Chapter 487 - The Auspicious Beast King, Bai Ze

Damn! Where did this big cat come from, spouting such nonsense?

Manager Ying also recognized Bai Ze. It had a dragon face with goat whiskers, and a tiger’s body with deer antlers. It was one of the many forms recorded in later generations.

At first, Manager Ying was baffled that this auspicious beast, known in myths for its relatively benign nature, had come knocking. After all, being judged by an auspicious beast was a bit too bizarre.

However, as Bai Ze spoke, Manager Ying was left speechless.

As expected, Lu Ran really knows how to push it. Even an auspicious beast can turn hostile because of him...

In ancient Xia myths, Bai Ze was an omniscient being that appeared only when the king possessed virtue. It was said to know all things, and some ancient texts even described it as a sacred, auspicious beast that served as a military strategist assisting human kings, capable of warding off evil and attracting blessings.

Given its appearance now, even if it didn’t say so outright, there was only one possible reason. It was Lu Ran, who carried the imperial seal and was the king of the Beastmaster Empire.

Bai Ze had instinctively recognized him as a human king. However, this human king seemed to lack virtue, and his character failed to meet Bai Ze’s standards, causing the auspicious beast to turn hostile.

“Are you serious?” Lu Ran spoke up, instantly on high alert.

He was genuinely nervous. With the advanced Eye of Detection, he could clearly see Bai Ze’s stats.

[Species: Bai Ze]

[Attribute: Water]

[Species Rank: Intermediate Legendary]

[Level: 100]

Holy shit, this is an Intermediate Legendary? Even an auspicious beast can be this strong?

If it were a Low Legendary, Lu Ran might have already attacked it for such rudeness. However, an Intermediate Legendary was a different story. Lu Ran really didn’t feel like fighting.

Peace is precious.

Bai Ze stared at Lu Ran, scrutinizing him repeatedly, yet it still sensed an overwhelming aura of wickedness.

It said, “I am Bai Ze. Observing humanity’s rise as the wisest of all species, I had hoped to collaborate with the human king for a greater cause, but now...”

Bai Ze wasn’t murderous; it was just deeply disappointed. It turned to leave, feeling it had misjudged.

So much for the so-called wise species. The human king is just... this.

Lu Ran called out. “Hold on! You think you can just waltz in and out without giving me any face?”

Bai Ze turned back, its gaze sharp. It had no qualms about purging evil.

“You say I have talent but no virtue? That I reek of wickedness? Have you even tried to understand me? Fine, I’ll admit it. I’m all about improvement. Don’t leave! I’ll change, okay? Let’s talk about the bigger picture!”

“Greed has clouded your so-called wisdom,” Bai Ze said coldly, seeing right through Lu Ran’s attempt to exploit it.

However, before it could finish, its eyes landed on the unusual beast egg Manager Ying was holding. It froze mid-air, and a look of confusion crossed its face. Then, its pupils shrank.

“Where did you get this egg?” Bai Ze demanded sharply.

Realizing he couldn’t fool Bai Ze, Lu Ran had already resigned himself to missing out on this opportunity. However, when Bai Ze suddenly focused on the egg, a bold guess struck him.

“What’s special about this egg?”

After obtaining it, Lu Ran had asked the Divine Deer and Squirrel God to inspect it. Despite their extensive knowledge of the ancient Blue Planet, neither could identify it, but now, Bai Ze seemed to have some insight.

Bai Ze murmured, staring at the egg in astonishment. “I thought I was the only one of my kind. Yet, the world has birthed another being like me. I pride myself on understanding all things, knowing the affairs of gods and spirits. Today is the most surprising day of my life. Human king, I ask again. Where did this egg come from?”

They quickly looked at the pure white beast egg.

Holy shit, really? Bai Ze is saying... this contains a baby Bai Ze?

Lu Ran had assumed he’d have to wait for the egg to hatch to learn its species. However, a local informant had arrived to spill the beans.

If the egg holds a Bai Ze...

Although Bai Ze seemed too wise to deceive, Lu Ran couldn’t resist trying.

“We obtained this egg after slaying evil gods that plagued this land. We don’t know what’s inside. If it truly shares your lineage, perhaps it’s fate. God Bai Ze, please reconsider. Could we still work together?”

Bai Ze fell silent. This time, Lu Ran hadn’t lied. It was also deeply curious why a lifeform resembling its kind had ended up in Lu Ran’s hands.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Could this truly be destiny?

“You mentioned hunting evil gods? Which ones?” Bai Ze asked.

“These ones.” Lu Ran smiled, pulling out the Heart of Qiongqi in his left hand and the Stomach of Taotie in his right. He also summoned the Corpse of Zhu Yan from his ruin space, ready for battle.

The three Legendary resources appeared, flooding the surroundings with auras of malice, brutality, and slaughter. Bai Ze’s pupils shrank again. This was another thing it hadn’t known.

Qiongqi, Taotie, Zhu Yan... When were these evil gods slain? Why did I not sense it?

Although Lu Ran’s power was notable, even Bai Ze would struggle to kill these three evil gods. Bai Ze had no idea how this human had done it.

Sensing Bai Ze’s wariness, Lu Ran grew more confident. “God Bai Ze, if you dislike my willingness to improve, maybe the wickedness you sense is just residue from hunting these evil beasts. It’s not mine. I am a talented and virtuous king!”

Lu Ran tightened his grip on the Stomach of Taotie and Heart of Qiongqi. “Well?”

Bullshit! Is this guy lying with a straight face?

But now, Bai Ze was interested in continuing the conversation.

It conceded, “Perhaps.”

Pleased by Bai Ze’s change of heart, Lu Ran grinned. “Excellent. Then, God Bai Ze, what was your original purpose?”

Bai Ze said, “I came to assist the human king in ruling the world, using humanity’s strength to eradicate all evil. This world has too many malevolent beasts like Taotie, which no longer eats for sustenance but for the joy of gluttony and slaughter, devouring lives even when they offer no growth.

“Qiongqi and Zhu Yan are the same. They bring only destruction, driven by their own wicked desires. And there are many more like them. I hoped to use humanity’s power to eliminate these threats to the world’s balance. I can provide all their weaknesses and habits. Your slaying of Taotie, Qiongqi, and Zhu Yan was a service to this land. Perhaps I did misjudge you earlier.”

Lu Ran understood. Although Bai Ze spoke nobly, it also sought humanity’s faith energy. Without benefit, why would a divine beast bother protecting humans? Still, Bai Ze’s intentions were good.

And Bai Ze was smarter than most totemic beasts that protected single tribes. It had gone straight to the human king, ensuring its own lofty status among humans.

Lu Ran marveled again.

But then, why isn’t Bai Ze the most famous totemic beast in Xia? Why were dragons and phoenixes?

“Then, do you still wish to work together?” Lu Ran asked.

Although he was unsure what he could gain, since the egg was confirmed to be a Bai Ze, he had to squeeze some inheritance out of this fully grown one.

Bai Ze hesitated.

“Just say what's on your mind.”

Bai Ze admitted. “I still feel you lack virtue. Assisting you... weighs on my conscience.”

For some reason, Bai Ze envisioned an even more terrifying demon king oppressing all species.

Lu Ran was taken aback, and Manager Ying was trying not to laugh. Manager Ying knew Lu Ran better than most. Was he evil? Not exactly. If an old lady lay on the street, Manager Ying believed Lu Ran would help.

However, if she tried to extort him, Manager Ying was also sure Lu Ran would ignore all rules and obliterate her soul without a second thought. No reformation, no education. If her family came for revenge, he’d crush them too.

As a king, Lu Ran prioritized his own and his loved ones’ interests over the empire’s peace.

That

was Lu Ran. He’d do good deeds, but if crossed, he wouldn’t hesitate to become the Holy Son of the Undead Cult. This was the real Lu Ran that Manager Ying had observed.

His way of doing things was far from traditional virtue. Just eating souls was something most wouldn’t dare, but Lu Ran did it himself and even fed his familiars his own soul. That was likely the “wickedness” Bai Ze sensed.

“I see. Give me a few days. You’ll meet a man of supreme virtue.” Lu Ran didn’t press.

“

Oh?

” Bai Ze was stunned.

Lu Ran smirked. A good person could be an act. His negative energy came from absorbing both good and evil as power sources. If he wanted, he could have Six-Path Flower purge his malice and imbue him with virtuous karma, altering his aura. It might not fool Bai Ze completely, but it should ease its conscience.

“Fine. I’ll wait.” Bai Ze didn’t probe further.

Lu Ran added, “By the way, since you say this egg holds a being like you, I’ll raise it well once it hatches. If possible, I’d appreciate your guidance. In return, I’ll gift you something grand later.”

Bai Ze turned to leave. "Understood."

***

A few days later, the Divine Deer returned. Time-attribute resources were exceedingly rare because it was often snatched by nearby beasts the moment they appeared.

Despite its authority as the Forest God, the Divine Deer had only found one immature Time-attribute resource deep in a forest. Other places might have more, but oceans and deserts weren’t its forte. Forests were its domain.

[Name: Flower of Time (Immature)]

[Grade: Treasure (Epic)

[Description: A Time-attribute resource. If consumed by a non-Time-attribute being, it awakens the Time attribute. For Time-attribute beings, it drastically boosts time power]

Clearly, this was an upgraded version of the Leaf of Time, which was the Time-attribute awakening resource Lu Ran had longed for.

“Although it’s immature, I can accelerate its growth with plant life energy. However, Time-attribute plants are tricky, so it’ll take time. By the way, Time messenger... why do you seem like a different person after just a few days?” the Divine Deer couldn’t help but ask.

Seeing Lu Ran exuding saintly vibes, the Divine Deer was baffled. His overwhelming kindness made it wonder if he’d eaten something weird.

“Lord Divine Deer, I’ve always been like this. Maybe hunting those evil beasts made my virtue shine.”

“I’ll handle this flower. I don’t want to trouble you. Six-Path Flower can take care of it.”

Not long after, Squirrel God returned, too.

It chattered excitedly, looking panicked. “Holy shit, you won’t believe the chaos in Stellar Moon. There’s no peace to search for Time resources, but persistence pays off. My clones scoured the land and finally found a suitable Legendary Time-attribute resource!”

“Really?” Manager Ying was thrilled.

Squirrel God puffed its chest. “Of course.”

It pulled out a wisp of residual soul from its pocket dimension.

[Name: Legendary Remnant Soul of the Sprite’s Four Seasons Goddess]

“This was collected by the Nether God. The Four Seasons Goddess had the Time attribute. After the sprite species were wiped out, its remnant soul was preserved. I saw your messenger absorbing souls earlier, so I figured you wouldn’t mind. This counts as a Legendary Time-attribute resource, right? Praise me, Sister Timekeeper! Go on, praise me!”

Squirrel God had struggled to find anything else. Thankfully, its colleague had a stash.