Chapter 358 - Ground-Breaking Military Exploit, Limitless Resource

Several days after leaving Imperial Beast City, Lu Ran returned without prior notice. Had he announced his return, the entire city would have come out to welcome him, given his military achievements.

In the grand hall of the imperial palace, Lu Ran met privately with Emperor Yun.

“Master.” He bowed slightly, only to feel his hand being grasped immediately.

Emperor Yun’s lips twitched. “No need for formalities. You’re back. Senior Six-Path Flower is truly remarkable. Your deeds will surely be recorded in the empire’s history.”

Emperor Yun had originally thought that his reign would be entirely devoted to combating the Four Great Beast Empires. Never had he imagined that the four crises would be resolved so effortlessly. And all of this was thanks to the young man before him.

Emperor Yun’s expression was complex. His emotions grew even more complicated at Lu Ran’s next words.

“It was my duty to share your burdens, as promised when I became your disciple. By the way, Master, didn’t you say that the military exploits I accumulated on the front lines would be rewarded tenfold, just like regular generals and soldiers?”

Lu Ran’s eyes sparkled as he stared at Emperor Yun, afraid the latter might go back on his word.

Military exploits could be exchanged for resources. Although Lu Ran had harvested plenty of resources from the Four Great Beast Empires, it still wasn’t enough to satisfy him.

He suspected that the Four Great Beast Empires had originally possessed far more resources, but Limitless City had swallowed them up, unwilling to generate so many. Thus, Lu Ran now had no choice but to seek the empire’s help to make up the difference.

Emperor Yun’s stomach ached. Once again, he regretted his choice of words.

“My good disciple, what I meant back then was the exploits you accumulated through your own strength. The four beast kings were likely dealt with by Senior Six-Path Flower, so this...”

Lu Ran said nothing, simply staring straight at Emperor Yun.

What? Little Flower is my contracted familiar—how is that not my strength?

Emperor Yun felt unnerved under Lu Ran’s gaze and coughed dryly. “It’s my fault for not making it clear earlier. But a promise is a promise. Unfortunately, after years of war, the imperial treasury’s resources are likely insufficient to cover your tenfold reward. Most have already been invested in the war effort to train the beastmaster corps.

“I’ll give you your reward in another form. I will betroth my seventh daughter to you. Moreover, I promise that once you reach the Legendary realm, you will be the next emperor. How does that sound?”

Emperor Yun had no other choice. After much deliberation, he could only offer the throne to offset the military exploits.

Upon reflection, Lu Ran was indeed a suitable candidate. Putting aside his temperament, the fact that he had resolved the crisis of the Four Great Beast Empires and was both a Legendary messenger and Six-Path Flower’s beastmaster meant he could firmly secure the throne and ensure the empire’s peace for a millennium.

“That won’t be necessary... Just give me whatever resources you can spare. The marriage and the throne can wait,” Lu Ran said.

“Huh?” Emperor Yun was stunned.

What the hell? Is this kid stupid? You don’t want my daughter? Or the empire? Once you become emperor, the entire empire will be yours—what resources couldn’t you have then? Yet you’re fixated on the treasury’s meager reserves during this period of imperial decline?

Emperor Yun suspected Lu Ran had been dropped on his head as a child. Little did he know, Lu Ran was merely a passerby in this era. What Emperor Yun promised were benefits that would only materialize in the distant future.

But the problem was, Lu Ran wouldn’t be around to see that day. For him, the only thing that mattered was how many resources he could scrape together in the next few days.

Inside the temporary contract space, the Six-Path Flower couldn’t help but speak up after Lu Ran rejected the marriage and the throne.

Are you an idiot? Why refuse the throne?

What’s the point...?

Lu Ran scoffed.

The empire’s dragon vein of fortune would grant you cultivation speed far beyond ordinary humans. How else do you think Yun Hao reached level eight at such a young age? His talent is exceptional, but without the empire’s fortune, it would’ve been impossible to progress so quickly.

Basically, becoming the emperor of the Beastmaster Empire would bring you many benefits. Not only would your cultivation speed increase, but the dragon vein’s protection would also make you immune to curses and other malevolent forces.

You should’ve led with that!

Lu Ran’s eyes lit up with greed.

Though he couldn’t cultivate now, once he returned from this ascension realm, he planned to seek out the Divine Deer in the Stellar Moon Federation for enlightenment. Then, he’d finally be able to cultivate.

If there was a way to speed up his progress, Lu Ran was all for it. But the problem was, Emperor Yun insisted he could only inherit the throne after reaching Legendary—time Lu Ran didn’t have.

Moreover, even if he became emperor in the secret realm, it was unclear whether the fortune’s effects would carry over after returning.

Seeing Lu Ran’s reluctance, the emperor added, “Why refuse? If you accept the throne, I can lend you the Imperial Seal now. With its power, you’ll reach level seven within two years, even if you are currently a level four beastmaster.”

“Deal! I’ll be the seventh emperor,” Lu Ran said.

“Then it’s settled.” Emperor Yun smiled faintly.

Good. The tenfold military exploits issue is resolved, and I even roped in a successor.

The war had made Emperor Yun realize how grueling the throne could be. He was exhausted.

The immense pressure had already made him consider abdicating, transitioning the royal family into an imperial clan that operated behind the scenes.

With Lu Ran and the Six-Path Flower at the forefront, the empire would remain stable for a millennium, allowing him to cultivate in peace.

“Passing the throne to you puts my mind at ease. However, we still need to discuss the marriage.”

“Give me ten days to think it over, Master. Is that alright?” Lu Ran said earnestly.

“Fine. Ten days it is.”

With that, Emperor Yun first presented the Imperial Seal, placing it before Lu Ran.

The seal was an artifact crafted from mystical jade, inscribed with two words, “Beastmaster King,” likely symbolizing the emperor of the Beastmaster Nation.

The seal’s power was overwhelming. When Lu Ran examined it with his Eye of Detection, he took a deep breath.

[Name: Imperial Seal]

[Grade: Epic]

[Description: The imperial seal of the Beastmaster Empire. The bearer is blessed with great fortune, gaining increased cultivation speed. Over time, their physique is subtly enhanced, granting longevity and immunity to malevolent forces. The seal’s effects strengthen with the empire’s prosperity (maximum grade: Legendary) and weaken with its decline (minimum grade: Treasure).]

“I won’t let you down, Master!” Lu Ran accepted the seal, heart racing.

So he didn’t need to officially become emperor to enjoy the empire’s fortune. However, Lu Ran’s expression changed.

The seal’s effects fluctuated? Maximum Legendary, minimum Treasure?

Right now, the seal was Epic-grade. But once he returned to Blue Planet, the empire would be long gone, reducing it to its weakest state.

Does this mean I have to rebuild the Beastmaster Empire and help it surpass its current glory to restore the seal’s full power? Damn it...

This wasn’t inheriting a throne. It was becoming the crown prince of a fallen empire.

“Good. Now go and think about the marriage.” Emperor Yun waved him off.

“Yes, Master. Oh, and about the resources—“

“You still want resources?”

“I mean, I’ve gathered plenty from the beast empires, but most are useless to me as their attributes don’t match my familiars. I’d like to exchange them for suitable resources from the imperial treasury.”

Emperor Yun smiled. “Of course. The empire’s core treasury is guarded by the guardian sacred beast left by the first emperor. With the Imperial Seal, you may enter directly.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Hehe.

Never had Lu Ran felt such joy.

The treasury’s emptiness didn’t faze him—his demands were modest. All he wanted was enough resources to train Captain Doofus and the others to level 60.

Is that too much to ask? Surely not.

With only eight familiars to his name, he was confident the Beastmaster Empire’s treasury could handle it.

With time acceleration, it won’t take long to catch up to the first generation. Maybe I’ll even have a shot at the World War and securing Limitless City’s authority.

***

Lu Ran promptly immersed himself in the empire’s treasury, sorting through resources. To his dismay, Emperor Yun hadn’t lied; the treasury was nearly depleted. The only two Epic resources were as useless as the ones he’d looted.

No sensible emperor leaves valuable resources in the treasury. The empire’s true wealth lies with the imperial clans, royal families, and Legendary lineages. During wartime, the treasury is the first to be drained, so how much could possibly remain?

Lu Ran ignored the Six-Path Flower’s grumbling. “I get it. It doesn’t matter. This is enough for now.”

He happily divided his time between researching time acceleration and harvesting resources. However, unbeknownst to him, danger was approaching.

The Six-Path Flower, who had been by his side, suddenly shuddered, its pupils filled with panic. Like a startled rabbit, it instinctively moved closer to Lu Ran, who was meditating.

“What’s wrong?” Lu Ran turned to it immediately.

A Legendary-level lifeform... is approaching the Beastmaster Empire... It might be here for us.

The Six-Path Flower was terrified, fearing its earlier actions had drawn attention.

Lu Ran’s expression darkened.

Can you tell which Legendary divine beast it is?

Fucking hell, is Limitless City serious?

Stingy with resources but generous with Legendary enemies? Wait... isn’t today the final day of the ascension realm? The realm’s end is near. What’s Limitless City playing at? Is it trying to scare me at the last moment?