Beastmaster of the Ages

Suishen Jiguang learning the third fold of the Twinmoon Suishen Art was what had once led the old patriarch to not retrieving Suishen Hongtian. And now, she used her Arctic Crescent as the core, with her aurora nymphs as the support, to unleash the attack she had mastered.

With one stroke, the world fell silent.

The simple-looking slash actually froze everything, as countless layers of frost formed blades that joined together in a massive formation.

The third folds of the Pentagram Suishen Art and the Twinmoon Suishen Art clashed! Deep ravines were torn into the ground below as Suishen Jiguang’s eyes glinted, her Arctic Crescent held steady in her grasp.

Clearly, even with the artifact advantage, Hongtian’s killing blow hadn’t succeeded in killing her.

”Eminent Jiguang is incredibly strong!”

”The old patriarch is amazing. Three of his children have reached the major zenith!”

Some onlookers rejoiced, while others grew grim. The most worried and frightened of all was Suishen Hongtian himself.

“What?!” He let out another cry of shock. That moment had shattered the illusion that his sister was merely a newly-minted major-zenith cultivator, a beautiful lie he’d been telling himself. Blocking his mid-maniverse-class artifact with a low-maniverse-class artifact even meant that she was stronger than him!

And as if that weren’t enough, the presence of Suishen Xiyue beside him became the ultimate horror. He had presented a perfect opportunity by focusing completely on Suishen Jiguang.

Suishen Xiyue had been frequenting the myriadpath steles and had once gained acclaim by mastering the second fold of the Greatsun Suishen Stele without being a major-zenith cultivator. What no one knew was that it was precisely because she was at the major zenith that she had found success.

She hacked at Suishen Hongtian from behind. The second fold of the Greatsun Suishen Art, Flood! It was the evolution of Explode, representing the world-ending might of a starry river. Its momentum was unstoppable as Suishen Xiyue’s fury bore down upon her target.

While it was slightly weaker than Suishen Jiguang and Suishen Hongtian’s attack, he was still busy with resolving Suishen Jiguang’s attack.

”Die, scum!” Suishen Xiyue didn’t hold back.

Suishen Hongtian barely turned around in time to see a blazing red lotus, bristling with sword-ki, slashing toward him.

”Ah...!” His face turned pale. His Grandsource Imperial Seal couldn’t be recalled quickly enough, and he hastily raised the Kunlun Watcher in defense. But how could that desperate last resort save him? Suishen Xiyue’s fierce strike sent the Kunlun Watcher spinning away, and the Greatsun Suishen Art drowned his body in a torrent of flames.

“No!!” Suishen Hongtian let out a blood-curdling scream as his head was separated from his neck by another slash. Fire consumed his body and head, burning his astrons to ashes.

“Sister-in-law, Suishen Xiyue! I’m a major-zenith cultivator of the house! I have the power to help the house climb to the very top!” Suishen Hongtian pitifully and desperately shouted his final plea.

“Then rule in hell!” Suishen Xiyue slashed again, cleaving his head into pieces.

Elsewhere, the Grandsource Imperial Seal, now uncontrolled, crashed to the ground. Suishen Jiguang reappeared in front of her brother, her eyes filled with a storm of killing intent.

“Sister, Sister, Big Brother was wrong! I’ll be your loyal servant and support you as the leader of House Suishen! We share the same blood! When you were little, I used to carry you around and play with you!” Suishen Hongtian’s headless body turned toward his sister, pleading in despair. It was an almost heart-wrenching sight.

The scene shook everyone, even the high-ranking members of House Qitian, who now realized the true power of the two vengeful women. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that the situation had instantly reversed.

The old patriarch and Suishen Ranxing had already sensed what was happening.

Suishen Ranxing frowned deeply. He wanted Suishen Hongtian dead, but the threat the two women now posed to him was alarming. After considering for a moment, though, he chose not to intervene.

Meanwhile, the old patriarch, his face pale, was locked in combat with Qitian Muyu, though his mind was wholly occupied with his children’s predicament.

“Daughter, he only took a misstep. Give him a second chance....” As a father, the old patriarch was heartbroken. He couldn’t tolerate his eldest son’s betrayal, but... blood ran thick. Seeing Suishen Hongtian at death’s door, his fatherly heart ached with sorrow.

Suishen Jiguang heard his words. Her hand trembled and she looked back, seeing her father’s tears. She bit her lip.

“Don’t waver,” Suishen Xiyue urged.

“What wavering? I’m her elder brother! I’m her family! And you, Suishen Xiyue, what’re you?” Suishen Hongtian screamed, not realizing that his words only made his sister see him for what he truly was, erasing any sympathy she might have felt.

“Dad, I’ll explain when I return.” After saying that, she resumed her attack.

“No!” Suishen Hongtian screamed as she hacked him to pieces.

The blade rose and fell, and Suishen Hongtian was finally killed on the spot. The house of five major-zenith foundationeers was reduced to four!

The scene led everyone to view Suishen Jiguang in a new light. A woman who once had little presence before her brother was now guiding a great upheaval in Myriadpath Valley. Suishen Hongtian became the first major zenith to die in this cataclysmic event.

“Eminent Jiguang truly deserves respect after all this time.”

“Today, she’s been decisive!”

With the new development, onlookers formed varied judgments. Members of Houses Qitian, Yumo, and Suishen, as well as the ordinary cultivators, all interpreted it through their own perspectives.

But no one felt much joy.

From House Qitian’s perspective, a powerful ally was lost, placing their forces at risk.

House Yumo sought revenge, and though they were eager to make House Qitian pay, House Suishen’s newly revealed strength kindled new fears.

For House Suishen, losing one of their five major-zenith foundationeers was a regret.

Still, it was a minor one, as Suishen Hongtian’s betrayal had enraged the house. If he had let House Qitian exploit the young talents of the house, disaster would have befallen them.

As for the ordinary cultivators, they were delighted to see the Goddess of Myriadpath Valley grow stronger and take down the traitor.

No one had time to judge Eminent Jiguang, though, as they sensed more misfortune would soon follow. “Suishen Hongtian’s death may only be the appetizer. The real feast lies ahead!”

The silver-haired valley lord had relied on him to corner Yumo Diyan while waiting for the hostage plan to succeed. Now, with Suishen Hongtian dead, House Suishen gaining two additional major-zenith cultivators, and the hostage plan’s failure....

“It feels like the string of unexpected defeats might lead to the collapse of House Qitian.”

“The Three Exalted Houses are feuding now, and once the valley lord recovers his super-zenith cultivation, he’ll still be a threat to Houses Suishen and Yumo!”

The situation was clear to most.

All eyes focused on the two major-zenith foundationeer women and, as expected, they turned toward the valley lord.