Beastmaster of the Ages

”The quality of a weapon partly depends on its hardness and sharpness, which comes from its material. But the power contained within, whether cosmic impulse or cosmoforce, is just as important....” What made cosmic relics so powerful wasn’t just their materials, but also the transcendent energy within them that outclassed cosmic impulses.

All cosmic relics were relics of the ancient past that even imperial-class worlds had no clue how to forge.

“Does this thing have any internal power?” Ying Huo asked, unable to sense anything. As far as it could tell, the sword was just really hard!

“It should. But like those nine cosmic impulses from before, it probably needs to be unlocked. I’ll let my caelum go inside and take a look,” said Tianming. He sat cross-legged, cradling the Grand-Orient Sword in his hands. His vita rested while his caelum slipped into the sword.

He arrived in a golden world, and the first thing he saw was that familiar colorless door. It was still slightly ajar, but he couldn’t push it the rest of the way open. Using his Plundering Arm, he saw a massive black-and-gold imperial star behind the door. Droplets splashed out from the star, each birthing a new nova source world that collided with the surroundings near the door.

Tianming shook his head and chuckled, “The secrets of this door... are still a mystery for now.” He was curious, but not in a rush. He had come in to examine the other changes to the Grand-Orient Sword.

“The chaos swordmaidens greet the Emperor...” countless soft and elegant voices echoed from behind him. All the gentle and melodious voices belonged to young women.

Tianming blinked and turned around. What the hell!? Before him appeared a sea of women, all clad in golden armor and neatly arranged in formation. There were at least a hundred million of them! There was a dense golden mist at the back that stopped him from seeing if there was more.

What was more surprising was that, though they wore identical golden armor, their faces, figures, postures, and temperaments were all different. Every one of them was uniquely beautiful.

He couldn’t help but marvel at the flawless craftsmanship of their creator.

“Who are you all?” he asked. He couldn’t identify what kind of existences they were. They were neither human nor like that golden statue. They seemed rather like souls, but they weren’t those, either; they seemed to be energy given shape.

“Caeli infused with power?” Their bodies gave his caelum a very warm sensation.

“We’re the chaos swordmaidens.” All hundred million golden-armored women bowed to Tianming—graceful and respectful, making him momentarily feel like they were all thinking, living beings.

“Okay, then. Can one of you act as a spokesperson? Otherwise it’s way too loud,” Tianming said.

They all gently smiled at him, then began speaking in unison again. “Emperor, by consorting with the chaos swordmaidens, you may obtain their power.”

“What the hell?”

They repeated themselves. “Emperor, by consorting with the chaos swordmaidens, you may obtain their power.’”

“Uh?” Tianming froze.

“The Emperor shall rule the universe. The chaos swordmaidens shall polish the pillar of inheritance so that the lineage may be propagated and the legacy passed on for all eternity.”

The swordmaidens now changed their line. But the chorused delivery still gave him goosebumps.

“So... what kind of ‘consorting’ are we talking about here?” he cautiously asked. Come on! Who could handle over a hundred million women!?

“By soul communion, divine comprehension shall follow.”

One of the chaos swordmaidens at the front stepped forward, removing her armor.

“You’re seriously doing this?” Tianming asked, hair standing on end. He recalled the realism when his caelum had entered the Wondersky Realm. But now, inside the Grand-Orient Sword, everything was illusory and wouldn’t have such tactile sensations. After all, the caelum belonged partly to the universe and partly to the person. It was meant for cultivation and to communicate with heaven and earth.

This situation felt extremely weird.

“It’s but divine comprehension, Emperor. Don’t misunderstand,” the swordmaiden said.

Before he could consent, the swordmaiden stepped forward and embraced him, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

“Huh?” Before Tianming could react, the chaos swordmaiden melted into his body and the Grand-Orient Sword suddenly surged with a burst of golden power!

“So... just a kiss is enough? Phew....” He had nearly panicked. “Well, if it’s just kissing, let’s do it!” Tianming opened his arms. “But please, can you keep the armor on? It creates misunderstandings.”

The chaos swordmaidens smiled and lined up.... But they still removed their armor.

Tianming’s vision was overwhelmed as he nearly went blind from the dazzling golden display before him.

***

“What’s Boss doing in there? Looks like he’s dreaming of something unspeakable. Look at that blushing face!” Ying Huo smirked.

“Something’s happening, meow!” Meow Meow jumped down and kicked at Tianming. “Hey! The Grand-Orient Sword just drew itself!”

“Holy shit!”

Tianming woke with a jolt and glared at them. “What the hell are you guys doing?”

“We should be asking you! What were you doing inside the sword?” Ying Huo snickered.

“None of your damn business!” Tianming snapped, gripping the Grand-Orient Sword in his hand. He gave it a light swing and his eyes lit up. “So this is the power of the chaos swordmaidens? It’s pretty special.”

So far, he had only kissed a dozen or so. And it was surprisingly exhausting. Even though it was his caelum doing it, his lips still felt like they were about to peel from overuse.

Screw it, I’ll keep going when I have more time. Who knows how long this is going to take?

Tianming had to pause anyway, as Zi Zhen and Moran were about to arrive. If they saw him hugging and kissing a sword, his carefully built image would be utterly destroyed.