Beastmaster of the Ages

Tianming walked out of the Skyplunder Ark a changed man.

“Little Li, your middle finger is way stronger now!” Ying Huo was ecstatic. “Who knew you could upgrade it by smearing some yellow stuff on it!”

“Brother Chicken, stop talking, I can’t take this.” Meow Meow was scared awake on the spot.

“What yellow stuff? That’s gold!” Xian Xian protested.

“Gold is still yellow!” Yinghuo shouted his slogan.

“I don’t think so...” Xi Xi muttered weakly.

“Seconded,” Ji Ji sneered.

***

Tianming returned to the Plunderlord Palace. It was time to set off.

He first regrouped with Zi Zhen, before he met Li Muyang and the others.

“Have you mastered it?” Li Muyang asked with a smile.

“No problem,” Tianming replied. A powerful confidence surged within him. His cultivation had advanced, and he had grasped the true Skypierce Finger.

“Well done.” Li Muyang gave his shoulder a heavy pat.

Li Tianzi sighed at the side. “Punk, even your big brother feels pressure facing you now. That shows how much you’ve improved this time!”

Tianming replied modestly, “It was all thanks to everyone giving their all to help me.”

“I’m not used to the Little Imperial Son being so humble,” Li Yanfeng laughed.

“Am I usually that arrogant?” Tianming widened his eyes.

“Yes. Absolutely.”

Everyone nodded in unison. Even Wei Jing smiled and nodded lightly.

“Tianming, although Mother worries about you, you’ve grown up, and you do bear your responsibilities now. When you go this time, don’t let Qingluan down.” Wei Jing looked at him, her eyes filled with reluctance and love.

“Don’t worry. If it’s just Aquamarine and Torch Dragon, they’re as good as dead,” Tianming said, killing intent surging.

“That’s the spirit.” Li Muyang praised him.

“Time is short. I’ll set off first.”

Tianming looked at everyone and nodded to each in turn, then his gaze fell on Li Tianzi. “Brother, after I leave, Father and Mother are in your hands.”

“Like I need you to teach me?” Li Tianzi laughed and waved him off.

Tianming said no more. He left with Zi Zhen, rushing toward Vermilion Bird at top speed!

Watching his and Zi Zhen’s figures disappear, Li Muyang and the others all grew solemn.

Li Yanfeng stood with hands clasped behind his back, his eyes blazing like suns, and sighed, “The Little Imperial Son returned after a hundred thousand years. Though he became a bit of a hot-blooded youth, he’s worthy of respect. This trip is his greatest trial. If he overcomes it, who could possibly stop him?”

“The situation is fairly clear now,” Li Tianzi analyzed. “On our side, we have Uncle Feng, my father, and me, three of us, to guard against those four Yueling imperatores. This is the Nullity and if it really comes down to a fight, our odds aren’t bad. As for Vermilion Bird, once Tianming arrives, it should also be safe. Now it all depends on which side the Adjudicator appears on!”

Li Muyang nodded as well. “Indeed. The danger will be wherever the Adjudicator appears. All we can do is prepare.”

Li Yanfeng laughed heartily. Too lazy to overthink it, he said bluntly, “Win or lose this battle, to face battle by the sky plunderers’ side is an honor beyond measure! And I believe in the Little Imperial Son and his miracles!”

Beside them, a woman in a black long dress stood quietly. She was much younger than the others and had not spoken a word. However, her eyes carried an inescapable worry and sorrow...

***

The Vermilion Bird Starcage was currently experiencing the most difficult moment in its history. The armies of Torch Dragon and Aquamarine were about to arrive at the gates.

Chaos reigned in Vermilion Bird’s major cities. Even with their armies mustered, no amount of words could dispel the dread brought by war.

In the capital, Imperator Cheng was solemnly addressing both the capital and the whole starcage, “The Vermilion Bird Starcage is hereby activated! The vermilion bird divinities’ fire shall burn eternal!”

This announcement told all the cosmic gods of Vermilion Bird that they would fight to the bitter end. Countless people roared in unison, their battle intent boiling over!

Yet around Imperator Cheng, many cosmic gods were sighing and lamenting. They belonged to Prince Liehun’s faction, mostly members of the nobility.

As Imperator Cheng activated the starcage and the power of the fiery vermilion bird manifested in the skies, people immediately stepped forward to denounce him.

“Imperator Cheng! Activating the starcage today is nothing but futile resistance! You will become the emperor who led his people to their doom!”

“We implore the imperator to lower the banners, cease hostilities, and surrender! Only then can the vermilion bird divinities be preserved!”

“If you persist in this obstinacy, the vermilion bird divinities will surely perish!”

This group had, in truth, already given up on persuading Imperator Cheng to surrender. Their real aim was to incite the surrounding armies.

Prince Liehun himself didn’t speak, but there were plenty behind him who spoke on his behalf. His wife was among them, her words particularly incisive.

Their rhetoric sparked unrest within parts of the army inside the capital.

“The enemy hasn’t even arrived yet, and they’re already pushing for surrender. What a disgrace!” Behind Imperator Cheng, Jiang Qingluan ground her teeth in fury at the sight.

It wasn’t just Imperator Cheng. She herself, Sage Chen, Sage Xing, and the others were all under immense pressure. No one knew whether the sky plunderers would send anyone over.

I really hope he doesn’t come... Jiang Qingluan couldn’t help thinking. In her heart lived that hot-blooded youth, steeped in heroic fervor. She truly didn’t want that person in her heart to come here to die.

After all, everyone knew that the Adjudicator’s true target was Li Tianming.

It was at this moment the Vermilion Bird Starcage fully activated. Its nova source completely ignited, blazing forth like a sharp edge hidden for billions of years finally unleashed. The entire starcage took the shape of a vermilion bird, illuminating the dark starry sky!

In the distant darkness, twin vast curtains of fire and sea advanced, closing in around that vermilion bird.