Beastmaster King

After several days of reconnaissance, Dark Crow had identified four quasi-Legendary creatures on Blue Planet. Quasi-Legendaries were rare. One was the ancient Divine Bull, that was already dealt with. The other two lurked in the deep sea. They were a colossal octopus and a mysterious pearl clam.

This was completely unexpected. Dark Crow had assumed the quasi-Legendary ocean Overlords surviving from ancient times would be dragonkin like the black dragon of Dragon Palace City or a shark-man like the king of the Merfolk Kingdom; or maybe even whales or long-lived turtles.

However, the two strongest quasi-Legendary sea creatures awakening now were neither. Instead, they were an octopus and a pearl clam. It found this amusing. As it observed these two quasi-Legendaries, they also noticed Dark Crow. Though, Dark Crow hadn't extended invitations to them yet.

The last quasi-Legendary was in Xia. It was the deceitful fox that had invited Lin Yin to become its messenger.

"There are only four? That's fewer than I expected."

After emerging triumphantly from the Undead Secret Realm, Dark Crow immediately reported its findings to Lu Ran on Other Shore Island.

"According to President Zhao's archaeological research, the stronger the creature, the harder it is to survive from ancient times through hibernation unless they possess unique species traits or extraordinary treasures.

"For instance, that bull confessed under Six-Path Flower's hellish interrogation that it had consumed a Legendary mystical stone in ancient times which allowed it to survive until now.

"Without such advantages, Superior Overlords are likely the luckiest survivors. Those with lower species ranks lack sufficient control over their bodies to hibernate through the ages, while those with higher ranks require too much energy to sustain prolonged dormancy.

"President Zhao believes that most of the powerful ancient creatures likely left Blue Planet during the spiritual energy revival phase, evolving into cosmic lifeforms.

"This is because even if Blue Planet's spiritual energy faded, other celestial bodies like the sun would still provide abundant energy. This is why traces of Transcendent creatures were previously detected in the Lunar Palace by various nations," Dark Crow explained.

President Zhao, or rather Zhao Huanshi, was the head of the Archaeology Division in the empire's six paths and eight departments, and was also known as the old president.

Lu Ran nodded. "The Lunar Palace? I think Manager Ying mentioned that the Eagle Federation launched several lunar probes, all of which were destroyed. This suggests some creatures do inhabit the moon. They might be quite powerful... When we get the chance, we should investigate too. We'll see if we can plant the empire's flag on the moon."

Dark Crow's eyes sparkled. "You are so wise!"

As expected, Blue Planet alone cannot satisfy His Majesty! Truly, this is the man I have chosen to follow.

Dark Crow swelled with pride.

"Then, my king, who is our next target? The quasi-Legendary octopus, the quasi-Legendary pearl clam, or that fox?"

Lu Ran said, "The fox first. The empire has been recruiting mostly vicious beasts, with very few humans. I'll handle this one. I'll contact Lin Nian and Lin Yin to see if we can bring them and the fox into the empire. As for the two quasi-Legendaries in the deep sea, can you handle them?"

Even Six-Path Flower might struggle with the deep-sea quasi-Legendaries, as it's an unfavorable terrain for it. Six-Path Flower lacks strong aquatic combat abilities. However, Dark Crow could engage in long-range verbal battles by gazing into the depths, making it somewhat suited for deep-sea warfare.

Dark Crow covered its eyes. "These two quasi-Legendaries are estimated to be around level 80. Suppressing the ancient Divine Bull required sacrificing an eye. To subdue these oceanic quasi-Legendaries smoothly, we might need to wait until the young crows mature fully and trouble you to heal me again. I might... need to sacrifice more."

Lu Ran nodded. "Then let's wait."

After Dark Crow evolved to quasi-Legendary, sacrificing its eyes for combat could no longer be healed by the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer. Lu Ran had to personally use the Flame of Life to treat it. However, healing Dark Crow consumed Lu Ran's beastmaster skill energy, making it far less convenient than the effortless Broken Horn of the Divine Deer.

"I really need to learn that Happy Beastmaster skill someday. Otherwise, I'll only grow weaker and weaker. Whoever developed that skill is a genius."

***

Lu Ran left Other Shore Island and headed to the Beastmaster Empire to check on the Divine Deer's daughter. Although he knew of its birth through Six-Path Flower's remote contract senses, he hadn't yet officially appointed it to any position in the empire.

This time, Lu Ran planned to confer titles on it and the ancient Divine Bull to boost the imperial seal's experience bar. If he wanted to perform well in the World War, the imperial seal's level was crucial because it accelerated the training of all his beastmaster skills.

***

Amazon Rainforest, Beastmaster Empire.

When Lu Ran arrived, he fell silent. As he descended slowly, he saw Bai Lu pushing the Divine Deer's daughter on a swing.

Unable to hold back, he asked, "Senior Bai Lu, why are you on Blue Planet?"

Bai Lu's eye twitched at the sight of Lu Ran. "I—You're right, why am I on Blue Planet? My original plan was something else... but now, why have I become a babysitter?"

While Bai Lu lamented, the humanoid fawn on the vine swing stared at Lu Ran with sparkling eyes.

It opened its mouth hesitantly but finally blurted out, "Are... are you Lord Lu Ran?"

Bai Lu was offended.

Why do you call me Sister Messenger but him, Lord Lu Ran?

Lu Ran activated his Eye of Detection, smiling warmly as he approached. "Yes. I'm the one who named you. Sorry for only visiting now."

"It's okay! Mother said I shouldn't meet you too soon."

Lu Ran was taken aback.

"Lord Divine Deer is wise." Bai Lu muttered.

Lu Ran gazed at the humanoid fawn with delight. "Anyway, you're even more impressive than I imagined. By the way, where's Lord Divine Deer?"

"Lord Divine Deer had matters to attend to and left me in charge of the Divine Daughter for now," Bai Lu said.

"So, Senior Bai Lu, you still haven't explained why you're on Blue Planet—Wait, I get it." Lu Ran stroked his chin. "You must've realized Stellar Moon has no future and decided to defect to Blue Planet to secure Limitless City authority and represent us in the war, right?

"What a wise choice. I'll arrange Xia citizenship for you and appoint you as a holy saint in the Divine Deer Sect of my Beastmaster Empire. Oh yeah, the Divine Deer Sect is the empire's state religion."

Bai Lu fumed. "What nonsense are you spouting? Who'd defect to Blue Planet? Stellar Moon is my homeland! And... surely Limitless City prohibits such actions. Is it even possible? I just came to seek Lord Divine Deer's advice before challenging the Legendary ascension realm."

Lu Ran looked disappointed. "Is that so? I thought you'd seen my heroic exploits in the Mythical secret realm and decided to switch sides."

Bai Lu's eye twitched.

This brat has grown even more annoying, all because he has the Six-Path God backing him!

"Anyway, Senior Bai Lu, your timing is perfect. You're skilled in healing, right?" Lu Ran suddenly remembered something.

"What do you want?"

"Even if you won't fight for Blue Planet, why not join my Beastmaster Empire? How about a duel? If I win, you join the empire and help with some tasks. If you win, I'll give you a Legendary-grade resource."

Bai Lu was shocked.

A L-Legendary-grade resource?

Bai Lu's mouth fell open with her heart racing. Even as a Divine Deer messenger, she'd never seen a Legendary-grade resource. The Broken Horn of the Divine Deer was only a top-tier Epic-grade item.

Lu Ran... has such things to wager? Was it from the Mythical secret realm?

Meanwhile, Lu Ran was plotting. He didn't think he could lose for a second.

Senior Bai Lu wields the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer, with all seven of her familiars at the Superior-Overlord rank and mastery over life energy. She's arguably Stellar Moon's greatest healer. If I can recruit her into the empire, we can train the empire's beast army to the brink of death. Life-and-death training and a top-tier healer, which means unstoppable growth!Lu Ran's mind buzzed with schemes.

However, Bai Lu remained unmoved.

"I refuse."

Despite being a level higher than Lu Ran, he had cleared a Mythical secret realm. With Six-Path Flower's aid, even her level 70 Superior-Overlord familiars stood no chance.

"I'm no match for the Six-Path God yet." Bai Lu snorted, seeing through Lu Ran's ploy.

Legendary-grade resources were tempting, but only if obtainable. She wouldn't fall for this trap. Even Stellar Moon's big three Legendary beastmasters would struggle against the Six-Path God before reaching the Epic-Legendary rank.

Lu Ran wanted her to join the empire to strengthen it and enhance the imperial seal for his own benefit. However, Bai Lu saw right through him. She wouldn't help the enemy like Death Gun had. Although they were colleagues, they were rivals until the World War ended.

"What if I don't use Six-Path Flower? I can use other familiars." Lu Ran smiled.

"Still no." Bai Lu remained wary.

Lu Ran must've gained many rewards from the Mythical secret realm and it would've dropped top-tier resources for the Wind attribute and dog familiars. Lu Ran's main familiar was a Wind-attribute dog. She wouldn't gamble, as he might already have a quasi-Legendary dog.

"You're being way too cautious!" Lu Ran groaned.

"Unless... Unless you fight me with that black dragon again. One-on-one."

Remembering Sudden Death King she'd beaten before, Bai Lu targeted the weakest link.

If it is that clumsy dragon, victory is assured...

"Oh,playing like that,huh?Fine with me. But give me two days. It's currently training in Blue Planet's deep sea. I'll need to fetch it and let it recover first." Lu Ran waved his hand.

He agreed just like that?

Bai Lu paused, but having made the offer, she said, "Deal!"

"Then it's settled. Let's swear by the Divine Deer's name. The bet must be honored." Lu Ran grinned brightly.

Admittedly, Bai Lu was being very prudent. Sudden Death King was still only an Intermediate Overlord. It was not at its peak yet after its second evolution. Beating Bai Lu's familiars would be impossible.

However, with two days, Lu Ran had options. While a second evolution was out of reach, feeding Sudden Death King all the Nine-Colored Meteorite fragments it had collected and cultivating a drunken dragon mode with ape wine for it might make it competitive.

And if even that failed, Lu Ran could always infuse Sudden Death King with the Legendary Flame of Life, giving Bai Lu a taste of the world's cruelty.

This battle... is checkmate from the start!