Beastmaster of the Ages

“Hey,” Shi Yan said when she noticed Tianming emerge, standing at the entrance and looking toward the mountains.

“Please take a seat, Senior Shi,” Tianming said. He knew that the rest of her life would be a lonely one, no doubt, and it would feel horrible. However, he couldn’t afford to sympathize with her. They were each acting out of their own self-interest. In fact, had he not been a Sky Palace disciple, she wouldn’t think twice about getting rid of him should conflict arise. It was pointless to sympathize with the enemy after defeating them. Only one side could remain standing in inevitable conflicts such as this; however, Tianming still respected her.

“Have you been feeling better lately?” he asked. Shi Yan had been receiving emergency treatment since she’d returned, and now it seemed that her life was no longer in danger.

“I’m not dead yet. But I don’t feel particularly alive, either,” she said, smiling bitterly. Since losing her powers, her expressions and demeanor seemed more like a normal girl’s. Seeing Tianming purse his lips, she smiled and said, “I didn’t come to ask for your sympathy. It’s pointless. This is merely the consequences of doing what we do. I had my time in the limelight, and I’ll accept whatever consequences that come my way. To people like me of a certain age, death and failure aren’t all that scary. After all, few, if anyone, get to win throughout their entire lives. I mainly came to bid farewell to you. I’m returning to the Empyrean Sword Sect to retire. A slow life in nature rearing fish and shrimp sounds like a relaxing prospect. In another sense, it’s like choosing to live another kind of life.”

She wasn’t able to make a lifebound spirit, as even the carcass of her lifebound beast had been completely vaporized by Li Wushuang.

“Senior Shi, you seem to have looked past the mortal coil and come to accept tranquility. I suppose there’s joy to be found in a worry-free life too,” Tianming said.

“That’s right. And because of that, I wish to say a few things to you on behalf of my sect before leaving.”

“Please do.”

Shi Yan took a deep breath and said, “I don’t doubt that the two swordlords have given you quite a horrible impression of our sect. However, please believe me when I say that our swordsage’s invitation is sincere. I know that you’re still placing your hopes on the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect, believing them capable of leaving their current predicament. However, the Sky Palace seems to be in an odd position as well and their machinations are hard to comprehend. The swordsage believes that the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect will be hard to save, now that their weakness is in the hands of the enemy.

“Tianming, I know that Long Wanying and the others believe they can manipulate Li Wushuang, but that’s only a fantasy. She’s the most dangerous person on Orderia and a close family member of the sun emperor. You may kill his son, if you have to, but you cannot touch her. I advise you to not put up a futile resistance with the Xuanyuan Dragon Sect, for it’ll only be a vain effort. Even if the Northdipper Swordsage comes, our goal is only to defeat the wargodeans and Blueblood Starocean. As for Li Wushuang, we’re only trying to drive her away, ideally without harming her in the slightest. I’m sure you understand. I hate her with a passion, but even I know that she is an exception to any and all rules.” Her heartfelt advice at the end served to make her message more convincing.

“Senior Shi, I’m truly sorry. Paying back the favors I’ve received is a core tenet of my being,” Tianming said.

“So that’s still your angle, huh.” Shi Yan shook her head in a forlorn manner. “I did receive some news, so I hope you’ll take it into consideration.”

“Alright.” Tianming knew that she had gotten a transmission stone, but Yin Chen didn’t see the message it carried, and Shi Yan hadn’t told anyone else of its contents. The Wind Swordlord, who was far away from there, also received one. If one had to guess, it was probably a good sign for the formation of the alliance.

“The Northdipper Swordsage has forged an alliance. Three other first-rate sects and a third of the second, third, and fourth-rate sects will join our Empyrean Sword Sect as allies. Our sect will be sending two hundred thousand elite swordpupils here. The other three first-rate sects will send four hundred thousand elites, combined. As for the remaining smaller factions, they’ll also send another four hundred thousand troops in total. In total, we have an army of a million elites on the level of first-grade swordpupils or higher. The army has already assembled, and our swordsage will personally lead them to this continent. They’ll be arriving soon.

“Things are getting serious. Our alliance will wash the continent with the blood of the wargodeans and Blueblood Starocean, no matter how many they send here. We’ll cleanly and thoroughly wipe them out.”

First-grade swordpupils were at least ninth-level constelliers. This was a gigantic force. The death of the Rain Swordlord and forty thousand swordpupils had greatly enraged the Northdipper Swordsage, and if he didn’t do something to make up for that huge loss, his sect’s morale would fall even further. As such, his retaliation was almost a given, but nobody had predicted it would be this severe. No doubt, he had done a lot on top of forming the alliance, like making sure that he assembled an army with the utmost discretion. The mobilization of the troops would be swift and decisive. He was starting to look more and more like the supreme leader the myriad factions needed.

“Tianming, you’ll get to witness the overwhelming might of the swordsage this time around. He’s the true hero among the Myriad Solar Sects that dares to stand against the celestial orderians!” Shi Yan said with a look of worship.

“Understood,” Tianming said.

“That’s all I’ll say for now. I hope you make the choice that’s right for you and go to a place that’s more suitable for you. The Xuanyuan Dragon Sect is struggling to even protect themselves right now, so they won’t be against you moving to our sect. The Azurecloud Continent is in too much turmoil, so it isn’t a safe place for you to stay and cultivate in,” Shi Yan said as she stood up, preparing to leave.

“Understood. Travel well, Senior Shi.”

“Alright. Don’t bother seeing me off. My power hasn’t completely dissipated yet. It’ll last me another decade or so.” She gave Tianming another deep look, then left without hesitation.

Tianming pursed his lips at the sight of her leaving. Though she was from a different camp, she wasn’t too bad of a person. At the very least, she was loyal, which was also a virtue. The only person on the continent now who could truly be regarded as evil was Li Wushuang.