Chapter 16: Fang Lan’s Message
Upon seeing Fang Lan's message, Lu Ran instinctively tightened his grip on his phone, an unease rising in his chest.
How could this be? Had he and Fang Lan been selected almost simultaneously?
Although the little white dragon had mentioned that Black Cards were now descending en masse, this coincidence was almost too uncanny.
Had she already contracted a pet beast?
Lu Ran quickly scrolled down, eager to know whether Fang Lan had followed the Black Card's guidance to become a Beastmaster.
Though he and Ha Zong had been having quite a bit of fun in the novice secret realm—so much so that he was even tempted to stay a few more days—he was well aware that for the average person, that place was perilous.
Fang Lan: [Hey, hey, hey, is this really happening? Pick up the phone! Where have you disappeared to this time?]
Fang Lan: [Should I follow its guidance and become a Beastmaster? It seems dangerous, but… it also looks incredibly exciting. I don't want to let this opportunity slip away. What should I do?]
The next message came after a ten-minute pause.
Fang Lan: [Damn it, I've made up my mind. I'm going to try it. I can't hold back anymore.]
Lu Ran: ???
Don't! Experimenting with everything will only get you into trouble!
Can't you take a little more time to think? How could you decide so quickly?
Fang Lan: [I'm home now. I've decided to contract with my precious darling. Though a large canine might be a better choice, I want to save this 'evolution' opportunity for it!]
Darling…
Lu Ran immediately recalled—a spider. Fang Lan's most beloved spider.
It was a species known as the Great Xia Wolf Spider, commonly found throughout Xia Nation. Stocky in build, agile in movement, and ferocious in its hunting, it was often referred to as the "Land Knight" in certain regions. A natural predator to many agricultural and forestry pests, including scarab beetles and noctuid moths.
But the reason Fang Lan was particularly fond of her Great Xia Wolf Spider was that hers was… unique. A rare variant.
Ordinary Great Xia Wolf Spiders were an earthy gray, but hers—was a striking shade of blue-violet.
Yet, was contracting a spider really a wise choice…?
Though the little white dragon had assured him that Infinite City had a consciousness of its own and would tailor the trial secret realms based on a newcomer's chosen pet beast, Lu Ran couldn't shake his concerns.
She was just as impulsive as he was.
Truly, were they not siblings in spirit, despite the lack of blood ties?
He continued scrolling through the messages.
Fang Lan: [!!!]
Fang Lan: [Unbelievable! (Amazed emoji) I completed the contract! It looks so cool now! It's practically the size of your Ha Zong!!!]
Fang Lan: [Picture]
Staring at the image of the blue-violet Great Xia Wolf Spider—now as large as a medium-sized dog—Lu Ran was momentarily dumbfounded.
Wait a minute… Could a wolf spider that small grow this much after awakening its extraordinary powers?
Fang Lan: [It's insanely powerful now. Its venom has grown far more potent, its silk is unbelievably resilient, and it can even coat its threads with venom! I tested it—this toxin could paralyze a full-grown adult in an instant…]
Lu Ran: ???
Wait—why does your pet come with a built-in poison attribute?!
Oh, right. Great Xia Wolf Spiders are naturally venomous. Never mind.
Damn, then those who contract electric eels must get innate lightning abilities.
Fang Lan: [Ten minutes left—I'm about to be transported. I don't know if Xiao Lan and I can handle this, but… it should be fine, right? It promised to protect me.]
Fang Lan: [Lu Ran!!! I didn't tell my parents about this. I just texted them, saying I'd be staying over at a friend's place tonight. If you see this, don't spill the truth to them just yet. Wait until I return. If I don't… then please, take care of my parents for me.]
I…
Reading her message, Lu Ran felt his head ache.
Fang Lan had always been bolder than him, wilder than him. Even in elementary school, she had no fear of catching spiders and snakes with her bare hands. So, in a situation like this, of course, she'd be exhilarated.
Lu Ran immediately dialed her number…
No answer.
She was still inside the secret realm or Infinite City. She hadn't returned.
"She'll be fine," he muttered, trying to reassure himself.
He had always considered the possibility that, with the large-scale descent of Black Cards, someone he knew would eventually be selected.
But he never thought it would happen so soon.
Fang Lan had done one thing better than him—leaving a message before heading into danger.
His own preparations had been far too inadequate…
Next time, before entering Infinite City, he needed to leave a message somewhere—just in case.
"Once the new semester starts, my time in Infinite City will be drastically cut down. Taking a leave of absence… that's tricky."
"I can't let my studies interfere with my Beastmaster path."
"For now, it's just supplementary classes, so skipping isn't a big deal. But once school officially starts, I won't have that luxury anymore. Whatever. I'll take things one step at a time. The little white dragon said there are ways to handle this—I'll ask him about it later."
Lu Ran called Fang Lan again.
Still no answer.
He collapsed onto the sofa, his headache worsening. But he believed Fang Lan would be fine.
If not for his lack of telepathic abilities, he would admit—when it came to handling animals and surviving in the wild, she was far superior to him.
Worrying was pointless.
All he could do now was wait.
Meanwhile.
In Infinite City No. 3.
A tall figure stepped out of a private room, eyes gleaming with excitement as she gazed at the mysterious starry sky.
"Tsk, so it really was just a novice trial. That was way too easy. But still… we performed so well, and all we got was a B-rank score?"
"Forget it, forget it. Let's check out what this place is all about first."
Fang Lan scanned her surroundings. Before long, she noticed another private room nearby, from which a figure had just emerged.
She quickly approached.
"Hey… hello!"
"A newcomer?"
The figure wore a black T-shirt and brown shorts, draped in a white lab coat. Her long, slender legs—wrapped in black stockings—exuded an air of elegance and mystery. Her cool, aloof aura made Fang Lan instinctively pause in her tracks.
"Um…" Fang Lan was momentarily mesmerized. So beautiful… but so cold.
Wait… She took a closer look, suddenly recalling something.
"You… You're Dr. Gu?!" she exclaimed in excitement.
"Oh? You know me?" The woman in the lab coat raised an eyebrow.
"My name is Fang Lan! I'm a freshman in Animal Medicine at Mo University this year! I've watched your interviews before!"
Dr. Gu looked mildly surprised. She hadn't expected a random rookie to turn out to be a junior from the same academic field.
Her icy expression softened slightly, and she offered a faint smile.
"I see. Well met. I am indeed Gu Qingyi. Since you're a junior, just call me Senior Gu."
"You must have a lot of questions right now," she continued. "I happen to have some time. I can answer them for you."
"Yes! Thank you, Senior Gu!" Fang Lan instantly transformed into a fangirl.
After all, she knew just how remarkable the woman before her was.
A dual Ph.D. in Animal Medicine and Animal Science at such a young age!
Had she also been chosen to become a Beastmaster?