Beastmaster of the Ages

Like sharp swords, the two battle reports that had been verified numerous times struck the hearts of every cosmic god, leaving them stunned and struggling to breathe.

”Impossible...”

Even now, some remained in disbelief, shaking their heads in denial. The thought of sustaining heavy losses was inconceivable to the Eightpart Pantheons, let alone the crushing defeat of the wonderians, the number one race of the cosmos. Their features contorted with impotent rage, but this time, they couldn’t argue.

”It’s all because of Tian Jiu!”

”She’s Li Tianming’s trump card!”

”Are you out of your mind? It’s plain to see that she’s the Primordial Sands’ true master. Li Tianming is just her pawn! She controls Grand Xia’s formations and she’s our true opponent! The flameyellow voidkin were probably enslaved by her!”

”Why? Isn’t she the origin of every wonderian?”

”The wonderians’ tragic demise might have been caused by their betrayal...”

”A catastrophe is upon us.”

Neither Tianming nor the flameyellow voidkin could intimidate the Eightpart Pantheons, but Tian Jiu was a different matter entirely. Her name alone could send tremors throughout the Upper Star Ruin.

”Wondrium Imperius must be in utter chaos.”

”I heard the entire star is weeping in anguish. Their terrified wails can be heard from a great distance away.”

”Tian Jiu, the most terrifying legend in the universe! I never thought she’d walk among us.”

This was the six factions’ honest reaction. Even as they sped toward Grand Jiang for a chance at a breakthrough, an ever-increasing fear of Tian Jiu gnawed at them. No matter how their commanders tried to boost morale, they were powerless against the spreading gloom. Under these circumstances, their marshals were in urgent communication with the Upper Star Ruin and had even spoken to their imperatores. But with the disappearance of the Xiavoid Stareye, not even their imperatores could save them.

...

Although the devas were least affected, their expressions remained gloomy. At the back of the phalanxes, the devas advanced arm in arm, glancing at the center position from time to time. They knew that Granny Yin was speaking to Imperator Yin, ​​and the outcome of their discussion could very well determine their fate.

Clenching the transmission stone in her hands, Granny Yin silently waited for the imperator’s decision.

“Imperator, show us the way!” She said, her voice trembling.

”I can’t guide you because you don’t have a choice. Li Tianming has sealed your fate,” said Imperator Yin.

”Sealed our fate...” Granny Yin’s eyes flickered. ”So he’s not coming for us?”

”So long as he holds the power, he can spare your lives if that’s what he wants... unless you die to show our allegiance to the Heavenly Dao and Eightpart Pantheons,” Emperor Yin Tian said.

”Must we die to show our allegiance?” Granny Yin asked.

”It might have been necessary before, but not anymore,” Imperator Yin replied.

”Imperator!” The nervous Granny Yin asked, ”Are you suggesting we betray the Heavenly Dao and Eightpart Pantheons for Li Tianming?”

Imperator Yin shook his head. ”Not at all.”

”May I ask...”

“You will do whatever he commands. The Heavenly Dao can’t fault you for surviving. As long as you do nothing, you can’t be held accountable,” Imperator Yin said calmly.

”But this means that you’ve compromised. We’ll be targeted!” Granny Yin sighed.

”We’ve been openly targeted ever since a crack appeared in the Heavenly Dao. We might have been concerned about it before, but now that the wonderians are living in absolute terror, they can’t manage the sentiments of the Eightpart Pantheons. In fact, they can barely protect themselves. That leaves the ashuras who might very well be planning for their own future. So why should we be afraid?” Imperator Yin sneered.

Granny Yin nodded in agreement.

”Ultimately, Tian Jiu’s arrival has changed everything. Whether we like it or not, there are certain things we have to accept,” Granny Yin said.

”A great upheaval has come and the path to survival is yet to be determined. Let’s wait and see!” With that, Imperator Yin turned off his transmission stone and said no more.

The moment the conversation concluded, many elite devas approached and asked, ”Granny Yin, what did the imperator say?”

Taking a deep breath, Granny Yin said, ”He can’t help us. We have to decide for ourselves.”

”What?” They all tensed up.

”Are we going to betray the Eightpart Pantheons...” a middle-aged cosmic god asked.

”What are you thinking?” Grandma Yin smacked him on the head. ”At most, we’re traitors to the devas. We have nothing to do with them now.”

”Oh...” Realization dawned upon them and they all breathed a collective sigh of relief. At least there was hope of survival. They could deal with the future later.

Just then, they received new intelligence.

”The Tian Jiu Cult’s astralships are behind us. They’re maintaining speed!”

When the six factions heard the news, most were either furious or worried.

”We can move quickly over short distances. Should we turn around and destroy them? Without their imperial-class formation, we’re far superior to our opponents.” Someone suggested.

”No, they’re too far away. They’re maintaining a distance so we can’t engage.”

”In that case, we’ll proceed to Grand Jiang as planned.”

The six factions continued to advance towards Grand Jiang as expected.

Then out of nowhere, an astralship shaped like a nine-headed dragon loomed into view.