Chapter 348 - The Empire’s Three Quasi-Legendaries

“Your Highness, my apologies. Flame Spirit doesn’t harmonize well with Lightning Dragons. Once it’s applied, controlling its power becomes difficult.” Lu Ran could only sigh helplessly.

The Lightning-Flame dragon aura was indeed too overwhelming. Even Sudden Death King struggled to rein it in. Only Captain Doofus could face it head-on within Lu Ran’s team.

“Sudden Death King!”

Although the princess was only slightly affected, Yan Feng still wanted to reprimand Sudden Death King. Lu Ran remained unfazed, but the real Sudden Death King flinched.

Fortunately, Yan Feng just sighed, knowing this wasn’t Lu Ran’s fault.

Who would’ve predicted that a level 3 beastmaster would overpower a level 5 royal princess in an aura clash?

“I told you, I’m fine."

The seventh princess steadied herself, her composure returning. She glanced at the Wind Demon Empress, who had also recovered, and then at Sudden Death King, its form wreathed in lightning and flames. She took a deep breath.

“Second-stage Flame Spirit is truly formidable... That dragon aura of yours felt eerily similar to the residual aura in the Flame Dragon Sanctuary. And for a moment, I almost mistook it for Emperor Yan Sizhen’s battle familiar.”

Yan Feng followed her line of thought and was equally stunned. Indeed, Sudden Death King’s appearance and aura bore an uncanny resemblance to the lingering aura of the Flame Dragon King in the sanctuary. It was as if it were the Flame Dragon King’s descendant.

The return of Emperor Yan and his dragon?

“Let’s end it here.”

Although the seventh princess had underestimated her opponent and suffered some backlash, she wasn’t angry. Instead, she felt a surge of delight, her gaze toward Lu Ran now tinged with admiration.

She had come to test whether Lu Ran lived up to her expectations, and the results had far surpassed them. Had Lu Ran been effortlessly crushed by her aura, she would’ve been disappointed.

“So strong...”

Meanwhile, Yan Yingying and Yan Feng began re-evaluating Lu Ran’s strength and potential.

***

The minor incident that day left the Yan Clan on edge, unsure of the repercussions once the seventh princess returned.

As feared, the moment the princess returned to the palace after testing Lu Ran’s abilities, she sought out the empress and summoned Emperor Yun Hao.

She recounted her encounter with Lu Ran in detail, leaving Yun Hao astonished.

“Emperor Yan Sizhen’s Flame Spirit is truly that powerful?”

He had only heard of the technique but never faced a beastmaster who had mastered its advanced stages.

“That young man is extraordinary to contract an Overlord dragon at his level,” the empress remarked.

“There’s more, Father.”

The princess then relayed Lu Ran’s claim about humanity’s potential being sealed by the Legendary species, which shocked Yun Hao even more than her loss.

“Father, is what he said true?”

“It is... I never told you this, but I learned it from my master. Who exactly was Sudden Death King’s master to know such secrets? Sudden Death King is far from simple. Not only is he a descendant of Emperor Yan Sizhen with an Overlord dragon, but his master was clearly a figure of great stature.

“Even I, burdened by the empire’s affairs, never considered challenging Legendary beings to forge a new path for humanity. Yet this level 3 beastmaster already harbors such ambitions.”

“It’s different. As emperor, your focus is the empire’s safety. He, with no such burdens, can aim higher,” the empress said softly.

“Still, it’s remarkable. Little Seven, you’ve done well. Sudden Death King is indeed a rare talent. But now, the Yan clan will guard him with even more fervor...”

“Father, he returned to the Yan clan just to leverage their resources for stronger familiars.”

“In that case, the royal family can offer far more than the Yan clan.”

“Father, I’m willing to wed Sudden Death King for a marriage alliance. That way—“

“Absolutely not!” Yun Hao stood abruptly, anger flashing across his face. “Mastering Flame Spirit doesn’t make him worthy of my daughter. This would be no different from sacrificing you.”

The empress was equally taken aback by the princess’ suggestion.

The seventh princess pouted. “I just want to share your burdens. Since ancient times, haven’t princesses been political tools for alliances? Even my sister... I don’t dislike Sudden Death King. If he can help you, I’d gladly marry him.”

“That’s not the point!” Yun Hao sighed, feeling powerless.

If he weren’t so weak compared to the empire’s founding emperors, unable to counter the Four Great Beast Empires’ threats, his teenage daughter wouldn’t be offering to shoulder his burdens.

“Sudden Death King is talented, but I know nothing of his character. I won’t gamble your future on him. Wait, I’ve got it.” Yun Hao turned to the empress. “What if I take him as my disciple?”

The empress was stunned. “Your disciple? You’re still young, with princes and princesses to guide. You’ve never taken a disciple before. Are you certain?”

“Better than a marriage alliance."

The seventh princess blinked. Well, as long as her father could secure this talent, she was content. Although teaching a disciple would still drain his energy. Wasn’t marriage simpler?

***

Meanwhile, in the Yan Clan’s estate, Lu Ran received devastating news. The ancestral recognition ceremony would be an internal affair, announced publicly but without inviting other clans.

This means no gifts!

This was worse than killing him.

The Yan Clan elders were equally distressed when a royal guard arrived, summoning Lu Ran to the palace.

The reason was that Emperor Yun Hao wished to meet the bearer of Emperor Yan Sizhen’s Legendary techniques.

“Yun Hao, that brat, moves fast.” Elder Yan Xiao slammed the table, surrounded by grim faces.

Yan Feng sighed. “This was inevitable. He was bound to find out eventually. Blame Sudden Death King for bumping into the seventh princess and Yingying on his first day. Which imperial prodigy hasn’t been summoned? Look on the bright side—this might just be a routine audience.”

There was nothing they could do. Refusing the emperor’s summons would be a blatant insult.

At the same time, while touring the Yan clan estate with Yan Yingying, Lu Ran was preoccupied with another matter—choosing a new name.

“Sudden Death King” wouldn’t fly during the ceremony. Clan rules required him to adopt a Yan surname. Before he could dwell on it, however, the royal summons arrived, leaving him both nervous and thrilled.

Damn, the seventh princess delivered!

Lu Ran hadn’t expected to meet the emperor so soon. Flame Spirit had proven its worth.

Before his departure, Yan Feng reassured him. “Relax. Emperor Yun meets all promising talents from the great clans. Accept any rewards graciously. But remember, after the ceremony, you’ll train with the Lava Cataclysm Beast. If His Majesty offers a demanding post that might hinder your cultivation, decline tactfully.”

“Understood.”

With these instructions, Lu Ran followed the royal guard into the palace.

***

“Your Majesty, Sudden Death King has arrived.”

“Bring him in.”

Led through the palace’s labyrinthine halls, Lu Ran entered a grand chamber. Seated wasn’t just the emperor—a middle-aged man of imposing presence sipping tea over a book—but also a woman whose features mirrored the seventh princess’.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Empress.”

“You must be the Yan descendant, Sudden Death King. Sit.” Emperor Yun set down his book, smiling at Lu Ran.

No wonder Little Seven took a liking to him. This kid’s confidence outshines even our aristocratic young men.

Even when facing a level 8 beastmaster, the current leader of the Beastmaster Empire, he didn’t show the slightest hint of nervousness. Just that alone puts him far ahead of many imperial heirs.

“My daughter speaks highly of your strength and lofty aspirations. Seeing you now, you truly stand out among peers.”

“You overpraise me. Her Highness merely held back, not using her main familiar.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. Also, Little Seven mentioned you returned to your clan seeking powerful familiars, aiming to fulfill your master’s dying wish. Defeating Legendary beings and paving humanity’s future, was it? Is this true?” Emperor Yun’s gaze bore into Lu Ran, searching for deceit.

Yet Lu Ran met his eyes unflinchingly. “It is.”

The answer was genuine, though cobbled from fragmented ascension realm experiences.

“Don’t you find that goal too ambitious? Do you know our empire faces threats from the Four Great Beast Empires?”

“I... am aware, but I believe they pose no real threat. United, the royal family, great clans, and guardian beasts could crush them.”

Lu Ran wasn’t bluffing. History showed that the beast empires were no match for a united front. The real challenge was achieving unity without an existential crisis.

Emperor Yun snorted. “United... If we were united, we wouldn’t be in this state. What if I sent you to the frontlines against the beast empires?”

Lu Ran paused, then replied solemnly, “With enough resources, I’d crush their beast kings.”

Emperor Yun and the empress were flabbergasted.

What kind of answer is that?

“I’m only level 3. On the battlefield now, I’d just die pointlessly. However, if Your Majesty invests in my growth, my potential won’t lose out to any general. I’ll gladly fight when ready.”

Emperor Yun burst into laughter, finding Lu Ran refreshingly blunt.

After composing himself, he asked gravely, “You mean that?”

“I do.”

“Then will you become my disciple? I’ll provide resources. In return, will you share my burdens?”

“Huh?” Lu Ran was dumbfounded.

Not this again! Marriage proposals are one thing, but another master-disciple arc? Three secret realms in a row is overkill.

“I... would be your disciple?”

“You doubt my qualifications?” Emperor Yun’s expression turned serious.

“Ah, right. The Yan clan can just send you to the Lava Cataclysm Beast. It’s suited to guide your Flame Spirit. But, in my opinion, that would just limit your potential. How will you achieve your grand ambitions like that?”

Fine.

“I’d be honored to learn from Your Majesty.”

“Wise choice.” The emperor smiled. “As my disciple, you’ll have access to the empire’s three quasi-Legendaries. First, the sacred fox—the first emperor’s battle familiar—evolved to quasi-Legendary.

“Second, the starwing butterfly, a descendant of the Legendary Star God Butterfly, contracted by the fourth empress. And third, the six paths flower which slumbers within the empire, bound by oath to protect it since the first emperor’s era!"