Beastmaster King

"No, not yet!"

Hearing the pleasant voice that rang out of thin air, Lu Ran couldn't help but curl his lips upward.

This time, facing Limitless City's ascension choice, he chose to refuse temporarily because there were still a few people surrounding him. He was in the middle of a conversation with them. Leveling up mid-conversation would be somewhat impolite and abrupt.

"Look, look! This student can't even suppress the joy on his face. Then again, with such an invention, who wouldn't be overjoyed?"

Principal Deng of the National Mechanical University laughed heartily, shaking Lu Ran's hand. "Student Lu, you really gave us quite the scare."

Vice Principal Fu added, still in disbelief, "Indeed... Speaking of which, Dr. Cheng Kong must have known about this all along. You two have been playing quite the long game.

"What exactly is the deal with the Elemental Life Creation Device? I know it might not be appropriate to ask, but creating elemental lifeforms is still a bit hard to believe. The principle can't be as simple as you described."

Lu Ran chuckled awkwardly, waving his hand. "Teachers... Don't look at me like that. It's making me nervous. These things can't be explained in just a few words. No need to probe—I have no intention of keeping this technology to myself. Just as I said during the invention competition, such meaningful technology shouldn't be exclusive to me alone.

"Give me half a month to organize the research materials, alright? In half a month, I'll hand over the complete technical documentation for the Elemental Life Creation Device to the nation, unconditionally."

Everyone was stunned and exchanged glances.

Such awareness...

Under normal circumstances, if a mechanical invention were the work of an individual, no organization or individual could forcibly seize the project according to the law. The inventor had the right to apply for a patent, monopolizing the technology and even using it to start a company for profit.

Many Legendaries had unique inventions, which they used to establish long-term collaborations with national organizations or the military.

The Elemental Life Creation Device was a technology that broke the limits of its era, capable of bringing unimaginable wealth. Yet, faced with such temptation, Lu Ran was willing to hand it over to the nation unconditionally.

But then again, the young man before them was just a university student, likely driven more by passion than profit. Such a choice wasn't entirely unexpected.

"Of course, I'll also share it unconditionally with the National Mechanical University," Lu Ran added.

Principal Deng laughed so hard his eyes crinkled. "That's great! Student Lu, you've made the right choice. Technology of this importance is best handled through cooperation with the nation, as it's the most secure approach. Even if you say you're handing it over for free, do you really think the nation would take advantage of you?"

Of course not. For one, Lu Ran's potential was limitless. At just 19 years old, he had developed such a device. Who knew how far he could go in the future? Moreover, if the nation failed to properly reward someone who contributed such a device, what would other geniuses think in the future? Would they turn to the nation first? Unlikely.

In Principal Deng's eyes, Lu Ran would undoubtedly receive exceptional treatment as a model for the republic, celebrated nationwide. Over the next few years, he'd be showered with awards. Even if he remained a level 4 mechanic for life, his benefits would surpass most Legendary mechanics.

What made Principal Deng even happier was that Lu Ran hadn't forgotten the university. Although National Mechanical University was a nationally supported research institution, it didn't mean the university was equivalent to the nation.

Strictly speaking, the university belonged to the nation, but the nation's resources weren't the university's. Many professors and doctors at the university were still eagerly awaiting national funding for their research.

If the National Mechanical University could associate itself with the Elemental Life Creation Device, it would undoubtedly earn the title of "the nation's top academic institution." So, Principal Deng and the others were thrilled by Lu Ran's words.

Principal Deng asked again, "Student Pedestrian A, are you certain about handing over this technology to the nation? If so, we'll report it immediately. I've already missed several calls, all handled by my mechanical assistant. I'm sure the nation has taken notice of you by now. Someone will likely contact you soon."

"I'm certain." Lu Ran nodded.

"Wait, Little Lu—no, Brother Lu, don't you have any other wishes?" Vice Principal Fu interjected.

Lu Ran grinned sheepishly. "Well, if I had to name one, there is something. As I mentioned during the competition, I want to continue improving the Elemental Life Creation Device, maybe even use it to create an artificial Elemental God. However, due to limited research funding and low device specs, the current limit is creating elemental lifeforms of Low-Transcendent species.

"I heard from Dr. Cheng Kong that she's a researcher at the Divine Research Institute, a place dedicated to studying artificial gods with abundant research funding. So, I was thinking... if I could join the Divine Research Institute as her colleague, that'd be great..."

Principal Deng spoke up. "That place isn't easy to get into. Among all the Legendary mechanics at the National Mechanical University, only Dr. Cheng Kong has managed to become a researcher there. Do you know why?"

"Because her free mechanical armed evolution technology is impressive?" Lu Ran guessed.

Vice Principal Fu chuckled. "That alone wouldn't be enough. It's because Dr. Cheng Kong used connections and resources to get in."

Lu Ran was taken aback. "Huh?"

"Well, that's not entirely accurate. Creating an artificial god inevitably involves Legendary-grade energy sources, materials, and resources. These are the keys to researching artificial gods. Dr. Cheng Kong's family happens to possess a Legendary-grade resource passed down through generations, which was her ticket into the Divine Research Institute.

"Bringing her own resources was crucial. That's not to say she isn't talented. She's exceptionally skilled. What she lacks is just experience. After honing her skills at the Divine Research Institute, she'll likely surpass most Legendary mechanics in no time."

"I see." Lu Ran nodded.

Even if he hadn't developed the Elemental Life Creation Device, simply telling the Divine Research Institute that he had contracted a Low-Legendary creature might have been enough to get him in. However, Lu Ran certainly couldn't do that.

Principal Deng smiled. "Still, you don't need to worry. With the Elemental Life Creation Device, you might just become the youngest Divine Researcher in the institute's history. The Divine Research Institute is the nation's most important official research organization. The Elemental Life Creation Device will undoubtedly be highly valued.

"Let's wait and see. Even if you don't bring it up, they'll likely reach out to you soon, especially since Dr. Cheng Kong is already there. Don't tell me she had no involvement in this technology at all,hahaha."

Well, it wasn't like she had zero involvement—she did provide the research venue.

After that, Lu Ran excused himself to rest, and the university leaders left to handle the storm of events that had erupted.

When Lu Ran was alone, he let out a long exhale, feeling the tension of the past half-month finally dissipate. Though the ones who had worked the hardest were undoubtedly Six-Paths Flower and #18. He wondered if the ascension mission rewards would be worth their efforts.

After everyone had left, Lu Ran focused his mind and initiated the breakthrough, instantly becoming a level 5 beastmaster. His contract slots increased by one, and so did his skill slots.

The new contract slot was undoubtedly reserved for #18. When Lu Ran glanced at the Mechanical Heart Trait Crystal he had obtained, his lips curled upward again.

It can discern the structure, manufacturing method, weaknesses, and flaws of any mechanical product upon touch? This is practically the dream skill for a research-oriented mechanical lifeform! Worthy of an SSS-score mission reward!

With this in mind, he knew he had to quickly release #18 from the beastmaster space contract and re-contract it using a contract card. Then, he'd fuse this trait into it as soon as possible.

The reason was simple. Soon, he would very likely be entering the Divine Research Institute. The mechanical equipment there probably represented the pinnacle of this era's technology. If #18 could get its hands on them, wouldn't that mean it could essentially replicate the Divine Research Institute?

Of course, this ability wasn't limitless. The higher the level of the mechanical product, the higher the proficiency of Mechanical Heart required. This might significantly limit #18's ability to analyze the institute's machinery.

However, no matter how much it could decipher, it was all free gains. Lu Ran's stance was simple—as long as #18 didn't burst from overeating, it should stuff itself with as much mechanical knowledge as possible. Opportunities like this wouldn't come twice.

[Beastmaster Skill: Mechanical Modification...]

As for the beastmaster skill reward, Lu Ran pondered. This skill wasn't bad, but he probably wouldn't use it in the short term. His next beastmaster skill was already slated to be Time Shield.

His familiars, which could undergo Limitless City's first, second, and third-stage evolutions, didn't lack evolution opportunities. Besides, he was still researching soul evolution. Perhaps after using up the evolution chances provided by Limitless City, he could consider further advancements through the Mechanical attribute.

The Mechanical attribute had immense potential—the Mechanical God was proof of that. But for now, instead of chasing mechanical evolution at this stage, it was better to prepare traits and not waste the second-stage evolution opportunity. Learning a Time Shield beastmaster skill to enrich his foundation was clearly the better choice.

And then there was the Epic resource. To be honest, Lu Ran had wanted to puke from the moment he saw it. A bomb as an ascension mission reward was bizarre. He felt an amplification-type resource would've been better, but this wasn't bad either.

A bomb capable of harming a Low Legendary was undoubtedly far more terrifying than the most powerful nuclear weapon on Blue Planet. Using the Eye of Detection to examine its functions confirmed this. After all, a Low Legendary undoubtedly had 100% mastery over Space power.

Against a nuclear bomb, a level 40+ Space-attribute familiar might evade the explosion's damage. But against Nature's Wrath, that wouldn't be possible. It could seal space, shatter space, and even track and lock onto enemies within a certain range.

However, it had a big flaw. Its explosion range was enormous. It was best deployed using clones or remote-controlled machinery rather than throwing it personally. Otherwise, the moment it detonated, the thrower might also be caught in the blast and reduced to ashes. An indiscriminate bomb would obliterate everything in its vicinity. It was extremely dangerous.

"Using this to clear a Mythical secret realm in one go is too risky. If I get caught in the blast, I'm screwed. It might work against a powerful enemy, but the problem is... I don't really have any enemies right now. Well, the Chaos Dragon God lineage counts, but this bomb alone isn't enough to deal with them.

"I wonder how stable this thing is. If I let Captain Doofus hold it and turn into a nuclear sword dog within the Limitless Sword Domain, it might be able to damage a Legendary creature. But still... It's too dangerous.

"Whatever, I'll stash it for now. Later, I can have #18 see if it can analyze its structure and mass-produce some after fusing with the Mechanical Heart. In large quantities, its value would change entirely."

After studying the ascension rewards, Lu Ran realized they were indeed closely tied to his ascension mission experience. Even the Epic mechanical bomb was a fusion of elemental and mechanical forces.

***

Divine Research Institute.

By now, most mechanical researchers had watched the replay of Lu Ran's presentation at the invention competition. Dr. Cheng Kong was no exception.

After viewing it, she slumped back in her chair, dazed, as colleagues crowded behind her. Among them were obscure figures secretly trained by the nation as super-mechanics, as well as individuals whose mere words could send shockwaves through the mechanical field. None were below Legendary—all were elite among elites.

They stared intently at Cheng Kong.

"Little Cheng, explain."

"Yeah, word is this kid is your student?"

"Are you plotting something big behind our backs?"

Cheng Kong replied weakly, "Seniors, if I said I had no idea about any of this, would you believe me? I just handed him my research on free mechanical armed evolution for self-study. I didn't even know he had contracted an elemental lifeform.

"I knew he had a Low-Overlord species research robot, but that doesn't mean they could create such a device. I don't understand either."

Director Lin En stood at the center of the group and said, "Never mind that. It's not important. Little Cheng, bring your student to the Divine Research Institute. Although the formal approval process hasn't been completed, if he's willing, he can become a researcher here. Leaving him outside would expose him to too many distractions—it'd be a waste of his talent."

"Understood, Director." Dr. Cheng Kong nodded, still somewhat dazed.

Back when she joined the Divine Research Institute, it was only because her family had passed down a Legendary-grade resource of unknown use.

Pedestrian A... what is his deal?

"I'll contact him first..."