Chapter 206 - The Weather Sprite!

A Weather Sprite! It was clear that this was a water elemental cloud-type sprite. Lu Ran’s mood lifted instantly. Really, Lu Ran would have been delighted no matter what kind of King-rank familiar hatched from the egg.

But this Weather Sprite felt like a gift from heaven—tailor-made for his current team! Lu Ran had been hoping for a Water-attribute familiar to prepare for future battles at sea, and here it was. He also needed a familiar capable of large-scale area-of-effect damage, and once again, here it was.

Also, its Ice Cloud Form and Lightning Cloud Form seemed capable of supporting both Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King. Lu Ran couldn’t think of any other elemental sprite more suitable for him than this cloud.

“

Drip, drip—!

”

However, just as Lu Ran began to approach the Weather Sprite, the creature’s expression abruptly shifted. It actually started wailing loudly. Rain began pouring from its cloud-like body.

Plip-plop! Plip-plop!

The worst part? Its crying seemed to affect the weather. Rain clouds gathered over half of the Starlight Mansions District, and a heavy downpour followed.

“Uh...” Lu Ran froze.

Fuck. Is this really only level 1?

He gazed at the storm outside, lost in thought.

So, this is a King-rank Species? But please, don’t cry!

“What’s this? Has it hatched?”

At that moment, Manager Ying noticed the commotion and walked onto the balcony. Seeing the soaked floor, it turned its gaze to the Weather Sprite and the helpless Lu Ran.

A water-elemental sprite... Is this a species capable of manipulating weather by drawing on natural energy?

With one look at the situation outside, Manager Ying quickly deduced the Weather Sprite’s general capabilities.

“

Drip, drip—!

”

But Lu Ran didn’t expect the Weather Sprite to cry even harder upon seeing Manager Ying. Its entire body showed signs of darkening, with sparks of electricity flashing across its surface.

Boom!

A bolt of lightning struck outside.

“Oh, fuck!”

This startled Lu Ran, who hastily used telepathy to calm the sprite. Water and lightning in combination weren’t something to play around with. The risk of it backfiring on its own allies was too high.

Perhaps because it had just been born and wasn’t yet accustomed to the external environment, the Weather Sprite’s emotions were unstable.

Despite Lu Ran’s repeated attempts to soothe it, nothing seemed to work. In the end, Manager Ying sneered as it took out a water-attribute gem, and tossed it to the Weather Sprite.

Sensing the concentrated water-elemental energy, the Weather Sprite immediately stopped crying, catching the gem with its body.

“What are you even doing?” The corner of Manager Ying’s lips twitched. “It was just born. Obviously, it’s crying because it’s hungry. What’s the point of saying, “Don’t cry, be good”? Feed it!”

Lu Ran was speechless.

“

Drip! Drip!

”

The Weather Sprite bounced lightly while holding the water-elemental gem as if nodding in agreement.

“I know, you don’t need to tell me,” Lu Ran replied through gritted teeth. “I already sensed its emotions earlier, but I just didn’t think of what to feed it in time.”

“Elemental lifeforms prefer pure energy crystals, like energy gems or unique water sources. They’re not fond of animal blood or meat. Hmm, since it’s water-attributed, try feeding it liquid-based food first.

”Boring. I’m out of here,” Manager Ying remarked indifferently, glancing at the Weather Sprite one last time.

“Goodbye,” Lu Ran said, turning his attention back to the Weather Sprite.

A natural-born King Species truly lived up to its title. Not only did it have innate mastery over three attributes, but it also came equipped with a variety of skills. It required no training or development from its beastmaster.

[Skills: Rain Summoning, Snowfall, Lightning Strike!]

“So strong.”

Lu Ran gazed warmly at the now-calm Weather Sprite.

The sprite, still holding the water-elemental gem, seemed to look back at him. Despite lacking facial features, being a mere cloud, it likely perceived its surroundings through energy fluctuations.

“Little one, from today onward, I am your beastmaster. Here, take this as a meeting gift.”

Lu Ran retrieved a bottle of energy-infused liquid from his black card storage. The Weather Sprite eagerly extended part of its cloudy body to accept the drink, then absorbed it directly into itself.

“

Drip! Drip!

”

It seemed delighted, clearly acknowledging Lu Ran as its beastmaster.

“Let’s give you a name,” Lu Ran said with a smile.

The name Weather Sprite didn’t roll off the tongue. So, he decided to give it a nickname, just like he did with Captain Doofus and Sudden Death King.

What should I name you...

But as he began brainstorming, the Weather Sprite suddenly collapsed into a soft, cloud-like heap and began rhythmically expanding and contracting, as if it had fallen asleep.

Lu Ran fell into deep though.

This little one just eats, sleeps, cries, and repeats.

***

Shortly after, Gu Qingyi also arrived at Lu Ran’s place. Together with Manager Ying, the three began a discussion.

Although their original topic was the Undead attribute, Gu Qingyi couldn’t resist first asking about the species of Lu Ran’s newly hatched familiar.

Naturally, Lu Ran shared the Weather Sprite’s basic information.

“You still claim you’re not Limitless City’s illegitimate child? This Weather Sprite pairs so perfectly with your other two familiars!”

Manager Ying looked speechless. Combined with Captain Doofus, it could unleash blizzards. With Sudden Death King, it could trigger thunderstorms. They formed a flawless weather legion.

“A Weather Sprite, huh... This is definitely impressive. Especially at sea, paired with flocks of Wind and Water-attributed sprites, its meteorological control could make it the core of a weather legion,” Gu Qingyi marveled.

“It’s a natural-born commander for such a legion.”

“It’s alright,” Lu Ran replied, smiling broadly.

Hearing others praise the Weather Sprite felt like they were praising him directly.

“Should I find you a Nature Manipulation Trait to enhance it further?” Gu Qingyi suggested. “The Weather Sprite seems perfectly suited for that trait.”

“Sure!” Lu Ran nodded.

If Captain Doofus just had decent compatibility with the Nature Manipulation Trait, then the Weather Sprite was a perfect match. Some unique traits might enhance the Weather Sprite, but none provided as broad and significant a boost as Nature Manipulation.

“It’s just that its abilities are too versatile. Other than the Nature Manipulation Trait, which can comprehensively amplify its power, I can’t think of another trait that matches it perfectly for now.

“Unique Lightning-, Frost-, or Water-attribute traits could also work, but they can’t provide comprehensive amplification and have certain limitations,” Gu Qingyi added thoughtfully.

“We could also explore indirect development. Since it’s called the Weather Sprite, perhaps we could try to see if it can awaken other weather forms.

“For instance, by awakening new attributes, it could take on forms like a storm form, a sandstorm form, an intense sunlight form, or even a toxic smog gorm...” Manager Ying suggested it casually.

“However, some attributes might not suit it well. I’m not sure if cultivation would be successful for those.”

“That’s true.” Lu Ran nodded.

He understood that this little companion could follow two distinct paths. One was to directly enhance its current water, ice, and lightning powers, and the other was to grant it new attributes, potentially creating new weather forms.

These new forms could also support other familiars. For example, if Lu Ran were to contract a familiar with Earth or Rock-attribute powers in the future, a sandstorm form could assist that familiar effectively.

“Once I form a contract with it, I’ll attach the Flame Spirit to it and see if it can awaken something like a fire cloud-sunlight form.”

He didn’t even need it to awaken a new attribute naturally as he could directly test his theory using his beastmaster skills.

Gu Qingyi and Manager Ying exchanged glances.

“Aren’t we getting off-topic? Let’s leave that little cloud baby alone for now,” Manager Ying interjected. “Alright, now that Qingyi is here, why don’t you recount your experience in the ascension realm from start to finish in detail...”

“OK.”

Lu Ran began recounting his breakthrough in the secret realm, with their discussion inevitably revolving around how to make the Undead attribute work openly in Blue Planet. While Xia was powerful, it couldn’t blatantly disregard the opinions of other nations and openly practice necromancy.

They had to thoroughly explain to the international community that the Undead attribute carried no drawbacks and even offered profound significance. Only after gaining certification from the International Beastmaster Alliance could necromancy be brought into the light.

“This might only be possible after your research is completely perfected and you host an international press conference,” Gu Qingyi stated, turning to Lu Ran. “A press conference aimed at rebranding the Undead attribute to the world.

“After that, Xia will help with operations, securing support from various nations’ Beastmaster Alliances. This way, the Undead attribute can truly step onto the world stage.

“While it’s true that Xia could secretly cultivate and research this without publicizing it, both options have their pros and cons. Lu Ran, what’s your take on it?

“If Xia keeps it confidential, it might be simpler and less risky, but the research progress on the Undead attribute will likely be slower.

“On the other hand, if it’s made public and the Undead attributes are fully introduced to the world stage, Xia could receive significant resource support from the International Beastmaster Alliance.

“The nation would be recognized as the origin of the Undead-attribute research, and you would gain countless honors and rewards.

“The International Beastmaster Alliance places great value on groundbreaking research and discoveries in the field of beastmastery.

“At that point, Xia could also use its achievements in Undead-attribute research to gain significant political leverage with other nations.

“However, on the flip side, you would become an international figure, and your influence would far surpass that of a top fourth-generation beastmaster or even a Dragon Chef. You’d be under intense scrutiny,” Gu Qingyi mused.

“Take a guess at how many assassination attempts I faced after I first cultivated a Dragon-attribute familiar.”

Lu Ran was speechless.

“It’s okay. I still want to use the Undead attribute openly and even make this attribute as accepted as Water, Fire, Wind, and Lightning,” Lu Ran said. “After all, I promised that master in the secret realm to promote the development of the Undead attribute.

“After the Evolution Secret Realm concludes, or rather, after Dark Crow undergoes its next evolution, I’ll host the Undead attribute press conference, showcasing my research and discoveries in the secret realm to the entire world. My goal is to pioneer the Undead attribute as a new academic discipline.”

“Agreed.” Gu Qingyi looked at the young man with genuine admiration. “Researching the Dragon attribute and the Undead attribute... You fourth generations—no, just you—might bring unprecedented changes to the world after this Evolution Secret Realm.”

Manager Ying chuckled from the side.

“

Hehe

, now I’m curious if this kid will also start to develop plant or mechanical lifeforms. I’m starting to suspect he has some unspeakable secret dealings with Limitless City.”