Beastmaster of the Ages

It was clear the words weren’t spoken by Weisheng Moran. Tianming didn’t understand her situation. Which one was the real Weisheng Moran? The girl who gave him the cauldron or the cruel woman in front of him who was filled with killing intent because of her defeat? In that instant, she was sent out of the battlefield. It seemed Tianming wouldn’t have an answer for the time being.

Weisheng Moran and the serene dreameater whale flew away in the storm. Although she was retreating, the creepy smile on her face was engraved in Tianming’s mind. There was a sense of defeat in those hollow eyes that made his heart pound.

“Make sure you enter the Sky Palace, or else….” Her threats persisted. It seemed she had great confidence in herself.

“It seems I’ve offended someone powerful. However, I had no other choice. Like everyone else, I’m compelled by a situation that’s developed beyond my expectations. The Sky Palace is my only way out.”

There were experts everywhere on the sun, danger in every corner. It was difficult for a junior without a backer.

“It’s too late to regret entering the Voidsky Realm. Of course, there’s no danger in hiding, but I’d miss many opportunities at the same time….” He would miss out on treasures like the Lifesteal Silverdragon, Ninedragon Tribulation, and divine astralships. Fortunately, he had won a candidacy for the Sky Palace.

“I’ll try again. I must succeed.” With that tenacious belief in his heart, Tianming set his gaze on the Skyward Stele. At this time, his lifebound beasts had returned to his lifebound space. The battle with the whale had consumed them.

Tianming quickly found the Dragonblood Desecration and exerted all his strength to control the artifact. Because of Tianming and Xiaoxiao’s relationship, the artifact’s resistance gradually subsided. Its artifact soul must have realized that Tianming would return it to its owner. That made it easier for Tianming, but if he forcibly tried to use it, the artifact would rebel.

The battlefield formation slowly disappeared.

“Brother!” Yu Ziqian ran through the windblown dust, his eyes beaming. Hugging Tianming’s thigh, he howled, “You’re so strong! You make my heart flutter!”

“Weirdo.” Tianming quickly pulled his leg away.

“I’m telling the truth. You were so ferocious. She was defeated by you even though she used a grade-six divine art. If your battle with Long Longlong made you famous, this battle will make you a sensation in the Myriad Solar Sects. You’re the number one disciple among the juniors!” A look of worship emerged in Yu Ziqian’s eyes.

“You’re not bad as well. You’re number two.” Tianming joked.

“Number two?” Stunned, Yu Ziqian looked up.

He had exchanged places with Weisheng Moran on the imperial star ranking. The scores behind their names had all disappeared. Once the ranking was finalized, the scores had no meaning. Tianming was first, Yu Ziqian second, and Weisheng Moran was third, while the other places remained unchanged. The Sky Palace had most likely switched their places for convenience so the top two would be awarded the Sky Palace candidacy. There wouldn’t be a duel between Tianming and Yu Ziqian because it didn’t make sense. There were two places for the Sky Palace candidacy this year. The only difference between first and second place was reputation. Having won without a fight, Yu Ziqian was naturally inferior to Tianming.

“The dust has settled!”

The Azuresoul Palace occupied four places out of the top ten on the imperial star ranking—first, second, fourth, and seventh. Yu Ziqian was right, they had caused a sensation and created the first miracle of its kind in history. Even if it was merely a battle between juniors, Tianming’s name was destined to be recognized by everyone after today. Now the biggest question was who would become the real disciple of the Sky Palace? Tianming or Yu Ziqian?

There were only the two of them left in the entire Voidsky Realm. Up ahead, the Skyward Stele that detailed the imperial star ranking shook. A pale light shone upon the stele and snow-white ripples billowed out of it. In the center of the ripples was the faint outline of a wooden house.

“Let’s go.”

Organizing himself, Tianming held the Dragonblood Desecration in one hand and patted Yu Ziqian’s shoulder with the other. The two flew in that direction.

“Are you nervous?” Yu Ziqian asked, his expression pale.

“No, just do your best. Are you?” said Tianming.

“Of course I’m nervous, I’ve never been considered a genius,” Yu Ziqian said cynically. Tianming had overcome all the obstacles, while he basically did nothing.

……

Outside the Voidsky Flame Pillar, three thousand Xuanyuan Dragon Sect experts had gathered. Almost half of the sect’s forces had been dispatched. There was no doubt they were all there for the Imperial Ninedragon Tomb. They were drawn by the presence of two dragon imperials, the Greendragon Emperor and Violetdragon Emperor. Like the Saintdragon Emperor, the dragon imperials were over a thousand years old. They had passed their peak, but still possessed most of their strength. In terms of prestige, connections, and temperament, they were superior to the Whitedragon Empress.

The Greendragon Emperor was a tall old man, dressed in green. Like a pine tree, he was thin but not weak, with a pair of piercing dark green eyes. The Violetdragon Empress was an old woman dressed in purple. Although half of her hair had turned white, she possessed the ruddy complexion of a child. Her lips curled in a smile, eyes slightly squinting. She appeared extremely kind.

Everyone knew that these two were husband and wife. They grew up in the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect and were childhood sweethearts. For hundreds of years, many had admired this immortal couple. Up to this day, they still had deep feelings for each other.

In the crowd, the Violetdragon Empress held the Greendragon Emperor’s arm. The others had long grown accustomed to the old couple’s displays of affection. At that moment, the image through the skyward eye ended. When Tianming and Weisheng Moran disappeared from the scene, the audience fell into total silence. Many continued looking up. It was impossible to look away from the first name on the imperial star ranking. The eye-catching words “Azuresoul Palace” were repeated throughout the top ten.

As Yu Ziqian had predicted, this incident caused a sensation in the sun. Four of the Seven Dragon Imperials had appeared among the group of Xuanyuan Dragon Sect experts. They stood right in front, watching the final battle.

“It’s surprising how proficient Weisheng Moran is with a grade-six divine art,” the Saintdragon Emperor muttered thoughtfully.

“Yet she was defeated.” Long Wanying took a deep breath. In fact, Tianming’s battle had surprised her, and heightened her confidence in her own judgment.

“Yes.” Turning to his old partners, the Saintdragon Emperor asked, “What do you think?”

A meaningful look was all the dragon imperials needed to convey what they were thinking. The Greendragon Emperor said, “I agree with Ying. Let’s accept the three disciples and give up on the Divine Worldeater Cauldron. We must attach the utmost importance to cultivating the three disciples and allow them to keep and use the treasures. Longlong should also practice with the Ninedragon Imperius. That way, the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect will be victors in the future.”

The Violetdragon Empress added, “The Divine Worldeater Cauldron will destroy the current structure of the myriad sect ranking and cause chaos. Additionally, there’s a lot we can’t control when it comes to the Dreamless Celestial Nation and celestial orderians. There’s also hidden dangers from the Veildragon Palace. Li Tianming has impressed us with his performance. When these disciples mature, their value will be greater than the Divine Worldeater Cauldron.”

“Thank you!” Long Wanying was filled with gratitude, her eyes tinged with redness. She was the one that had proposed all this. In the beginning, the two dragon imperials had supported seizing the Divine Worldeater Cauldron, but they’d changed their minds after witnessing Tianming’s achievements. This was a decision that affected the future of the sect. If Long Wanying were to insist on it alone, she would have to shoulder a great burden. Turning to the Saintdragon Emperor, her eyes trembled slightly. All that was left was his answer.

“Alright, I support giving up the Divine Worldeater Cauldron,” the Saintdragon Emperor solemnly said.

“That’s great!” Long Wanying was elated. If it weren’t for the crowd around her, she would be dancing with joy.

“Father, no! Those disciples are outsiders. They aren’t from the clan and can’t be trusted. On the other hand, the Divine Worldeater Cauldron can’t betray us.” Although Long Xiqian stood in the distance, she had been eavesdropping on the conversation.

“Silence.” Since the Saintdragon Emperor had made a decision, he wouldn’t change for her.

“If we’re to accept these three disciples, we can’t allow them to use the divine artifacts and keep the Ninedragon Tribulation. They should be handed over to the sect’s experts,” Long Xiqian said anxiously.

The Saintdragon Emperor stared coldly at her. Despite her frustration, Long Xiqian swallowed the rest of her words. There were others with similar objections, but at that moment, they were afraid to speak up. If four of the dragon imperials had come to a decision, there was no need to check with the other three. After all, the first dragon imperial had the final say.

Regaining her composure, Long Wanying said, “Now that Li Tianming and Yu Ziqian have entered the Sky Palace, please allow me to analyze the situation based on our decision and possible scenarios.”

“Go on,” said the Saintdragon Emperor.

“First of all, according to past practice, regardless of identity, new members of the Sky Palace won’t cultivate within the palace. Generally speaking, only those over a hundred years old will be allowed to enter the Sky Palace for long-term cultivation. Only when they reach five hundred years of age will they be allowed to completely break away from their original sect and serve the Sky Palace. Therefore, before the age of a hundred, both Li Tianming and Yu Ziqian still need the care and support of their original sect to develop, whether or not they become members of the Sky Palace. They only have a short period of time before they leave for the Sky Palace.”

That was the Sky Palace’s rule.