King of Beasts

In a certain Public Infinite City, at a cat-eared maid café.

When Lu Ran arrived, the former guild leader was already talking with Manager Ying.

On the table, there was no coffee or cold drinks.

The former guild leader had brought his own thermos cup, with a spirit ginseng floating inside.

“Actually, I called you over because Lu Ran has obtained some important intelligence.”

“Important intelligence…” The former guild leader looked skeptical.

If these words came from Lu Ran, he would believe them.

But coming from this cat, he felt like Manager Ying was trying to sell intelligence.

Surely, it wouldn’t be simple, free sharing.

“It’s related to the fate of Xia Country!” Manager Ying’s eyes were evasive. The intelligence was important, but Lu Ran’s main purpose for coming was certainly not just to share intelligence.

Rather, he had his eyes on the former guild leader’s epic materials.

However, the goal shouldn’t be exposed so blatantly.

Especially since it was the first meeting between Lu Ran and the former guild leader-it was definitely important to build a good relationship first.

Gently leading into it.

“I’m here.”

As they chatted, Lu Ran entered. The cat quickly teleported him over, and immediately, Lu Ran sat properly in front of the former guild leader.

“Are you the leader?”

Lu Ran looked at the kind-looking old man opposite him and said, “Leader, it’s a pleasure to meet you for the first time.”

“Nice to meet you as well.”

The former guild leader looked at Lu Ran with a smile and said, “I’ve heard from Manager Ying that you have some intelligence to share with me.”

“Yes.” Lu Ran hesitated for a moment, quickly got to the point, and shared the matters related to the divine deer with the former guild leader.

Upon hearing this, the former guild leader indeed fell into a long period of contemplation.

“What is your plan?” After a while, he looked up and asked Lu Ran.

Lu Ran said, “I want to find the teleportation circle, go to Star-Moon Continent, and find the divine deer to help me awaken the Beast Taming Space.”

“If it’s possible to figure out a method for the people of Xia Country to awaken the Beast Taming Space through this opportunity, then perhaps the chances of winning in the world battle a year from now would increase.”

“Even if we take a step back and lose, even if our side’s infinite city facilities are downgraded or, in the extreme, the infinite city disappears again, as long as we grasp the cultivation system, we have a fallback.”

“After all, didn’t the Star Moon Federation develop just fine before the appearance of the infinite city? They also produced legendary beastmasters.”

“Yes, and we can use this opportunity to explore the true situation of the Star Moon Federation.”

“Then, we can crush them.”

The former guild leader laughed and said, “I thought your focus would be on the fact that Blue Star people and Star Moon Federation people share a common origin.”

“Wanting to go there to seek peace, cooperation, and development.”

Lu Ran was also taken aback and smiled, “I’m not a child anymore; such things aren’t possible. Wherever there are interests, there are conflicts. Not to mention Blue Star and the Star Moon Federation, even between Blue Star’s various countries, strife never ends.”

“Now, the beast taming civilization of the Star Moon Federation is more advanced than ours. Going there to learn from them is the real strategy.”

“Once we become as strong as the Star Moon Federation, maybe then true cooperation can happen.”

The former guild leader squinted and said, “I might know where the Cross-World Teleportation Array is.”

Lu Ran and Manager Ying: ???

“What?” The person and the cat were both very surprised.

“Years ago, I went abroad on… an archaeology excursion, and discovered an extremely mysterious underground altar. The place had walls carved with images of the time-space divine dragon. Back then, I thought it was another dragon civilization, but after encountering the myths and legends of the Star-Moon Continent, I can confirm that the two soaring dragons represent the time-space divine dragon, which is the creator divine dragon of the Star-Moon Continent.”

“That image might have been left by their retainer, and that unique altar might just be the Cross-World Teleportation Array?” The former guild leader recalled.

Lu Ran and Manager Ying exchanged glances, shocked at how the supposed Cross-World Teleportation Array might have been found by the former guild leader decades ago.

“But,” the former guild leader said, “even if that is really the teleportation array, going to the Star Moon Federation is extremely dangerous.”

Of course, Lu Ran understood the danger, but don’t risk and reward go hand in hand?

What if they could find the divine deer…

The divine deer’s energy clone could already enhance his retainer skill to such a degree. If he could train with the real divine deer for a few months, who knows, by the time the world battle arrives, he might be able to completely overpower the Star Moon Federation’s legends.

At that point, obtaining both the divine deer’s legacy and the infinite city’s permissions would make life complete.

“No worries, I’ll accompany him. As long as we don’t encounter anything at the legendary level, I can’t guarantee we will win, but escaping will definitely be no issue,” Manager Ying confidently chimed in.

The former guild leader fell into deep thought again, considering that Lu Ran’s reasoning might not be entirely out of line. Currently, there is a gap between the top-level forces of Xia Country and the Star Moon Federation. Even though Xia Country’s infinite city facilities might be a bit superior, it’s uncertain whether they could surpass the Star Moon Federation in a year.

At times like this, having an extra backup plan brings more hope. Even if they lose the world battle, and even if the infinite city disappears in the future, as long as Lu Ran can devise a way to awaken the Beast Taming Space suitable for the Blue Star People, Xia Country can continue walking the path of the supernatural realm and go far.

“So, when do you two plan to set off?” Considering the impact on the nation’s fate, the former guild leader couldn’t help but take it seriously.

“I think… after I break through to a level 4 beastmaster,” Lu Ran said. “At the moment, my strength is indeed a bit lacking. A breakthrough to another level would be ideal.”

“Is there anything else you need me to help with?” asked the former guild leader.

This question seemed to trigger something.

After a moment of thought, Lu Ran said, “Guild Leader, I heard you have a feather of Kunpeng…”

“Could I borrow it for a while?”

“I’m nurturing a pet beast and seem to need it. If the pet beast is stronger, it might ensure a safer execution of this dangerous mission.”

The former guild leader fell silent and glanced at Manager Ying.

Manager Ying was also taken aback. Wow, Lu Ran seamlessly started asking for resources. Could he really be a genius?

But why is this old man looking at me?

“I mentioned it to Lu Ran,” Manager Ying coughed and said, “It’s that weather elf you brought back from the Elemental Age. Lu Ran gave it a shapeshifter trait. If it has a strong transformation reference, that weather elf could become even stronger.”

“The Kunpeng is reputed as the fastest divine beast in myth and legend. Using it as a reference for that weather elf could indeed enhance its speed attribute, which would improve Lu Ran’s safety,” Manager Ying remarked.

“Is that so?” The former guild leader looked at the human and the cat, “Is this what you need?”

With that, he retrieved a white feather from the space within his identity card.

[Name]: Feather of Kunpeng

[Level]: Epic

[Introduction]: Feather of Kunpeng, purpose unknown.

“If this is what you’re looking for, you can borrow it. I don’t have any immediate use for it.”

“I once attempted to have my pet beast comprehend the Kunpeng’s artistic conception through this feather, but after three years of practice, it was unsuccessful.”

“If you find it useful, you can borrow it until your mission is complete, then return it to me.”

“Well, if your mission is a success, I don’t mind awarding this resource to you,” the former guild leader chuckled.

“Really??” Lu Ran was stunned by his words. It seemed he really had to go all out to secure the human evolution method.

…

After a secret meeting among the former guild leader, Lu Ran, and Manager Ying, the former guild leader left.

Manager Ying turned to Lu Ran, “So, when do you plan to enter the breakthrough secret realm next?”

Lu Ran glanced at it and said, “It shouldn’t take long. I’ll finish the Alliance Challenge, and that’ll be it. Other tasks, like nurturing the artifact spirit, will be done as opportunity allows; it’s not urgent. The level 3 Legendary Secret Realm can be solo cleared anytime without much time investment. I just haven’t found the right one yet. If that’s the case for too long… I’ll just pick one randomly when the time comes.”

“Alright, alright, then hurry and prepare for the Alliance Challenge,” Manager Ying seemed eager to reach the real Star-Moon Continent.

“You…” Manager Ying seemed like it wanted to add something, but…

[Congratulations to Level 1 beastmasters: Road Ahead Icy, Pig Raiser, Safe Journey, and That’s Road Not Street on conquering the Level 1 Legendary Secret Realm ‘Armor Mountain,’ starting the path of legend.]

An unexpected announcement interrupted.

“Huh?” Manager Ying was taken aback and looked at Lu Ran, “Is it the Jiao Dragon team?”

Lu Ran was equally surprised, “Not bad, with so many resources invested, it’s about time we saw some returns.”

“This Armor Mountain…” Manager Ying said, “Did you tell them to tackle it?”

Lu Ran shook his head, then nodded.

“I just advised them to find a Legendary Secret Realm where the boss is proficient in support and defense. I don’t know which secret realm they ultimately chose.”

“Manager Ying, do you have any information on the Armor Mountain Secret Realm?”

Manager Ying pondered for a moment, “The Armor Mountain Secret Realm’s boss is an upper sovereign species pangolin. Of course, its species name is not that; it’s called the Mountain Drilling King Beast.”

“The Mountain Drilling King Beast, much like the Diamond Dragon, is a mutant. It’s strong not only in individual combat but also in scenarios where it can leverage the environment, rendering it invincible in defense.”

“It has a special talent that allows anything it touches to become incredibly hard, almost like enchantment.”

“When the Mountain Drilling King Beast burrows underground or into a mountain and strengthens the spots it touches, it’s as if it has an indestructible shield.”

“It’s akin to a human having a portable steel safe house, capable of withstanding an apocalypse.”

“Can this hardness be applied to other living creatures?” Lu Ran quickly inquired.

Manager Ying shook its head, “How would I know? The Mountain Drilling King Beast is a solitary creature.”

“But those four are impressive, managing to take down a boss that’s an expert in defense and escape. They probably used some dirty tricks… Speaking of which, Fang Lan is back. Could it have been poison?”

“Don’t underestimate the Dragon Clan underlings of the Sudden Death King.” At this moment, Lu Bing and the others started sending messages to Lu Ran to share the good news.

Road Ahead Icy: [Chief! Chief! We did it!]

[Check this out, can you use this trait?]

[Trait Crystal (Energy Halo)]: The pet beast that fuses with this trait can project one of its advantageous physical attributes as an energy halo onto a designated target for a certain period.