Chapter 403 - Lu Ran’s “Betrayal”

Endless Sea.

Lu Ran and his group returned to this place once more. Unlike last time, they easily found the passage to the abyssal space with the help of the token gifted by the Ghost Mother—the Abyssal Shell.

After crossing the passage, they arrived at a familiar location. It felt as though they were standing on a floating floor surrounded by a dark, starry sea. However, unlike last time, Lu Ran and the others stood in place for a long while before the Abyss God slowly manifested before them.

“Lord Ghost Mother, we’ve returned. The 100,000 samples of high-quality human blood you asked us to collect are ready.”

As Lu Ran spoke, he took out the spatial equipment containing the 100,000 blood samples and raised it respectfully toward the Abyss God.

With a flick of one of its tentacles, the spatial equipment flew toward it. Then, it seemed to fall into deep thought, as if inspecting the quality of the blood.

“Is this it?”

After a long pause, the Abyss God spoke. “Brat, are you trying to fool me? Though I haven’t ventured out in a long time, has the quality of humans really declined to this extent?”

Lu Ran blinked innocently at the Abyss God.

“

Huh?

Is... is it really that bad? Among these, there are even some from humans who reached level 6 in their twenties. That should count as decent, right?”

“You think that’s good enough? Moreover, my inspection reveals that their strength was forcibly boosted by external means. Though their foundations are stable, they differ greatly from the humans I remember.

“In fact, they feel more like an incomplete evolution of the human race. Has the degradation outside become this bad? After reviewing them, only this one vial among all these blood samples seems somewhat acceptable.”

The Abyss God extracted a single tube of blood.

Lu Ran’s heart sank.

Fuck, the Ghost Mother looks down on Blue Planet’s humans.

Lu Ran said cautiously, “Lord Ghost Mother, if none of these work... I could always take on a dual role. Serving as your messenger alongside my current duties wouldn’t be a problem. The blood you’re holding is mine.”

The Ghost Mother was taken aback. Beside him, Manager Ying remained silent.

“Do you take me for a fool? If I seek a messenger, it’s to explore Limitless City. The Divine Deer chose you as its messenger for the same reason—to explore Limitless City. Are you trying to collect double pay for the same job?” The Ghost Mother stared intently at Lu Ran.

Instantly, Lu Ran felt as though he had plunged into an abyss, his entire body turning cold.

“That’s not what I meant. The Divine Deer’s mission is primarily to search for the Life Dragon God. Your mission, I assume, is to find the Death Dragon God...”

The Ghost Mother chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to be so cunning. I wonder how the Divine Deer would feel knowing its messenger is trying to ‘betray’ it.”

“Lord Abyss God, the term ‘betrayal’ isn’t quite...” Manager Ying started to correct, but hesitated.

Never mind, let the Ghost Mother say what it wants.

“Abandon these petty schemes of yours. I will honor our agreement—that is the reward you’ve earned. I have no desire to antagonize the Divine Deer over a mere human.”

The Ghost Mother’s integrity was impeccable, as it had no intention of poaching the Divine Deer’s messenger.

Lu Ran said earnestly, “You’ve misunderstood, Lord Ghost Mother. Although I come from the Lu Village under the Divine Deer’s protection and am its direct descendant, I am also the personal disciple of the Legendary necromancer, Los, the founder of the Undead Cult.

“As the Holy Undead Son, the cult was built upon the Death Space of the Other Shore God. In a way, I am also a direct descendant of the Death Dragon God. My master even used the power of the Other Shore God to strengthen my soul.

“Also, both my parents were necromancers, and it’s through this identity that I learned the secrets of the Stone of the Other Shore. You could say I hold the Death Dragon God in the highest reverence as well.

“Even without becoming a messenger of Death, I will strive to uncover the whereabouts of the missing Death Dragon God. Rest assured, I will continue to help you find a suitable messenger. And if I uncover any information about the Death Dragon God, I will share it with you. If any of this is a lie, may I be struck by lightning!”

Although Lu Ran hadn’t told a single lie, Manager Ying’s mouth twitched as it sensed something off about his words. The Abyss God also felt something amiss. Upon hearing Lu Ran’s declaration, it couldn’t help but delve deeper into his soul.

At that moment, Lu Ran felt a sudden heat surge through his soul.

Ghost Mother’s body glowed as it uttered in surprise, “Your soul has indeed been strengthened by the power of the Other Shore God. Even if your physical body perishes, you could continue to exist in a spiritual form. How unexpected.

“Given this, despite the fall of the Other Shore God and the collapse of the Undead Cult, you might well be the sole remaining heir of the Other Shore lineage. However, the Undead Cult was destroyed two eras ago. Its founder, as I recall, was an ancient figure from long ago. You’re far too young to have been his disciple. Wait. Unless it’s through Limitless City... I see.”

Lu Ran took a deep breath. “Exactly! Although it was just a projection of history, I have never forgotten my identity. My master helped me greatly, and reviving the glory of the Undead Cult was the oath I once swore.”

The Ghost Mother fell into contemplation. Its inspection confirmed that Lu Ran spoke the truth. He truly was the last inheritor of the Other Shore lineage, even though the inherited power was minimal.

“Very well. Since you’re so insistent... However, I still cannot make you my messenger. But since you are of the Other Shore lineage, should you encounter difficulties in your search for the Death Dragon God, you may seek my assistance.”

Manager Ying was stunned.

It worked? Having the benefits of a messenger without the title... This really does feel like betrayal!

The Ghost Mother sighed. “Also, don’t trouble yourself further with the messenger matter. Upon reflection, even the most talented humans would struggle to reach Mythical under normal circumstances.

“After reviewing once again, aside from you, there is one other suitable candidate. I guess I’ll go with her. Once she becomes my messenger and undergoes my enhancements, she should be capable of exploring Limitless City.”

“Wonderful!” Lu Ran brightened.

As long as it’s a beastmaster from Xia.

“Lord Ghost Mother, may I ask who it is?”

Earlier, Ghost Mother mentioned the pronoun “her.” Could it be Dr. Gu Qingyi? Fang Lan? Or perhaps Lin Nian or Lin Yin, who have special abilities? Or maybe Xia Ri, who has mastered Dark Spear Intent?

These were among the most outstanding female beastmasters in Xia. Although Lu Ran would prefer Dr. Gu or Fang Lan to become the divine messenger, the choice ultimately lay with Ghost Mother.

Just being able to ally with Ghost Mother is already a huge win. If I get too greedy and push for someone I know, it might come off as shameless. As long as it’s a Xia beastmaster, it’s a victory!

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

“This one.” Ghost Mother took out a tube of blood.

Lu Ran and Manager Ying quickly read the label on the tube—and then froze. Because the name written there was...

“Shi Zhen.”

Lu Ran and Manager Ying were baffled.

“This human’s aptitude ranks among the top in this batch of blood samples. What makes her unique is that she seems to have been cursed by the power of the Lust Evil God lineage. Yet, she overcame and adapted to this curse through her own strength, refining her physique and soul into something extraordinary.

“Given her likely resistance to Evil God powers, she would be well-suited as my messenger. In the future, she may even bear the responsibility of helping me suppress the Evil God’s seal. Having suffered so at the hands of an Evil God, she must harbor deep hatred for their lineage.

“I can sense the Evil God’s seal weakening. If the day comes when it breaks and she is willing to stand against the Evil Gods, have her seek me out.”

“

Ah...

” Lu Ran was speechless.

He never expected Ghost Mother to choose Principal Shi Zhen from the 100,000 blood samples. But upon reflection, it made sense.

This... this... this is like President Shi Zhen being handed the script of a destined female protagonist!

***

Turtle Island.

A unique island floating in the Stellar Moon Ocean that was perpetually mobile, sometimes surfacing and other times diving into the depths. Its movements were utterly erratic. The so-called Turtle Island was, in fact, the shell of a massive turtle. This turtle was none other than the Divine Turtle.

Even for the Abyss God, locating the Divine Turtle had been no small feat. Only after careful investigation did it discover the turtle was currently adrift in the ocean, disguised as an island, rather than slumbering in the deep sea.

Had Lu Ran gone straight to the ocean depths to search, he would have been completely off track, wasting a lot of time.

“It’s completely undetectable. Even the Eye of Detection can’t pick up the slightest hint of the Divine Turtle’s presence in its island disguise. It’s just like when the Divine Deer masqueraded as an ancient tree—not even a question mark appeared.”

After leaving the abyssal space, Lu Ran and the others flew for a long time before finally reaching Turtle Island. Hovering above it, Lu Ran observed a land inhabited by various turtle species but devoid of humans, its environment serene.

“Ghost Mother said it didn’t notify the Divine Turtle. We’ll have to wake it ourselves.”

Lu Ran and Manager Ying descended onto the Divine Turtle’s back, but it showed no reaction, sleeping soundly. Upon seeing this, Lu Ran had no choice but to take out the Broken Horn of the Divine Deer and call out, attempting to communicate telepathically with the “island” beneath them.

Lord Divine Turtle. Lord Divine Turtle! Hey, hey, are you there?

As soon as Lu Ran called out, his contract card suddenly vibrated, and Sudden Death King emerged, staring intently at him.

“

Rawr!

”

Let me, let me do it!

Sudden Death King was anxious. Just moments ago, it had learned that Lu Ran had obtained many treasures related to Captain Doofus from clearing the Mythical secret realm. Meanwhile, Dark Crow had received blessings from the Abyss God for its second-stage evolution.

Sudden Death King suddenly felt like it was in danger. If it slacked off any longer, it might soon lose even to Baby Cloud.

Now, standing on Turtle Island, Sudden Death King had an epiphany.

Turtles... aren’t they known for their defense? Could I... possibly win the Divine Turtle’s favor? Sure, this is Dark Crow’s specialty, but if it means getting stronger, I’ll swallow my pride and kiss some ass. Dignity is nothing compared to getting beaten up in team battles later!

“

Rawr!

”

Sudden Death King gestured emphatically, determined to leave a good impression on the Divine Turtle.

It’s time to level up!