Chapter 372 - I Was Clearly First

In the valley where clear springs flowed melodiously, a white-haired girl spoke to an ancient towering tree at the heart of the valley.

“Lord Divine Deer, it seems someone has entered Clear Spring Valley. I’ll go take a look.”

As she spoke, she summoned a white deer-like familiar and gracefully mounted it. In the next moment, the white deer galloped toward the valley’s entrance.

At the same time, Lu Ran and Manager Ying, who had just landed outside the valley, sensed the vibrant life energy emanating from within. They felt that their efforts wouldn’t be in vain this time.

Feeling the rich life energy, Lu Ran and the others exchanged glances, concluding that there was a high chance they would encounter the Divine Deer here. However, before they could venture deeper, a white figure swiftly emerged from the valley. It was a white deer adorned with shimmering seven-colored lights, exuding a fearsome aura, as if to ward off intruders.

Seated on top of the deer was a white-haired girl, her expression equally guarded. Although her identity was unknown, the sight of the deer and the girl made Lu Ran panic.

[Species: Seven-Colored Deer]

[Attribute: Light, Water]

[Species Rank: Superior Overlord]

[Level: 66]

First, Lu Ran observed the girl’s familiar and couldn’t help but feel impressed. She appeared younger than him, yet she was already a level 6 beastmaster, and her familiar’s species rank was remarkably high.

But what truly shocked Lu Ran was the Epic-grade Broken Horn of the Divine Deer hanging around her neck. That was the most astonishing detail. Similarly, Manager Ying was stunned.

Who exactly is this girl?

First, they ruled out the possibility of her being the Divine Deer in human form.

“Who are you?”

In truth, it wasn’t just Lu Ran and the others who were surprised—the white-robed girl was equally taken aback.

[Species: Catastrophe Sprite]

[Attribute: Water, Wind, Ice, Lightning]

[Species Rank: Superior Overlord]

[Level: 50]

First was Baby Cloud, whose species and species rank were exceptionally rare and impressive. Next was Manager Ying...

[Species: Nine-Tailed Cat]

[Attribute: Spirit, Time, Space, Fire, Lightning, Wind, Ice, Light, Dark]

[Species Rank: Superior Overlord]

[Level: 71]

Its attributes were even more outrageous. Even in Stellar Moon, it would be considered a fearsome beast.

Why would such an absurd Overlord come here?

Bai Lu was puzzled.

Had Lu Ran not already stored his Broken Horn in the ruin space for Captain Doofus and the others to use, the white-haired girl would have been even more shocked.

“Um...”

Lu Ran and Manager Ying had already sensed the girl’s extraordinary status, so Lu Ran smiled politely and said, “Hello there. Miss, may I ask if the Divine Deer is here?”

“You’re looking for Lord Divine Deer?” The white-haired girl raised an eyebrow.

Only a few know the Divine Deer resides here.

“I am Bai Lu, the Divine Deer’s messenger. Who are you? Answer me first.”

“Shit, the Divine Deer’s messenger?” As soon as the white-haired girl revealed her identity, Manager Ying couldn’t help but curse under its breath.

It glanced at Lu Ran, whose expression had turned complicated, and then at the girl, lost in thought.

“Do you have a problem...?” Bai Lu’s expression darkened at Manager Ying’s crude language.

“Don’t mind it. It’s just a bit surprised,” Lu Ran said. Though inwardly, he felt the same as Manager Ying.

Before coming, Lu Ran had never imagined that the Divine Deer hadn’t just left a legacy on Blue Planet, but it had also chosen a messenger in the Stellar Moon Federation.

Now, there are two Divine Deer messengers?

Lu Ran suddenly felt like a child whose parents had just had a second baby, his sense of favoritism slipping away.

His lips twitched as he said, “Well, actually... we’re colleagues...”

Bai Lu was baffled. The girl scrutinized Lu Ran, but just then, a powerful aura erupted from deep within Clear Spring Valley. The surge of energy made Bai Lu turn her head in surprise.

Moments later, the flowers and grass on the ground grew even lusher, fresher, and more vibrant. Another figure slowly emerged from the valley. Its form was elegant, bathed in a sacred glow, and its aura was unfathomable. Lu Ran’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

The Divine Deer is actually here.

“Lord Divine Deer?” Bai Lu was visibly startled by the Divine Deer’s awakening.

Normally, the Divine Deer remained in the form of an ancient tree, unresponsive even during their conversations. Yet now, with the arrival of these strangers, the Divine Deer had taken the initiative to appear. So, he is...

”Lord Divine Deer, I’ve finally found you,” Lu Ran said joyfully.

The Divine Deer stepped forward gracefully and glanced at the confused Bai Lu. “Bai Lu, this is the messenger I chose on Blue Planet.”

“What?” The girl stared at Lu Ran in disbelief.

We really are colleagues?

“I told you we were colleagues,” Lu Ran said with a smile.

Bai Lu... Her name sounds familiar. Have I heard it somewhere before? Doesn’t matter.

Lu Ran turned back to the Divine Deer. “Lord Divine Deer, I’ve searched for you so hard... By the way, I didn’t know you had another messenger. I thought I was the only one...”

Bai Lu was taken aback.

Ugh, this guy is so annoyingly dramatic.

“Bai Lu is your senior,” the Divine Deer spoke calmly.

“Oh, Senior Bai Lu... Nice to meet you!” Lu Ran said immediately.

“Alright...”

Although he seems unreliable, he is still the Divine Deer’s chosen beastmaster. I guess I have no right to judge.

As one of the Divine Deer’s messengers, Bai Lu knew more than even some Legendary beastmasters. She was aware that the lives of Blue Planet and Stellar Moon shared a common origin, and that the Divine Deer had visited Blue Planet. While she was slightly surprised by the existence of another messenger, she quickly accepted it.

Although most Stellar Moon beastmasters viewed their relationship with Blue Planet as adversarial, Bai Lu, as a messenger, paid no heed to such things. The sole duty of messengers was to assist their patrons in maintaining the stability of the continent.

”Lord Divine Deer, we encountered Squirrel God’s clone at the cross-world teleportation array. We heard from it that the situation in Stellar Moon isn’t great. Is there anything we can do to help?” Lu Ran asked.

The Divine Deer looked at Lu Ran, then at Manager Ying, and said, “Not for now. Even if something happens, neither you nor Bai Lu is currently capable of intervening. Your task now is to investigate the origins of Limitless City.

“I have a premonition that Limitless City may be connected to the disappearance of the Four Supreme Divine Dragons. Although I am of the Mythical level, only humans can enter Limitless City. Thus, the task of investigating it falls to you.”

The primary reason it had begun appointing messengers, including the two of them, was to leverage their strength to investigate Limitless City. It held little hope that its messengers could help suppress Mythical catastrophes, at least not yet.

But things weren’t absolute. With the emergence of Limitless City, the beastmaster profession had greater growth potential. Perhaps one day, a Mythical-rank messenger would indeed emerge.

“I understand.” Lu Ran nodded, unsurprised that the Divine Deer still considered him weak.

“The two of you are both my messengers. You must assist each other. Bai Lu, as the senior, you must look after him. He is new to Stellar Moon, so ensure he doesn’t cause chaos.”

“I’ll take responsibility, Lord Divine Deer,” Bai Lu said respectfully.

She then turned to Lu Ran. “What’s your name?”

“Lu Ran. My Limitless City ID is Pedestrian A. You’ve probably heard of me,” Lu Ran said casually.

“Lu—What? You’re Lu Ran? The one with the highest potential on Blue Planet?” Bai Lu’s eyes widened.

Lu Ran humbly deflected the praise, subtly flattering the Divine Deer with, “Yes, but it’s nothing special. As the Lord Divine Deer’s messenger, it’d be strange if I weren’t the strongest. Besides, I’m a very low-key person. I won’t cause any trouble, Lord Divine Deer. You can rest assured.

“Also, Senior Bai Lu, I think I’ve heard your name too. Aren’t you one of Stellar Moon’s super geniuses, alongside Death Gun and Kongkong Yi?”

Bai Lu stared at Lu Ran expressionlessly.

So... he is really that Lu Ran. He is anything but low-key!

But that was fine. If he were too weak, he wouldn’t be of any help to the Divine Deer. In a way, Lu Ran’s name was already synonymous with strength.

“You’ve met Death Gun and Kong Kong Yi? Although it’s not confirmed, those two are likely messengers of the Death Dragon and the Space Dragon,” Bai Lu revealed, dropping a bombshell that left Lu Ran stunned.

Lu Ran suddenly felt that Blue Planet was in danger.

Damn. Stellar Moon has so many messengers? How can we possibly win the World War? Might as well surrender now.

As a fellow messenger of a Mystical being, Lu Ran knew just how overpowered those connected to Mythical beings could be.

“The emergence of Limitless City will inevitably draw the attention of many Mythical beings. Training beastmasters to investigate it is a natural choice,” the Divine Deer said.

“Lord Divine Deer, don’t worry! I won’t let you down. I’ll definitely be the first to uncover the truth about Limitless City,” Lu Ran vowed.

Bai Lu narrowed her eyes at Lu Ran. Manager Ying looked up at the sky, thinking Lu Ran resembled those kiss asses in the office.

“Good.” The Divine Deer nodded but noticed Lu Ran still staring at it.

“Lord Divine Deer, do you remember? You said if I came to find you, you could help me open a beastmaster space...” Lu Ran reminded it.

“That matter...” The Divine Deer paused, then nodded. “It can be done. However, it will take some time. Come with me.”

“Yes!” Lu Ran was overjoyed.

He turned to Manager Ying and recalled Baby Cloud.

“Senior Bai Lu, I’ll leave this cat in your care. Please keep an eye on it—don’t let it wander off.”

With that, Lu Ran abandoned Manager Ying and followed the Divine Deer into the valley.

Watching Lu Ran leave, Bai Lu muttered, “

Tsk,

this guy... Even without a beastmaster space, he’s already feared by Stellar Moon’s beastmasters. Once Lord Divine Deer helps him open one, his strength will leap to another level. But as a kin’s messenger, such power is only to be expected.”

“

Meow~!

” Manager Ying looked at Bai Lu.

“What’s up with you? Stop acting cute,” Bai Lu said, eyeing the level 70+ giant cat, not forgetting that this was the one who’d cursed earlier.

“

Meow...

” Manager Ying feigned innocence.

It understood Lu Ran’s intention. He wanted it to gather intel about other messengers from Bai Lu.

***

Meanwhile, deep within Clear Spring Valley.

Lu Ran followed the Divine Deer as it explained, “Later, I will hang you from a tree branch, envelop you in flowers and grass, and reshape and evolve your life essence to help you open a beastmaster space. The evolution may take several days. You need to only sleep within the flower bud.”

“Alright... Oh, by the way, Lord Divine Deer...”

“What now?”

”I also have a plant familiar egg here. Could you help accelerate its incubation and evolution?”

“It’s incredibly powerful! I obtained it from a secret realm in Limitless City. Its initial species rank is quasi-Mythical. Even if it doesn’t reach Lower Mythical at level 30, it has a high chance of doing so at level 60 or 90.

“With it as my partner, I’ll be better equipped to explore Limitless City. If I were to incubate it myself, who knows how long it’d take... As the god of forests and plant life, do you have a way to speed up its birth?”

“You brought it out from a historical projection in Limitless City? A plant lifeform with an initial quasi-Mythical species rank...? Who is it?” The Divine Deer sounded surprised.

“Its species is Six-Paths Flower. It was once one of the Beastmaster Empire’s guardian sacred beasts.”

The moment Lu Ran finished speaking, he could clearly see the Divine Deer freeze.

“What did you say? The Six-Paths Flower?” The Divine Deer turned, its gaze intense.

“Lord Divine Deer, you know of it?”

The Divine Deer took a deep breath. “Of course. The Six-Paths Flower, the Divine Tree, and the Void Leaf were the three main forces among the Transcendent plant beings that resisted the Beast God’s oppression. They were also the three most talented plant beings.

“The Six-Paths Flower and the Void Leaf perished in the struggle against the Beast God. Their comrade, the divine tree, overcame countless hardships to reach Primary Divine and usher in the era of plants. So, Limitless City can even revive the Six-Paths Flower...?”