Chapter 367 - The Bet Between the Mechanical Attribute and the Undead Attribute

Antarctica, Public Realm.

This marked the second opening of the first stage of the Evolution Secret Realm. Beastmasters still remembered that it was in this very realm that Lu Ran had evolved the Shieldwing Dragon King, ushering in the era of Overlord familiars.

Now, although many beastmasters had already cultivated Overlords, those who had achieved this at level 30 during the first stage of evolution were still rare. Most first-generation beastmasters only managed to evolve Overlords during the second stage of evolution at level 60.

With another first-stage Evolution Secret Realm opening, countless beastmasters grew curious about which participants would emerge this time.

International Beastmaster Forum

└Water-Spouting Dragon: I bet Lu Ran will be there. He’s already started training a new familiar—that weather sprite that rammed a Legendary secret realm boss to death.

└Midnight Pig-Slayer: Whenever that guy shows up, it feels like no one else stands a chance...

└Mechanical Cat: That’s not entirely true. The new president of the Eagle Federation is also training a new familiar and hasn’t evolved it yet, right?

“Rumors say that Oub, the Eagle Federation’s new cyborg president, might also enter the Evolution Secret Realm with his new familiar. I don’t think I have any issues with him, do I?” Lu Ran asked.

Manager Ying jumped onto the table. “Not at all. Besides, the first-stage Evolution Secret Realm has 10 blessing slots, so there won’t be any conflict between you two. Still, that man is extraordinary.

“He’s hailed as the father of Mechanical-attribute familiars on Blue Planet. His new familiar is currently a Superior King. He’ll likely evolve it into an Overlord with ease, maybe even an Intermediate Overlord. I’m just reminding you because you love stealing the spotlight. You’ve done it every time. Don’t let him outshine you.”

“Mechanical-attribute familiars, huh...? Who says I love stealing the spotlight? I just evolve normally. It’s everyone else who’s too weak. By the way, why did Limitless City only arrange one Mechanical-attribute ascension realm trial and never again?”

“Who knows...” Manager Ying shrugged. “Also, since I’m already out, I might as well play bodyguard for you again.”

“Thanks for that. Should I have Sudden Death King push my wheelchair again, or will you arrange a maid for me?”

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Manager Ying was taken aback. “You still want to go in a wheelchair? Are you addicted to it? And a maid... I might as well dress Sudden Death King in a maid outfit!”

Lu Ran stretched out his trembling, weak legs. “That works too... That tiger shattered my bones. It’s not like I can recover completely so quickly. Don’t worry, though. It shouldn’t affect my trip to the Stellar Moon Federation.”

***

Eagle Federation.

After the Alliance Tournament, the former president of the Eagle Federation, Pari, was impeached and removed from office. Oub, the strongest mechanic in the Eagle Federation, took over the position, aligning with public sentiment.

Since then, many universities in the Eagle Federation had added Mechanical-attribute beastmaster courses, seemingly competing with the Undead-attribute programs in the East.

However, Oub didn’t look relaxed when he saw the rumors online. Unlike the uninformed netizens, the intelligence agencies of major nations were far more capable. He already knew about Lu Ran’s achievements in the level 3 ascension realm, which included single-handedly defeating four empires.

Although Lu Ran had the help of a certain guardian sacred beast, it still spoke volumes about his prowess. It also made Oub realize that Lu Ran must have gained significant rewards from the ascension realm.

Originally, Oub had thought it was impossible for Lu Ran to catch up to the Ten Great Kings before the World War. But now, he wasn’t so sure.

“It’s time to meet him,” he murmured.

***

With the Evolution Secret Realm about to open again, aside from Lu Ran and Oub, many other strong individuals drew attention. However, without any of the Ten Great Kings participating, Oub, the strongest in Eagle Federation, and Lu Ran, the eleventh Beastmaster King, naturally became the main focus.

Time passed quickly. Soon, they reached the day of the Evolution Secret Realm’s opening. Early in the morning, participants entered the realm, waiting for the eruption of evolution energy.

Reporters from various countries and the International Alliance were also already in position.

“He’s here, he’s here...”

“Wait, what’s going on?”

When Lu Ran, the man of the hour, finally appeared, many beastmasters at the realm’s entrance stared in shock. Lu Ran was still partially wrapped in bandages, being pushed in a wheelchair by a miniature dragon king while calmly making his way toward the Evolution Secret Realm.

“Lu Ran’s injuries still haven’t healed?”

Many remembered that Lu Ran had challenged the Legendary secret realm in a wheelchair, injured. After so many days, they hadn’t expected his injuries to persist.

With Xia’s resources and Lu Ran’s status, full recovery shouldn’t be that difficult, should it?

“

Rawr!

”

Sudden Death King pushed Lu Ran into the secret realm.

Make way, thank you.

Meanwhile, after entering the secret realm, Lu Ran took a deep breath and felt his mood lift. He summoned Baby Cloud. A kitten-shaped cloud landed on his lap, and he gently patted it.

Ignoring the other beastmasters, Lu Ran waited quietly. However, his status made it impossible for him to keep a low profile. A sudden commotion erupted as a young man in a simple T-shirt appeared out of nowhere, walking straight toward Lu Ran. Many recognized him instantly.

“The cyborg, Oub!”

“He’s heading straight for Lu Ran.”

“What’s going on? Are they going to fight?”

As Oub approached, Lu Ran opened his eyes. Although his Alignment Perception had weakened after severing his contract with the six paths flower, some of it remained. He could sense that Oub harbored little malice.

Oub stopped a few meters away from Lu Ran, under the gaze of Sudden Death King and Baby Cloud.

“Hello, Professor Lu.”

“Cyborg Oub? Is there something I can help you with?” Lu Ran replied.

“Of course. As far as I know, Xia has already established Undead-attribute research collaborations with multiple nations. However, during Pari’s tenure, the Eagle Federation’s cooperation with Xia in this area was zero,” Oub said.

“So you want to collaborate with Xia on Undead-attribute research?” Lu Ran asked.

“No. Collaborations like these often leave one side at a disadvantage. I’d like to know, Professor Lu, what your thoughts are on Mechanical-attribute familiars. If you’re interested, I’d like to propose a bet.

“If you lose, you’ll teach me a stable way to produce harmless Undead-attribute food. If I lose, I’ll hand over my Mechanical-attribute modification knowledge and Mechanical-attribute evolution methods to you. What do you think?” Oub smiled at Lu Ran, who remained calm.

“What are we betting on?” Lu Ran asked.

“We’ll pit Mechanical-attribute familiars against Undead-attribute familiars to see which is stronger. Eagle Federation and Xia will each send three fourth-generation beastmasters to compete in a best-of-three format. They can only use a Mechanical-attribute familiar or an Undead-attribute familiar.

“Of course, the fourth-generation beastmasters can’t include you, Professor Lu. How about it? Do you accept these terms?” Oub chuckled.

Lu Ran was speechless. This cyborg was clever by excluding him outright. As Lu Ran pondered, the reporters hovering nearby could barely contain their excitement.

Holy shit.

The Evolution Secret Realm hadn’t even started, yet they were already witnessing a major news story. Oub, the father of Mechanical-attribute familiars on Blue Planet, was challenging Lu Ran, the father of Undead-attribute familiars.

Although it wasn’t a direct duel between the two and their main attributes, this situation was even more thrilling for the reporters.

The strength of an attribute couldn’t be determined solely by its strongest cultivator. The overall strength of other beastmasters specializing in that attribute was what truly defined their standing. This was a battle of attributes!

Countless reporters watched Lu Ran eagerly, waiting for his response.

However, Lu Ran’s reply made their hearts sink.

“Boring. Now that we can match with beastmasters from the Stellar Moon Federation, who also possess Mechanical-attribute knowledge, why would I need yours?”

Besides, he would soon enter the Stellar Moon World. Although the Stellar Moon Federation’s knowledge on Mechanical-attribute familiars was behind the Mechanical Era, it was still superior to Oub’s technology.

In contrast, the Undead-attribute familiars were still rare in the Stellar Moon Federation, with few cultivators. Clearly, the Undead attribute was the rarer and more valuable field.

Even without entering the Mechanical Era, Lu Ran would have opportunities to study Mechanical-attribute knowledge. There was no need for him to engage in this bet with Oub.

“Professor Lu, you’re overthinking it. Not only are mechanics in the Stellar Moon Federation extremely rare and hard to match with, but even if Xia could acquire Mechanical-attribute knowledge from them, the Stellar Moon Federation’s knowledge could be inferior to what I’ve obtained from the Mechanical Era.

“Moreover, their knowledge is built upon mechanical spaces, which aren’t suitable for people on Blue Planet. What I’ve refined is based on the mechanics of Limitless City. It’s obvious which is more suited for beastmasters here. Even the Legendary beastmasters of the Stellar Moon Federation would undoubtedly be interested in what I possess.”

Lu Ran looked at him. “That’s just your side of the story. Besides, the bet is entirely your idea. I don’t find it particularly enticing. How about this? Add an Epic resource to the bet, and I’ll take it.”

Oub was taken aback. He stared at Lu Ran in silence.

This guy is downright greedy.

“Fine. If you win, I’ll give you my Mechanical-attribute modification knowledge, Mechanical-attribute evolution methods, and an Epic-grade resource. If I win, you’ll teach me how to stably produce harmless Undead-attribute food. No issues, right?”

“Deal,” Lu Ran agreed.

This wasn’t difficult. Although he was currently the only one who knew how to make harmless Undead-attribute food, he already understood how to pass on the method, which was by crafting a set of soul cookware with corresponding abilities. After inheriting Emperor Yan Sizhen’s forging insights, Lu Ran knew exactly how to do it.

However, since he accepted the bet, he fully intended to win.

“But the timing of the match will be up to me.”

Three fourth-generation beastmasters with Undead-attribute familiars...

Lu Ran didn’t have any at the moment, but he could train some. He just needed time.

Fang Lan could be one. Undead and Poison would be a deadly combination. Other candidates included Youxiong Anlin, Du Yuan, Lin Nian, and Xia Ri, among others. It would depend on who was willing to cultivate Undead-attribute familiars.

Alternatively, he could include Master Jiang Dou. The old man was technically a fourth-generation beastmaster and already had an Undead-attribute familiar.

But is it really okay to drag an old person into this?