Beastmaster of the Ages

In the Skyfiend Hall of Cobaltium, the hall remained mostly silent after the birthday celebration. The many cosmic god elders quietly watched the images from the tracking rings.

Cosmic gods had lived for incredibly long spans of time. Aside from the long periods needed to dwell on the mysteries of order, they had also grown accustomed to enduring the endless flow of time.

Only occasional changes would stir murmured discussions.

At the end of the many exalted seats sat a massive golden round table ten thousand meters in diameter. Ten towering figures sat there, with the master of the Skyfiend Hall, the Cobalt Overfiend, seated at the head.

As a human, the Cobalt Overfiend didn’t exude the savage and sinister aura of specters, but instead a sense of elegance. His eyes were like two rotating stars, one purple, one black, making elegance and eeriness coexist on his features. His soul was powerful and profound, and his body shrouded in a mist of darkness.

To his left sat another master of the human race with pale white skin and a demeanor similar to the overfiend’s. However, unlike the overfiend’s graceful elegance, this man had narrow eyes that held black irises in black sclera. This peculiar combination made the tall human cosmic god appear more sinister. His slouched and casual posture gave off a roguish air, and his shoulders hunched as he glanced lazily around the round table.

“God of Original Sin,” the Cobalt Overfiend turned to him, “I recall you saying there was also a Ninelives Ancestral Tree in the upper ruins?”

“Yes. I saw it myself. Its canopy spans half the upper ruins,” God of Original Sin replied with a cold, eerie voice that sounded like a ghost’s. This was the emperor of the Sin Pantheon of Myriadsin Capital.

“Canopy?” The Cobalt Overfiend narrowed his eyes slightly, looking up at the many images above. These tracking rings weren’t merely for protecting their offspring, but their more important function was to give them a clearer and more comprehensive view of the lower ruins.

“Everyone, could it be possible that the Ninelives Ancestral Tree of the upper and lower ruins is actually one and the same? The upper ruins hold the canopy, while the lower holds the roots?” The Cobalt Overfiend swept his gaze across the others.

“It’s possible.” Several towering figures nodded in agreement.

The God of Original Sin’s eyes brightened. “If that’s the case, perhaps our upper ruins cosmic gods can reach the lower ruins via the Ninelives Ancestral Tree, bypassing the age restrictions of the lower ruins!”

“We can try!”

“If it works, even a few of us down there would help the juniors swiftly clean out those little bugs from the Primordial Sands.”

“These people are quite annoying. They’ve already cost us a few descendants.”

The Cobalt Overfiend rested his hands on the armrests and nodded slightly. “Then let each of us make some arrangements. The Ninelives Ancestral Tree is the key. If we can descend and reach Miracle Mountain, there’s even a chance we could uproot the entire Ninelives Ancestral Tree and replant it in our Upper Star Ruin.”

“No problem,” God of Original Sin said with a sinister smile. “The age restriction blocks elders from entering the lower ruins. But if we’re already inside, it might not prevent us from leaving. And if we can emerge from our side, that means we can also come out from the lower ruins into the Primordial Sands. If we can open a path that the other side hasn’t heavily guarded, we might catch them completely off guard.”

“That’s a viable strategy,” The Cobalt Overfiend nodded slightly.

All ten rulers of the Ten Desolate Starforges exchanged glances and nodded deeply.

The Cobalt Overfiend leaned back in his seat, eyes fixed on the screens above. He solemnly declared, “The opening of the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins is heaven’s gift to help us take the Primordial Sands. The Heavenly Dao entrusted this historic mission to the Ten Desolate Starforges, a sign of its trust. This is our best chance to fulfill our destiny and unite all territories of the Upper Star Ruin under the Eightpart Pantheons. I hope in every step going forward, all ten of us can cast aside our differences, unite with one heart, and under the will of the Heavenly Dao, become a single sword that strikes external enemies!”

Upon hearing this, the towering figures all smiled slightly.

“Overfiend,” God of Original Sin joyfully said, “We’ve already sworn oaths under the Heavenly Dao. The seed of heavenly punishment reside within us. How could we disobey it? Any faction in the world might have traitors, but the Heavenly Dao never does!”

“True.” The Cobalt Overfiend scanned the nine others and suddenly smiled. “I’m getting old.”

“Overfiend, you jest.”

“In terms of seniority, merit, and strength, you’re still the leading figure among the Ten Desolate Starforges.”

The others responded with calm flattery.

“Each generation brings new talents, one must accept that,” the overfiend rose and looked out of the Skyfiend Hall at the tens of thousands of cosmic gods. His gaze suddenly sharpened as he said, “These days, the Heavenly Dao’s power is not as strong as before. There have already been several cases where it failed. This may tempt some to take chances. Once we press into the Ancestor World and reach the Primordial Sands, the Dao’s power will wane further. This is reality. I know all of you here surely uphold the unity of the Eightpart Pantheons, but the Ten Desolate Starforges are vast with countless cosmic gods. You best restrain your subordinates and instill in them the mindset that the collective interest of the Eightpart Pantheons is our lifelong pursuit. Don’t let petty gains fracture unity and give the enemy an opportunity.”

“Well said!” God of Original Sin raised his cup. “Only a united Eightpart Pantheons can be the strongest Eightpart Pantheons. Overfiend, I toast you.”

“Mm!”

One by one, the towering sovereigns stood as this single round table decided the course of a grand cosmic war!

***

In Miracle Mountain, when Jiang Lincheng, Jiang Datou, and the group of kunlan primalwingers opened a passage through the tree roots and stumbled into a cave that resembled a tree hollow, a clamor suddenly echoed from ahead.

Inside the tree cave, more than thirty figures turned to look. All of them were specters who were visibly caught off guard by these Primordial Sands juniors.

Jiang Lincheng furrowed his brows. A tiger in front and pursuers behind!

He was just about to order a retreat when the golden brilliance inside the massive hollow caught everyone’s attention. Staring ahead in shock, he saw layers upon layers of tightly interwoven vine formations. Dazzling golden light lay beyond!

“So many golden ninelives fruits!” Jiang Datou’s eyes widened, gasping.

“There’s over two hundred regular ones alone.... How could there be this many?” Jiang Xiaobai said in a daze.