Beastmaster of the Ages

Yu Qing left around a dozen devas to keep watch while the others wielded all kinds of cosmic artifacts, ready to capture the little beastballs. More devas were being summoned, but as most of them were in the middle of their ascent, it would take them some time to go all the way back down.

Not to mention, the seniors from Skyfiend Hall who had heard the news through their tracing rings sent word to get juniors from their own faction to go. But as that news would have to come from outside the Ancient Flameyellow Ruins to reach the juniors within, it would take even more time for them to come back down. The devas of the Ninefold Hellstar had a huge edge.

Even then, it wasn’t a big deal. Even though the Eightpart Pantheons distributed resources on a first-come-first-serve basis, it didn’t matter—there were more little beastballs than a single faction could claim, just like the ninelives fruits. The rest would still be evenly distributed among all factions. There was still internal competition for the resources they could obtain. And many had decided that, instead of the mere rumor of a super cosmic relic, they would rather go after the little beastballs, treasures that could shake the foundations of a maniverse-class world’s legacy.

”Be quiet so as not to scare them off. We have to check if they have a way to fight back,” Yu Qing instructed the other devas.

”Yes!” The other twenty-plus devas used web-like cosmic artifacts. Though they weren’t being rough with them, the little beastballs chirped nonstop in fear, running into each other from time to time.

”How cute. However, most of them will belong to the Ninefold Hellstar. Even if other factions come, they’ll only get a small portion,” Princess You You said, excited.

”We might not even have to split them,” Yu Qing said.

”But they already paid a price in the fight before. The Skyfiendling is dead.”

”That was because he was far too pathetic.” Even though Yu Qing was ranked eleventh in terms of talent, his combat abilities were definitely within the top ten. The ones ahead of him were seventh-level cosmic gods close to five hundred years old, while he was much younger. He was also one of the hopefuls that stood a solid chance of reaching the seventh level at five hundred and possibly becoming a kilometer-tall cosmic god in the future.

”Alright, enough talk. We have to work fast.” Yu Qing turned into a storm of white jade, flying deep inside the cavern. Right as he was about to start capturing the little beastballs, his transmission stone lit up. ”What’s going on?”

”Someone’s here! Masked ones! Three of them!” said the sentry.

”Are you able to handle them?”

”No! Quick—” The transmission stone shattered.

”Masked?” Princess You You shook with rage. ”Is it him?! He isn’t even that powerful, yet he dares to show up here!”

”Well, he’s a native of the Ancestral World with lots of odd tricks. And this time, there’s three of them.” Yu Qing looked outside and heard the sound of battle. It was quite a huge commotion. ”Keep capturing the little beastballs. As for all those fourth-level and above, come with me!”

Power didn’t matter when it came to rounding up the little beastballs. Instead, they would be much more useful in fending off the assailants.

”Big Brother, should I go too?”

”Stay here and make sure things proceed smoothly.” Yu Qing left with three fourth levels and one fifth-level cosmic god.

”Okay.” Princess You You stayed put after being given the ’important’ role. ”Big Brother, if it’s that brat from last time, be careful! His power’s average, but he’s cunning! Don’t listen to him and finish the fight fast! He must have many ninelives fruits on him!”

”Got it.” Yu Qing and the other four flew outside as quickly as possible. The strongest of the sentries was a third-level cosmic god, with the others being second level. But right as Yu Qing was approaching the entrance, the commotion suddenly ceased. ”Did it end that fast?!”

He quickly turned around the corner and saw the ten-plus cosmic god essences of the sentries. There were only three enemies. One of them stood before an essence with a white vortex near his chest that he used to suck in the ghoul within the essence that hadn’t managed to escape. The ghoul shrieked as it disappeared into the vortex.

”What’s that?!” Yu Qing grew severely concerned. He locked on to the masked figure in the middle. From the build, it seemed like a man flanked by two others, one tall and slender, the other purple and petite. Both were clearly women.

The male must be the one You You ran into. He doesn’t look like a proper cosmic god, but he isn’t really a quasi cosmic god, either, given his half-kilometer height.... Maybe something went wrong with his cultivation. The other two are new! They seem to be fourth- and fifth-level cosmic gods respectively.... He recalled what his sister said and resolved not to talk to them. If he could take them captive, he would unveil the truth!

”You four, take on the fourth-level cosmic god. Capture her alive! Leave the others to me,” Yu Qing ordered. He went for the weakest link. Not to mention, he assumed that the masked figures had just coincidentally stumbled into the specters, not expecting them to be there.

”Okay!” The four specters targeted Zi Zhen and immediately transformed into their savage three-headed, six-armed form. Every one of their steps caused a minor earthquake. The cosmic gods were split evenly between male and female, two in front, two behind. What surprised Tianming was how all their hell-rings were fivefold, making them peak talents within the Ninefold Hellstar.

”Zi Zhen, they think you’re a pushover,” Tianming said, starting to pity the fools.

”I wouldn’t expect dogs to be good judges of character.” Zi Zhen transformed and felt her anger rising. Being looked down upon was enough to open three of her ninehall eyes already.

”Kill them!” Tianming and the other two unflinchingly charged toward the five devas.