Chapter 291 - The Tree Monarch’s Phantom

A middle-aged man dressed in a purple brocade robe was blocking the flying vessel from advancing. He stood midair with his hands behind his back, likely possessing a unique beastmaster skill that allowed him to borrow power from his familiar.

“We are.”

Upon seeing this person, City Lord Tian, who stood at the front of the vessel, spoke with surprise.

“Qing Lianshan, so you’ve become Legendary as well. And you’ve kept it so low-key. There wasn’t even a single rumor about it.”

“I only broke through recently. My father is currently in seclusion, so I’ll be hosting the two of you. Is that acceptable?” Qing Lianshan asked.

“Of course. Why would there be an issue? Having someone as talented as you personally welcome us is an honor.” City Lord Tian responded with a smile.

City Lord Ye, City Lord Tian, and Qing Lianshan’s father belonged to the same generation. Although it was the son who had come to greet Ye and Tian, they did not find it inappropriate. Now that Qing Lianshan had become Legendary, generational distinctions no longer mattered.

“These must be your disciples, then.”

Qing Lianshan was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected both of these Legendary beastmasters to have recently taken on disciples. As for them bringing their disciples to experience the Tree Monarch’s ruin, he didn’t mind. In truth, many self-proclaimed geniuses had come here to challenge it, yet all had ended in failure.

Over time, people had come to understand how difficult inheriting the Tree Monarch’s legacy truly was. They no longer expected to pass and simply used this place as a trial ground.

If he remembered correctly, City Lord Ye and City Lord Tian had also challenged the Tree Monarch Ruin in their youth and both had failed. Seeing them return now with their disciples was rather amusing.

“Since they are your disciples, there’s no need to test their entry qualifications. They may attempt the challenge whenever they wish,” Qing Lianshan stated.

“Much appreciated,” City Lord Ye said before turning to Lu Ran. “When do you plan to challenge it?”

“I’ve been resting and preparing the entire journey. I’m actually in great condition right now. I can go at any time,” Lu Ran replied.

City Lord Ye smiled before turning to Qing Lianshan. “Then let’s do it now. My disciple would like to give it a try right away.”

“Is that so?”

Qing Lianshan glanced at Lu Ran and Gu Yu, then focused on Lu Ran. “Why don’t you have the aura of a plantmaster? In fact, you seem more like a beastmaster?”

“Senior, that’s correct. I am a beastmaster, not a plantmaster.” Lu Ran chuckled.

Qing Lianshan was momentarily stunned.

A Legendary plantmaster has taken on a beastmaster as a disciple?

Well, that has nothing to do with me.

“In that case, I won’t hold you up with formalities. You may proceed directly to the challenge. I might as well come along and watch,” he said casually.

City Lord Ye and City Lord Tian exchanged a peculiar glance. Lu Ran and Gu Yu might not understand, but they did. From the time Qing Lianshan was level 1, he had continuously challenged the Tree Monarch Ruin. He had tried for decades and never succeeded.

When City Lord Tian first mentioned to Lu Ran that even geniuses with Overlord familiars had failed, she had been referring to him. City Lord Ye and City Lord Tian had been surprised to see Qing Lianshan reach the Legendary level because once someone became Legendary, they could no longer attempt the Tree Monarch Ruin.

In their view, after trying for so long, Qing Lianshan would never give up until he succeeded.

But... has he given up now?

***

The entrance to the Tree Monarch Ruin lay atop the ancient sky-reaching tree in Tree Monarch City.

The flying vessel docked beside a massive branch. Lu Ran and Gu Yu followed their masters as they stepped onto the branch, immediately feeling numerous gazes upon them. This ancient tree was lush with dense foliage. It was home to many vicious plants, most of them quite powerful.

There was a tree hollow-shaped dimensional gateway at the end of the branch. It was directly connected to the tree’s trunk and the legacy ruin within.

“Just step inside. Young ones, don’t be nervous. Just keep a normal mindset. Although frankly, even if you take it seriously, it won’t matter.” Qing Lianshan laughed as he watched Lu Ran step forward.

“Senior Gu, I’ll go first.” Lu Ran smirked at Gu Yu.

“Do as you please...” Gu Yu muttered, showing little expectation.

Even if Lu Ran’s that strong, our master has no confidence in him.

Lu Ran glanced at his master and senior master before nodding and stepping into the legacy ruin. For hundreds of years, no one had passed the Tree Monarch’s trial.

At first glance, it seemed impossibly difficult. But before coming, Lu Ran had done extensive preparation, including deep research on the Tree Monarch herself. He had even sought out Yu Rui and others for information.

City Lord Ye and City Lord Tian, being from this era, had a limited understanding of the Tree Monarch and her legacy ruin. However, future beastmasters of the Stellar Moon Continent had far deeper insights through ongoing archaeological research.

And Lu Ran had learned the most crucial fact from them. In the future, someone actually passes the Tree Monarch’s trial. That person was also a female beastmaster.

Although there were no clear records detailing how she passed the Tree Monarch Ruin or what inheritance she received, her identity was well-documented in history. She was the first level 9 plantmaster in the history of Divine Tree Continent. She was also the only Legendary plantmaster ever recorded.

For the Stellar Moon Federation, this archaeological discovery was unsurprising. For someone as formidable as the Tree Monarch, the only one capable of surpassing her would have to be an even greater prodigy.

According to Yu Rui and his team, the Stellar Moon Federation had long debated this Legendary plantmaster’s success. Was it because she inherited the Tree Monarch’s Legacy that she ultimately reached the Legendary level? Or was she already destined for the Legendary level, and taking the Tree Monarch’s inheritance was merely a bonus?

After listening, Lu Ran felt it was likely both.

After all, opportunities are part of a powerhouse’s strength. Too bad this isn’t actual time travel. Otherwise, if I really clear this ruin, wouldn’t I be stealing a future Legendary beastmaster’s chance?

“Come on, then. This is a part of a Legendary figure’s fate. Let’s see if I have the strength to seize it.”

***

Inside the Tree Monarch Ruin.

After teleporting, Lu Ran found himself standing on a vast expanse of grassland. There was nothing but endless fields stretching in every direction. As he took a deep breath, he prepared to summon his familiars, but his opponents had already formed—a tree, a dragon, and a person.

The Moon Divine Tree resembled a Christmas tree. It had lush emerald-green branches that had golden, luminous fruit, swaying gently in the wind like miniature moons.

In contrast, the Harvest Dragon looked foolish. Though it was technically dragon-shaped, it resembled a strange banana-like green creature with draconic features. It was lying lazily on the ground with its eyes half-closed. It radiated an aura of sheer laziness.

The human phantom, shrouded in the passage of time, stood behind the two plant familiars with its face obscured. Without any warning, the golden fruit of the Moon Divine Tree trembled and radiated a soft glow.

At the same time, the Harvest Dragon’s eyes snapped open, releasing an overwhelming draconic aura. Under the radiant glow of moonlight, its body expanded instantly and grew to dozens of meters in length. Emerald-green dragon scales covered its massive frame, shimmering with golden light.

“

RAWR!

”

With the augmentation of Time-attribute abilities, the Harvest Dragon underwent a sudden transformation. Its eyes were sharp and piercing, and its body was long and powerful. Its muscular limbs were enormous leaf-like wings, and the grass-like mustache on its chin exuded raw power. It looked like a Grass-attribute Azure Dragon.

A terrifying dragon’s aura that was even stronger than Sudden Death King’s swept through the battlefield. The ground cracked and the sky trembled. The aura of a Superior Overlord was fully unleashed. For an ordinary challenger, without at least an Overlord familiar, even this first wave of intimidation would be too much to handle.

“

RAWR!

”

The Harvest Dragon let out a thunderous roar, its dragon’s aura surging toward Lu Ran. But in the next moment, among the three familiars Lu Ran summoned, one of them suddenly released an overwhelming aura.

“

AWOOOOO!

”

“It said, ‘Is this all you have?’” Lu Ran smiled and snapped his fingers.

In an instant, Captain Doofus unleashed its Limitless Sword Domain while holding the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer. The gigantic domain instantly engulfed the Moon Divine Tree, the Harvest Dragon, and the Tree Monarch’s phantom.

Within the domain, Captain Doofus held the Divine Deer Sword in its mouth while its tail held its swordgrass. The quasi-Legendary aura it radiated was unmistakable. Its presence which was infused with Dragon-Slaying Sword Intent shattered the Harvest Dragon’s Superior Overlord dragon’s might in an instant.

A terrifying sword intent swept through the battlefield, forcing both the Moon Divine Tree and the Tree Monarch’s phantom to take a step back. Even the Harvest Dragon tensed up.

“

RAWR!

”

Inside the domain, Sudden Death King narrowed its eyes.

Where did this old dragon come from? Does it seriously think it can flaunt its dragon’s aura in front of Captain Doofus? Can you stop giving it a chance to refine its Dragon-Slaying Sword Intent?

“

Caw, caw, caw!

I can finally join the battle! Time to stock up!”

Of course, the most excited one was Dark Crow. It had been bottling up frustration for too long because it was unable to participate in previous battles. But now, Dark Crow could finally go wild.

Within the Limitless Sword Domain, the Tree Monarch’s phantom locked eyes with Lu Ran. Beside the Tree Monarch, the Moon Divine Tree swayed. Above them, the Harvest Dragon stared with a serious expression.

Standing atop Sudden Death King’s shoulder, Lu Ran watched calmly. Beside him, Dark Crow entered Soul Amplification Mode. Dozens of its Evil God Eyes opened up. Captain Doofus was holding the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer, releasing an unstoppable aura that was no weaker than the Tree Monarch’s phantom itself.

“

Caw!

This ruin has been around for hundreds of years, and the phantom is still in perfect condition? You three are not gonna suddenly disappear, are you?”

As Dark Crow’s voice echoed through the battlefield, the battle began in full force!