Beastmaster of the Ages

Clad in an icy blue armor, a breathtakingly beautiful blue cosmic god stood in the rear of Grand Feng’s army, her presence emboldening the primalwingers. At her command, twenty-five million cosmic gods let out a tremendous roar, wings trembling as they mustered their strength and charged toward the colorful sphere.

BOOM!

Explosions erupted and the cosmic gods disintegrated, their cosmic-god essences plunging downwards. Once reduced to cosmic-god essences, the Tian Jiu Cult would be annihilated by the formation, while the primalwingers fell to Grand Feng’s surface, finding temporary safety.

Although this gave the defenders an advantage, the Tian Jiu Cult’s immense military superiority was evident. Their colorful divine wonder sphere blasted the primalwingers. Cosmic-god essences rained down in a relentless torrent as the entire defense began to crumble.

”This is bad!”

”These mad dogs are so strong!”

”We must hold on or our descendants will die. We’ll lose our home and our nation will be destroyed!”

This alone was all Grand Feng needed to fight with their lives. However, the Tian Jiu Cult completely crushed them, breaking their spirit.

”Their original target was Grand Feng. Why did they switch to us instead?”

”It’s all Li Tianming’s fault...”

”Yes, this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for him!”

”He made Lord Yue kneel. It’s obvious he wants to enslave us. He’s even more despicable than the Tian Jiu Cult!”

”Lord Yue must have known about his sinister intentions and refused to obey. He sees most clearly!”

Lord Yue didn’t keep them waiting for long. Just as Grand Feng’s defenses were about to fail, a massive fleet of astralships appeared from behind and slammed into the icy storm at full speed.

”The reinforcements are here!”

Amidst cheers of delight, twenty-five million troops emerged from the astralships, flanking the battlefield. The primalwingers formed a torrent spanning millions of kilometers, piercing the colorful sphere like a sharp blade.

For a moment, Lord Yue’s name resounded throughout Grand Feng. Gone was the prior gloom. Grand Feng was instantly ablaze with fervor. The people celebrated their leader, their blood surging with renewed passion. With the arrival of reinforcements and a stabilized astralguard formation, Grand Feng managed to hold off the wave of attacks.

What began as a swift invasion devolved into a brutal close-quarters battle. In that instant, starlight flooded the frost prison. Following a series of explosions, the newly transformed cosmic-god essences were instantly shattered in the meat-grinder-like battlefield. Regardless of how magnificent these cosmic gods once were, all that remained of them were bursts of flames. No one knew where they perished.

Grand Feng had indeed stabilized the situation. At least they were able to put up a real fight, rather than being defeated immediately. However, the Tian Jiu Cult pressed on.

At the rear of the battlefield, Lord Yue’s white figure suddenly appeared.

”Lord Yue!” Grand Feng’s cosmic gods rushed to greet him.

”Thank you for saving Grand Feng, Lord Yue” Starlord Feng Linxue said, her voice respectful.

”Xue’er.” Lord Yue glanced at her.

”Lord Yue.” Feng Linxue nodded. She was flustered by his public display of affection, her heart hammering against her chest.

”How’s the formation?” he asked softly.

Looking at the icy staff in her hand, Feng Linxue replied, ”It’s stable for now. I’ll intensify the attacks immediately.”

As a top-grade cosmic relic of distinction, the icy staff was a colossal column made of ice crystals and embedded gems, with countless celestial patterns marking its cold surface. It was the “Windgod Star Staff.” Everyone on Grand Feng knew the staff was the core of the frost prison, serving a similar function as the Flameyellow Coffin.

”Hold on for as long as possible. I’ll lead the defense. Don’t worry, the Tian Jiu Cult can’t sustain a protracted battle after leaving the Grand Xia Voidback Hole. If we draw out the battle, we’ll wear them down with our reinforcements.” Lord Yue’s words excited everyone.

”Yes!” Feng Linxue nodded.

”Your possession of the Windgod Star Staff makes you their primary target. Stay close to me. They might send their elites after you.” Lord Yue added.

”Okay.” Glancing around, she asked, ”Where are Buhuo, Pu Fengyun, Meng Xinlan, and the rest?”

”They’re leading the charge,” Lord Yue said. He would undoubtedly go after the pope.

”Xue’er, follow me.” He disappeared into the blizzard.

”Carry on!” Feng Linxue commanded those around her and left with Lord Yue.

***

Outside Grand Feng, Tianming gazed at the bright star from a distant, dark corner.

”You’re asking for trouble.” He chuckled, looking out into the cosmos.

”The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Ten million Grand Xia imperials have surfaced. It all hinges on who has the better strategy, the pope or Lord Yue...”

Tianming was in no hurry. He wanted to devour the oriole.