Beastmaster of the Ages Chapter 1173 – Maidservant

Chapter 1173 - Maidservant

Like Tianming, Xiaoxiao had inherited a great bloodline. She had an aura resembling that of a gigantic beast.

Man, how envious I am of you. All you have to do is eat, Tianming said.

It isnt the same. My level grows fast, but my divine will feels a little weak. I feel like I cant quite control the eighth-level astralforce yet, so I need time to stabilize, Xiaoxiao said softly.

Either way, its a talent that most people would yearn for, but wouldnt be able to get.

I have you to thank for much of it.

Tianming had given her universal manna, artifacts and even battle arts. He even handed her twenty thousand of the thirty thousand caeli he got without question.

Youre welcome. He sat down beside her and looked closely at her.

Thinking that his look was a little intense, she asked, Whats there to look at? Im just an ugly duckling.

Youre no ugly duckling.

Then what am I?

An ugly adult duck?

Xiaoxiao was speechless.

Relax, I was joking.

I know, she said with a nod. The atmosphere was a little awkward.

Lock up your lifebound space, he suddenly said.

I always keep it locked. I dont want to let it see whats outside. She put both arms on her thighs as she looked at the lava ahead of her. Just say what you want to say.

Do you hate it?

Wu You?

Yeah.

It hasnt really submitted to me, its just afraid of Bloodrose Curse. The moment its bindings are loose, it will go back to its usual self.

Im not just talking about that. It replaced your original lifebound beasts and killed them, right?

Yes. This is a scar thatll never disappear. Even if I start thinking that Wu You isnt that bad after all, Ill still feel sad about the others thatre no longer here, she said, feeling a little depressed.

Tianming could understand this irreconcilable loss. If Ying Huo and the rest had been the ones to kill Midas, he would agonize over it too. Yeah, I can understand that.

You think its laughable, dont you? On one hand, its thanks to the Archaionfiends bloodline that my life took a different turn. I was supposed to be an insignificant person on the Flameyellow Continent, but now I find myself on the sun with the peak geniuses of higher lifeforms. Im even able to accompany a legend like you. I feel elated just thinking about how my life has changed. On the other hand, I cant forgive it for the nightmares its given me. She had been carrying this burden with her the whole time. Aside from Tianming, there was nobody else she could talk to about this. He knew everything about her by now.

Is that whats kept you troubled this whole time? Tianming asked softly.

It should be... Thats why I sometimes feel really confused and dont know what I should really be doing. Whats the real meaning of life? I also dont want to be arrogant enough to assume that coming all the way here from the Flameyellow Continent means nothing. Becoming one of the higher lifeforms must mean something, right?

If youre confused, just do what I say, Tianming said, looking her in the eye.

What should I do?

One has to be decisive. Even if its a little crude, we can never let ourselves be held back too long when we make decisions. Heres my question to you: the Archaionfiend has chosen you and killed your lifebound beasts so it could rise back to its prime, right?

Yes.

It was the one who chose you, and it was the one who did all those heinous acts. Not only that, it also forced you to do many things you didnt want to do back on the Flameyellow Continent. Thats why your relationship can never improve. You said that if it werent for the constraints, it would try to control and enslave you again, right?

Yeah.

Since the Archaionfiend has made its choice, it must suffer the consequences. The Bloodrose Curse is merely a leash. Now, youve managed to gain the edge in a struggle you didnt choose to be in. Thats why you have to accept the powers its bloodline offers, too. You deserve it after coming out on top. This is its punishment. It chose to play the game by its own rules and lost. So you dont have to feel bad at all about using everything it can offer you.

You dont have to feel sorry toward your former lifebound beasts, either. Im sure theyd be happy to learn that you overcame their killer and managed to gain its powers for yourself, right? And now that you have this power and an endless road ahead, youre worrying about the future. If you cant figure out what is right, just do what you feel is right. Dont let the power you have now go to waste. You could maybe start with simple acts of heroism, or even exploration like you said before. Make your own meaning in life.

Tianming had taken a similar path to stand up once more after losing his lifebound beast. The only difference between him and Xiaoxiao was that her current lifebound beast was the culprit she could never forgive. Even so, that shouldnt stop her from taking advantage of what she had. The Archaionfiend was merely reaping the seeds it had sown of its own accord.

Xiaoxiao wouldnt have to go out of her way to mistreat the Archaionfiend; it was already bound by the curse. Instead, it would be much better for her to use its abilities the best she could for a better future. She shot him a serious look and said, Its my lifebound beast now. Just a beast I have to tame.

Thats right.

I shouldnt reject the talent and power it offers me because this is the result of its own choices. Youre saying I should do what I feel is right, correct?

Yes. You learned my teachings well.

Got it. She smiled, though there was a tear in the corner of her eye.

Youd better not start bawling now. I only gave you a few simple pointers, so dont treat me like your therapist or something. I merely think of you as a malleable talent. Ill mold you into someone who can serve me well. Im doing it for my own benefit, you hear?

Whatever you say. You suck at being honest to yourself, huh?

You hear?

Fine, I hear you. So, I shouldnt overthink things and just do whatever I want.

Thats right. Be more daring like a real man. Dont overcomplicate things.

Alright. She looked down and bit her lip, then said, Thank you.

Dont be in a hurry to thank me just yet. Theres something else.

What is it?

Tianming pointed at himself and said, Did you forget? Back at Ignispolis, I killed your brother. Your family fell into ruins because of me.

Xiaoxiao was stunned. She clutched her head and felt it ache. Dont say any more...

If you feel uncomfortable about that, feel free to leave me. I dont regret what Ive done. Youre well aware of how things were for me back then, how I spent those three years. I wasnt the one who started it, he said, patting her shoulder. He had said it matter-of-factly.

Xiaoxiao could never forget the sight of the white-robed girl ending her own life at the Flameyellow Scions Institute, even though she badly wanted to.

Do I make you feel the same things as the Archaionfiend? Tianming asked.

Xiaoxiao kept her head low for quite some time. Just as Tianming thought she was about to leave for good, she looked at him with annoyance. Why remind me of something Ive already forgotten?

Its better for us both to clear things up once and for all.

Fine, then listen up. She took a deep breath. Youre right. I know the full truth and how you suffered. That was something between the three of you, and I had nothing to do with it. Not to mention, I dont identify too well with my powerful but cruel family, either. Thats why I chose to leave and never return. Thats completely different from the Archaionfiends case, so I wont hold it against you. Instead, I eventually came to serve and depend on you She suddenly stopped.

Are you talking about the Omnisentient Threads? Tianming asked. This was something rather odd. Even though she had been away from the Flameyellow Continent this entire time, she still had a connection with him through the threads. It was a sign of her faith in him. Surely, Tianming reasoned, this wasnt something someone with a grudge against him would have.

Yes. The threads, she said, feeling the weight lift from her shoulders.

Then lets make a pinky promise. He smiled at her, his face beaming like the sun.

Alright. She hooked his pinky lightly and pulled her hand back.

From now on, Ill steal more caeli to feed you and make you stronger. But you should never betray me, he said.

Alright. She briskly sealed the deal. The Archaionfiend wasnt the only one bound by the curse; she was too, but not a literal one. Instead, Feiling, the one the Archaionfiend truly feared, would keep her in check as well.