Chapter 283 - SSS!

Typically speaking, basic domains like the one Captain Doofus had just released couldn’t be moved nor altered. However, the domain that Captain Doofus just released was not only mobile but was also continuously absorbing the vicious plants from the outside. He was then transforming them into swordgrass through the power of the Limitless Sword Domain.

This was an advanced domain—one that had already surpassed the ones that many of the first-generation beastmasters on Blue Planet could use.

This was all thanks to the dog’s astonishing comprehension. Initially, Lu Ran had been worried about whether he could end the tournament in the preliminaries. However, over the past few days, as Captain Doofus honed and perfected its domain, Lu Ran’s concerns vanished entirely.

The two Legendary beastmasters who were unaware of the Absolute Comprehension Trait were now filled with utter confusion and shock.

“Yu’er...”

Just as City Lord Ye’s senior was immersed in the shock of the domain, she suddenly widened her eyes in concern for her disciple’s safety. When City Lord Ye sought her out, she had been full of confidence in her disciple, especially since Gu Yu had been lucky enough to successfully contract an Overlord-rank plant familiar.

But now, seeing Lu Ran’s familiar unleash such an advanced domain, she felt a deep chill in her heart and realized that things had taken a terrible turn. The Floral Empress, which had no experience in domain countermeasures, had absolutely no chance of breaking through and escaping with its plantmaster. Their fate was almost certainly defeat.

“Junior, did you do this on purpose?”

At this moment, City Lord Ye’s senior was both furious and anxious. She could already imagine how Gu Yu's confidence would be completely shattered.

“What if I told you I wasn’t entirely sure of his strength either? Besides, don’t worry. He should have some restraint.”

Lu Ran is an absolute freak. It’s no wonder he is a beastmaster blessed by a Legendary being. Am I even qualified to take such a person as my disciple?

If things went wrong, not only would Beastmaster Lodge come after Tree World City, but even a Legendary being might descend upon them, accusing her of misleading a genius. But the bet had already been made, and City Lord Ye had no idea how to go back on her word.

“Yu Rui... Will Yu Rui be okay?”

As the domain barrier continued to move around, Jiang Ming and Liu Man trembled with fear. They were deeply concerned about Yu Rui’s fate.

Can Yu Rui survive in a domain...?

If a Legendary figure’s son were to die in an ascension realm, at the hands of an alternate-world beastmaster, it would be earth-shattering news in the Stellar Moon Federation. Maybe they wouldn’t even have the chance to bring this news back. If Yu Rui died, Lu Ran would probably silence them as well to eliminate potential threats. Their minds spiraled with paranoia.

Liu Man and Jiang Ming were deeply horrified. They couldn’t comprehend why an alternate-world beastmaster could be this terrifying.

Double Overlords, domain techniques... What kind of lineup was this?

Meanwhile, Captain Doofus’ domain continued to expand and move, constantly drawing more beastmasters inside while spitting out those who had already been defeated.

“That’s the plantmaster of the Floral Empress!”

“That’s the plantmaster of the Ancient War Tree!”

The examiners following behind the domain were stunned when they saw several unconscious figures at its edge.

“They’re still breathing. Their injuries are manageable, but their spirit state has been significantly impacted. They’ll need spirit healing. Hurry! Take them back for treatment.”

The examiners checked their conditions and were left in shock. Those ordinary beastmasters were one thing, but even Gu Yu and Yu Rui, who possessed Overlords, ended up in such a miserable state.

A two-on-one battle... No, a group against one, but they still couldn’t break the domain. That is the mark of a true powerhouse.

“Did she lose?”

After seeing her disciple’s defeat, City Lord Ye’s senior felt a sense of dread. But fortunately, her injuries weren’t severe. Just like City Lord Ye had said, Lu Ran had held back against everyone—even Yu Rui.

“It looks like this match really might end in the preliminaries.”

After dealing with the stronger competitors, Lu Ran and Captain Doofus went on a metaphorical killing spree. The remaining contestants were all significantly weaker, desperately fleeing as they felt the overwhelming Sword Intent from behind.

But the more they feared Lu Ran, the more they ignored the natural dangers of the Death Forest. Many had already been hurt by vicious plants and collapsed along the way. Even those with decent strength who tried to use their experience to navigate the forest quickly ended up being blocked by Sudden Death King.

“

RAWR!

”

Some contestants who were about to reach the finish line were blown away by a terrifying dragon aura. They collapsed into unconsciousness just before the finish line. At the finish line, a storm of red lightning raged, appearing even more dangerous than the interior of the Death Forest. This was Lu Ran’s line of death.

He had already wasted too much time. There was no way he would allow the tournament to continue into the finals and cut into his ascension realm exploration time.

“Son of a bitch...”

“What kind of tournament is this?”

“Where did this monster come from?”

With Sudden Death King at the front, the Death Forest’s vicious plants in the middle, and Lu Ran and Captain Doofus behind them, the remaining contestants felt nothing but despair.

Captain Doofus retracted its domain since there were no more worthy opponents. It returned to its original form, and Lu Ran advanced leisurely through the forest. In the end, it would be Lu Ran alone who reached the finish line.

At the exit of the Death Forest, Sudden Death King was lying there, bored, while the examiners watching swallowed nervously. The one-man, one-dog duo approaching slowly had them completely speechless.

After finally reaching the exit, Lu Ran scanned the empty surroundings and grinned.

“Huh? There’s no one else? So does this mean... there’s no final? I’m the champion?”

The examiners remained silent, visibly shaken.

After a long pause, a buff middle-aged examiner stepped forward and said, “That’s likely the case. However, this situation is unprecedented. We may need City Lord Ye to confirm...”

“I’m here.”

Before the examiner could finish, City Lord Ye appeared at the Death Forest’s exit. She gazed at Lu Ran with a helpless expression. She then announced her decision, her voice echoing throughout the Death Forest, ensuring that every relevant individual could hear her clearly.

“Since only one contestant has cleared the preliminaries, this year’s Plant-Beast Tournament will have a single champion. No rankings for the others. The tournament is over!”

The moment City Lord Ye’s announcement ended, a pleasant notification rang in Lu Ran’s ears.

[Congratulations on completing the secret realm mission!]

[Score: SSS]

[You have received 5 million crystal coins.]

[You have received a Contract Card (Bound).]

[You have received a Treasure resource: Miracle Seed (A seed capable of being implanted into an animal’s body. Once it matures, the host will develop plant-based organs suited to them, granting immense power.)]

[You have obtained a beastmaster skill: Flourishing Vitality (A Unique beastmaster skill that converts the natural energy of plants into healing energy.)]

[You have obtained a trait crystal: Lucky Clover (A plant lifeform fused with this trait will experience a massive luck boost and bring good fortune to those around it.)]

[You have obtained a Low-King-rank Plant Seed (Once matured, this seed will grow into a Low-King-rank plant familiar.)]

[You have met the advancement criteria for a level 3 beastmaster. Would you like to advance now?]

No.

With a quick glance at the rewards, Lu Ran’s heart surged with excitement. As expected, an SSS-rank evaluation meant solid, guaranteed rewards. But now wasn’t the time to celebrate. Lu Ran turned to City Lord Ye, and she looked back at him.

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Finally, City Lord Ye spoke.

“Come with me.”

Under the watchful eyes of the examiners, she led Lu Ran away. No one knew what City Lord Ye intended to do with this monstrous genius. But that didn’t matter. What mattered now was that the news of this tournament’s shocking outcome would soon spread, sending shockwaves throughout the region.

***

The Plant-Beast Tournament ended prematurely in the preliminaries, nearly turning Tree World City upside down. When the high-ranking officials of the great clans heard that a single monster had ended the tournament in the preliminaries, their minds almost exploded.

If not for the fact that their clan prodigies had been carried back one after another, they would never have believed it.

At the Shi Clan’s estate, the elders sat in silence. They had always known Lu Ran was strong, but this record-breaking feat left them terrified. Meanwhile, the man of the hour was happily being led away by the Legendary-rank city lord.

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion, City Lord Ye let out a long sigh as she looked at Lu Ran.

“No wonder you accepted the bet so quickly. You had this level of strength all along. You are, without a doubt, the most freakish young beastmaster I’ve ever seen.”

“Master, you’re too kind.” Lu Ran smiled shyly.

City Lord Ye was taken aback.

Just like that, I’m already his master?

“While my beastmaster skills are decent, I’m still inexperienced when it comes to plantmastery,” Lu Ran said humbly.

“They are interconnected. With proper guidance, you’ll master plantmastery in no time.” City Lord Ye smiled. “Well, whatever. Since you’ve already called me master, I might as well accept you as my disciple. I’ll teach you everything I should. You don’t have to swear any oaths or inherit anything. Just, please, don’t cause trouble for me in the future.”

Lu Ran’s face lit up with joy. “Of course not! I’m a very honest person.”

“You? Honest?” City Lord Ye frowned. “Are you kidding me? An honest person wouldn’t end the tournament in the preliminaries!”

“Uh... Well, I just wanted to become your disciple quickly and start learning about plantmastery.”