King of Beasts

The four first-stage Evolution Secret Realms are located in the public secret realms of Antarctica, the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean, respectively.

Currently, the first three Evolution Secret Realms have already been opened. According to the cooldown period, the next opening will not be in less than three months.

So, the only remaining Atlantic Ocean public secret realm is the last chance for Blue Star’s beastmasters to pursue a perfect first-stage evolution in the near term.

This time, Lu Ran once again discreetly enlisted a few bodyguards for protection-just in case. However, unlike last time, Lu Ran didn’t have any plans for fishing or other distractions; he only wanted General Ha to complete its evolution quietly and close out his level 2 beastmaster stage.

Of course, although Lu Ran desired peace and quiet, given his current status, it was impossible for him to avoid attention.

As he teleported into the last Evolution Secret Realm and sat on a stone, numerous media reporters quickly gathered above the area.

“He’s here, he’s here, he’s here! That man has come again!”

“I knew it, he definitely wouldn’t miss the last Evolution Secret Realm!”

“Yeah, it’s finally the turn for that Gale Sword Dog. You know, that pet beast is definitely Lu Ran’s most popular one!”

The numerous reporters focused their cameras and attention on the Gale Sword Dog, General Ha, lying beside Lu Ran.

Lu Ran sat cross-legged, eyes closed, shielding himself from external disturbances. General Ha, also with its eyes shut, seemed unfazed by the surroundings.

However, although its posture seemed relaxed, General Ha’s breath was something the reporters took very seriously.

[Species]: Gale Sword Dog

[Attribute]: Wind

[Species Level]: Upper Commander

[Growth Level]: Level 30

Seemingly unremarkable attribute information.

But the imposing presence of the large dog lying there created a sense of overwhelming pressure.

The reporters understood this perfectly.

Even if its growth conditions were not as impressive as those of the Shield-winged Dragon King and the Twin Crow, this dog was definitely not to be underestimated.

None of them had forgotten that this very Erha had once effortlessly defeated a Tyrannosaurus Rex, which had a higher species level than itself.

An upper commander crushing a lower sovereign-anywhere, that is an awe-inspiring feat.

And that was just what people had witnessed firsthand. As for the unseen feats, there were plenty, like when Lu Ran, with the aid of the Gale Sword Dog and the un-evolved Shield-winged Dragon King, single-handedly cleared the Legendary Secret Realm… and defeated the upper sovereign Diamond Dragon. In those battles, the Gale Sword Dog certainly played a significant role.

Additionally, there were rumors that in the Breakthrough Secret Realm, Lu Ran’s Gale Sword Dog transformed into a bone hound from hell, subduing both the Golden Generation and the Imperial Army, which is an incredibly formidable achievement.

It’s precisely because of these accomplishments that, despite logical reasoning suggesting that General Ha’s evolution conditions couldn’t match those of the Shield-winged Dragon King and the Twin Crow, there remained a group of staunch supporters who believed that General Ha, after evolution, wouldn’t be any weaker than the other two.

These were General Ha’s earliest die-hard fans.

“There’s a slight difference in hair color compared to its previous appearances.”

As Lu Ran, using reverse super beast mimicry, transmitted some final experiences of mind sword intent to General Ha, many beastmasters noticed changes in General Ha. Specifically, compared to its original giant Erha form, the tips of General Ha’s black and white fur now had a tinge of blue highlights.

Though there was a change, this alteration did not attract much attention since the difference was minor. They just assumed Lu Ran had used special resources to cultivate the Gale Sword Dog, steering it towards the ice attribute.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a slight gap before reaching the overlord stage…”

However, not delving deeper into General Ha’s current state was the reporters’ biggest oversight.

At this moment, General Ha’s state was far more complex than it appeared.

[Species]: Gale Sword Dog (possessed by Sword Spirit)

[Attribute]: Wind (necromancy, ice, space)

[Species Level]: Upper Commander (Upper Sovereign)

[Growth Level]: Level 30

The true state of General Ha was far from simple. However, there was a downside that Lu Ran found regrettable – even with the Sword Spirit fused with the space attribute, reaching the middle sovereign level, it still couldn’t elevate General Ha to the lower overlord stage in one leap.

It seemed the gap between the sovereign and overlord stages was too vast.

Lu Ran estimated that when General Ha’s normal state reached the overlord stage, even the addition of a top-tier exquisite sword would likely only elevate it a small level, rather than bringing about a huge leap.

The difference between lower overlord, middle overlord, and upper overlord stages was likely significant as well.

Otherwise, there would probably be more than one sudden death king in the middle overlord tier right now.

“General Ha, oh General Ha…”

At this moment, Lu Ran’s biggest expectation for General Ha was that it could achieve a normal state of at least a lower overlord.

Then, paired with a good sword, it could reach the combat power of a normal middle overlord.

If that happened, Lu Ran would be satisfied. A middle overlord species, combined with domain techniques, might not necessarily be inferior to a high-level overlord of the same rank.

“Woof woof-“

At this time, General Ha was also making its final effort by experiencing the differences between soul slashing sword intent and mind sword intent.

Soul slashing sword intent increases damage to spirit entities.

Mind sword intent removes excessive emotions from the soul.

One is macro, the other micro. Besides being used for soul cuisine, mind sword intent can also aid oneself, for example, by removing fear and eliminating confusion…

Time slowly passed.

With his eyes closed, Lu Ran was interacting with his pet beast, giving off a “do not disturb” vibe. The numerous media reporters didn’t dare to intrude recklessly.

They could only ride on various flying pet beasts, keeping an eye on Lu Ran while also observing other evolvers.

“This lineup seems even more formidable than last time.”

Most of the beastmasters receiving special attention from these media reporters were from the Eagle Federation.

Currently, the Eagle Federation arguably had the most potential beastmasters. This was not because the federation inherently had a lot of native talents, but because the Eagle Federation is an immigrant country. Globally, whenever a genius beastmaster emerged from any small or large nation, they might be poached by the Eagle Federation and granted citizenship.

Over time, the beast taming power of the Eagle Federation quickly grew stronger. Conversely, small countries that could have used the beast taming domain to gain a competitive edge and become powerful lost their opportunity because their talented individuals were rapidly recruited by larger nations.

Of course, while reporters were focusing on the powerhouses of the Eagle Federation, those powerhouses couldn’t help but turn their attention to Lu Ran…

This was because, in the last two Evolution Secret Realms, Lu Ran had thoroughly trounced the Eagle Federation, leaving them no chance to respond.

“I wonder what kind of miracle Professor Lu will bring this time.”

“There aren’t miracles every time.”

“Anyway, with so many first-generation and second-generation talents gathered here, surely a fourth-generation won’t steal the spotlight again?”

Some beastmasters with Western faces were scattered around, their gazes fixed in Lu Ran’s direction.

Around them stood new pet beasts, some upper commanders, and some sovereign species.

It’s undeniable that with each Evolution Secret Realm, the talent and potential of the new pet beasts raised by the beastmasters have significantly increased.

The emergence of the Evolution Secret Realm has greatly motivated beastmasters to cultivate new pet beasts, and the dawn of the overlord era has made them invest resources without hesitation, even going bankrupt to fully equip their new pets.

…

“It’s so slow.”

“Why hasn’t it surged yet?”

The waiting process is undoubtedly long and anxious.

For some beastmasters, this moment might be more nerve-wracking than their own wedding.

After all, few beastmasters would invest hundreds of millions, or even billions of yuan in their spouse, but they would on their pet beast…

[Countdown to evolution energy surge: 60 seconds.]

After what felt like an eternity, finally, there was a result.

“Is it happening?”

Upon hearing the prompt tone, Lu Ran interrupted the reverse super beast mimicry.

General Ha slowly opened its ice-blue eyes.

“Howl~~” It barked, asking why Boss Lu hadn’t released the sudden death king and the dark crow.

“I’ll release them now.” Lu Ran smiled, fulfilling General Ha’s small wish. He just hadn’t had the time yet.

With sixty seconds remaining in the countdown, Lu Ran first summoned the sudden death king and the dark crow, allowing them to witness General Ha’s evolution. Then, he took out the “Ultimate Perception Trait Crystal.”

“Roar–“

“Caw–“

As soon as the sudden death king and the dark crow appeared, they showed cheerful faces toward General Ha, cheering it on. General Ha, on the other hand, snorted coldly and turned its head away.

It’s too late to kiss up now.

After evolving, it would slice them both up!

“So heartwarming, their bond is so strong…”

As usual, Lu Ran summoned all his pet beasts, and the gathered reporters couldn’t help but sigh as they watched the interaction among the three pet beasts.

In the blink of an eye.

Sixty seconds passed.

“It’s starting!” someone shouted excitedly.

Within the Evolution Secret Realm, the uneven ground began to crack.

Light burst forth from the fissures.

At the very moment that the light erupted, Lu Ran, standing next to General Ha, threw the Ultimate Perception Trait Crystal towards General Ha’s head, hoping to unleash its hidden intelligence.

“Awaken, General Ha.”

…

“Look, look-!”

At the instant Lu Ran hurled the trait crystal, countless eyes simultaneously fixed on the flying crystal.

Numerous reporters, utilizing their eye of data devices, instantly captured the information of this trait crystal.

They all wanted to know what kind of evolution trait Lu Ran intended to infuse into this Erha.

After all, considering the potential of this Erha, the strength of the third trait would largely determine if it could ascend to an overlord status.

If it was another top-level trait like “dragon king bloodline,” then perhaps a dramatic reversal of destiny wouldn’t be out of the question.

However.

When people saw the information of this trait crystal, they were collectively stunned.

[Name]: Trait Crystal (Ultimate Perception)

[Introduction]: Upon fusion, it can significantly enhance the pet beast’s comprehension.

“Huh?”

“Comprehension trait?”

And as Lu Ran embedded the Ultimate Perception Trait Crystal into General Ha’s head, it indeed instantly revealed a look of wisdom.

General Ha:

◑

.

◐

This scene left the beastmasters dumbfounded.

No matter how they thought about it, they couldn’t believe that Lu Ran chose such a trait for his Erha.

It’s not that comprehension is useless for pet beasts, but in comparison, the most top-tier bloodlines and the most formidable abilities clearly align more with people’s perception of power.

Moreover, for the notoriously mischievous and oddly-brained Erha to receive the Ultimate Perception Trait…

It could be said that if any other beastmaster or any other species of pet beast used the Ultimate Perception Trait, they wouldn’t think much of it. But if it were Lu Ran, it would feel a bit off.

The reason is that a trait like comprehension doesn’t significantly enhance a pet beast’s species.

What truly enhances a pet beast’s species are things like bloodlines and rare attributes.

“What is he doing-“

The reporters were puzzled. Had Lu Ran given up?

At such an important stage as the first-stage evolution, using a trait like the Ultimate Perception Trait, which is equivalent to a gamble, to fuse with a pet beast-even awakening a rare attribute like Space-would seem much stronger than fusing this trait.

[Ultimate Perception Trait…]

[Fusing such a trait with an Erha, he’s really bold.]

[Oh well, geniuses have their own thoughts.]

Secretly, Shi Zhen, Zhu Kaixin, Lin Nian, and others were initially very surprised by Lu Ran’s choice.

It’s not that the Ultimate Perception Trait is bad, but compared to the dragon king bloodline and necromancy clone, it seemed underwhelming in enhancing the species.

[Humph, foolish humans.] Nearby, Manager Ying’s gaze flickered.

The trait was found by Manager Ying, and it was also recommended to Lu Ran by it. Compared to these outsiders, it had more contact with Lu Ran than even Gu Qingyi.

Manager Ying knew better than these First Generation individuals about the potential talent of Lu Ran’s dog.

Moreover… now that the dog had even comprehended a domain, such a monstrous talent combined with the Ultimate Perception Trait would definitely be phenomenal!

“Manager Ying, are you and Lu Ran hiding something from me?” Gu Qingyi asked, noticing the upward curve of Manager Ying’s mouth.

“No, no such thing.” Manager Ying shook its head vehemently. It hadn’t mentioned the domain and sword spirit things to them… Hehe, mainly because Lu Ran wanted to give you First Generations a surprise.

“It seems Lu Ran’s pet beast’s species level won’t be that high this time,” the white mouse reporter in the sky mused, having been closely observing Lu Ran. When Lu Ran took out the Ultimate Perception Trait for fusion with his pet beast, she was also puzzled.

However, she quickly rationalized that perhaps Lu Ran wasn’t as fixated on developing another overlord species. After all, with two of his pet beasts already having reached overlord status, it wasn’t inconceivable that Lu Ran might whimsically decide to cultivate a pet beast with exceptional comprehension.

After all, according to the records, Lu Ran’s Erha had demonstrated considerable comprehension, mastering various skills before reaching level 10…

Even so, Lu Ran’s choice still deviated from the mainstream expectations.

Until-

The surging evolution energy enveloped General Ha. Combining with the Ultimate Perception Trait, it began to bestow a new species talent on General Ha.

During this process, General Ha instinctively released its power, creating a massive white sphere that instantly enveloped Lu Ran, General Ha, the sudden death king, and the dark crow within it!

Seeing this enormous white sphere, the beastmasters present were collectively stunned.

“Wait a second…”

“Is this… a domain?!?”