Beastmaster of the Ages

“Do overflow fragments have grades?” Tianming asked.

“Of course they do! The one I have here is a grade-one overflow fragment. It can be exchanged for a hundred grade-ten order fragments! This is hard currency in the Ancient Oldgod Domain. There’s a fifty percent chance it can allow a super-zenith cultivator to become an overflower!” Jin Lin said with pride.

“What’s the highest grade?” Tianming asked.

“Grade ten! Grade-ten overflow fragments can only be found in God Domain Nine, which is closest to the center of the Sea of Order. Our place here is just the dock,” Jin Lin explained.

“How can you tell the grade?”

“Look at the vortex inside. One vortex means grade one, two vortices mean grade two, and so on!”

The classification system seemed straightforward enough. “Are there treasures even higher than grade-ten overflow fragments? Like some other kind of fragments?” Tianming asked in amazement.

“Are you stupid? You think this stuff grows like cabbage? Grade-ten overflow fragments are already the supreme products of the Sea of Order’s center. Cosmic gods are the gods of the universe, and the apex life forms surpassing astral gods. Across the entire universe, only the Ancient Oldgod Domain has a way to accelerate the path to becoming a cosmic god. But even so, that’s just becoming a cosmic god. After that, a person becomes like a universe and the Sea of Order can no longer assist their further progress,” Jin Lin scoffed.

Tianming understood. Grade-ten overflow fragments were the endgame, and the Overflower stage was the end of the shortcut. “If the wonderians hadn’t invaded here, these people would truly be heaven’s chosen ones!” he sighed in admiration. But upon deeper thought, why couldn’t the Ancient Oldgod Domain specters, as heaven’s chosen, fend off the invasion of the wonderians?

The answer was simple. Order fragments and overflow fragments could only speed up the journey, quickly creating strong individuals. However, treasures couldn’t raise someone’s ultimate potential. Thus, given enough time, an obsessive race like the wonderians would eventually produce top-tier experts capable of suppressing them.

It was like comparing countries. Those blessed with abundant resources often grew complacent, losing their competitive edge. When faced with external threats, they would easily be defeated.

The aurumites had ended up enslaved. Treasures like order fragments and overflow fragments hadn’t made them the strongest race in the universe.

“Of course, for me, these are still incredibly useful. What I need most isn’t higher potential, but more time!” As far as potential was concerned, the Primordial Chaos Beasts, decapath era godswords, an infinitum-class wonder, and the Primordial God-Emperor’s legacy were more than enough to set his ceiling high.

Moran’s boundless devouring ability had no limits and Zi Zhen’s ancestral regression also had no cap. The Ancient Oldgod Domain specters, on the other hand, were inherently limited, no matter how fast they advanced.

Thus, Tianming didn’t hesitate to grab the grade-one overflow fragment.

“Hey, what’re you doing?” Jin Lin didn’t even have time to react before the treasure in his hand vanished.

Such speed was the talent of the sky plunderers, faster than any cicada’s shake or violent strike.

“Stand still and guard him!” Zi Zhen commanded, subduing him once more.

“Yes...!” Jin Lin was now genuinely panicking. He feared that the overflow fragment he had ‘willingly’ offered to the goddess might end up being used by Tianming. Though he was already an overflower and had no use for a grade-one overflow fragment, it was still his most valuable possession.

Not far away, Moran and Zi Zhen watched Tianming, their eyes on the overflow fragment in his hand.

“We need to gather more of these things if we’re to have any hope of rescuing Qingyu,” Moran said.

“Exactly! The Order College’s orderlies must have many overflower experts. We need to become stronger to control the aurumite specters,” Tianming earnestly replied.

“Then you should refine this one as fast as you can. Afterward, we’ll use this guy as a breakthrough point to take all their overflow fragments...” Zi Zhen said with anticipation. After spending so much time with Tianming, she had grown to enjoy the thrill of taking things.

Tianming stared at the overflow fragment in his hand for a moment, then handed it to Zi Zhen and said, “You should use it.”

“Me? Why me?” Zi Zhen was momentarily stunned. There was only one overflow fragment, and she was the one to use it? To her, Tianming was their pillar of support. Surely, the stronger he became, the safer she would feel.

Tianming seriously looked at her and said, “My order’s too complex. Back in Antiquitas Mortis, I realized that advancing a single level requires several times more order fragments than it does for you. My efficiency is too poor. Besides, you’re recovering your strength while I’m forcefully advancing. Without enough baleflame, pushing myself further with this thing will undermine my foundation and make my order unstable. But you’re different, your absorption efficiency is exceptionally high.”

“But—” Zi Zhen hesitated.

“No buts. My sister doesn’t have much time left, and the Taboo Ocean is shrinking every moment. Now isn’t the time to think about gender roles. Resources must be used where they’ll have the most impact. You’re the best choice among the three of us for short-term gains.” Tianming’s tone was firm.

“Gender roles?!” Zi Zhen glared at him.

“Yeah, what imperial fantasies are you having?” Moran chimed in with disbelief.

“Wait, isn’t your hesitation rooted in an innate admiration for me as a male?” Tianming asked, looking genuinely baffled.

“Ridiculous,” the two women said in unison. They exchanged a glance, seemingly on the verge of newfound camaraderie.

“Fine, I’ll take it. After all, I was the one who subdued this big oaf.” Zi Zhen decisively took the overflow fragment from Tianming’s hand.

“Exactly! Judging by how he reacts to you, your strength will likely have the greatest deterrence on the aurumites. Going forward, you’ll be the key,” Tianming said. That was why he had chosen to give her the overflow fragment.

As for Moran, her strength didn’t rely on her cultivation level. Grade-seven or -eight order fragments would be sufficient for her, so she was outside his consideration.

“Alright, when I get more overflow fragments, I’ll reward you with a few,” Zi Zhen said.

“Deal!” Investing in the right places ensured maximum returns. At critical moments, prioritizing Zi Zhen’s growth was the smartest move.

Tianming’s strength lay in his steady, long-term growth and solid foundation, making him less suited for short-term boosts.

Thus, Zi Zhen immediately began absorbing the grade-one overflow fragment. She didn’t even need any baleflame.

“She and Ling’er might be the only two people who can absorb overflow fragments without side effects!” Tianming mused. Even orderlies and Ancient Oldgod Domain specters had to be cautious and restrained when using them.

“Now, you two can protect me,” Tianming said with a smile.

“Does it feel good to hide behind girls?” Moran lightly bit her lip, throwing a teasing glance his way.

“Uh... how’d you know?” Tianming asked.

“I know all your tricks,” she replied.

“Yet you still fall for them?” he retorted with a laugh.

“You’re insufferable.” Her rare moment of coquettishness was undeniably charming.