ended up like this by accident. At first he was just my disciple following me around! Then Grandpa summoned him back to Myriadpath Valley and I made it clear to him: we don’t have any real emotional foundation and our marriage is only for appearances.”

After listening, Suishen Xiyue was stunned for a moment. ”He managed to get the Suishen Blood without doing the deed? That kid must be a real pervert for Suishen Blood!”