Chapter 68 - King of Green Sea

Zhao Chen naturally believed that Lu Ran had the strength to help significantly. After all, Lu Ran was currently ranked first on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking. Among the fourth-generation beastmasters, he was undoubtedly one of the strongest.

Green Sea City only had fourth-generation beastmasters, and no third-generation ones. If Lu Ran couldn’t handle the feral beasts, the city’s beastmasters definitely wouldn’t be able to either.

Although guns and cannons could suppress the beasts, using them would indeed be, as Lu Ran said, too prone to causing collateral damage.

Beastmasters and technology working together might be the more stable way to handle it!

“Let me give it a try. Rather than using brute force, I believe there could be a more peaceful solution,” Lu Ran said.

Zhao Chen paused momentarily before saying, “Alright, I’ll contact the people in Green Sea City. Do you want me to arrange a private plane to get you there? You should be able to arrive quickly.”

“Can you? That would be great,” Lu Ran replied.

“By the way, can we send an experienced Beastmaster from the Rainbow Dojo to check the situation here?”

“Don’t worry, Golden Hill is a major city, so everything will be well arranged,” Zhao Chen assured.

Lu Ran nodded and then looked again at Sudden Death King.

This guy is slowly getting used to the electricity. It’s no longer afraid but rather intrigued.

“

Wa-ka!

”

Sudden Death King excitedly watched the layer of lightning energy covering its body, clearly surprised.

It went to touch a flower in a pot, and as soon as it made contact, the flower was zapped to a crisp. Sudden Death King was overjoyed.

How awesome! With this layer of electric protection, wouldn’t it mean that whoever touched it would instantly meet their demise?

“

Hehe

.”

Lu Ran chuckled as he looked at Sudden Death King.

“How does it feel to have power?”

“

Wa-ka!

”

Sudden Death King nodded furiously.

“When you have the time, try to form the Lighting-attribute energy on your body into Lightning Scale Armor, make it thicker, and then try adding more Lightning Spikes to the armor. Just experiment with it. That way, your defense will be even stronger.

“Go ahead; it’s not that difficult. Even Captain Doofus can do it with ease, so you should be able to as well, right?”

Lu Ran’s soul-deep question left Sudden Death King deep in thought.

“Oh, and have you noticed? There’s now a lot of energy in the air that can strengthen you. I don’t know why, but everything outside is evolving.

“I just got word that a grasshopper in Green Sea City has evolved to be as tall as I am. It’ll be even harder for you to hunt now. If you go back to the wild, you’ll probably meet a violent demise, eaten by your predators.

“So, if you don’t want to die, listen to my commands and get stronger.” Lu Ran said, giving an unusually terrifying warning to Sudden Death King.

Sudden Death King widened its eyes.

You... You’re bluffing, aren’t you!?

...

Green Sea City.

Of the four feral beasts reported by the public, the giant turtle was the most docile. It behaved like a water monster as it remained at the bottom of Qingwu Lake.

However, even though the turtle wasn’t making any movements, all boating and other lake activities were immediately halted to prevent any tourist accidents.

Additionally, although the flock of crows that passed through the skies caused a moment of panic among the residents, they did not linger over the city for long and soon flew into the mountains.

The giant cricket and the gang of stray cats were the only creatures that had caused some degree of conflict with humans.

The giant cricket first appeared in Red Leaf Park, where several beastmasters found it munching on trees and formed a team to attack it.

The result? The cricket easily overpowered all the familiars sent by the beastmasters and leisurely fled into the forest. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

Currently, the most troubling issue for the authorities was the stray cats that had taken over the seafood market.

Green Sea City had many stray animals. Like in any other city, they were a common sight. Too many people raised pets only to abandon them.

Green Sea City had previously carried out a campaign to capture stray dogs, as they posed a threat to the public. Stray cats, on the other hand, were seen as less dangerous and more elusive, so the authorities mostly left them alone.

The authorities had never imagined that one day, a large number of stray cats would become such a headache for the city. Around a dozen evolved stray cats were leading a group of several dozen non-evolved strays, storming into the seafood market.

Although armed forces had surrounded the market, they were hesitant to act due to concerns about the transcendent creatures inside and the safety of the vendors. They hadn’t dared to launch an assault.

In a city like Green Sea, where beastmastering expertise was limited, no one could gauge how strong these dozen or so evolved stray cats were. If they couldn’t control the situation immediately and the cats lashed out or fled, the situation would become even more chaotic.

In the wilderness, it would have been easy to suppress the cats with firepower. However, in the bustling city, there were too many factors to consider for safely resolving the problem.

“Officer Luo!”

Among the officers surrounding the seafood market, a policeman with a canine familiar received a report.

“Officer Luo, the higher-ups have instructed us to prioritize the safety of the citizens and not to attack unless we are certain of success.”

“Nonsense!” Officer Luo frowned.

Right now, he just wanted to know how to deal with these stray cats. Were they supposed to wait for the cats to leave on their own? If it happened once, it would happen again. Now that these stray cats had evolved, they were clearly a huge threat if they stayed in the city.

They might have been harmless before, but now that they had evolved, who knew what other lawless things they might do next? Although to be fair to the cats, they didn’t have that level of awareness.

“We’ve just received an update. The higher-ups are sending a beastmaster to assist us. We’ve been told to continue holding our positions.”

Finally, the officers surrounding the seafood market heard some good news. By now, the beastmaster profession had become integrated into various sectors.

The Beastmaster Alliance no longer had a dedicated enforcement division. Instead, beastmasters were absorbed into existing SWAT teams and military units.

Many of the officers on-site were fourth-generation beastmasters themselves, so they knew full well that having a powerful beastmaster on the scene could stabilize the situation far better than with guns.

After all, familiars had a wide array of powers, and some could even release mass hypnosis to easily subdue a chaotic situation like the current one.

Boom, boom, boom.

Following orders from the provincial capital, they didn’t have to wait long.

Soon, a modified helicopter flew in and hovered nearby. The officers surrounding the seafood market breathed a sigh of relief but immediately tensed up again, not daring to lower their guard.

As the helicopter landed, a black-clad youth stepped out.

“Uh.”

The armed SWAT officers were momentarily stunned upon seeing this young man. Was this the beastmaster sent by the Beastmaster Tower?

Sure, a Beastmaster’s strength didn’t necessarily correlate with age, but Lu Ran looked way too young. Some of the officers were puzzled and some were shocked because they knew of Lu Ran.

Officer Luo, the lead officer, froze for a moment as he saw Lu Ran’s face. Instantly, he remembered that this was the same guy who had dealt with the escaped tiger using a husky. He was rumored to be a mysterious and powerful beastmaster living in Green Sea City!

“Officer Luo?”

Lu Ran also recognized Officer Luo. After disembarking from the helicopter, he quickly approached.

“What’s the current situation?”

“Lu Ran, you... You’re the one sent by the Beastmaster Tower?” Officer Luo asked to confirm.

“Yes, I requested to come,” Lu Ran replied. “So, can you brief me on the situation?”

“Of course!”

Officer Luo didn’t dare waste any time and quickly explained, “A group of evolved stray cats has taken over the seafood market, likely for food. They haven’t harmed anyone yet, but they’re devouring everything in sight and seem extremely hungry.

“There are still some vendors inside who haven’t managed to evacuate in time. They’re hiding in their shops, with locked doors and windows, but the situation is still dangerous. No one knows what these cats will do once they’re full.”

Lu Ran fell into thought.

“The leader of the stray cats is a short-haired white cat. It’s the largest, about the size of a Siberian tiger, and it seems to have awakened an attribute. I estimate its level to be over Level 10.”

“Any distinguishing features?” Lu Ran’s expression shifted slightly.

“It only has one ear.”

Lu Ran’s face darkened.

It really was that one, huh? That cat just wouldn’t learn its lesson.

He knew this cat. It was a particularly energetic member of Green Sea City’s stray cat community. It often came to the seafood market to engage in petty theft. Lu Ran had communicated with it through telepathy, understanding that it was born to two stray cats.

It was common for stray cats to lack food, and their foraging for food was a survival instinct. But Lu Ran knew that if they continued like this, they’d eventually get into trouble and might be beaten to death by the vendors.

The white cat had lost its ear because of one of these thefts. Feeling sorry for them, Lu Ran had even tried to help them find other sources of food. He would sometimes bring them snacks, too.

Over time, the gang of stray cats led by the one-eared white cat gradually accepted him. But now, barely after the global evolution had begun and they had gained power, they were stirring up trouble. Lu Ran felt a headache coming on.

“Lu Ran, how do you plan to resolve this? Do you have any ideas?” Officer Luo asked, unable to help himself.

“I’ll give it a try. If we can avoid using force, that would be best,” Lu Ran said.

Then, under the bewildered gaze of Officer Luo and the other officers, Lu Ran took a few steps forward. He didn’t summon any familiars and simply shouted into the seafood market.

“You mangy cats, get out here!”

His shout startled all the officers. But what was even more shocking was the movement inside the seafood market!

One of the surveillance officers monitoring the market was stunned. Upon hearing Lu Ran’s shout, most of the stray cats inside immediately bristled in fear, including the one-eared white cat, which was as big as a tiger. They all looked panicked.

“

Meeoow!!!

”

The white cat reacted the most, its head snapping toward the sound.

Was that Captain Lu’s voice?

The white cat had always respected Captain Lu. He was one of the few humans who understood their situation and was even willing to help them. But the most important reason was that Captain Lu’s dog was crazy! They had no chance of a peaceful life if they didn't behave.

Looking at the chaos in the market, the white cat grew nervous. After evolving and gaining tremendous strength, they had become incredibly hungry, almost losing their minds in the process.

The first place they thought of to find food was here. And with their newfound strength, the humans they used to fear now feared them, giving these stray cats a surge of courage.

But now, thinking of the agreement it had with Lu Ran, the white cat felt guilty. Even though it had grown much stronger, remembering all of Lu Ran’s terrifying methods made it hesitate.

After all, it had witnessed that no matter what kind of wild animal it was, in Green Sea City, they all had to submit obediently in front of Lu Ran. He was an oddity among humans.

After a long pause, the white cat decided to gather some of its companions and cautiously step out of the seafood market. It looked up and, sure enough, there was Lu Ran!

“

Meeoow!!!

”

The white cat let out a sharp cry, seemingly trying to muster some courage.

But Lu Ran didn’t care about that. He simply said, “You’ve got five minutes to clear out of the seafood market.”

Lu Ran spoke as if he were commanding his own familiars, his tone serious as he stared at the stray cats. Hearing this, the cats exchanged glances, showing signs of retreat.

“

Meow...

”

The white cat gritted its teeth, hesitating momentarily before lowering its head in submission. Its once fierce cry turned into a pitiful mewl. In the end, it didn’t have the guts to defy Lu Ran.

The next moment, the entire group of stray cats came walking out of the seafood market in a line, each looking like a scolded kitten as they filed out and lined up in front of Lu Ran.

The dozens of stray cats, including the evolved ones, sat obediently with their heads lowered and mewed pitifully in submission.

“

Meow...

”

They all started explaining themselves. The officers watching were dumbfounded.

“Let’s discuss later.” Lu Ran sighed in relief.

Thankfully, these cats knew their place. Otherwise, it would’ve ended in bloodshed. Resolving things through communication was undoubtedly the best outcome.

While Lu Ran felt relieved, the officers were utterly shocked. Their jaws were hanging open, and their minds went blank for a moment.

What the fuck? What just happened? This high schooler just shouted a few words, and the cats immediately backed down? Were these the same transcendent stray cats that had been wreaking havoc in the seafood market moments ago?

“Don’t try to sneak off. You’ll regret it,” Lu Ran warned before turning to Officer Luo.

“Officer Luo, are there any other tricky situations in Green Sea City?”

“This, this...”

Officer Luo was still in a daze. He couldn’t comprehend what kind of beastmastering technique Lu Ran had just used to make dozens of stray cats, including the evolved ones, submit.

He had undergone special training. He had seen all kinds of scenarios. But nothing like this.

Even if Lu Ran had displayed overwhelming strength and defeated the stray cats, he wouldn’t have been this surprised. But to solve it just by talking... could it really be that easy?

“Before they evolved, I used to feed them regularly. We’re pretty familiar with each other, you see,” Lu Ran explained.

But this explanation didn’t convince Officer Luo.

Nonsense, feeding them doesn’t make a gang of stray cats bow to you! Plenty of people feed strays!

These organized cats look like a full-fledged gang!

Despite his confusion, Officer Luo quickly snapped out of it and said, “Yes, there’s the giant turtle in Qingwu Lake. It’s enormous, like a sea monster. If something goes wrong there, the impact on Green Sea City’s tourism will be severe.

“The other two are in the mountains, so they aren’t causing much trouble for now.”

“The Qingwu Lake Turtle, huh.” Lu Ran sighed.

“I’ll take care of that too. If nothing goes wrong, I should be able to resolve it.”

“Really?” Officer Luo was astonished.

“Yeah, I used to feed that turtle too. It’s quite intelligent and shouldn’t hurt anyone, but I’ll go have a chat with it just in case.”

“Huh???” Officer Luo was dumbfounded.

Just what kind of life do you live?

“

Meow.

”

Beside him, the one-eared white cat wore a mocking expression. Captain Lu was the undisputed king of Green Sea City’s animal world.

His subordinates spanned land, sea, and air. Even if a pig fell from the sky, it would bear the surname Lu.

If it weren’t for this, the white cat would never have backed down. It knew very well that in Green Sea City, you shouldn’t mess with Captain Lu, or you’d pay the price.

“

Meow~!

”

The giant white cat, as large as a tiger, clasped its paws together in a gesture of submission, seemingly eager to make amends and follow Lu Ran’s orders.

“Get out of here.” Lu Ran glanced at it.

Don’t you dare try to bestow any ridiculous titles on me.

He really had no intention of becoming the King of Green Sea City. If word got out, he could end up in serious trouble!