King of Beasts

Under General Ha’s licking, it didn’t take long for the Sudden Death King to fake death again.

All because it didn’t want a bath in dog saliva.

And General Ha? He just wanted to figure out what that tingling sensation was after touching the Sudden Death King…

“Thunder-type?”

Lu Ran pondered on the side. It wasn’t unusual for signs to show up early if it was close to being a Commander Species.

When there’s time… just test it with an Attribute Stone to know for sure.

If it’s thunder-type, that’s pretty good, seeing as it’s known for having the strongest destructive power.

At this moment, the Sudden Death King felt peculiar.

It sensed a tremendous power hidden within itself. But despite the strength, its personality wasn’t something that could simply change; it stared blankly at the human and dog before it, not daring to move.

The intelligence of lizards wasn’t low, and after evolution, there was an added sharpness in the eyes of the Sudden Death King.

“Let’s set some ground rules,” Lu Ran said, looking at it. He knew he couldn’t let it roam freely anymore.

The Sudden Death King probably had no idea that its combat ability now was comparable to that of lions or tigers.

It might look small, but if it unleashed its full strength and speed, the effect would be terrifying. Especially given its small size, it could be more threatening than a lion or tiger. If it set its sights on you, you might not even know how you died.

Sneaking into rooms for an assassination… would be way too easy.

Of course, that’s just an example. Given the Sudden Death King’s nature, apart from being a bit more proactive during hunting, it was otherwise quite peaceful…

“From now on, your range of activity is still this house, and you’re not allowed to go out on your own. Your food will be prepared for you, and you must not touch anything else in the house.”

The previous Sudden Death King running around the house didn’t have much impact since it was very weak. But now, if it started to dismantle the home, it could probably do it quickly, possibly causing accidents like a fire.

“Wow ka.” The Sudden Death King didn’t understand; hadn’t it always been this way?

“Remember this, behave and obey, or I’ll make sure you experience sudden death for real,” Lu Ran threatened, startling the Sudden Death King so much that its eyes bulged, and it played dead again.

When dealing with animals and pets, it’s important not to anthropomorphize them. Sometimes letting them know who’s boss is more effective than a heart-to-heart.

“Phew…” Lu Ran scratched his head. Well, that would do for now. He then called Fang Lan.

The call connected quickly.

“You’re out!!!” Fang Lan exclaimed with surprise. “It’s not easy, our cultivation fanatic even knows to come home.”

“Don’t let your reputation in Infinite City get so bad that you try to give me a nickname too,” Lu Ran said. “I’m diligent and ambitious!”

“Hmph.”

“Are godfather and godmother at home tonight?”

“Yes, they are.”

“How about we go out for dinner?” Lu Ran asked.

“Sure, I’ll call them. What do you want to eat?”

“Sichuan or Hunan cuisine?” Lu Ran suggested. After eating with General Ha for the past few days, his taste had become a bit bland.

“Ok ok,” Fang Lan agreed. “I’ll choose the restaurant. See you then.”

After hanging up the phone, Lu Ran picked up the Sudden Death King and put it in his pocket, saying, “You’re coming out with me today to see how well you can adapt to the outside environment. Let me know if you feel uncomfortable anywhere. If you can adapt well, I’ll gradually increase your range of activities.”

“Woof, woof, woof!” In the living room, General Ha, who was lying on the carpet playing with his toys, looked up. Why, why couldn’t his range of activities be expanded?

“You’re too big and might scare the elderly and children. Without me by your side, you’re not allowed to move around alone. Be obedient,” Lu Ran said.

After being tamed, General Ha was very sensible, but Lu Ran still kept him on a leash every time they went for a walk.

Is it a fault to be big?

General Ha was stunned, then looked at the Sudden Death King peeking out of the pocket.

So small, not cute at all.

He would remember this grudge.

Sudden Death King: ???

…

That evening, outside a Hunan cuisine restaurant.

Lu Ran arrived early. After a while, a yellow taxi pulled up to the curb.

Inside, a middle-aged man wearing glasses and a woman with a scholarly aura were the first to get out of the car.

Following them, Fang Lan, who had undergone a transformation, also got out.

Just as she had said… her hair was now dyed purple. With a loose side ponytail, a couple of strands of bangs framing her face, and red diamond-shaped earrings that resembled a snake, she looked quite stylish.

Additionally, she wore a black high-collar slim-fit knit sweater with vertical stripes, and a black A-line skirt with a belt that accentuated her figure. Her dark aura was particularly striking, fitting the image of the Five Poisons Cult Holy Maiden perfectly.

“Godfather, godmother, Fang Lan, over here.” Lu Ran called out as he spotted them.

Hearing Lu Ran’s voice, the three headed over.

“Lu Ran, you’ve finally left Infinite City; we’ve all been worried about you,” Mother Fang, Su Ya, said with relief upon seeing that Lu Ran was as whole as before, with no missing limbs.

“Ha…ha… Sorry for making you worry,” Lu Ran said sheepishly, scratching his head.

“It’s understandable, it’s the age to be playful, we can’t control Fang Lan either,” Father Fang, Fang Yuhang, sighed as he first looked towards Fang Lan.

After Fang Lan had transformed herself like this, he nearly had a myocardial infarction and almost created a new account out of shock.

But after getting accustomed to it, he thought… his daughter was beautiful regardless.

Father Fang then turned to Lu Ran and asked, “Lu Ran, what are your plans for the future? Are you planning to become a Beastmaster?”

Since the dawn of the Beast Taming era, the occupation of Beastmaster has become one of the hottest careers, coveted by countless young people.

“Yes,” Lu Ran said. “Godfather, godmother, let’s go inside and talk.”

“I’m starving, let’s go in and order,” Fang Lan chuckled on the side. Ha, today it was Lu Ran’s turn to be nagged.

Father Fang and Mother Fang were no simple figures either.

Both were graduates of Jinling University with doctoral degrees and had taught there. Father Fang and Lu Ran’s father were close friends.

As for now, the couple was running the largest pet hospital in Green Sea City.

So, like Lu Ran, Fang Lan, the daughter of the veterinary family, also had a pure Beast Taming background.

In the reserved private room, Mother Fang laid it out, “Your father and I know we can’t persuade you. If it were in the old industry, with our energy, we could help you somewhat, but this matter is too sudden, and no one knows what the future holds.”

“We’ve already said, you don’t need to worry about us,” Fang Lan said, exasperated. She was doing quite well with her own development.

“How could we not worry?” Father Fang frowned. “We haven’t told you yet, but your mother and I have contacted some connections in Jinling and have started studying pet beast pharmacology. Our hospital might even transition into a pet beast hospital in the future.”

“We might also take up teaching positions at Beast Taming University, learning and lecturing on the commonalities between external pharmacology and pet beast pharmacology.”

“We just hope that when you and Lu Ran’s pet beasts get injured, we can offer more help.”

“Ah???” Fang Lan was taken aback, and Lu Ran, who had been eating melon seeds on the side, was also surprised.

“What, you’re going to teach at Beast Taming University???” Fang Lan stood up. She wanted to say something but eventually sat down in resignation, saying, “Fine, whatever you want.”

How could she still not escape her parents, even at Beast Taming University?

“Um, thanks, godfather and godmother,” Lu Ran said, touching his nose. He could feel their good intentions, but it seemed that he and General Ha might not need doctors.

That was not quite right, actually. The Divine Deer pendant could not cure toxins and other abnormal states for now; it could only heal physical injuries!

Looking at it that way, a strong medical support was still needed.

“Cough cough, Lu Ran, and Fang Lan, but we’re just ordinary people. Even if we study pet beast pharmacology, we might not be able to delve too deeply into it. You could help us inquire if there’s a faster way to become beastmasters…” Suddenly, Father Fang coughed and said.

Fang Lan and Lu Ran were now high-potential newcomer beastmasters at Infinite City No.3. In the future, they were bound to come into contact with some influential figures, like Dr. Gu, and they might gain access to more advanced information. Therefore, Father Fang entrusted them with this task.

“Your dad, he dreams of becoming a beastmaster,” Mother Fang said with disdain. “At his age, he’s still like a child.”

“What do you know,” Father Fang retorted with a glare.

As the two of them were about to start arguing, Lu Ran and Fang Lan felt overwhelmed. Fang Lan quickly interjected, “By the way, my birthday is next month. Have you all prepared your gifts?”

“Birthday…”

Fang Lan suddenly changed the subject, which didn’t seem to affect Father Fang and Mother Fang, but Lu Ran was suddenly startled.

“Hmm?” Fang Lan turned towards a visibly surprised Lu Ran and said, “You didn’t forget my birthday, did you?”

“Your birthday is still a while away, wait a second, it’s already the middle of August now, isn’t it…” Lu Ran suddenly froze, saying, “Oh no, I think I missed something important.”

“What?” Fang Lan looked at him puzzled.

Lu Ran forced a smile: “A few days ago, it was my master’s 60th birthday. I was planning to visit him since it’s been so long, but I completely forgot because of all the beastmaster stuff.”

“My master really helped me out when my parents passed away.”

Father Fang asked, “Are you talking about the master from Jinling who taught you swordsmanship when you were a child? I remember, it’s called Rainbow Heaven Dojo, right?”

“Yes.” Lu Ran scratched his head frantically and said, “I have to make a trip to Jinling in a couple of days to make up for it.”

“You should definitely visit him and explain the situation; your master will be very happy to see you,” Mother Fang said.

“Yeah,” Lu Ran nodded.

At that moment, Fang Lan said teasingly, “Do you think if your master knew you taught the swordsmanship he taught you to an Erha, he might expel you from the school…”

Lu Ran: ???

“Uh.” Father Fang and Mother Fang also looked at Lu Ran, wondering if he was still planning to visit.

…

Rainbow Heaven Dojo has a long history and is quite famous in the region of Jiangnan. The current head, Jiang Dou, started visiting the major swordsmanship schools of Xia Country at the age of fourteen to challenge them. By the age of twenty-six, he claimed to have defeated all challengers in the country, then traveled abroad, and returned to his homeland at thirty.

It can be said that Rainbow Heaven Dojo is not only a leader in Jiangnan, but now it’s also a leading presence in the swordsmanship community across the entire country.

Lu Ran, who had been interested in swordsmanship since he was young, was sent to Rainbow Heaven Dojo by his parents who spent a lot of money to secure a place for him. As a child, Lu Ran showed great talent and was favored by Master Jiang Dou, who personally taught him.

Lu Ran was close to becoming the master’s last and most favored disciple.

However, Lu Ran, who was quite playful, fell in love with shooting and fatally asked his master a question:

“Master, if I were to duel with a gun in hand and you with a sword, who would be more formidable?”

The question left the master unsettled for a long time…

“Beyond seven steps, the gun is faster; within seven steps…”

“The sword is faster?” young Lu Ran naively asked.

“The gun is still faster and more accurate,” the master replied.

With that answer, Lu Ran turned away from his master and left to learn shooting.

Reflecting on this past, Lu Ran felt helpless about his childish “mischief” back then—how could he have been so heartless…

Fortunately, the old man wasn’t rigid. Although he regretted that Lu Ran didn’t continue on that path, he also knew that swordsmanship was just an obsolete art, no longer fitting for society.

Unexpectedly, after his parents passed away, Master Jiang Dou somehow got the news and came to visit him, even offering to take Lu Ran back to the dojo to look after him. But by then, Lu Ran’s heart was even less set on swordsmanship.

“Now, it’s because of beast taming that I’ve picked up swordsmanship again…”

That evening, Lu Ran booked a high-speed train ticket to Jinling, planning to leave the next morning.

“Hmm… Now that I’ve developed the ‘Beast Sword Momentum’, the old man should be delighted! He’ll surely understand that I missed his big birthday… As for teaching swordsmanship to an Erha… well, teaching knows no bounds!”