Chapter 395 - The King Claims His Throne

Back in the rainforest, the majority of the powerful creatures residing there had submitted to Six-Path Flower. In the wild, the strong were respected. As such, powerful creatures often expanded their influence, and any resistance was met with death.

Some of the powerful creatures in the Amazon were actually ancient Overlords, while others evolved more recently due to lucky encounters. While they appeared to have surrendered on the surface, none of them had truly submitted in their hearts. There was just nothing they could do at the moment due to Six-Path Flower’s overwhelming strength.

To make matters worse, Six-Path Flower disappeared right after subjecting the area. Most of the creatures were largely confused about the situation moving forward and what the new Legendary being was planning. While they were still speculating, little sprites, like flower fairies, appeared and gave them a message.

“Any being over level 60 is to follow us and gather within half a day.”

***

Soon, a large number of beasts gathered beside a lake deep within the rainforest. When these beasts met each other in the past, it would commonly result in a deadly clash, but since they were there at the invitation of Six-Path Flower, they restrained themselves to keep the peace.

In the crowd, there were four ancient creatures over level 70 who were the most powerful of the bunch: the Withered Shadow Toad, the Amazon Serpent God, the Bloodthirsty Emperor, and the White-eyed King Bull Shark.

Before Six-Path Flower appeared, these four reigned over the largest territories in the Amazon. The remaining land was divided among the level 60 creatures. These four were the de facto rulers of the Amazon. The establishment of the Beastmaster Empire completely disrupted the existing social order.

"Is that a human palace?" a huge, dark-blue frog creature asked in bewilderment when it saw that a building had been erected on an island in the middle of the lake. This was where that flower had summoned them, so the Overlords didn’t expect to see human architecture.

The palace was built entirely of red and gold-tinted wood and glistened under the sun, giving it a majestic air. It towered over the island, showcasing its owner’s power and prestige.

"Why is it here?" the Serpent God puzzled.

"I think I understand. The Flower God must have built itself a residence to imitate the humans!" the Bloodthirsty Emperor theorized. "Look, there is even a throne at the top of the palace."

"I see none of you made a run for it," the bull shark commented.

Ever since the Legendary creature revived and caused the Amazon to undergo major changes, most of the previous ruling class who weren’t willing to submit fled the area once Six-Path Flower left. There should have been a large number of beasts over level 60, but only 24 of them answered the summons. It was even hard to say whether those who showed up had truly submitted.

"Why should I run? I’ve never seen a Legendary being before, and it’s not shameful to surrender to one. With it as our leader, maybe we can subjugate the entire continent. That means our territory would ultimately expand," the Amazon Serpent God responded.

While the four ancient Overlords were chatting, none of the other creatures dared to make a sound. Against those Overlords, most first-generation beastmasters couldn’t hold a handle.

"It’s here!”

Before the eyes of countless creatures, space fractures spread in the sky over the palace. Everyone there held their breath in anticipation. However, instead of Six-Path Flower God appearing, a horde of strange creatures came out of the space fractures instead. There was enough of a variety to fill a zoo, and each of them was shrouded in a black aura. Their eyes were completely black, lacking any signs of life, as if they were simply puppets.

Although their average level wasn’t very high, their strange auras caused the crowd to have a sense of unease. Just looking at them seemed to cause the beasts to feel an invasive pressure on their spirits and minds. As the horde descended, the crowd could see that the weakest of them were only about level 30, but it was obvious that they shouldn’t be underestimated. What they did next turned out to be even more astounding.

Instead of landing on the ground or the palace, they piled on top of each other in the air, forming a staircase that led to the palace.

Under the countless bewildered gazes, a human donning a black robe and crown walked out of the spatial tear. He held a square object in his hand, while a crow with the same dark aura as the other creatures perched on his shoulder. The man slowly descended the “stairs” as he approached the throne.

Finally, the black-robed human arrived at the throne and sat down with an imperial seal in hand. A breeze blew by and carried away the person's robe, revealing his figure.

"Bow before the true countenance of the king!" the black crow on his shoulder proclaimed.

As its voice rang out, the creatures that appeared from the spatial fracture gathered around it, which caused the crow's aura to grow exponentially. The creatures gathered there were aghast, in spite of their power.

"It’s fine." Lu Ran waved his hand. "Some of them don't even have legs, so they are unable to bow. Don’t make a fuss over a simple formality."

"Yes, my king!" the dark crow replied.

Lu Ran smiled as he looked down on the group of confused creatures that were considered major threats by the International Alliance.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. Some of you may have already heard of me. My name is Lu Ran, a fourth-generation beastmaster of the Xia Empire. I will soon take on a new identity as the master of the Beastmaster Empire—the Divine Nation of the Amazon. I shall become the Beastmaster King, and you all shall submit yourselves to my rule!"

Lu Ran's declaration made the beasts’ faces change color.

He wants us to submit? Is that a joke?

Who the hell is that guy?

He’s a fourth-generation beastmaster from Xia?

A jaguar roared in defiance, but immediately, a space fracture appeared beside Lu Ran's throne, a terrifying aura radiating out from it that made the creatures turn pale with fright.

It’s the aura of that Legendary creature from before!

Six-Path Flower’s human form appeared from the space crack and stood beside the throne expressionlessly.

"Please allow me to introduce you to the God of Six Paths, who shall henceforth be the guardian beast of the Beastmaster Empire."

The revelation made the audience’s mind explode once again. Their bodies cowered under the powerful aura, and some couldn’t even comprehend the situation.

Why was the emperor of the newly established empire not this Legendary being? How did a human end up on the throne instead? Moreover, the Legendary being seemed to take orders from that human. It was completely incomprehensible.

While the beasts’ minds were churning, Lu Ran spoke once more.

"I know that many of you aren’t convinced. In fact, I am also aware of the mass exodus that has taken place, but those who have left are of little consequence. They will come to regret their decision. Submitting to me will be the best decision you have ever made, as there is much to be gained at my side.

"For example, I can grant each of you eternal life."

As he said this, he turned to an ancient level 61 Overlord wolf spider. Its body was the size of a tank, but its hairs had already turned white, a sign of its dwindling life force. Although it has survived for all this time, it was obvious that it didn’t have much time left.

As Lu Ran’s signal, Six-Path Flower stretched out its hand toward the spider. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, a vibrant vitality burst forth from the spider as the hairs on its body returned to their original maroon color. It was Six-Path Flower species talent, Life Bestowal!

When combined with Hungry Ghost Path, it allowed the flower to share its life force with other creatures to increase their lifespan. The spider received a massive fortune, being able to return to its youth.

Most of those present knew of the spider. Watching it suddenly gain ten years of lifespan left them flabbergasted.

The Legendary flower could grant life force? That was nothing short of a divine power!

"Are you all willing to submit now? As long as you earn enough merits, eternal life will be within your grasp!"

"You fools!” Dark Crow yelled when it saw that the beasts were still in a daze. "Not only can you achieve eternal life, but there is nothing to fear in death either! Our king shall reclaim those who fall in battle from the clutches of death. The believers of the God of Six Paths shall enter the endless cycle of reincarnation."

Eternal life... Reincarnation...

That wolf spider really lucked out this time, because it really didn’t have much time left. It was summoned to the lake out of the blue and only showed up to see how things would turn out. Its decision really paid off big in the end. Although it still wasn’t completely sure what was going on, the wolf spider was clear on what its path forward should be.

"I am willing to submit to my lord, the Beastmaster King!" The ancient wolf spider immediately bowed to the ground. "I thank the guardian beast for its blessing!"

Once the spider bowed, it set off a chain reaction, and many of the other beasts followed its example while trembling. Although they didn't understand why a human ascended the throne instead of the Legendary flower, that didn't actually matter. Absolute strength combined with compelling incentives meant that they had absolutely no reason to resist.

"We are willing to submit!" countless voices echoed out.

Who the king was didn’t matter. While the four strongest ancient Overlords were still reeling, they all felt that the situation had developed beyond their wildest imagination. They didn't dare to revolt once they saw the Legendary creature take its cues from Lu Ran.

"We offer our greetings to the king!"

After a brief moment, they bowed their heads as well. It turned out that there were some truly terrifying figures amongst the humans. They detected that the world as they knew it was about to change.

"Very good." Lu Ran touched the Imperial Seal with a nod of satisfaction.

"Since you have chosen to submit to me, I will establish some basic laws. Listen carefully!

“None of you is ever to reveal my identity. If anyone dares to let slip the slightest hint, I will drive you to the ends of the earth.

"I also have a mission for you all. There are many who did not answer my call today. You are to go forth and subjugate the land on my behalf. Kill any who dares to oppose you. My sovereignty has been recognized by a Legendary being and blessed with eternal prosperity! I have been mandated by the heavens, and I shall reign eternal!" Lu Ran proclaimed.

A brilliant light burst forth from the Imperial Seal. An intangible force of luck spread out from the seal and condensed into a golden dragon that flew out and hovered in the air. Under its light, Six-Path Flower, Dark Crow, and even the other creatures there could feel the golden radiance nurturing their very being. Although it was a slight and inexplicable feeling, all of them could feel that they were somehow marked.

The crowd burst out in a uniform chant.

"Mandated by heaven, eternal prosperity!"

"Mandated by heaven, eternal prosperity!"

***

"What are you doing?"

Somewhere in the rainforest, after it strengthened Six-Path Flower, the Divine Deer had decided to take a short rest when its eyes suddenly shot open. It looked in a certain direction with a blank expression.

This aura... Is it the national destiny of the Beastmaster Empire? Wasn’t the empire wiped out a long time ago? Why does it seem like my messenger is founding an empire?