King of Beasts

Chapter 154: The First Encounter of King and General

Soon, Lu Ran moved in with Summer.

After arriving home, Lu Ran released General Ha and Sudden Death King.

The two pet beasts found Summer curious.

But they didn’t stay curious for long and soon ran off to watch TV together.

Tom and Jerry, start!

As for Dark Crow, it stayed silent on the side, holding a giant egg…

How the heck do you hatch this thing…

Once Lu Ran had finished tidying up, Summer had also almost finished organizing her room.

Seeing Summer, Lu Ran called out to her:

Saying this, he led Summer to the adjacent gym.

Lu Ran activated a giant punching machine. Seeing this, Summer looked intrigued.

Then, she saw Lu Ran calmly punch the machine.

Beep beep beep…

150 points.

Then, Lu Ran punched it a second time.

Beep… 150 points.

Lu Ran punched it three more times, making it a total of five punches, each scoring 150 points.

After the demonstration, Lu Ran looked at Summer and said, “Your turn to try.”

“Punch three times. You don’t need to use full strength each time; just control your power and make sure each punch has roughly the same force.”

“Like this?” Summer followed Lu Ran’s instructions and punched three times.

The scores displayed were 163, 142, and 152 respectively.

Seeing this, Summer fell into deep thought.

Lu Ran laughed: “These scores reflect the force of your punches. Clearly, your control over your strength is not perfect yet.”

“If you want to master spear intent, start by practicing this.”

“The control of your strength depends on your brain, and the key to wielding spear intent lies in your mental will, which also depends on the brain, an unknown realm. The two are deeply connected.”

“I have a blade technique here. You can start practicing with it.”

“The main purpose of this technique is to develop your brain, thereby improving your control over your body.”

“You could say that mastering this technique is a crucial step for you to embark on the supernatural path.”

“Of course, you don’t have to practice with a real blade. You can use a sword or a spear; it’s the same.”

“When you can do what I do, punching with a force variation of no more than 3, we can proceed to the next step.”

“Alright!” At this moment, Summer was convinced that Lu Ran could genuinely teach her! She took the blade technique that Lu Ran tossed to her. Hesitating for a moment, she looked at Lu Ran and said, “This must be very precious.”

“Not bad. It is quite valuable, but the Cultivation Studies major in the research department has similar techniques. I really don’t understand why you chose the combat department. All the precious theoretical knowledge is in the cultivating, research, and Healing Departments…”

“You should switch majors as soon as possible.”

Summer: ???

Is that so?

Lu Ran yawned. For a genius, this was indeed the case.

What the combat department taught, a genius had already mastered most of it. It was better to delve into niche fields to enhance one’s own strength.

The Cultivation Studies major had been researching how to enable Blue Star humans to open their Beast Taming Space. Additionally, they studied how to quickly level up beast taming skills and developed some niche skills for human use.

There were indeed a few skills similar to the Inch-perfect blade technique for direct human cultivation.

This was something Lu Ran had heard from Manager Ying.

However, there wasn’t a technique with exactly the same function as the Inch-perfect blade technique.

The techniques there were mostly for health maintenance and body forging.

Counting the Inch-perfect blade technique, Lu Ran felt that these skills for human cultivation were quite similar to martial arts manuals in Blue Star’s martial arts dramas.

Although they couldn’t compare to beast taming skills in terms of power, they were still rare and valuable, especially since they didn’t occupy a skill slot and didn’t require the power of a pet beast.

Lu Ran felt that these skills were very likely the predecessors of beast taming skills, developed by humans on Star-Moon Continent to strengthen their bodies and fight fierce beasts before the beast taming system was researched.

Although they were quickly replaced by beast taming skills, they were still passed down on a small scale.

In short, Lu Ran found the Inch-perfect blade technique, which develops the brain, to be quite impressive.

The proprietress’s ancestors must have been extraordinary.

Indeed, for Shopkeeper Long to be assigned as a novice guide for challengers in Infinite City, he must have had some background.

“You should go to the courtyard and practice on your own first.”

“Once you get the hang of it, the next training task is to maintain spear intent release!”

“Maintain spear intent release?”

“I’ve watched many of your battle videos. Your usual combat style involves close-range fighting with a spear, right? You rarely use the spear for long-range skills.”

“That’s right,” Summer responded. “Release-type skills consume too much energy. It’s impossible to maintain long-term combat.”

When strategizing for secret realms, frequent use of release skills would make it harder to conquer the realm.

On the contrary, fighting directly with the spear often yielded better results.

“Well… everyone starts off that way.”

Lu Ran and General Ha initially faced this dilemma too, but with General Ha’s fusion with the nature control trait, it no longer lacked energy.

Now, the total amount of energy it could mobilize was greater than that of a level 30 pet beast.

“However, you still need to practice. This is also one of the basics for mastering spear intent, which can deepen your understanding of it.”

“When the time comes, you’ll practice by grilling Barbecue with an iron skewer. When you can make the spear intent stay on the roast meat for more than 5 minutes, you’ll pass.”

“By the way, you should have plenty of crystal coins now. I suggest you buy a dozen lucid fruits to speed up your progress.”

“Your pet beast has Comprehension Enhancement, and you have lucid fruits. You should be able to learn quickly,” Lu Ran mused.

“Hmm, you probably don’t have any right now. I’ll lend you ten for the time being. Remember to pay me back later.”

After making arrangements, Lu Ran waved his hand, and ten lucid fruits appeared.

After coming into some money, he had bought a hundred lucid fruits to keep in stock, apparently treating them as after-meal snacks.

“This…”

“I will practice hard…” Seeing the ten lucid fruits appear, Summer’s mouth twitched. She guessed that Lu Ran must have spent a considerable amount on resources that temporarily boosted learning abilities.

Indeed, it’s not just about fearing a competitor with high talent; it’s about fearing one who has high talent, is willing to spend money, and also works hard.

Infinite City No.3.

After arranging for the female chef, Lu Ran returned here.

Crystal coins balance: 1.962 million

Equipment: Divine Deer Pendant (Epic), Spirit Transformation Pot (Exquisite), Long Leaved Sword Grass (Exquisite), Inscription Stone (Rare)

Resources: Heart of the Diamond Dragon (Exquisite), Ethereal Flower (Exquisite), Trait Crystal (Dragon King Bloodline, Evil God’s Eye), Beast Taming Skill Cards (Death Revival, Damage Transfer), Lucid Fruits x88, Upgrade Cards x116, various rare ingredients, various rare minerals.

Currently, Lu Ran could completely be described as a wealthy tycoon.

Even including the first-generation beastmasters, considering all his assets, Lu Ran should be among the wealthiest in the world.

Anyone who could loot him would instantly become rich.

This time, Lu Ran came to buy some eye-related resources.

Wearing a mask, he quickly arrived at the store and left just as quickly.

[Name]: Darksea Pearl

[Level]: Rare

[Introduction]: The eye of the Darksea Octopus King. When consumed by dark-type creatures, it can effectively enhance mental sight and the strength of dark-type energy. Non-dark-type creatures will experience severe side effects, potentially resulting in permanent blindness.

[Price]: 10,000 crystal coins/each

Lu Ran bought sixty Darksea Octopus Eyes directly.

Crystal coins balance: 1.362 million

Now, in terms of resources, Lu Ran could be described as extremely generous.

Even General Ha’s dog food was no longer the meager daily portion worth a few thousand crystal coins. It had been upgraded to a daily meal worth over ten thousand.

He directly treated the “Enhancement type rare resource,” which other fourth-generation beastmasters could only afford once after much frugality, as “daily food” for his pet beasts.

It was no surprise that with Lu Ran’s method of cultivation, he would soon catch up with the progress of the third-generation beastmasters.

After returning, Lu Ran planned to level up General Ha’s contract card. He estimated that by the time he had a breakthrough, General Ha, even if not reaching level 30, wouldn’t be far behind.

As for Sudden Death King, there was an overabundance of Loong-type cuisine, providing more than enough nutrition. This meant Lu Ran didn’t have to buy it himself, as Beast Taming University had prepared plenty for him to practice his Culinary Intent.

Even Dark Crow now had a bunch of top-tier dark resources, and it seemed it would reach over level 20 by then.

The rewards from the divine beast leaderboard and the Legendary Secret Realm taught Lu Ran that crystal coins were meant to enhance one’s strength. With greater strength, one could earn even more crystal coins.

Big money isn’t saved, it’s earned!

…

When Lu Ran returned, Summer was still practicing the Inch-perfect Spear Technique.

Lu Ran temporarily called a halt: “Take a break and switch training content to refresh your mind.”

Summer: …

“Lunchtime is approaching. Today, you should start by practicing culinary skills with spear intent.”

“How should I do that?” Summer put away her spear, looking puzzled at Lu Ran inside the house.

“I’ve prepared some ordinary ingredients for you to experiment with.” With that, Lu Ran glanced at his phone, then walked out the door, returning shortly with a large bag.

“I bought a bag of pig eyes. Later, you will use iron skewers to apply Dark Spear Intent, using the skewers as spears to string the eyes together and roast them continuously in the courtyard. There’s a barbecue grill over there.”

“As you roast, taste the food yourself. As dark cuisine, your Black Panther pet beast should also like it. I suggest you eat it in fusion with it to help you understand your Dark Culinary Intent from another perspective…”

“Me???” Summer’s eyelids twitched as she looked at the bag Lu Ran opened. Inside, a pile of pig eyes stared back at her, sending chills down her spine.

“Can I not eat it?” she said. “After roasting, I’ll dissolve the fusion and let the Black Panther eat it.”

“It’s best not to,” Lu Ran said. “Overcome it; it’s actually quite tasty.”

“It’s a specialty snack from Guangxi.”

Summer’s hands trembled as she held the spear. She had thought dark cuisine meant “cuisine imbued with Dark Culinary Intent,” not “literal dark cuisine!”

Roasted pig eyes, for people to eat?

She would rather eat fried bugs than roasted pig eyes.

“Keep it up. Once you’ve practiced enough, I have a rare resource—the eye of the Darksea Octopus King—that needs roasting. At that time, I’ll personally light the fire and teach you some fire skills to complement your Dark Culinary Intent.”

Lu Ran offered encouragement. Dark Crow’s meals depended on Summer. If she mastered her Dark Culinary Intent, it would significantly enhance the nutritional value of the Octopus eyes.

At this moment, Lu Ran felt like a manipulative boss exploiting his employees. The harder the employees worked, the more comfortable the boss could be.

“I’ll try my best…” Summer, who was usually a steadfast spearsmanship girl, now looked slightly troubled. She felt that practicing culinary skills was more painful than practicing with her spear.

After a while, Summer, feeling frustrated, went to set up the barbecue grill, carrying a bag of Pig Eyes to the backyard.

Meanwhile, Lu Ran, chuckling, found Dark Crow and asked, “How’s it going, incubating the egg?”

Dark Crow, holding the pet beast egg, remained silent and said in distress, “Big King, please let me practice sniping instead; this is so boring.”

“Next time, watch your mouth!” Lu Ran glared at Dark Crow menacingly.

Luckily, this time it was just Summer. If it were next time with Dr. Gu, and this guy was still running its mouth, Lu Ran felt he could strangle it.

“Get out of here.”

“Go practice in the yard, and don’t hit the house. Practice your release-type skills toward the sun.”

“Oh, by the way, the female chef is also in the yard grilling some food. After she’s done, you can taste a bit and give her some feedback. If something doesn’t suit your taste, let her know to improve it.”

“Big King, you’re brilliant!!” Crow quickly put down the egg and flew to the yard.

Lu Ran shook his head and began incubating the egg himself.

An egg.

Hurry and hatch.

Lu Ran was now itching with curiosity about what was inside the egg.

For this, he had even postponed his plans to enter the breakthrough secret realm.

[Name]: Egg

[Attribute]: Unknown

[Species]: Unknown

[Introduction]: A special life species with innate sovereign potential.

Although the species type is unknown, Lu Ran was now fairly certain that it was an elemental lifeform.

This was because the guild leader’s breakthrough to Level 5 took place in the elemental world. Besides him, a First Generation from Yinglun was also there. Only the two of them completed the breakthrough task in that world.

Both were rewarded with pet beast eggs.

However, the species should be different.

The other person’s egg had a yellow shell, while this egg from Xia Country had a white shell.

The other person’s egg also hatched much earlier, producing a middle-level sovereign species rock-type lifeform.

Therefore, Lu Ran’s egg was very likely to be an elemental lifeform as well, given that it was obtained from the same world.

Of course, there could be surprises. The elemental world also had ordinary supernatural beings. Although not mainstream, they still existed. Hence, it was highly probable that it was a special elemental species.

“Hopefully, it doesn’t overlap with my current pet beasts’ attributes,” Lu Ran prayed. Unlike Fang Lan, who preferred an extreme single path, he liked to have more variety to handle different situations.

After all, Lu Ran often soloed. Having a diverse set of pet beast attributes would prevent him from being countered.

…

Meanwhile.

As Summer was wrestling with the Pig Eyes, Dark Crow flew out and landed on a rock. It began to gaze at the clouds, gathering crow feather arrows, and started shooting at the sun.

Whoosh!!!

The black energy crow feather flew up several dozen meters before the energy dimmed and quickly dissipated…

“It’s getting shorter. Under the sunlight, my crow feather arrows are getting shorter,” Crow muttered.

“Ahem.” Nearby, Summer couldn’t help but scrutinize this Crow, wondering what was so special about Lu Ran’s Third Pet.

Besides speaking and having dark attributes, it indeed seemed quite rare.

But judging from its strength, it appeared rather weak.

“Hey, you’re called Dark Crow, right?” Summer asked while holding a skewer, striking up a conversation with Dark Crow.

“Hmm? Slacking off during cooking isn’t a good habit!” Dark Crow, seeing Lu Ran’s subordinate daring to slack off during cooking, immediately lectured her.

Summer: ???

“However, you are correct; I am indeed called Dark Crow. You can call me Dark Crow General,” Dark Crow said, making a gentlemanly greeting with its wing.

[This Crow is so intelligent; its wisdom is almost on par with an adult’s,] Summer couldn’t help but marvel.

“By the way, how did you and Lu Ran meet? And why do you call him big king?” Summer further inquired out of curiosity.

However…

“Woman, you have crossed the line!”

Dark Crow’s pupils contracted, almost turning dark. How dare she pry into such confidential matters.

“Can’t you say?” Summer was taken aback. Well, never mind then. She was just curious and didn’t understand why this Crow and Lu Ran had such a harmonious relationship without a contract.

“Not really,” Dark Crow pondered. It seemed there was no harm in sharing.

“Speaking of which…”

Dark Crow’s thoughts drifted away.

In Xia Country, the Crow species symbolized misfortune and was greatly disliked.

Whenever it flew to a place and encountered humans, it would always be driven away.

Over time, Dark Crow began to fear humans and would instinctively flee at the sight of them.

Until it met Lu Ran.

Dark Crow still remembered the first time it encountered Lu Ran.

It was eating a piece of carrion in the back mountain when Lu Ran suddenly appeared. Although it felt sorry to leave the food behind, it instinctively wanted to escape to avoid being attacked.

But to its surprise, Lu Ran’s voice penetrated its mind effortlessly.

“Huh? There’s actually a crow here!”

“And it looks pretty cool.”

“Hey, Crow, do you want to be my general? I’ll get you better food. What’s so good about carrion?”

“Don’t ask who I am; just call me ‘King.’ I am destined to be the King of Animals and the Beast Taming King.”

“Follow me!”

“Caw?”

Recalling Lu Ran’s delighted and non-discriminatory expression, Dark Crow knew right then that Lu Ran was entirely different from other humans.

Some people are born to be kings and are destined to shine in a brand-new era!

“What? You knew each other even before the revival of spiritual energy?” Summer was astonished.

Moreover…

“Pff…” She couldn’t help but laugh out loud. King of Animals, Beast Taming King-what a joke! Was Lu Ran really so silly back then? Although, boys of that age often are…

“Hmm?” At that moment, seeing Summer’s smiling face, Dark Crow froze, realizing it had made a mistake!

Oh no!

It had said too much. Lu Ran had told it to keep a low profile and not to reveal his ambitions to become a king too early!

However, it seemed like this was one of their own, their Chef, so it should be fine.

“Remember, keep all of this to yourself and focus on doing your job well,” Dark Crow said sternly.

“Build high walls, stockpile food, and bide time before proclaiming oneself king! Our goal is the stars and the sea.”