Beastmaster King

Among Lu Ran's current team, excluding non-combat familiars like #18, Sudden Death King was arguably the lowest in level. Even Baby Cloud, due to its higher base species rank, surpassed Sudden Death King by a tier in species rank.

Of course, thanks to the advantages of the Dragon attribute and its relentless training, Sudden Death King's actual combat strength was nothing to scoff at. Even if Baby Cloud wielded an Epic-grade equipment, it might not gain the upper hand in a fight.

However, no matter how you put it, the fact that it had to be compared to Baby Cloud under specific conditions meant Sudden Death King had already lost. It was undeniably one of the bottom three in the team.

Bai Lu's eye for weakness was sharp. She had instantly picked the weakest link. However, what she didn't account for was that in beastmaster battles, even in a 1v1, the beastmaster's participation was a given.

Lu Ran, fused with the Legendary Flame Spirit, could practically guarantee victory even if Sudden Death King just stood in the back cheering and dancing like a cheerleader. After all, he had sword intent and domains at his disposal.

But out of respect for his opponent, instead of taking the field himself, Lu Ran could simply channel the Legendary flames into Sudden Death King, forcing it to unleash an eightyfold or ninetyfold energy compression. That was also an option.

"Lu Yao, sweetie, keep playing on the swing with Sister Bai Lu. I'll be back soon." Lu Ran smiled, gently patting the little humanoid deer's head before vanishing in an instant.

"Sister Messenger..." The humanoid deer turned to Bai Lu, who was deep in thought.

Bai Lu forced a determined expression.

"It... it should be fine, right? No matter what, I need to prepare seriously for the upcoming battle! After all, I came here to grow stronger, not to work part-time."

***

A remote island on the Atlantic Ocean.

Through Dark Crow's role as his mouthpiece, Lu Ran had summoned Sudden Death King and the others to a nearby rendezvous point. Sudden Death King, Baby Cloud, and Mystic Turtle arrived. While the first two seemed composed, Mystic Turtle appeared somewhat dazed.

For this oceanic campaign, aside from the Mystic Turtle, Sudden Death King had also brought along 1,000 shrimp soldiers and crab generals. Although their individual strength was lacking, once bolstered by Sudden Death King's defensive halo, this legion became a force to be reckoned with, specializing in impregnable defense.

Their role was simple. After Sudden Death King and Baby Cloud conquered a territory, they would sweep through, looting resources and delivering them to their commanders.

Along the way, Sudden Death King's forces had lost count of how many factions they'd subjugated. However, negotiations weren't their forte. Every time, it was Mystic Turtle who, under their orders, planted the flag of the Beastmaster Empire in the depths of the ocean.

What frustrated Mystic Turtle the most was that, despite merely leading the scavenging and flag-planting efforts, it always felt like the seafaring beasts directed their hatred squarely at it, as if it were the mastermind behind everything. In reality, the real culprits were General Lightning Dragon and Baby Cloud.

Over time, Mystic Turtle figured out why.

I'm carrying a tablet, not a scapegoat!

"ROAR!"

I am a general of the Dragon Palace City, and a subordinate to the Beastmaster Empire!

Before every battle, Sudden Death King would secretly introduce itself this way, mentioning only the faction's name and never its own, as it was terrified of future vendettas.

Across the oceanic factions of Blue Planet, it was now common knowledge that the so-called Dragon Palace existed in name only. After the Black Dragon King's sealing by humans, the Dragon Palace had collapsed into internal strife.

Its power was seized by an ambitious, treacherous turtle. Thus, whenever the Dragon Palace's leader was mentioned, most oceanic factions immediately thought of Mystic Turtle.

"You're already this strong, so why are you still so cautious? Would it kill you to say your name?" Mystic Turtle fumed.

"ROAR!"

It wouldn't kill me, but if I get cursed, I might die suddenly.

Sudden Death King insisted on eliminating all risks that could lead to its sudden death.

What if one of the factions we invade has a hidden Legendary ancestor lurking in the background? That's how it always plays out in dramas. Better safe than sorry!

To avoid escalating hostilities, they only looted the meteorite resources they needed, leaving the factions' core assets untouched.

At the same time, Sudden Death King assured Mystic Turtle not to worry. The Beastmaster Empire might lack many things, but its post-death benefits were exceptional.

A legendary creature was on hand to personally guide reincarnation, and meritorious servants could even retain their memories in their next life. With a new body, their potential and lifespan would be even greater. This revelation shocked Mystic Turtle to its core.

Sometimes, it even thought, "If death is inevitable, at least Lu Ran won't be able to exploit me anymore... But what is this? You're telling me I can keep my memories after reincarnation? Damn it!"

On the island, Lu Ran grinned at the three familiars. "You're here. Old Turtle, I missed you so much."

Mystic Turtle was speechless.

"Plip, plip!"

The moment they met, Baby Cloud eagerly asked about #18's progress on the evolution castle.

"Go see for yourself. I'm not sure either. We'll catch up with you there later."

After Lu Ran's reply, Baby Cloud pondered for a moment before nodding vigorously and darting off toward the Amazon. It was highly anticipating the evolution castle. After all, when Lu Ran and #18 had taken the Kunpeng Feather, they'd mentioned that the castle's primary offensive skill would be Nature's Wrath. It was a super bomb.

Baby Cloud had been waiting eagerly for this. Nature's Wrath could even injure Legendary gods.

If I stockpiled a few of those... Hehehehe.

Sudden Death King watched Baby Cloud's departing figure with disdain.

Kids these days.

"Roar!"

It asked Lu Ran if there was an emergency.

I've arranged a battle for you. It's in two days," Lu Ran said.

Sudden Death King cautiously inquired, "Roar?"

Who's the opponent? It's not some quasi-Legendary, is it?

"Of course not. It's Bai Lu. Remember her?"

Huh? How could I forget?

Sudden Death King's eyes widened as it recalled its past defeat at the hands of Bai Lu's Divine Wood Snake.

After a moment of contemplation, it nodded confidently, indicating no issues.

"Huh?I thought you'd be scared." Lu Ran was surprised.

"Roar..."

Sudden Death King wore a calm expression.

I'm fully prepared.

It pointed a thumb at itself, signaling Lu Ran to check its stats. Their oceanic campaign hadn't been for nothing.

"Oh?"

As Lu Ran had been busy forging equipment, he hadn't paid much attention to Sudden Death King's progress. He activated his Eye of Detection for a closer look and then fell into deep thought.

[Species Rank: Intermediate Overlord]

[Level: 60]

So far, it was nothing out of the ordinary. Its species talents and main skills also showed no noticeable changes.

Wait—no!

Lu Ran's eyes widened as he suddenly noticed Sudden Death King had gained a new intent skill.

[Skill: Planet Intent (Born from Sudden Death King's despair upon learning Baby Cloud would wield super bombs as standard equipment.

[How can my flesh and blood withstand Captain Doofus' space-shattering slash, Dark Crow's life-warping curses, or those forbidden mechanical weapons capable of annihilating Legendary gods?

[All its experiences culminated in one answer. It was to become a planet. Humanity's ultimate trump card, nuclear weapons, could devastate all life on Blue Planet. However, to the planet itself, they'd be little more than an itch.

[Similarly, Stellar Moon's countless forbidden mechanical weapons, while terrifying to most Legendary gods, were mere fireworks in the grand scheme of the world. Thus, only by becoming a planet could it achieve truly invincible defense.)]

Lu Ran was stunned.

Holy shit. What's going on with you?

At the same time, Sudden Death King activated Planet Intent. It stood motionless, and its wings folded into a spherical shape. Although its size paled in comparison to an actual planet, Lu Ran could sense an ancient, indestructible weight emanating from its body.

In the cosmos, a planet wasn't the most invincible existence. Among the beastmasters Lu Ran had encountered, some even had Fire-attribute familiars that grasped Solar Formation Intent, with stars being among the most terrifying celestial bodies.

However, compared to those, Sudden Death King's Planet Intent Formation felt more refined. For a split second, Lu Ran's vision was filled entirely, as if a colossal object were crashing toward him, evoking a primal fear similar to megalophobia.

Lu Ran took a deep breath.

As expected of you. Your dedication to defense is unparalleled. First meteors, and then planets... What's next?

"Did you already eat the Nine-Colored Meteorite Fragments?" Lu Ran asked.

"Roar!"

Sudden Death King nodded, then glanced at Mystic Turtle.

"Let me see."

The tablet carried by General Mystic Turtle, forged by Lu Ran earlier, had spatial storage functions to facilitate resource looting, though it could only hold inanimate objects.

Mystic Turtle opened the tablet and retrieved ten Nine-Colored Meteorite Fragments. During their campaign, Sudden Death King's Meteorite Perception had led them to countless meteorites that had fallen into the ocean over the ages. While most were low-quality and devoured on the spot, they'd also found these premium fragments.

Along the way, Sudden Death King couldn't resist eating one of the Nine-Colored Meteorite Fragments. That single fragment had allowed its long-awaited Planet Intent to fully blossom, evolving from its Meteor Intent and Gravity Control talent.

"Eat the remaining ten, too," Lu Ran said.

This is so unexpected.

With this intent, Lu Ran felt he might not even need to intervene.