King of Beasts

Eagle.

In a desolate town filled with a mechanical, sci-fi aura, devoid of any life.

Inside a research institute, in front of a young man with short brown hair, a face full of freckles, a mechanical prosthetic limb, and even a mechanical eye, a video call appeared.

On the screen, there was a blurry figure.

Whatever was said on the other end, the freckled young man showed a disdainful expression.

“Heh, I always said that Pari is useless.”

“Relying on some background, sidelining others, turning the Association into a one-man show, and having no real strength himself. Now look what happened.”

“That Jack is also a fool, getting involved with Pari.”

“Regardless of what happens to them next, they’re getting what they deserve.”

“When the world is like this, they still have the mind for internal conflicts,” the mechanical young man said with a sneer, “I agree to your invitation. I, too, need the Federation’s strength.”

“Mr. Aube, we will certainly fully support you.” The video call ended.

Aube, the transformer of the Eagle Federation, looked towards the mechanical lab and shook his head.

Still couldn’t comprehend the thoughts of these politicians.

He had once visited the breakthrough secret realm of the Machine Age, witnessing the “Star Moon Federation’s golden era.”

During that time, mechanical pet beasts could be controlled by even a child, granting them immense power.

An ordinary person, without the strength to even truss a chicken, could intimidate legendary life by simply operating a forbidden weapon button.

This was the pinnacle period of human civilization on the Star-Moon Continent.

Because of that, the breakthrough in the secret realm was extremely difficult, resulting in the blue star challengers’ total defeat, and he lost an arm and an eye in the process.

However, Aube was not discouraged upon his return. Although the breakthrough task failed, it didn’t mean he gained nothing from the mechanical civilization. Using those insights, he researched mechanical pet beasts day and night, finally evolving a mechanical pet beast of the overlord species.

He became the first blue star mechanic to develop a mechanical pet beast.

And the only beastmaster in the Eagle Federation to become one of the top ten beastmasters.

Having experienced all of this, Aube realized that the political structure on the blue star was insignificant because, even as the best on the blue star, it couldn’t compare to the Star Moon Federation.

Compared to the brilliance of mechanical civilization, the beast taming system on the blue star was trivial. Only by staying at the forefront of the times could one control everything.

Therefore, Pari’s actions against Lu Ran seemed utterly pointless to him.

The current focus of the Eagle should be on the Star Moon Federation, not on Xia Country, nor on Lu Ran. Instead, they should unite all the forces on the blue star that could be united to quickly gain qualifications equal to the Star Moon Federation.

“Pari’s streak of good luck is over. From now on, the Eagle Beast Taming Alliance will be under my leadership,” said transformer Aube as he looked at the live broadcast and at Lu Ran on the screen.

Lu Ran was honored as the father of necromantic pets on the blue star.

He, on the other hand, was honored as the father of mechanical pet beasts on the blue star.

The two were somewhat similar.

…

Alliance City.

Due to Jack’s mysterious disappearance and the destruction of the arena, the challenge tournament’s continuity was disrupted.

There was intense discussion within the officials, yet in the end, no conclusion was reached.

During this process, the fifth gatekeeper from Egypt couldn’t help but report to the officials, saying he had an upset stomach and wondered if a substitute could temporarily take his place…

But in the end, there were no changes made.

The only surprise for the stage 5 gatekeeper was that, during this process, Lu Ran recalled that husky and its two retainers.

“Hapi, Lu Ran recalled the sword dog, and his sword dog had used energy compression of 60 times. Although it seemed effortless, it must have been at its limit.”

“The Dragon King was the same, fighting two consecutive battles, using energy compression of 50 times. Though it seemed like a light blow, it must definitely be heavily strained.”

“Go for it,” encouraged the big shot of the challenge tournament officials. Temporarily replace you? Ridiculous.

Whether to bring an end to Lu Ran or get beaten, it’s up to you.

The Egyptian beastmaster named Hapi nodded. That reasoning made sense… Then Lu Ran probably only had the Twin Crow left to rely on.

As some had analyzed, if the Twin Crow excelled in legion tactics, its individual level must be relatively weaker.

This was certain because, by fusing the legion trait, it inevitably incorporated one less trait that would enhance individual combat strength. There’s nothing more to say.

Finally, the officials announced the continuation of the challenge tournament, and Hapi immediately stepped onto the arena.

At this moment, the venue had been repaired by an earth pet beast, so there would be no issue with venue availability.

As soon as Hapi took the stage, he wasn’t as arrogant as Jack had been. Instead, he smiled and said, “Hey, buddy, you’re amazing. Go easy on me, alright?”

“You should go easy on me,” Lu Ran replied kindly. After all, who could strike someone with a friendly face?

“Ahem, ahem.” The referee beside them coughed voraciously. Go easy? This is being broadcast live!

Hapi was clearly nervous about Lu Ran, definitely.

At this point, regardless of how the next battle unfolded, no one would question Lu Ran’s strength.

“Challenger: Lu Ran from Xia Country.”

“Gatekeeper: Hapi.”

The referee announced the countdown for the final stage.

At this moment, spectators worldwide held their breath.

Lu Ran had already proved in the previous four matches that he was entirely different from other challengers.

Up until now, no one had passed stage 5. Would Lu Ran stand a chance?

“The opponent is called Hapi. Will he be very strong?”

“Well, being First Generation, he can’t be too weak.”

“God Lu managed to smash Jack, so beating another First Generation shouldn’t be a problem. After all, many First Generation couldn’t defeat Jack.”

“In perfect condition, it wouldn’t be an issue, but the problem is, after four consecutive battles, God Lu must be significantly drained. The 50 times energy compression, the 60 times energy compression… The strain from such techniques is imaginable.”

“At this point, the only pet beast God Lu can probably send out is the Twin Crow.”

People’s assessments were spot on-General Ha’s ability to cut through domains and slay enemies was impressive, but the burden from the 60 times sword intent was indeed immense.

Lu Ran chose not to continue using General Ha in combat. After all, taking down Jack was a task well accomplished.

Facing the final First Generation gatekeeper, Lu Ran took a deep breath and summoned the Dark Crow, which had been in the first match.

“Caw caw caw caw-“

Compared to Sudden Death King and General Ha.

The moment the Dark Crow appeared, it seemed much more talkative.

“Just as I thought, it takes this general to step in-“

“Huh???”

“Why am I the only one summoned?” The Dark Crow’s cursed crow form was called out by Lu Ran.

At the same moment, Hapi also summoned his pet beast.

He didn’t summon the newly nurtured overlord species pet beast, likely because its level wasn’t high enough. Instead, he directly summoned his pet beast with the highest growth level.

[Species]: Sandstorm Sky Overlord

[Attribute]: Wind, Earth, Rock

[Species Level]: Upper Sovereign

[Growth Level]: Level 59

This was a large bird pet beast that resembled a vulture, covered in earth-brown rock feathers, and its appearance was accompanied by a sandstorm.

Its appearance left the Dark Crow astonished-another battle of the birds?

It’s worth mentioning that, seemingly worried that the Dark Crow might curse the beastmaster himself right from the start, as soon as the vulture appeared, either by its trait or a beast taming skill, a cluster of spontaneously appearing sand formed an Absolute Defense, tightly wrapping around Hapi.

“Big King, tell me, what’s the plan!!!”

Regardless of what the opponent tried, the Dark Crow was fired up; Lu Ran had sent it out for the last stage, so it had to perform well.

This was the power of trust!

However, the opponent seemed quite strong…

The Dark Crow pondered; even if Lu Ran let the Crow of Death possess it, the Dark Crow anticipated a tough battle, requiring some sacrifices to win.

But what did it mean that Lu Ran only sent it out… Could it be…

“Just stand by to finish off.”

“I’ll handle this opponent myself.”

For the last match, Lu Ran wanted to finish it quickly and then heal Sudden Death King and General Ha.

The Dark Crow was essentially a scout; in an arena battle, it wasn’t nearly as dominant as Sudden Death King or General Ha. Asking it to handle a First Generation alone was indeed a stretch unless it sacrificed its eyeball for a curse.

But with too many injured in the team, Lu Ran was concerned that the Divine Deer Antler might not be able to heal them all. Well, it is what it is.

“Ah???”

Lu Ran’s words left the Dark Crow stunned again and took the entire audience by surprise.

Handle it himself?

At that moment, everyone suddenly remembered what Lu Ran had said in the first match.

He had told the Dark Crow to quickly deal with the opponent, or else he would do it himself…

Whoa.

Lu Ran was serious?

What was he going to do?

“Hmm?” Hapi was also taken aback.

As the countdown hit zero, Lu Ran’s hand slowly lifted, and he snapped his fingers lightly in the air.

That snap, like a spark igniting a flame, made Hapi’s expression shift dramatically.

Because he… felt a spatial disturbance.

Even though he hadn’t mastered this skill himself, he had fought against beastmasters who had.

“Domain-” he shouted in disbelief.

At this moment, flames flickered in Lu Ran’s eyes, and a burst of fire erupted from the void. In an instant, a massive red globe of flames enveloped Hapi and the vulture, forming a domain right on the arena.

This spatial barrier completely surrounded them.

At that moment, beastmasters around the world, who were paying attention to this last battle, widened their eyes in disbelief.

What did they just witness…

Within Lu Ran’s team, aside from that monstrous Erha, there was a second pet beast that had mastered a domain?

No… It seemed that the one mastering the domain wasn’t a beast-it was Lu Ran himself.

He… with just a snap of his fingers, created a flame department domain.

This Strongest Fourth Generation not only mastered shaping artistic conception and swordsmanship will, but also… mastered a domain???

“Are beastmasters from Xia Country all monsters?” someone exclaimed, heart racing.

It was one thing for Xia Country’s top thirteen First Generations to all master domains, but now even a Fourth Generation had started to wield dual-domain capabilities.

In contrast, despite being a First Generation, Hapi hadn’t mastered a domain yet. As a result, he had no means to resist when Lu Ran’s domain pulled him in effortlessly.

Of course, what made people feel utterly bewildered was that after Lu Ran created the domain, both he and his pet beasts remained outside of it-only the enemy was dragged into the domain!

What is happening inside? The world fell silent.