Beastmaster King

Meanwhile, in the Amazon Rainforest.

The Divine Deer walked through the forest. After a long silence, it took out the resources Lu Ran had handed over. For its other messenger, Bai Lu, the Divine Deer had selected a deer familiar of the same species with the highest talent and potential.

As for Lu Ran, since he was "free-range," the Divine Deer hadn't gifted him a familiar before. If Lu Ran didn't want to contract the Flame Phoenix, then raising a deer with its bloodline was a good alternative. Under normal circumstances, the Divine Deer wouldn't have made this choice. For a Low-Legendary lifeform to give birth to a quasi-Legendary descendant would consume immense energy. However, with Lu Ran's resources, the cost could be minimized.

A crack appeared on the Divine Deer's forehead, and a drop of golden-green essence blood floated out. At the same time, a Blood Drop Stone rose from the ground. Alongside it was a bottle containing a pale blue liquid. It was a Legendary resource, the Primordial Womb Sea Water. There was also a green seed, which was the Miracle Seed.

The Divine Deer's essence blood, the Blood Drop Stone, the Primordial Womb Sea Water, and the Miracle Seed merged under the deer's power. In the glow of golden-green light, the outline of a small deer gradually took shape.

When the light faded, a creature with a primarily white body and golden hooves appeared. Its coat was dotted with nine-colored floral patterns, and its tail resembled drifting golden-green clouds. Freshly sprouted branches adorned its head, symbolizing vitality. However, the Divine Deer wasn't done yet.

It next fused a teardrop-shaped gem into the white fawn's forehead, triggering another transformation. In a flash of white light, the fawn morphed into a young girl with white hair, white antlers, and a long dress woven from red flowers and green grass.

As the Divine Deer soothed it, a drop of Flower God's Nectar entered its mouth. Its small feet touched the ground, and its aura surged. When it opened its multicolored eyes, it gazed curiously at the world.

[Species: Life Deer Spirit]

[Attribute: Grass, Water]

[Species Rank: Quasi-Legendary]

[Level: 90]

After a brief moment of confusion, the fawn understood its purpose and origins through the inherited memories in the Divine Deer's blood.

—Mother.

"From today onward... You will assist Lu Ran. As he is my messenger, you must help him fulfill my tasks. However, before you meet him, I will teach you the basics of this world. And for others to address you more easily, you'll need a name."

The Divine Deer pondered and then said, "Your name shall be Lu Yao. This was the name my messenger, Lu Ran, left for you before departing. Although I'm not sure of its deeper meaning."

The name was a beautiful symbol to remind the offspring of their mother's power and to never hesitate to rely on it.

Two days later, one of the second-stage Evolution secret realms opened. The secret realm was packed with first-generation beastmasters. Eleven of Xia's Twelve Zodiacs were present.

They were well aware that Gu Qingyi was also participating and that she had accumulated formidable evolution resources.

However, time waited for no one, and they weren't aiming for the secret realm blessing but just the nourishing effects of the ordinary evolution energy eruption. Their familiars had all reached the level 60 evolution threshold.

Nine of Blue Planet's Top Ten Beastmaster Kings had arrived. Only Xia's old president was absent.

Having become the Divine Turtle's messenger, he was the most capable of seizing this secret realm's blessing. But considering the future belonged to the younger generation, he chose not to compete with Gu Qingyi.

Similarly, Shi Zhen, who also had a chance to contend for the blessing, had the backing of the Abyss God. Out of respect for Lu Ran, he didn't compete with his good friend, Gu Qingyi, either. In short, all of Xia's capable competitors had cleared the path for Gu Qingyi.

Although the entry fee was exorbitant, Lu Ran, the ultimate rich kid, still paid to spectate. Using Time Shield and a simple disguise, he avoided detection by international peers as he quietly observed Dr. Gu's evolution process.

Just as she had once guarded him during his evolution, Lu Ran now stood watch, worried she might face interference during this critical moment. However, his concerns were unnecessary. With Xia and the Amazon Divine Nation now allied, no country would dare target Xia openly. This included the Eagle Federation, which was publicly striving to restore friendly relations with Xia and engage in healthy competition.

"Dragonmaster Gu Qingyi!"

"It's actually her!"

The biggest highlight of this Evolution secret realm was the participation of nine of the strongest beastmasters evolving their secondary familiars. Although their main forces had already evolved, a beastmaster could have multiple familiars. The media had assumed the blessing would go to one of the nine kings. But to everyone's shock, that wasn't the case.

Starlight cascaded like meteors, enveloping Gu Qingyi's Azure Sea Dragon. The radiance illuminated her face and enhanced her beauty.

A smile tugged at Gu Qingyi's lips as the Azure Sea Dragon's evolution unleashed a terrifying, oppressive aura that even made Overlord familiars tense with wariness.

With a deafening roar, its body stretched over a hundred meters, coiled across the sky. A golden Dragon Pearl adorned its head, and its azure scales shimmered with starlight, as if flowing with cosmic brilliance.

[Species Rank: Superior Overlord]

"That's unfortunate..."

From afar, Lu Ran sighed, disappointed that Dr. Gu hadn't pushed the Azure Sea Dragon to quasi-Legendary. But then again, even the vast Beastmaster Empire of Emperor Yun's era only had three quasi-Legendaries. If not for Ghost Mother's help in unifying Dark Crow's attributes, Lu Ran estimated it would've capped at Superior Overlord even with Limitless City's evolution.

Still, though disappointed, Lu Ran could tell from Dr. Gu's expression that she was more than satisfied. Under countless gazes, Dr. Gu locked eyes with a few individuals and made a throat-slitting gesture. It was a challenge to the beastmaster kings!

"Our Little Gu has become much livelier compared to before," remarked one of Xia's Twelve Zodiacs.

When Gu Qingyi first joined the Official Raid Team, she'd been the epitome of an unapproachable ice queen.

The evolution secret realm concluded, and the result stunned everyone. No one had expected Gu Qingyi to claim the blessing. Within hours, media outlets worldwide erupted with sensational headlines.

Meanwhile, the star of the event, Gu Qingyi, had already returned to Xia's Limitless City. She was strolling through it while walking on Lu Ran's right, alongside a third person: Principal Shi Zhen, who was walking on Lu Ran's left.

The trio headed toward the arena, planning to seize the momentum and tackle the Road to Kingship immediately.

"Haha!Superior Overlord, after all. You scared me for a second. I almost thought it'd reach quasi-Legendary."

Gu Qingyi shot Shi Zhen a glare of resentment. When Manager Ying mentioned that Ghost Mother had taken a liking to Shi Zhen but not Dr. Gu, she had nearly cried. She was baffled by how she'd fallen short.

"Shi Zhen, if you're going to laugh, at least do it like a man—bold and hearty!"

"I can't help it. In this female form, some mannerisms are subconscious! And... I've accepted it. This is just how it is now."

The trio cut a striking figure as they walked. Bystanders in Limitless City gaped as if spotting A-list celebrities at a bus stop.

"Holy crap, Dr. Gu!"

"And Lu Ran!"

"I just saw the news! Dr. Gu secured the blessing in the Evolution secret realm, surpassing the nine kings! Now she has a Superior Overlord Dragon King!"

"Her and Lu God... What are they planning? This direction—could it be the arena?"

"Are they going to challenge the Road to Kingship and compete for a position among the top ten kings?"

"Wait, Lu God has Dr. Gu on his right. Who's that beauty on his left? She's just as stunning..."

"No idea. I've never seen her before. I know all of Xia's top beastmasters by face. Which goddess is this?"

"Damn, whoever she is, I envy Lu God for standing in the middle like that."

Under countless stares, the trio ignored the crowd, continuing their private conversation.

Shi Zhen sighed. "I've... I've decided to publicly admit that I've been cursed."

Gu Qingyi was surprised. "Huh?Seriously?"

"Yes. It's not something I can hide forever. Though I hope not too many people mock me. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise what?" Lu Ran asked.

"In the Abyss, I developed a potion. It was cheap to produce. It can change the drinker's gender. Alongside that, it boosts cultivation speed, extends lifespan, and wards off common illnesses. In short, it makes you stronger. If I'm unhappy, I'll release the formula and distribute batches for free.

"Then, those who don't change genders will be outcompeted by those who do, and forced to the bottom of society! In the end, once most have transformed, the universal enhancement will balance itself out. I'll drag the entire world down with me! Rather than just changing myself, I'll change the world."

Lu Ran and Gu Qingyi were baffled.

Oh no... Has this guy's brain been corrupted by the Evil God?