Beastmaster King

After calming Shi Zhen and dissuading him from any thoughts of lifting the curse, the Manager Ying went to find the old president.

Upon hearing Manager Ying's explanation, the old president was equally astonished.

"What? How does this involve me?"

"Old man, you don't seem too happy about this."

Manager Ying was surprised as this was a completely different reaction compared to Shi Zhen's.

Such a monumental opportunity... shouldn't it be thrilling?

The old president sighed. "I'm tired of it. I'm tired of being a beastmaster. I'm already planning to retire after the World War. I just want to do things according to my mood afterward. Are you telling me I'll have to work for a Legendary being now?"

Though elderly people were steady, they certainly lacked the drive to fight.

Manager Ying said, "You're just like the turtle Lu Ran has. Your compatibility with Super Beast Mimicry should be 100%. Besides, didn't you agree to join Lu Ran's Archaeology Division? What's one more position?"

"Didn't he say it was just an honorary title with no binding obligations?"

You actually believe Lu Ran? Right now, it's an honorary title, but in a few months, it'll be an honorary branch!Manager Ying silently grumbled to itself.

"It's fine! With the Divine Turtle, you can also just take an honorary title. If the Divine Turtle ever has tasks, just message me or Lu Ran, and we'll handle them for you. When the Divine Turtle pays out, we'll split it six to four—you'll just sit back and collect your share!"

"Huh?"

The old president, at his age, rarely experienced mental shocks anymore.

But... is this really how one can serve as a messenger of a Legendary being?

"You two... truly are talents of Xia..."

***

Meanwhile, in the ascension realm.

Not long after Vice Principal Fu left, Lu Ran had already completed his contract with #18.

Contracts were mutually beneficial. By contracting #18, Lu Ran gained a certain level of mechanical talent, which would allow him to learn mechanical knowledge with half the effort and twice the results. In return, #18 received a comprehensive boost in attributes. For example, its level rose by two more levels.

Additionally, #18 would now benefit from the various beastmaster skills Lu Ran possessed, such as Time Acceleration. Lu Ran could potentially accelerate #18's research and development process, and pairing it with the Six-Paths Flower's abilities for a double boost would let #18 experience the ultimate research state.

"It's about time."

After checking the time, Lu Ran left the dorm and headed to the Orange Sky Research Institute to take over. However, when he arrived, he saw a brown-haired girl leaning against the institute's entrance, as if waiting for someone.

Ji Xie, seeing the one who had defeated her mecha finally appear, narrowed her eyes and said, "Pedestrian A, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"Here to pass over the institute, right? Thanks for your hard work." Lu Ran recognized her and smiled.

"According to the rules, the temporary rights to this institute are now yours. But once I repair the Thunderstrike Mecha, I'll challenge you again with it. Be prepared. This time, I was careless. But next time, I'll fight alongside the Thunderstrike Mecha."

With that, she tossed a card at him and walked away without looking back.

Lu Ran shrugged, having expected this outcome. "Whatever. Let's see what the institute is like first."

He swiped the card to enter while summoning #18. The little angel stared excitedly at the equipped room.

"#18, check if there are any issues with the institute first."

"Yes!"

***

That night, inside the Cheng Kong Mechanical Research Institute, a desktop communicator lit up on its own.

"Dr. Cheng of National Mechanical University requests a video call. Will you accept?"

The voice from the device made Lu Ran glance over from where he was reading.

"Accept."

Once Lu Ran answered, a beautiful figure appeared on the screen. She wore a white lab coat, her orange curly hair framing a face marked by exhaustion, as if she could fall asleep at any moment.

Although her eyes were somewhat gloomy and intimidating, she was undeniably a striking woman, appearing to be in her thirties. Becoming a Legendary mechanic at this age was a testament to her remarkable talent.

Lu Ran had done some research on her. Dr. Cheng had broken through to the Legendary level at 31. In the mechanical field, where age often equated to prestige, she was a rare young prodigy.

She's probably the youngest among all my mentors.

The sect master and the city lord were both elderly. Even his honorary emperor mentor was middle-aged.

On the screen, Dr. Cheng Kong scrutinized Lu Ran and said, "You must be Student Pedestrian A that Vice Principal Fu mentioned. I'm Cheng Kong, the owner of the institute you're currently using. Vice Principal Fu asked me to be your personal mentor, but I don't know much about your situation yet. I'll be back in the capital soon. Are you free to meet? I'll treat you to a meal."

Lu Ran leaned closer. "Hello, Dr. Cheng Kong. No problem, but there's no need for you to spend money. I happen to be a decent cook. Why don't you come to the institute? I'll prepare a feast before you arrive."

"Hmm?" Dr. Cheng Kong was stunned.

"Don't worry, my skills are excellent."

Lu Ran wanted to show off in front of his new mentor, but she seemed skeptical.

"No, what I mean is that you are not allowed to cook in my institute! Nothing other than mechanical experiments is permitted there."

"Got it... I won't cook inside the institute. Just come over. I'll prepare the meal somewhere else."

***

Soon, Dr. Cheng Kong arrived at her institute, where Lu Ran was already waiting outside.

"Principal Fu told me you've never studied the Mechanical attribute before, and that your familiar is of the Overlord species. Is that right? Are you sure you want to pursue mechanical familiar modifications?"

"I'm not sure yet... That's why I wanted to learn from you first," Lu Ran replied.

Cheng Kong nodded. "Understood. By the way, where's the food you mentioned?"

She glanced around the institute—no signs of cooking.

"I rushed here and haven't eaten anything yet."

"It's already prepared inside here." Lu Ran took out the Epic-grade Ruin Branch. "This is a ruin space. I cooked inside it. Let me take you in."

Cheng Kong's expression shifted slightly in surprise.

Ruin space? Ruin space items are at least Epic grade. This student actually has something like this? A familiar of the Overlord species and a ruin space... What kind of background does he have?

Principal Fu had told her that his deceased parents were only level 6 beastmasters.

Could they really have left him so many valuable things?

She eyed the branch and said, "Although the republic's laws are strict, you shouldn't casually reveal things like this. It could bring you trouble."

Lu Ran nodded. "I know you're a good person, Dr. Cheng Kong. I have a good eye for people."

At the same time, he toned down his Alignment Perception ability.

Good.

Even after seeing the ruin space, Dr. Cheng Kong hadn't developed any malicious thoughts. Instead, she'd warned him out of kindness. She'd earned his trust. He revealed the ruin space precisely to test her. Only if she proved trustworthy would Lu Ran feel safe exposing more. After all, he had far more valuable things than a ruin space.

"Pfft.What does a kid your age know about judging people? You're just letting your guard down because I'm pretty, aren't you? I know how boys your age think."

Lu Ran was taken aback.

What? Damn it, can't people just trust each other sincerely?I'm not that kind of person! What is with this mentor?

Next, Lu Ran invited her into the ruin space and led her to a table laden with delicious food and drinks. After devouring the meal, Dr. Cheng Kong looked thoroughly satisfied.

"You weren't lying. Your cooking is amazing—far better than my automatic rice cooker. Seems you're not just a privileged heir. You've got real skills."

"You flatter me. Dr. Cheng Kong, can I start learning from you now?"

Dr. Cheng Kong crossed one long leg over the other and said, "Of course. With a Superior-Overlord familiar, you're essentially bringing capital into the group. Rather than just learning from me, think of it as a collaborative research project. I've never developed free-wear mechanical armor for Superior-Overlord familiars before.

"However, if you want to learn from me, you might have to wait a bit. I only came back urgently to meet you. Right now, I'm working on a project at the Divine Research Institute, and it'll take some time to finish. Since you're a beginner, I'll leave you some materials to study on your own first. Also, I'll send a research robot to assist you temporarily."

"Teacher, you're also a researcher at the Divine Research Institute?" Lu Ran caught the key detail, his interest piqued.

Dr. Cheng Kong laughed. "Haha,of course. Study hard. Once you graduate and become a Legendary mechanic, you might have a chance too. Artificial gods... Just thinking about it is exciting."

"Yeah." Lu Ran nodded

He was wondering if he'd become her colleague in 18 days.

"Oh, you don't need to send a research robot. My parents actually left me one too. I recently activated and contracted it."

Cheng Kong was surprised. "Your parents were very thorough and far-sighted. It seems they knew the Mechanical attribute would be the future trend. Not only did they leave you an Overlord familiar, but also a research robot...Hmm...Pedestrian A, summon your research robot and let me see it. I'll tailor some self-study materials based on its level."

"Sure."

Lu Ran attributed all of his familiars' origins to the generated parents from Limitless City. Even if his familiars were a bit outrageous, his so-called parents were already dead and couldn't be questioned.

Combined with Limitless City's patches, it shouldn't cause issues. Plus, Dr. Cheng Kong wasn't a bad person. With that, Lu Ran summoned #18, who had been resting briefly.

After #18 appeared, hovering above the dining table, Dr. Cheng Kong suddenly stiffened.

"What the fuck? An Overlord-rank research robot?"