Beastmaster of the Ages

This time around, Tianming was completely certain, but he couldn't bring himself to say it to Feiling. Things were getting weirder and weirder around them. There were still matters like experimental subjects, the mysterious man waiting for him at the Skydome Battlefield, the Kunlan Realm, the Primodragon Cave, and Li Muyang's ten past lives to think about. They came one after the other without pause. Tianming had a feeling that if he didn't properly deal with these matters, he would lose her for good.

"Darn it, things are getting tough!"

......

To learn more about the soul, Tianming decided to seek out Astralqueen Ziyan and learn soul cultivation from her. He had a really good impression of her since she'd helped break the tie to allow him to obtain the manna imperius.

Through his recent exploits in the wondersky realm and his travels through the xenomemory space, he had come to understand how important soul cultivation was. Even though he was a tenth-level constellier, his vita was still at the first divine soul level, which was rather awkward, as most on his level were at least at the second general soul level. Ye Chen was at the third regal soul level while Lingfeng was at the fourth imperial soul level, easily able to rank among the top five of soul cultivators.

While Lingfeng couldn't do much to help with Feiling's situation, Tianming wanted to do it himself regardless. Lingfeng's cultivation technique was inherited from the Primordial Demonlord, after all, and like Tianming's own legacy, it wasn't something that could just be taught to others.

Mu Ziyan was the most accomplished soul cultivator that Tianming had ever come across. The Violetcloud Archclan had a legacy of millions of years, being an ancient clan of totemancers. Their totemancers were the strongest in the world. Since Lingfeng said that Mu Ziyan had a fourth imperial soul as well, she was no doubt an expert in her craft.

"Even though I have the protection of the Soul Tower, it's not an excuse to be lazy about soul cultivation. The Soul Tower is currently like a snail's shell. Once the outer shell is crushed, the snail within dies." That was a fatal weakness that had to be remedied at the soonest possible moment, hence his visit.

He headed toward the Refinement Residences, escorted by the Starchasers along the way.

"Astralqueen Ziyan, Tianming requests an audience," he said, humbling himself since he was there to seek guidance.

Soon, the doors opened. Out of the violet mist came a long and slender thigh, but the person didn't step out, instead beckoning at him with her leg. Right as Tianming was about to step in, a voice came from within. "You may enter, but send the Starchasers away. They're annoying." Unsurprisingly, Mu Ziyan knew from his polite tone that he was there to ask for something, so she set some conditions.

"No can do," refused a Starchaser.

"Everyone, please," Tianming said. The world was filled with dangers, and if he lived in fear of them and wasn't able to do anything, he would be better off going home and living forever in mediocrity.

Tianming thanked the troubled Starchasers and entered. Right after that, the door closed behind him. She can't be plotting to kill me, right? Thinking about it more, he realized that she wouldn't benefit from killing him now, given his reputation. Not to mention, Ye Chen was still a potential future threat for them.

Soon, he heard a gentle panting coming from the hall within. Tianming was reminded of Feiling in the wondersky realm; things were perfect back then. It was a shame that they ran into new obstacles. He quickly cleared his throat and mind.

A barefoot girl walked out of the fog, giving him an odd look. "Tell me. What weird thoughts did you have, coming to seek me out like this?"

"Astralqueen, you're overthinking things. My parents are still around, so I'm not in a rush to find a godmother," Tianming said.

"Sheesh, you're a mean one, you know that!" She almost burst from those words. Was that a dig at her age? Even though she looked so young? "Hmph, you'd better watch your mouth." Though she said that, she didn't have any intention of holding it against him. Tianming also went so far as to test her and see if she would be angered by it. Her reaction was satisfactory, which meant that he could bring up his request.

She knocked him on the head and crossed her arms. "Out with it!"

"Alright. Well, I got something called the Shellsoul Manual from the second level of the Tranquil Battlefield. As I'm not well versed in soul cultivation, I've come to ask you whether the technique is well suited for me."

"It is." She chuckled and leaned toward him with a smile. "It was perfectly made for you! Don't you always hang out with that old tortoise, Shengui? His lifebound beast is a millennium tortoise, and this technique mimics a tortoise's shell. Once you master it, you'll be tortoise buddies."

"For real? Then I'll start looking into it. It isn't like I have any other choice. I heard all the soul cultivation techniques of the imperium are held by the Violetcloud Archclan anyway," Tianming said with disappointment. He waved toward her and said, "Thanks for clearing my doubts. I'll take my leave now."

"Wait!" She rolled her eyes. "Don't you know that once you pick a soul cultivation technique, changing to another will be more difficult than starting afresh? To be honest, the Shellsoul Manual's upper limit isn't that high. You won't be able to reach the fourth imperial soul level."

"Is that so? That's a shame, then."

"Seriously, you...!" She held back the urge to grab him by the nape of his neck and shake him silly. "Stop playing the fool. Didn't you want Big Sister here to teach you? You're a man, so stop using silly tricks for once! Sit down."

"Okay." Tianming obeyed her and sat down on the floor.

She circled behind him and stood less than half a meter away. Being so close to her, Tianming felt that her alluring fragrance would be a threat to many elites. He was really nervous that she would kill him. There were many people who wouldn't hesitate to use unconventional methods, after all, like Li Wushuang and the sun emperor.