King of Beasts

“So…”

“What are the Youxiong Clan and the officials saying now?”

Faced with the revival of such an ancient creature, Lu Ran was unsure of the changes its awakening might bring to the beast taming domain of Xia Country.

Manager Ying mentioned this intelligence to him, but surely it wasn’t just to feed him gossip?

“I don’t know either,” Manager Ying shrugged.

“I only know that the iron-eating beast seems quite energetic, having been awake for several days now.”

“However, the news only came out today.”

“The Youxiong Clan claims they have already communicated with the ancient iron-eater.”

“They say the ancient iron-eater is willing to serve as the guardian deity of Xia Country.”

“Moreover, if anyone is interested in the Panda Guardian, they can visit the guardian in person tomorrow.”

“Eh?”

Lu Ran was startled and said, “Why does this tactic seem so familiar?”

This was exactly his play in the Cult of Necromancy!

Posing with a prestigious identity to have others bring gifts!

The Youxiong Clan really knows their stuff!

With the reputation of an ancient creature, they can definitely attract many powers from Xia Country to bring gifts and pay homage… Smart move!

“Are you planning to go check it out?” Lu Ran asked.

“Yeah.”

“I came here to ask if you wanted to come along,” Manager Ying said.

“As a fellow ancient being, I want to talk to that iron-eater.”

“Who knows, I might get some valuable intelligence.”

“If you’re busy, I’ll go alone.”

“Let’s go,” Lu Ran said. “Why not?”

“After all, General Ha and Dark Crow aren’t in a hurry to evolve.”

“Are we also leaving tomorrow morning?”

Lu Ran was now curious about the ancient iron-eater’s background, wondering if it had stored any ancient treasures.

If the ancient iron-eater had a substantial inheritance, Lu Ran was quite interested if it was keen on “propagating its lineage,” as then he could exchange the “blood drop stone” for resources with it.

“No, it will be too crowded tomorrow.”

“Our status is so unique, we should have some privileges, right?”

“Let’s leave now!”

“As far as I know, many have already arrived there.”

Lu Ran mused; he had thought about preparing some gifts, but never mind.

Chuan-Shu.

Rong City.

Although the Youxiong Clan has branched out across the nation, the strongest branch has even established the Youxiong Group, a large enterprise spanning Daxia and the Snowfield Federation.

However, on fixed annual holidays, members of the Youxiong Clan still return to Rong City to pay homage to their ancestors.

Youxiong Ancient Town.

Under a ginkgo tree by the street, Lu Ran, dressed in an Erha T-shirt, a duckbill cap, and black sunglasses, arrived here instantly alongside Manager Ying of the cat-eared maid café through teleportation.

After teleporting, they approached the sealed ancient mansion.

“Look, the door is closed,” Lu Ran said.

Manager Ying asked, “Should you call or should I?”

Lu Ran, resigned, replied, “I’ll do it.”

A moment later.

The call connected.

Lu Ran called the only member of the Youxiong Clan he knew, Youxiong Anlin.

“Lu Ran?” came the surprised voice from the other end.

The two weren’t exactly close.

Their acquaintance was limited to meeting during the Freshman Tournament where Youxiong Anlin immediately conceded.

And then… Youxiong Anlin invited Lu Ran to team up for the Legendary Secret Realm, but Lu Ran firmly declined.

Despite being slighted by Lu Ran, Youxiong Anlin proved his mettle by teaming up with others to clear the Legendary Secret Realm.

“Are you in Youxiong Ancient Town?”

Startled, Youxiong Anlin responded, “Don’t tell me you came over too.”

“Mm-hmm, Manager Ying from the cat-eared maid café and I just happened to be passing by. We heard about the situation here and came to check it out. Can you host us?”

“Damn,” Youxiong Anlin paused, then said, “Sure… no problem, I’ll head over.”

“Why didn’t you guys say something before coming?”

Youxiong Anlin sighed.

There’s a hierarchy even among guests.

For someone of Lu Ran and Manager Ying’s stature, it wouldn’t be inappropriate for the current patriarch of the Youxiong Clan to personally receive them.

Lu Ran, the first from Blue Star to cultivate an overlord, among the Strongest Fourth Generation, solo cleared the Legendary Secret Realm as easily as drinking water, and was touted by the media as someone who, within a year, would rival the First Generation.

Manager Ying, an ancient creature, was the first to form an alliance with Xia Country and is suspected to be the first ancient creature to awaken. Additionally, it holds true control over Xia Country’s second largest intelligence organization and is well-acquainted with every First Generation.

These two individuals carry significant weight.

Upon receiving the news, Youxiong Anlin immediately came out to greet them personally,

“Lu Ran, Manager Ying, come, come, let me take you to the lobby.”

Youxiong Anlin came out with a wry smile, saying, “Actually, there are a few others like you who also arrived early… uh.”

“Uh, that outfit.” After coming out, Youxiong Anlin saw Lu Ran’s attire and was momentarily stunned.

Black shorts, an Erha T-shirt, sunglasses, and a duckbill cap-such a trendy look hardly seemed fitting for someone known as Passerby A, who had suppressed a generation.

Had he not received a phone call, he certainly wouldn’t have associated the man before him with Lu Ran, Passerby A.

Well… in a sense, it was indeed very good camouflage.

“It’s comfortable,” said Lu Ran.

Manager Ying then looked at Youxiong Anlin.

“Kid…”

“You’ve gotten quite strong.”

“Ah ha, not bad, not bad,” Youxiong Anlin glanced at Lu Ran, albeit subtly.

His confidence had grown substantially.

Although Lu Ran had raised an Overlord Dragon, now, Youxiong Anlin felt that his own future was also promising.

All thanks to that Living Fossil-level Guardian!

These younger generations, including himself, had received numerous benefits from this Living Fossil-level Guardian, significantly enhancing their strength-it was as if they had powerful creatures helping them cheat.

Youxiong Anlin felt that if Lu Ran had not evolved the Overlord Dragon, at this moment, he would undoubtedly not stand a chance against him.

However, despite it all, Lu Ran had indeed managed to cultivate a pet beast from the Overlord Species.

But Youxiong Anlin believed that, with the Guardian’s help, his Light and Dark Panda would eventually evolve into the Overlord Species as well.

Youxiong Anlin was still surprised that Manager Ying could perceive the change in his strength… Indeed, it was also an ancient creature.

“Youxiong~ What’s the situation with that Panda Guardian?”

“You just mentioned that other people have also arrived early?”

Under the guidance of Youxiong Anlin, Lu Ran and his companions entered a vast ancient mansion. More than Youxiong Anlin’s newfound powers, Lu Ran was curious about the origins and background of the Panda Guardian.

“I’m not entirely sure myself; the guardian won’t say,” Youxiong Anlin admitted.

“However, your timing couldn’t be better. Several First Generation big shots have also arrived. My sister has already gone to awaken the guardian.”

“You’ll see for yourselves soon,” Youxiong Anlin added mysteriously. “I’m sure you’ll be quite surprised…”

Lu Ran exchanged a glance with Manager Ying, and shortly after, Youxiong Anlin led them to the grand hall.

In the quaintly decorated hall, scattered around a few tables, sat several distinguished guests. Youxiong Anlin’s uncle, Youxiong Jiyuan, who is currently the president of the Living Fossil Guild, was warmly welcoming them.

As soon as another group of special guests was brought in, all eyes in the hall turned their way. Noticing Manager Ying, a few nodded in acknowledgment, but their expressions turned curious upon seeing the fully armed Lu Ran.

“Lu Ran?” The Pig Deity, who was cracking sunflower seeds at a table, spoke up in surprise.

“You were brought here by Manager Ying too?” Shi Zhen remarked, equally surprised.

“Hey, Lu Ran,” Dr. Gu greeted warmly, chatting with a petite young girl at another table.

“Ah, so we finally meet in person,” a young man with gray hair and another with a horse-like face said, both taken aback by Lu Ran.

Lu Ran was speechless.

Six First Generation big shots gathered!

With half of the twelve branches

1

of the Alliance present, it seemed that the information about the Youxiong Clan’s totem guardian had drawn significant attention from the Alliance.

“Hello everyone…” Lu Ran managed a sheepish smile, feeling somewhat out of place.

However, Manager Ying seemed quite at ease, walking towards Gu Qingyi.

“Professor Lu.”

Seeing Lu Ran, the Youxiong Guild Leader quickly approached, greeting him with a smile: “Welcome, welcome.”

“I’ve long wanted to visit you, and I never imagined that you’d come to Youxiong Ancient Town today. Please, stay for a few more days so I can play host.”

“No need to fuss over me…” Lu Ran replied with a smile, “Youxiong Guild Leader, please, don’t mind me…”

Exchanging pleasantries, Lu Ran found himself seated across from Zhu Kaixin and Principal Shi Zhen.

“You guys made it too,” Zhu Kaixin said cheerfully. “I knew it; a gathering like this wouldn’t be complete without Manager Ying!”

“I figured as much,” Manager Ying retorted as it hopped onto the chair, casting a disdainful look. “Once the news spread, I expected your noses would be as sharp as a dog’s, rushing over immediately.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, please wait a moment longer. The Panda Guardian is quite fond of sleep and difficult to wake,” the Youxiong Guild Leader and Youxiong Anlin mentioned to the early arriving big shots, somewhat helplessly.

They knew that once the news was out, official figures would likely be the first to arrive, but they hadn’t anticipated such a distinguished turnout.

Six from the twelve branches, one ancient creature, one from the Strongest Fourth Generation… Wow.

Such a lineup could topple a small country.

“Can you share some intelligence about this Panda Guardian ahead of time?” Zishu, one of the twelve branches, a young man with gray hair, asked:

“You spread the news without sharing any details. That’s not very proper.”

The Youxiong Guild Leader chuckled, “The main issue is that we don’t know much ourselves.”

Just as they were about to continue the discussion, suddenly, everyone felt an immense ferocious breath approaching the venue.

The First Generation’s expressions changed as they looked towards the entrance. Soon, a bipedal creature, standing over three meters tall and holding a bamboo leaf in its mouth, a beast also known as a giant panda or bamboo bear, slowly appeared accompanied by a young girl barely over one and a half meters tall.

“Metal grass dual element, upper overlord, level 68…” Seeing the giant panda, the group was momentarily stunned. Higher level than the Fishman King?

Footnote:

1. Twelve Branches(十二支):

   The “Twelve Branches” (十二支, shí èr zhī) is an ancient Chinese system used for reckoning time, most famously in the context of the Chinese zodiac. Each of the twelve branches is associated with an animal and corresponds to a specific order. Here is the list with their pinyin names and the associated animals: Zishu (子鼠) – Rat. Chouniu (丑牛) – Ox. Yinhu (寅虎) – Tiger. Maotu (卯兔) – Rabbit. Chenlong (辰龙) – Dragon. Sishe (巳蛇) – Snake. Wuma (午马) – Horse. Weiyang (未羊) – Goat. Shenshou (申猴) – Monkey. Youji (酉鸡) – Rooster. Xugou (戌狗) – Dog. Haizhu (亥猪) – Pig.