Beastmaster of the Ages

Suishen Xiyue finished speaking, a thrill of exhilaration running through her. Her words cast the entrance of the Suishen Cave into a chilling silence. Everyone was frozen, blankly staring at her.

Especially Suishen Yao. She had complained about her father numerous times because of her mother’s situation, even angrily saying that her mother’s death was her father’s fault... but deep down, she knew those were just words spoken in anger. Now, however, seeing the grief in her mother’s tear-filled eyes and the raging fury behind her words, Suishen Yao knew she would never forget her mother’s confession. Those words felt like swords piercing her heart, leaving her in unbearable pain.

She knew that her mother had kept silent all this time to protect her and her brother, fearing the truth would cause her children anguish. She had silently endured the injustice alone, perhaps even holding onto the faint hope that Suishen Ranxing would sincerely repent. She didn’t need him to atone, only to treat his children better in the future.

But in return, Suishen Ranxing was willing to use their children as hostages, and even tried to kill her! How could she endure it? The burden in Suishen Xiyue’s heart finally lifted, and for the first time in ages, she felt relaxed, even carefree.

“Let’s go!” Suishen Xiyue, tears in her eyes, held her children’s hands and gazed deeply into their eyes.

The reality was unbearably cruel for Suishen Yao and Suishen Zhao. Not even Suishen Shuang could hold back her tears, but the other two were too stunned to cry, or even to breathe. They allowed Suishen Xiyue to lead them away from the Suishen Cave.

“Wait!” Suishen Yao said. She turned back and glared at Suishen Ranxing with hatred. “From this moment on, you’re no longer my father, and I’m no longer your daughter. If you die one day, I won’t shed a single tear for you!”

After saying this, she tightly clung to her mother’s arm and walked away without looking back. The group of four disappeared into the mist.

Even long after they left, Suishen Cave remained deathly silent. Many glanced at Suishen Ranxing, but none dared to speak a word; they didn’t even dare to sigh. Quietly, they turned and returned to the cave.

Just like that, the people were gone. And their hearts had left with them. Everyone had their own moral compass, especially those with families, wives, and children. Who could still pledge their undying loyalty if the person they followed broke that compass?

The members of House Suishen returned to their homes one by one. They all now understood that, despite their victory in the Altar Battle, House Suishen hadn’t truly triumphed. Three of the four most powerful people in their house weren’t on the same side, so neither was House Suishen united.

In the end, only Suishen Cang, Suishen Ling, and a few minor-zenith cultivators remained.

“Everyone calm down. What’s past is past. The important thing is to move forward. Though the rift is deep now, there’s still hope...” Suishen Cang tried to mediate.

“I don’t think so,” Suishen Cang’s wife, Suishen Ling, flatly said.

“Shh!” Suishen Cang broke into a cold sweat. He’d just tried to smooth things over, but his wife had thrown in a sharp jab instead. However, he didn’t dare scold her. After all, everyone knew he was the one most afraid of his wife.

It wasn’t fear in the true sense, but respect and love.

“I’m leaving.” Suishen Ling couldn’t bear the atmosphere any longer. She hadn’t stopped her daughter from leaving with Suishen Xiyue. As a woman of House Suishen, she understood. After giving her loyalty, Suishen Blood, and entire life to her husband, bearing his children... there were things she simply couldn’t condone.

In the end, only Suishen Cang, the old patriarch, and Suishen Ranxing were left.

“Suishen Ranxing, it’s fine! They’re just angry words, they’ll get over it... don’t take it to heart,” Suishen Cang consoled.

The old patriarch sighed. He understood that from that day forward, his son’s prestige had plummeted, and his reputation had been utterly ruined.

Suishen Ranxing suddenly burst out laughing, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“What’re you laughing at?” The old patriarch looked at him with exasperation.

Suishen Ranxing glanced at him and said calmly, “I think you aren’t all that upset, are you?”

“What do you mean by that?” The old patriarch was enraged.

“Nothing. I just admire how you educate your children. You ruin one, and another genius comes along. If I fall, won’t you still have your daughter? Your parenting has such a high margin for error. Truly impressive.” Suishen Ranxing mockingly cupped his hands.

“Shut up!” The old patriarch was on the verge of exploding with fury. He nearly spat out the words “unfilial son”, but as he actually looked at his son, he swallowed his words.

Suishen Ranxing’s expression remained indifferent. He pulled out a transmission stone and activated it. The figure of Qitian Muyu appeared on the other end.

“Tell your father to immediately seal Myriadpath Valley and shut down the Myriadpath Celestial Formation,” Suishen Ranxing instructed.

“Why?”

“Suishen Xiyue’s taking my children out to play. Since she’s here, my sister and Li Tianming must be here too. We can trap them,” Suishen Ranxing darkly said.

“Understood.” Qitian Muyu ended the call.

Suishen Ranxing put the transmission stone away. After a moment of silence, his expression returned to calm. Now that certain matters were out in the open, he felt unrestrained, free to reveal his true self. “Dad,” he called out.

“What do you want to say?” The old patriarch’s voice trembled.

“I, House Yumo, House Qitian, the Three Exalted Houses, the Source Progenitor, countless generations of ancestors, the ancestral teachings, the Myriadpath Sacred Code....” Ranxing listed them all before pointing in the direction Suishen Xiyue had gone.

“And Suishen Jiguang, Li Tianming, outsiders, invaders!” Then he asked the old patriarch, “Between those two sides, which one do you stand with?”

***

An astralship resembling a pyramid appeared ahead of Tianming. Its sharp edges coldly gleamed, exuding a deadly aura. Suishen Jiguang accompanied him as the two rushed toward the Grand Myriadpath Ruins at top speed.

“My mother-in-law has sorted things out, right?” Tianming asked.

“That’s right.... She has... completely severed... ties with... Suishen Ranxing,” Yin Chen confirmed.

“Sister Xiyue....” Suishen Jiguang bit her lip. She could understand Suishen Xiyue’s feelings.

“It’s alright. As long as they’re safe,” Tianming reassured her with a faint smile.

“Mm!” She nodded, taking a deep breath.

Tianming said to Yin Chen, “Tell her to come and meet us here.”

He hadn’t expected Suishen Ranxing would be so ruthless. He had wanted to use Qitian Muyue to catch them in one fell swoop, but Suishen Ranxing had used his copper coffin secret realm to counterattack, forcing his wife and sister to sever ties with the Three Exalted Houses.

And now, calamity loomed over House Qingchuan.