Chapter 629: Chapter 629
"I still don't quite understand what the Multiversal Beastmaster Championship is.”
Lu Ran was still a little bewildered. He understood the idea of a beastmaster championship, but the fact that it was organized by a Keeper of the Universe was what made it perplexing.
According to the Cosmic Will, there wasn’t anyone who could threaten him, not even the Cosmic beings. Even without the Cosmic-ranked Genesis Dragon at his side, Lu Ran could use his powers as the Keeper of the Universe to buff his familiars enough to the point where they could become pseudo-Cosmic beings.
Captain Doofus already demonstrated its abilities by slaying the Genesis Dragon previously. At that time, it was only able to utilize a small portion of the Cosmic Will’s power. The main drawback was that if they really did have to go all out, then it would severely drain the already weakened Cosmic Will.
Thus, the Cosmic Will was a weapon only reserved for emergencies. The only opponent that would warrant such an emergency was the local Keeper of the Universe, since it would be on the same level as Lu Ran. Check latest chapters at novel·fiɾe·net
During their time in this universe, Lu Ran had heard many legends about Cosmic beings, but the Keeper of the Universe remained shrouded in mystery. They didn’t gather the slightest bit of information about it from the Colossal planet. The Gem Queen was finally about to shed some light on the matter.
Why is someone great enough to contract the Cosmic Will of this universe, hosting a competition? What was the point?
Neither Lu Ran, Manager Ying, nor the Cosmic Will could see through the intent behind hosting such an event.
"Don’t ask so many questions," the Gem Queen answered.
"Could it be that the Keeper of the Universe is looking for an apprentice or successor?" Lu Ran speculated.
He suddenly remembered that the Cosmic Will previously told him that the only race that could contract with a Cosmic Will was humans.
This meant that the Keeper of this universe should be a human beastmaster as well, since they were hosting a beastmaster competition.
"Good guess, but give it a rest. The intentions of the Keeper are beyond you."
You’re completely off the mark!
It actually knew the purpose behind this competition. The Keeper was hoping to promote the concept of beastmasters and spread the beastmaster system throughout the multiverse.
This was a pretty lame reason from the Gem Queen’s perspective, so it had no intention of sharing it with Lu Ran.
"Okay, then tell me more about the prizes.”
"I don't know much about them at the moment. I only know that the top prize includes a resource that guarantees a lifeform’s advancement to the Cosmic rank, along with a number of chances for the Keeper to help improve their familiars."
—You should participate, the Cosmic Will conveyed.
—This universe contains numerous minor worlds, each of which is on the level of our own. This place is extremely advanced. I wonder if this universe is inherently strong, or if this Keeper is so incredibly powerful that it brought up the universe’s level with him.
—Considering that the Keeper has resources that can guarantee an advancement to the cosmic rank, he is definitely stronger than you. If we can obtain that reward, then it would be much easier than trying to advance on our own.
—More importantly, a universe's resources are limited. The birth of a Cosmic being consumes a vast amount of resources. If you try to advance all of your familiars here, then it will definitely pissed off the Keeper.
"I see..." Lu Ran muttered.
“I'll participate, but my goal won’t be just making the top 100. You said that there will be Cosmic-ranked beastmasters participating?" Lu Ran questioned.
If that's the case... first place will be kind of difficult.
Even if his familiars all fuse with a Seed of Transformation, without using his powers as a Keeper of the Universe, he wouldn’t be able to defeat a Cosmic being on his own. He wondered if using his powers as a Keeper of the Universe was against the rules since the referee would be a fellow Keeper.
It would be rather unethical for him to sweep the competition as someone on the same level as the competition’s host.
"Yes, and there will probably be more than one."
In one of the minor worlds was a beastmaster called Blessed Rain. Not only was she strong, but she was also the biological daughter of the Keeper. The Gem Queen glanced at Lu Ran. Although it hated to say it, it felt that the winner of the Championship was already decided.
Not long ago, there was also the Time Emperor who took control of the entire Blue Planet’s Time attribute. He then contracted a Cosmic being from a minor world to push himself to the Cosmic being as well. His strength was outrageous.
The various minor worlds also hosted a multitude of Cosmic-rank humans. Those that weren’t already beastmasters could easily make the switch for the sake of the competition. The competition would inevitably be intense.
There could easily be more than five Cosmic beings participating, and even more than ten was a possibility.
"Setting the Cosmic beings aside, there’s no guarantee that you could beat any of the Primary Divine beastmasters.
"I saw the recording of your battle with Lin Xiuzhu. You don't think you’re all that just because you beat the second-in-command of the Panda Army, do you?
"The simulation of Lin Xiuzhu in the dream network is from a long time ago. She has a close relationship with the Universe Overlord. For the sake of the tournament, the Cosmic Overlord passed on its signature skills and evolved forms to her familiar.
"She's countless times stronger than her simulation now. Her case isn’t unique amongst Primary Divine beastmasters, so it’ll be hard enough for you to break the top 100.
"That’s, unless you can break through to the Cosmic rank, of course. However, if you do, then the prizes won’t mean all that much anymore. Just do your best."
After stroking Manager Ying for a while, the Gem Queen set it back down and yawned.
"I'm going back now. Remember to come look for me at the headquarters."
With that, it vanished into space.
"The Gem Queen we saw was a clone," the Cosmic Will spoke up.
"A clone? You didn’t realize until now?" Lu Ran asked, clearly upset.
"It’s a Cosmic being, so I didn't get too close to be safe, but the clone was very high quality."
Lu Ran looked at Manager Ying, whose fur was all ruffled up.
"What are you looking at me for? You think we’re alike?"
"More than alike. Y’all are identical," Lu Ran replied.
"Shut up. Give me the Seed of Transformation, and let’s go find the Gem Queen. I want to investigate how it reached the Cosmic rank. We're both cats, but I can't see through it. It can’t measure up to the Genesis Dragon, so it must’ve taken some sort of shortcut! My intuition as an intelligence dealer tells me there’s something worth looking into there."
Lu Ran didn't bother paying any more attention to the cat. Cosmic rank was the peak of all existences. If there was a shortcut, then the information about it wasn’t something that could be bought or sold.
The Gem Queen was satisfied with its meeting with Lu Ran. It didn’t detect any threats, and it easily bought him off with an invitation to the Beastmaster Championship.
"Alright, let's get back to what we were doing." Lu Ran planned to finish promoting his familiars before heading to the Silver Galaxy
After an indeterminate amount of time, Lu Ran finally arrived in the Silver Galaxy. His mount of choice in space was obviously Sudden Death King. It was the perfect space-faring vessel, with speeds that exceeded actual spaceships.
Its considerable speed ultimately proved to be insignificant to the vast expanse of space. In the end, Lu Ran was forced to resort to using teleportation arrays on a nearby planet owned by the Cosmic Dream Net Company.
Lu Ran and Manager Ying soon arrived at a place called the Phantom Planet within the Silver Galaxy.
"Space teleportation is still so fast!" Manager Ying exclaimed as they stepped off the crowded arrival platform.
"Yeah..." Lu Ran sighed.
Before they could have some time to get oriented, a powerful aura permeated the air. Looking up, a brilliant blue light shone in the sky.
"That's..." The crowds were shocked to see a blue jellyfish gazing upon the planet from outer space, radiating a terrifying aura.
"It's the Primary Divine general of the Natural Preservation Collective that serves the Galaxy Sprite Queen. What happened? Why are they here?"
"The purification crystals left by our queen have detected the arrival of a member of the pollution species. This planet is now under lockdown until everyone is searched!"
Hearing this, Lu Ran and Store Manager Ying were speechless. What kind of luck was this! They end up in a criminal investigation the moment they arrive. Someone of the pollution species actually dared to trespass on the Natural Preservation Army’s turf? Were they tired of living?
"Wait. Cosmic Will, did you seal off Dark Crow’s aura?"