Beastmaster of the Ages

“Negotiate?” Tianming hadn’t expected that the starlord would use such a formal word.

But when he thought about it carefully, it was understandable.

As soon as the flameyellow voidkin, sealed away for who knew how many years, reappeared, they had used the Primordial Sands as bait to set up a grand scheme for the Eightpart Pantheons.

Now, as the “representative,” Tianming had already admitted here that the hundreds of millions of cosmic gods within the Ten Desolate Starforges were going to be swallowed by the flameyellow voidkin!

In this grand event, the Primordial Sands had been unknowingly used as bait. Now that the situation of the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins had already been decided, and Tianming came forward with the identity of a flameyellow voidkin, both sides stood as opponents of the Eightpart Pantheons.

Although the enemy of one’s enemy was a friend, exactly how both sides would cooperate and ally still needed to be discussed in a formal setting.

But in truth, Tianming had not come to negotiate on behalf of the flameyellow voidkin. His appetite was much larger than what the Primordial Sands imagined. His intention was to seize the Primordial Sands for himself...

Of course, he couldn’t say that outright. Otherwise, these people would probably want to chop him down first.

Tianming didn’t want to dishonestly represent the flameyellow voidkin, so after pondering for a moment, he looked up at the golden crystal star above his head and said solemnly, “Senior Jiang, I’m not here on behalf of the flameyellow voidkin, but only on my own behalf. I have some ties with your ancestor, and this time I came especially for her.”

His words caused the many cosmic gods to be filled with doubt. They looked at each other, their expressions somewhat strange.

“Not here to negotiate? Related to our ancestor?” Jiang Tianzhou glanced at his granddaughter Jiang Feifei. Jiang Feifei had told him before that Tianming claimed to be related to their ancestor, but he hadn’t taken it seriously.

“Yes.” Tianming clasped his hands. “I heard that the Tian Jiu Cult recently had ill intentions toward your ancestor. I should be able to offer a little help.”

Seeing how much they respected their ancestor, Tianming feared that if he directly said “I am your ancestor’s man,” they would go crazy, so he could only go with a more tactful approach.

“Wait.”

At that moment, an old woman stepped forward. Her white hair framed a face etched with the marks of time, and she possessed severe eyes and a stern aura.

She fixed her gaze on Tianming and asked in an icy voice, “The flameyellow voidkin used us as bait without any warning, forcing everyone in the Primordial Sands into danger. Now someone comes, yet not for negotiation? Where is the respect for us?”

Her words stunned Tianming. Could his actions seem so?

After hearing this, Jiang Tianzhou shook his head first and said, “Granny Pu, that’s not so. At present, our flameyellow voidkin friends are still battling the Eightpart Pantheons. The war has not yet ended, so naturally no conclusion could be reached.”

As the two spoke, Tianming observed and found that more people sided with Jiang Tianzhou, since he was the starlord and still in his prime.

But this Granny Pu also seemed to have some supporters. This group was older, clearly with seniority, and Granny Pu herself had likely made many contributions before. This group all wore serious expressions.

At first Tianming had thought their worry was about the Tian Jiu Cult, but unexpectedly, this Granny Pu was casting doubt on him and the flameyellow voidkin instead.

Pu...? Tianming recalled Pu Lingyi, who had caused trouble in the lower ruins and had finally been killed by him. Obviously, he and Granny Pu were of the same family.

That being the case, it was understandable that this old woman disliked him and might even long for revenge.

Since Jiang Tianzhou had explained Granny Pu’s doubts for him, Tianming smiled and said, “Senior Pu worries too much. Us flameyellow never had the intention of belittling the Primordial Sands. Once our war is settled, we will naturally account for everything to you.”

“Heh...” Granny Pu raised her brows and said icily, “Perhaps they intend to first settle the Ten Desolate Starforges, and then move onto the Primordial Sands?”

Tianming stiffened. Granny Pu was lucky she was an old woman and Tianming respected the elderly. He wouldn’t have let anyone else make such a comment.

“Granny Pu, please step down.” Before Tianming could reply, Jiang Tianzhou already felt extremely awkward.

The Primordial Sands placed great weight on seniority. This old woman had long retired from decision-making, but she often relied on her reputation and qualifications to throw her weight around. She had also insisted on bringing a group of people with her to this meeting with Tianming.

“Step down? Why, so you can be scammed like an idiot, dragging everyone in the Primordial Sands down to hell with you?” Granny Pu sneered.

“I’m an idiot?” Jiang Tianzhou laughed helplessly.

“Are you not? The Primordial Sands is coveted by many! The Eightpart Pantheons have never been able to conquer us, so they pose no threat. But these flameyellow voidkin can open a passage and kill their way here at any time. Do you understand what that means? It means they have the advantage, while we have no defenses at all apart from our astralguard formations.” Granny Pu stared at Jiang Tianzhou in agitation. “I’ve reminded you several times, yet you ignore it. And now you warmly receive this person. How do you know he isn’t a spy sent to gain your trust?”

From the looks of it, she wanted to take this chance to force Jiang Tianzhou to publicly take a stance. Otherwise, these suspicions of hers could have just been raised privately.

Hearing this, Tianming also laughed. He said, “So, Granny Pu, your meaning is that our true target isn’t the Upper Star Ruin, but the Primordial Sands?”

“Of course. In this day and age, what could descendants of criminals use to oppose the Eightpart Pantheons who possess the Heavenly Dao? Ideals and courage? You had to scheme just for the Ten Desolate Starforges, yet you still dream of restoring the Flameyellow?” Granny Pu declared indignantly.

Behind her stood more than thirty cosmic gods, likely her clansmen. They said nothing, but had pushed Granny Pu forward. There was clearly some politics involved.

“If I were a descendant of exiled criminals, my first step after opening a passage out of my prison would not be to restore my ancestors’ glorious empire and rush to throw myself against the Eightpart Pantheons, but rather to seize a piece of isolated territory, escaping the Ancestral World’s dump and cleansing the stench from my body!” Granny Pu stared fixedly at Tianming and added another line.

Her gaze was burning, as if wanting to pierce through Tianming’s heart.

Tianming had never had such thoughts before coming here, but he had to admit such thoughts were natural. It was like how a wealthy landlord would regard everyone else as thieves.

And she had, in fact, guessed correctly. Tianming was indeed a “thief.” But what he coveted was not the nova source worlds, but the people and warriors who thrived here.

Granny Pu didn’t represent the Primordial Sands, so Tianming didn’t care about her words.

But not caring didn’t mean he wouldn’t clap back.

He suddenly shrugged, and said with amusement, “No wonder Pu Lingyi was so petty and narrow-minded. It’s genetic!”