King of Beasts

In the blizzard.

Lu Ran and General Ha kept moving.

At this point, they had already ventured deep into the “Danger Zone.”

Due to the harsh environment here, they hadn’t encountered other extraction teams.

Guided by the map provided by Manager Ying, Lu Ran continuously found extreme ice.

This was certainly a good thing, but on the other hand, General Ha felt like its mouth was almost numb.

It felt like it could create a blizzard just by blowing now.

After eating so much ice, it wondered if it would have a stomachache when it got back.

“Woof~”

General Ha looked desperate. The ice tasted good, but it wasn’t happy at all.

“Let me see.”

Lu Ran pried General Ha’s mouth open, seeing its sharp white teeth as pure as ice, and nodded slightly.

“Good teeth, good teeth.”

“As long as it works.”

“But, kind of tired now.”

Lu Ran panted.

“Woof.” General Ha rubbed its head against Lu Ran’s pant leg.

Indicating: If you’re tired, we can take a break.

There was still the sudden death king’s evolution coming up, conserving energy was quite important.

It… no longer wanted to eat ice, almost threw up.

It wanted to eat hotpot!

“You’re right,” Lu Ran nodded. When it came to the sudden death king’s evolution, Lu Ran wanted to stay in the state of soul enhancement.

He had to welcome it with sufficient energy.

“But I can rest myself, you’re not tired.”

“If you want hotpot, I’ll make it for you now. After eating, you can continue eating ice.”

Lu Ran shouted, “Manager Ying, are you there? I’ll leave Cloud Baby in your care next, General Ha, you help look after it too…”

“I’ll be going to my private room to rest soon. You take General Ha to continue finding extreme ice.”

General Ha: ?

“Are you kidding?” Manager Ying appeared and thought Lu Ran was getting more and more ridiculous.

“After the Evolution Secret Realm is over, I will provide you with top-secret intelligence.”

“Information that will shock the world.”

“Deal.”

“Woof?”

The next moment, General Ha revealed a fierce expression. Antarctica, right? It bore a grudge; why did such resources have to exist!

…

To prepare for the upcoming Evolution Secret Realm, Lu Ran decided to take a rest.

Although there’s no concrete evidence showing that a beastmaster using enhancement type skills during pet beast evolution significantly boosts their potential, most beastmasters prefer to enhance their pets as they evolve. This interaction enhances their sense of involvement.

Now that Lu Ran has an enhancement type skill, he plans to do the same. After all, aside from consuming some energy, there’s no real loss. Even a slight benefit would be worth it.

At this moment.

Not only was Lu Ran resting, but the sudden death king was also in deep sleep within its contract card.

After several days of intense training, it was now recharging its energy under Manager Ying’s mental hypnosis, waiting for the moment to leap over the dragon gate.

After a long sleep, who knows how long it had been.

Lu Ran was awakened by a communication.

Pig Deity: [Lu Ran, stop sleeping. Let’s go grab some food. Then the Evolution Secret Realm is about to open.]

“Uh?” Lu Ran got up, rubbed his eyes, then glanced at the time.

A moment later, he returned to Antarctica, brought back the Icefang Dog, and stepped out of his private room’s dimensional gate, arriving at the Teleportation Plaza in Public Infinite City.

At this moment, the plaza was packed with people, far surpassing the hustle and bustle of those international metropolises. Beastmasters from various continents and countries had gathered.

In such a vast crowd, not to mention Lu Ran was wearing a mask, even without any disguise, it’s unlikely anyone would notice this Dragon Chef.

Before long, Lu Ran followed the address given by Zhu Kaixin and arrived at a Western restaurant.

In a private room.

“How’s the preparation going?”

Seeing Lu Ran, Zhu Kaixin grinned and said, “You look quite refreshed, so you must not be under much pressure.”

“Not really.” Lu Ran yawned and said, “Still four hours left, right?”

“Time is passing so slowly.”

“Pretty quick, actually. Maybe because you have no pressure. I got some intelligence here, interested?” Zhu Kaixin asked. “It’s about which beastmaster entering the Evolution Secret Realm might have a new pet with considerable potential.”

“No need to look. It doesn’t feel useful,” Lu Ran shook his head. “It’s not a battle, so knowing others’ intelligence won’t impact us much.”

“Moreover, if the intelligence is inaccurate, it can be very misleading.” Lu Ran pouted.

“Hahaha, are you talking about Dr. Hayden?” Zhu Kaixin said. “Back then, Manager Ying wanted to trade for your Stone Dragon Egg, saying it had the potential to mutate into a Diamond Dragon.”

“But to the public, it was promoted as a Diamond Dragon King’s egg.”

“The difference is too vast.”

“Mostly, people believed it because you were the only beastmaster at the time who could solo clear a Legendary Secret Realm. Having such an award wasn’t surprising.”

Lu Ran smiled, “There is one piece of intelligence I’m quite interested in. Do you have it?”

“Has the Eagle Federation’s Loong-type research made significant progress?”

Zhu Kaixin said, “About that, from what I know, they’ve made substantial strides, especially in resurrection technology.”

“The resurrected dinosaurs have seen significant advancements in innate Dragon’s Bloodline. Their first trait can perfectly fuse with loong-type traits, giving them a considerable advantage over other blue star species.”

“Secondly, in the past month, teams from two countries have conquered the Legendary Secret Realm for loong-type creatures. Both of these countries are allies of the Eagle Federation. The internal resources are most likely traded to the Dinosaur Research Institute.”

“Now, they should have some quality loong-type exquisite resources in their possession.”

“Besides, they seem to have convinced the ‘Evolver’ to participate in this experiment. The Evolver is a third-generation beastmaster from the Eagle Federation. He acquired a unique beast taming skill, ‘Evolution Blessing,’ from a breakthrough secret realm. This skill can enhance the evolution success rate and potential of contracted pet beasts.”

“Furthermore, any evolution within the Evolution Secret Realm will receive an additional boost.”

“They are confident, and it’s understandable. Based on this known information alone, even Gu Qingyi believes they have a real chance of cultivating a creature with dragon attributes.”

“Indeed,” Lu Ran nodded after hearing this, feeling that with such configurations, it might be possible for them to evolve a dragon.

“But no matter, I’ll step up,” Lu Ran said, now more at ease with Pig Deity and no longer inclined to be modest.

“Awesome!” Pig Deity gave a thumbs up, choosing to believe in Lu Ran.

After all, Lu Ran didn’t seem like someone who would boast.

Facing the configurations of the Eagle Federation, Lu Ran still seemed confident. Pig Deity started to look forward to the evolution of Lu Ran’s pet beast.

The two of them chatted while starting to order food.

Just then, Lu Ran suddenly paused and said, “Dr. Gu is apparently coming over in a bit.”

“Oh?” Pig Deity was surprised and said, “It seems she’s quite concerned about you.”

“She’s currently busy with matters of the Fishman Empire, yet she still has time to come over.”

Gu Qingyi herself had no new pets needing evolution. Since she was coming, it must be to see Lu Ran.

“Hmm? Principal Shi also said he’s coming,” Lu Ran continued, his private messages incessant.

“Damn,” Zhu Kaixin said, “Do they not trust me? Do they think I can’t protect you alone?”

Within public secret realms, mutual slaughtering is possible. Zhu Kaixin felt that Gu Qingyi and Shi Zhen were probably coming to ensure Lu Ran’s safety, fearing any mishap.

But Zhu Kaixin didn’t think it was necessary. Regular beastmasters would surely not dare to make a move against Lu Ran in such a public setting.

“All wealthy people,” Lu Ran remarked.

…

Time ticked away.

By now, more and more people were gathering at the teleportation zone of the Evolution Secret Realm.

Some had even entered early to secure a spot.

Although it wasn’t yet time for the evolution energy to surge, anyone could enter the Evolution Secret Realm by spending crystal coins at any time.

However, entering early would just offer an ordinary environment.

If there was something unique about the Evolution Secret Realm compared to other places, it was the starry sky view-in addition to the vast, crater-filled land resembling the moon’s surface, one could clearly see countless bright stars in the pitch-black sky.

Many wealthy beastmasters had already come early, just to witness this beautiful starry sky.

Before long, four figures entered the Evolution Secret Realm.

Lu Ran, Zhu Kaixin, along with the newly arrived Gu Qingyi and Shi Zhen.

Lu Ran came to the Evolution Secret Realm, only to be flanked by three First Generation combat-type beastmasters as bodyguards.

“Damn, no wonder you dared to step out today,” Zhu Kaixin said, wrapping an arm around Shi Zhen’s neck. “In your ordinary form, I can get close. Why can’t I when you’re in your gender-swap form?”

“We’re all good brothers here. I haven’t even held a girl’s hand,” he added.

“Get lost,” Shi Zhen, strikingly handsome in his male form, tried to break free but couldn’t match the fat man’s strength.

“You two, behave yourselves,” Gu Qingyi said, frowning with a stern expression.

Can’t you see there are kids here? [Lu Ran: ?]

“Yes, yes.”

“Ahem, ahem.” As a Fourth Generation hanging around a group of big shot First Gens, Lu Ran felt the pressure.

Inside the secret realm.

“Let’s find a place first,” Gu Qingyi suggested.

The Evolution Secret Realm wasn’t large, but it wasn’t crowded either.

If there was only one Evolution Secret Realm, it might have been packed this time. But with infinite city opening three Evolution Secret Realms simultaneously, many beastmasters opted to wait for the other three to open and didn’t plan to rush into the first one.

Of course, such a situation would attract a lot of onlookers, even those not planning to evolve any pet beasts-like Gu Qingyi. However, the 100,000 crystal coins entry fee ensured that only a select few could afford to merely spectate.

This audience didn’t compete for spots with the beastmasters below; instead, they rode flying pet beasts, watching the action from the sky.

“Here should be good,” Lu Ran and his group chose a relatively secluded area for the evolution process.

Still, with the four of them together, their group would inevitably attract attention.

Soon enough, foreign beastmasters also looking for spots noticed Lu Ran’s group.

“Wow, isn’t that the Dragon Chef, Lu Ran?”

“He’s here at the Evolution Secret Realm too.”

“The beauty next to him, is she the Dragon Tamer, Gu Qingyi?”

During the wait, their location continued to draw attention. Eventually, even the dinosaur research team on the other side became aware of Lu Ran and Gu Qingyi’s presence in the Evolution Secret Realm.

“Dr. Hayden, should we go over and take a look?” one researcher asked.

“No rush. We can check them out after the evolution,” Dr. Hayden replied calmly.

At this moment, research teams and beastmasters from almost every country had found their own spots within the Evolution Secret Realm, waiting for the surge of evolution energy!

“The time is almost here. Pig Deity, Lu Ran, you two can release your pet beasts and begin the final enhancement before the evolution,” Gu Qingyi said, checking the time and looking at Zhu Kaixin and Lu Ran. “Also, Zhu Kaixin, make sure to keep your pet beast away from Lu Ran’s. We don’t want any competition for the evolution energy.”

“Got it,” Lu Ran nodded.

“Damn,” Zhu Kaixin muttered, feeling a bit annoyed. Knowing Gu Qingyi for three years, he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was constantly looking out for Lu Ran and was worried about him hogging the evolution energy.

The next moment.

“Luluu,” Zhu Kaixin’s giant tusked pig with snowy white fur appeared, surrounded by swirling snow.

[Name]: Great Snow Pig King

[Attribute]: Ice

[Species Level]: Upper Commander

[Growth Level]: Level 31

Lu Ran, meanwhile, didn’t just release his Sudden Death King; he also brought out General Ha and the Dark Crow, intending to let them witness Sudden Death King’s evolution together.

“Roar!!!”

Awakening from its slumber, the Sudden Death King let out a vigorous roar.

However, sensing various powerful energies within the Evolution Secret Realm, it quickly became cautious, warily eyeing its surroundings.

So many strong energies…

“Waga-ga!” The Dark Crow, on the other hand, was unfazed and loudly exclaimed toward the starry sky, “Oh King, are we finally going to conquer the cosmos and become the rulers of the universe?!”

“General Ha, freeze it,” Lu Ran commanded. General Ha blew out a stream of fine snow, instantly freezing the Dark Crow’s beak.

“…” The Dark Crow whimpered.

The Sudden Death King also shot it a glare. Stupid crow, what nonsense are you spouting? Can’t you sense how many powerful beings are around here???

Talking so arrogantly could attract a bunch of enemies, and the first to meet a sudden death… would definitely be it, the tank!

“Such ambition,” Zhu Kaixin said, feeding the Great Snow Pig King while admiring Lu Ran’s crow. “No wonder it holds the pig transformation curse. It’s got personality.”

As for Gu Qingyi and Shi Zhen, they were already familiar with the Dark Crow and its antics, so they just shook their heads slightly.

At this moment, Lu Ran finally brought out the precious resource he had been saving for a long time-the Heart of the Diamond Dragon-and tossed it to the Sudden Death King.

“You can eat it now.”

Consuming it now, with the impending evolution, would maximize the nutritional value of this exquisite resource.

“Roar!!” The Sudden Death King nodded and swallowed the diamond-like heart whole.

Finally.

As time passed, a prompt tone resounded in the ears of every entrant.

[Evolution energy eruption countdown: 60 seconds.]

[Prompt ①: After the evolution energy erupts, it will envelop pet beasts that meet the evolution criteria, putting them into an ‘enhancement’ state.]

[Prompt ②: Among the enhanced pet beasts, the ten with the strongest evolution potential will receive a star blessing, further boosting their evolution potential.]

[Prompt ③: Entrants are temporarily granted the eye of data, allowing them to observe details about evolving pet beasts.]

60… 59… 58…

As the beastmasters waited nervously, suddenly, the ground cracked open, and numerous beams of white light surged out!