Chapter 129 - Beastmaster University (Part 2)

“After a week of enrollment, the number of Beastmasters applying to Beastmaster University has exceeded 100,000. Among these, the Combat Department has the most applicants, making up 60% of the total...”

Beastmaster University offered numerous departments of study, including the Combat Department, Cultivation Department, Medicine Department, History Department, Forging Department, and Research Department.

Within each department were various specialized programs. For example, the Cultivation Department included Nutrition Science, Culinary Arts, Horticulture, and Breeding. Each student, upon enrollment, would first choose a department and then select a specialized program within it.

Both Lu Ran and Fang Lan had asked Zhao Chen to pre-register on their behalf while they were completing their ascension trials. Fang Lan chose the Medicine Department’s Toxicology Program.

Lu Ran, on the other hand, opted for the Forging Department’s Weapon Forging Program. Of course, these initial choices weren’t set in stone.

Exceptionally talented students who mastered their programs quickly could choose to take electives from other departments without restriction. The university encouraged students to pursue diverse skills.

For instance, Lu Ran planned to take on Cultivation electives after finishing his forging studies. Although his current cooking skills were exceptional, this was largely due to his mastery of Culinary Intent.

His usual approach involved minimal preparation which were simple ingredients, basic seasonings, and a touch of Culinary Intent.

However, truly outstanding chefs, such as Emperor Flame Quake, could skillfully combine dozens of ingredients to maximize both nutrition and flavor. This required expertise in Nutrition Science, a field Lu Ran had yet to study.

The same applied to forging. Crafting high-quality weapons demanded more than just specialized flames. It required knowledge of reactions between various extraordinary minerals, their melting processes, and compatibility with different species. Areas Lu Ran would need to learn from scratch.

He had come to realize that cultivating Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King to their full potential would require a study workload even more grueling than his final year of high school.

While skipping from the second year of high school straight to university had felt like a stroke of luck at first, it now seemed like all those skipped lessons would need to be made up eventually.

Still, none of this deterred Lu Ran. He was certain that despite the variety of courses offered, the Combat Department would remain the most popular.

Life in the Combat Department would likely revolve around rigorous daily training, whether through physical conditioning for beastmasters and familiars or specialized methods to develop familiars’ skills.

Of course, Combat Department students weren’t exempt from other fundamental studies. Core subjects like Beastmaster Empire History and Basic Nutrition Science were mandatory for everyone, though the depth of study varied depending on the branch.

“They’ll be here soon,” Fang Lan said as she emerged from her room, interrupting Lu Ran’s thoughts.

She glanced at the television. “By the way, isn’t the freshman competition starting in two days?”

“Yeah, but it’s just the preliminary round,” Lu Ran replied.

“We’ll have to go to Golden Hill to participate.”

The university had anticipated a massive number of participants, so they had planned to use the preliminary round to eliminate a large number of candidates with average abilities.

During this round, test sites would be set up in various provinces, where participants would undergo an evaluation by interview.

Typically, a third-generation beastmaster hired as an instructor at Beastmaster University would act as the examiner at each test site.

Their familiars, which were usually over level 30, would assess the participants’ familiars without much effort. Even evaluating dozens or hundreds of candidates wouldn’t pose a challenge. This process meant the preliminary round would progress quickly.

Participants would receive a comprehensive score based on the examiners’ evaluations, and the top candidates would move on to the main competition.

The main competition, with fewer participants, was where the real rewards began which was access to the university’s coveted resource packages.

The university aimed to identify its elite freshmen through the main competition, as these students were destined to receive special training and cultivation.

Lu Ran found the whole process tedious.

Couldn’t the organizers just let those ranked on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking advance directly to the main competition? Why bother making them go through this formality in Golden Hill? What a hassle...

Not long after, Fang Lan’s parents hurriedly arrived at her residence, having dropped everything they were doing. The moment they entered, they nearly tore Fang Lan’s clothes apart, anxiously checking for any injuries.

Initially, they had supported Dr. Gu’s advice for Fang Lan to focus on her studies at Beastmaster University, building a solid foundation before venturing into secret realms.

However, after witnessing Fang Lan’s astonishing performance in the arena and realizing they couldn’t control the equally talented Lu Ran, who was practically clearing Hell-level secret realms for fun, they reluctantly allowed Fang Lan to join Lu Ran in the ascension realm.

“As long as you’re both safe,” their parents sighed in relief.

Despite knowing their children were rising stars among fourth-generation beastmasters, as parents, their worries never ceased. The news frequently reported tragic outcomes for overconfident young talents, serving as a constant reminder to remain cautious.

“See? I told you I’d be fine!” Fang Lan protested as she fixed her hair and clothes.

“If Lu Ran hadn’t helped you strengthen your abilities, you would’ve been in real trouble!”

After hearing about their adventures in the ascension realms, their mother couldn’t help but frown.

“In the shows I watch, the heroine usually spends her time cooking, arranging flowers, or embroidering. She is just being pretty while the hero does all the fighting and gains strength.

“Why is it the other way around with you two? Lu Ran was sent into a cooking trial, and you went into a brutal battlefield... Something feels off.”

“Well...” Their father was equally baffled.

He mused, “Maybe it’s trendy to subvert expectations now. But since Lu Ran’s culinary skills have improved so much, we should take full advantage and try his cooking.”

“That’s true. Still, being a beastmaster is so difficult. You two have already reached level 1, but your dad still hasn’t received his black bard.”

Their dad sighed in frustration. Even now, he’s not a beastmaster. It’s almost enough to make him doubt his credentials as a vet.

“Don’t worry, Dad. Beastmaster University’s Research Department has opened a program in Beastmaster Cultivation Studies. With so much talent flooding in, who knows? They might develop a method to create Beastmaster Spaces without needing black cards!”

On the Stellar Moon Continent, beastmasters could open Beastmaster Spaces and cultivate familiars without relying on black cards.

Some trial participants from Blue Planet had acquired these cultivation methods, but no one on Blue Planet had been able to practice them successfully.

It was as if humans from the Blue Planet and those from the Stellar Moon Continent had fundamental physiological differences. Still, governments worldwide saw potential in these methods and continued to prioritize research on them.

Relying solely on black cards for beastmaster capabilities left many feeling vulnerable, even though extraordinary powers had originally been granted by Limitless City. Many hoped to find alternative methods, even if it meant slower progression.

Initially, research on these methods had been conducted by select elite researchers. Now, with the establishment of Beastmaster University, programs specializing in beastmaster skills and Beastmaster Space creation have been formally launched, attracting a broader pool of talent to continue this research.

“Let’s hope so,” Their dad said with a resigned shake of his head.

“But honestly, it doesn’t matter much anymore. At least Lu Ran is reliable.” He looked at Lu Ran with satisfaction.

After becoming the Green Sea’s King, Lu Ran had chosen two familiar species from the region to gift to his mom and dad. His dad received an Electric Rat, while his mom got an earth-type cat, the little brother of One Ear.

Although they weren’t officially Beastmasters, these familiars provided them with strong personal security.

“Alright, alright. He’s the best.”

She couldn’t help but grumble inwardly about her lack of psychic abilities.

Telepathy is so unfair... Why didn’t I awaken something like that?

“

Haha

, I’ll start cooking first,” Lu Ran said as he stood up.

For his gourmet assessment, Lu Ran had hunted a variety of ingredients. He still had plenty of dragonfish meat left, having spent hours fishing with Captain Doofus.

Today, let’s prepare an all-dragonfish feast for Fang Lan and everyone. Sashimi, grilled fish. I’ll make it all!

“Captain Doofus, you’re up. You’ll be in charge of preparing the sashimi and fruit platters!”

As Lu Ran spoke, Captain Doofus appeared from his storage, much to the astonishment of Fang Lan and her parents.

“Wait, wait!” Fang Lan scrambled to her feet, staring incredulously.

“Why is Captain Doofus involved? What do you mean by having it prepare sashimi?”

“I already told you. Sword Intent is equivalent to Culinary Intent. So of course, Captain Doofus, who has mastered Sword Intent, can cook. In fact, it handled all the dishes during my assessment.

“Don’t worry. The Gourmet Hunter Society’s judges tasted its food and gave it full marks. Nobody got sick!” Lu Ran reassured them.

Using wind-type culinary skills was certainly more trustworthy than asking a poison-attribute beastmaster to cook. After all, wind energy was pure and natural.

“Uh...” Fang Lan and her parents exchanged bewildered glances.

Their expectations for the meal plummeted. It wasn’t a matter of skill or hygiene, but it just felt wrong to eat a meal prepared by a doofus.

“

Woof!

”

Captain Doofus let out a long sigh as it stepped into the kitchen without looking back.

Life as a cooking dog was hard enough, and now I have to deal with their disdain as well... This grudge will not be forgotten!

It decided to intensify its efforts. Specifically, it was referring to the Blizzard Culinary Intent!

Half an hour later, Captain Doofus poked its head out from behind the kitchen door. Its gaze fell on Fang Lan, Mom, Dad, and a group of poison-type familiars, all of whom were wolfing down their food with desperate enthusiasm.

It smirked contemptuously. It preferred how they had looked earlier, with their skeptical and disdainful expressions.

Look at them now! Devouring it all so greedily!

“This is incredible! So delicious!”

“Lu Ran, I feel like you and Captain Doofus could both take up positions as professors in the Culinary Arts program of the Cultivation Department!”

“Hmm, I’m considering it. But let’s wait until I’m fully enrolled before making any decisions,” Lu Ran said as he stepped out of the kitchen with a smile.

Earning a salary while studying sounds pretty appealing, doesn’t it? As for the Cultivation Department, I’ll probably join as a teacher or professor and take advanced courses to refine my skills even further!