King of Beasts

Moments later, the Sacred Stone Ape Sovereign demonstrated the Stone Buddha Domain again.

Immediately afterward, it collapsed from exhaustion, its tail going limp.

Clearly, while the domain was powerful, it was also the “ultimate move” for a pet beast approaching level 60.

Using it for even a short while left it utterly drained.

No wonder Manager Ying was reluctant to demonstrate this; it was just too exhausting.

“General Ha, how about it?”

Lu Ran’s eyes emitted a misty blue-gray light as he performed soul enhancement on General Ha.

“Woof!”

General Ha pondered, quickly releasing energy around it. Soon, a wind barrier enveloped Lu Ran and the others.

A massive wind sphere encompassed everything, blowing dust and grass in all directions. However, the next moment, Erha stuck out its tongue, squinted its eyes, and tilted its head.

It indicated that this was the best it could do.

No matter what, it couldn’t grasp the concept of “energy” resonating with “space.”

“That’s normal,” Principal Shi Zhen gestured with his hand, saying, “If eating a lucid fruit could instantly grant domain comprehension, this resource wouldn’t just cost ten thousand crystal coins apiece-it would be priced like an epic resource!”

“Even at this level, what it accomplished isn’t very impressive. Its energy flow technique seems to be still in the first stage, which isn’t sufficient. To establish a connection between Domain Skill and domain space, reaching the second stage of energy flow is essential.”

“Moreover, the speed at which it initiates the domain is too slow.”

“However, its compression of wind energy is quite good; it’s just that it’s mastered the hardest part well.”

“Also, your beast taming skill is quite interesting…” Shi Zhen said, looking at Lu Ran.

“The soul enhancement skill can briefly enhance the soul of a pet beast, and soul power is related to Comprehension,” Lu Ran explained.

“A skill rewarded from a breakthrough secret realm? Seems impressive,” Shi Zhen commented.

“Alright, you’ve seen the domain; next, let’s take a look at the pig transformation curse.”

Shi Zhen knocked on his head in frustration, feeling the unpleasant task of using one bizarre curse to study another.

“Okay,” Lu Ran nodded with a smile, then turned to General Ha and said, “You focus on mastering the second stage of energy flow-the domain can wait.”

“We’ll discuss more after we return.”

“Woof!~~” General Ha sighed and nodded-it was so difficult!

Soon enough, Lu Ran and his group found a weak wild beast at random and cast the pig transformation curse.

When a rabbit started making extremely indecent movements and sounds under the dark crow’s pig transformation curse, Principal Shi Zhen pursed her lips.

“Do you have a research direction?” she asked Lu Ran.

“Yes, I obtained some skill information in the breakthrough secret realm. I think I can combine that with an attempt to level up the curse-to create a curse that affects life signs,” Lu Ran said, referring to collections he had obtained from a necromancy cult.

One collection, named “Sacrifice Method,” described how necromancy pet beasts could enhance their skills by sacrificing souls.

Lu Ran planned to use this “Sacrifice Method” to see if he could apply it more broadly, by sacrificing “flesh and blood,” to enhance the dark crow’s pig transformation curse, thereby transforming the enemy’s life signs into those of a pig.

“And then, after you guys get familiar with the advanced pig transformation curse, you’ll study a reverse curse method, right?” Shi Zhen asked.

“Yes.”

“That makes more sense than the cat’s ‘curse overriding curse’ method. Although it’s a bit cumbersome, it’s much safer,” Shi Zhen exhaled.

“I will help you with the research,” Shi Zhen said. “Do you need any specific assistance?”

“Squawk.”

Before Lu Ran could speak, the dark crow interrupted.

It looked at Big King, indicating it wanted to speak.

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow, not too keen on letting it speak, but he sighed, deciding to see what it had in mind.

“Go ahead.”

“Hmm?” Shi Zhen also looked at the dark crow.

“Squawk, squawk.” The dark crow rubbed its wings together. Before arriving, Lu Ran had briefed it about Principal Shi Zhen’s situation, so it was well aware of its duties.

The dark crow said, “Your Excellency, since we are researching the pig transformation curse, could you provide us with some of your hair and blood from before and after your transformation?”

The dark crow felt that the sex-change curse was far more useful than its pig transformation curse! If only it could learn that as well.

As a king, Lu Ran must have a queen with a perfect talent. If such a female isn’t available, the sex-change curse is an option. This is crucial if Lu Ran ever needs exceptional offspring!

The dark crow, planning for all possibilities, felt it was its duty as the crow minister to be prepared, even if the contingency might never be used.

“This too???” Shi Zhen was speechless, clearly reluctant to comply, yet he couldn’t deny the request’s logic.

“Yes,” Lu Ran added, “I think this is something worth researching.”

“For now, I can’t think of anything else, but once I do, we’ll discuss it further, Principal.”

Lu Ran was relieved to see that the dark crow only wanted materials, and he appreciated that it was being slightly more reasonable this time.

“Fine,” Shi Zhen gritted his teeth, “I hope your research yields results soon…”

…

After a brief exchange, Lu Ran returned home from Infinite City.

In the living room, Manager Ying was still napping beside the weather elf.

On the sofa, Manager Ying and the cloud cat made a picturesque duo.

“Is it still sleeping?” Lu Ran was surprised.

“Isn’t it because someone keeps making it transform and use skills as soon as it was born?” Manager Ying retorted sarcastically. “You’re lucky you made a contract with the dark crow for your third pet beast. Had you contracted the weather elf, I can’t imagine how tragic its childhood would have been.”

“…” Lu Ran replied, “Come on, didn’t the princess contract her rock monarch right after it was born as well?”

“And it grew up quite strong.”

Manager Ying said, “That’s why she got bitten by the dog as karma.”

Lu Ran: “…”

“Woof, woof, woof!” General Ha came out from behind Lu Ran. Although Manager Ying was stating a fact, it felt like an insult directed at it.

“How was it? Did you see Shi Zhen’s domain?” Manager Ying changed the topic, asking, “Any thoughts?”

“Yes,” Lu Ran looked at General Ha. “I’m planning to have it construct a simple sword domain using the Blizzard Sword Intent, vegetation sword intent, and the nature control trait.”

“Basically, it would be a domain where…”

“The sky is filled with blizzard winds sharp as blades.”

“And the ground is covered with thousands of sword grass plants, interweaving snow and vegetation.”

“In extreme cold, the enemy will be rendered powerless, rapidly overwhelmed by the omnidirectional slashes of the Blizzard Sword Intent created by countless icy winds and the vegetation sword intent spread by numerous sword grass.”

“The Blizzard Sword Intent will handle ‘control,’ while the vegetation sword intent will manage ‘consumption.’”

Ice attribute: Freezing, which freezes the body and mind. Grass attribute: Absorb, which absorbs energy and life.

“The combination of these two attributes will ravage the enemy with countless strands of sword intent.”

“In a very short time, the enemy’s condition will deteriorate significantly. Weak enemies will already be dead, and stronger foes will be seriously weakened. At this moment, General Ha can deliver the final blow with ‘soul slash,’ leaving no chance for the enemy to become part of necromancy.”

“As for why we’re not integrating soul slashing or Dragon Slayer Sword Intent into the domain, I believe that a domain too complex would be unsuitable for it as a beginner.”

“Moreover, grass and snowstorms are natural elements, and they can synergize with General Ha’s nature control trait, allowing it to unleash greater power within the domain.”

“We can discuss more complex domains later. As long as a pet beast has a solid foundation, it should be able to construct as many domains as it likes, right?”

“Your idea is already quite complex, containing two attributes it doesn’t currently possess! Mastering even one domain is extremely challenging.” Manager Ying remarked, “But, a sword domain full of natural scenery? It seems as if there are no swords, but in reality, the grass and snowstorm are all sharp blades.”

“When the enemy’s blood mingles with the blueish domain, it actually looks quite beautiful.” It smiled slightly.

“Let me help you name it. What’s that phrase again? ‘Romance of wind, flower, snow, and moon,’ right? You could call it the ‘Wind Grass Snow Moon Sword Domain!’”

“I reject that on behalf of General Ha,” Lu Ran interjected.

“Tsk,” Manager Ying rolled its eyes, “With this concept in mind, it’s time to work toward it. But don’t rush. Once General Ha fuses with the Ultimate Perception Trait and leverages your talents, I believe it will absolutely be able to grasp the sword domain.”

“Woof!” General Ha, beside Lu Ran, felt relieved after hearing Lu Ran’s description.

It scared General Ha; it feared Lu Ran had planned some kind of hellish sword domain filled with bone swords and teeth.

The Blizzard Sword Domain surrounded by sword grass made General Ha pant with excitement, showing a longing expression. It really liked this magnificent imagery.

With eagerness, it was ready to dive into research immediately!

With that, General Ha dashed to the yard in a hurry.

“This dog…” Lu Ran chuckled, seeing General Ha’s renewed enthusiasm and shook his head.

Manager Ying mentioned that the sword domain involves two attributes General Ha currently doesn’t have: grass and ice.

This was indeed a challenge.

However, Lu Ran had considered this in advance.

After all, General Ha is a sword dog capable of wielding weapons, so wouldn’t the attributes of its weapons also be its attributes?

Sword grass represents the grass attribute, but the missing ice attribute could be supplemented with another weapon. Currently, General Ha is a Dual Sword school swordsman, so carrying two swords is perfectly reasonable.

Lu Ran had also planned for this additional weapon, which would be the anticipated Fang Blade.

He intended to forge each of General Ha’s teeth into ice fangs, creating an Ice Soul Sword.

Moreover, these two swords have great potential and could possibly “awaken” and grow.

In the future, if the sword grass could transform into plant life,

And if the Fang Blade could birth its own artifact spirit,

This situation reminded Lu Ran of the turtle and snake beastmaster he encountered during the Freshman Tournament.

Fusion evolution of pet beasts!

Could the plant life grass sword and necromancy life Fang Blade become General Ha’s attachments, evolving and growing alongside it?

In this light, although it’s a straightforward sword domain, the potential for growth is extremely high.

…

Lu Ran decided to let General Ha explore the sword domain on its own.

As for the Dark Crow, Lu Ran had determined it would be the third to undergo evolution, so there was no rush for it. Enhancing its soul and studying curse power would both take time.

The Sudden Death King, on the other hand, required the most immediate attention because Lu Ran planned for it to be the first to evolve. Although its current setup was comprehensive and flawless, there was one aspect that hadn’t reached its peak.

That was the development of its “Red Lightning” trait.

The Red Lightning trait strengthens the body the more it gets struck by lightning. Although the Sudden Death King had previously undergone special training at the Power Plant, compared to its perfect dragon king bloodline, perfect Dragon Soul, and powerful artistic conception of the dragon, its trait development was still lagging behind.

For the next two weeks, Lu Ran planned to focus its training on this aspect.

“Now that the weather elf is here, for the next two weeks…”

“The Green Sea will be under constant red lightning storm warnings!”

Lu Ran muttered, foreseeing that the Sudden Death King would soon become the team member who dislikes the weather elf the most.

But there was no helping it. This was all for the Sudden Death King’s own good and its perfect evolution. Even a newborn weather elf had been roped into working just a day after its birth. Hopefully, the Sudden Death King would appreciate this. Not everyone gets the chance for heavenly thunder body forging and heavenly thunder blessing, after all.