The warriors behind Lin Ye paled.
But Lin Ye still did not move.
He simply looked at the two charging beasts and asked softly, "How many are inside you?"
Both beasts faltered at once.
Of course they knew what Lin Ye was asking.
How many resentful wills of devoured civilizations lay dormant within them?
The answer was-
"Three hundred and twenty-seven," one beast murmured.
"Four hundred and one," the other said, equally dazed.
To their horror, they discovered that those dormant resentful wills were slowly opening their eyes, awakened by the resonance of the four hundred and ninety-eight streams of light.
"No... no...!"
Both beasts let out anguished howls!
Their bodies began to disintegrate from within! Countless streams of silvery-white light burst wildly outward, like reinforcements summoned by the four hundred and ninety-eight streams!
Seven hundred and twenty-five, seven hundred and twenty-six, seven hundred and twenty-seven-
By the time the two Flagship-Class Devouring Beasts had completely dissipated, the points of light behind Lin Ye numbered seven hundred and twenty-nine.
Seven hundred and twenty-nine civilizations returned at that moment.
Even if they were only lingering wills.
Even if they would eventually fade away.
They had existed.
They had been remembered.
Greedy Wolf finally stopped roaring.
He stared at the figure standing amid the purple-gold radiance, at the River of Civilizations behind him, now as vast as a sea of stars, and for the first time felt something he had never felt before-
Fear.
Not because of power.
But because that man stood backed by the trust of seven hundred and twenty-nine civilizations.
Seven hundred and twenty-nine lingering wills willing to entrust themselves to him.
Seven hundred and twenty-nine voices saying, "We trust you."
"What... are you?" Greedy Wolf asked hoarsely.
Lin Ye smiled.
He raised his hand, and the cloak behind