Chapter 87 - Initial Team Determination (Part 1)

Lu Ran was speechless.

If you have something to say, then spit it out. Why are you trying so hard to hide? Are you copying Sudden Death King?

Lu Ran felt that White Dragon’s old boss was really a sly old man. At this point, what else could he say?

"Uncle Zhao, how can you say that? Why didn’t you say so earlier? You’re someone I trust. I’m going back to school in two months. Green Sea City needs experienced senior staff like you to guide us."

Zhao Chen was a first-generation beastmaster, but his familiar was severely injured in a secret realm, so he retired from the front lines early on. After retiring, he became a recruiter for the alliance and established a wide network of contacts.

Unfortunately, due to his limited strength, despite the fact that he held an important leadership role in the Newcomer Recruitment Department of the Beastmaster Administration Bureau, his career prospects weren’t great.

"Haha, I already know everything. You have a special ability that lets you communicate with animals. I really don't understand transcendent creatures, so I won’t play pretend in front of the real expert.

"After I get there, I will help deal with the management of civilian beastmasters and facilitate communications, while also gathering investors and talent to develop the local economy. This will expand the influence of beastmasters in Green Sea City."

Zhao Chen had a clear understanding of the situation. An old friend of his transferred him to Green Sea as the chairman of the Beastmaster Association, and it wasn’t to snub Dr. Gu or Lu Ran. On the contrary, he saw the potential value of this Special Beastmaster Zone and wanted to use it to pad his resume.

If Green Sea City really flourished, then his career path would open up again. Zhao Chen knew not to overstep his bounds after being transferred. He just had to maintain a friendly relationship with Lu Ran. After all, Lu Ran had much greater potential than himself.

Although he was the chairman, Lu Ran remained the most important person in Green Sea City. Only when Lu Ran encountered great opportunities could he hope to advance.

"Okay. From now on, Green Sea City will have to depend on you, Uncle Zhao," Lu Ran said.

Having lived there for so long, he naturally hoped that Green Sea City could have a bright future.

"Of course, of course. Lu Ran, when are you free? Let's meet in person once I get there. You mentioned you’re going back to school in two months, so you must know about the freshman competition at Beastmaster University, right?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I have an important piece of information for you. The students’ rankings in the freshman competition are seen as an indication of the potential of their hometown’s beastmaster population. Green Sea City has you and Fang Lan, aka Five Poisons Saintess, so it will definitely rise to fame after the competition.

"However, more is always better. I want to gather all the young beastmasters applying to Beastmaster University and train them over the next two months. If they can also achieve good rankings in the freshman competition, then Green Sea City will undoubtedly have much better prospects in the future."

"Is there anything I can help with?" Lu Ran was now tied to Green Sea City, so a brighter future for the city meant more resources for him.

"Yes! There’s a group of young beastmasters from Green Sea University and local high schools, and training them won’t be an easy task. Since you can communicate with wild evolved creatures, do you think it’s possible to find some powerful evolved creatures to serve as sparring partners for them? This way, they can train more safely."

"Interesting," Lu Ran pondered.

"This shouldn’t be a problem, but if you want them to work for you, you’ll have to pay them. I’ll expense it to the city government."

I can help, but you won’t get a dime out of me!

"Alright, we’ll work out the details later!"

Lu Ran and Zhao Chen bid farewell before hanging up.

He wanted to use powerful transcendent creatures from the wild as sparring partners for the new beastmasters in Green Sea City. It wasn’t a bad idea.

In the future, he could open a business offering "beast sparring" to earn crystal coins. Not everyone dared to train in secret realms, so with the increasing number of beastmasters, this business would definitely take off.

Lu Ran understood what Zhao Chen was thinking. It was similar to how high schools focus on their graduation rates. If Green Sea City produced beastmasters who ranked in the top ten of the freshman competition, who could still say that Green Sea City wasn’t on par with the provincial capital?

When that time came, even the national government would focus its investments on Green Sea City. Lu Ran, the king of Green Sea City, and Zhao Chen, the chairman of the Beastmaster Association, would both benefit.

In short, if Green Sea City wanted to develop, it couldn’t rely entirely on wild transcendent creatures. The prospects of fourth-generation beastmasters were also crucial.

By now, Captain Doofus had already fallen asleep on the carpet. Lu Ran took out his phone again to call Fang Lan.

Shortly after, Fang Lan showed up at Lu Ran's house with dark circles under her eyes. Lu Ran was shocked when he saw her.

"Did you get stung by a scorpion?"

"You’re the one who got stung by a scorpion! I stayed up all night studying toxicology, then collected venom all day. I didn’t have any time to rest."

After coming in, Fang Lan finally relaxed and laid down on the sofa. With her eyes closed, she muttered, "Tea... I need tea..."

"Here, this will help refresh you." Lu Ran reluctantly handed her a cup of iced honey tea.

Fang Lan crawled over and took a sip, feeling much better. With a sigh, she said, "You’re doing pretty well. I’ve already seen the news on my phone. First, you made the rankings in Limitless City at #5, then fused a trait, and went back to Limitless City to rank again. You’re so lucky to get the drop on the first try. People online are debating whether you’re the reincarnation of Lady Luck."

Lu Ran laughed. "There’s no such thing as Lady Luck. I’m just stealing the jackpot from a bunch of unlucky bastards."

Fang Lan was speechless.

This guy deserves to get his ass kicked.

"Besides, luck averages out. After returning to Limitless City #3, Captain Doofus and I went to clear secret realms again but didn’t get anything good. After an angel investment from Dr. Gu and a master blacksmith, I’m now in debt for more than 100,000 CC."

"If things continue like this, I’ll be paying off this debt forever. That’s why I called you to find a solution."

"You called me for a solution? You might as well burn incense and pray to Buddha. Praying to me is useless," Fang Lan joked. She didn’t have that much luck—definitely not enough to spare.

"Let’s team up. I can clear secret realms by myself, and we can also clear them as a team of four. We’ll get four times the drops and make more money from each run."

"You’re right!" Fang Lan exclaimed.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"So, do you want to go? I can take you. I’m strong enough to steamroll Beginner-secret realms on Hell difficulty. My godparents don’t have to worry about our safety. When the time comes, you can keep what you need and give me the rest. What do you think?"

"In fact, I need to thank you for your venom. Otherwise, it would’ve taken Captain Doofus and me a long time to deal with the Minotaur boss."

"Really? Okay!" Fang Lan's eyes lit up, and she wasn’t tired anymore. She immediately stood up, her face flushed with excitement. "When are you taking me to run secret realms?"

"Just you by yourself isn’t enough. We need to find at least two more teammates willing to give up their share of the loot." Lu Ran thought for a moment and asked, "Do you have anyone trustworthy in mind? If not, I can get people from my hometown in Lu Village. The village is full of beastmasters."

"By the way, Green Sea City will be establishing the Green Sea Beastmaster Association in a few days. The newly appointed chairman already contacted me and wants to train the local fourth-generation beastmasters. At that time, we can pick the two best ones and bring them along for experience."

"I don’t have any suitable candidates. My classmates who became beastmasters aren’t that great. A good friend of mine is experienced in raising animals, but hasn’t been chosen to become a beastmaster yet."

"I’ve met some decent beastmasters in the arena, but they’ve already joined the alliance or a guild. I don’t think they’d be a good fit. You should pick the other two yourself," Fang Lan replied.

Lu Ran contemplated it for a moment. It looks like he would have to find some people from Lu Village. He didn’t know that many fourth-generation beastmasters. White Dragon... Sister Hua... Rain... None of them were experienced in combat and all had day jobs. Pluto wasn’t short on cash and didn’t need them to carry him. Their guild team should be able to pass the Hell difficulty secret realms, too.

Oh yeah, Pig Farmer!

Speaking of which, why did Pig Farmer disappear after taking the entrance exam of the Galaxy Guild? He didn’t even say anything after Lu Ran made the Heavenly Familiar Rankings again.

Was he stuck in a secret realm?

Lu Ran was astonished.