Beastmaster of the Ages

The elites of Grand Jiang gathered within Jiang Royal Palace, save for those of the Pu Clan. Chen Qing and Lin Shenjian were here too to discuss what came after with Jiang Tianzhou.

”Starlord!” A panicked messenger came in during the discussion. ”Our informants from Grand Xia Voidback reported that the army of one billion is heading our way!”

The fact that the report reached their ears meant that it was confirmed. There was no way anybody could get the movements of such a large army wrong. The news was met with nothing but deathly silence as the elites lowered their heads in silent pondering. They knew that this day would come, but it was sooner than they thought.

”Starlord Jiang, what about Li Tianming?” Lin Shenjian asked.

”He probably isn’t in Grand Jiang,” Jiang Tianzhou said.

”He’s not here in our time of need? How would he manage the situation then?”

”Don’t tell me he left because he sensed that things would go wrong...”

Panic began to sprout within Jiang Royal Palace. Such a sentiment had begun to spread through the populace and the army in Grand Jiang. Even the elites were sensitive to such rumors due to the sheer might that the incoming threat possessed.

”Let’s stop guessing with no basis. Mister Lin is somewhere near Grand Xia Voidback, so he must be there searching for a way out of this.” Jiang Tianzhou’s stern words calmed down the others in the palace.

”He went all the way there?” Chen Qing gave it some thought. ”The problem is they have the Grand Xia Guard Formation. Does he even stand a chance of doing anything there?”

Jiang Tianzhou didn’t keep anything from the others. ”I don’t know that myself. Let’s just wait for him.”

”Starlord, are we going to entrust our kind’s fate to him alone? Is it alright to give him unconditional trust?” Even those not from the Pu Clan would ask such a question during a panic-inducing moment like this. Jiang Tianzhou knew that the others didn’t understand Tianming as well as he did, so it was only natural.

”The Eightpart Pantheons haven’t been able to send any of their divine astralships over, so they have to rely on Grand Xia’s. Those ships aren’t that quick, so we have time to make some observations. If it really doesn’t work out, Li Tianming has promised to let our three clans migrate to his imperial star, which still remains hidden. It can even use the Flameyellow Divine Path. That’s why there’s no need for us to worry for our lives. The worst outcome is losing our home and having to rely on him from now on,” Jiang Tianzhou said.

They finally relaxed with that reassurance. While the wider populace might be more resistant to giving up on their homes, their leaders understood that being able to survive at all was already a blessing at times like these.

”Wouldn’t that mean giving up on our ancient ancestor?” someone asked. Actually, that question didn’t even need an answer. If they were to give up on Grand Jiang, there was no way they wouldn’t give up on their ancient ancestor.

”The circumstances don’t give us many options. We are nothing but tiny bugs in the face of such an opposition,” Jiang Tianzhou said.

”Let’s hope that Li Tianming is someone we can rely on.”

”We shouldn’t hold out for any false hope and start the migration right away. Why did he go to Grand Xia Voidback? It’s just a waste of time.”

”Sigh...”

***

The sounds of Grand Xia’s ships could be heard from the vicinity of the astral hole.

”Ancestor Li,” Mo Lingji said as she approached, ”Word from Grand Xia Voidback is that their army of a billion has departed. They might discover us at this rate. Should we move farther away before they do?”

The Tian Jiu Cult’s members also felt the pressure of war and were on high alert. Grand Xia’s armada was on course to reach Ninedragon Imperial Tomb, which made it really risky. Tianming merely watched the world ahead and smiled. ”We won’t be leaving yet.”

”Really?” Mo Lingji didn’t understand why.

”That’s right.”

”But why?” she nervously asked.

Tianming pointed at the Grand Xia Guard Formation. ”Just watch. People like me bring about miracles more often than not.”

”I see... I will tell the others just that.” She turned away and muttered under her breath, ”What’s with all that boasting? You’re just a sugar baby of our esteemed ancestor and all your tricks are hers to begin with. What does it have to do with you?”

The pope and the other paladins were just as flabbergasted to hear what she told them. Xing Yuantian seemed rather displeased and said, ”Do we go to ask the ancestor herself? This kid is a bit too rash and only she can reel him in.”

”If you dare to ask the first one she’ll reel in is you,” the pope said.

Xing Yuantian helplessly sighed. ”I really envy that kid... To rise up from mediocrity just like that...”

”The army will no doubt be hot on our tails, so we have to be ready. The kid is taking us on quite the bumpy ride,” the pope said.

”What a kid!” Mo Lingji complained.

”Apparently, that’s the type mature goddesses fall for...”

***

Within the astral hole, the army of one billion squeezed into a small number of Grand Xia’s ships rather uncomfortably. Even so, the ships were still able to fly and had been charged fully for the journey. The cosmic gods of the Eightpart Pantheons within them were cold and stern. There was no challenge about the upcoming battle, so they weren’t nervous in the least; they chatted about old times as they drank as if they were on a field trip.

”Set out!” Mi Shen ordered. All the ships rose into the air, with Grand Xia’s flagship at the very front. As the sole imperial-class ship of the empire, it led the whole army at the very front!

Even though the ships were nothing special, the army that they carried could sweep across the universe. Within the main deck of the flagship were four people, all cosmic gods of ten thousand meters in height. They glowed brilliantly as expected of lifeforms at their peak. They were Empress Xia and the three Mi Shens respectively.

Empress Xia piloted the flagship, which approached the flames of the astralguard formation, which had been activated to prevent enemies from disrupting their preparations before they set out.

”If there’s a chance, Empress Xia, you should come to ours for a tour. There is much to talk about where divine wonders are concerned,” Mi Shen beta said with a smile.

”Can I really go to Wondrium Imperius?” Empress Xia’s eyes beamed with excitement.

”Of course. From now on, Grand Xia and the divine wondersky race are a family. Our imperator fully intends on supporting Grand Xia’s imperial line,” Mi Shen Alpha said.