Beastmaster of the Ages

“Imperial Son, will you handle Lin Tianjian?” Imperator Feng looked toward Li Tianzi.

“I’ll handle him if the chance comes up,” Li Tianzi nodded solemnly. “After all, you have to lead the firemaples. If real fighting breaks out, you might not even be present... We’ll play it by ear.”

“Alright.” Imperator Feng did not hesitate. He knew he would likely just stalemate Lin Tianjian, so letting Li Tianzi make the move was also acceptable.

“You’ve been hiding your strength well, Imperial Son.” Imperator Feng glanced at him with a smile. “Rumours abound you’re as strong as an imperator. Looks like there’s no smoke without fire.”

He also glanced at Zi Zhen and felt that their chances were greater than he had imagined.

At this moment, Tianming asked, “Uncle Feng, if there’s no problem on our side, can you capture Violetblitz Capital on your end?”

Li Yanfeng mulled it over. “The violetblitzians’s entire army in Violetblitz is twice the size of our firemaples’. But only half is stationed in the capital, and our firemaples’ forces can match that.

“However, we must move fast. Otherwise, once the garrisons from other regions come to reinforce them, the situation won’t look so optimistic.”

After that, they hashed out the finer details for several more days.

“I’ll head back first to prepare. Secretly mobilizing the army will take about half a year.”

Before leaving, Li Yanfeng cautiously reminded them, “Also, you still have those two female imperatores in your capital... Don’t let them stir up trouble.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Feng.” Tianming nodded.

***

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

On Li Yanfeng’s side, preparations were in full swing as he secretly plotted the assault on Violetblitz Capital.

During this time, Tianming didn’t rush. He steadied his mindset and consolidated his cultivation.

“In the past six months, over at Violetblitz, that Imperator Ji and Imperator Tu have started causing trouble again,” Mu Qingqing said while kneeling beside him, relaying the latest news.

“Looks like they know I’m back.” Tianming chuckled.

It wasn’t just Imperator Ji and Imperator Tu, Long Xuanzhao and Lin Xiaoting were also among the plotters.

“Since they’re so eager to lure me over, I’ll grant their wish!” Tianming stood up. Li Yanfeng’s side had already confirmed they could act at any time!

“Tianming... be careful.” Mu Qingqing looked at him deeply, still worried.

“Enough. Just behave and wait for me to come back.” Tianming laughed as he walked out of the Kunruler Palace.

On the way, he happened to run into Imperator Long and Imperator Tong returning from outside.

“Oh? Don’t you two get bored walking around every day?” Tianming mocked.

Empress Long still wore her black-and-gold dragon robe, dressed like an empress who had conquered the cosmos.

She smiled faintly. “We’ve just been bored after our husband didn’t come to keep us company after being back for so long.”

“Why would I keep you company? I’d rather cultivate.” Tianming still had to look up slightly when facing her.

He looked at her with interest. “Just wait. Right now it’s six to ten. When it becomes seven to ten, it should be about time, right? Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

After saying that, he turned and left in a dashing manner!

Imperator Tong, with her slightly round, cute face, looked a bit confused. “What did he mean by those numbers?”

“Height,” Imperator Long watched Tianming’s departing figure, her eyes filled with amusement.

“Oh!” Only then did Empress Tong understand, and she smiled slightly. “What he said seems right... unfortunately, he may not live to enjoy that fortune...”

In a hidden corner of Skyplunder Capital, Tianming met up with Zi Zhen and Li Tianzi.

“I just ran into Empress Long and Empress Tong,” Tianming said.

“Heh.” Zi Zhen looked disdainful.

“Don’t make that face.” Tianming said helplessly. “I just meant that they wander around all day out of boredom, yet they still stay here... which shows they’re definitely waiting for a chance to make a move.”

“No worries. With Father and Lord Chen watching over, nothing will happen,” Li Tianzi said with a smile, quite at ease.

“Alright, let’s set off.” Tianming nodded. “They’re back at the palace and haven’t come out again. It’s our chance to leave.”

With cultivation as an excuse, those two wouldn’t find it strange even if Tianming disappeared for a while. By the time they did notice something unusual, it would already be too late.

Thus, the three set off, no one the wiser that they had even left Nullity.

Soon after they departed, Mu Qingqing arrived at Plunderlord Palace and met Li Muyang and Wei Jing. “They’ve set off.”

“Mm.” Wei Jing or Li Muyang both had complicated gazes.

“This trip of theirs is extremely dangerous,” Li Muyang said in a low voice. “It’s equivalent to us staking all our trump cards on this single operation.”

“Lin Tianjian is not someone easy to deal with,” Wei Jing sighed. “Moreover, the Adjudicator may not have failed to anticipate such a situation.”

Li Muyang’s gaze was deep. “Exactly. Since they’re trying to lure Ming’er over, they must have prepared some methods. Especially that Lin Xiaoting... I’m afraid he won’t be as easy to handle as we imagine.”

“Lin Xiaoting is the son of an imperator. The Adjudicator may also have done something with him...” Wei Jing frowned.

“Forget it. There’s nothing we can do but watch our children.” Li Muyang ultimately smiled.

The group studied the astral map, focusing on a violet world where lightning and flames coiled around each other. Its energy was fierce and volatile, yet held in check by the Realm of Chaos’ distinctive restraint, as though its own fury were being forcibly suppressed.

This was Violetblitz Starcage, the destination of Tianming and the other two!

It was the violetblitzians’ home base, and there were also many “guests” hailing from Yueling, Torch Dragon, and Aquamarine. It was easy to imagine just how perilous their operation would be.