Chapter 167 - The Golden Era (Part 1)

Limitless City, in Lu Ran’s personal room.

Lu Ran returned together with Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King. The trio was exhilarated. Lu Ran and Captain Doofus both felt it was thrilling to steal blood, while Sudden Death King was somewhat traumatized.

Although its defense had improved recently, it still couldn’t take a beating. One strike from the Diamond Dragon and it took more damage than the Diamond Dragon ever did. That was plenty of excitement for it.

“

Rawr!

(I survived another day!)”

Sudden Death King clenched its claws. Defense! It needed even stronger defense!

“

Woof!

”

Captain Doofus extended its paw to comfort its old comrade. The situation couldn’t be helped. If they wanted to deal consistent damage, someone had to advance while taking the brunt of the damage. That someone couldn’t be Lu Ran or Captain Doofus, so only Sudden Death King could do it.

“Don’t cry, Sudden Death King. Once we rake in the resources, your defense will be first priority.” Lu Ran laughed heartily.

Additionally...

“I’ve finally become what I despise,” Lu Ran muttered as he held the Frosty Sky Greatsword bathed in Dragon Blood.

The creature he despised most was the mosquito. What they had just done was no different from what a mosquito does, but that didn’t matter. He needed to collect the Dragon Blood.

[Name: Dragon Blood (Diamond Dragon)]

[Grade: Rare]

[Description: The blood of a Diamond Dragon, used to enhance scale armor defense. There is a minuscule chance it can trigger mutations in Rock-attribute creatures.]

“Hmm...”

After reading this description, Lu Ran fell into contemplation.

“Is this it?”

After spending so much effort learning forging and finally enchanting his weapon with a blood sucking ability, the Dragon Blood looked quite underwhelming.

The grade and effects were mediocre and not particularly outstanding. Moreover, Lu Ran hadn’t exactly gotten it for free. Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King were heavily injured, requiring the healing power of the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer.

The disappointment made Lu Ran click his tongue. The joy of exploiting a weakness plummeted to its lowest point.

“The scale armor enhancement effect is negligible. There are plenty of similar Rare dragon resources in the research institute. The only valuable part of this dragon blood is the potential of mutating Rock-attribute creatures... But who knows how minuscule that chance actually is. Sigh...”

For now, the Dragon Blood would go to Fang Lan for research. If more were acquired later, Lu Ran considered turning it into dragon cuisine and sending some to the Mystic Turtle.

If it mutates Rock-attribute creatures, would Mystic Turtle mutate into a Diamond Turtle by eating it?

“It’s time to return...”

Just as Lu Ran prepared to head back, a sudden announcement echoed in his ears.

[Congratulations to level 4 beastmasters Apollo, Wolf God, and Second Generation Superman for conquering the level 4 Legendary Secret Realm, Hurricane Ridge, and unlocking the path to Legendary.]

The brief announcement made Lu Ran pause, and Limitless City erupted with excitement again. After over ten days, another beastmaster team had conquered a Legendary Secret Realm! And this time, it was a three-person team.

Level 4? Second-generation beastmasters?

While some were confused, those familiar with the first, second, and third generations of global beastmasters were not surprised. Second Generation Superman, Wolf God, and Apollo were top-tier second-generation beastmasters of the Eagle Federation.

In fact, the strongest second-generation beastmaster of Xia, Qin Ming, had once fought Wolf God in a public realm and lost. Second Generation Superman and Apollo were no less formidable than Wolf God.

Thus, it wasn’t shocking that the Eagle Federation’s second-generation team could conquer the secret realm. Among second-generation beastmasters, the Eagle Federation was undoubtedly the leader.

While the Snow Federation excelled in third-generation beastmasters, the Eagle Federation dominated the second generation.

Although a bit late, this system announcement made all nations realize that the Eagle Federation was on a mission to regain its lost prestige.

Being the second team to clear a Legendary Secret Realm, and doing so with only three members, showcased their deep foundations in the beastmaster field!

“A Level 4 Legendary Secret Realm, eh. The boss must be a Superior-Overlord Species, right?” Lu Ran was deep in thought.

This was the same as the Flame Dragon King’s species grade. Of course, there were disparities among Superior-Overlord creatures. The weaker ones Superior-Overlord Species with normal attributes, while the stronger ones might have Light, Dark, Dragon, Space, or Time attributes.

Those overseas... They’re something else.

Lu Ran figured the pressure on Xia’s second and third generations would increase significantly.

“But what does this have to do with me?” Lu Ran hummed a tune, carrying the Dragon Blood as he returned.

Although its effects were disappointing, Dragon Blood was better than nothing. There was no point lingering in the Legendary Secret Realm for long. He’d come back tomorrow anyway!

......

Beastmaster University, Medical Department, outside the girls’ dormitory.

“Here, Dragon Blood. Is it enough for you? If not, I’ll find a way to get more.”

“It’s enough,” Fang Lan said, shaking the bottle.

“I’ll call my parents and my mentor to research this together.”

“There’s no need to make a big deal out of it. Take your time,” Lu Ran chuckled.

“Are you not in a rush to clear the Legendary Secret Realm?” Fang Lan asked.

“No rush. Our current strength is lacking. So, even if we get the poison early, it wouldn’t be of use. It’ll mostly be auxiliary anyway; true strength comes from oneself,” Lu Ran replied.

“Alright then.

“I wonder if you’ll become the first fourth-generation beastmaster to conquer a Legendary Secret Realm,” Fang Lan mused while twirling the bottle.

“So far, only the first and fourth generations lack a team that’s cleared one.

“The first generation faces the difficulty of level 5 Legendary Secret Realms. And for those of the fourth generation, their familiars haven’t had enough time to mature, so it won’t be easy for them.

Lu Ran responded, “We’ll see. In Xia, I might be the first. From what I know, the top-performing fourth generations from the freshman competition currently don’t have plans to challenge one.

“Other than me, the strongest should be Lin Yin. But she’s still dealing with the aftermath of that headache incident and is frequently affected by it as well. She is not in the right mind to challenge anything. As for the rest of the world’s fourth generation... I don’t know.”

“Didn’t you crush the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad from the Eagle Federation? Aren’t you already the world’s strongest fourth generation?” Fang Lan teased with a wink.

“The two aren’t necessarily connected,” Lu Ran said thoughtfully.

“The Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad isn’t even the best fourth-generation team in the Eagle Federation.

“If you think about it, they haven’t perfected the Dinosaur Revival Project. To contract a Tyrannosaurus, they had to learn specialized beastmaster skills tailored for ancient species.

“Beastmasters with strong backgrounds wouldn’t casually choose such niche skills and turn themselves into experimental subjects for the project. While Dragon-attribute familiars are strong, aren’t Space and Time attribute familiars even stronger?

“Moreover, even if they were optimistic about the dinosaur revival, they’d wait until the project was fully matured before contracting one. So, the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad clearly isn’t top-tier.

“Although the Tyrannosaurus Rex Squad’s familiars might have strong potential, in terms of current strength and future development, there are definitely many fourth-generation teams in the Eagle Federation that surpass them.”

“That makes sense.” Fang Lan nodded after some thought.

“Looks like you’re quite invested in what’s going on over there.”

“I’m not. I just saw someone analyzing it on an online forum,” Lu Ran said casually.

“I was just browsing.”

Fang Lan was shocked. “So, does that mean your first place could be stolen?”

“I don’t know. I feel like it’s likely,” Lu Ran replied.

“After all, I plan to clear it solo. If other nations’ beastmasters form teams, my progress definitely won’t be the fastest. We’ll know in time if a strong fourth-generation team shows up.”

“Forget it! Just do your best.”

Fang Lan carefully put the bottle of Dragon Blood away.

“I’ll go prepare now. I’ll start researching it today.”

“Alright.” Lu Ran yawned, preparing to head out.

Next up, he needed to make good use of his time. He had to continue training his culinary skills! So far, Lu Ran hadn’t touched the fifty slices of Treasure-grade Dragon King Bird Meat. He was terrified of wasting even a single slice. That would be a crime.

Lu Ran decided he would only cook those Treasure ingredients once his culinary skills reached their peak and he was ready to challenge the Legendary Secret Realm. Once they ate them, both Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King would experience a significant boost in strength.

In addition to that, the Longleaf Swordgrass in the Spirit-Converting Pot was gradually recovering its vitality. Although it still looked slightly wilted, Lu Ran felt that within half a month, it would fully recover.

By then, if Fang Lan’s research yielded results as well, Lu Ran believed he would be strong enough to solo the Dragon King’s Nest.

In the meantime, Lu Ran would still enter the Legendary Secret Realm every day—but not for anything else but to draw more Dragon Blood. He also needed to keep Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King in good shape. After all, you couldn’t just eat without training.