Chapter 23 - The Second Familiar
Fang Lan ended her call with Gu Qingyi and exchanged glances with Lu Ran.
"The era of beastmasters…"
"It arrived so soon.”
Are they already going to announce the existence of Limitless City and beastmasters?
Lu Ran had thought they would give it more time.
After all, he was essentially a beta tester, though only a fourth-generation one, and the “game” he was testing was being released publicly. Competition was about to ramp up very quickly.
They both glanced at the time. It was 6:42 PM—less than an hour and a half before the public announcement.
"Well, black cards haven’t stopped appearing," Fang Lan said.
"The Xia Empire will get more beastmasters the sooner the announcement. After three years of study, every nation now surely understands the importance of beastmasters. They’re willing to accept the momentary social disruption and instability this supernatural event will cause.”
"On top of that, these days, graduation means unemployment, given how few opportunities there are. Gathering resources in secret realms as a beastmaster isn’t a bad career path. Oh, I guess the pet industry is going to explode too. Maybe you should tell your parents to quit their jobs and start a new business in Limitless City.”
Lu Ran laughed, stroking his chin.
"No way. They're too old to be chosen by black cards," Fang Lan said.
Lu Ran shrugged.
"There’ll be plenty of demand on the Blue Planet too for things like selling initial pets or places like veterinary hospitals for beastmasters. Granted, you’re not short on money.”
"No, I need crystal coins!"
Amidst this sibling banter, Lu Ran’s phone began ringing. He shushed Fang Lan, indicating for her to keep quiet. It was White Dragon.
Lu Ran had an inkling of what White Dragon would say and picked up.
"Hey, Pedestrian A, have you eaten yet? Officer Luo said you handed over the tiger and then went straight home."
Tiger? What tiger?
Fang Lan stared at Lu Ran with wide eyes.
What else haven’t you told me!?
"Not yet... What will happen to that tiger?" Lu Ran asked.
White Dragon sighed.
"If it were an ordinary tiger that ate humans, it would be killed. However, with how rare Transcendent Beasts are, it’ll probably be sent to a special taming department for a chance at redemption.
“Apparently, the animal keeper was very experienced and chose the strongest tiger to contract with, thinking he could tame it. But a newly awakened beast is the hungriest. Those two didn’t have any emotional bonds either, so it led to this tragedy.”
Thankfully, I didn’t go to the wild animal park for my first contract, Lu Ran thought.
Though goofy, Captain Doofus was obedient.
"What a shame," Lu Ran lamented.
"Yes... By the way, Pedestrian A, I think I can help you with what you mentioned before. I have some special connections that can help with the issue of your studies. Come drop by when you have a chance. We can go over some details and get you registered.”
White Dragon rubbed his hands together. After looking at Lu Ran's profile, he believed Lu Ran didn’t want to join any organization because of trauma growing up as an orphan.
Well, that was no problem! He would guide Lu Ran through emotional recovery.
"I don't want to go to Mystic University anymore," Lu Ran replied.
What!?
"How about Imperial Capital University, then? Pick any university in the country!"
White Dragon’s head was starting to hurt. The youths these days were so fickle!
Lu Ran was surprised. White Dragon had quite the connections for a Newcomer Recruitment Department employee.
"I won’t need to anymore. Someone just recommended I go somewhere called Beastmaster University. Seems like enrollment will start in the next few months,” Lu Ran said.
"Beastmaster University?" White Dragon was astonished.
"Is that a scam? I’ve never heard of it. Who recommended that school to you?"
"Dr. Gu Qingyi. Do you know her?"
"Dr. Gu Qingyi…" White Dragon started thinking.
After a moment, his eyes widened.
"That Gu Qingyi? The first-generation beastmaster? You know her!?"
White Dragon was shocked. Gu Qingyi was a first-generation beastmaster of the Xia Empire. She was one of the thirteen most powerful beastmasters currently active on the front lines! Even his superiors’ superior’s status couldn’t come close to Dr. Gu’s.
Lu Ran knew such a person?
White Dragon recalled Lu Ran's background. Both of his parents had been renowned zoologists and senior in age to Dr. Gu in the academic world. He suddenly realized that it was, in fact, possible for them to know each other!
White Dragon had thought Lu Ran was an orphan, but it turned out that he had hidden connections!
"Uh, through a family acquaintance."
Lu Ran glanced at Fang Lan. It was true, but he felt White Dragon might have misunderstood something.
However, Lu Ran now understood that this Dr. Gu was indeed a major figure.
"I-I see."
"By the way, where do I register? Do I need to travel?" Lu Ran asked.
"Hold on, I'll check with my superiors..."
White Dragon was sweating. He felt that the chances of recruiting Lu Ran were becoming slimmer and slimmer.
Soon after, Lu Ran and White Dragon ended the call.
Fang Lan immediately turned to Lu Ran and demanded, "What tiger? What is this?"
"I was out walking Captain Doofus and encountered an escaped Northeastern Tiger from the zoo. I helped the police handle it. It was no big deal," Lu Ran said nonchalantly.
Fang Lan responded, "Forget it... Anyway, I just noticed that there's a lot of information about the black cards online now. Take a look."
"Really? They aren't deleting it this time?" Lu Ran questioned. "Well, I guess that makes sense. With the announcement coming, there’s no point in deleting it. I was going to add the person who contracted the cat as a friend to ask some questions, but the post was deleted too quickly."
Fang Lan coughed guiltily.
"I may have been the one to report it to the admins."
It was you!? Lu Ran thought.
He also searched on his phone and found some information about the black card. Most of the discussion was about supernatural events, pets, and animals.
For example, on an animal forum, Lu Ran found the following post:
[Brothers, I need help! If every animal on the Blue Planet had a chance to transcend, which would be the strongest? My mom bought a bag of roasted shrimp this afternoon for dinner, and that got me thinking—wouldn’t a mantis shrimp that can punch a hundred times a second and release lightning be super powerful!?]
A commenter replied in the thread.
[Don’t try to hide it. You got a black card, too, right? It’s best not to take risks. Choose a pet you trust; there is no need to show off. However, if your contracted beast isn’t strong, you’re done for. The pinned post is a guide written by a veteran. Read it a hundred times.]
Lu Ran was speechless. He then switched to another forum.
[Damn it! Why is there information about the contract cards everywhere online? I thought I was the only one… Why can’t I be the main character!? Oh, is there anyone experienced who can show me the ropes? What animal should I contract? I only have a tortoise at home. Should I contract with it? I'm a scrawny imp who’s only good at serving tea and water. Can someone send me a dragon egg?]
[Dragon egg? Keep dreaming. Making a tortoise your familiar is fine. Maybe it'll evolve into the legendary Black Tortoise. I have a Border Collie, but I just had it neutered. Do I dare to contract with it? Heck no. It looks at me like it wants me dead.]
…What a mess.
With all this information online, black card recipients appeared more than willing to share their experiences and ask questions. Lu Ran noticed there were a lot more new posts today than yesterday. This likely meant that more people were receiving black cards.
Lu Ran also suspected that some of the tutorial posts came from the government.
"Do you have any ideas for what you want as your second familiar?" Lu Ran asked Fang Lan, who was also browsing her phone.
Fang Lan nodded animatedly.
"I think I'll choose a snake. Since familiars can evolve infinitely, maybe it’ll become a dragon!"
Lu Ran smacked his forehead and laughed.
"Great minds think alike. Well, since there are extraordinary beasts, fantasy creatures like dragons must exist too. Not contracting one feels like a missed opportunity."
"You want one too?" Fang Lan was surprised.
Lu Ran shrugged.
"Nah, I hate snakes. Contracting a fish seems inconvenient too. Maybe I'll try for a Western dragon, but that’ll have to wait until I get a second contract card. The birthday gift you gave me is still at home. Lizards and dragons are close enough, so maybe the lizard can evolve into a dragon."
"Oh? The Red-eyed Crocodile skink hasn't died yet?"
Lu Ran sighed. "Of course not. I'm a pet-raising expert. But its timid nature might be a problem. One look from Captain Doofus, and it plays dead, and it’s too hard to communicate with it. I think I’ll go with something else."
***
Back in Mystic City, White Dragon was calling his superior, Chief Zhao.
"Bai Junjie? What's up?" Chief Zhao asked.
"Team Leader Zhao, it seems that someone else has approached Lu Ran. Have you heard of Beastmaster University? He was recommended to go there."
"What?" Team Leader Zhao was confused.
"I know about Beastmaster University... The Alliance is currently setting it up. But who? Isn't he an orphan? I thought you were the first to contact him."
White Dragon muttered, "I don't know either, but it appears he knows Gu Qingyi from a family connection... Yes, the Dr. Gu of the government’s Special Forces.”
Initially, Chief Zhao was slightly displeased, but he fell silent at Gu Qingyi’s name.
"Wow... he’s completely set to be a beastmaster." Chief Zhao shook his head in amazement.
"Alright, then. Maybe Dr. Gu wants to build her own team. In that case, we don't need to worry about Lu Ran. Anyways, Little White, Beastmaster University needs a few people to set up an admissions office. It’s a rare opportunity. Do you want to go?"
"Huh?" Surfing White Dragon was stunned.
Is this considered a promotion?
"Don't hesitate. This is a good thing. I heard some internal rumors that the first and second divisions would disband in a few days and go through reorganization. I’ll probably be transferred elsewhere. You’ll have more potential for growth at Beastmaster University than with other teams."
"I'll go, Team Leader Zhao…! Thank you."
White Dragon was overjoyed. He then realized he'd be dealing with Lu Ran again.
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