King of Beasts

Meanwhile.

In the palace of the Imperial City.

The seventh princess of the royalty, as per usual in the evening, visited a hall to greet her mother.

As soon as she entered, she noticed that her father was also present.

“Greeting Father, greeting Mother,” the seventh princess said with a bow.

“Seven, there’s no need for formalities when there’s no one else around,” said a robust, dignified-looking middle-aged man whose dark hair showed a hint of weariness in his eyes.

This was Yun Hao, the sixth emperor of the Beast Taming Empire, who ascended to the throne with legendary abilities at the age of just 20.

His name is well-documented in history books, being the disciple of the fifth emperor of the Beast Taming Empire, with exceptional natural talent. By 19, he had become a legendary beastmaster, excelling in both literature and martial arts.

After much consideration, the fifth emperor, nearing the end of his life, decided not to pass the throne to his own offspring. Despite his children being remarkable, they still fell short compared to his disciple.

Moreover, being an orphan, Yun Hao was like an adopted son to the fifth emperor, sharing a bond akin to a real father and son apart from the lack of blood relation. Ultimately, the fifth emperor passed the throne to Yun Hao.

Shortly after ascending to the throne, Yun Hao did not disappoint, advancing to level 8 epic, but the long-peaceful empire then faced invasions from the four ferocious beast empires.

Yun Hao’s reign as emperor was far from easy.

Most of his combat pets had been sent to the front lines, leaving only one to protect him and remain with him in the Imperial City.

“Gong’er, come here quickly,” the empress said fondly, waving to the seventh princess. Wearing a beautiful dress and exuding an aristocratic elegance, the seventh princess immediately adopted a playful demeanor, smiling as she sat down.

“Father, you seem to be in declining health. Is there any way I can help? Why not send me to the front lines?” the seventh princess asked her father.

“With your limited skills, you would only be a liability for the generals on the front lines,” Yun Hao replied. “It’s not the right time for that…”

“Let’s not talk about this. I heard from your mother that you went to see the Yan family’s girl today.”

“Yes, Yingying came up with a new dish and wanted me to try it… Oh, Father, we were about to go out shopping when I stumbled upon something unusual.”

“Oh, what was it?” Both Emperor Yun and the Empress looked intrigued.

“A young man came to the Yan Mansion, claiming he was here for ancestral recognition, saying he was a bloodline left outside by the late Emperor Yan Sizhen.”

“Haha…” Yun Hao chuckled and said, “How many romantic entanglements did Emperor Yan have? Even after centuries, there’s still a steady stream of bloodlines returning…”

The Empress gently pinched Yun Hao, who quickly assured her, “Don’t worry, I would never do such a thing.”

“So what happened next? Was the boy genuine or not? It’s not uncommon for people to suddenly claim ties to prominent families these days.”

Yun Gong’er said earnestly, “He seems to be genuine. The young man… demonstrated Yan Sizhen’s signature beast taming skill, the Flame Sprite.”

“Moreover, that Flame Sprite seemed to have reached the second stage, successfully evolving after absorbing a dragon form strange flame.”

“That level… even within the Yan Clan, few legendary figures have likely achieved it.”

“Hmm…” After the seventh princess spoke, Yun Hao looked momentarily stunned and said, “The second stage Flame Sprite, huh? That’s quite impressive. After so many years, someone else can cultivate the Flame Sprite to Yan Sizhen’s standard.”

“Seems the Yan Family really got lucky, having a genius drop into their lap out of the blue.”

“Sigh.” Although he initially said they shouldn’t discuss state affairs, Emperor Yun couldn’t help but look troubled.

As a newly appointed emperor, Yun Hao mainly had the support of the past emperor’s family, but he couldn’t entirely mobilize the other established imperial clans like the Yan Clan.

This led to his lineage bearing the brunt of the current war efforts.

Gaining the full support of the major imperial clans was a complex challenge. Each clan had different needs, and they weren’t necessarily united internally, making it extremely difficult to maintain balance.

“Since you’re close with the Yan family’s girl, see if you can find out what the Yan Family plans to do with that young man.”

“Alright.”

The seventh princess took her leave, but her mind was abuzz with thoughts.

[The Yan Clan controls most of the empire’s fertile lands and mineral deposits, making it a very powerful imperial clan. The late Yan Sizhen is considered the originator of both culinary manship and forging manship. The empire’s stability back then was largely due to his two secondary professions.]

[Since this young man has perfectly inherited Emperor Yan Sizhen’s beast taming skill, he will undoubtedly become an important figure within the Yan Clan. If I can help Father win him over, he could potentially alleviate many burdens in the future.]

…

The next day.

Most of the Emperor Yan Family had learned about the outsider returning to the family and the upcoming ancestral recognition ceremony.

Before the recognition was finalized, Lu Ran continued to keep a low profile.

“Gong-Jie, what brings you here?” the next day, Yan Yingying planned to take Lu Ran on a tour of the Yan Mansion. But to her surprise, the seventh princess, Yun Gong’er, who had left yesterday, returned for a visit in the morning.

Yun Gong’er smiled at Yan Yingying and said, “Aren’t you pleased to see me?”

“Not at all!” Yan Yingying felt somewhat helpless. Her father had already told her that, until matters concerning Lu Ran were settled, she should avoid letting royalty or members of the major imperial clans come into contact with him.

But here was the seventh princess again…

“Gong-Jie, do you remember the young man from yesterday? Today, my father asked me to show him around the Yan Mansion.”

“That person, huh? Has it been confirmed that he’s also a beastmaster of the Yan Clan?” the seventh princess asked.

“Yes, unless something unexpected happens, the ancestral recognition ceremony will be held tomorrow,” Yan Yingying replied.

“I’m quite interested in the Flame Sprite as well, so why not let me join you in touring the Yan Mansion?” the seventh princess said with a beaming smile, looking at the third miss of the Yan Family. “Yingying, you invited me to try delicious food yesterday, surely you won’t mind my company today?”

“Not at all… Fine,” Yan Yingying conceded, thinking it couldn’t hurt to bring an extra person along.

Before long, Lu Ran was slightly taken aback when two stunning young women came to find him.

“Let me introduce you, sudden death king,” Yan Yingying said. “This is the seventh princess, whom we were with yesterday.”

“Seventh Princess,” Lu Ran said, bowing immediately upon hearing her title. He was taken aback, not expecting the girl who was with Yan Yingying yesterday to have such a royal status.

Royalty!

“No need for formalities. Is your name really ‘sudden death king’? What an unusual name,” the seventh princess remarked, finding it curious upon first hearing Lu Ran’s name.

“Haha… My parents gave me that name; there’s nothing I can do about it,” Lu Ran chuckled, scratching his head. Of course, it’s a lizard’s name; it’d be odd if it were normal.

“Though it’s odd, it’s quite catchy,” the seventh princess smiled slightly. “Sudden death king, is it? I’ve heard stories about Emperor Yan Sizhen from my father since I was young, and I’m very interested in second stage Flame Sprites.”

“Would it be possible for us to spar a bit?”

“Uh?” Lu Ran was surprised. “Spar?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Wait, wait.” Yan Yingying, hearing this, was taken aback.

Weren’t we just supposed to go for a tour? How did it turn into a match?

“I don’t mind…” Lu Ran had figured out that the seventh princess was likely trying to test his skills.

Since Lu Ran was already dissatisfied with the Lava Disaster Beast, he saw no harm in further interactions with royalty. He wouldn’t refuse the opportunity.

A test, huh?

Whatever you want to see, I’ll show you!

Give me a high price and lure me away.

Lu Ran wasn’t actually a descendant of the Yan Clan, so whether he mingled with the Emperor Yan Family or the royalty, it was all the same to him.

“Really??”

“Yingying, please, could you arrange it?” The seventh princess looked at Yan Yingying expectantly, clasping her small hands.

“I…” Yan Yingying was speechless.

What’s all this about?

“Then I must inform my father…” Yan Yingying said in despair.

Seeing no way out of the situation, she glanced upward helplessly. She was the one who initially intended to show Lu Ran around the Yan Mansion, but now they’re going to duel? Hopefully, it won’t complicate things further.

“Yingying, you go quickly; we’ll wait here,” the seventh princess released her hand and smiled.

“I… I’ll be quick.” Yan Yingying promptly went to report the situation, leaving only Lu Ran and the seventh princess on site.

“By the way, I’ve heard from Yingying that you’re about to undergo ancestral recognition,” the seventh princess said warmly. “Congratulations on becoming a beastmaster of the imperial clan. It’s something everyone envies, akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate. What are your aspirations for the future? With a Flame Sprite similar to Emperor Yan Sizhen’s, you could achieve great things in culinary manship, forging manship, or beast taming.”

“Compared to those, I hope to make better progress in beast taming,” Lu Ran replied with a smile. “I’ve come for the ancestral recognition in hopes that, with the family’s support, I can capture stronger pet beasts.”

“I see,” the seventh princess remarked, surprised.

“I also heard that the major imperial clans have opportunities to interact with the Guardian Sacred Beasts and even train alongside them. As royalty, have you ever trained with a Guardian Sacred Beast?” Lu Ran inquired.

The seventh princess smiled softly. “Of course.”

“Have you ever encountered legendary creatures?” Lu Ran asked.

“Hmm?” The seventh princess looked at Lu Ran, curious. “Why do you ask?”

Lu Ran hesitated for a moment and then said, “Oh, it’s just that I’m quite interested in legendary creatures…”

“My master once told me a legend,” he continued. “Long ago, when humans first developed beast taming abilities, their rise was rapid, which in turn provoked the wariness of many legendary divine beasts.”

“As a result, some legendary species changed the world’s rules and placed a curse on the human bloodline, preventing humans from breaking through to the legendary realm.”

“Only by defeating legendary creatures can humans lift the curse and change their fate.”

“My master spent his entire life pursuing the legendary realm, hoping one day to defeat legendary creatures. Unfortunately, he never achieved this goal before he passed away.”

“As his disciple, I intend to carry on his wish, hoping one day to match the legends as a mere mortal.”

“That’s also why I’m here with the Yan Clan, seeking opportunities to grow stronger…”

The seventh princess observed Lu Ran with a mixture of wonder and shock. His gaze was distant, revealing genuine emotion as he stared into the sky. She was deeply surprised by what he shared. Who is this guy, really? At first, she thought Lu Ran’s biggest aspiration might be to become a legendary beastmaster, but to think-Lu Ran actually aims to match the legends as a mortal?