Beastmaster of the Ages

The moment a gap was torn open, the berserk fusion power of the Divine Bird and Crimson Lotus instantly found an inlet and poured through it to reach Tianming and obliterate many of his middlekin astrons.

“So powerful...” Tianming had no time to marvel. His decapath era godswords recombined, and this time, the power of the Primordial Chaos Beasts were also mixed in to forge an even stronger sword formation.

He also realised that Jiang Qingluan had already restored to her cosmic constellation, the Vermilion Bird Royal Constellation, as she couldn’t break through his sword formation’s defenses.

The breathtaking imperial daughter in her red gown was replaced by a vast nebula shaped like a vermilion bird. Countless whip-images and firelight interwove to constantly form the images of crimson lotuses and vermilion birds.

The cosmic constellation was like the most noble divine bird under heaven, gazing proudly over the world.

“How fierce, no wonder the formation was torn open!” Tianming continued to tank the assault, still not striking back. “She probably needs to vent first. Otherwise, she might just go back on her word again...”

After all, it was only taking a beating. He might as well let her calm down a little first.

This trip to the Vermilion Bird Starcage was all about the dazzling radiances. A little beating and looking a little miserable was a worthy price to pay.

Jiang Qingluan’s Divine Bird and Crimson Lotus had a total of nine lashes, each fiercer than the last. The violent impacts struck relentlessly, keeping Tianming’s sword formation on the verge of collapse. Countless sword-lights shattered, but the formation regenerated endlessly.

The onlookers watched as Jiang Qingluan’s terrifying methods pressed Tianming so hard that he could barely lift his head.

And yet, Tianming clearly felt that while her lashes looked increasingly ferocious, their actual force grew lighter.

At last, the ninth lash ended!

The final crimson lotus and vermilion bird converged and detonated, blasting Tianming tens of millions of meters away.

“Little Imperial Son, is that all you’ve got?” A cold laugh echoed. The cosmic constellation dispersed, its middlekin astrons recombining into a graceful woman in a red dress.

Jiang Qingluan’s anger seemed to have eased a little, and there was a teasing glint in her eyes.

After all, Tianming had forcibly endured all nine lashes. His sword formation was now tattered and incomplete, and he had been badly blasted by the raging flames. He looked thoroughly miserable.

“After a hundred thousand years, this is all you’re capable of?” Jiang Qingluan chuckled. She didn’t continue attacking, but instead sized him up. “Are you badly hurt? How about you call me grandaunt, and I’ll spare you.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, I’m still alive and kicking.” Tianming glanced at her and smiled. He could sense that although Jiang Qingluan’s mouth was harsh, she seemed... genuinely concerned about him.

When she had seen him injured earlier, she had secretly weakened the force of her lashes. Otherwise, he would have been far worse off than he was now.

Of course, no outsider could see that.

Whether it was the cosmic gods of Vermilion Bird Capital or elders like Sage Chen and Sage Xing nearby, all of them clearly thought Tianming had been utterly crushed.

But Tianming wasn’t about to admit defeat. She had vented her anger, so now it was time to get things done.

He hefted the Grand-Orient Sword. “This strike will decide the outcome!”

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The sky burned. Countless sword-lights rained down like falling stars, all converging upon the Grand-Orient Sword. Infernal, primordial, genesis, radix... all sorts of powers gathered, ultimately forming a vast sword-beam that stabbed toward Jiang Qingluan!

“You—!” Jiang Qingluan had not expected him to be so straightforward. She had clearly stopped attacking and was even “checking” on his injuries, yet he suddenly sneak attacked?

Infuriated, she snapped her Everbright Myriadstars Chain, and blazing flames instantly condensed into a screeching vermilion bird that rushed to meet the immense sword beam.

However, her hurried response left the strike short of its full power, failing to even manifest the lotus.

In the next moment, the divine bird and the sword beam collided, and the resulting explosion sent both of them flying, seemingly ending in a draw.

However, Tianming’s sword still carried lingering power. Millions of sword-lights gathered on the Grand-Orient Sword and rushed straight toward Jiang Qingluan at close range!

But... it halted abruptly right before the sword’s tip was about to touch her skin.

This scene caused the spectators to cry out in astonishment. They hadn’t expected Tianming could actually come out on top. Clearly, if he hadn’t held back, their imperial daughter would have been gravely injured.

Of course... it was left to be seen whether Jiang Qingluan would admit defeat.

In the sky, the two locked eyes, and time itself seemed to freeze.

Jiang Qingluan felt the remnant sword-ki on the Grand-Orient Sword, her expression subtly changing. She realized that at the critical moment, Tianming had shown mercy as well.

Otherwise, that attack would have dealt serious damage if it landed...

“This should be my win, right?”

Tianming’s voice snapped her back to reality.

She shot him a vicious glare. “Always pulling sneaky little tricks just like the old days... Fine, you win! Now hurry up and take your damn thing away!”

As she spoke, she reached out and flicked the Grand-Orient Sword.

Tianming lowered his head and finally realized in shock that the tip of his Grand-Orient Sword was resting precisely against her... heavenly pattern formations.