Chapter 98 - Renowned Even Outside the Realm

“Dark Crow?”

Zhao Chen recalled that, among the powerful mutant familiars of Green Sea, there indeed was a crow, just as Officer Luo Shang had reported to him.

“Yes, a mutant crow that has awakened a talent for language. It not only communicates fluently with humans but can also understand, and even respond in simple ways, in other species’ languages. One might say it’s highly unusual.

“When I’m not around, if you encounter difficulties communicating with any mutant familiar, just consult it. However, it often spouts nonsense, so interpret it dialectically,” Lu Ran remarked.

It was often said that post-evolution strengthened whatever one lacked internally.

How on earth did this crow awaken a talent for language?

Lu Ran wondered.

This was far more peculiar than the typical enhancements to attack, defense, or speed.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore. By the way, how many people in Green Sea are interested in applying to Beastmaster University?”

Lu Ran shifted the topic, not wanting to dwell on the title “The Seven Beast Generals.”

“

Hmm...

Currently, there are 149 official beastmasters in Green Sea City, all fourth-generation. Among those who meet the qualifications and are willing to apply to Beastmaster University, there are 77 in total. Oh, not including you and Fang Lan. With both of you, that makes 79!”

“That’s quite a number.” Lu Ran was surprised.

“Are there any notable talents among them?”

“Yes, indeed. The top three on the list are all quite remarkable.”

As he spoke, Zhao Chen handed Lu Ran the list, which Lu Ran then reviewed carefully.

Name: Lu Yilang

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Background: Senior at Green Sea University. His family keeps a Border Collie, which has awakened the Spirit attribute. It’s the only Spirit-attribute familiar in Green Sea City and shows significant potential.

...

Name: Lu Teng

Age: 24

Gender: Male

Background: Employee at the Wildlife Safari. After receiving a black card, he attempted to form a contract with a young lion he had raised from infancy, which succeeded. His familiar awakened the Fire attribute, indicating high potential.

...

Name: Miao Zhuang

Age: 20

Gender: Male

Background: Cattle herder from New East Village, Green Sea City. He formed a contract with his family’s cattle, which underwent atavism and awakened the Dark attribute, showing great potential.

...

“Not only are these familiars Superior-Transcendent species, they have rare attributes to boot. Lu Yilang’s familiar is very intelligent and has developed skills like energy projection and formation.

“Lu Teng, originally on track to join the official Secret Realm Raid Team in Golden Hill, decided, upon recommendation, to pursue a civilian beastmaster path instead, due to his familiar’s Fire attribute. He previously challenged secret realms frequently and has commendable combat ability.

“Miao Zhuang recently became a beastmaster and is still in the early stages, but with some training, he’ll surely become a formidable force. The strength of the cattle species shouldn’t be underestimated.

“In addition to these three, there are a few others with notable talent. Take a look.”

Lu Ran noticed a few familiar names on the list, including Yang Xishuai and several long-time rivals. Insect fighting was popular in Green Sea City, regardless of age or gender. So of these 77 people, 14 had insect familiars as their starting familiars. A rarity!

After all, unless someone had a true love for insects and a deep bond with them, who would choose to begin with a seemingly weak insect familiar for the dangerous trials of secret realms?

“I can see that there are quite a few remarkable individuals.” Lu Ran glanced over, slightly surprised.

“Right? Even I didn’t expect that Green Sea City would have so many capable young beastmasters.” Zhao Chen chuckled.

If it were just the first three individuals Lu Ran first looked over, Green Sea wouldn’t be considered too impressive, but Lu Ran and Fang Lan, two individuals capable of securing a spot on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking, were also present! With that in mind, Green Sea City was truly a hidden gem and a treasure land.

Lu Ran and Zhao Chen then briefly discussed their plans, agreeing to meet at 3:00 p.m., when Lu Ran would bring the Seven Beast Generals to make an appearance at Green Sea Stadium.

***

Afternoon.

In a large conference room in the Green Sea Beastmaster Tower, 77 young beastmasters had gathered. Excitement and anticipation were written on their faces as they chatted amongst themselves. With just over 100 beastmasters in Green Sea City, most of them were already familiar with one another.

Among the group, a few star figures stood out. Some had earned reputations during the recent civilian beastmasters’ campaign to expel dangerous creatures from the city.

“I wonder what the director is like. Are they a second- or third-generation beastmaster?” a pudgy boy chewing gum wondered aloud, speculating that a stronger director could mean a brighter future for the association.

“Green Sea should be among the second batch of cities to establish a beastmaster association, right? Looks like the city’s beastmaster potential is pretty high!” remarked a freckled boy wearing glasses.

“Of course! After all, the Five Poisons Saintess, Fang Lan, lives here. She’s ranked tenth on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking and is well-regarded even across several nearby provinces. No wonder they’re taking this seriously.”

“Besides Fang Lan, the strongest fourth-generation beastmaster in Green Sea City should be Brother Teng, right?” someone added. As Fang Lan’s name was mentioned, many turned their gaze to a young man in an orange T-shirt.

Lu Teng, a zookeeper who had contracted a fire lion, smiled at the attention but said modestly, “No, my lion’s too docile. It lacks the ferocity of a true beast and isn’t all that strong in combat.”

Despite his modesty, everyone understood that even a docile large predator possessed inherent strength. Many regretted not having worked with ferocious beasts themselves.

“Speaking of which, why isn’t the Five Poisons Saintess here?” someone wondered aloud.

At that moment, the door opened, and Director Zhao Chen stepped onto the stage. His gaze swept across the room, taking in Green Sea City’s young beastmasters.

“Hello! My name is Zhao Chen, the director of the Green Sea Beastmaster Association,” he began.

The chatter stopped as everyone turned their attention to him.

Zhao Chen smiled slightly. “From now on, if you have any difficulties, feel free to come to me.

“Today is our first meeting, so let’s get to know each other. As you may have noticed, all of you here are young beastmasters interested in applying to Beastmaster University.

“Out of the 79 beastmasters in Green Sea planning to apply, 77 are present today. Two couldn’t make it due to other commitments.”

The crowd immediately recognized one of the absentees as the Five Poisons Saintess, but the other’s identity was unclear.

Nearby, Yang Xishuai scanned the room, still searching for Lu Ran.

Was Lu Ran ‘absent’? Or had he decided not to apply to Beastmaster University? That seemed unlikely. If not the university, then where?

He reasoned that the other absentee must indeed be Lu Ran, who had often been seen with Fang Lan.

The two know each other, so it makes sense for both to be absent.

“You may already know that Beastmaster University also trains combat-oriented talents. To select the best, shortly after the semester begins, the university will hold a freshman competition.

“This competition, in my opinion, is far more significant than the college entrance exam. Achieving a high rank would greatly benefit both your personal growth and Green Sea City as a whole.

“However, since the university recruits students nationwide, there will be many experts among the new freshmen. For most of you, achieving a high score will be extremely challenging.”

Who does he think we are? thought the beastmasters, fully aware of their limitations. Most of them doubted they could even pass the preliminary rounds. Young people today might lack many things, but not self-awareness—they knew their capabilities well.

“But how will you know your limits if you don’t give it your all?” Zhao Chen continued.

“Green Sea City has decided to initiate a new training program for rookie beastmasters as my first official policy. If you’re interested in the freshman competition, stay after this session, and I’ll explain the details of the program.”

Hearing Zhao Chen’s words, the initially discouraged rookies were stunned. Was Green Sea City truly planning to invest in their development?

Many of them had never entered any secret realms, and their mission scores were low. They desperately needed resources. With proper support, who could say? Perhaps one of them could achieve an impressive result. Zhao Chen’s announcement reignited hope in many of their hearts.

“Is there anyone here who isn’t interested in joining the freshman competition?”

To his surprise, no one spoke up. It seemed everyone was eager to seize this opportunity.

As Zhao Chen had anticipated, he said, “Good. I won’t waste any time. Next, I’ll explain our policies.

“The association will enlist a professional nutritionist to design specialized training and meal plans for your familiars. Combat training will also be a key focus. You’ll have opportunities to spar with one another to gain experience.

“Additionally, I’ll arrange for several powerful familiars, each over level 10, to serve as advanced sparring partners. Those who excel during training will receive additional resource support! Among these resources, there might even be a Trait Crystal!”

“Next, follow me to the nearby Green Sea Stadium. The nutritionist I brought is already prepared. When we arrive, you can release your familiars for a simple sparring session with the transcendent creatures I mentioned. She will record the data and later provide some tailored suggestions for you.”

After Zhao Chen finished, the rookies fell silent.

What!? A Trait Crystal?

“Director, you’re amazing!” someone exclaimed in delight.

“Don’t worry, Brother Teng will definitely do well and make the association proud!”

“What?” Lu Teng was confused.

Who the heck said that?

He looked around.

With Zhao Chen’s words, the young beastmasters erupted in excitement. This initiative was clearly a significant investment by Green Sea’s administration. They could even get a Trait Crystal? Nothing could be more enticing to them.

“

Hehe

, let’s go. Whether you get it or not will depend on your performance,” Zhao Chen smiled.

A Trait Crystal—while the rarer ones were out of reach, even the basic ones would be valuable to beginners. The beastmasters followed Zhao Chen toward Green Sea Stadium, chatting about the advanced familiars he had mentioned.

“Our director must be someone impressive!”

“Imagine him even arranging advanced familiars for sparring.”

“He probably borrowed the familiars from beastmaster friends. Experienced beastmasters sometimes train new familiars, which would be perfect for our sparring.”

The beastmasters were increasingly awed by Zhao Chen’s influence. Soon, they arrived at Green Sea Stadium. Upon entering, they were stunned by the scene.

A woman in a black uniform stood at the center of the stadium, presumably the nutritionist Zhao Chen had mentioned. Her attire was striking, but what truly captivated the beastmasters were the seven transcendent familiars surrounding her.

There was a giant black turtle that resembled a moving fortress, a massive golden cricket hovering mid-air, a ten-meter-long red serpent with a muscular build, and a ferocious one-eared "white tiger."

Additionally, an icy-blue bird, reminiscent of an ice phoenix, stood on a frosted path, while a two-legged lizard covered in black scales, with piercing red eyes that seemed straight out of a movie, glared menacingly. Finally, a mysterious dark crow perched atop the turtle’s shell, adding an air of mystery to the group.

Each familiar exuded immense power and a daunting presence. Seeing them, the beastmasters couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity. Some paused, their memories stirred.

“Wait a moment! Isn’t that golden cricket the one from Red Leaf Park?”

“Isn’t that Captain White Tiger [1]who assisted the police?”

“And that crow—it was sighted over Green Sea City’s skies before!”

The beastmasters quickly realized these weren’t just familiars Zhao Chen had borrowed. They were local creatures, some of the strongest mutant beasts from the early stages of the spiritual energy revival!

But no one was more shocked than Yang Xishuai. Pointing at the Sudden Death King, he exclaimed, “Isn’t that Lu Ran’s familiar? How did it end up here!?”

Although Sudden Death King had been on all fours the last time Yang Xishuai saw it, it was now standing upright on two legs. Its appearance, however, was unmistakable—he could never forget that lizard. His outburst drew the attention of the other beastmasters.

Quickly, Yang Xishuai explained, “This lizard... I think it’s my classmate’s familiar. We’ve fought before.”

Seeing the beastmasters so energized, some even recognizing Lu Ran’s familiar, Zhao Chen smiled as he led the conversation. “These powerful mutants are indeed native to Green Sea City.

“And that red-eyed crocodile skink is indeed the familiar of another fourth-generation beastmaster. He couldn’t make it today due to special circumstances, but he left his familiar here for you to spar with.

“Yes, he and the Five Poisons Saintess, Fang Lan, are probably Green Sea City’s strongest fourth-generation beastmasters. I hope that someday you’ll all excel like them—or even surpass them.”

Yang Xishuai and the other beastmasters were astonished to learn that Green Sea City’s top two fourth-generation beastmasters weren’t present at the event.

They knew of Fang Lan, but who was this “classmate” of Yang Xishuai’s, Lu Ran? Most of them had never even heard his name before.

Was this lizard his familiar? He isn’t here himself, yet he left his familiar to serve as a sparring partner... What kind of person does that?

“Are these the challengers!?”

At that moment, Dark Crow began to squawk.

“Not a single one of them looks like a real fighter! They think they can surpass King Lu!? Impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

Zhao Chen was speechless.

Damn it!

Though Lu Ran had warned him about the crow’s incessant nonsense, he hadn’t expected it to start so soon.

I was just giving them a bit of encouragement, so why are you so worked up? And what’s with “King Lu”!?

“All right, time is short. Keep each match under three minutes. You’ll take turns choosing your opponents, and Ms. Hua here will record your battle data to provide feedback within two days,” Zhao Chen instructed.

At his words, many gazes shifted to the lizard—Lu Ran’s familiar, Sudden Death King. Since any opponent would be a challenge, those confident in their strength, including Lu Teng, were eager to test themselves and learn more about the mysterious Lu Ran.

After all, who would dare let their familiar roam so freely?

Feeling the intense stares directed at it, Sudden Death King appeared utterly confused, seemingly unaware of what was happening.

1. This is a reference to a Chinese cartoon call “Captain Black Cat” where a tuxedo cat is a police captain whose main nemesis is unsurprisingly a criminal mouse. ☜