Chapter 274 - Dog Carrying Grass

At the same time, Lu Ran had also found an inn and checked in somewhere in Tree World City. At this moment, just like any other group of people, he was eager to learn about the situation in this world. He even considered using Dark Crow to eavesdrop through the Eye of the Evil God.

However, given the uncertain situation in Tree World City, Lu Ran did not dare to act recklessly. On the Stellar Moon Continent, anything related to the Evil God was undoubtedly despised by all. But on Divine Tree Continent, he had no idea what significance the Evil God’s power held.

Thus, without a clear understanding of the situation or a way to guarantee his safety, he would not let Dark Crow act rashly. If a local powerhouse discovered him, he would be doomed. There was still plenty of time, so Lu Ran planned to investigate slowly.

Now, he had an additional goal. It was to gather as much intelligence about the opposing world as possible.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Not long after entering the inn, Lu Ran had planned to look for books to learn about Divine Tree Continent and Tree World City. However, before he even started, someone knocked on his door.

“Guest. Are you there, guest?”

Lu Ran opened the door to find the innkeeper standing outside with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry to bother you, guest. Someone outside wishes to see you and asked me to inform you,” the innkeeper said.

“Me? Are you sure you got the right person?” Lu Ran was surprised.

Who could it be? It wouldn’t be those three beastmasters from the alternate world, would it?

“No, I didn’t get it wrong.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

Regardless of who it was, since someone had followed him, Lu Ran needed to meet them. He nodded and followed the innkeeper downstairs, where he saw a well-dressed young man approaching him with a smile.

This person was certainly not a trial participant, and Lu Ran had no idea about his background. But as the young man introduced himself, everything became clear.

“You must be Lu Ran. I am Shi Ze from the Dogmaster Clan in Tree World City...”

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter?”

Beastmaster Clan of Dogs? What a coincidence. I also come from a dogmaster lineage!

Shi Ze smiled.

“I’d like to invite you to visit the Shi Clan. There are very few beastmasters left nowadays. I heard that you come from Beastmaster Lodge, and since you traveled so far to participate in the Plant-Beast Tournament, we’d like to extend some hospitality. These inns are rather basic and not ideal for preparing for the tournament.”

The news sure spreads fast...

The Dogmaster Clan was likely one of the tournament’s organizers. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have gathered information on him so quickly and sent someone over to invite him.

“Alright, then I’ll make myself at home. Thanks,” Lu Ran replied.

When it came to things like this, Lu Ran wouldn’t refuse. If he stayed in the inn, his access to information would be limited. Getting acquainted with a local powerhouse wouldn’t hurt.

“You’re so laid back, Brother Lu Ran.” Shi Ze was pleased to see how easily Lu Ran accepted the invitation.

Beastmaster Lodge was one of the few remaining top-tier beastmaster legacies on Divine Tree Continent. Since Lu Ran was from there, his strength couldn’t be weak. The beastmaster community was dwindling. They had to unite all available forces to survive in the Divine Tree Continent.

***

Shortly after, Lu Ran left the inn and followed Shi Ze to the Shi Clan residence. Along the way, Shi Ze introduced Tree World City to him.

“Tree World City is divided into nine great clans. Six of them are primarily plantmasters, while the remaining three are beastmaster clans. The Shi Clan is one of the three beastmaster clans, specializing in training dog familiars.

“Apart from the nine clans, the City Lord’s Mansion is the most powerful faction. The city lord, a legendary plantmaster, is also the strongest person in Tree World City. The Plant-Beast Tournament was originally her idea.”

“Oh? Aside from the battle between plant familiars and beast familiars, does the tournament hold any special significance?”

“As an outsider, you wouldn’t know, but the city lord originally started this tournament because of her personal dilemma. She actually came from a beastmaster clan. However, as the beastmaster system declined, she eventually chose to switch to plantmastery. It’s said that she made this decision with great difficulty. Even after switching, she still misses beastmastery.

“That’s why, after gaining power in Tree World City, she didn’t suppress beastmasters like other major cities did. Instead, she provided them with many benefits. For example, the Plant-Beast Tournament is actually an opportunity for the three beastmaster clans to compete for resources. The city lord is truly a kind person.” Shi Ze sighed.

Lu Ran asked curiously, “Why hold on to the past? If plantmastery is stronger, then just choose plantmastery. At worst, you can dual-train.”

Shi Ze looked at Lu Ran in surprise, not understanding his reasoning. “Brother Lu Ran, then why did you choose beastmastery instead of plantmastery?”

Lu Ran replied earnestly, “Because my familiars are strong. Ordinary plant familiars can’t match them, so I chose beastmastery.”

“Uh...”

For a moment, Shi Ze was at a loss for words. It made so much sense that he couldn’t refute it.

After composing himself, Shi Ze explained, “Most beastmaster clans persist out of sentiment and tradition. Take our clan, for example. We’ve practiced beastmastery for hundreds of years, passing down a complete dogmaster legacy. If we suddenly switched to plantmastery, wouldn’t that betray our ancestors’ legacy?

“The city lord probably feels the same. She abandoned her beastmaster heritage to study something new, so she still feels nostalgic... Some deeply ingrained beliefs are hard to change. Rumors even say that she’s looking for a talented beastmaster disciple to inherit her clan’s legacy.

“Of course, not all beastmaster clans are like this. Many are actively switching to plantmastery. But the problem is, while some families have a complete beastmaster legacy and powerful beastmaster skills, they lack plantmaster experience. Switching without expertise is a gamble.

“If successful, they become stronger. If they fail, they might end up worse than before. So, it’s essentially a battle between the old and the new. As for dual training, that’s even less feasible. Plantmaster spaces, which suit plant familiars, and beastmaster spaces, which suit familiars, aren’t compatible.

“

Ahem,

but Brother Lu Ran, you probably don’t need to worry about that. Beastmaster Lodge is a top-tier beastmaster faction. Even if plant familiars generally have superior potential, that’s only for ordinary people. The familiars raised by Beastmaster Lodge should easily crush common plant familiars, right?” He looked at Lu Ran expectantly.

“Brother Lu Ran, how about representing the Shi Clan in the tournament? Although the Plant-Beast Tournament welcomes participants from various factions, at its core, it remains a competition among the nine great families of Tree World City for resources. If you represent Beastmaster Lodge and achieve good results, it will bring some additional prestige to your faction.

“But Beastmaster Lodge is already well-known, it doesn’t really need a ranking to prove itself. However, it’s a different story for our Shi Clan. If you compete on our behalf and secure great results, we stand to gain substantial benefits like land, or even secret realm excavation rights.

“Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to fight for us without compensation. Regardless of your final placement, we will prepare a generous reward. And if you achieve an outstanding result, we’ll share a portion of the benefits with you. What do you think?”

As their conversation deepened, Shi Ze finally revealed his true reason for inviting Lu Ran over. He wanted him to represent the Shi Clan in the Plant-Beast Tournament. This did not come as a surprise to Lu Ran.

He shrugged and said, “Brother Shi, it’s true that I don’t necessarily have to represent Beastmaster Lodge, but I’m not part of your Shi Clan either. Wouldn’t this basically be cheating?”

Seeing that Lu Ran wasn’t opposed to the idea, Shi Ze looked delighted. “Ah, this is nothing. It’s all within the tournament rules. Besides, if you’re still worried, I have an older cousin. She’s beautiful, talente—”

“That won’t be necessary,” Lu Ran cut him off. “Since the rules allow it, I have no objections. As long as the Shi Clan ensures I don’t suffer any losses, then I don’t mind competing on your behalf.”

“Brother Lu Ran, you’re really so laid back!!” Shi Ze was nearly moved to tears.

It was rare to meet someone so pragmatic, someone who had no qualms about discussing compensation openly. However, conversing with someone like Lu Ran was actually quite pleasant for Shi Ze. The only thing he wasn’t sure about was Lu Ran’s strength. Just how much could he contribute to the Shi Clan?

Since Lu Ran is from Beastmaster Lodge, he shouldn’t be weak... right?

“Rest assured, Brother Lu Ran. We’ll definitely make sure you’re well compensated. By the way, what kind of reward would you like? And what ranking do you expect to achieve in the Plant-Beast Tournament?”

Lu Ran pondered for a moment before replying, “Somewhere between top 32 and top 16. I can’t say for sure how far I’ll go. I don’t know much about the Plant-Beast Tournament. Brother Shi Ze, can you tell me about past competitions?”

“Top 16?! That’s already excellent!” Shi Ze exclaimed, feeling satisfied that Lu Ran seemed confident in his abilities.

The reason Lu Ran was so sure he could reach the top 16 was simple. His ascension mission required him to reach the top 32. And Lu Ran believed that there was no way he wouldn’t be able to clear an ascension mission.

Limitless City never issued ascension missions that were impossible to complete. If it was assigned, that meant it was a challenge within the reach of a level 2 beastmaster.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Since the ascension mission’s threshold was top 32, then achieving that was a certainty. And considering that he was just a bit stronger than the average level 2 beastmaster, humbly aiming for the top 16 didn’t seem too much.

Shi Ze continued, “Here’s the situation. Since the Plant-Beast Tournament has an age restriction—participants must be under 25 years old—the overall level isn’t too high. Last year’s champion was a level 4 plantmaster who had a level 41 Superior-King plant familiar.

“The past top 16 contestants were mostly level 3 beastmasters, with their familiars averaging around level 35. Speaking of which, I still haven’t asked about yours...”

“All of the past top 16 were level 3 beastmasters? And the champion was even a level 4 plantmaster?” Lu Ran was surprised.

“Is there something wrong?” Shi Ze sensed a bad premonition from Lu Ran’s reaction.

Lu Ran chuckled. “

Haha,

I’m only level 2. Looks like this is going to be a fun challenge... But it’s no big deal. My familiars are strong enough. Fighting above my level shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Wait, wait—you’re only level 2?” Shi Ze was dumbfounded.

“Yeah,” Lu Ran replied with a cheerful smile. “Don’t worry! An average level 3 beastmaster won’t be my match.”

Even a level 4 beastmaster wouldn’t be a threat as long as their familiar was only a King Species. After all, Lu Ran’s goal was to achieve an SSS rating. And to do that, he had to win the championship, which meant defeating a level 4 beastmaster.

“Alright...”

Since Lu Ran was so confident, Shi Ze decided not to question him further. After all, Lu Ran came from a top-tier beastmaster faction, so his strength shouldn’t be doubted.

“Well then, do you have any other requests?” Shi Ze asked with a bitter smile.

“Yes. If I wanted a method to help an unawakened vicious plant develop intelligence, does the Shi Clan have one?” Lu Ran inquired.

“What?” Shi Ze was stunned. “We don’t really have anything like that. If you need postnatal care for a female dog, that’s something we specialize in. But plants... Wait, aren’t you a beastmaster??”

Lu Ran shook his head. “Since plant familiars are so powerful, I figured I should learn more about them too. Who says beastmasters can’t research vicious plants? Have you ever heard of a dog carrying grass? A single blade of grass could cut down the sun, moon, and stars. Beastmaster Lodge has been making some innovations lately.”

Shi Ze suddenly felt that the beastmasters from Beastmaster Lodge weren’t quite what he had imagined.