King of Beasts

Chapter 23: The Second Pet Beast

After ending the call with Gu Qingyi, Fang Lan exchanged a look with Lu Ran.

“National beast taming…”

“That was quick,” Lu Ran had not expected it at all.

Would the existence of Infinite City and beastmasters be announced so soon?

He thought there would be more time.

After all, he was like a beta tester now, even if it was the fourth test.

And once it’s announced, it would be like the game’s open beta.

Things would probably get even more competitive then.

They both glanced at the time—6:42 PM.

“The black card distribution hasn’t shown any signs of stopping…” Fang Lan said. “An early announcement could allow Xia Country to gain more beastmasters.”

“As for whether such supernatural events will cause any significant impact on the stability of existing societies, it doesn’t really matter anymore. After three years of exploration, every country must understand the importance of the occupation of a beastmaster.”

“Heh, that’s true. Nowadays, you graduate only to be unemployed, and finding a job is tough. Becoming a beastmaster and gathering resources in the secret realm seems like a viable path,” Lu Ran said with a laugh.

“Besides that, industries related to pets are about to boom.”

“Speaking of which, you should hurry and tell your parents to quit their current jobs and go all-in on a business venture in Infinite City. There are definitely opportunities there,” Lu Ran pondered, stroking his chin.

“Why? They’re quite old; how could they be chosen by the black card?” Fang Lan remarked.

“Starting a business in reality isn’t bad either, whether selling starter pet beasts or opening a hospital specialized for beastmasters,” Lu Ran shrugged. “But never mind, you’re not short on money anyway.”

“That’s not true. I’m short on crystal coins!” Fang Lan declared.

At that moment, Lu Ran’s phone rang.

Hmm… He hushed with a finger to his lips, signaling Fang Lan to keep quiet.

The caller: Xiaobailong.

Lu Ran thought for a moment and answered the call, having a pretty good idea of Xiaobailong’s intentions.

“Hey, Lu Ran, have you eaten yet? I heard from Officer Luo that after you handed over the tiger, you went straight back.”

Tiger? What tiger?

Fang Lan watched Lu Ran eagerly.

Ah, keeping secrets from me now!

“Haven’t eaten yet… By the way, what will happen to that tiger?”

Xiaobailong pondered for a moment and then said, “If it were an ordinary tiger that had eaten someone, it would definitely be put down immediately.”

“However, supernatural fierce beasts are too rare, so it will probably be sent to a special department for reformation and training, to see if it can have a chance to ‘make amends for its crimes’.”

“I did some digging, and it turns out that the keeper was very experienced. He specifically chose the healthiest contract, thinking he could tame it. But after being enhanced, a pet beast is in its hungriest, wildest awakening phase, and since they barely have any affection, it’s a tragedy waiting to happen.”

Lu Ran sighed. Thankfully, he hadn’t foolishly gone to the wildlife park looking for his first pet beast.

General Ha might be simple, but at least he’s obedient.

“What a pity,” Lu Ran lamented.

“Yeah… Oh, Lu Ran, about that thing you mentioned to me before, I think I can help you sort it out. I have some special connections that can help you with your academic issues.”

“When do you have time to come over so we can talk in detail?”

On the other end of the phone, Xiaobailong rubbed his hands covertly. After looking through Lu Ran’s information, he kind of understood why Lu Ran didn’t want to join any organizations—probably because of being sensitive about being an orphan.

No problem!

He’ll get Lu Ran to open up.

“Ah, I don’t want to go to Shanghai University anymore,” Lu Ran said.

Xiaobailong: ???

“Huh? Capital University works too, any domestic school, your choice!” Xiaobailong felt a twinge in his stomach. Why are these young people so fickle these days?

Lu Ran was surprised. Although Xiaobailong was just a member of the Newcomer Recruitment Department, he seemed to have strong connections.

“Not going to any of them. Someone just recommended that I go to Beast Taming University. It seems they’re going to start enrolling students in the next two months.”

“Beast Taming University?” Xiaobailong was astonished. He had never heard of it. What was that?

“Are you sure you’re not being scammed? Beast Taming University… I’ve never heard of it. Who told you this?”

“Gu Qingyi, Dr. Gu, do you know her?”

“Gu Qingyi… Dr. Gu…” Xiaobailong fell into thought.

A moment later, his eyes widened.

“Is it the Dr. Gu I’m thinking of? The first-generation beastmaster?”

“You know her?” Xiaobailong was shocked.

He had heard of this person, Gu Qingyi, the first-generation beastmaster of Xia Country, and one of the thirteen most powerful and active beastmasters in Xia’s strongest tier.

It could be said that Dr. Gu’s status in the Beast Taming circles of Xia Country was incomparable, even superior to that of his boss’s boss.

Lu Ran, acquainted with such a figure?

Suddenly, Xiaobailong remembered Lu Ran’s background. Both of Lu Ran’s parents were well-known zoologists and, considering their age, could very well be considered predecessors to Dr. Gu academically, making it entirely possible that they knew each other!

This… Xiaobailong was stunned. He had assumed Lu Ran was a wild card, but it turned out, he had a hidden big shot?

“Ahem, someone in my family knows her,” Lu Ran said, glancing at Fang Lan.

Every word was the truth.

But he had the feeling that Xiaobailong had misunderstood something.

Nevertheless, he could tell that Dr. Gu was indeed a very important person.

“I… I understand.”

“By the way, where do I need to register? I hope I don’t have to leave the province,” Lu Ran asked.

“Give me a moment, I’ll consult with leadership…” Xiaobailong was sweating profusely, feeling that the chance of recruiting Lu Ran was becoming slim.

Soon after, the call between Lu Ran and Xiaobailong ended.

As soon as the call was over, Fang Lan immediately turned to Lu Ran and asked, “What tiger? What’s going on?”

“It was just when I took General Ha out for a walk, I came across an escaped Manchurian Chinchilla from the zoo and helped the police handle it. Just a small matter,” Lu Ran said nonchalantly.

Fang Lan replied, “Let’s not talk about that now. I just noticed that there’s a lot of information about the black card online now, you should take a look.”

“Ah? They’re not deleting it this time?” Lu Ran said. “That makes sense, it’s about to be announced officially anyway, so there’s no need to delete it. That poster with the pet beast cat, I had originally wanted to add him as a friend to ask for some details, but the officials were quick to delete the post.”

“Cough cough cough,” Fang Lan said a bit sheepishly, “About that post… I might have casually reported it and contacted the admin to delete it…”

Lu Ran: ???

It was you!

At that moment, Lu Ran also took out his phone. Online, there was a fair amount of information about the black card, although not too much.

The information was primarily circulating in forums related to “supernatural events,” “pets,” and “animals.”

For instance, when Lu Ran entered an animal forum, he came across a post like this:

Brothers, I need help!

Post content: If every animal on Blue Star had the chance to undergo a supernatural evolution, which one would be the most powerful?

My mom bought a bag of mantis shrimps this afternoon for dinner tonight, and I heard that a mantis shrimp can throw 100 punches in one second and produce lightning. Sounds strong, right?

Comments below: Don’t test the waters, did you also get a black card? I advise you to stay calm. It’s better to find a reliable pet beast, don’t be clever.

If you contract with a weak one, then it’s game over. Check out the pinned post, there’s a strategy guide posted by a big shot, read it 100 times.

Lu Ran: …

He switched to another forum.

Damn it!

Post content: Why is there information about contract cards all over the internet? I thought I was the only one…

Speaking of which, is there a big shot who can guide me on what pet beast I should contract with? I only have a turtle at home, is that contractable?

I’m soft, lightweight, easy to knock over, a master at serving tea and pouring water. Is there a big shot willing to mail me a loong egg?

Comments below: A loong egg? Wishful thinking. Having a turtle is not bad; maybe it will evolve into a Xuanwu one day.

I have a Border Collie that I just took to get neutered. Do I dare to contract with it? Do I dare? The way it looks at me, it seems like it wants to kill me.

Lu Ran: …

What a talent.

It seemed that with the increase in related information online, people who had received black cards were not hiding their experiences but were actively asking questions.

Lu Ran noticed that the posts had all suddenly appeared today, suggesting that the number of people selected today must have increased significantly compared to yesterday.

And some tutorial posts, Lu Ran sensed a strong official flavor to them.

“Do you have any ideas for your second pet beast?” Lu Ran asked Fang Lan, who was also looking at her phone.

Fang Lan nodded and looked at Lu Ran: “I’m thinking of choosing a snake.”

She revealed an excited expression: “Since they can evolve indefinitely, I want to raise a loong!”

Lu Ran covered his forehead and smiled.

“Good idea, we’re on the same page.”

“Frankly, now that supernatural beings have appeared, it stands to reason that fantasy creatures like loong could exist too,” Lu Ran mused.

“I’d regret not making a contract with one.”

“Huh, you’re interested too?” Fang Lan asked, surprised.

Lu Ran shrugged and said, “But I hate snakes, and fish seem inconvenient. Maybe I’ll see if I can evolve a western giant dragon first, but that’s after I get a second contract card.”

“The birthday gift you gave me is still lying around at home. A lizard and a giant dragon seem quite related; they might be on the same evolutionary chain.”

“Ah, the red-eyed eagle lizard hasn’t been killed by your care yet?”

Lu Ran replied helplessly, “What are you talking about? I’m a pet expert, but indeed, that one has some issues with its personality. It’s too timid. It plays dead with just one look from General Ha, no communication possible. Forget it, I might as well change to another.”

…

In Shanghai.

Xiaobailong immediately made a call to his supervisor, Leader Zhao.

“Bai Junjie? What’s up?” Leader Zhao asked.

“Leader, that student Lu Ran seems to be noticed by others ahead of us.”

“Do you know about Beast Taming University? He seems to have been recommended to attend there.”

“What?” Leader Zhao was confused and said, “I know about Beast Taming University… the alliance is currently organizing it. Who… isn’t he an orphan? Weren’t you the first to contact him?”

Xiaobailong replied, “I don’t know either, but he knows Gu Qingyi. It seems to be a family connection… that Dr. Gu, the one from the official strategy team.”

Leader Zhao was a bit displeased at first, but upon hearing the name Gu Qingyi, he fell silent.

“Goodness… a top-tier Beast Taming legacy.”

“I see, in that case, forget about Lu Ran. It might be that Dr. Gu is looking to build her own team. Therefore, there’s no need to bother with Lu Ran anymore.”

Leader Zhao on the other end of the phone shook his head.

“By the way, Xiaobailong, Beast Taming University wants some people to set up an admissions office. This is a rare opportunity; are you interested in going?”

“Ah?” Xiaobailong was startled. Was this a promotion?

“Don’t hesitate, it’s a good thing. According to internal information, the First Bureau, Second Bureau, and others are going to be disbanded in a few days, and there will be a major reshuffle of positions. I expect to be transferred elsewhere as well. Compared to other positions, Beast Taming University definitely offers more prospects for development.”

“I’ll go, Leader Zhao… thank you.” Xiaobailong was overjoyed, but then it hit him that this meant he would have to deal with Lu Ran again.