Beastmaster of the Ages

After returning to the Imperial Star, Tianming enjoyed a brief moment of happiness and peace.

At present, the Sun gave everyone here a sense of security. Starting from the Vermilion Bird Nation, all those who chased after Tianming had come here, and now they possessed the highest-level resources and fortune in the entire universe.

Within the Sky Palace, it was lively and warm.

The world outside, which occupied ninety-nine percent of the Sun remained desolate and uninhabited for the time being. Everything plundered was still in the developing world, being integrated to form part of the new Sun.

That ninety-nine percent was habitable, but who would live was for Tianming to decide.

After hearing Pu Fengyun had already returned from the Grand Feng, Tianming returned to the Grand Jiang.

Lin Shenjian and Chen Qing had taken their five million troops back to the Grand Lin and the Grand Chen, so the Grand Jiang’s forces had returned to their pre-war numbers.

Pu Fengyun’s army had suffered some losses in the battle of the Grand Feng, but because of Tianming, the damage was not too great.

When Tianming returned, he found that the atmosphere of Grand Jiang was still sombre. Clearly, the retreat of the Tian Jiu Cult and the exposure of Lord Yue’s conspiracy had made the Kunlan primalwingers pessimistic. They were still like meat upon the chopping board for all the powers around them, each hungry to take a bite.

Tianming descended into the Jiang Universe City. There, the leadership of the Grand Jiang happened to still be in a secret meeting within the Jiang Royal Palace.

Hearing an argument inside, Tianming pushed the door open.

The great door swung wide. Although what seemed to be a tiny figure walked in, he immediately commanded all attention and all debate ceased at once. Aside from Jiang Tianzhou, many subconsciously held their breath and dared not make a peep.

If Tianming had not defeated Mo Lingji, perhaps some would have thought that ambushing him was the weakness of his army of ghouls... but now, in their perspective, his strength was nearly flawless. Thus, the hundred people present all held a certain reverence for him.

“Young Master Li, please take the seat of honor,” Jiang Tianzhou said. When he saw him, the gloom on his face eased, and he personally rose to welcome Tianming. Seeing this, the others all stood up as well.

However, one person merely leaned against her chair, unflustered. “This old woman is getting on in age. My legs are unsteady, and I cannot rise to welcome this great figure. I beg your pardon!”

The speaker was naturally Granny Pu.

Tianming glanced at her and felt rather speechless. He remembered that when his ghoul legion had first manifested, she had knelt to him. Yet in the blink of an eye, when she felt she no longer needed him, she now put on airs again.

Tianming ignored her for the moment and instead sat down at Jiang Tianzhou’s side.

“Everyone, continue your discussion,” Tianming said calmly. He wanted to see what tricks this third of cosmic gods aligned with the Pu clan could come up with.

After his words fell, everyone looked at one another, but no one spoke up.

Jiang Tianzhou cupped his fists and said, “Young Master Li, I heard that it was you who reminded the Grand Feng to guard against Lord Yue, saving billions of lives there, and further helped Feng Linxue capture the ten million rebels of the Grand Yue. On behalf of Grand Jiang and all Kunlan primalwingers, I thank you for your great benevolence!”

“Thank you!” Behind Jiang Tianzhou, about two-thirds of the cosmic gods bowed with him in gratitude.

From this proportion, it could be seen that Jiang Tianzhou’s authority had risen compared to before. Some fence-sitters had now chosen to trust him.

“Senior Jiang, no need to thank me. After all, neither the Grand Feng nor Feng Linxue themselves thanked me,” Tianming said with a wry smile. Then he swept his gaze around, amused. “And besides, there are still plenty here who clearly have no intention of thanking me. I did something completely unnecessary.”

“Young Master Li jests,” Pu Fengyun clasped his hands, then signaled those behind him. Only then did these people lower their heads and say in unison, “Thank you, Young Master Li, for saving our kin!”

Though they had voiced thanks, it seemed some things hadn’t changed.

“What were you just discussing?” Tianming lounged back in his chair and asked casually.

Jiang Tianzhou frowned. “Our intelligence says that Empress Xia failed in her plot against the Grand Jiang and the Grand Feng, and so placed her hopes upon the Eightpart Pantheons. After testing, she has already brought part of the Eightpart Pantheons into the Grand Xia. Perhaps... their army will be the next to descend.”

“That’s quite fast,” Tianming said.

Many furrowed their brows slightly seeing his indifferent attitude.

Jiang Tianzhou understood that rather than Tianming not being concerned, he already knew.

“Young Master Li, do you truly understand what it means once the Eightpart Pantheons’ army descends?” Granny Pu asked sharply.

“Please, Granny Pu, enlighten me,” Tianming said.

“I will be blunt. All the forces of the Primordial Sands combined amount to no more than an egg. The Eightpart Pantheons’ army is not just a rock, but a steel plate. If the two collide, our only result will be to shatter!” Granny Pu lowered her head, her face filled with grave worry.

“Young Master Li, we’re not being dramatic. If you’ve been to the territories ruled by the Eightpart Pantheons, you would know how mighty they are. The Primordial Sands is the last piece of unconquered land. Once the route is built, in order to claim it, there will be no limit to the soldiers they deploy,” Pu Fengyun said.

“Indeed.” Tianming nodded. “Since Empress Xia has committed such foolishness, choosing to trade away the honor and dignity of the Primordial Sands for her own petty survival, what do you two believe is the path of survival for the Grand Jiang?”

Granny Pu steeled her heart and stepped down from her seat. Her voice was filled with exaggerated bitterness. “This game of the Primordial Sands could still be played before, but once the Eightpart Pantheons join, no one can play anymore! They are a higher level existence, as though gods entering the mortal realm. All we can choose is to not defy the gods!”

“You mean surrender?” Tianming asked.

“Not so! It’s more of mortals following the gods’ will,” Granny Pu said longingly.

“Brilliant!” Tianming laughed. “That does sound quite nice.”

“Because the path I speak of, is the only path of survival for our Grand Jiang,” Granny Pu said, casting a glance at Tianming. “Young Master Li, surely you don’t intend to coerce us into following you in opposing the Eightpart Pantheons, using our Kunlan primalwingers as cannon fodder just to fulfill your empty dream of revival?”

Pu Fengyun quickly said, “Mother, don’t misunderstand. Empress Xia and Lord Yue submitted. I asked both the Grand Meng and the Grand Feng as well, and they also chose to follow the Eightpart Pantheons’ will. Since Young Master Li regards us as his own, how could he bear to let us throw our lives away?”