Beastmaster King

"An Overlord research robot?" Dr. Cheng Kong blurted out.

Although Lu Ran didn't know how she could tell at a glance, since no introduction was needed, he nodded and said, "#18 is a Low-Overlord research robot. It was left to me by my parents to help me better pursue the path of the Mechanical attribute."

#18 nodded her head while saying, "That's right~."

After spinning his tale, Lu Ran suddenly froze.

Damn, did I just let Death Gun take advantage of me? I'll remember this grudge.

Dr. Cheng Kong's brain was short-circuiting. She frantically scratched her head full of curly hair.

What's going on with this student referred by Vice Principal Fu? Did Vice Principal Fu even fully understand his background? A suspected Superior-Overlord familiar, a ruin space, and a Low-Overlord research robot...? How could a pair of level 6 beastmasters leave behind such an inheritance?

Staring at the adorable angelic #18, Dr. Cheng Kong felt her head buzzing with pain.

This has to be a joke. With an Overlord research robot, why even attend Mechanical University? You could self-study and become a Legendary mechanic!

Even she had only managed to upgrade her research robot from King to Overlord after joining the Divine Research Institute and leveraging national resources.

"Just... who are you?" Dr. Cheng Kong's heart trembled as she asked.

Lu Ran forced a bitter smile. "My parents just had a bit of luck. They once deciphered a supposedly incredible ruin. But more than any of this, I'd rather they were still alive."

Dr. Cheng Kong fell silent. "Do you know what an Overlord research robot represents?"

"I do."

"Even so, you still want to learn from me?"

"Yes. After hearing Vice Principal Fu's advice, I believe that rashly modifying my familiars carries risks, even with an Overlord research robot assisting me. But you're a top expert in this field. Learning from you will definitely be worthwhile."

Dr. Cheng Kong nodded. Since Lu Ran had put it this way, she saw no reason to be coy.

A beastmaster contracted to a Superior-Overlord familiar and an Overlord research robot was practically guaranteed to reach Legendary status. Anyone would jump at the chance to mentor such a person. It'd be minimal effort for guaranteed fame and prestige.

Being a Legendary figure yourself and nurturing a Legendary student are two entirely different concepts.

Dr. Cheng Kong rubbed her temples. "This actually puts me more at ease. Is its name #18? An Overlord species, huh? Even if I handed over all my research to it, it would probably understand most of it. Thinking about it, it almost feels like I'm redundant here."

#18's eyes sparkled as it stared at Dr. Cheng Kong, itching to say,Why don't you go research the Elemental Life Creation Device instead? I'll handle the rest of your research!

"Never mind. But this might be for the best. This research project was always too demanding for one person. I'll be free in about a month. Until then, have #18 study my previous research findings. With its capabilities, it should be able to grasp forty to fifty percent of it. Once I'm done, I'll guide both of you together."

With a decisive slap on the table, Dr. Cheng Kong made her decision.

***

Lu Ran hadn't expected the outcome to be Dr. Cheng Kong dumping her research materials on them and leaving, saying she'd only have time a month later. That was coincidentally right around the time Limitless City would summon him back. This meant there was little hope of receiving direct guidance from Dr. Cheng Kong.

So we still have to rely on our own research, huh. No shortcuts to invention achievements through collaboration with Dr. Cheng Kong. Limitless City, you're really ruthless.

Lu Ran sighed, but at least Dr. Cheng Kong had left behind invaluable research experience. This was a solid safety net, significantly boosting #18's independent research efficiency.

If, within 18 days, #18 could develop a temporary mechanical armored evolution tool for Captain Doofus or Sudden Death King based on these materials, achieving an SSS score shouldn't be out of reach, even if entering the Divine Research Institute remained uncertain.

Whatever. Let's aim for the SSS score first.

Completing the mission would undoubtedly reward resources, traits, skills, or even mechanical lifeforms related to Mechanical attribute enhancement. With those, they could explore other avenues to join the Divine Research Institute.

Meeting Dr. Cheng Kong was already a stroke of luck. By meeting her, Lu Ran had an insider connection to the institute. Even if he had to sneak in as Dr. Cheng Kong's assistant or student, it would count as a success. And if joining proved impossible, having #18 scavenge some extra black tech here would still make the trip worthwhile.

Having made up his mind, Lu Ran calmed himself and began assisting #18 with its research.

***

After studying Dr. Cheng Kong's research notes for a long time, #18 declared, "Master... I've had an epiphany."

Lu Ran, sipping tea, looked up as #18 emerged from the Time Hell. "Oh? That fast? So, who's easier to modify—Captain Doofus or Sudden Death King?"

"Actually, if you want a higher ranking, Baby Cloud or Death Crow would be the best candidates for temporary mechanical armored evolution!" #18 said.

"Baby Cloud?"

"Yes! Baby Cloud's abilities are Catastrophe Control, Transformation, and Attribute Switching. It could easily adapt to catastrophe-tech armored evolution and grow stronger. My analysis shows that its compatibility with temporary mechanical armored evolution far exceeds that of animal species, thanks to its abilities.

"It won't take long for me to develop the tool! Moreover, Baby Cloud is an elemental lifeform. After the Elemental Era ended, elemental lifeforms became exceedingly rare. With no new ones being born, later generations only found a few sealed elemental lifeforms in ancient ruins.

"Researching their mechanical evolution would be groundbreaking. Elemental lifeforms themselves are already rare, and combining them with machinery would be even more revolutionary. It is far more attention-grabbing than standard beast-type armored evolution.

"However, since elemental lifeforms are nearly extinct, their mechanical evolution holds limited value for the broader mechanical field. Beast-type armored evolution would be more impactful in that regard.

"Next would be Death Crow. The combination of Undead and Mechanical attributes follows the same logic as Elemental and Mechanical—it's innovative. But we'd need to consider whether the Mechanical Era can accommodate the Undead attribute."

Lu Ran fell into deep thought.

It makes sense.

Wasn't the whole reason he had tasked #18 with researching the Elemental Life Creation Device the fact that elemental lifeforms in this era could be counted on one hand? And Death Gun's example had proven that the Mechanical attribute and the Undead attribute was a potent combination, although this era might not readily accept the Undead attribute.

"Aside from them, the next best choice would be Captain Doofus, right? Its Weapon Control talent makes modifications easier," Lu Ran said.

#18 exclaimed excitedly, "That's true. But my epiphany wasn't about that! Instead, I've figured out how to create the Elemental Life Creation Device!"

"What? Seriously?" Lu Ran was shocked.

"Yes! While compiling data on your familiars, I learned about Six-Paths Flower's Limit Breaker ability. The reason elemental lifeforms can no longer be born is likely due to the Elemental Gods being sealed or killed, altering the world's rules to no longer support their creation. This is a restriction.

"However, if we can break this restriction, creating elemental lifeforms isn't impossible. Six-Paths Flower is already a Legendary being and possesses the preliminary ability to alter rules. I request permission to extract some resources from Six-Paths Flower for research!"

What the hell?

Six-Paths Flower was flabbergasted.

"During this time, I'll build on and surpass Dr. Cheng Kong's research to develop the temporary mechanical armored evolution path for elemental lifeforms. Simultaneously, I'll study Baby Cloud's structure and, with Six-Paths Flower's assistance, advance research on the Elemental Life Creation Device.

"With Baby Cloud's Transformation and Attribute Switching traits as a foundation, I can definitely create a tool for its temporary evolution. If luck is on our side, I might even complete the Elemental Life Creation Device alongside it. If there's time left, I'll also research temporary mechanical evolution tools for Sudden Death King and Captain Doofus."

Lu Ran beamed. "Great, great! Then, focus on Baby Cloud's mechanical evolution tool first. I'll have Baby Cloud and Six-Paths Flower assist you. Don't worry about luck. I'll have Six-Paths Flower give you a Lucky Flower too."

Six-Paths Flower was still flabbergasted. "Excuse me?"

Six-Paths Flower glared at #18.

How did mechanical research suddenly involve me? Helping create the Time Hell is one thing, but now I have to donate my own essence for research? Was this thing born just to torment me?

"Six Flower, please! Just a few petals should suffice. It's all for entering the Divine Research Institute! Aren't you curious about what's inside?" Lu Ran pleaded, clasping his hands together.

Six-Paths Flower said, "Are you a devil? Petals are to me what teeth, scales, and eyes are to Captain Doofus, Sudden Death King, and Dark Crow..."

...

"Sounds about right."

***

Under Lu Ran's relentless begging, Six-Paths Flower eventually relented, agreeing to assist #18 in researching world rule restrictions. Fortunately, Six-Paths Flower possessed the Hungry Ghost Path, allowing it to absorb life force from other beings to heal itself. Otherwise, helping #18 would've been far more painful.

And so, after all the arrangements, Baby Cloud and Six-Paths Flower ended up as the final test subjects.

After leaving instructions to call him when time acceleration is needed, Lu Ran began his own research. Since #18 had chosen the Elemental Life Creation Device as its ultimate goal, the Soul Evolution Device would be Lu Ran's responsibility.

As he held the imperial seal, he let Death Crow possess him, transforming into a bird-human hybrid. He then discussed grand imperial ambitions with Curse Crow and their undead clones, all to replicate the Soul Clone ability through Super Beast Mimicry. Mastering this ability was the first step toward Soul Possession Evolution. But even this first step proved excruciatingly difficult.

After maintaining Death Crow's possession form for ages and chatting with Dark Crow about the Beastmaster Empire conquering the universe, Lu Ran still hadn't learned Soul Clone.

"Six Flower, why don't you send us into the Time Hell too...? If my familiars are pushing themselves this hard, how can I slack off as their beastmaster? If I don't enter hell, who will? I know you're exhausted, but isn't this just another form of special training for you?"