King of Beasts

Infinite City No. 3, Beastmaster Square.

After leaving the Sudden Death King in the training secret realm, Lu Ran headed out.

Before he left, he took one last look at his cleaned-up backpack.

Crystal coin balance: 208,000

Equipment: Divine Deer Pendant (Epic), Spirit Transformation Pot (Exquisite), Ice Sky Greatsword (Rare)

Resources: Combination Dog Food x27 (Rare), Frozen Dragon Fish x39 (High Quality), Trait Crystal (Nature Control), Beast Taming Skill Card (Fusion, Death Revival)

It was quite a simplified inventory.

The crystal coins were freshly earned from the breakthrough secret realm and the divine beast leaderboard, a timely windfall.

Only the Divine Deer Pendant and Ice Sky Greatsword were left as his weapons and gear. The Wind Cutter Sword and crossbow had broken during his energy manipulation practice.

As for other resources, although Lu Ran had collected a lot from the breakthrough secret realm, he followed the principle of “Earn from the empire, spend on the empire, don’t bring a penny home.”

He had exchanged everything there for Lucid Fruits to develop his Flame Sprite and learn the Flame Dragon Culinary Intent. Without such resources, he wouldn’t have progressed so quickly.

So, now Lu Ran’s belongings were rather minimal: his heirloom, General Ha’s equipment, food for General Ha and the Sudden Death King, and the newly acquired trait crystal and beast taming skills.

With the Freshman Tournament approaching, Lu Ran, holding a balance of 208,000 crystal coins, was planning his next moves.

The tournament rules had just been announced.

Students were permitted to use only “high quality” weapons and armor, and both the beastmaster and pet beast could carry only one item each.

As expected, the organizers had restricted the use of weapons and equipment, so General Ha’s Ice Sky Greatsword was out. Lu Ran would need to buy some new swords temporarily.

Additionally, he needed to purchase resources to help General Ha level up and upgrade its food.

Currently, General Ha’s rare dog food wasn’t bad. Previously, it was considered average among rare quality food, with wind-type beast meat, poultry, and fruits being relatively cheap.

But now, with the Spirit Transformation Pot and the Blizzard Culinary Intent to process the food, the quality of the dog food had significantly improved. This was the benefit of knowing how to cook!

As for the Sudden Death King, it had already reached level 20. Lu Ran planned to continue feeding it Dragon Fish for now and didn’t intend to invest further in it.

The Dragon Fish, improved by the Spirit Transformation Pot and processed with Flame Dragon Culinary Intent, had a quality comparable to rare loong-type resources and would suffice for the time being.

Finally, Lu Ran bought 20 Sky Tree Fruits at a price of 7,000 crystal coins each, spending a total of 140,000 crystal coins.

Sky Tree Fruits were a resource exclusive to Sky Island, where they were scarce and guarded by sovereign species wind-type ferocious beasts, making them difficult to obtain.

The main effect of these fruits was to increase and enhance the energy of wind-type pet beasts and improve their control over wind elements. Although the effect was straightforward, the significant boost made them an excellent resource for leveling up wind-type pet beasts.

The relatively low price was due to the fact that the available Sky Tree Fruits were immature. Mature fruits would be consumed by the guardian beasts almost immediately, and immature fruits were less effective.

Typically, beastmasters would need to use powerful grass-type pet beasts to mature the fruits, which was an additional expense.

However, Lu Ran didn’t need to find any grass-type pet beasts for this purpose. He could mature the fruits himself using the Spirit Transformation Pot, saving him that extra cost.

Lu Ran’s intention was clear: he planned to use the fruits to help General Ha level up to 20 and fuse with the Nature Control trait. Once General Ha reached that level, it would be able to control wind elements to some extent. Combined with the wind element mastery boost from the Sky Tree Fruits, General Ha should quickly adapt to its new trait and gain significant combat power.

“Next, I need to buy weapons,” Lu Ran thought as he made his way through Beastmaster Square with a clear goal in mind. Just then, a voice caught his attention, making him stop in his tracks.

[Regional Announcement: Divine Beast Leaderboard, Commander Species Leaderboard Updated.]

[New Leaderboard Divine Beast: Hellhound.]

[Attributes: Dark, Fire]

[Species Level: Upper Commander]

[Growth Level: 20]

[Beastmaster: Dog King]

[Reason for Leaderboard: Evolved and mutated from naturally upper commander species Hellhound, initially dual-attribute, fused traits ‘Underworld Flame’ and ‘Eyes of Fear,’ severely wounded a level 20 upper commander species Corpse Ape Commander in abyssal difficulty level 1 secret realm Corpse Beast Cavern.]

[Ranked 10th on the Commander Divine Beast Leaderboard!]

As soon as the announcement was made, all the beastmasters in Beastmaster Square turned their attention.

Exclamations of surprise and shock could be heard everywhere.

“What the heck is going on?”

“A level 1 secret realm?”

The Commander Species Leaderboard update wasn’t usually a big deal. However, if a pet beast made the list due to outstanding performance in a level 1 secret realm, that was significant!

Only level 1 beastmasters could enter level 1 secret realms.

Could a level 1 beastmaster have made it onto the Commander Divine Beast Leaderboard?

Even Lu Ran couldn’t help but stop and stare at the leaderboard on the stone tablet.

“Manager Ying, it looks like you won’t have to wait for me to dethrone the third-generation beastmasters. A fourth-generation beastmaster has already made it onto the Commander Divine Beast Leaderboard.”

Lu Ran was equally surprised. Who was this person, and how could they be so powerful? The Divine Beast Leaderboard ranked based on comprehensive potential, so low-level, high-potential new pets from fourth-generation commander species had a chance to make it.

But it was just a chance. The nine divine beasts above Dog King’s Hellhound were mostly level 30 or higher, each having fused three traits. For Dog King’s pet to rival these with just two fused traits was almost unbelievable.

Lu Ran looked at the introduction of the Hellhound. It had evolved and mutated from a naturally upper commander species Hellhound. What kind of species was this? An experimental breed? Or a mutant born from the resurgence of spiritual energy?

No matter the origin, this Dog King was incredibly strong and had quickly become the talk of Beastmaster Square.

“Why haven’t I heard of this person before? Is he a fourth-generation beastmaster too? It seems many fourth-generation beastmasters have already broken through to level 1.”

“Could he be a third-generation beastmaster? There are still some non-first-echelon third-generation beastmasters who haven’t moved past level 1.”

“How could it possibly be a Third Generation? Most of those Third Generation beastmasters are focused on lifestyle beast taming and lack significant combat abilities. They have no hope of making the leaderboard based on combat performance.”

“I heard from a big shot that the 70 people on the Supernatural Leaderboard don’t represent the highest level of fourth-generation beastmasters. The truly strong fourth-generation beastmasters might contract their first pet beast as a commander species, which wouldn’t even appear on the supernatural leaderboard. So, could this Dog King be one of those?”

“I saw a similar discussion on the forum. Damn, I thought Passerby A’s sword-holding dog was already impressive, and now there’s a Hellhound. Is it a fantasy species? Its species level is a whole grade higher than Passerby A’s sword-holding dog!”

People were comparing Dog King to Passerby A, who was currently ranked first on the Supernatural Leaderboard. Although the Hellhound was ranked tenth on the Commander Leaderboard, it was clear to everyone which one was more impressive.

Lu Ran didn’t care about such comparisons. Once General Ha fused two traits, he believed it could achieve what the Hellhound had.

Lu Ran was more reflective, realizing Dr. Gu was right. He couldn’t afford to be complacent; there were indeed many formidable figures hidden among the fourth-generation beastmasters.

Especially since many second-generation beastmasters had broken through to level 1. Their backing forces surely had 20-level high-quality new pets and suitable trait crystals prepared for them, just like Lu Ran had prepared Sudden Death King and its corresponding resources in advance.

“Tch, how could he compare to Passerby A?” Lu Ran keenly heard a mutter at this moment. Turning his head, he saw a familiar figure not far ahead, also looking at the leaderboard.

He initially thought it might be one of his fans, but…

“Huh? Pluto?” Lu Ran walked up, surprised, and called out, patting his shoulder, “Do you know him? And it seems you have a high opinion of me…”

“Holy crap!” The young man was startled by Lu Ran’s sudden appearance behind him and quickly turned around, looking bewildered.

“Wow, what are you doing here?” Pluto’s face turned red, worried that Passerby A might have heard his earlier muttering. He had just said it casually.

“Heh.” Lu Ran chuckled, “I asked you a question.”

“Yes, I know him. He’s from the Circus,” Pluto said.

“The Circus… one of the Four Major Guilds in Infinite City No. 3?”

“Yeah.” Pluto pursed his lips. “The Captain of the Circus is his older brother.”

“So, his background is similar to yours?” Lu Ran was surprised. “How is he doing so well while you’re…”

Pluto: ???

“It’s purely because he’s got better luck!” Pluto retorted. “My second pet beast is almost ready for battle, and it’s not necessarily worse than his.”

“Besides, with the new trait and my new beast taming skill, my Thunder Eagle will undergo a qualitative change in strength!”

Lu Ran looked at the Supernatural Leaderboard and noticed that Pluto’s name was no longer in the second position. It seemed his Thunder Eagle had evolved into a commander species.

Pluto’s pet beast’s first trait, Golden Lightning, was known for its rapid level-up characteristic. Since General Ha reached level 15 shortly after its breakthrough, it’s likely that Pluto’s well-resourced Thunder Eagle had quickly reached level 20 and fused with the new trait.

“So, you’re at level 1 too,” Lu Ran said. “Looks like you entered the breakthrough secret realm before I did.”

“Naturally.” Pluto adjusted his collar and said calmly, “I assume you’ll be participating in the beast taming university tournament as well. The Supernatural Leaderboard is just a small game; I won’t play with you there. Let’s meet at the tournament.”

With that, he turned and left, leaving Lu Ran to shrug.

This Dog King made him a bit wary, given its traits like Underworld Flame and Eyes of Fear, which sounded like soul and mental attacks.

But Pluto… Currently, you’re just a thunder player!

The one thing Lu Ran feared least was the thunder element. Sudden Death King’s thunder resistance and defense were well-established, and with its Red Lightning trait, it could perform body forging using lightning. Pluto was shaping up to be the perfect new-generation sparring partner!

Lu Ran glanced at the leaderboard again.

Over the past month, the Supernatural Leaderboard had seen significant changes in positions 2 through 9, with almost all unfamiliar names. Even Fang Lan had been pushed down.

As for the Commander Divine Beast Leaderboard, it was filled with unfamiliar names, with the top spot held by a female beastmaster.

[Species]: Light-Dark Butterfly

[Attributes]: Light, Dark

[Species Level]: Upper Commander

[Growth Level]: Level 33

[Beastmaster]: Little Magician

This pet beast had already undergone an evolutionary stage, originally having the light attribute and later awakening the dark attribute.

Given the powerful combination of light and dark attributes, it would typically evolve into a sovereign species after one stage of evolution. Most perfect first-stage evolutions can elevate a pet beast to a sovereign species.

However, since it remained an upper commander species, it likely indicates a failed evolution. Cultivating a pet beast with opposing attributes is no easy feat.

Still, it’s evident that the beastmaster, Little Magician, has invested considerable effort into the Light-Dark Butterfly. Although the evolution failed, preventing it from competing with sovereign species, the Light-Dark Butterfly’s foundation remains strong. It currently holds the top spot on the commander leaderboard. With the monthly resource accumulation, it might defy the odds during its second-stage evolution.

Awakening new attributes and fusing traits as an evolution path is a unique feature of Infinite City No. 3. Beastmasters can only explore and stumble along the way—pitfalls are inevitable.

Lu Ran glanced at the Sovereign Leaderboard again and was surprised to find that a First Generation big shot had finally challenged a secret realm.

Three spots on Infinite City No. 3’s Sovereign Divine Beast Leaderboard were occupied by a single First Generation name!

One person claimed three positions!

“Dr. Gu…” This person was none other than Gu Qingyi.

The pet beast at the top of Infinite City No. 3’s Sovereign Divine Beast Leaderboard was also hers.

[Species]: Vast Sea Azure Loong

[Attribute]: Loong

[Species Level]: Upper Sovereign

[Growth Level]: Level 58

[Beastmaster]: Gu Qingyi

Loong-type…

Dr. Gu’s Vast Sea Azure Loong had only one attribute—Loong. However, this didn’t mean her Vast Sea Azure Loong controlled only one attribute’s power.

The strength of the Loong-type lies in its composite attributes. Previous attributes merge into a special Loong energy. Besides their formidable physique, Loong-type beings can wield the powers of hurricanes, flames, thunder, vast seas, and more. Each Loong-type creature masters at least two or more powers.

Eastern Loongs typically excel in the powers of vast seas, hurricanes, and thunder, while Western dragons usually master hurricanes, flames, and frost…

“Can’t keep looking, can’t keep looking,” Lu Ran shook his head, feeling it would take a long time to catch up to the First Generation.

However, whether it’s Rank 1 on the commander leaderboard or the sovereign leaderboard, they would all be overtaken sooner or later. Even Dr. Gu wouldn’t be exempt, Lu Ran thought, his ambitions vast.

Leaving beastmaster square, Lu Ran headed to the House of Forging.

“Oh, oh, oh? A rare guest!” Master Lin, who was reading a novel, exclaimed in surprise upon seeing Passerby A.

“Just came out of the breakthrough secret realm?”

“Yes, Master Lin, long time no see. I need your help to forge two swords, limited to high quality.”

“One needs to have both conduction and amplification effects, with a core of wind and ice attributes.”

“The other should be similar, but with a core of wind and fire attributes.”

“Actually, make it four swords, two of each type, as backups,” Lu Ran said.

As for the Sudden Death King, there was no need to prepare equipment for it. High-quality equipment wouldn’t significantly enhance it. Its inherent defense was far superior, and equipment would only hinder its performance since it had no special Talent or specialized training.

“You’re trying to complete the Sorrow of Frost and Joy of Fire sets!” Master Lin laughed, guessing that Lu Ran was preparing for the Freshman Tournament.

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