Chapter 486 - The Sanction Came Quick (Part 2)

That same day, under Lu Ran’s urging, the Divine Deer and Squirrel God were once again forced into labor. This hunt was much simpler.

On a volcano, Qiongqi, with its power sealed by Squirrel God, was instantly annihilated by Six-Path Flower’s Hell Domain that was amplified by virtuous power. As an extremely malevolent beast, Qiongqi was completely countered by Six-Path Flower’s abilities, making this the easiest hunt yet.

The Fire and Undead-attributed malignant god Qiongqi, like the Nine-Tailed Fox, dropped a Legendary-grade resource.

[Name: Sinflame Heart]

[Description: A Legendary-grade resource. A heart burning with the flames of sin, containing the purest malevolent power. Any creature that consumes it, no matter how strong-willed, will transform into a demon driven by vicious instincts.]

Clearly, this was a toxic Legendary resource. Not all Legendary resources were gentle power-ups, as most were volatile. Resources like the Wind God’s Heart dropped by the Wind Dog God were rare exceptions, likely prepared by Limitless City specifically for participants. Handing out berserk Legendary resources would make it nearly impossible for beastmasters to utilize them safely.

This Sinflame Heart was the type that would kill any normal creature that ingested it, if they were lucky enough to survive at all. Moreover, Qiongqi’s entire body was filled with similar resources. Its soul brimmed with malice, and its flesh radiated mind-corrupting toxins.

Fortunately for Lu Ran, Qiongqi had the misfortune of encountering Six-Path Flower. To it, even its most poisonous parts were treasures. After refining Qiongqi’s entire body in the Hell Path, Six-Path Flower’s malevolent power would be more than enough to sustain extravagant expenditures during the World War. Six-Path Flower’s resource needs were now settled.

After hunting Qiongqi, Lu Ran’s team turned their attention to Taotie. This glutton was also relatively easy to handle, especially with Six-Path Flower controlling the Zhu Yan puppet. Unsurprisingly, Taotie dropped a valuable resource.

[Name: Taotie’s Stomach]

[Description: A Legendary-grade resource. After consumption, the user is inflicted with a period of ravenous hunger that could only be alleviated with excessive eating. Insufficient nutritional intake can lead to death.

[However, during this period, the user’s digestion and nutrient conversion abilities reach Legendary grade, allowing even Legendary resources to be perfectly metabolized. Surviving the ravenous phase grants Legendary-grade attribute boosts based on what was consumed.]

Taotie contributed this Legendary stomach. The rest of its drops were subpar Epic-grade resources. It was barely better than nothing.

“That’s four already.”

After Taotie’s sanction, Squirrel God wiped its sweat and asked, “Sister timekeeper, Time messenger, did you get what you needed?”

Lu Ran said, “We did. If the timekeeper consumes Taotie’s Stomach and then uses it to devour the Nine-Tailed Fox Heart and other Legendary resources, it might have a chance to reclaim its Legendary status.

“However, the Nine-Tailed Fox Heart is primarily a Spirit-attribute resource, which doesn’t align with the timekeeper’s main attributes. A Legendary Time-attribute resource would be ideal. Squirrel God, are there any other ferocious beasts here?”

“There are plenty of ferocious beasts, but one of the Time attribute? None.” Squirrel God sighed.

The Divine Deer shook its head. “Time-attribute Legendaries are inherently rare, and their path to ascension is fundamentally opposed to malevolence...”

Lu Ran calculated the time and said, “In that case, let’s pause the hunts. Instead, let’s try combining Time-attribute resources to cook dishes with Time properties, restoring the timekeeper’s strength. Squirrel God, didn’t you send a clone to Stellar Moon to search for Legendary remains?”

Squirrel God said, “Yes! I tasked it primarily with finding the remains of Legendary creatures with Time-attribute abilities. I recall a few such divine beasts’ burial sites, but their remains were likely scavenged by victors long ago. The chances of finding anything are slim.”

Lu Ran nodded. “Regardless of whether it finds anything, could you go retrieve your clone and help me gather some lower-grade Time-attribute resources in Stellar Moon or Blue Planet? Epic-grade or Treasure-grade will do.”

Squirrel God was stunned.

This sounds much easier than sealing and hunting ferocious beasts.

***

Given the immense mental strain of hunting Legendaries, Lu Ran didn’t dare overcommit. Remembering that Squirrel God had dispatched a clone to search for Legendary remains in Stellar Moon, he decided to stop further hunts to ensure Squirrel God could return with any findings before the ascension realm ended.

Although there were many targets left, these weren’t Lu Ran’s priority. He wanted to gamble on whether Squirrel God’s clone had found anything in Stellar Moon.

With the calamity raging there, countless Legendaries had fallen, making it highly probable. Even if nothing was found, having Squirrel God, who knew Stellar Moon and ancient Blue Planet better than him, scout for lower-grade Time-attribute resources was better than useless Legendary drops of other attributes.

Lu Ran also tasked the Divine Deer with searching for Time-attribute resources. In the end, only Lu Ran and Manager Ying remained outside Lu Village, waiting for the spoils.

“This must be what it feels like to be one of the Four Divine Dragons, delegating tasks to kins...” Manager Ying lounged under a tree, yawning.

Nearby, Lu Ran sat cross-legged, focusing on condensing new soul clones. This time, he wouldn’t use them frivolously because they were reserves for the World War. With plenty of contract slots in his beastmaster space, he planned to prepare at least two backups if time allowed.

“Don’t worry about your situation, Manager Ying. If we can’t find Legendary Time-attribute resources, I’ll start cultivating Time Culinary Intent after returning. Six-Path Flower and Dark Crow are both proficient in Time powers, and with the imperial seal and Super Beast Mimicry, plus my own time acceleration skills, developing a culinary intent that can enchant Time properties shouldn’t be too hard.

“Even ordinary ingredients could then be cooked into Time-attribute evolution dishes.” Lu Ran opened his eyes and glanced at Manager Ying.

“Fine, fine. I’m not in a hurry. A few months is nothing. Focus on the World War first. Securing Limitless City’s authority is more important.” Manager Ying purred contentedly.

Learning about its past life’s identity in this realm had already satisfied it.

Noble status, numerous colleagues, and a boss who might be dead? This is practically a promotion, wealth, and freedom rolled into one! Making Lu Ran make a wish to Limitless City was definitely the right call...

“But why am I stuck incubating an egg again?” Manager Ying glared at the beast egg in its arms.

Suddenly, a mysterious pressure surged from the distance, causing Lu Ran and Manager Ying’s expressions to darken.

What is happening?

“This feeling... could this feeling be Limitless City’s sanction? But there’s still time before the realm ends!” Lu Ran’s mind raced.

“Hey, hey, hey.” The cat also sensed foreboding.

With the Divine Deer and Squirrel God off on errands, now was the worst time for trouble. They rushed outside to see a mystical beast descending from the sky. It had white fur, a dragon-like face with goat whiskers, and antler-like horns.

Lu Ran and Manager Ying froze. Lu Ran’s worry turned to delight.

Isn’t this form a sanction?

“Bai Ze?”

Bai Ze was an auspicious beast. It was capable of speech, it understood all things, and knew matters of spirits and gods. It appeared only when a virtuous ruler reigned, capable of warding off all evil in the world. However, in the next moment, Lu Ran and Manager Ying’s faces fell again as the creature spoke.

“The aura of a king... From your presence, you must be the king of the humans. Talented but unvirtuous, tainted by evil. The emergence of your species in this world is indeed a calamity.”