The King of Beast Trainers

Chapter 40 - 35: Xianbao's Pig Farming_1

In the end, Lu Ran still told the pig farmer to wait for him at the arena.

The two seemed fated to cross paths, and since Mr. Husky had been through special training for so long, he certainly needed a whetstone to sharpen his skills.

Rock opponents were known for their defensive power, and he and Mr. Husky had yet to battle against one.

Plus, with the boars' thick skin and flesh, it would be like accumulating experience in dealing with Rock species in advance.

This time, Lu Ran did not plan to let Mr. Husky wield the Wind Meteor Sword in combat...

He intended to see if Mr. Husky could break through the opponent's defense with his own strength; if he couldn't, and the damage inflicted wasn't high, that would mean that the next phase of training should involve arranging energy compression techniques.

Pig farmer: "Thank you, boss, see you at the arena!"

At this moment, Lu Ran also left his exclusive room. He did not head straight for the arena, but first went to the Beast Training Plaza to buy food resources.

The food was the same old setup, but as for the Flowing Fruit, Lu Ran did not buy any more.

Originally, he had wanted to use the Flowing Fruit as his trump card for him and Mr. Husky to conquer the Secret Realm, but who would have guessed that just gobbling down five Flowing Fruits during regular training would allow Mr. Husky to master that kind of berserk energy flow state on his own...

What was the use of it then?

Maybe in the future he could look for resources with similar but stronger effects...

If you ask, it's because Mr. Husky likes them.

It's definitely not because it simplifies training.

After buying the ingredients, Lu Ran was ready to go to the arena, but on an impulse, he went to the center of the plaza and took a glance at the Divine Pet List.

After a week of fermenting, the names on the Divine Pet List had undergone major changes, like the Black Bear that was first on the list before but had now been pushed to tenth.

And there was Fang Lan, firmly in sixth place!

"[Listed Divine Pet, Race, Wolf Spider.]"

"[Attribute: Poison]"

"[Species Level: Advanced Extraordinary]"

"[Growth Level: 5]"

"[Beast Trainer: Saintess of the Five Poison Sect]"

"[Reason for listing: Evolved and mutated from an Abnormal Denver Wolf Spider, possesses a strong race and awakened powerful toxicity, bringing down a Level 8 High-Level Extraordinary Race · Thunder Attribute Alligator in the arena within three seconds.]"

"Amazing, amazing," Lu Ran couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing Fang Lan's accomplishments, the value of her achievements were indeed high.

Although Mr. Husky had overpowered an opponent four levels higher, it was only a Medium-Level Extraordinary Demon Cat and, moreover, it had relied on a weapon.

And Fang Lan's opponent... the Thunder Attribute Alligator, Lu Ran pondered for a moment, should be the Pig Dragon species, right?

In modern scientific terms, it's known as the Yangtze Alligator.

Huh, with the rise of Beast Trainers, all sorts of strange pet beasts are emerging.

Lu Ran recalled that he seemed to have even seen online a photo of a crocodile dressed in a maid's outfit. What fun.

It would have been a waste not to let them be Beast Trainers with that kind of talent...

Lu Ran continued to look and noticed that, currently, the ninth place on the Extraordinary Divine Pet List belonged to a pet beast that had evolved and mutated from a "Macaques." This beast's Species Level was the lowest, on par with Mr. Husky as a Medium-Level Extraordinary. The description on the list also praised its astonishing aptitude and capacity to overcome levels by comprehending Fire attribute skills.

"Monkeys are pretty smart animals. Could it be that a pet beast's learning aptitude is related to their level of intelligence before the contract?"

The intelligence level of canine species in the animal kingdom was quite commendable, and moreover, Mr. Husky had spent more than a year with Lu Ran. During that year, Lu Ran hadn't skimped on teaching it various things, so perhaps this early learning phase had contributed to some of Mr. Husky's post-evolution learning capacities.

However, what surprised Lu Ran the most at the moment was actually the third place on the Divine Pet List, even more so than the first.

The first place Divine Pet was a Level 9 Eagle, a Thunder Attribute bird of prey, known for its Destructive Power. Coupled with its ability to fly, it had many highlights in battle.

The second place was the previously mentioned Northeast Tiger, which had also progressed from Level 7 to Level 9.

But the third place was just a turtle, and the reason for its listing was because, at Level 8, it had withstood the attack of a Level 10 Low-Level Dominator Species being, with only minor injuries.

"Fang Lan seemed to have told me about this turtle before. In a game, isn't this just a frontline tank designed to absorb damage? Even taking hits can make it onto the list... fair enough."

"With Mr. Husky's current strength, complemented by a series of weapons and items, he should possess the ability to handle a Grass Demon Cat. I just don't know which place it could secure after taking down the Demon Cat Leader?"

Lu Ran planned to try it out after returning.

Especially since he had bought a month's supply of food this time, spending many crystal coins...

The crystal coins he had on hand were almost depleted, and it was about time to conquer Secret Realms to make money.

Originally, with a few houses left by his parents, an eight-figure savings, plus subsequent dividends from research patents, Lu Ran thought he would never worry about money in his entire life...

But then, Infinite City went ahead and overturned the currency system, switching to crystal coins instead, and he had to start earning all over again.

With the thought of needing to make money, Lu Ran made his way to the outside of the arena.

The arena in Infinite City resembled an ancient Roman amphitheater in appearance.

When viewed from above, it was elliptical in shape, made entirely out of stone. Even before getting close, Lu Ran's keen sense of smell picked up the scent of blood. Coupled with the arena's style of ruins and broken walls, it made the place seem especially ferocious and frightening.

"Hahaha, I won today, earned 200 crystal coins, come on, let's go to the restaurant, it's been ages since I've had meat."

"Damn it, I lost completely, I will never gamble again!"

"To be weak in beast training battles is a cardinal sin."

"Today in Area Two, there was a Beast Trainer with a fox Pet Beast. The Trainer had a clear, handsome face, I mean the fox did."

Lu Ran had just approached when he heard various voices. Although the arena wasn't packed, with about a hundred people around, it was still somewhat lively.

"I'm over here!" The pig farmer spotted Lu Ran as he arrived and called out to him from a distance.

Soon, the two met up.

Exhilarated, the pig farmer said, "I'll go open a private battle room, and we'll have a good fight!"

The Infinite City Arena was divided into the main battle area and private battle rooms.

The former could only be used by Beast Trainers who were engaging in random matches, or for some large-scale competition events. In the main area, spectators watching from the walls could see the entire process of the battles.

As for the private battle room fights, it was like the two participants were entering into a private room. They would go underground into the Dungeon Secret Realm, which had an independent battle area.

Fang Lan was active in the main area, fighting in matches every day. If the battling parties had a wager, the winner could also take home crystal coins. It was a way to make money, though after a powerful Beast Trainer displayed a certain level of skill, there were hardly any fools left who would bet against them.

"Okay, let's go. But honestly, I don't have much time," Lu Ran said.

"Ah..." The pig farmer despaired, "I actually found out that the examiner responsible for my guild assessment has a Wind Attribute pet beast... so I thought I'd cram in some last-minute practice today."

"Could you... perhaps spar with me a bit longer? I'll pay 10 crystal coins per hour, and I'll cover all the healing and venue costs," the pig farmer gritted his teeth.

His Pet Beast's movements were a bit slow compared to the Wind Attribute Beasts... He had to adapt quickly to fighting a Wind Attribute Beast.

Lu Ran felt a headache coming on, but just then, the pig farmer seemed to remember something and said, "Oh right, plus this, I'll throw this in for you."

"What is it, not 'Postpartum Care for Sows' I hope? I don't want that."

"No, it's not that!" the pig farmer's face turned red.

If it's not that, what are you blushing for... Lu Ran thought to himself, bewildered.

As he spoke, the pig farmer took an item out of his Spatial Bag.

It was a green leaf.

Lu Ran looked over.

[Name]: Awakening Leaf

[Level]: Advanced

[Introduction]: After consumption, there's a certain probability that a normal creature will evolve into an extraordinary one.

"I got it from a Secret Realm drop. It's not very valuable and not easy to sell either, so I'll give it to you," said the pig farmer.

Lu Ran: ?

You, my friend, need to learn how to talk.

Shouldn't you be boasting about how "incredibly valuable and super rare" it is?

This way, you're making Mr. Husky and me seem cheap...

Forget it... We country folk are just straightforward... Lu Ran resigned himself. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Fine, I'll spar with you a bit longer. Forget the crystal coins; you must be short on them anyway. I'll take the leaf, and if you pass the exam, just treat me to a big meal," Lu Ran suggested.

"Thank you!" The pig farmer's eyes lit up, what a good guy!

He handed the Awakening Leaf to Lu Ran and explained, "I learned that the Awakening Leaf is actually used by some Beast Trainers to screen their Pet Beasts' potential. When selecting a second or third Pet Beast in the real world, they first feed the target an Awakening Leaf. If it evolves into an extraordinary creature, it indicates good potential. If it doesn't evolve, it indicates lower potential and it's not worth making a contract with."

"Furthermore, if after the awakening the Species Level of the creature is very high, then contracting it is definitely the right choice. If the Species Level is ordinary after awakening, then it's up to the Beast Trainer's personal expectations to make a decision."

"This way you can ensure picking the strongest second Pet Beast, but it requires a lot of Awakening Leaves... There was a period when many Beast Trainers were challenging the Secret Realm that dropped Awakening Leaves."

"However, later on, it seems that higher-level Secret Realms had more stable substitutes, causing the market for Awakening Leaves to dry up, and no one farmed them anymore. I don't have plans on raising a second Pet Beast right now, so if you're looking, you could take a gamble with it..."

"Although the chances are slim.." the pig farmer earnestly explained, but remembering the odds, he scratched his head awkwardly.

With shy pockets, he had nothing better to offer. As he said, it had been phased out by the market.

"No worries, I'm actually quite interested in this." Lu Ran looked at the Awakening Leaf, a resource he hadn't known about before.

"Which Secret Realm did you get it from?" he asked.

"A Novice Secret Realm, Awakening Island, it was a guild raid some other trainee members invited me to. I got this as a reward for clearing it," the pig farmer replied.

Lu Ran remembered the name of the Secret Realm. It seemed somewhat familiar.

He had put the thought of a second Pet Beast on hold until now, waiting for Mr. Husky to reach Level 10 and clear the Breakthrough Secret Realm before he could get a second Contract Card.

But this Awakening Leaf had piqued Lu Ran's interest – it was a way to screen potential for a second Pet Beast.

It seemed he could start doing that in advance, as who wouldn't want a Pet Beast with better talents?

As the king of Green Sea City's wildlife community, he knew too many animals: the Insect King, the human-like Crow, the stray cat boss with excellent theft and fishing skills, the old turtle in the river that had lived a long time...

When the time came, he could casually farm some Awakening Leaves to feed them and see which had the highest potential to be his second Pet Beast. That didn't seem like a bad idea either, right?

But then again... Mass production of extraordinary creatures felt like forming a private army—heck, that was hardcore. Wouldn't he get arrested by the cops?