Beastmaster of the Ages

The Skyfiend Hall of Cobaltium had plunged into absolute silence ever since the sudden slaying of the Skyfiendling.

Countless giants wore strange expressions as they looked toward the high seats. There, ten towering figures, radiating starlight like embodiments of the cosmos itself, sat around a round table. Mist churned around them, obscuring their expressions, but the atmosphere surrounding them had grown tense and grim.

After a long while, low murmurs finally rose in the Skyfiend Hall. The cosmic gods’ gazes remained focused on the footage from the tracking rings. The purple-masked man soon vanished from view, but his bizarre nature had left a deep impression on every top-tier cosmic god.

“What Yushen Hua said wasn’t wrong. This person indeed doesn’t seem to be from one of the orbiter races of the Ten Desolate Starforges,” someone said in a low voice.

“Do you lean toward his origin being the Primordial Sands or the Ancestral World?”

Everyone pondered for a moment; in the end, most gave the same answer.

“We know the Primordial Sands well. They’re not much different from us and are just some clans that escaped our grasp. But we still know too little about the Ancestral World.”

“Most of the bizarre and inexplicable phenomena in this universe come from the Ancestral World, and it just so happens they’re located there....”

“So that means the people of the Ancestral World noticed invaders and have already begun to kill?”

“Perhaps he was originally inside the Ancestral World, and when the Heavenly Dao Arena descended, he slipped into the crowd to swipe a heavenly punishment protection seed, which made us misidentify him from the start.”

Nearly all the powerful cosmic gods present had offspring participating in the lower ruins of the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins.

“The Ancestral World has many strange treasures that indeed increase cultivation speed and one’s potential. However... if one dies there, it’s not worth it.”

“The Cobalt Overfiend nurtured the Skyfiendling for so long, but he’s gone just like that. What a pity! The Skyfiendling had the potential to become the next Cobalt Overfiend....” They could only sigh at these developments.

“What’s worrying is that this masked man seems very close to the people from the Primordial Sands. If they join forces, it would greatly impact our younglings!”

“I fear the Skyfiendling is just the beginning....”

The mood turned heavier, their brows knit with growing concern.

But just then, a cold and imposing female voice rang out from the round table as the Ninefold Wargod of the Ninefold Hell Star spoke out. “Our Ten Desolate Starforges’ young elites are protected by heavenly punishment protection seed. Even if the Primordial Sands and the natives of the Ancestral World team up, we need not fear their powerhouses making a move. We, the Eightpart Pantheons, are the rulers of the cosmos and fear no competition against peers of the same age. The excursion into the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins is already a form of conquest! With such ambitions, losses are to be expected! The young bear the missive of the Heavenly Dao, to expand the territory for our Eightpart Pantheons. This is not a trial, but a part of the war for the Upper Star Ruin!”

Her voice boomed like a great bell, echoing in the ears of every cosmic god.

With just one word, war, she imbued all the juniors in the lower ruins with a sacred mission. Many elders who had previously considered withdrawing their descendants instantly abandoned that idea.

As the saying went, the rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen!

The Ninefold Wargod added, “Everyone need not worry so much. If the natives of the Ancestral World and the Primordial Sands were truly powerful, they would’ve already attacked our territory. Why hide in those barren lands? The Eightpart Pantheons have ruled the finest territories of the cosmos for countless generations. United, we are the greatest force in the universe. Why should we fear pigs and dogs? So far, neither in the upper nor lower ruins have the Primordial Sands shown any strength worth fearing, and the so-called natives of the Ancestral World have only had their tracks spotted. There’s no confirmation they’ve even shown themselves. If we’re frightened before the enemy even truly appears, how can we call ourselves the strongest in the cosmos?”

Her words quickly reignited the previously somber atmosphere.

In truth, the majority of people had misunderstood the nature of the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins. They thought it was merely a farmed ground for resources, but for the true high command of the Ten Desolate Starforges, this land was actually a critical strategic stronghold.

To seize this land was to gain the initiative over the Primordial Sands.

“Rest assured, everyone. Our Ten Desolate Starforges is just the vanguard of the Eightpart Pantheons. As the strategic value of the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins becomes more apparent, the main imperial clans of the Eightpart Pantheons will definitely send reinforcements. Our mission is to scout and secure the land” said another maniverse-class world’s starlord.

Clearly, they hadn’t previously announced this strategy to the general public. This was to prevent the Primordial Sands from reacting too early. But from the current situation, it was obvious the other side had some inkling of the Ten Desolate Starforges’ intentions.

“The upper ruins are already engaged in territorial wars. Only the youngsters in the lower ruins still think it’s just training. In that case, it’s time they understood the seriousness of the situation. This is an important trial for them.”

“That’s right.... Incidents like the Skyfiendling’s attempt to suppress the devas must never happen again. Otherwise, it really is courting death.”

Everyone knew that the boy’s greed and desperation to show off had brought about his own demise. If there hadn’t been internal strife, how could the masked man have found an opportunity?

He was now a dead cautionary tale.

Many ashuras were now too embarrassed to even speak. Even at the moment of death, the Skyfiendling had no idea how childish his bullying of the deva looked in the eyes of his elders. His actions had disgraced the entire ashuras and would go down in infamy.

“I believe we should inform the citizens of the Ten Desolate Starforges about the strategic significance of this ruin. Otherwise, they really will think we’re just sending kids to treasure hunt.”

“No wonder they were instructed to bring some formation embryos inside. Clearly the intent is to establish formations for bases.”

“The general public might not care, but even the Skyfiendling didn’t understand the true intentions of his elders. He acted recklessly, which shows these young ones still lack a strong sense of duty. They’re still thinking about continuing their fights from the Ten Desolate Cosmic Genii Ranking in the lower ruins. It’s foolish. We must clearly explain the stakes to them.”

“The Skyfiendling’s story makes for the perfect cautionary tale. Once they hear it, they’ll understand.”

“To sacrifice himself to enlighten the masses, and thereby reduce future casualties. This can be considered a merit!”

“Heh.”

Clearly, these final remarks came from the devas.

They were the only ones who could feel satisfied with the Skyfiendling dead. This proved that although unity was the official line, the grudges and rivalries behind the scenes had not disappeared.

“Everything is for the greater good!”