Chapter 2798: Browbeaten

Chapter 2798: Browbeaten

Yao Di’s expression turned grim, though he still managed to force out a smile despite the heavy pressure emanating from both Lu Yin and Leng Qing. "The Celestial Beast Empire no longer exists, only disciples of the same Heavens Sect. Dao Monarch, you shouldn’t joke like that."

Lu Yin smiled. "It’s no joke. The Heavens Sect is indeed a human sect, but that doesn’t prohibit you from privately developing personal power as well."

At Lu Yin’s gesture, Yao Di took a seat across from Leng Qing.

The astral beast did not want to sit there, as Leng Qing had a sharp edge to his aura, and it was far sharper from when he had been a Semi-Progenitor. The Progenitor typically restrained his aura after his breakthrough, but Yao Di currently felt like Leng Qing might attack at any moment.

"The astral beasts are unruly and difficult to train. They have even mimicked humans to create various cities, colleges, and other such signs of civilization. While I was in the Astral Beast Domain, I needed to destroy a great many things and slaughtered a number of the beasts. I hope that they will become more obedient." Leng Qing’s voice was cold and burning with bloodlust.

Yao Di’s eyes glinted, but he forced himself to lower his head to prevent Leng Qing from noticing.

Leng Qing was not comparable to his previous strength, as he had become a powerful Progenitor.

Lu Yin glanced at Yao Di and smiled. "Don’t say such things. Humans and astral beasts are both intelligent creatures of this universe, and they also deserve to pursue intelligent civilization."

Leng Qing bluntly replied, "Humans will always remain masters of every universe. Even though our intelligence or strength might not be any better, humans are creative and innovative, and we will also use deception to improve our civilization. These are things that are beyond the abilities of astral beasts. The Origin Progenitor once said that we should never give the astral beasts an opportunity to surpass mankind, as that would only cause them to become more ruthless and cold-blooded than when they enslaved humanity."

Yao Di listened in silence.

Leng Qing stared at Yao Di. "Dao Monarch, I am willing to follow in the footsteps of the God of Death and cast enough fear upon the astral beasts that it becomes a part of their very bloodlines."

Yao Di’s head snapped up, and he saw the blazing killing intent in Leng Qing's eyes as the Progenitor stared at him. Yao Di felt forced to say what he had wanted to bring up, due to the cold chill on his back. He was certain that if he showed any sign of impropriety, he would be instantly cut down by Leng Qing.

If that happened, the Heavens Sect would never say anything to the Progenitor in defense of Yao Di.

Leng Qing’s blatant display of power and aggression left Yao Di feeling as though there was a knife to his throat, and a tremor ran through his body. This was not due to fear, but an innate reaction from confronting death. Astral beasts naturally had stronger instincts than humans.

After the two stared at each other for at least half a minute, Yao Di finally lowered his head, no longer able to meet Leng Qing’s gaze.

Lu Yin was satisfied with this. "There’s no need to go to such extreme measures. In our current era, the astral beasts are different from those in the Heavens Sect era. Isn’t that right, Gatemaster Yao Di?"

Yao Di let out a breath and stood to offer a respectful bow. "Dao Monarch, as the years have passed, astral beasts have learned about the ideas of civilization from humans, as well as many other principles. In the future, we will continue to learn more from humanity, so I merely ask the Dao Monarch to have the Heavens Sect oversee our development."

With those words, the sharp edge that Leng Qing had been giving off instantly dulled and faded.

Yao Di clearly understood that he had been summoned to be browbeaten, but why? There was no longer even a single Semi-Progenitor in the Astral Beast Domain, so why was Lu Yin targeting them? Could it be...?

Yao Di’s face grew pale. Could the humanoid sourceboxes have been discovered? No, that was impossible. Only Skymender and Yao Di himself knew of that matter, and it was impossible for anyone else to have learned anything about it. Not even Yao Xuan knew anything about that matter, let alone Lu Yin. The Astral Beast Domain had carefully kept that matter hidden for countless years, and Skymender had only ever informed the current emperor of the Celestial Beast Empire. It was all to ensure that no more than two people knew of the secret at any given moment. At the moment, those two were Yao Di and Skymender.

It was impossible for Lu Yin to know anything about that particular matter.

Then why was Yao Di being treated this way? This was not merely being browbeaten, but rather openly threatened.

Yao Di had no doubt that if he disobeyed in the slightest, he would be cut down by Leng Qing.

Lu Yin looked at Yao Di. "When will you attempt to break through and become a Progenor?"

Yao Di replied in a bitter tone, "I cannot even see a time when I will be able to attempt that."

Lu Yin still clearly remembered the suppression that he had produced when he attacked the Astral Beast Domain. The death energy’s suppression had triggered a fear imprinted into the very blood and bones of the astral beasts.

Looking at Yao Di, Lu Yin knew that his goal for the meeting had already been achieved. Leng Qing's threats and the fear of death were enough to force Yao Di to behave for some time.

If not for the fact that Lu Yin wanted the Astral Beast Domain to remain stable, he would have simply executed Yao Di. However, Lu Yin had other plans in mind, and the possible return of Wilderness God was a variable that might come into play one day.

Just a short time later, Yao Di was dismissed.

Leng Qing stood and walked to the main hall’s entrance to stare off into the distance. "If that beast has other intentions, allow me to kill it."

Lu Yin replied, "I have uses that require it to stay around."

Leng Qing turned to give Lu Yin a somber stare. "While we don’t know why the Origin Progenitor kept the astral beasts around, there were always rumors during our era that Wilderness God was the Origin Progenitor’s mount. It was believed that the Origin Progenitor took pity on Wilderness God because of his talent and could not bear to kill him. In the end, Wilderness God was raised up to become one of the Three Realms Six Dao and made the guardian of the Fourth Mainland to protect the astral beasts. Ultimately, the God of Death was forced to take action and rein the beasts in.

"Dao Monarch, that cannot be allowed to happen again."

Lu Yin nodded. "You don’t need to worry about that."

...

In a certain parallel universe of the Endless Frontier, lines could be seen everywhere. Even the planets were linear, and they rolled around like cylinders. From a distance, they looked like long lines. Even the stars in this universe were drawn out into lines.

One of the linear planets was home to hundreds of nations, both large and small, that constantly waged war with each other. This planet was not touched by the Aeternals, and the natives did not even know what Aeternus was. Even their most powerful cultivators were weaker than Explorers.

One day, darkness enveloped the planet, shrouding every continent and the hundreds of nations.

Within that darkness, a pair of eyes opened, exploding with anger and killing intent. "Wu Xing, you can't kill me! Once I get Heaven’s Sight, I will surpass you and let you have a taste of being devoured by darkness.

"As for that brat from the Lu family, just wait! I will find you soon. You are unable to truly use the power of Heaven’s Sight! Neither you nor Lu Buzheng will be able to escape!"

...

In the Three Monarchs Universe, the rainbow wall had already disappeared entirely, leaving behind nothing more than a bit of monarch essence that lingered in the universe. The only things that could be found were countless broken spaceships that drifted through outer space.

The Three Monarchs Universe had become nothing more than a stomping ground for Aeternus. Aeternus Kingdoms had been established, one of which was very close to the spatial passage to the Fifth Mainland. In fact, the two were right next to each other.

While it was said that there were Aeternus Kingdoms in the universe, there were no humans in any of them, as Lu Yin had ensured that all humans had been evacuated from the Three Monarchs Universe.

These Aeternus Kingdoms were essentially empty cities, but they had been reserved for the people of the Fifth Mainland.

The Three Monarchs Universe was just too close to the Fifth Mainland, and only a single seal separated them.

Sooner or later, that seal would be opened.

Far away, Luo Shan stood quietly in space, staring at the seal with cold eyes.

He would not allow the Origin Universe to have an easy time. Even if the Aeternals did not break the seal open, Luo Shan would do his best to unravel it. He would not let anyone from the Origin Universe, the Heavens Sect, and especially not Lu Yin or Chen Le escape. All of them had plotted against the Three Monarchs Universe, destroying the universe and betraying Luo Shan. All of them, even Monarch Xing, deserved to die.

...