Chapter 616 - Stellar Moon King

During the preparations for the final secret realm, aside from his familiars supporting one another and strengthening the weaker ones, Lu Ran also trained in the starry skies near Blue Planet, constantly observing the changes in the black mist.

Not long after, Dark Crow, having frequently borne the power of a Primary-Divine level legion state, finally broke through its bottleneck in its normal state and advanced to the Primary-Divine level.

It gained the talent United as One. This meant that no matter how far Dark Crow’s clones strayed from its main body, they could always maintain a mental connection. It was not a combat-type talent, but in a way, it was even more useful than ordinary combat talents.

After all, even Manager Ying, who was famous for its powerful clone skills, would lose connection with its clones if they strayed too far from its main body. But now, with this ability, even if Lu Ran and Dark Crow stayed on Blue Planet while leaving Dark Crow’s clone in Stellar Moon World, they could still observe every movement there.

Unfortunately, the current world was still too small, with only Blue Planet and Stellar Moon as civilized worlds. If there were no black mist in this universe, Lu Ran could have simply stayed home and let Dark Crow send out clones to explore, safely learning the universe’s state in real time.

For now, Dark Crow and Sudden Death King’s breakthroughs had accelerated the flow of the black mist considerably. Fortunately, it was still within controllable limits. The only problem was that Captain Doofus was stuck at quasi-Primary-Divine level.

Still, Lu Ran was not worried about Captain Doofus’ path to Primary Divine. Whether through the Limitless Sword Domain, treating Divine-grade items and Primary-Divine allies as swords, or having all four of its kin ascend to Superior Legendary, Captain Doofus had plenty of opportunities to leap directly into Primary Divine.

Perhaps it was only because Captain Doofus had fewer resources than the others that it would be the last to advance. But Captain Doofus itself was quite happy. Everyone knew that the last one to break through was always the strongest. And now, with five Primary Divines supporting it together, how could the last breakthrough be weak?

Moreover, Lu Ran felt that Captain Doofus was brewing some great move. This dog had countless clever tricks. Since it never said anything, he never asked. As his very first partner, the trust between them ran deep. Lu Ran would simply wait for the surprise it had prepared.

Because the other five would carry Captain Doofus along, Lu Ran did not worry much about it. Thus, for familiar cultivation, Lu Ran’s focus turned to Mystic Turtle. Only if it also reached Primary-Divine level could it serve as a worthy sparring partner for Captain Doofus and the others.

Otherwise, once Captain Doofus and the rest all reached Primary Divine while Mystic Turtle stayed at Superior Legendary, its value as a training partner would be greatly diminished.

However, Lu Ran had already harvested all the power of Surrender he could from the divine beasts of Blue Planet’s nations, making it difficult to obtain more to nourish Mystic Turtle. At this point, Lu Ran knew it was time to fully take over Stellar Moon World.

It had been a long time since he killed the Chaos Dragon God, and the familiar market of the Stellar Moon Federation had already been fully opened.

Many had pre-ordered the lower-ranked offspring of the three Primary-Divine sisters, and the federation’s beastmaster coverage had reached nearly 80%. This meant that eight out of every ten beastmasters in Stellar Moon World had pre-ordered either Half-Life Flower, Cloud Meow, or Blood Angel.

Naturally, Lu Ran profited enormously. On top of that, many Legendary divine beasts, persuaded by his divine kin, had already occupied nearly all territory outside the Stellar Moon Federation.

Only the domains of a few ancient Legendary divine beasts and the federation’s lands remained outside Lu Ran’s grasp. With Captain Doofus nearing Primary Divine, Lu Ran decided it was time to push Mystic Turtle with a big move.

“It’s time to publicly crown myself as Stellar Moon King. Stellar Moon World was created by the Divine Dragon. As the Divine Dragon’s messenger, I am the rightful King of Stellar Moon. This is not an invasion, but reclaiming what is mine.

“But most beings don’t care about legitimacy. If you’re weak, even if you are legitimate, others won’t recognize you. At best, you’ll be treated as a symbolic mascot.

“To make them surrender willingly and respect me as king, I need both power and benefits, grace and might combined. The Stellar Moon Republic already proved this. As long as one displays world-ending power, 99% of beings, out of fear and the instinct to survive, will sincerely surrender.

“And for benefits, as long as what I provide surpasses what the federation offers, and exceeds what they could obtain on their own, countless people and beasts will support me.”

Lu Ran summoned one of #18’s clones and consulted it.

“Aside from free access to Limitless City, discounted top-tier familiars, lower taxes, free healthcare and education, and opening the Six-Path Reincarnation System, what else counts as good welfare?”

#18 pondered. “I’ll have to check.”

After consolidating public opinions from Blue Planet’s networks, it froze.

“What is it?” Lu Ran asked, seeing its stunned look.

#18 stammered. “

Ah?

According to big data, before the Beastmaster Era, the most requested demand online was to include foot massages in medical insurance. After the Beastmaster Era, the most popular demand was... to legalize marriage with familiars that had undergone human transformation.”

Lu Ran was taken aback. “The fuck?”

***

The Stellar Moon World.

Not long after, Lu Ran arrived with Mystic Turtle. The Stellar Moon World was located at the center of this star domain.

Standing high above the Stellar Moon skies, Lu Ran took a deep breath. The next instant, Dark Crow condensed an eyeball as large as the moon, suspending it in the heavens above.

Its sudden appearance was enough to terrify countless beings. However, Dark Crow considerately censored its own Eye of the Evil God with a mosaic filter before unleashing its power.

Many stared at the mosaic-blurred eyeball in the sky, rubbing their eyes. They suspected that it was a hallucination brought on by academic pressure, job pressure, or mortgage and loan burdens.

“What the hell is that?”

Although Dark Crow’s Evil God’s Eye was obscured visually, it did not suppress its essence. Strong beings immediately recognized what it was. Such a concentrated aura of the Evil God could only belong to Lu Ran’s crow. And since Dark Crow’s signature ability was exactly the Eye of the Evil God, there was no doubt.

The Mechanical Leader looked up, weary. “What is that guy Lu Ran planning now?”

The federation had already fully cooperated with Lu Ran’s crystal coin harvesting. Now he stirred up yet another scene. A bad premonition weighed on the leader.

Ji Yuan, the Tree Monarch, Sprite Queen, Divine Throne, Bai Lu, Death Gun, and Kongkong Yi...

One after another, the strong stared at the Evil God’s Eye. Soon, the eye acted like a world loudspeaker and began to transmit a voice.

It first gave a polite, elegant laugh to show friendliness. Dark Crow cleared its throat, and from the eyeball’s pupil came its declaration. “I am the great general under the Beastmaster King, Lu Ran. I convey the will of the throne. The Stellar Moon World has remained in chaos and without a ruler for too long. It needs a new king to lead it toward a brighter future.

“From today forward, all life of the Stellar Moon World shall submit to the king’s rule. Lu Ran shall become the new King of Stellar Moon!”

It paused and then continued, “Of course, you may refuse this demand. The king is most understanding. He allows every being to hold its own will, but in this world of survival of the fittest, only those with strength may uphold their will. Therefore, King Lu shall represent Blue Planet in initiating the second world war against the Stellar Moon World.

“If Blue Planet is defeated, it shall withdraw from Stellar Moon. So, those willing to fight, whether beastmasters, divine beasts, or divine plants, come forth as representatives of Stellar Moon. Those willing to surrender may begin now. This shall be regarded as a sign of withdrawal from the war. My king promises to grant all who surrender rich benefits and treatment.”

“Is this a fucking joke...?” Some Federation elites fumed.

However, before their anger could spill, companions hurried to silence them. They could not afford to provoke him.

Meanwhile, whether human or transcendent beings, all who gazed upon the Evil God’s Eye had their minds filled with visions of Lu Ran’s promised benefits which included five years of collective lifespan increase, the right to retain memories and live a second life according to merit, pre-ordered familiar cubs without needing to pay the balance, and Blue Planet citizenship with Limitless City privileges...

The conditions were irresistible, which made many gulp hard.

The Mechanical Leader trembled in rage. “This bastard...”

He knew that Lu Ran never gave up his ambition. He truly wanted the Stellar Moon throne. At first, Stellar Moon races hesitated. But soon, the mosaic vanished, and the Evil God’s Eye revealed its true, grotesque form.

It was dark, twisted, evil, frenzied, and tyrannical... No one word could describe the red eye.

At this sight, countless beings fell into deep fear. Dark Crow had not revealed its eye merely to frighten the Stellar Moon Federation. Their strongest, Ji Yuan, was only valuable as a crystal coin producer.

The true targets of intimidation were the old, upper-rank divine beasts like the Sea, Land, and Sky gods, who were least likely to surrender.

“Primary Divine...” the Legendary divine beasts gasped.

Another Primary Divine had emerged under Lu Ran. He now commanded four Primary Divines. At no time in history had so many acted simultaneously.

In the World’s Root Secret Realm, the Divine Tree opened its eyes and said calmly, “King of Stellar Moon? I will not participate in this world war. I surrender.”

Its surrender was willing. Blue Planet’s current master was its own younger sister, the Six-Path Flower. Admitting defeat was not shameful. It certainly was not because it feared Lu Ran.

Dark Crow’s oppressive aura alone might have sufficed. But right after, Lu Ran’s actors, the divine kin, arrived to lend weight. The Divine Deer, Divine Turtle, Squirrel God, Void Mantis, and Ghost Mother manifested one by one.

As kin of the Divine Dragons, they knew the truth of the cosmos and fully cooperated with Lu Ran in harvesting surrender and enthroning him.

“The Stellar Moon World was created by the Four Divine Dragons of Life and Death. Lu Ran is the one we, their kin, jointly chose as its new king. His identity is legitimate. We are willing to honor him as the Stellar Moon King. In the absence of the Divine Dragons, he shall lead Stellar Moon to new prosperity.”

The ancient Legendary divine beasts never expected the Divine Dragon kin to take Lu Ran’s side. They were stunned.

“

Heh, heh...

” Feeling the surging emotions of the Stellar Moon World, Dark Crow smiled.

Perhaps no war was needed. The world could be taken with ease.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ran already had hidden supporters in the federation. They now shouted boldly, leading the surrender.

“Glory to Pedestrian A!”

***

Days later, as Lu Ran had predicted, the entire Stellar Moon World laid down arms. Not a single being dared open the world war. All surrendered immediately.

The federation, the Stellar Moon World’s sole human regime, could only bow. Its leaders had no choice. Against Lu Ran’s unmatched power and irresistible benefits, beastmasters found no reason to resist.

Facing the Chaos Dragon God, there had at least been hope. If one could not win, one could flee to Limitless City. But with Lu Ran? He was the super admin of Limitless City. Outside or inside, resistance was hopeless.

Thus, the entire Stellar Moon World surrendered to Lu Ran. With the collective surrender of life within the Genesis Dragon’s inner world, Mystic Turtle’s power finally increased again.

“

Whew...

”

Lu Ran stood tall on Stellar Moon’s peak, gazing down from the starry heavens, dazed for a moment. "Now I really am the king of two worlds.”

He took out the glowing imperial seal engraved with Beastmaster King. The seal shone brilliantly. Perhaps even among Divine-grade items, it was one of the finest.

I wonder... is there an item above Divine grade? Could Limitless City itself count?

Dark Crow, who was perched on his shoulder, sighed regretfully. “The starry skies are still too small. If only the black mist vanished one day... If only the destroyed civilizations could rise again. I truly hope that day comes.”

Lu Ran shook his head with a smile.

Dark Crow cackled and urged. “Becoming the strongest in the beastmaster world doesn’t make you the true Beastmaster King. When you lead us to crush cultivation realms, martial civilizations, and march to the cosmos’ peak with beastmaster power, that will mark your true start as the Beastmaster King!”