King of Beasts

Originally, before the challenge tournament began, Lu Ran had anticipated disputes would arise after deploying the sword retainers.

Unexpectedly, even before the match started, the organizers themselves rationalized this situation, and now, regarding Jack’s provocation, Lu Ran was certain that this madman wouldn’t back down.

“How exactly did Lu Ran manage this…”

“The Twin Crow is one thing, being a split evolution, but what’s going on here? Don’t tell me that sword spirit and sword grass were also split from Erha!”

Though countless audience members were shocked by General Ha’s new form, the organizers had indeed stated that no matter how many entities there were, as long as they were within a single contract card simultaneously, they were considered one.

Thus, even the referee couldn’t say much at this point.

“It’s not just about species; the life forms aren’t even the same, yet they can be included in a single card? Did he print his own card, the son of Infinite City?”

“God Lu is awesome!”

“Three pets in one card, is this even possible… That’s impressive!”

Discussions from all over the world were endless.

There was plenty of discussion on-site as well.

Jack watched Lu Ran with bloodshot eyes until, at the moment the countdown hit zero, Jack’s voice finally emerged.

“Demon Ape, crush them.”

“With one move!”

It seemed he wanted to replicate what Lu Ran had just done; Jack also demanded his pet beast defeat Lu Ran’s team in one move.

“Roar-” With the order given, the Demon Ape roared instantaneously, its pupils also filled with bloodlust, implying intense killing intent.

Buzz!

In an instant, ripples appeared in the space, as if black droplets were falling from the void onto the arena. In just a moment, a huge black semi-circular barrier enveloped General Ha!!!

It’s a domain!!

The audience saw Jack employing this ultimate domain skill right off the bat, instantly understanding his determination.

Whether on Blue Star or the Star-Moon Continent, domain skills are regarded as the decisive finishing blow in battles.

Because this skill is the pinnacle of a pet beast’s technique fusion.

It is their most brilliant strike.

Most importantly, attacks within the domain are guaranteed to hit.

When two evenly matched pet beasts face off, it’s almost always a domain skill that counters another domain skill. Whoever’s domain is stronger, who can suppress the other’s domain, will claim victory!

However, in that split second, people only saw the Demon Ape successfully unleash its domain. Yet, Lu Ran’s Erha and the two sword retainers beside it had no reaction at all.

Though Lu Ran’s Erha had used a domain skill in the Evolution Secret Realm, it seemed not to have used its own domain to counter the opponent’s this time and was directly dragged into the enemy’s territory.

At this moment, many beastmasters from Xia Country furrowed their brows with concern.

The best time to counter a domain skill is before the domain has fully formed. Once dragged into the enemy’s field, the disadvantage is exponentially increased.

If Lu Ran had sent out the Sudden Death King, it might withstand a domain skill attack, but this sword dog doesn’t seem to have strong defense.

“This isn’t good.”

In the audience seats, some spectators took a deep breath, saying, “It looks like Lu Ran’s sword dog lacks enough experience in domain combat because it has mastered the domain for only a short time.”

“No, that Demon Ape’s domain is just too strong.”

“Combining a powerful space barrier attribute with a domain shell formed by 40 times energy compression, in terms of domain proficiency, besides those top ten beastmasters, there are probably few who dare claim they can surpass it!”

Some of the First Generation also kept a composed expression, clearly having experienced the Demon Ape’s domain skill.

“Hahahahaha…”

“That sword dog is done for.”

At this point, the one laughing the hardest was undoubtedly Guild Leader Pari, his laughter was uncontainable.

Lu Ran had completely underestimated Jack; he’s a monster too!

“Domain, Demon Kingdom.”

On the field, Jack’s voice echoed, his mouth stretching into a crazy grin as General Ha was seen falling into the Demon Ape’s barrier, he focused his gaze on Lu Ran across the way.

“Within the Demon Domain…”

Whether or not Lu Ran had investigated the capabilities of the Demon Domain, Jack planned to explain this skill’s power to Lu Ran word by word, making Lu Ran watch his pet beast be judged within it.

However, before Jack could finish, he saw Lu Ran responding rather disinterestedly:

“Are you trying to trap a sword dog like Erha?”

Huh?

At first, many didn’t understand what Lu Ran meant, but the next moment, a sudden arc of light appeared across the massive black domain barrier.

Crack, crack, crack, crack.

Soon, the sound of cracking could be heard repeatedly, and countless white, web-like fractures spread across the domain barrier.

Watching these changes to the domain, Jack showed a look of astonishment, and in an instant, everyone else, including him, wore expressions of disbelief.

Boom!!!

With a final thunderous roar, an immense white sword qi directly sliced open the domain with a loud “crash.” Before the astonished gazes of Jack, Pari, and others, the demon domain shattered completely.

The formidable sword qi not only split the domain but seemed to have extra force to spare, cutting through space before finally slicing open the Blue Star’s space and vanishing into the boundless void.

With the domain broken, the scene inside reappeared.

A giant dog, possessed by a sword spirit, with a body shimmering in icy blue fluorescence and a space sword grass in its mouth, looked indifferently at the Demon Ape opposite it.

The Demon Ape, in turn, appeared utterly shocked, its legs seemingly trembling.

General Ha’s current stance was overwhelmingly terrifying, and as the two pet beasts re-emerged, everyone held their breath.

All eyes were riveted on General Ha’s vicinity.

At that moment, black lightning occasionally arced around it, though a closer look revealed the black flashes weren’t true lightning. Instead, they were the result of short-lived space tears in the Blue Star’s space, caused by the intense sword intent radiating from General Ha.

“60 times…”

Opposite them, Jack stared in absolute disbelief at the compressed sword intent surrounding General Ha, every terrifying energy fluctuation announcing that this sword dog’s body was infused with sword power concentrated 60 times over.

Surpassing even the Shield Dragon King’s compression by a factor of ten, General Ha had reached an uncharted realm inaccessible to any Blue Star beastmaster.

It seemed it had used the 60 times compressed Sky-Splitting Sword Intent to break through the domain earlier.

“No way, that’s absolutely impossible!!!”

As the entire arena fell silent, Guild Leader Pari gripped the railing tightly, his eyes red as he shouted, unable to comprehend how 60 times energy compression was possible.

The Dragon King with its incredible defense could bear 50 times compression due to its strong physique… but this sword dog, this sword dog…

“60 times…”

No one knew that far away in the Snowfield, the current record holder for the highest energy compression technique also rose from their seat, gazing deeply at the sword dog in the live broadcast.

Even when the Sudden Death King demonstrated 50 times energy compression, that person wasn’t moved, yet now, they couldn’t remain calm.

This sword dog’s physique was surely less robust than that of the Dragon King, but 60 times energy compression signified its energy control had reached a terrifying level. Rightfully so… after all, it was a monster that had comprehended a domain at level 30.

Now, with General Ha slicing through the enemy’s domain in one strike, everyone was silent.

Blood dripped from between General Ha’s teeth, either frozen by Frost Force or absorbed by the sword grass. Its eyes sharp, General Ha stared at the two opponents, shedding its initial calm demeanor.

Not because the opponents posed any pressure, but because these two had dared to harbor murderous intent toward Lu Ran from the start.

This grudge wasn’t something that could be settled simply by breaking a domain.

“Awoo-“

After dismantling the domain, General Ha had no intention of releasing a domain of its own. Instead, it shook its head forcefully-

The sword it held glowed brightly, and in an instant, violent sword qi transformed into a raging space storm, sweeping toward its foes!

Void Blade Storm!

The terrifying void blade storm swept across the arena.

The Demon Ape intended to teleport away with its beastmaster, but the suction of General Ha’s blade storm was too immense, drawing both the beastmaster and pet beast into the maelstrom, subjected to a barrage of cuts. “You originally…” In that moment, Jack’s pupils contracted, finding it somewhat laughable-laughing at himself. Little did he know he was outmaneuvered from the start.

Boom!!!

The chaotic sword qi obliterated the entire arena.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

In the blurred storm, blood spattered the void, and two shrill screams echoed briefly before being drowned out by the roar of the space.

“This-“

In the next instant, audiences worldwide were shocked as they watched the protective energy barrier of the arena shatter, giving way to a violent void storm that erupted upward, tearing through the sky.

And Jack and the Demon Ape’s figures… vanished completely from the arena.

Everyone was horrified by this sight.

The arena was transformed into a massive crater, leaving only Lu Ran and General Ha elegantly perched atop two stone pillars.

“Fools.” Lu Ran smirked, thinking that assuming the sword spirit and sword grass were merely two sovereigns was a grave misunderstanding.

After all, these were retainer skills enhanced by the Creator Divine Dragon, with General Ha’s sword intent boost surpassing even that of the Divine Deer Antler!

“This, this, this…” The referee, his face pale, felt a mix of shock and relief at being outside the arena. Trembling, he asked in the vast emptiness of the arena, “Where is Contestant Jack… Contestant Jack?”

In response to his inquiry, Lu Ran turned and shrugged, saying, “I don’t know, we hadn’t even exerted full effort, and he just fell. Could he have gotten lost in the void’s chaotic currents?”

From an outsider’s perspective, it indeed seemed like General Ha hadn’t fully exerted itself, as it hadn’t even used a domain skill.

It had simply relied on regular skills to obliterate an enemy that had deployed a domain.

While Lu Ran feigned ignorance, everyone knew that Jack’s fate was likely grim. Many beastmasters looked pale and incredulous, as this was an outcome no one had anticipated before.

“Shit…” It wasn’t only international beastmasters; even those among the Twelve Branches of Xia Country watching the live broadcast couldn’t help but curse.

“Is this Lu Ran even human?” Among the First Generation beastmasters across various countries, including the most formidable who had ascended the ranks to become top arena masters, they too gasped in astonishment.

That Jack… surely wasn’t weak… and yet he was dispatched like this?

Countless spectators were left speechless, mouths agape in disbelief.

The battle between the Strongest Fourth Generation and the strongest second-generation had resulted in the latter being utterly crushed.

It was that fourth-generation’s pet beast that showcased a technique surpassing those of the top ten beastmasters, shattering a domain with a single strike.

Is this really Erha’s evolution? You’ve got to be kidding.

“Damn it!!!” At this moment, no one was more distraught than Guild Leader Pari from Eagle. He was pale, his heart racing, while next to him, Dr. Hayden gulped nervously, realizing something was off. Wasn’t Guild Leader Pari supposed to show him Lu Ran in disgrace?

This shocking outcome left the old man trembling in fear. Was this the “good show” Pari promised? What a joke! Dr. Hayden stepped back cautiously, understanding that Guild Leader Pari, who orchestrated this spectacle, was finished. Pari had drained Eagle of so many resources without achieving the goal of undermining Xia Country. Eagle would surely hold him accountable.

“If you can’t find him, then so be it. Move on to the next one.”

Simultaneously, Lu Ran’s voice echoed through the arena, frightening the Egyptian First Generation contestant about to face stage 5 to his core…

His mind was reeling; this wasn’t just the Strongest Fourth Generation, it felt like the strongest across generations. He and that dog were like merciless demons, not sparing even a bone. Was this really just an 18-year-old kid?!!