Beastmaster of the Ages

It wasn’t clear when Lin Xiao and Lin Feng had become the thorn in the reformists’ flesh. The older one had been too old, and the younger one so young that not even Lin Wuyi, the seventh branch mistress, had cared enough to give them a second look. But now Lin Feng was in the top two hundred of the minor reges mundi ranking, which put him in the top three among the three hundred participants from the Lin Clan. The old man, Lin Xiao, was even more remarkable. The Lin Sword of the Middle was the thorn in their side. Even though they still had disdainful expressions on their faces, the resentment in their hearts was growing.

”The old and young are both obstacles for the alliance. They deserve to die. Now that Lin Feng and Guchi Xiaoyin have crossed paths, his good luck has come to an end.” Lin Wuyi’s eyes were shrouded with a purple mist. Her thin red lips made her appear even more mean.

”Even if Lin Xiao has the Lin Sword of the Middle, it won’t change the fact that he’s close to the end of his life and doesn’t have many years left. We won’t have to deal with him as long as Lin Feng perishes. He’ll simply die of anguish.”

”He was so heartbroken when Lin Dan died. I can’t wait to see how he cries when it’s his grandson’s turn,” Lin Yu sneered, feeling as if a weight was lifted off his chest. When Lin Jianxing had died, he’d vomited blood. Now he hoped to return the favor many times over. He could barely be considered as the same generation as Lin Xiao, but unfortunately, the Lin Clan had a peerless duo in that period, Ku and Lin Xiao, so the third branch hadn’t really stood out. After having been suppressed for so long, he burned with jealousy.

”That kid Lin Feng’s a restless one. His place on the minor ranking is shocking, but that’s about it. The top ten are the only ones worth recognition. Guchi Xiaoyin has recently moved to seventh place. It must have something to do with the mysterious ring. If he does meet Lin Feng, it’ll be over in an instant,” Lin Xiaoyun added, praising Guchi Xiaoyin to no end.

”Of course. The rex mundi’s children are Ebonia’s top geniuses!”

Other members of the reformists spoke highly of him as well.

Chi Hun laughed and waved his hands. ”He doesn’t understand the ring, and neither do I. I’ll have to properly study it when he leaves.”

”Congratulations, Rex Mundi. It must be a priceless treasure!”

”It might even help your cultivation reach new heights, Rex Mundi.”

”Yes!”

Everyone in the Swordsoul Chamber seemed happy for Chi Hun, as if the mysterious ring would eventually fall into their hands. Just then, a messenger arrived.

”Speak.” Lin Xiaoyun waved his hand.

”Branch Master, there’s news from Lin Lingxiao. Jianxing isn’t dead, but he’s unconscious and out of the bee’s nest.”

”What?”

Because Lin Jianxing had lost his Oldgod Ring and Lin Xiao had been ambushed, the news of this was delayed until now.

”His heptastar organs were destroyed. How’s that possible?” Lin Jie narrowed his eyes.

”Lin Lingxiao says he isn’t sure about the specifics, so he asked us to send someone to the Oldgod Domain to bring him back first.”

They looked at one another.

”Father, I’ll go.” Lin Xiaoyun stood up.

”Go now. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll return! It’s great if he’s really still alive.” Lin Yun was overjoyed by the turn of events.

”Alright.”

They had another piece of good news.

”It’s a miracle!”

”He’s blessed.”

Chi Hun watched their delighted reaction with an unfathomable expression on his face.

”The hive ancestral world is a magical place.” If it weren’t for drawing the Lin Clan to his side, he would have remained in the Oldgod Domain and waited for his son to come out with the mysterious ring.

......

The news that Etherean Zhaohua had taken Lin Dan hostage to ambush Lin Xiao and Dongshen Yue quickly spread to the Infinitum Swordsea.

”I heard that the second patriarch killed the two divine wonderians with the ancestral sword of the second branch!”

”The Lin Sword of the Middle? Is it true?!”

”Of course.”

”My God!”

Because many people were paying attention to the minor reges mundi ranking, everything around the Oldgod Domain had come into focus. This was the time when news traveled the fastest. Millions had gathered around the council hall and Mount Grandsect. The news of the Lin Sword of the Middle spread like wildfire.

”The second patriarch is amazing!”

”He was actually recognized by the ancestral sword at this age. What does that tell you?”

”It means that his fight against the laws of nature has moved the sword!”

”He must’ve sacrificed a lot....”

Many disciples of the second branch teared up and words of admiration swept through the Infinitum Swordsea like a storm, which was the last thing the reformists wanted to see. Public opinion was quietly changing; the appearance of a sacred artifact like the Lin Sword of the Middle was more persuasive than all of Tianming’s battles.

”Our early ancestors made a rule. Anyone that can control the ancestral swords, no matter how old or young, must enter the council hall. What’re your thoughts about allowing the second patriarch to return to the council hall and continue fighting for the Lin Clan?”

”I support it. The second patriarch is so strong and we’re fortunate to have him. We can’t neglect him.”

”Although his son made a grave mistake, he’s been trying his best to make up for it. We really should give him more opportunities to make up for his regrets.”

”I agree. He should return to the council hall!”

”With the Lin Sword of the Middle, he must be among the top five, or even top three of the Lin Clan!”

As soon as the proposal emerged, it quickly spread from the second branch to other branches. The first and sixth branches were quick to respond.

”The old man killed the divine wonderians with the Lin Sword of the Middle, while his grandson defeated Lin Jianxing and got Qi Xuanzi’s superfiend to surrender. It feels great!”

”I support him!”

A single spark could start a prairie fire. In the beginning, perhaps only a part of the second branch, or less than ten percent of the entire clan, had supported them. However, at least forty percent of the Lin Clan now supported them because of Tianming’s battles, especially the one in the bees’ nest, as well as Lin Xiao’s control over the Lin Sword of the Middle.

As long as more than half supported them, it would represent the opinion of the masses.

Everyone in the council hall could clearly see and hear everything.

”Lin Changkong!” Lin Xiong stood beside him, patting him on the shoulder. ”Don’t you already know what kind of people they are? Brother Hu’s the first, but if you don’t give in, it’ll be your turn next. Brother Hu survived because he had a card up his sleeve, but you don’t.”

”Did you know that the second patriarch possessed the Lin Sword of the Middle?” Lin Changkong asked, his expression steely.