King of Beasts

“It’s mom, Lu Yunxiu!”

In an instant, Lu Ran recognized the voice in the video; it was indeed his mother.

Staring at the familiar face in the footage, Lu Ran found it hard to believe.

What was going on?

Hadn’t his parents died in a beast attack in the Amazon rainforest five years ago?

Although he had always wanted to visit the Amazon rainforest, over the years, Lu Ran had come to accept the reality of their fate.

Yet, the scene before him now left him in disarray.

“I know you have many questions, but listen carefully. This is very important for you!” In the video, his mom still had her fiery temper.

“You’ve seen the changes in the world, haven’t you?”

“First of all, let me clarify a few things. Although the Infinite City appeared three years ago, supernatural beings have existed on the Blue Star for a very long time.”

“They might be native to the Blue Star, or they could be visitors from another realm.”

“Our village’s totem, the divine deer, is likely one of them.”

“However, due to certain environmental factors, they no longer fit in today’s Blue Star, causing them to vanish entirely.”

“But even before the appearance of the Infinite City, there were forces that firmly believed in these legends.”

“Five years ago, your father and I were invited to the Amazon rainforest to investigate a mysterious rare beast.”

“The invitation actually came from a precursor to the current force known as The Other Shore. They had recruited many zoologists and biologists like your father and me from all over the world.”

“But the real purpose wasn’t to investigate any rare beast; it was only to control a group of scientists to help them study supernatural beings.”

“The Other Shore faked the attack on our investigation team, successfully making us ‘disappear from the world.’”

At this point, Lu Ran’s expression turned grim. So this was the truth from five years ago?

“Many initially thought they would be imprisoned for life. However, three years ago, the large-scale arrival of the Infinite City’s black card turned everything around.”

“Unfortunately, the energy of The Other Shore organization was stronger than we had imagined. Internal turmoil was quickly suppressed. Worried that you might be implicated, your father and I didn’t resist strongly.”

“After that incident, we became important researchers for The Other Shore. Along with our status as beastmasters, it didn’t take long for us to rise to the core ranks of the organization.”

“At this point, we were too deeply entangled with The Other Shore, an international crime organization, to easily return to your side.”

“What I’m about to tell you now is the most important part.”

“The Other Shore has a long history. This organization has been in search of an item called ‘The Stone of the Other Shore,’ a legendary artifact.”

“It’s said that whoever possesses The Stone of the Other Shore gains the power to control death, becoming the true master of the Other Shore, and holds the power to overthrow the world.”

“Once we reached the high ranks, we learned quite a lot about this artifact. It undoubtedly must not fall into the hands of an ambitious individual.”

“So, your father and I decided to find a way to get The Stone of the Other Shore ourselves.”

“However, even after all this time, The Other Shore hasn’t been able to locate it. Whether it actually exists is still uncertain.”

“The organization is now fragmented into factions, with some having given up the search for the stone.”

“During our research and investigations, your father and I discovered crucial clues suggesting that The Stone of the Other Shore may indeed exist and is extremely important. Perhaps finding it could unravel the mystery of the Infinite City’s appearance.”

“We decided to continue the search to prevent others from seizing it first.”

“However, the process is extremely dangerous; a single misstep could cost us our lives. But if we succeed, we would be closer to the day we could reunite. If something were to happen to us, the results of our investigation into The Stone of the Other Shore would be sent to you through special channels.”

“Though we don’t want to involve you, from the moment we entered The Other Shore, you were already bound to this fate. After our death, we won’t be able to protect you in secret. Sooner or later, The Other Shore will target you.”

“Most likely, they will also try to recruit you into The Other Shore, aiming for you to inherit our positions. But unless your life is at stake, do not join The Other Shore lightly, no matter how persuasive they are!”

“The Other Shore is filled with factions and not a monolithic entity. Even as core members, your father and I faced constant constraints.”

“Now you have two choices: First, take the intelligence I’m about to give you to trustworthy officials in Xia Country and seek their protection, asking them to help locate The Stone of the Other Shore.”

“Second, still with this intelligence, find reliable, powerful officials in Xia Country for protection and support in acquiring The Stone of the Other Shore.”

“Listen to me now. There are two conditions to finding and controlling The Stone of the Other Shore: First, you must have a powerful necromancy pet beast.”

“Second, acquire a part of the legendary creature, the death dragon’s body.”

“The second condition is the hardest and may require finding a way in a breakthrough secret realm.”

“Another important point: necromancy is not inherently evil; many people just don’t know the right way to cultivate it.”

“This is a very crucial attribute, and it’s an essential part of the world’s balance. When the time comes, I’ll have Red Count send you a wealth of death revival beast taming skills. I hope you pass them to Xia Country’s officials so they can put more emphasis on cultivating necromancy.”

“Red Count is a being your father and I developed. Though his character is quite nasty, if you’re ever forced to join The Other Shore, you can rely on his power.”

“While we hoped you could live a safe life, it seems the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, making that impossible. Only by becoming powerful yourself can you better survive—and we understand your nature.”

“After watching this video, I’m sure you’ll choose to contract with a necromancy pet beast and actively seek The Stone of the Other Shore, won’t you…”

“No matter what choice you make, we believe in you because you’re our son.”

Lu Ran watched the entire video, his emotions barely contained. Ignoring The Stone of the Other Shore and the beast taming skills, he looked directly at the vampire in front of him and asked, “Where are my parents?”

“Unfortunately, just as you suspected, your parents’ identity cards were deactivated during a breakthrough secret realm. This suggests they likely perished there,” Red Count said sorrowfully. “Although I am not their contracted pet beast, I was nurtured by them. I deeply regret what happened to them.”

“If they hadn’t died, they wouldn’t have involved you with The Other Shore so early.”

“But the crucial matter now, Young Master, is whether you choose to follow their legacy, find The Stone of the Other Shore, and become the master of The Other Shore, or hand over the intelligence and items I have to the officials of Xia Country and seek their protection?”

“Damn it,” Lu Ran muttered, clenching his fists. The hope that his parents were not dead had filled him with joy, only to be dashed by the reality.

The Other Shore…

The very organization responsible for his parents’ disappearance five years ago.

“No matter what, you must make a choice. I’ll leave the items here.”

Red Count placed hundreds of black cards and the phone on the ground. Stroking his chin, he added, “I wish I could stay longer, but this avatar of mine won’t last much longer. If I’m discovered in Xia Country, it will expedite The Other Shore’s focus on you… Anyway, I hope the next time we meet, you are stronger than I am.”

“And at that time…”

With that, he transformed into countless bats and disappeared.

Lu Ran stood frozen, staring at the spot where Red Count vanished.

He then looked at the pile of black cards left behind.

For a moment, he felt lost.

“Bark! Bark! Bark!” General Ha finally caught his breath and barked furiously in the direction Red Count had left.

“Ugh…” Nearby, Sudden Death King gritted his teeth, feeling as if he’d been beaten for no reason at all.

Both pet beasts then turned their attention to the silent Lu Ran.

After a while, Lu Ran stood up and picked up one of the black cards.

Soon, the information on the card appeared before his eyes.

[Name]: Death Revival

[Description]: A special beast taming skill that can transform a deceased pet beast into a necromancy creature.

“They knew everything about my situation these past years, even after I became a beastmaster for a while!” Lu Ran fumed. “If they knew, why didn’t they contact me? Why leave such cryptic messages only after their death?”

“The Stone of the Other Shore, the death dragon—what are they? Why were Mom and Dad so obsessed with them?” Recalling his mother’s message, Lu Ran’s head throbbed with pain.

After much consideration, Lu Ran realized he couldn’t handle this monumental information alone. Taking out his phone, he pondered for a moment before calling Gu Qingyi.

Dr. Gu was the only high-ranking official in Xia Country he had access to and whom he felt he could trust.

“Hello? Lu Ran?” Gu Qingyi answered quickly.

“Dr. Gu, I just encountered a member of The Other Shore…”

“Where are you? Are you in any danger?” Gu Qingyi interrupted, raising her voice. The Other Shore… How had Lu Ran gotten entangled with that organization again?

“It’s complicated. Can you come to Green Sea City? I have something important to discuss,” Lu Ran said bitterly.

…

Gu Qingyi arrived in Green Sea City in record time.

At the foot of Emerald Mountain, she saw the chaotic environment and knew a battle had taken place here. Her worry for Lu Ran grew.

But fortunately, Lu Ran and his pets seemed unharmed.

“What happened here?” Gu Qingyi asked.

“Dr. Gu, look at these first. I’ll explain everything…” Lu Ran handed her the phone and the hundreds of death revival beast taming skill cards that the vampire Count had given him.

Gu Qingyi opened the video…

“Dr. Lu Yunxiu…”

Her face filled with shock as she watched Lu Ran’s mother’s message.

From her investigations, she had thought Lu Ran’s parents were dead.

“This…”

Gu Qingyi continued watching to the end.

By the time she finished, she was utterly astounded.

“I actually know about your parents’ disappearance case. At the time, many zoologists were attacked in that area, but I didn’t expect it was a ruse orchestrated by The Other Shore.”

“That organization has been around for so long already…”

Even Gu Qingyi, a first-generation beastmaster, was astonished by The Other Shore’s long-standing history.

“Dr. Gu, did supernatural beings really exist on the blue star before the infinite city appeared?” Lu Ran asked.

“Yes, it’s true. Actually, Manager Ying is an extraordinary being who had been in slumber long before two years ago when she was contracted and started evolving,” answered Gu Qingyi. “She merely used a girl’s contract card to form a pact with one of her avatars. Her primary reason was to enter the infinite city. In that sense, she’s more of a guide than a pet beast.”

“However, even Manager Ying isn’t entirely sure whether she is originally from the blue star or if she stumbled here from somewhere else.”

Lu Ran was slightly taken aback, not expecting Manager Ying to have this background. No wonder she always said she was different from other pet beasts.

“My condolences.”

Now knowing through the video that Lu Ran’s parents were truly deceased, Gu Qingyi didn’t focus on their high-ranking status within The Other Shore. Instead, she placed her hand on Lu Ran’s shoulder, looked him in the eyes, and said, “What do you think of your mother’s message?”

After a moment of silence, Lu Ran replied, “I want one skill card; you can handle the rest, Dr. Gu.”

“Additionally, I want to access the official intelligence about the death dragon.”

“Although I have no interest in becoming the master of The Other Shore, this is something my parents left unfinished.”

“The death dragon is suspected to be one of the creator divine loongs among the highest beings in the beast taming world. Its level is extremely high, and even entering a breakthrough secret realm wouldn’t easily grant sufficient information about it,” Gu Qingyi said, feeling troubled. “The Other Shore…”

“This organization has a group actively searching for something, another group focused on hunting others to gain strength, and yet another faction trying to obtain immortality through studying supernatural beings… In essence, it’s a troublesome organization.”

“Although that organization isn’t very active in Xia Country, it seems we can’t afford to underestimate it. Legendary items have never appeared openly in the world before.”

“This matter needs to be kept confidential. I’ll only communicate it with the guild leader,” Gu Qingyi said, looking at Lu Ran. “Also, I’ll arrange for a personal bodyguard for you to prevent such incidents from happening again.”

“That vampire—was he really your parents’ butler? From your description, his actions seemed excessively brutal…” She glanced at General Ha and Sudden Death King beside them.

“Regardless of whether he was or not, once General Ha and Sudden Death King evolve, I’ll tear his wings off,” Lu Ran said through gritted teeth. That bastard…

But the vampire had also highlighted a crucial point: Lu Ran’s identity as a superpower user was exposed, and he indeed needed a bodyguard.

“What do you think of Manager Ying? She seems pretty free these days. Don’t worry; she’s trustworthy,” Gu Qingyi quickly suggested a suitable bodyguard for Lu Ran.