King of Beasts

Lu Ran pondered for a long time and still felt that the Fusion Skill suited him best.

When the time comes, he could contract a fire pet beast. Not only could he use its flame abilities through fusion, but the Fusion Skill could also aid in training his super beast mimicry.

I mean, if I completely merge with my pet beast, becoming one entity, my mimicry should be pretty convincing, right?

The proficiency in super beast mimicry just has to soar.

“Alright… I’ll have everything ready for you before you come out of the breakthrough secret realm,” Gu Qingyi understood that Lu Ran intended to follow the “enhance the beastmaster himself” path.

Both super beast mimicry and the Fusion Skill are steps to make the beastmaster himself stronger.

This fits well with Lu Ran’s growth journey. She had read his resume; Lu Ran had been restless since he was young, learning both swordsmanship and marksmanship, making many other kids envious.

Now that he’s entering the realm of supernatural beings, he probably won’t just settle for commanding pet beasts in battle while merely watching from the sidelines.

“Thanks.” Lu Ran smiled. He accepted Dr. Gu’s gift this time with peace of mind, considering how many Death Revival Skill Books he had turned in.

“According to the schedule, you’re entering the breakthrough secret realm tomorrow, right? Be careful,” Gu Qingyi advised. “After completing the basic breakthrough task, if you have any time left within the 30 days, feel free to explore Star-Moon Continent on your own.”

“Got it,” Lu Ran nodded.

Star-Moon Continent, a world of beast taming, was home to the Beast Taming Empire, a place Lu Ran was very familiar with.

The worlds that beastmasters initially enter are often set in a specific historical stage of Star-Moon Continent, where they carry out tasks.

After a few days of history lessons, Lu Ran had gained some understanding of the development history of Star-Moon Continent and the Beast Taming Empire.

In ancient times, Star-Moon Continent was a wild land where humans and many supernatural beings lived together.

Out of reverence for the stars and moons in the sky, the beings here named the land beneath their feet Star-Moon Continent.

The turning point for humans on Star-Moon Continent came when the chief of a human tribe developed the art of beast taming. Before this, humans were often prey for supernatural beasts and could only hunt weaker creatures to survive, living in a very primitive state.

However, with the development of beast taming abilities, this human tribe rapidly grew in strength, gaining powerful supernatural beings as hunting companions.

Thanks to this ability, the Beast Taming Tribe quickly rose to prominence. The tribe’s chief spent 60 years consolidating human tribes, starting from a small hill and eventually sweeping across the entire continent to establish a glorious human empire.

To commemorate his developed ability, the empire was named the Beast Taming Empire. Following the advice of his followers, the tribe’s chief named himself the Beast Taming King. He was the undisputed Beast Taming King and human emperor of that continent and era.

After the death of the first emperor, many new emperors succeeded him. The empire endured for over 3000 years before finally falling.

During this period, the human beast taming system was fully developed. The history between Star-Moon Continent and the Beast Taming Empire was rich and eventful. According to some former beastmasters, the most powerful beastmasters in the Beast Taming Empire could have pet beasts reaching level 80, with beastmaster levels equivalent to level 8.

Comparatively, the beast taming civilization of the Beast Taming Empire is still an unparalleled giant compared to Blue Star’s.

Blue Star civilization has never stopped exploring Star-Moon Continent, learning many useful skills from it.

“I wonder which historical stage I’ll enter and what breakthrough task I’ll receive…” Lu Ran pondered after hanging up the phone with Gu Qingyi.

Or could there be a chance of entering another beast taming civilization?

Lu Ran had heard of advanced beastmasters who entered a highly developed technological civilization, entirely populated by mechanical pet beasts. This world had even begun exploring outer space with mechanical pet beasts.

Unfortunately, those beastmasters didn’t manage to bring back the method for creating mechanical pet beasts. Otherwise, Blue Star’s beast taming system would undoubtedly be even more enriched.

Lu Ran slept with anticipation, conserving his energy for the next day.

…

Early the next morning, Lu Ran, now well-rested, began his final pre-departure checks. He reviewed General Ha’s data, verified the resources in his backpack, and ensured nothing was missing. He exhaled deeply, patted his chest, and sent a “I’m off” message to everyone he knew before logging into Infinite City.

With General Ha at his feet, Lu Ran arrived at the pillar platform for secret realms. He looked at the breakthrough secret realm, which had been on the homepage since General Ha reached level 10.

[Name: Breakthrough Secret Realm]

[Secret Realm Level: Novice]

[Difficulty: Unknown]

[Challenge Crystal Coins: 0]

[Introduction: You will enter an unknown world and undergo breakthrough trials.]

Lu Ran glanced at General Ha.

“You should return to the card first. The breakthrough secret realm is different; otherwise, Infinite City will forcibly retrieve you during teleportation.”

“Woof!” General Ha nodded.

After returning General Ha to the contract card, Lu Ran touched the screen for the breakthrough secret realm.

[Enter the breakthrough secret realm?]

Yes.

Without hesitation, Lu Ran initiated the teleportation.

[Matching you with a suitable breakthrough secret realm…]

[Secret realm matching in progress…]

[Please wait…]

[Estimated wait time: 3 minutes…]

After about 2 minutes, Lu Ran heard the notification again.

[Match successful.]

[Secret Realm Type: Multiplayer]

[Teleportation countdown: 10… 9…]

Ten seconds later, a flash of white light filled Lu Ran’s room, and his figure gradually disappeared.

Boom!

Darkness, coldness, and a ringing in Lu Ran’s head. This teleportation was particularly dizzying, but he managed to open his eyes with difficulty. Before him was a massive, unidentified tree bearing some unknown red fruits.

Looking around, he found himself in a courtyard styled after ancient architecture. The luxurious, antique courtyard seemed unfamiliar. Nearby were five people around his age: three males and two females.

By the time Lu Ran opened his eyes, the others were still unconscious. He took a closer look and realized he didn’t know any of the five people around him. But that wasn’t the most crucial part鈥”the key point was that they were all in the same place!

Typically, those matched for a breakthrough secret realm are teleported to different locations since they are competitors.

What was going on this time?

Soon, a young man in a green expedition outfit opened his eyes and saw Lu Ran observing him with interest.

“Where is this? What’s happening?” he blurted out, clearly confused by the surroundings.

Lu Ran remained silent, continuing to wait for Infinite City’s prompt.

As the young man spoke, the other four began to wake up.

One of them, dressed in casual clothing, looked like a college student. Upon waking, he cautiously scanned his surroundings and was equally surprised to find himself among beastmasters from Infinite City.

A woman, appearing to be in her late twenties and dressed like a successful professional, wore an exquisite, custom-made black dress, exuding the aura of a socialite.

While these two were harder to identify, the last two were easier to judge. One man was wearing a doctor’s white coat, suggesting he was probably a veterinarian. However, no serious person would wear a white coat into a secret realm unless it was a specially customized piece of supernatural equipment…

The last girl was quite striking. She was dressed in armor, with white pieces covering her chest, forearms, shins, and shoulders, leaving her smooth abdomen and thighs exposed. She looked very unique, like a Valkyrie straight out of an anime, an outfit sure to catch any otaku’s eye.

Beneath her short black hair, her lively eyes scanned the group. Unlike the others who seemed cautious, her eyes were full of confidence. She and Lu Ran were the only ones who appeared composed.

Before the six could exchange words, a familiar voice echoed.

[Teleportation complete.]

[Current location: Star-Moon Continent  Beast Taming Empire  Tianlan Province  Ning Chuan (novice breakthrough secret realm)]

[Era introduction: Shortly after the death of the first Beast Taming King of the Beast Taming Empire, various species coveted the empire’s territory. However, they feared the contingencies left by the First Emperor, preventing them from making any reckless moves.

Without top-level combat power, the Beast Taming Empire faced both internal and external threats. Coupled with a bloody rise to power that seemed to anger the gods, leading to continuous natural disasters, the empire refrained from waging large-scale wars. Hence, the second generation emperor, Yan Sizhen, focused heavily on agricultural development, gradually stabilizing the empire.

While advancing agriculture, Yan Sizhen also promoted mining. Thanks to the development of both agriculture and mining, he founded the ‘Culinary System’ and the ‘Forging System,’ earning the titles of ‘Culinary Patriarch’ and ‘Forging Patriarch’ of the Beast Taming Empire.

Special cuisines could bring incredible power boosts to beastmasters and their pet beasts, and equipment made from specially-forged minerals could arm them to be even more formidable.

Under Yan Sizhen’s rule, despite continuous natural and man-made disasters, the Beast Taming Empire grew even stronger instead of declining.

Currently, in the Beast Taming Era year 265, Yan Sizhen has been deceased for many years. To commemorate his achievements, the Beast Taming Empire established the ‘Gourmet Hunter Association.’ With the motto, ‘All professions are inferior, only chefs are superior,’ many beastmasters have mastered culinary skills. They can dramatically enhance the nutritional value of hunted ingredients through exquisite cooking techniques.

The empire controls the mines and the forging system, while culinary manship flourishes among the populace. Gourmet hunting has become the preferred occupation for beastmasters.]

[Breakthrough task: Pass the superior chef assessment of the Gourmet Hunter Association.]

[Prompt ①: In the Beast Taming Empire, chefs and cuisine levels are divided into Ordinary, Advanced, Special-Grade, and Exquisite.

Ordinary Cuisine: Ingredients are processed to improve taste without losing nutritional value.

Advanced Cuisine: Ingredients are processed and paired to enhance both taste and nutritional value.

Special-Grade Cuisine: Ingredients are processed and paired to significantly enhance both taste and nutritional value. To create special-grade cuisine, either high-quality ingredients or exceptional culinary skills are required.

Exquisite Cuisine: A dreamlike dish that currently only a few chefs can cook. Exquisite-level dishes possess the ‘Soul of the Food,’ bringing unimaginable benefits to the consumer.]

[Prompt ②: This secret realm is a historical projection. Lifeforms within it cannot be taken out or contracted.]

[Prompt ③: The secret realm will close in 30 days. Rewards upon return will vary based on the challenger’s task completion.]

[Prompt ④: Challengers are temporarily granted legal local identities, proficiency in the current world’s human language, and their clothing and pet beast species will not arouse suspicion.]

[Prompt ⑤: As a novice benefit, challengers temporarily obtain the Eye of Data, which can scout resources and biological information within the secret realm.]

[Prompt ⑥: …]

A series of prompts left Lu Ran and the others with bewildered expressions.

Did they hear it right??

The breakthrough task was to become a superior chef???

What a joke.

The confidence that Lu Ran and the sexy Armored Lady had in their abilities vanished instantly, replaced by stunned expressions.

“Damn it! All my preparations for nothing!” the Armored Lady exclaimed in frustration, “Why the hell did we end up in a breakthrough secret realm made for lifestyle beastmasters!!”

“Holy crap.” The man in the white coat was equally shocked. “Does this mean we don’t have to compete against each other in this breakthrough secret realm? As long as we complete the task, everyone can ascend? Wait, what if the slots for superior chefs are limited…?”

“Miss, are you the top-ranked on the Divine Beast Leaderboard of Infinite City No.5…” The socialite woman softly addressed the Armored Lady, feeling she looked familiar. Could she be Sister White Tiger from Infinite City No.5?

“Seriously, I thought this would be a tough task like hunting a boss, but now it’s about cooking. I only know how to make Julienne Potatoes and egg fried rice.” The young man in the expedition outfit was exasperated. “Wait, does grilling meat count? But I always burn it. It probably doesn’t even qualify as Ordinary Cuisine…”

As everyone expressed their confusion, Lu Ran felt equally speechless. Great, was he following in Master Lin’s footsteps?

He recalled that Master Lin initially was a combat beastmaster but ended up in a breakthrough secret realm that required forging equipment. And now, he was in a breakthrough secret realm that required becoming a chef.

What a scam. He had planned to exceed the breakthrough task and earn extra rewards. Now what?

He, the King of Green Sea, the top of the Divine Beast Leaderboard, a genius personally approved by the First Generation big shot, wouldn’t fail in a novice breakthrough secret realm… would he?