Beastmaster of the Ages

Shenxi Shang had inherited the purest essence of the ebons’ bloodline over tens of millions of years, and had access to the best resources and support in all of Ebonia. Every single astron in his body could be said to have been forged by the countless ebon forerunners that had come before him with extreme care, especially the two gold taixi divine eyes on his palms.

”Unlike Guchi Xiaoyin, Shenxi Shang keeps a lower profile. There isn’t much information about him apart from his battles and cultivation. He also hasn’t had many chances to fight.” That being the case, Tianming didn’t have a good grasp on his personality.

Yet the ancestral world seemed inclined on having Lin Hongchen fight Shenxi Shang, and to the death at that. Tianming struggled with all his might, but couldn’t move in the slightest. Outside, Shenxi Shang continued speaking to Lin Hongchen with his deep voice that seemed to echo within a small, confined space like they were in.

”There’s six people in total. Four of them are locked down completely. Looks like it’s up to us to fight it out, Lin Hongchen,” Shenxi Shang said.

Tianming could see Lin Hongchen letting out cold sweat. Perhaps he was enduring the pressure from Shenxi Shang’s powerful divine soul. Even without taking any action, the ebon was able to instill fear and terror into Lin Hongchen, who took two steps back and grit his teeth. ”Perhaps, but let’s not let our creativity be limited. Putting aside the first round where the bee-headed people had no choice but to kill, the fight for the six walnuts was rather interesting.”

”Oh, if you hadn’t brought up the walnuts, I would’ve forgotten that they were in my head.” Shenxi Shang tilted his head and smiled. ”Back then, I killed all nine of them, including three ebons. How frustrating.... What about you?” Based on the distance of the sound, he was approaching Lin Hongchen.

”I....” Lin Hongchen’s voice was hoarse as he kept backing off.

”Are you afraid of me?”

”No. I’m afraid of this place.”

”That’s a decent answer. The Swordgod Lin Clan....” Shenxi Shang smirked at the mention of the words. ”Oh, by the way, our factions will have many opportunities to work together in the future. As the strongest of our respective factions, we’re probably fated to have encountered one another here.”

Lin Hongchen immediately thought of Tianming when he heard that. He looked around at the four mini stars around him, unsure as to which one he was in. Thus, he chose silence.

”How about this.... Even in this perilous situation, the ebons won’t harm our allies. I will try to break your Oldgod Ring to see if the situation changes at all. You don’t think you’ve got a chance of defeating me, right?” Shenxi Shang asked.

Tianming could tell that Shenxi Shang was trying to help Chi Hun’s plans along, knowing that he had an audience thanks to the Oldgod Rings. He was trying to get the alliance formed, which meant the submission of the Swordgod Lin Clan to the ebons.

”Alright, let’s just fight it out!” Lin Hongchen took a deep breath and drew his sword, pointing it at Shenxi Shang.

”Very well. I like your attitude,” Shenxi Shang said. How much Lin Hongchen resisted would determine his attitude.

”Stop!” Tianming called out at that very moment. The sealed space around them fell completely silent. He could tell that gazes were being turned his way.

”Who are you?” asked an ethereal voice.

”Lin Feng of the Swordgod Lin Clan.”

”What do you want to say?” Shenxi Shang asked.

”Don’t kill him. I’ll fight you,” Tianming said.

Hearing that, Shenxi Shang chuckled. ”Looks like you care about him quite a bit. Even though I don’t know who you are, you have to trust that I’m hoping for the same outcome as you. Don’t worry, the Swordgod Lin Clan is our ally. I’ll do my best to ensure he survives. Naturally, what’s even more important is for the six of us to be able to clear this level and leave. As for how we do so, that’s the crux of it.”

Shenxi Shang didn’t seem antagonistic toward Tianming on account of his clan on the surface, but there was no saying how he really felt.

I wonder if he’d still be so polite if he knew that I killed so many ebons, including Guchi Xiaoyin. Tianming chose to remain silent about that.

The current situation did seem rather troubling, but at the very least, Lin Hongchen would be safe for now as Shenxi Shang, just like Qi Xuanzi, wanted to get the Lin Clan on their side. Through the small hexagonal holes, Tianming saw them start fighting. Shenxi Shang didn’t use his warbeasts, but Lin Hongchen immediately assimilated his swordbeasts and manifested his swordheart.

”How terrifying!” Tianming could distinctly see the difference in power between Lin Hongchen and the first ranker. It wasn’t his physical body or his lifebound beasts, but his taixi divine eyes and soul alone. Shenxi Shang glowed a faint gold, and that alone made Tianming’s Soul Tower rumble and generate a protective white fog around his vita. He found it hard to describe the odd sensation. It felt like the taixi divine eyes had entered his vita even without having to attack anything. The process didn’t last long before a loud shattering sound resounded in the small chamber, marking the destruction of an Oldgod Ring.

”Huh?” Shenxi Shang sounded uncertain. ”All I did was break his Oldgod Ring and he disappeared of his own accord. I wonder if he died or was transported out of here. Friends of the Swordgod Lin Clan, if Lin Hongchen perished as a result of this reluctant fight, you have my utmost apologies.”

”What’re you saying all that useless crap for? The Oldgod Rings only transmit images. Even if those outside can see what happens here, they’ll have a hard time hearing what you’re saying,” someone else said while Tianming was still feeling troubled. The voice sounded similar to Shenxi Shang’s, though it was distinctly feminine and a little cold like Ji Ji’s. She didn’t seem too polite toward Shenxi Shang.

So he vanished? Tianming recalled that he had also vanished when he had obtained the six walnuts before being transported where he was, so that didn’t necessarily mean Lin Hongchen was dead. I hope he’s still alive. Otherwise I’.. have done a huge disservice to Ku.

The girl continued, ”Did you feel any changes after Lin Hongchen vanished?”

”Yes. The two mini stars belong to me now. They’re reforming together. I believe I’ll be sealed up again in a few moments. Then it’ll be your turn.”

So, all we need to do is break the Oldgod Rings? Why’s this place using such a gentle touch all of a sudden? Tianming heard a crunching, metallic sound once more, which probably meant that Shenxi Shang was sealed again, but this time by two mini stars. Does that mean the final winner will obtain all six of the mini stars? What happens next? Did Lin Hongchen and the others leave this ancestral world already?