Beastmaster of the Ages

There were a total of nine large channels leading to the Soulsword Purgatory, one in each branch. Near Brokensword Peak was a channel that led into the ground. After parking his mini ship on Brokensword Peak, Tianming headed for the channel. During this period, constant booming was coming from Lin Xiao’s hall. It was obvious that the old man was still training his crickets day and night, preparing to participate in the Ebonia Global Cricket Championships.

”Grandson, I hear you’re going to Swordsoul Purgatory?” Lin Xiao appeared out of nowhere as soon as Tianming set off.

”What? Are you going to give me a magic, life-saving weapon?” Tianming expectantly asked.

”You wish. I don’t have a cent on me. Your grandma has all the financial power...” Lin Xiao awkwardly said.

”You’re a disgrace to us men.” Tianming was dumbfounded.

”Shut up!”

”Fine... what were you going to say?” Tianming asked.

”Grandson, if you see any crickets during your cultivation, remember to catch them for me,” Lin Xiao laughed.

”Okay....”

”Don’t worry. I’ll make you a fair deal. When I win the championships, I’ll share ten... no, one percent of the reward with you!”

Tianming couldn’t be bothered to reply and immediately left.

”Young man, don’t underestimate crickets!” Lin Xiao meaningfully said.

......

The second branch’s entrance to the Swordsoul Purgatory was on an island shaped like a crater. It was another popular spot. Tianming came alone this time. Those around him were disciples of the second branch. As the branch heir, Tianming had the highest status among them; however, it would take them time to accept him.

At present, many of them voluntarily stepped out of his way, looking at him with complicated gazes. They had no intention of greeting him, let alone striking up a conversation. However, Tianming didn’t care. His eyes were focused on the entrance to the Swordsoul Purgatory. It was a dark, bottomless hole that seemed to lead to hell. He vaguely heard violent storms coming from the world down under, mixed with the sound of the wind rushing up. There were beast roars, volcanic eruptions, boiling lava, and nova source collisions.

”For cultivators of Ebonia, the world down under is more mysterious and dangerous than the starry sky! More people die underground than among the stars every year! Fortunately, the world down under within the Swordsoul Purgatory is protected by the Swordgod Lin Clan’s formations. It’s been divided into areas and is suitable for disciples of all strengths to cultivate and comprehend the sword.” That was all written in the records about the Swordsoul Purgatory. For Lin Clan disciples, it was an extremely important place for both cultivating and training.

Sounds from underground poured out, vacant yet far-reaching, as if hell was hidden inside.

”It’s a bit like the bottomless pits leading from Flameyellow to the Abyssal Battlefield, where the world turns upside down in the middle. What about here?” Tianming wasn’t in a hurry to descend. Stopping in the hall at the entrance, he lined up to receive an important item: the Swordsoul Bracelet. Every Lin Clan disciple who entered the Swordsoul Purgatory had to wear one.

”The Swordsoul Bracelet is a grade-nine divine artifact worth a thousand merit points, which is more expensive than some grade-nine swords. It has three functions, the first of which is location. With it, elders can easily find disciples. Secondly, it records everything around the disciple, and thirdly it protects them in dangerous situations. It doesn’t contain much power and can only be used once.” That was also explained in detail in the book that Dongsheng Yue had given him. ”We wear a Swordsoul Bracelet when entering the Swordsoul Purgatory, but we aren’t their master. They appear to be derivatives of some kind of super weapon and are controlled by the master of the Swordsoul Chamber. The Swordsoul Chamber is in charge of maintaining order in the Swordsoul Purgatory and its current master is Lin Xiaoyun, the third branch master....”

Enemies were bound to cross when traveling the same path, after all. The masters of the Hall of Discipline and the Swordsoul Chamber didn’t like Tianming. Because they weren’t masters of the Swordsoul Bracelets, the Lin Clan disciples were technically borrowing it and would have to return it after use. Otherwise, a weapon worth a thousand merit points wouldn’t randomly be distributed to so many disciples. An item like a Swordsoul Bracelet was definitely useful in wartime.

”The Swordsoul Chamber is a large institution and there are many elders there all year round. They also patrol the Swordsoul Purgatory. If something against the rules occurs, they’ll provide emergency support based on the Swordsoul Bracelet. They can also watch the performance of the disciples in the Swordsoul Purgatory through their bracelets.”

In other words, cultivating in the Swordsoul Purgatory wasn’t a private matter, especially for Tianming. With his identity, there would be many people watching him at all times, so he had to pay attention to his words and actions.

“My lifebound beasts are all sleeping. I have no one to talk to even if I wanted to!”

......

After a while, it was finally Tianming’s turn.

”Take this! Also remember, hundred-year-old disciples must never leave the Cinasthana Section. Those below the Order stage can’t deal with the nova wildbeasts outside that area. You’ll be the one to bear the consequences if something happens.” The middle-aged woman who handed out the Swordsoul Bracelet wasn’t polite to him just because he was a scion; after all, he was still a grade-one disciple. In terms of talent, grade-one disciples were at the bottom and it was difficult for them to gain any respect.

”Got it.” Tianming took the bracelet. It was designed in the shape of a dagger that coiled and automatically tightened around his wrist. Tianming put it on his right arm because he was planning on cultivating the Fiendsky Arm and he didn’t want to damage the bracelet. After all, he certainly couldn’t afford to pay for it.

”Aunty, may I ask how many Swordsoul Bracelets the Lin Clan has?” he curiously asked.

”Get out.” The woman waved her hand.

”Okay.…” Even their scion received such cold treatment within the second branch. That showed that a disciple’s grade was more convincing than their status in the Lin Clan. ”This time, I’m going to rise to a grade-three disciple and stay with Ling’er in the sixth level.” Tianming couldn’t stand the swarm of bees and butterflies around her. Taking a deep breath, he sank into the depths of the hole, his figure disappearing in an instant.

”Lin Lao’er and Granny Dongshen are really daring. Instead of raising their precious grandson on Brokensword Peak, they let him wander around and even enter the Swordsoul Purgatory. What can a bracelet do? If it self-destructs and he loses his position and vision, this baby will be no different than a rabbit lost at sea. Even if he doesn’t drown, there’s no way they’ll find him.” The lady handing out the Swordsoul Bracelets rolled her eyes.