Beastmaster King

"We need to break the contract using the beastmaster space so I can use a contract card to form a new one with you. Then, I'll fuse this Mechanical Heart trait into you. If all goes well, you'll become even stronger!"

"Oh~!"

Lu Ran proceeded with the process. This was his first time dissolving a contract. Compared to forming one, it was far more painful—like tearing off one of his limbs. After the dissolution, #18 showed no reaction. On the other hand, Lu Ran was drenched in sweat, panting as he clutched his head.

Fortunately, he had anticipated this day and stocked up on spirit recovery supplements. Additionally, Six-Path Flower reluctantly released a soothing fragrance from within the contract card. Although it wasn't its primary skill, its mastery over multiple attributes meant calming a living being's mind was child's play.

With the supplements and Six-Path Flower's dual assistance, Lu Ran quickly recovered from the side effects of contract dissolution and let out a long exhale.

"Lu Ran!" Six-Path Flower called from within the contract card.

"What is it?"

"I just thought of a way to evolve you into a plant lifeform!"

"What?"

"You and #18 just went through a normal contract dissolution, yet the side effects were already this severe. If a contracted familiar dies or forcibly breaks free and betrays its master, the beastmaster would probably be bedridden for a year with their spirit shattered! With my power, you'd definitely evolve into a vegetable if I break the contract."

Lu Ran was spooked. "Can you not make such dark jokes? They're not funny at all. Besides, you're contracted via a contract card! Even if you betray me, the card would just shatter. The backlash wouldn't be that severe!"

"Tch,boring..."

Lu Ran nearly had a heart attack. He pulled out a newly issued contract card and tossed it at #18, instantly forming a contract.

[Species: Mechanical Angel (Research Type)]

[Attribute: Mechanical]

[Species Rank: Low Overlord]

[Level: 55]

[Species Talents 1: Mechanical Production (Can generate 3,000 types of basic mechanical materials using mechanical energy.)]

[Species Talent 2: Super Intelligence (Possesses top-tier mechanical analysis, creation, and deduction capabilities.)]

[Species Talent 3: Shutdown Mode (Can enter shutdown mode, drastically reducing energy consumption and extending mechanical lifespan. However, in this state, it cannot move or maintain consciousness.)]

#18 naturally possessed three species talents, all standard for mechanical lifeforms. Its ability to research and create Epic lightsabers, disaster pistols, and the Elemental Life Creation Device all stemmed from the first two talents. The third one, Shutdown Mode, was similar to hibernation in ordinary animals or slumber in ancient overlords. Even if it slept for centuries, a quick self-repair after waking up would have it operational again.

Upon entering the contract card, #18 quickly gave feedback. "It feels more comfortable than the Mechanical Space!"

His Mechanical Space was just a makeshift modification based on free online guides. On the other hand, Lu Ran had upgraded the newly issued contract card to the highest quality using upgrade cards. Naturally, it was far more comfortable.

The newly issued contract card was initially Black-Iron and had no special effects. However, Lu Ran used 1,111 upgrade cards to boost it to Silver, Gold, Platinum, and finally Stellar grade. Now, it had stamina recovery, slow regeneration, growth acceleration, and time suspension effects.

Nowadays, upgrade cards, which could be obtained even in Hell-difficulty realms, were no longer rare to Lu Ran. He could easily acquire piles of them using crystals or resources, eliminating the need to challenge secret realms himself. The contract cards for Captain Doofus, Sudden Death King, Dark Crow, Baby Cloud, Six-Path Flower, and now #18 had all been upgraded to Stellar grade.

Compared to their previous versions, the Stellar-grade contract cards' time suspension effect was particularly impressive. If a contracted familiar returned to its card in a near-death state, the card could suspend time for a while, giving the beastmaster a window to seek healing resources. Although the duration wasn't overly long, it was still significantly beneficial.

On the current Blue Planet, aside from top-tier beastmasters from major nations, only a few could afford to collect so many upgrade cards.

"Alright, time to fuse the trait."

Lu Ran summoned #18 and handed it the Mechanical Heart trait. #18 accepted the trait and soon shimmered with faint evolution light.

As a mechanical lifeform capable of upgrading and evolving, trait crystals, which could enhance it just by contact, were a novel experience. Now it understood why Lu Ran wanted it to research them. They were truly incredible.

#18's fusion process was quite dramatic. Nevertheless, except for their immediate vicinity, the research facility remained silent. After all, Lu Ran had already mentally activated the Time Shield skill card.

Masters of the Time Shield—a unique beastmaster skill—could perfectly conceal their own and their contracted familiars' traces, making it impossible for precognition, reconnaissance, and similar abilities to detect them. Their fates became unobservable.

With this ability, Lu Ran could actively or passively erase all disturbances around him. If he were to summon Six-Path Flower later for their scam, the Time Shield would minimize the risk of causing unwanted trouble.

Soon, #18 successfully fused with the Mechanical Heart trait. Although its species rank remained unchanged, it inevitably gained a new species talent. A research-type robot at the Overlord rank was an exceptionally good match for the Mechanical Heart.

[Species Talent: Flash of Insight (When analyzing the structure of other mechanical creations using the Mechanical Heart talent, if the target's level exceeds its analytical capabilities, there's a chance to trigger a flash of insight, granting partial mechanical comprehension beyond its current level.)]

"It's destiny..." Lu Ran looked at #18, who was still processing its new ability. "Let's go. We'll take our little elemental babies and visit each senior researcher at the Divine Research Institute. Before that, though, go touch every piece of mechanical equipment in the institute."

***

#18's Mechanical Heart proved incredibly useful. With just a touch, it could instantly discern the composition of many auxiliary mechanical devices in the institute, enriching its mechanical knowledge. However, when it touched some of the more advanced research equipment, its low level caused it to hit a wall.

To overcome this, Lu Ran made #18 hold a Lucky Flower and repeatedly touch the devices, relying on sheer attempts and luck to trigger flashes of insight and maximize its gains.

Originally, Lu Ran had planned to visit each senior researcher with #18, but exploring his research facility took so much time that Dr. Cheng Kong ended up calling him before they could start.

"Pedestrian A."

"Dr. Cheng Kong, what's up?"