Beastmaster of the Ages

The juvenile purgatory was where young criminals of the Lin Clan were imprisoned. The conditions there were better than in normal prisons, and it was entirely operated by the Hall of Discipline.

After the Hall of Discipline had formally announced Lin Jianjia’s crimes, she was sent there, accompanied by her parents. When they reached the entrance, the atmosphere was incredibly tense.

”Don’t worry. Your uncle and mother will take care of anything related to your cultivation inside,” Lin Xiaoyun said.

”I know. No matter what, I’ll be a caged bird for the next five centuries. Even if I do manage to sneak out, I won’t be able to meet anyone.” Lin Jianjia had experienced the same despair countless times by now, and had significantly calmed down. Even if her prison was fitted to her comfort, it wouldn’t change the nature of her imprisonment.

”Jianjia,” Lin Jie called out as she entered.

”Uncle.” She turned back in a hurry, knowing that he was the only one who could change things and perhaps avenge her.

”Just focus on cultivating inside. Ku is about to die. If things work out, the future of the Lin Clan will be determined by us, the reformists. The matter of your imprisonment can still be changed. In a year or two, a chance for that will come. Once an internal conflict’s sparked in the clan, we’ll be able to find a good reason to deal with some people. You’ll definitely have a chance,” he said.

”Yes, Uncle! I’ll never give up on cultivating!” She had finally found a silver lining and her eyes brightened once more. ”Lin Feng, Lin Xiaogui.... Let’s see who has the last laugh! While I’ve lost this time, you’d better not leave yourself open in the future or I’ll be sure to take your pathetic lives!” She grit her teeth as hard as she could at the juvenile purgatory’s entrance. She would be cast inside for five centuries, separated from her parents and only able to live in a dark, lonely corner of the world. Her hatred would endlessly fester during her imprisonment.

Lin Jie and the rest silently turned and left, still fuming. While only Lin Jianjia had suffered the brunt of this incident, that didn’t change the fact that things had completely blown up in their faces. They were worried that Lin Xiao would be the new poster child for the conservatives, so they had decided to target him, only to make him a second Ku. It was safe to say that Lin Xiao’s reputation had completely recovered. Thus, since the conservatives had decided to stop holding back, Lin Jie’s side wouldn’t have to, either.

Not far away from the juvenile purgatory was a youth dressed in green, leaning against the wall.

”Jianxing,” Lin Xiaoyun called out.

”Branch Master.” Lin Jianxing quickly approached.

”The location for the minor reges mundi ranking competition’s been decided. Like before, it’ll take place right under the Infinitum Stele.”

”The Oldgod Domain?” Lin Jianxing drew a cold breath. The ’domain’ part of the Oldgod Domain referred to a border.

”That’s a place with distorted spacetime, the most mysterious location in all of Ebonia. Being an ancient battlefield, there’s countless remains of people from who-knows-how-long ago, along with countless treasures, and even crypts that still lay undiscovered. Legend says that it’s a microcosm brought to Ebonia by the Infinitum Stele, and that it contains the stele’s treasures. Countless expeditions have been carried out, but it still remains a mystery to this day!”

”It’s fine. It’s long been predicted that the rex mundi would choose that place to hold it. I was prepared for that possibility.” The rex mundi, naturally, was Yi Daiyan.

”Ten thousand geniuses are going to participate, three hundred of whom will be from our clan. Some thirty of them will be orderans. Among them, you’ll represent the third branch. Your performance in the Oldgod Domain will be incredibly important for us. We’ve just suffered a setback, so we hope that you will help pull us in the other direction as one of the young members of our branch.”

”Yes, Branch Master. This is my sacred mission.” Lin Jianxing knelt to show his obedience.

”Go make your final preparations,” Lin Xiaoyun said, waving his hand. The time was nigh.

Lin Jianxing stood up and turned, but before he left, he furrowed his brow and asked, ”Branch Master, the Oldgod Domain has the densest concentration of nova wildbeasts. Doesn’t that make it the place where the ebons can reach their full potential? Why would the rex mundi choose that place?”

”How would I know? However...” Lin Xiaoyun gave him a stern look, ”it won’t take long before the ebons become our allies. That’s why you must make sure to not make enemies with them. If the situation allows, serve them!”

”Understood.” But was serving them something an ‘ally’ should do? Or will they actually become their masters?

......

’The Oldgod Domain?” Tianming heard those words through Yin Chen all too often nowadays after spreading it around the Infinitum Swordsea. ”My dad told me that something incredibly important is located under the Infinitum Stele, and that just so happens to be where the Oldgod Domain’s located. Don’t tell me....” The minor reges mundi ranking was where the Lin Clan would stake their glory. Tianming was all too drawn to events like these. After getting a rough understanding, Tianming went looking for Dongshen Yue and Lin Xiao to tell them about his desire to go to the Oldgod Domain.

”Grandson, that place is really dangerous. There isn’t a point,” Dongshen Yue said, desperately trying to advise him against it.

”Grandmother, I’ll be frank. I climbed my way here atop a pile of corpses, so something like this doesn’t scare me. Not to mention, I’m not someone who’ll die so easy. You must’ve seen how I did during the council succession override. A true warrior should be brave enough to take risks,” Tianming said.

”It isn’t that I doubt your capabilities. In terms of power, you’re at the rock bottom among the thousands of geniuses there. However, you have Yin Chen, so you’re able to see danger long before it comes. I’m not worried for your safety. But are you still not aware of the uniqueness of your status? In the Lin Clan, I can protect you. But if you go to the outside world, many people will give you trouble on account of the fact that you’re Lin Mu’s son.”

”That’s why I need to change their minds about me and let all Ebonians get to know me afresh. I also want to fight for the glory of the second branch and the two of you.” The fights within the nest that was the Swordgod Lin Clan weren’t much. He could only truly make atonement by earning merits in the outside world. There was still some time before the minor reges mundi ranking would be held, and with the numbers Yin Chen boasted, it was perfectly suited for the Oldgod Domain. ”Grandpa, Grandma, Lin Mu’s son shouldn’t live under your protection as a mere coward forever.”

”Let him go,” Lin Xiao said, making the final decision.

”You old thing.... If something happens to your grandson, you’ll be the one to bawl nonstop!”

”Life is but a play. Every actor will eventually have to step off the stage. What’s important is that they all play their roles well and without regret!”

”A play your ass!” Dongshen Yue glared at Tianming, deep in thought. After a while, she said, ”Whatever.... Losing talent of your caliber isn’t a big deal. You may go, but none of your wives can.”

”Huh?” Was she really his grandmother? No big deal? Tianming felt his heart bleed. ”I will protect them!”

”No means no! They’re still far too young for an event like that. If they end up targeted and killed, I’ll be vomiting blood until the day I die! Not to mention, they aren’t even eighth-level stellaminors yet, which is the minimum requirement for the event. We can’t put all our eggs in one basket, lest they all shatter at the same time.” That wasn’t something she would compromise on.

”That’s right. They’re still too young to take that kind of risk. Feng’er, go there yourself. It’ll make it easier for you if you need to be on the run anyway,” Lin Xiao said.

Tianming couldn’t shed a tear even if he wanted to, as he couldn’t deny that they had made good points. ”Fine, I’ll go myself then.” He wouldn’t have to worry about the girls with his grandparents protecting them.

”There’s still some five months remaining. Use them as best you can,” Dongshen Yue said.

”Alright!”

......

Time passed seemingly in a flash and Tianming had become a second-level stellaminor in Caeli Vault, but he was marked as an eighth-level stellaminor on his disciple card, which qualified him for the competition. Yin Chen had also reached ten billion bodies, but it could still continue eating to increase the size of each of its bodies. The day the geniuses of the Lin Clan would be sent out would soon arrive.

Just one day before that, Ku passed away.

.𝚌o𝚖