Chapter 21: Reunion of Siblings

A perplexing scene unfolded before the assembled officers, leaving them utterly bewildered.

What in the world was happening?

Luo Shang stood frozen, his police canine just as stunned.

A Beast Tamer capable of subduing an extraordinary tiger—he had assumed their contracted creature would be some formidable beast, perhaps a bear or something equally ferocious.

Yet, what did he see before him?

A Siberian Husky?

A breed notorious for its disobedience and lack of aggression, one that would struggle even to qualify as a police dog—how had it managed to cow a ferocious tiger into submission, reducing it to little more than a meek feline?

"Officer, you're finally here."

As the group of law enforcement approached, Lu Ran suddenly realized that specialized divisions—perhaps the military or certain police units—had likely gained widespread awareness of the Black Card's existence.

With the number of Beast Tamers still relatively small, relying on them to handle every incident would be far too cumbersome.

It stood to reason that a significant portion of the Beast Tamer Alliance consisted of ordinary individuals as well.

"Is there anything else you need my cooperation with? I suddenly have some urgent matters to attend to," Lu Ran asked.

And indeed, he did.

Fang Lan had finally returned.

They had spoken over the phone just moments ago, but as Lu Ran had been unable to leave the scene, he had no choice but to wait.

Now, however, nothing seemed more pressing than seeing Fang Lan and ensuring she was safe.

"I am Luo Shang. Thank you for your assistance! You must be Student Lu, correct? Leave the rest to us… You may go take care of your matters first. We will visit you in person at a later time to properly express our gratitude," Luo Shang said.

Faced with an individual of Lu Ran's caliber, Luo Shang dared not show any neglect.

Though outwardly a mere student, Lu Ran's abilities suggested otherwise. Some Beast Tamers within the Alliance held esteemed positions of authority due to their extraordinary prowess.

If Lu Ran were affiliated with the government, there was a real possibility that his rank exceeded even Luo Shang's.

Until Lu Ran's true identity was clarified, Luo Shang had no choice but to tread carefully.

"No need for thanks, it was the least I could do."

Hearing that he was free to leave, Lu Ran was overjoyed. He cast a glance at Ha Zong and said, "Let's go."

"The tiger's fangs and claws have been removed, and one of its legs is broken. It should pose little threat now. I'll leave it to you."

"Roar—"

The Siberian tiger let out a furious growl.

Who are you calling a cat?! Your whole family are cats!

The officers exchanged looks, at a loss for words.

Without further delay, Lu Ran and Ha Zong departed. Before leaving, Ha Zong shot an imposing glance at the Siberian tiger and the massive police canine. Neither beast dared to make a sound.

At last, as Lu Ran and his companion disappeared into the distance, the tiger—curled up at the base of the mountain—heaved a sigh of relief.

Those two demons were finally gone…

But then, its gaze fell upon the black gun barrels aimed at it, plunging it into deep contemplation once more.

Lühai City, Lijiang Residential Complex – A Certain Apartment

Fang Lan lounged on the sofa in her pajamas, a facial mask covering her face as she tried to soothe her frayed nerves.

At last… she was home.

Yet, upon her return, what irked her most was none other than that scoundrel Lu Ran.

Picking up her phone again, she glared at his response. She was so exasperated that her facial mask nearly slid off.

Lu Ran: [!!!]

Lu Ran: [You… you were chosen too?]

Lu Ran: [I wasn't ignoring you! I was selected two hours before you… By the time you messaged me, I was already inside the secret realm.]

Lu Ran: [Are you back now?]

"Back, my foot."

She had reached out to him the moment this happened, only to discover that he had been chosen even earlier and hadn't bothered to inform her.

Infuriating. Absolutely infuriating.

She had already called him.

This matter needed to be discussed face to face.

Ding—

The doorbell rang.

Outside, Lu Ran, there to make amends, eyed the door nervously.

This place… was where Fang Lan kept her pets. It was also where she lived.

She owned several properties, but given the sheer number of exotic pets she kept, living with her parents had become impractical. She had moved out early, living separately from them ever since.

"Lu Ran!"

The door swung open. Fang Lan, taking in his disheveled appearance—still in the same clothes, looking utterly worn out—had a million things to say. Yet, as she stood there, words failed her.

Forget it.

"Come inside."

"Alright."

Lu Ran patted his chest, exhaled, and stepped into the room.

In the living room, the two locked eyes.

Fang Lan was the first to break the silence. "I won't press you about why you didn't tell me earlier."

"Because I already knew what you'd say."

"You were afraid I'd worry, afraid I wouldn't believe you, afraid I'd stop you from trying—right?"

"Ha… ha…"

Lu Ran laughed awkwardly.

"Regardless, from now on, if you encounter anything dangerous, you must inform your family."

"I just didn't expect the Black Card to manifest on such a massive scale," Lu Ran admitted. "How was I supposed to know we'd be chosen practically at the same time? I was going to tell you once I got out. Besides, didn't you also keep it from Mom and Dad?"

"Don't talk back!"

Cough.

"So, you contracted your Husky, didn't you?"

Fang Lan, who had just sat down, abruptly stood up again, pressing her hands against the table as she stared at Lu Ran with intense scrutiny.

"What rating did you get?"

Given their sibling bond, they both instinctively knew that the other had cleared the beginner's secret realm with ease.

"Not bad. S-rank. Ha Zong is incredibly strong now. We could team up and clear secret realms together in the future."

Lu Ran didn't bother hiding the rating from her.

Yet, sometimes, the more honest one is, the more incredulous others become.

Sure enough, Fang Lan froze.

"You said what? S-rank? That's impossible…"

"Your Husky is a commander-level species?"

"No, just a mid-tier extraordinary."

"Then how in the world did you achieve an S-rank? My Xiao Lan is a high-tier extraordinary species, and I only got a B!"

She was baffled. Her senior, Gu Xuejie, had told her she was one in a hundred, a prodigy with an exceptional compatibility with her spider-type beast.

If Lu Ran's pet had also been of a high-tier species, she could have accepted his rating.

But a mere mid-tier extraordinary? How?