Beastmaster of the Ages

”Father, what major developments?” Tianxi asked as he left the Infinitum Swordsea and boarded a hidden astralship in the distance.

”After Lin Xiaodao returned to Gladeus, he announced that he’s leading the Lin Clan on Gladeus to leave the Infinitum Swordsea and establish the Skycross Lin Clan because those in the Infinitum Swordsea despise them,” said the dark figure on the other side of the gold transmission stone.

”What?” Tianxi was dumbfounded. ”That’s impossible! If he intended to do that, he wouldn’t have come to Ebonia and interfered in the affairs on Mount Taia, or saved the Infinitum Swordsea.” Shaking his head, he added, ”Something’s not right.”

”It isn’t hard to guess,” the figure flatly said and a cold, dark light burst from his narrowed gaze.

”So they’re leaving the Swordgod Lin Clan to distance themselves? If that’s the case, the etherean of Gladeus is planning to act....” He froze at the thought. ”Father, he wants to dominate Gladeus and force us to send troops there to divide our strength? That’ll inevitably interfere with our goals on Ebonia. And Yi Daiyan won’t even care about his blatant disregard for the rules. In fact, she might support his actions.” Upon unraveling the situation, Tianxi appeared even more gloomy.

”It can be considered as Yi Daiyan’s retaliation against our previous move. Making the first move to gain the upper hand… she’s courageous indeed,” the figure said.

”What a ruthless move. Instead of acting in person, she’s directing the war to an ether-class nova source world....” Tianxi’s voice was low, his golden, phantom-like body trembling in the astralship.

”It’s a brilliant move,” the figure calmly said.

”Father, do you have a way to counter it?” Tianxi asked.

”All means must be supported by strength, otherwise they’re nothing but pipe dreams.”

”She and Lin Xiaodao have contributed to the split of the Infinitum Bodhimanda, so we won’t be the only ones to bear the infamy,” the figure replied.

”Do you mean to fight them head-on?” Tianxi asked.

”Not exactly. But they’ll be taking things for granted if they truly launch a war on Gladeus. Our compatriots on Gladeus have countless tricks up their sleeves and it’ll be hard for Lin Xiaodao to succeed even if he has the power of the star’s formation. And we won’t hesitate if we send our troops on an expedition. The ebons will attack Gladeus with all we have! This time, they’re the ones who started it. The banner of justice is in our hands, so Yi Daiyan’s forces will have no choice but to shut up even if we take over Gladeus and seize the Gladean Ruins.” The figure sounded calm, as if the matter at hand was insignificant.

”Because of the ruins, Gladeus is more important than other ether-class worlds. Besides, no one else has much control over the worldcore. If we don’t deal with Lin Xiaodao as soon as possible, he’ll eventually pose problems for us,” Tianxi said.

”He’ll be our biggest problem after Yi Daiyan,” the figure said.

”Father, if we do send a large force to attack Gladeus, what about Ebonia?” Tianxi asked.

”Here?” The figure was stunned for a moment. Then, smiling, he said, ”We’ve experienced so many years of ups and downs, trials and hardship. We even survived the era of the Swordgod Lin Clan’s two successive reges mundi by living under the ether-class formation in the world down under. We’re the only ones in the Infinitum Mundus who can resist an ether-class astralship. Ebonia will forever be our base. As long as the world down under exists, no one can shake us should we choose to protect ourselves. They can kick up all the fuss they want on Ebonia, but they won’t be able to uproot us.”

”You’re right! Who can stop the only infinitum-class astralship and ether-class defense formation on Ebonia?” Tianxi sneered.

”It isn’t wise for Yi Daiyan to fight me now. She has a bright future ahead of her. Although their actions on Gladeus will cause trouble for me, it also means that she’s getting involved in our dispute. I only wish she’d attack us first. Would anyone still blame me for the downfall of the Infinitum Bodhimanda if that happened?” the figure said.

”Yes, everyone shares responsibility for the collapse of any super force, and Yi Daiyan shoulders the most.” Tianxi nodded.

”Gladeus will be the focus of the battle. Strength will determine who it belongs to in the future.... Tianxi, do you know what our biggest weakness is?” the figure asked.

”Our physique? Or our disadvantage against soul experts like the Greenhill Yushan Clan?” Tianxi said.

”No.”

“Please explain, Father,” Tianxi said, his head lowered.

”Our biggest weakness is that we’re... too strong,” the figure said.

”What do you mean?”

”They fear us because we’re too strong, so none of them truly obey us. As soon as we grow weak, they’ll even tear us apart and devour us. Because we’re too strong, whatever we do will be considered treacherous. We’ve become bullies in the eyes of the masses. That’s how the world sees us after the battle at Mount Taia and the Infinitum Swordsea,” the figure said.

”But there’s nothing wrong with being strong,” Tianxi retorted.

”Yes, so whatever they’re planning on Gladeus won’t be a bad thing for us,” the figure replied.

”Because we’re the oppressed this time! We’re merely resisting, and that’s our right. If Yi Daiyan fails to act, we’ll be the ones to represent the Infinitum Bodhimanda. We’ll have the right to call on the people of the Infinitum Bodhimanda to fight for our oppressed compatriots on Gladeus. Killing the traitors, the Skycross Lin Clan, is right and just! Justice will be on our side, as long as we behave morally. We’ll receive sympathy and support. The neutral Infinitum Regal Clans, as well as the small and medium forces, are extremely important. They must be subdued if we want to conquer the Infinitum Mundus!” Tianxi excitedly said.

”Yes, and now they’re giving us a chance. Our weakness is no longer a weakness. That is why I need you back now—I need you in control here,” said the figure.

”What do you mean, Father?”

”As the former first rex mundi, I’m duty-bound to head to the frontlines to maintain order in the Infinitum Bodhimanda and uphold our laws if the current first rex mundi turns a blind eye to the Skycross Lin Clan’s act of rebellion! I’ll slay the rebels, quell the insurrection, and restore peace to the Infinitum Mundus,” said the figure.

”Yes!” Tianxi laughed, ”They couldn’t have imagined that you would personally take action…. Maybe it’s been so long that they’ve forgotten that the ebons’ strongest defense lies in the world down under. None of the top experts on Ebonia can break through our defenses even if I’m the only one here.”

They would take advantage of the situation, act according to their own strategy, and deal a heavy blow to their enemies at the right time so all their plans would come to naught. That was the ebons’ far-sighted response to the news that the Skycross Lin Clan had betrayed the Swordgod Lin Clan.

”It’s time to avenge Chi Hun, that unlucky bastard, and the eighty thousand ebons who died on Mount Taia,” said Tianxi.

”As well as the other three thousand ebons,” the figure added.

”Yes….”

Pursing his lips, Tianxi asked, ”Father, what’s the other development?”

”I heard that Gladeus turned pink,” said the figure.

”How’s that possible? Color change is only possible if the composition of nova source changes, right? The essence of Gladeus’ nova source is deathly storms! How can it transform into such a romantic color while maintaining its strength as an ether-class nova source?” Tianxi asked.

”That’s unclear at the moment, but judging from the report, the nature of Gladeus’ nova source has not changed. As for why the mysterious phenomenon occurred, it might have something to do with the ancestral world treasures,” said the figure.

”Is that the other reason you’re planning to head into battle yourself, Father?” Tianxi asked.

”Yes. I’ll deal with the ancestral world treasures myself,” the figure replied.

”Alright!”

”There’s more news from Gladeus.”

”Please speak, Father.”

”Apparently, Lin Feng has two wives who became astral gods in their thirties and defeated a third-astral orderan. And he, as a first-astral orderan, defeated a seventh-astral orderan. The opponents they defeated are also infinitum-class geniuses,” said the figure.

”And he has three wives? Although the last one isn’t as advanced as the other two in terms of cultivation level, she previously manifested extremely powerful divine wonders in the council hall.... Unfortunately, the few that entered the council hall at the time are all under the control of the Swordgod Lin Clan. We aren’t able to contact them for the time being, otherwise we could collect information from them,” Tianxi replied.

”The four of them aren’t simple. They have many secrets.... Now that they’re all on Gladeus, I can study them,” said the figure.

”Yes. By the way, what about Lin Jie?”

”He’ll attack Gladeus with me. Of course, I’ll fight openly while he remains in the dark,” the figure said.

”He’s rather strong, so we can use him. After all, he’s from the Swordgod Lin Clan and we’re suppressing a rebellious branch of their clan!”

”He’s just waiting for us to take over the Infinitum Mundus so he can become rex mundi. Instead of stepping down, he wants his descendants to be reges mundi forever!” the figure said.

The Swordgod Lin Clan only had the council hall and successors of the branches, but no rex mundi. In the Infinitum Mundus, every rex mundi would eventually be succeeded by someone else. Neither the second rex mundi nor Lin Jie wanted that to continue. They want to be rex mundi once and their descendants to be rex mundi forever. No one would replace them!