Beastmaster of the Ages

Jiang Qingluan, Sage Chen and Sage Xing quickly convened with Imperator Cheng for a discussion.

Sage Chen was somber as he began, “The Adjudicator’s move is a classic ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. He’s exploiting the fact that Imperator Skyplunder can’t leave Nullity to compel Tianming and Tianzi to come provide reinforcements!”

“This is an overt scheme,” Imperator Cheng said solemnly. “If they come to help, they fall right into the Adjudicator’s trap. If they don’t... then our Vermilion Bird will have to face the combined forces of two starcages. That will be extremely difficult.”

“Extremely difficult?” Jiang Qingluan gave a bitter smile. “Our army’s numbers are second only to Yueling. But the battlefield this time is our homeland! An invasion is a catastrophe for us!”

“We don’t yet know what decision the sky plunderers will make,” Sage Chen said thoughtfully.

Sage Xing sighed. “In a situation like this, I don’t even know whether to hope they come or not. Either choice has a cost.”

Jiang Qingluan fell silent. She had never imagined that her actions would lead to the current situation, and there was an undeniable feeling of guilt.

But emotionally, she truly didn’t want Tianming to come at such a dangerous time.

“Qingluan, don’t overthink it.” Imperator Cheng smiled at her. “The vermilion bird divinities are not spineless cowards who kneel at the first sign of danger. On the land our ancestors left behind, we can fight to the bitter end no matter who the enemy is. We don’t necessarily need anyone’s reinforcements.”

“Father...” Jiang Qingluan froze, then burst into tears. She hadn’t expected that her father would still support her so completely at such a critical moment.

Sage Chen also spoke gravely. “That’s right. The Adjudicator would have made his move sooner or later. The only way for us to remain uninvolved would be to stand by and watch Tianming die and Nullity destroyed. And you and I both know that we would never allow that to happen.”

With those words, the situation instantly became clear. A moment like this was inevitable sooner or later!

Sage Xing laughed freely. “As things stand, we fight! Even if the sky plunderers don’t come, our vermilion bird divinities still have the strength to battle!”

“Our armies across all regions have already begun assembling,” Imperator Cheng said, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the heavens. Flames burned in his eyes, his will unshakable. “We will slay the enemy until they’re wiped out. The blood of the Vermilion Bird shall burn forever!”

The will of an imperator swept across the entire starcage, making over ten billion soldiers roar in unison. Even the imperial-class nova source seemed to surge and boil, as a piercing vermilion bird cry rang out!

***

At the same time. In Plunderlord Palace, Tianming gathered with his parents, brother, Mu Qingqing, as well as Zi Zhen and Li Yanfeng. When together, they formed a force to be reckoned with even for the Adjudicator.

Even so, Tianming was burning with anxiety.

“The Adjudicator is despicable, having Torch Dragon and Aquamarine attack Vermilion Bird at the same time!” Tianming seethed. He knew very well that the Adjudicator had taken this step precisely because of Jiang Qingluan’s stance in supporting him.

“Tianming, calm down,” Li Muyang said in a deep voice. “The Adjudicator is acting while you haven’t yet absorbed the dazzling radiances. He wants to lure you away. Once you leave Nullity and head to Vermilion Bird, you’ll be walking straight into his trap.”

“I know.” Tianming shook his head. “Right now, those four women from Yueling are still here with us. If we go to Vermilion Bird, they could strike at any moment, posing a threat to Nullity would be in danger...”

It was a true dilemma.

Li Tianzi’s expression hardened as he proposed an alternative. “The enemy’s main army still needs time to mobilize. We have another option. Since we’re not pretending anymore, why not strike first and go straight to Kunruler Palace? We’ll kill as many of those Yueling imperatores as we can!”

“That could work.” Tianming’s eyes lit up and he immediately asked Yin Chen.

The reply came quickly. “They’ve disappeared! I can’t... find them!”

“It seems the enemy is very familiar with Lord Chen now,” Li Tianzi rose to his feet, his figure imposing. “If they deliberately avoid detection, it really won’t be easy to find them. In that case, I’ll go to Vermilion Bird!”

With his battle power, he would be of immense help to Vermilion Bird.

But as soon as he said this, Wei Jing stepped forward, her face full of concern as she stopped him. “No. Right now, with all of you gathered in Nullity, the Adjudicator dares not appear. Once you go to Vermilion Bird, he’ll likely show himself.”

“That’s exactly what the Adjudicator wants,” Li Yanfeng said, his gaze deep. Even he hadn’t expected the Adjudicator to play such a despicable hand.

“Big Brother.” Tianming stood up as well and placed a hand on Li Tianzi’s shoulder. “Let me go instead. This is what I owe Jiang Qingluan. It’s my debt to repay.”

“It’s dangerous for you as well,” Wei Jing said, eyes wide with worry.

“Mother, my resolve is set.” Determination flashed in Tianming’s eyes. “A man cannot be indebted to a woman! Without Jiang Qingluan’s support, we wouldn’t have even made it past Violetblitz. What’s more... Vermilion Bird has Sage Chen, Sage Xing, and Imperator Cheng supporting me. I can’t let them down, regardless of the danger!”

Everyone looked at Tianming’s resolve with approval. Even Wei Jing had no choice but to relent, her eyes filled with helpless concern.

“Good! Worthy of the Skyplunder imperial son!” Li Yanfeng looked at him, praise mixed with gravity. “But are you planning to go just like this?”

“Of course not.” Tianming smiled. “I intend to make one last thrust to break through!”

The moment he said that, Ying Huo suddenly popped his head out from Tianming’s arm, grinning lewdly. “What? Little Li, at a time like this you’re still thinking of thrusting?”

“Make a move my ass.”

Tianming hadn’t expected the interruption and slapped him straight back down.

“Damn it! I’m an innocent chick! I can’t take that kind of thrusting!” Ying Huo yelped in fright, hurriedly fleeing.

“Brother Chicken, so you’re admitting you’re a chicken again?” Lan Huang said innocently.

“Idiot, shut up.” Yinghuo lifted a wing and pressed it to its forehead with a sigh.