Chapter 525: Chapter 525

On the stage, the Ice Emperor remained expressionless. Although Fang Lan had surrendered, he still summoned three familiars. First was a massive steed composed of pale frost. On its back sat a humanoid ice crystal clad in armor, its face obscured, or perhaps it had no face at all.

This wasn’t two familiars but one. It was the Ice Emperor’s ace, the Winter Knight.

[Species: Winter Knight]

[Species Rank: Low-Legendary]

As a cavalry unit by nature, the Winter Knight and its steed were one entity. Legend held that the Winter Knight was created by the Legendary elementalist, Hel, fusing a quasi-Legendary Blizzard Horse with a quasi-Legendary humanoid ice elemental, the Frost General.

It was said that a single sweep of the Winter Knight’s frost spear could plunge an entire nation into eternal winter. Alongside the Winter Knight, the Ice Emperor summoned two other familiars.

One of them was a level 80 quasi-Legendary Frost Dragon and a level 80 quasi-Legendary Frost God Bird. Without hesitation, the Ice Emperor fused the newly acquired Poison Surrender trait into the Frost Dragon as it was the only one of his familiars with venomous capabilities.

As the Super Trait merged, the Frost Dragon’s body radiated a fusion glow, its icy-blue eyes tinged with purple. Its aura grew even more terrifying.

Upon seeing the Ice Emperor actively strengthening his familiars, Blue Planet’s side felt a twinge of unease.

“This is just like those novels I’ve read. The protagonists get crushed by the villain at first, but through wit and last-minute power-ups, they always manage to defeat the demon king.”

“Don’t tell me Lu Ran is the demon king here, and the Ice Emperor is the protagonist making a comeback.”

“Holy shit, don’t jinx it. Please don’t let the Ice Emperor actually pull off a reversal.”

On the Stellar Moon side, the despairing crowd found their hope rekindled by the Ice Emperor’s sudden power-ups.

“I surrender, too,” Lin Nian said.

[Winner: Ice Emperor.]

[Scoring Reason 1: Forced the Beastmaster King’s top psychic to surrender!]

This time, both the Stellar Moon audience and the Ice Emperor were stunned.

What kind of title is this? This “Blue Planet Psychic Queen” was supposed to be Xia’s top psychic. Since when was she the Beastmaster King’s top subordinate? And why is Lu Ran’s former ID being mentioned alongside divine titles?

“Holy shit, I just remembered... Isn’t there someone called Beastmaster King’s Top General? Could they also be Lu Ran’s subordinate?”

“If Lu Ran can go to Stellar Moon, it makes sense he could bring others along.”

“Blue Planet might have another beastmaster capable of clearing Mythical secret realms hiding in the shadows... The Ice Emperor needs to be careful!”

However, the Ice Emperor had no time to dwell on this. Google seaʀᴄh ɴovelfire.net

[You have received the Super Trait Crystal: Surrender’s Resolve (A familiar fused with this trait, when pushed to the brink and on the verge of surrendering, will suppress the urge to give up and unleash hidden potential.]

This could at least be fused into the Winter Knight. If it ever reached a desperate standoff with Six-Path Flower, this trait might reverse the situation. Alternatively, it could deliberately trigger the surrender urge to unlock potential.

The Ice Emperor tossed the Surrender’s Resolve trait to the Winter Knight. What followed was a series of shocks for Blue Planet’s beastmasters. The four ancient legendaries also surrendered one after another.

[Scoring Reasons 1: Forced the Beastmaster King’s ancient Legendary beastmaster subordinates to surrender!]

So these four ancient beastmasters have already pledged loyalty to Lu Ran without the knowledge of their respective nations?

Blue Planet’s beastmasters were stunned, though it made sense. Given Lu Ran’s strength, it wasn’t surprising that these ancient powerhouses had secretly sworn allegiance.

Soon, Shi Zhen, Gu Qingyi, and the old president also surrendered. Since Lu Ran was guaranteed to be Blue Planet’s MVP, they had no interest in competing for authority and saw no reason to take risks.

After this farce, Lu Ran returned to the stage. Waiting for him was the Ice Emperor, now bolstered by nine Super Trait Crystals, his power even more unfathomable.

“So this is your last stand? I’ll admit, your current abilities are somewhat beyond my comprehension.” Lu Ran looked at the Ice Emperor.

The Ice Emperor stared back. “I’ll acknowledge your strength. If you were placed in the same era as my sister, even she’d feel pressured. But I must win this battle.”

Lu Ran shook his head.

“Then you’re in for disappointment. Remember when I said that, in my team, there are two familiars stronger than the Star Vortex Dragon? The battle rules are 3V3, and so far, I’ve only used one familiar. But now, to be safe, I’ve decided to go all out. In fact, I’ve always believed that my other unsummoned familiar, at full power, surpasses even Six-Path Flower.”

The Ice Emperor’s pupils contracted. “You’re lying!”

Stronger than Six-Path Flower? Impossible. But at this point, would Lu Ran still bluff?

Hearing Lu Ran’s words, beastmasters from both Blue Planet and Stellar Moon were shocked.

Stronger than an Intermediate-Legendary Six-Path Flower? Lu Ran’s really pushing it.

Even Bai Lu and Death Gun found it hard to believe. If the intel was correct, Lu Ran’s only remaining familiar was that sword-wielding husky. A familiar evolved from a mere husky, no matter how strong, couldn’t possibly surpass the Star Vortex Dragon, even with kin enhancements.

At least the Star Vortex Dragon had fused with divine dragon blood to boost its potential. But a Husky? How could it evolve to such heights?

“This is likely the final battle.”

In that case, let this be the stage for their showdown...

“Haha.” Lu Ran suddenly had an amusing idea.

At this point, ratings didn’t matter. He spread his arms, and Six-Path Flower reappeared on top of the Wooden Asura, calmly observing the three opponents.

Meanwhile, an unremarkable summoning circle materialized before Lu Ran, and a familiar, a completely ordinary-looking husky, stepped out. It was a sight Blue Planet knew all too well. Having abandoned its previous attributes, Captain Doofus had reverted to its original black-and-white coloration, indistinguishable from any average husky.

Yet, the moment this husky appeared, the Ice Emperor and everyone else froze.

Another familiar of at least Low-Legendary rank! How? This thing... This thing is a Legendary species? And according to Lu Ran, it might be stronger than the Six-Path Flower? Bullshit. Absolutely impossible.

Countless eyes widened in disbelief at the tongue-lolling, bright-eyed husky that looked like it wanted to lick its opponents.

Although Captain Doofus was thrilled to see its opponents were all giant popsicles, it was displeased that Lu Ran had also summoned Six-Path Flower.

—Captain Lu, are you doubting my ability to handle them alone?

—Hey, don’t you get it? During team battles, you can’t go all out with that form to fight Six-Path Flower... and you’ve been frustrated about it. So why not settle it here? I’ll let you assume that form. If Six Flower defeats its opponents faster, she’s stronger. If you finish yours first, you’re stronger.

After Lu Ran’s explanation, Six-Path Flower twitched at the corner of its mouth. However, Captain Doofus gleamed with understanding.

—Captain Lu, you’re a real one. Got it. First, I’ll slice up the opponents, and then I’ll go after Six-Path Flower.

Instantly, Captain Doofus locked onto the three ice pops with battle-hungry eyes.

“What the hell?” The Ice Emperor didn’t understand what was happening, but the fact that this dog was also Legendary left him reeling.

He was on the verge of breaking down.

What kind of monster is Lu Ran?

Even after enhancing his familiars, the Ice Emperor was terrified. With five minutes still left in the intermission, Lu Ran summoned his third familiar. It was clear that, with Lu Ran as Blue Planet’s last defender, this was the decisive battle. No more 1v3s. Lu Ran was bringing out his full lineup.

As for the third familiar, some guessed it’d be Storm Hound, others #18, and a few even thought of Dark Crow. But as a massive summoning circle formed, all speculations were proven wrong. Emerging from the circle was Lu Ran himself.

Or rather, a spiritual clone of Lu Ran. This version was much smaller, resembling a middle-schooler with a slightly bulging rear as if hiding a tail, and odd, beast-like ears... But there was no mistaking that this was a miniaturized Lu Ran.

And under the Eye of Detection, the clone’s stats were shocking.

[Species: Lu Ran’s Soul Clone]

[Species Rank: Quasi-Legendary]

“What the hell? A soul clone? He contracted his own soul clone?” The most outraged was Death Gun, the messenger of the Underworld God.

He stared at the stage, itching to dissect the clone to see how it worked.

“And even if his soul clone can be contracted, how is it quasi-Legendary? And also Level 70?”