Beastmaster of the Ages

Granny Pu wouldn’t have said anything if it weren’t for his words. Her eyes burned with increasing anger as she spoke, and the cosmic gods behind her turned cold. They collectively focused their cosmic senses on Tianming, clearly intent on suppressing the young man.

Unfortunately for them, Tianming showed no reaction.

”Pu Fengyun, take Granny Pu back.” His temper, so rarely seen, flared as he knew he had to gain control of the situation to protect his authority.

The man being addressed was the formidable figure beside Granny Pu. Clad in shiny black armor, Pu Fengyun towered thousands of meters tall with eyes that held the depth of the abyss. He was perhaps the group’s true leader.

”Mother.” Pu Fengyun turned to Granny Pu. ”The starlord has spoken. Don’t be so presumptuous.”

”Presumptuous? Me? Hahaha...” Granny Pu stared daggers at Jiang Tianzhou. ”Should your brief foolishness lead to immense suffering and the destruction of the Primordial Sands, I will haunt you even after I’m dead! Our ancestors will rip you to shreds!”

While the son maintained a calm front, the mother took a more aggressive stance, a tactic that appeared entirely coordinated.

Tianming recognized Jiang Tianzhou’s predicament. He saw no need to elaborate further and simply said, ”Since Granny Pu doesn’t trust me, then I won’t enter Grand Jiang. But I hope you won’t try to stop me from waiting beside your ancient ancestor.”

”Did you hear that?! He’s just like those lunatics from the Tian Jiu Cult. He’s coming for our ancient ancestor!” Granny Pu cried in indignation.

Tianming was speechless. What he wanted to say was, my Ling’er doesn’t have a descendant as stupid as you...

These people had complicated what was originally a simple matter.

”Starlord, my mother speaks boldly as it concerns our ancient ancestor. Please proceed with caution.” Turning to Tianming, Pu Fengyun added, ”It’s not that I don’t trust you, Young Master Li, but our ancient ancestor is of profound importance for our race. We can’t afford the slightest mistake.”

Tianming thought he would be met with open arms, only to find himself denied entry into Grand Jiang and kept from the golden crystal star.

”Young Master Li.” Jiang Tianzhou ignored Pu Fengyun and instead, turned to Tianming apologetically. ”I’ve arranged a welcoming banquet in my palace.”

Jiang Tianzhou was willing to hold a grand reception, but drew the line at allowing him near the golden crystal star. However, Tianming could see his perspective. The Pu clan had challenged Jiang Tianzhou’s authority by claiming the moral high ground. It was detrimental to Grand Jiang that remained under external threat from the Tian Jiu Cult.

”Thank you, Senior Jiang.” Tianming didn’t seem to be affected by the “old fly.” Jiang Tianzhou had the highest authority on this star. As long as they trusted each other, the old fly could do little but complain.

”You’ve let a wolf into our house! You’ll destroy the Primordial Sands and put our ancient ancestor at risk!” Asserting her seniority, Granny Pu continued to make a fuss.

Tianming ignored her. But at this moment, his heart suddenly trembled.

”Ling’er?”

He looked up, only to see the golden crystal star quiver, as if awakening. It seemed to be experiencing some sort of earth-shattering transformation within. Sparks ignited from the collision of countless gold particles and the power of nirvana surged.

The fleeting glimpse revealed a face of exquisite beauty on the crystal star—the face he had longed for. His heart skipped a beat when he locked eyes with the golden figure.

”Ancient Ancestor!”

The cosmic gods of Grand Jiang fell to their knees in reverence. Granny Pu went so far as to prostrate herself.

A storm of vibrant colors swirled above the golden crystal star before it shot into the sky and exploded like a burst of fireworks, ultimately forming a majestic pair of multicolored wings. Thousands of dazzling feathers comprised the wings, each a breathtaking spectacle that seemed to hold its own world. The wings unfurled, casting a radiant light upon the star that eclipsed all starlight. It was the most magnificent sight in the universe.

”Is she about to succeed or...”

Tianming’s joy was cut short when a rift in space suddenly appeared above the crystal star. A gray-pink storm exploded from the rift, instantly engulfing the golden star and its magnificent wings. It solidified into a spherical prison, sealing them completely.

”Not yet. The final tribulation has just begun!” Xian Xian and Ji Ji said from his lifebound space, their voices hoarse with nervousness.

“Just beginning? The last step?” Tianming’s heart raced.

The gray-pink prison and spatial rifts resembled a certain location in the Ancestral World, similar to the Kunlan Realm that Feiling had entered before. A grim certainty settled over him–his strength was no match for the gray storm. It would tear him to pieces if he tried to approach her. He couldn’t help her through this phase.

”I can only protect her and prevent anyone from disturbing her during the final stage.”

She was immune to outside interference, but not to an astralship’s attacks.

”The ancient ancestor is close! This is a critical moment so protect her with your lives and don’t take another step closer!” Granny Pu shouted a clear warning to Tianming and Jiang Tianzhou, her eyes alight with fanaticism.

Her words were immediately followed by a golden ray of light that broke through the gray prison and descended on the group.

”What’s that?”

With trembling hearts, they stared wide-eyed at a tiny golden crystal star about a hundred meters in diameter. Wrapped in a pair of magnificent, colorful wings, it radiated an intense glow. He saw a tiny figure inside and his mind unraveled the moment he laid eyes on that delicate face and fluttering eyelashes.

”Ahhh!” He cried, unable to get a word out.

”That’s the ancient ancestor’s heart! Protect it!” Granny Pu shouted excitedly.

Jiang Tianzhou, Pu Fengyun, and the others surged forward, their arms outstretched to receive the heart, only to be blasted away by a golden beam of light from the crystal star. The light then connected three distinct points–the large golden star, the little golden star, and Tianming!

In the golden glow, the stunned young man quietly reached for the tiny life.