Beastmaster of the Ages

Lin Xiao, Dongshen Yue, and Lin Xiong, who had just arrived, were gathered beneath the Firmament. Behind them, Feiling and the girls held hands, their hearts racing.

Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Lin Xiong cautiously asked, ”Brother Hu, what if… what if….”

”What?” Lin Xiao asked.

”Of course, I hope that Feng’er comes back alive. I see that you have confidence in him, so what I’m asking is, what’s going to happen if Shenxi Shang perishes and Feng’er takes first place on the minor reges ranking?” Lin Xiong asked.

”I’ll bring him back to the Infinitum Swordsea no matter what, even if it means dying. No one can lay a finger on my grandson, even if the ebons disregard the Infinitum Bodhimanda’s rules and send their armies!” Dongshen Yue said.

”If it comes to that, the reformists will probably open the formation and invite the ebons in,” Lin Xiao mused.

”Those shameless dogs! If they dare, I’ll kill them first!” Dongshen Yue grit her teeth.

”That won’t happen. First of all, the death of a junior won’t influence the overall situation. Second, the rex mundi herself said that no one would be held accountable for whatever happens in the battles in the ancestral world. Shenxi Shang isn’t an exception just because he’s the son of those two people. The Infinitum Bodhimanda would be in chaos if everyone pursued accountability. Besides, Feng’er made doubly sure by fighting an Infinitum Duel. Based on those three points, protecting him is our right. They’ll only be slapping Yi Daiyan in the face if they act recklessly,” Lin Xiao explained, his voice deep. He was calm at critical moments.

”In fact, there’s another reason for it,” Lin Xiong added.

”Speak, Brother,” said Lin Xiao.

”Fifty years ago, the ebons could do anything because they had the rex mundi, but that’s changed. They have to behave now, as long as Yi Daiyan’s around,” Lin Xiong quipped.

”You’re right, but they might come up with reasons to do whatever they want, so we still have to prepare ourselves. And it’s unlikely we’ll be able to keep the ring acquired by Guchi Xiaoyin,” said Lin Xiao.

”We can give up the ring, but my grandson must return safe and sound!” Dongshen Yue said. The two were more determined than anyone else.

”I called for help,” said Lin Xiong.

Lin Xiao bitterly smiled. ”The few of us are useless against the ebons if they choose to ignore the rules of the Infinitum Bodhimanda. However, there’s one thing that’ll guarantee Feng’er’s safety.”

”What’s that?”

”If Yi Daiyan makes an appearance.”

Dongshen Yue grit her teeth. Although she hated the woman, she had to admit that Yi Daiyan was now Tianming’s protection because of her words.

”The ebons aren’t the same as they were fifty years ago. They might have impressive armies, but they’re afraid to oppose Yi Daiyan, who’s in control of Ebonia’s fusion formation. In the days to come, it’ll be a competition for resources like that of Mount Taia, unless the ebons decide to overthrow the rules of the Infinitum Bodhimanda and rebuild the Infinitum Mundus…. That’ll be a catastrophe for all of Ebonia.”

Lin Xiao, Dongshen Yue, and Lin Xiong hoped that day would never come. If the clan behind Yi Daiyan was strong enough, the ebons might completely give up their ambitions. At the moment, Yi Daiyan restrained their entire race alone. It wasn’t easy at all. This was a situation rarely seen throughout history.

”Yi Daiyan will only grow stronger, so there’ll be fewer opportunities for the ebons. If they’re really planning to abolish the rules established by our ancestors, they must’ve begun taking action over the past few years. The Swordgod Lin Clan’s in danger because we’re caught between the two.”

Theirs weren’t groundless fears; they were all facts.

”Grandma, look at the ebons. Something seems to have happened.” Feiling walked up to Dongshen Yue. As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Lingxiao ran over as well.

”Something happened,” Lin Lingxiao said.

”What?”

Lin Xiao and the others looked over at the ebons. A group of people who seemed to be heading toward them had stopped.

”What’s going on? It looks like a fight’s about to break out. Elders, should we return to our astralship?” Lin Lingxiao asked. He felt like they were about to be targeted.

”No.” Waving his hands, he turned to Lin Xiong. ”Brother, take the children back to the astralship.”

”What about you two?”

”We’re going to pick up our grandson,” Lin Xiao said.

Lin Xiong was stunned. The picture had yet to appear, but Lin Xiao was certain. Glancing at the ebons’ apparent turmoil, he vaguely caught sight of two people, Lin Yun and Lin Ziqing. They were still, sitting on the ground as if suffering from muscle cramps.

”Did those two have a stroke?” Lin Xiong snorted.

”God knows. They were crazy to begin with. They must’ve heard some soul-shattering news and gone mad!” Dongshen Yue sneered.

”Go.” There was determination in Lin Xiao’s eyes.

”I’ll go with you!” Lin Xiong said.

”Brother, if we don’t come back, take care of the children for us.” Lin Xiao turned and looked at him.

”Yes!” Lin Xiong gritted his teeth. ”Brother Hu, may you and your grandson return victorious! The Lin Clan needs someone to take first place on the minor reges ranking. We need a legend!” His eyes burned red with emotion.

”Don’t worry.…” They had repeated themselves many times. Even if they were to die, they would send their grandson home. They flickered into the darkness without even a moment’s hesitation, their hearts resolute.

After they left, Lin Xiong turned his attention to Lin Yun and Lin Ziqing, finally revealing a smile. ”Look now, you old dogs. Aren’t you all pissed off? So what if they’re geniuses? Those ebons have all perished by my grandnephew’s sword! Let the storm come!”

It didn’t seem too far off. Many people noticed the ebons’ turmoil. Amidst their bated breaths, a picture from the Oldgod Ring appeared. Everyone looked up in unison, stretching out their necks. A white-haired man with his hands behind his back was smiling at them. Reaching out his left hand, he raised his index finger and pointed at himself. He meant to say that he was number one.

”Swordgod Lin Clan, Lin Feng!!”

The entire world was shaken. Struck by the realization, all the experts in the Oldgod Domain froze.

......

Over at the Infinitum Swordsea, black sword waves surged and swept across the entire sea. At that moment, millions of people from the Lin Clan proudly smiled and knelt in the direction of the Myriad Mausoleum in excitement.

”Ancestors above! After thousands of generations, the Swordgod Lin Clan has finally produced a number one disciple on the minor reges mundi ranking!”

Everyone celebrated together, basking in the glory, clutching their chests as they wept. They had forgotten the situation and their grievances. They even forgot to mock Lin Mu. The only thing they remembered was the name “Lin Feng,” the disciple who had clinched first place on the minor reges mundi ranking, trampling on all other outstanding geniuses. It’d been far too long since the Lin Clan had reached such heights.

That was the power of glory.

Every ancestral tablet in the council hall trembled. Amidst the warm glow, the newest ancestral tablet shone the brightest.

”Ku....” Lin Changkong sat up in horror. Glancing at the excitement in the Infinitum Swordsea, he took a second look at Ku’s ancestral tablet. Then, falling to his knees with tears streaming down his face, he said, ”I know what to do. Thank you for showing me the way, Ku!”

......

In the hive ancestral world, the moment Shenxi Shang’s Oldgod Ring shattered, the mini stars over his head fused and fell toward Tianming.