Beastmaster of the Ages

In Qitian Cave, three individuals stood in a simple, yet elegant pure white hall. They were Qitian Muyu, Qitian Muyue, and a slightly older man. The older man had a wine jug slung over his back and looked rather rugged, with disheveled hair and a face full of scruff. However, his eyes shone with a fierce brilliance, indicating he was not one to be trifled with.

He was Qitian Baba, the third major-zenith cultivator of House Qitian. He was from the same generation as the valley lord, though he was of a younger age among the older generation. He hadn’t stood out in strength when he was young, and was instead a late bloomer who revealed his edge later on.

Qitian Baba rarely resided in Myriadpath Valley. He was responsible for training disciples of House Qitian, overseeing their entry into the Million Mundi, and managing their devouring of lifebound beasts. He had established ‘ranches’ in thousands of mundi where lifebound beasts were corralled and directly fed to the Qitian disciples’ beasts, sparing them from having to hunt individuals.

Now that turmoil was stirring within Myriadpath Valley, he had returned and become the fourth person to learn of the valley lord’s failure to merge with the core.

Presently, they stood in solemn silence. Before them was a screen illustrating powerful beasts from across the ages, symbolizing the illustrious history of House Qitian.

Behind the screen, an elder with silver hair sat cross-legged on a mat, accompanied by a small dragon-like creature. Black and white heavenly celestial patterns swirled around them both like chains or venomous serpents, raging across their bodies.

Their faces were pale and their eyebrows furrowed as their cosmoforce and the poison vied for dominance within their blood.

“Father, it’s been confirmed that Suishen Jiguang returned to Myriadpath Valley, accompanied by Suishen Ranxing’s first wife, Suishen Xiyue. Both are unscathed,” Qitian Muyu reported, bowing his head.

A month ago, they had heard rumors of the two’s subsouls becoming whole again. Even so, none of them had expected the two to return so soon.

“They fell into the Inner Yin during its stormy season, where anyone who enters is doomed. For them to emerge so fast suggests they probably had help from Yin-Yang World survivors,” Qitian Muyue softly suggested.

“The valley lord has repeatedly stated that no Yin-Yang World survivors exist,” Qitian Baba remarked from a corner, taking a swig of his murky yellow wine. His gaze was dark and calculating.

“Regardless, the two harbor secrets. They likely know details about us as well,” Qitian Muyu said.

The valley lord was trying to bluff House Yumo and two million cultivators into submission while heavily wounded.

“If they choose to expose us, others will come, raising questions and probing our defenses. That could be very dangerous for us. Father also mentioned that Suishen Jiguang was near when the battle for the core took place,” Qitian Muyu added.

The others fell silent after he spoke. For ten years, they had kept the situation stable, with House Yumo restrained, unwilling to act in haste and risk defeat. But that stability hinged upon the fear instilled by the Yin-Yang World inheritance.

If that fear were to be alleviated, and the valley lord’s injury became known, House Qitian would be in grave peril.

“How’s House Suishen reacting?” the valley lord asked in a hoarse voice.

“They’ve made no moves. Members of House Yumo inquired, but Suishen Jiguang and Suishen Xiyue hold strong hostility toward House Yumo due to Suishen Ranxing and Yumo Lianqing’s relationship,” Qitian Muyu said.

“It wouldn’t be this quiet if we were exposed. Something must be going on that we don’t know about. It’s also possible that Suishen Jiguang is still unaware of the details,” suggested Qitian Muyue.

“Either way, as long as they exist, they pose a significant risk to us. We must find a way to address it,” Qitian Muyu said with a frown.

Qitian Baba clenched his teeth and looked toward the screen, asking, “Valley Lord, how are you faring?”

“With the help of the Source Progenitor and myriadpath source spirits, I’m doing slightly better than expected, but it’ll still take time,” a voice replied from behind the screen.

They knew that, even without the Yin-Yang World inheritance, if the valley lord recovered and personally enforced order, Myriadpath Valley would likely return to its previous state and overcome the chaos.

Time was now critical!

“House Suishen currently maintains their neutrality, choosing to stay out of trouble. We could extend an olive branch, establish communication channels, and even make contact with Suishen Jiguang and Suishen Xiyue,” the valley lord calmly suggested.

“Their two major-zenith cultivators, Eminent Hongtian and Eminent Ranxing, already have substantial conflicts. Eminent Ranxing is close to House Yumo, so if we could ally with Suishen Hongtian, resolving the Suishen Xiyue and Suishen Jiguang issue would be much easier,” Qitian Muyu added.

Right then, a transmission stone activated in Qitian Muyu’s hand with a report. He smiled after listening to it. “Suishen Hongtian’s arrived at the perfect time,” he said.

“Would someone from House Suishen risk coming here now, unafraid we might weaken House Suishen?” Qitian Muyue asked.

“If he’s here, it shows sincerity. The rest will fall into place,” Qitian Muyu said.

“That person can be used,” the valley lord declared.

“His coming after his sister and sister-in-law’s return, what does that suggest?” Qitian Baba asked in a cold voice.

“Most likely, he’s seeking our support to become the leader of House Suishen in these chaotic times,” Qitian Muyue surmised.

“We’ll see soon enough.” Qitian Muyu shrugged, then excused himself and stepped out of the hall.

***

The monochrome sphere exited the wormhole expressway. Tianming had arrived in the closest mundus to Myriadpath Valley, the Forestpath Mundus. Forestpath Star, eight times the size of Ebonia, lay nearby.

“There’s no doubt about it!” He was thrilled. He could see a massive black vortex far off in the distance; it was Myriadpath Valley!

Although he could instantly return via the Myriadpath Celestial Formation, he had chosen the wormhole expressway as a test. “The returns seem instant using the Myriadpath Celestial Formation, but it actually takes a month. The wormhole path feels longer, but should also be about a month!”

The speeds were equivalent; however, one allowed only individual movement, while the other moved a heliacal-class world-sized astralship. It was two entirely different concepts!