Beastmaster of the Ages

”Empress Xia? Grand Xia imperials?”

Following Tianming’s words, their brief relief turned to tension once more.

”Young Master Li, how did you obtain this information?” Lin Shenjian’s expression grew solemn. ”We have quite a few spies in the Grand Xia Voidback Hole but have yet to receive any news... And don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to question you.”

Lin Shenjian feared offending Tianming, given his importance.

”It doesn’t matter how I got it.” Tianming smiled, relieving Lin Shenjian of his nervousness.

”Empress Xia has deployed an elite force of about ten million and has gone to great lengths to conceal it. You haven’t been notified yet, but expect news soon.”

”Ten million elite troops?” Jiang Tianzhou considered Tianming a miracle worker, and thus humbled himself. ”Do you know where they’re heading?”

”I do.” Tianming sneered. ”They were originally heading our way, but now they’ve rerouted towards Grand Feng.”

”Empress Xia clearly has designs on our territory.” Chen Qing sighed softly. ”The Grand Xia imperials may keep a low profile, but I suspect they’ll be more difficult to deal with than the Tian Jiu Cult. They arrived unnoticed this time. If you hadn’t detected them, we would’ve struggled to counter their attack. Empress Xia stands to benefit if the Tian Jiu Cult and Grand Feng really engage in a decisive battle.”

At this point, the three of them looked at Tianming. The three most powerful figures of the Primordial Sands had gathered in Grand Feng. What should they do next? They had no idea.

”Young Master Li, is there a connection between this matter and Lord Yue kneeling?” Looking back, Tianming hadn’t answered his question. Demanding three kowtows from Lord Yue felt excessive, especially since he wasn’t as unlikable as Granny Pu.

”Not really, but I want to test some of my suspicions,” Tianming said, arching an eyebrow. ”I have a question for the three of you.”

”Ask away.” They nodded.

”Are Empress Xia and Lord Yue in any way connected? Perhaps a secret relationship or something that ties them together?”

After exchanging a glance, they shook their heads.

Jiang Tianzhou said, ”They’ve got nothing to do with each other. In fact, they’re enemies. Lord Yue was once defeated by Empress Xia. How could they have a relationship?”

”What about a private or longstanding relationship?” Tianming asked.

”That’s impossible. I’ve never heard of it.” Jiang Tianzhou seemed puzzled. ”Why do you ask this, Young Master Li? Have you stumbled upon some clues?”

Tianming explained, ”A crimson ten-thousand-meter-tall astral giant was spotted in the wilderness in the Grand Yue. Isn’t Empress Xia the only one in the Primordial Sands who possesses these characteristics?”

Yin Chen had reported this to Tianming.

”Empress Xia in Grand Yue? When did this happen?” Jiang Tianzhou exclaimed in surprise.

”Within the last month,” Tianming replied.

”Is this information accurate?” The three of them asked almost simultaneously.

”Well, it’s only isolated to a few people. The rumors died out because Grand Yue themselves didn’t believe it.” Tianming chuckled.

”Isolated to a few people and yet you know about it!” They were stunned.

What sort of heavenly eyes were these? Given that complaints and claims of miraculous sightings were made all the time, it was reasonable for people to doubt this one as well. But even casual remarks might be significant to the thoughtful listener.

Jiang Tianzhou and the others thought it was absurd.

”Perhaps you heard wrong or they’re just making things up? After all, the primalwingers and wonderians are irreconcilable. Lord Yue is our alliance leader. How could he let Empress Xia into Grand Yue?” asked Jiang Tianzhou.

They couldn’t believe it because it would have required total confidence and trust. As starlord, Jiang Tianzhou couldn’t possibly allow the pope and Empress Xia into Grand Jiang, for fear they would kill and seize the fusion and astralguard formation cores. They would cause just as much trouble as Tianming caused the Ninefold Hellstar.

Tianming smiled after hearing what Jiang Tianzhou had to say. ”I didn’t believe it at first, so I tested my suspicions. I discovered that Lord Yue is neither stubborn nor concerned about his reputation, but he doesn’t want a large number of reinforcements on Grand Feng and even proactively blocked reinforcements from Grand Chen and Grand Lin. Who is he to refuse your support? He’s not Grand Feng’s starlord.”

The three of them were stunned by what they heard.

A jolt of shock went through Jiang Tianzhou. ”Young Master Li, do you mean Lord Yue and Empress Xia might be colluding? So the plan was to hand over Grand Jiang to her, but now he’s offering Grand Feng instead because of your involvement?” he asked in disbelief.

”What do you think?” Tianming asked solemnly.

Lin Shenjian shook his head, still unconvinced. ”It doesn’t make sense. Lord Yue is merely our alliance leader. What gives him the right to hand over someone else’s home to outsiders? What will become of the local residents if the Grand Xia imperials were to move into Grand Feng? That’s treason. If he’s exposed, he’ll be hated by every kunlan primalwinger.”

”By then, Lord Yue and Empress Xia will be steadfast allies. Would hatred serve any purpose? It won’t. Furthermore, he can ensure her victory against Grand Feng without exposing himself. All he has to do is suppress the Tian Jiu Cult so Empress Xia can claim the spoils. He can still lead the primalwingers even if Grand Feng is lost,” Tianming said.

”So, those lunatics are also their target. Empress Xia loathes the Tian Jiu Cult. If these two are colluding, Grand Feng will be their victim, though it seems we were the original target. Grand Yue is plotting to overthrow the main lineage!” Jiang Tianzhou frowned, his eyes turning frosty. While Lin Shenjian and Chen Qing were still in a state of disbelief, he sensed a conspiracy and imminent threat.

”Lord Yue? Empress Xia?” No matter how hard they thought, Lin Shenjian and Chen Qing couldn’t find a connection between the two.

”Although we don’t have proof at the moment, we must head to Grand Feng,” Jiang Tianzhou said to the other two.

”You still want to save them?” Tianming pursed his lips.