Chapter 154 - Good Luck Spear-Wielding Big Sister

Despite Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad causing a stir, the Beastmaster University freshman competition continued in an orderly fashion. As soon as the news of Lu Ran’s victory over the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad spread, his next opponent decisively forfeited.

This earned that opponent the title of the “most self-aware beastmaster” among the fourth-generation beastmasters. Thus, Lu Ran advanced once again without a fight.

However, Lu Ran couldn’t help but laugh. His next opponent? None other than Fang Lan.

At this moment, Fang Lan had a massive headache. To be fair, even if Lu Ran weren’t so overwhelmingly strong, she would still feel uneasy because her greatest weakness was the Wind attribute.

In her previous matches, she had been quite lucky. Although her opponents came prepared with Wind-resistant and Poison-resistant equipment, such Advanced gear didn’t significantly hinder her.

But Lu Ran was a completely different story. His mastery of Wind-attribute techniques, capable of multiple or even tenfold compression, rendered her Poison attribute nearly useless.

“I think I’ll just forfeit and prepare for the loser’s bracket. There’s no point in wasting time on you.”

Knowing she couldn’t possibly defeat Lu Ran, Fang Lan didn’t bother with futile resistance and chose to give up. Gone was the once-competitive big sister who, upon becoming a beastmaster, was determined to measure up against Lu Ran.

“

Pfft

.”

Just like that, Lu Ran advanced once again without a fight, moving one step closer to the King Species Egg.

At this point, he was in the Top 8. Only three more matches stood between him and the grand prize. However, the remaining seven competitors were all formidable opponents.

For instance, Xia Ri, from the Scorching Fire School, was the only other freshman in the competition known to have mastered Intent Formation aside from Lu Ran.

Du Yuan, representing the Official Raid Team, had a familiar whose first attribute was Space, which was a rare talent akin to starting the competition with the second-place prize. This familiar boasted one-in-a-million qualifications.

Youxiong Anlin, from Xia’s largest guild, Living Fossil, had contracted a Panda familiar, a national treasure with both Light and Dark attributes. Its prestige was on par with the Light-Dark Butterfly that Lu Ran had seen topping the Champion Heavenly Familiar Ranking in Limitless City #3.

And then, there was the girl with special abilities, whose raw talent allowed her to rival familiars with Spirit attributes.

These competitors were all incredibly strong. Some, like Pluto, had already been defeated by Xia Ri of the Scorching Fire School. Whereas, White Tiger Sis had been overwhelmed by the national treasure familiar.

“Not bad of a luck. Finally, it’s her turn.”

With the competition progressing, Lu Ran’s next opponent was confirmed to be Xia Ri, the Scorching Fire School’s spear master.

......

At this moment, domestic audiences were eagerly awaiting the next match. After Lu Ran’s overwhelming victory against the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad, his reputation soared, becoming widely regarded as the strongest fourth-generation beastmaster in Xia.

This wasn’t just a domestic sentiment. Even internationally, Lu Ran was held in the same regard. It was clear that the rest of his matches in the freshman competition would attract significant attention.

Unfortunately, audiences had waited all this time only to see two consecutive opponents forfeit. Thankfully, with Xia Ri, there would be no early withdrawal. The hype for this match reached its peak.

“Dean Chu, you’ve hidden this well. Who would’ve thought that Lu Ran is a Culinary professor in your Cultivation Department?”

Before the match began, Dean Kong of the History Department couldn’t help but comment, whether as part of the script or out of genuine amazement.

“

Haha

, it’s not just you. I was also surprised. Professor Lu Ran approached me only after the competition began. When I learned he had mastered Dragon Culinary Intent, I was just as shocked.”

The implication was clear. Lu Ran had registered for the freshman competition first and only later became a professor. This wasn’t a case of a Cultivation Department professor beating up freshmen.

Dean Chu Yan smiled, while Dean Kong sighed.

The Forging Department and Cultivation Department are just too lucky.

Even Qin Ming, the dean of the Combat Department, must be envious. Such a monstrous freshman, yet he wasn’t part of the Combat Department...

Still, Dean Kong understood. Lu Ran’s inherited Flame Spirit was designed specifically for forging and culinary arts by Emperor Flame Quake, the forefather of both professions. Lu Ran’s choice made perfect sense.

Haih, when will our History Department produce someone this remarkable? Archaeology on the Stellar Moon Continent is fascinating! If we could uncover traces of even one legendary species, it would revolutionize the Blue Planet’s beastmaster field.

“Next, we proceed to the Top 8 round of the freshman competition. Representing the Forging Department, freshman Lu Ran will face Xia Ri of the Combat Department!”

As the competition referee, Xu Pingze felt the urge to list all of Lu Ran’s titles, including Cultivation Department professor. Regrettably, that would be against the rules.

Amid the audience’s cheers, Lu Ran, dressed in a black combat coat, and Xia Ri, wearing a red Scorching Fire School uniform, emerged from opposite ends of the arena.

Xia Ri held a red-tasseled spear, while Lu Ran, out of respect for her style, unsheathed his weapon in advance. He also had one more sword attached to his hip. The moment the two appeared on the stage, their intense aura clashed, signaling to the audience that this match would be highly entertaining.

As the tournament progressed to its later stages, the conversation among the three deans grew more involved. Dean Qin Ming deliberately asked Dean Kong, “Dean Kong, could you introduce the combat styles of these two competitors?”

“Of course. Xia Ri’s combat style, as we’ve seen in previous matches, involves fusing with her familiar while wielding a spear. It’s a classic example of the beastmaster-on-the-battlefield style.

“This combat approach is generally divided into three categories: those focused on ranged techniques, those specializing in physical combat, and those skilled in cold weapon combat.

“Since most beastmasters lack experience with hand-to-hand combat or weapons training, those who choose this style often lean towards the ranged branch, prioritizing the development of Projection-based techniques.

“But Xia Ri’s mastery of weaponry is rare. It takes more than one or two years of training to truly master a weapon. Such skill requires prior experience and talent, often gained before becoming a beastmaster.

“Hmm... As for Lu Ran’s approach, it’s even more uncommon.

“Having familiars use weapons in combat was a concept first developed in 2023 during the Beastmaster Empire’s preparations for war. This new combat style aimed to further arm familiars by incorporating offensive capabilities into their defensive equipment.

“That year, the Beastmaster Empire opened many new avenues for its Beastmaster corps, some of which were successful, while others failed.

“This particular style was neither a success nor a failure. It didn’t succeed because it failed to show enough war potential in the short term, as the evolutionary limits of biological weaponry weren’t particularly high.

“But it wasn’t a failure, as the project was halted prematurely when the war broke out, leaving its full potential unexplored. After the war, the Beastmaster Empire was left in ruins, with its resources drained. Without the means to continue the research, and with key materials lost, the project was never resumed.

“Through the Hell-difficulty Beginner Trial Secret Realm, Abandoned Laboratory, we’ve gleaned an understanding of this historical endeavor. Lu Ran’s Gale Sword Dog’s first trait, Weapon Control, was obtained from the Abandoned Laboratory.

“However, unlike Lu Ran, I wouldn’t recommend others pursue this secret realm. According to current records, no beastmaster’s familiar has ever perfectly fused with the Weapon Control Trait, making this an incomplete evolutionary path.”

When Dean Kong finished, many eyes turned to Lu Ran. Most people believed that Lu Ran’s doofus must have perfectly fused with the Weapon Control Trait.

After all, it could wield swords and dual-wield blades effortlessly. If that wasn’t a perfect fusion, then what was? Was Lu Ran planning to continue exploring this evolutionary route, which even the Beastmaster Empire had failed to conquer?

Meanwhile.

“Come on!” Xia Ri shouted, gripping her spear tightly as she faced Lu Ran.

If she had been confident about challenging Lu Ran before, that confidence evaporated after witnessing him decimate the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad.

Still, surrendering wasn’t her style. She chose to step onto the battlefield and face him head-on. At her summoning, a Fire Phoenix Parrot, its fiery feathers blazing brightly, appeared.

This parrot was a pet she had raised with her spear master mentor. Extremely intelligent and in tune with its owner, the parrot had demonstrated extraordinary talent and comprehension after accidentally contracting with Xia Ri’s black card. Together, they formed a near-perfect partnership.

“Captain Doofus.”

Instead of summoning both his familiars, Lu Ran chose to rely solely on Captain Doofus. When Captain Doofus appeared, Lu Ran tossed it the sword from his waist. Captain Doofus leaped into the air, catching the Frostwind Sword in its mouth, before turning to face its new opponent.

“

Huu...

”

Facing the Dragon-Slaying dog, Xia Ri hesitated only for a moment before fusing with her familiar. In an instant, flaming wings sprouted from her back, and her short hair turned into fiery orange-red flames.

Her spear’s tip glowed like the sun and her unleashed Spear Intent radiated power. Intense heat warped the air around her, creating a dazzling mirage on the battlefield. It was as if a second sun had appeared in the arena, mirroring the one high in the sky.

“It’s here! It’s the Scorching Fire Spear Intent, a spear technique that draws power from the sun’s flames!”

Seeing Xia Ri’s impressive display, her supporters couldn’t help but cheer. Many still hoped she could put pressure on Lu Ran.

“Keep it up, big sister with the spear!”

“Go, Xia Ri!”

Because everyone knew Lu Ran would dominate the stage, remarkably, the crowd’s cheers were entirely one-sided. Everyone rooted for Xia Ri.

The reason was simple. Lu Ran’s previous opponents, like Fang Lan, had failed to stand their ground, leaving the audience with only Xia Ri. So far, she was the only one brave enough to face Lu Ran directly.

“You know Sword Intent too, don’t you?” Xia Ri asked, holding her spear steady as she faced Lu Ran.

She felt that Lu Ran was a kindred spirit, someone who should also know Sword Intent. Otherwise, why would he have said those words to her before?

“I do,” Lu Ran admitted.

The arena fell silent, as everyone listened intently to their exchange.

“

Hehe

, I knew it. When you faced the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad, you didn’t go all out. You didn’t even use your beastmaster skills. Alright, show me how you enhance your familiar with the Flame Dragon Intent. At least let me witness that!”

Xia Ri twirled her spear, clearly eager to see Captain Doofus in its strongest form. Since Lu Ran’s Flame Spirit skill could grant Sudden Death King a new Flame Dragon Intent, it should also work for the husky.

Given Captain Doofus’ mastery of Weapon Control, it could likely integrate this intent into Sword Intent. It was a dog who knew Sword Intent! Hearing their conversation, the audience erupted in excitement.

“No way, can that dog really use Flame Dragon Intent?”

“Lu Ran just confirmed it! I thought the Flame Spirit skill was exclusive to Dragon-type familiars or Lu Ran himself.”

“If Captain Doofus can wield Dragon Intent, that’s terrifying. The Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad must be crying in the restroom.”

“

Woof!

”

However, Captain Doofus, holding the Frostwind Sword, scoffed at the idea of Flame Dragon Intent.

It had already demonstrated Dragon-Slaying Sword Intent! The only reason others hadn’t noticed was that the Dragon-Slaying Sword Intent primarily targeted opponents and wasn’t easily perceived by onlookers.

With Dragon-Slaying Sword Intent, Captain Doofus had no interest in Flame Dragon Intent. It wasn’t because it couldn’t use it, but rather because it didn’t need it.

“No need. It’s not suited for Dragon Intent.” Lu Ran rejected Xia Ri’s request.

“Also, our circumstances differ.”

Xia Ri herself didn’t fully control Spear Intent. It was the Fire Phoenix Parrot that mastered Intent Formation. Only through fusion did her spear techniques and her familiar’s abilities combine into Spear Intent.

Xia Ri mistakenly assumed Captain Doofus was in the same situation, not realizing that Lu Ran and Captain Doofus were leagues apart.

“My Gale Sword Dog doesn’t rely on a beastmaster’s abilities, nor do I depend on my familiar’s powers. We wield Sword Intent independently!”

Lu Ran admired Xia Ri to some extent. She was the only beastmaster he’d met who had mastered weapon intent, making her a kindred spirit. However, her Spear Intent was far from perfect.

“What?” Xia Ri’s expression shifted as the audience erupted into chaos.

In the next moment, an overwhelming Blizzard Sword Intent erupted from Captain Doofus who held the Frostwind Sword firmly in its mouth. Its demeanor shifted completely, and its black-and-white fur swayed in the icy winds as an intense blizzard radiated outward.

The atmosphere grew cold as the Blizzard Sword Intent took form. Because a blizzard’s scale was small in comparison, its intent quality was lower than that of Sun Intent.

However, the power of an intent depended on its wielder’s mastery and development. With the Gale Swordsmanship Talent enhancing the Blizzard Sword Intent, this was its first full manifestation. As a sword technique infused with wind power, the Blizzard Sword Intent transformed the battlefield.

Boom!

The oppressive heat was swept away in an instant. With the cracking sound of ice, the arena’s surface was coated in frost. The ground beneath Xia Ri froze solid, and even her clothing accumulated a layer of frost. The temperature of the battlefield plummeted as Xia Ri’s heart raced.

She had not anticipated that this husky, without any external assistance, could wield such potent sword intent independently. And most alarming was its sheer strength.

In an instant, the blazing sun conjured by Xia Ri’s intent was frozen solid. As the blizzard closed in, she saw streaks of blue sword qi slicing through the storm.

Clang!

Her spear was knocked from her grasp and sent flying into the air. In a clash of intents, momentum was important. Captain Doofus’ Sword Intent easily overwhelmed Xia Ri’s Spear Intent.

“This...”

The audience was dumbfounded.

Once again, Captain Doofus unveiled a new power not displayed against the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad or in any of Lu Ran’s prior matches. It was unbelievable.

How powerful were Lu Ran and his familiars? They seemed bottomless and endlessly surprising. The disparity between geniuses was stark, and Lu Ran stood far above the rest.

“

Hahaha!

Old Xia, what do you think?”

In the Rainbow Dojo, an elderly man, Jiang Dou, was watching the live broadcast while speaking on the phone with Xia Ri’s mentor. Seeing Captain Doofus dominate the match, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

As expected of my grand disciple. Outstanding work, you doofus!

“Old Jiang, don’t get cocky!”

Xia Ri’s mentor grinded his teeth. He couldn’t fathom how Jiang Dou had gotten so lucky to mentor a student like Lu Ran. The two old men bickered incessantly, but both fell silent when Lu Ran did something unexpected.

On the battlefield, facing Xia Ri, who had just lost the battle of intents, Lu Ran issued a surprising invitation.

“Your Spear Intent has flaws. Why not learn to cook with me? Culinary Intent, Spear Intent, and Sword Intent are fundamentally the same. Through this process, you can refine your Spear Intent.”

Lu Ran... had just openly tried to poach Xia Ri!

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“WHAT!?”

Everyone was left dumbfounded. Dean Qin Ming of the Combat Academy froze in disbelief.

You little brat! You haven’t even started your cooking classes, and you’re already trying to convince top students to switch departments!?