Beastmaster of the Ages

”Don’t worry, I know you’ll succeed,” Tianming gently said.

”Okay....” Suishen Yao took a deep breath. ”I apologize for underestimating you in the past. You really are the most impressive genius I’ve met. Thank you for helping me and not holding my behavior against me.”

Tianming shook his head. ”There’s no need to apologize. You’ve also helped me a lot. When I was at my weakest, you were the one who shielded me. Only then did I have the chance to join the Prehistoric Path, obtain springwater, earn the recognition of your aunt, and obtain these two legacies. Without you, I’d be nothing.”

Hearing something so earnest and heartfelt, Suishen Yao’s doubts were completely cleared. She smiled in the purest manner and said, ”Since you think I’ve been so good to you, promise me one thing.”

”What is it?”

”No matter how far you rise in the future, you must always be my ally. If I get into trouble, get me out of it.”

Tianming nodded without hesitation. ”Alright. I’ll beat up anyone that dares to touch you!”

”Alright, from now on you’re my true brother!” Suishen Yao smiled like a blooming pink flower. Her visage was refreshing to behold.

Eminent Jiguang was rather touched to hear their conversation. Even though Yaoyao said all that, I know it isn’t how she feels from her gaze and subtext. Even though she used to look down on Li Tianming, after getting along with him and witnessing his unbelievable performance, she’s long changed her mind about him. Maybe she even likes him now.

Her eyes dimmed when she recalled the predicament her niece was in. Even though they’re so perfectly matched with one another, they have to endure such a cruel reality. It’s a huge shame. As her aunt, I can’t let her live out her life with her love unfulfilled!

She took a deep breath and said, ”Whether you succeed or fail depends on this. Stay alert. We’re about to start.”

”Okay!” Suishen Yao nodded. Her faith was reinforced by Tianming’s presence as they started the second session.

I’ll give them a chance to cherish each other. This time, let’s bring their hearts even closer. Eminent Jiguang carefully pressed the two young ones tightly together. Suishen Yao wrapped herself around Tianming, pressing flush against him. The totems had successfully fused again.

I hope I’ll be able to help you change your fate, Yaoyao. Eminent Jiguang’s eyes were filled with warm compassion, then she suddenly recalled the eminents’ discussion. Those old folks are so shameless! They want me to marry a child younger than a hundred at my age? Even if they don’t care for their reputations, I care about mine!

There was an age gap of two thousand years and she blushed at the mere thought of it. The mere notion of feasting on young fresh meat like Tianming gave her goosebumps.

They wouldn’t know. Maybe he truly belongs with Yaoyao to make her happy. The fact that nobody seriously considered Suishen Yao to be Tianming’s potential wife showed how fixed the wedding four months later had become.

***

Tianming obtaining the legacies of two great Suishen steles was even more shocking than his achievements on the Prehistoric Path. People were reeling from shock much longer than before. Back then, some people had believed that his talent would be suppressed by the Three Exalted Houses. But now there was no reason for the Three Exalted Houses to do so, as he had shown that he had the recognition of the ancestors.

Even if House Qitian and House Yumo refused to acknowledge Tianming, it would be out of jealousy. If House Suishen still refused to truly acknowledge him, they would be real fools. Most people who weren’t from the Three Exalted Houses didn’t understand how a genius that wasn’t part of them could affect the future.

If the Three Exalted Houses were considered one unified body, their rule over Myriadpath Valley and the Million Mundi was incredibly stable. There was no need for anyone stronger to maintain their domination. As long as the Three Exalted Houses weren’t seriously competing among themselves, Tianming’s talent was unnecessary.

The real question was whether or not that was actually the case. Nobody knew if all three of the houses truly intended to maintain balance, even at the cost of edging out the others.

As word of Tianming’s most recent achievement spread, people began considering Suishen Yao as a partner to tie him to House Suishen more often than Eminent Jiguang. That was in part fueled by rumors that she and Tianming were in seclusion at the Jiguang Sea so that she could reach the top spot of the Fortuna Ranking before her wedding.

In fact, the rumor had been spread by Eminent Jiguang herself. She was laying the foundation for Suishen Yao, spinning a narrative of tragic love for her niece and Tianming to divert discussion away from herself.

Myriadpath Valley’s folks got even more excited when they heard the tale. People had already been on Tianming’s side to begin with, so when they heard how hard he was pursuing his love, they wondered why House Suishen didn’t just make Suishen Yao his partner to begin with.

”Perhaps Eminent Ranxing only made his daughter get engaged with Suishen Yue because Tianming hadn’t gone to the Prehistoric Path or obtained the legacies yet.”

”True. Changing the engagement so suddenly would not be appropriate. The only way to do so would be if Suishen Yue himself blesses those two.”

”Other things aside, Suishen Yao’s high status and close age to Li Tianming makes them the perfect match.”

”She’s a bit capricious, but she’s truly beautiful. Not to mention, she’s still young. She’ll be able to grow into a beauty like Eminent Jiguang.”

”Her current engagement is truly a shame!”

”That’s why she’s working so hard to get first place before her wedding. Eminent Ranxing made a promise to her, after all. If she really achieves it, he’ll at least have an excuse to call off the engagement.”

”I feel that House Qitian and House Yumo wouldn’t want Tianming to be too perfectly tied to House Suishen. They’ll definitely try to stop Suishen Yao from issuing challenges.”

”That’s rather likely!”

The gossip even involved Suishen Yue’s family. If it weren’t for their status, people might just go up to them to ask them to bless the young couple. It went without saying that Suishen Yue’s mood was incredibly sour; however, he would end up having the last laugh, so he endured it no matter how frustrated he was.