268 Objective

"Shit..." Woodrain Ancient didn't expect that there would be two more Ancients joining the fray. And they were all with the same appearance. He couldn't help but curse inside for this.

What was happening here? How could three Ancients appear all of a sudden?

Remember, Ancients were the epitome of imperial cultivators here in Starlight. Thus, one could already imagine how few there were. Just imagine, even a top constellation like Imperial Grounds have only two Ancients. How could this beast horde have three?

That's nuts. Completely nuts.

Though these Ancients were not as strong as Woodrain, with their combined power, they might have the capability to slay Woodrain Ancient.

"Grug!" Woodrain Ancient spat a mouthful of blood due to frustration. He couldn't accept that these mere beasts could defeat him like this.

He was unwilling. He was not willing to take this lying down.

"Bang!" He was about to stand up once again, but the force that weighing him down suddenly got heavier and denser. It almost made him fall to the ground.

"What? Want to fight?" The mole beast sneered and looked at Woodrain Ancient in disdain, "If you want a fight, stand up first. So much for being an Ancient if you can't, right?"

"You...!" Woodrain Ancient was extremely angered. This beast was mocking him? He, an apex existence of this world, was being mocked by a talking beast?

"What you?" The mole beast smiled, "Do you know that our brothers are already trying to enter your dao lake? I can sense that they are already nearing it. After all, your dao lake was located right here, just below the entrance. As if you are welcoming anyone to take it. So, we have the good will to take your offer."

Indeed, the dao lake of Imperial Grounds was located right below of the gate of it. No one knew why the mysterious Ethereal who created this place located the dao lake there. But it was indeed like they were provoking the greed of everyone.

After all, the dao lake was the very foundation of a constellation. If to say, the dao lake were to be gone, it would spell the total destruction of the said constellation. That's why constellations were giving their best shot to hide it.

In the eyes of cultivators, consuming a dao lake was like the best gift the heaven and earth could offer. With its thick dao essence, anyone, even with the lowest talent and potential, could make a breakthrough several times there. After all, the dao lake was the accumulation of all the dao and knowledge of the Ethereal.

"!!!" Woodrain Ancient was alarmed. There were still more who trespassed? He was about to send a telepathic message to Stronghold Ancient when he heard a voice, "Woodrain, what are you kneeling there at? Are you trying to praise the heaven and earth?"

He almost spat another mouthful blood but he recognized this voice well and he couldn't help but feel a relief deep inside his heart.

Soon, two figures appeared. They were walking leisurely in the air as if they were just strolling in a park.

These two figures were Jin Rou and Stronghold Ancient.

The moles couldn't help but reveal a frowning expression. Their instincts were telling them that something out of their plan was going to happen if this continued.

"I see... How amazing. Beasts that are capable of speech. Isn't that terrifying?" Stronghold Ancient had watched in the sidelines for long now so they knew what had transpired. And indeed, he couldn't help but be amazed with this fact, "Not to mention that, you guys are also Ancients? Not full-fledged though."

"So you are the famous and one of the three strongest Ancients of Starlight, Stronghold Ancient." The mole beast's expression turned serious. Compared to Woodrain Ancient, the vibe and aura Stronghold Ancient was giving was dense and stronger and more dangerous, "Indeed, you are worthy of praise compared to this junior of yours."

The three strongest Ancients of Starlight were the apex imperial cultivators that were capable of slaying an Ethereal alone. Take note, Ethereals were far stronger than Ancients. So what if an Ancient could kill one?

That's a great feat that an Ancient could attain. As he was entitled to use the word "Strong" in his dao name.

After all, who are bold enough to add Strong in their dao name knowing the fact that there's an unsaid rule that no one had the right to add the "Strong" in their dao name unless they also had slain an Ethereal?

Of course, there were people who tried but what did they get? They were crippled to be at best or killed when at worst.

Thus, the mole beasts' expressions were founded. They were facing a being capable of killing Ethereals.

"I thank you for the compliment, then." Stronghold Ancient chuckled, "So I heard that you are here for our dao lake? I'm sorry but our dao lake is very precious to our grounds so giving it to anybody isn't going to happen."

This graceful and calm bearing of Stronghold Ancient was like a feast in everyone's eyes. How could he talk in such a way? It was like he was an amicable old man talking to a stranger out of kindness.

"We don't care about that." The mole beast scowled, "We are here because of the order of the King. So, we will do everything to get the dao lake of your grounds."

"I don't care, too, about the orders of your so-called King." Stronghold Ancient smiled, "You are trespassing our territory and being a threat to us so we have all the rights to defend and annihilate all of you."

"Of course, if you have the capability, I have nothing to say." The mole beast sinisterly laughed, "If we die here, it just means that we are weak and isn't it the rule of this world?"

"Commendable words." Stronghold Ancient clapped his hands and praised, "Though you guys won't get anything and waste your lives here, I still commend your courage and all."