Chapter 109 - Wealthy and Generous

They were still figuring out how to enter the City Lord’s Mansion. Yet, Lu Ran had already been invited there... The group, led by Bai Ling, felt dizzy.

Is this what a player with hacks looks like?

Thankfully, this ascension realm wasn’t too hostile. Otherwise, they really wouldn’t know how to play against Lu Ran. The group exchanged glances toward Bai Ling.

Their looks seemed to say,

White Tiger Sis, there must have been a reason Pedestrian A could beat you back then. This guy really is something else.

“

Humph!

”

Bai Ling wasn’t convinced. She’d already suppressed Pluto on Limitless City #5, but after her strength increased, she still hadn’t had the chance to spar with Pedestrian A. Bai Ling had always wanted to find out Pedestrian A’s true power.

Will this ascension realm offer that chance...?

“Well, guess we’ll have to manage ourselves. The five of us will think of something.”

Deer Masking Horse grimaced, unwilling to miss this opportunity.

Sometimes, the side missions that trial participants uncover within an ascension realm can yield even richer rewards than the main mission! That’s the charm of the ascension realms.

Some members of the Secret Realm Raid Team would even purposely fail ascension tasks or cap their levels, just to keep exploring the realm world. Of course, there are increasing risks with that approach.

After all, when walking by a river, how can one not get their feet wet?

“Why don’t you ask Manager Long?” Lu Ran suggested.

“Alright, let’s go ask Manager Long.”

Bai Ling gathered the group, now their clear leader, as her strength was the highest among the five before Lu Ran revealed his identity.

“Good luck.”

Quickly, Lu Ran saw them off. Watching them leave, he exhaled in relief and laid back down to rest.

Time for some sleep. I’ll train more this afternoon. As long as I don’t die from training, I’ll train to the death.

***

That afternoon, a human and a dog were once again in the kitchen amidst flying blades and flashing knives. One fruit after another floated in mid air, awaiting the blessing of the kitchen tools.

In this small process, Energy Projection, Wind Manipulation and Energy Projection, Sword Intent were both practiced.

What Lu Ran didn’t know was that the fruit platters he had cut at noon were already spreading through Ning Chuan City with miraculous praise.

The beast-familiar clans of Ning Chuan City had all heard that Frost Moon House had welcomed a chef with unique Culinary Intent, who sometimes prepared complimentary fruit platters for diners.

Many factions wondered what kind of marketing strategy this was.

At City Lord’s Mansion, a handsome young man was munching on a grape, muttering, “Dad, I found out that the chef who cuts the fruit platters isn’t an old hand from Frost Moon House. He’s really young and just recently started learning there!

“The fruits he cut taste amazing and seem to be infused with Ice-attribute

Culinary Intent. Just one bite feels exhilarating. When are we getting a chef with Culinary Intent?”

“I asked Manager Long to have this young chef prepare chilled fruit for the banquet in two days. Since you love talented people, maybe you can invite him to be a chef at the City Lord’s Mansion.”

“That’ll be tough.”

The City Lord of Ning Chuan looked at a painting on the wall.

“A person with Culinary Intent may not always make Treasure dishes, but without Culinary Intent, there’s no chance of creating exceptional cuisine.”

“Such people, they won’t stay long, even if they’re in Cang Lan Province.”

“Even if we throw money at them?” asked the young man.

“We’ll see,” The City Lord of Ning Chuan replied.

If Lu Ran had heard this conversation, he would have happily sold himself. Happily sold himself at a high price! And thankfully, these ascension realm people are so intelligent and insightful!

As long as the resources are right, Lu Ran would willingly serve as a chef. Anyway, after thirty days, everything vanishes like smoke, nothing permanent left behind.

The City Lord of Ning Chuan looked at his son. “Stop just eating, alright? When I host the banquet, young talents will gather, and as my son, you need to show off some skills. I’m counting on you to save my face.”

“Relax.”

The handsome young man replied, “Looking across the young generation in Cang Lan Province, do you not know my strength?

“When I step up, I’ll definitely overwhelm the crowd!”

The City Lord of Ning Chuan had broken through to level 5, becoming one of the few level 5 beastmasters in Cang Lan Province, a big headline. Countless invitations were sent out, and various factions sent people to celebrate.

As Cang Lan Province’s most famous restaurant, Frost Moon House had been filled with guests, causing Lu Ran’s workload to surge.

Before long, the day of the banquet arrived, and Frost Moon House closed for the day. Manager Long led a team of assistant chefs to the City Lord’s Mansion.

The banquet invited so many guests that City Lord’s Mansion didn’t have enough chefs on its own, so the City Lord of Ning Chuan hired many chefs from Frost Moon House.

“Listen up, I’m talking to you apprentices.”

On the way, Manager Long looked at Deer Masking Horse and the others.

“You requested to be brought here, but until your tasks are done, don’t wander around the City Lord’s Mansion. If something comes up, contact me immediately, understand?”

Their tasks were essentially cleaning and serving tea.

Bai Ling and the others looked disheartened.

How annoying.

In the end, we infiltrated the City Lord’s Mansion this way.

But Manager Long assured them that once they finished their duties, they could join the activities, which eased their concerns.

As long as we don’t miss out on this banquet’s side mission...

Compared to them, Lu Ran was far more relaxed. Each chef from Frost Moon House was given a personal kitchen. Even Lu Ran had one. The kitchen was stocked with Advanced-quality spiritual fruits.

Although the workload was heavy, these were good items. Lu Ran and Captain Doofus could enjoy some scraps while working. Of all the chefs, Manager Long was most concerned about Lu Ran and personally stationed Bai Ling and her group outside his kitchen to keep watch.

Bai Ling and the others were puzzled until they sneakily spotted Captain Doofus wielding a kitchen knife alongside Lu Ran. The group fell into stunned silence.

That explains it... This is definitely not something the City Lord’s Mansion should see.

You’re unbelievable, Pedestrian A! You always manage to surprise us! Is that really how you use a familiar?

“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and bring those fruit platters to the banquet. The golden tasting time is less than five minutes! Remind the guests to eat immediately!” Manager Long ordered.

Bai Ling and her team instantly became Lu Ran’s assistants.

One by one, they carried fruit platters to the banquet hall with resigned expressions. Bai Ling was particularly frustrated, hoping no one would spread this around, or else, news of White Tiger Sis from the Four Saints Guild working as Pedestrian A’s assistant in an ascension realm would surely trend.

In the bustling banquet hall, dozens of tables surrounded a massive arena. Hundreds of elegantly dressed guests mingled and conversed with laughter.

Banquets in the Beastmaster Empire were always about fighting and eating. The national custom.

“Fruit platters just arrived?”

Some guests shook their heads upon seeing Deer Masking Horse and the others bringing in the platters, feeling the City Lord’s Mansion should have prepared these in advance.

However, once a thirsty guest picked up a fruit and took a bite, the atmosphere on one side of the banquet instantly changed.

“Don’t hog it!”

“Leave me a piece!”

“Buddy, you’ve had three already. Haven’t you ever tasted fruit?”

The fruit platters vanished as quickly as they appeared, sparking disputes and catching the attention of nearby tables.

“Ning Chuan’s City Lord is indeed generous. He even hired a chef with Culinary Intent to prepare the fruit platters. An Ice-attribute Culinary Intent. A rare treat on a hot summer day!” praised by an elderly man who rose to flatter him.

Ice-attribute Culinary Intent! The guests became even more excited.

“Did they say that there’s a chef with Ice-attribute Culinary Intent slicing fruit platters?”

“I have to try it!”

“Could it be the chef from Frost Moon House? Frost Moon House recently hired a chef who uses Ice-attribute Culinary Intent to prepare fruit!”

Just moments before, the guests had been discussing the City Lord’s breakthrough to level 5, but now the talk shifted back to food.

“Esteemed guests, please be patient. Each table will receive a fruit platter soon. The chef is working alone, and the fruit must be freshly sliced for maximum taste, so please bear with us,” The City Lord’s Mansion steward explained from the stage.

“Before you enjoy the food, which two young talents would like to have a beastmaster duel on stage? Many young beastmaster geniuses from Cang Lan Province have gathered here today.

“As we all know, the City Lord values talent and has prepared generous prizes for those brave enough to display their skills. What better way to celebrate than with a spirited beastmaster duel?”

“I’ll go!”

“Me too!”

Immediately, several young beastmasters volunteered.

This kind of banquet wouldn’t be complete without delicious food and an intense beastmaster duel. Soon, two beastmasters were locked in combat in the arena as Bai Ling and the others carried fruit platters to the tables.

“Level 12, Superior-Transcendent Species, Flaming Fox.”

“Level 13, Superior-Transcendent Species, Blooming Butterfly...”

“Their levels are so high,” Deer Masking Horse and the others remarked, feeling daunted by the skill level of these beastmasters.

Unlike the beastmasters of Blue Planet, Stellar Moon Continent’s beastmasters and their familiars had no Limitless City restrictions. However, this didn’t mean that leveling up as a Stellar Moon Continent beastmaster was easy.

On the contrary, Stellar Moon Continent’s beastmasters faced even more limits in leveling up. For instance, without black cards to help, they had to create their own beastmaster spaces to contract familiars.

The creation and upgrade of the beastmaster space required the beastmaster to spend extensive time meditating and training. If the beastmaster’s level didn’t keep up, it would hinder and limit the growth of their familiar.

The main difference was that at each bottleneck, Apprentice, level 1, level 2, and so on, beastmasters on Stellar Moon Continent had to find ways to advance on their own. Unlike the beastmasters of Limitless City, who could simply advance by completing ascension realms.

Thus, compared to these beastmasters, trial participants did have some advantages, especially in growth speed, thanks to Limitless City’s assistance.

In terms of resources, Limitless City essentially provided infinite supplies due to the nature of ascension realms, but on Stellar Moon Continent, even Common resources weren’t limitless.

“This isn’t looking so good.”

Deer Masking Horse and his group, seeing even minor characters with such strength, felt the pressure. The only one with confidence left was Bai Ling, who believed she could handle opponents a few ranks above herself. This confidence came from her position at the top of the Heavenly Familiar Ranking.

Lu Ran completed the first batch of fruit platters, but when he left the kitchen and saw the empty plates, he realized he might be asked to prepare another round of fruit platters after the main course.

“How’s it going?”

Lu Ran approached Bai Ling and her group.

“The fruit platters were a hit! Every guest praised them, saying the fruit tasted almost enchanted,” Mountain Adventurer said excitedly.

“Pedestrian A! If someone asks why your food tastes so good, just tell them it’s Culinary Intent!”

“I mean the arena fights!”

Lu Ran rolled his eyes.

Who cares about the fruit platters!

“Oh. So far, no terrifyingly strong beastmasters have appeared. Most are around levels 10 to 20, superior-transcendent species.”

Lu Ran glanced toward the arena, where a Wind-attribute giant eagle was now fighting a Rock-attribute giant bear.

Both beasts were levels 16 to 17, each beastmaster displaying Projection Manipulation skills in various forms. They hadn’t merged any traits, but for most trial participants, they were still formidable opponents.

Soon, the giant bear lost, and seeing this, the City Lord of Ning Chuan smiled.

“A splendid battle. Thank you both. But I noticed Cang Lan Province’s most famous talents still haven’t stepped forward. Are my prizes too modest?

“Then let’s make it bigger! In the next duel, any contestant who wins three consecutive matches can pick a Rare resource from the City Lord’s Mansion. Four wins, and they can choose two. Five wins, three!”

The City Lord gestured, and the steward lifted a red cloth, revealing dozens of Rare resources radiating brilliance.

“Whoa, the City Lord is generous.”

Seeing this, countless young beastmasters’ eyes turned red. Even Deer Masking Horse and his companions from outside looked stunned.

“Damn! So many Rare resources,” Snakeskin said, noticing they were worth at least ten thousand crystal coins each.

“Level 5 beastmasters are amazing!”

“Indee—!” Pet Store Owner began to say, but when she turned around, she was startled to see Bai Ling and Pedestrian A both gazing at the resources with green gleams in their eyes.

“He’s really wealthy,” Bai Ling stared intently at a piece of tiger bone.

Lu Ran was fixated on three Soul Cleansing Fruits.

“And generous,” Lu Ran couldn’t help but say.

Perfect!

He wasn’t greedy. Those three Soul Cleansing Fruits would be more than enough. An exact match for what he needed to enhance his comprehension and insight.

These would be invaluable if I trained Dragon-attribute Culinary Intent in Dragon’s Valley.

“Is there anyone who dares?”

City Lord of Ning Chuan smiled, preparing to have his son step up for fame, when suddenly, a voice emerged from below.

“I will!” Lu Ran stepped forward.

Bai Ling and the others were stunned.

“Whoa. Pedestrian A doesn’t hesitate, does he?” Deer Masking Horse and Snakeskin were taken aback by Lu Ran’s decisiveness.

Is this social anxiety?

A social anxiety disorder that always strikes first?

Nearby, Manager Long, who had been watching, was also dumbfounded, staring speechlessly at Lu Ran.

“Hm? Whose family are you from?” the City Lord asked curiously, seeing Lu Ran was unfamiliar.

“I am Sudden Death King, an apprentice chef at Frost Moon House. Those fruit platters were prepared by me,” Lu Ran said shyly.

Everyone was confused.

So young, yet...

Then get back to cutting fruit! We need more! Why are you running up here? Your schedule’s too packed!