Chapter 22: A Pure Bloodline Beyond Compare

Summer Nation, Beastmaster Alliance, Magic City Division.

Within the First Bureau of the Magic City branch, a young man dressed in a pristine white suit navigated through layers of security checkpoints before entering the towering edifice. Taking the elevator to the third floor, he arrived at a door and rapped lightly.

"Come in."

Stepping inside, the young man—known as Little White Dragon—complied. Not long after his involvement in the "Green Sea City Extraordinary Beast Escape Incident," he had been summoned by the First Bureau to report on the situation.

The First Bureau, officially named the Public Security Guardian Bureau, was responsible for preventing, curbing, and investigating malicious activities related to beastmasters and extraordinary creatures. The case of the escaped extraordinary Siberian tiger in Green Sea City naturally fell under its jurisdiction.

"Team Leader Li… and Team Leader Zhao as well?"

To his surprise, awaiting him inside was not only a leader from the First Bureau but also his direct superior—the head of the Second Bureau's Recruitment Department, Group Two.

"Little White."

His superior glanced at him with a genial smile. "No need for formalities here. Have a seat."

"Thank you, sir." Little White Dragon expressed his gratitude but remained standing.

"Your name is Bai Junjie, correct? It was you who contacted the First Bureau about the Green Sea City incident. Thank you for your efforts." The First Bureau's Team Leader Li smiled.

"It was merely my duty—I was only passing on the message. The real credit belongs to that newcomer, the one called 'Passerby A.'"

"What do you know about this newcomer?" Team Leader Zhao inquired.

"Uh… a little…" Little White Dragon hesitated, stealing a glance at his superior. There was no doubt that Lu Ran had remarkable potential—but he had failed to recruit him.

Was his boss going to be displeased? Please, no—he really couldn't afford to have his bonus docked…

"Little White," Team Leader Zhao's tone turned serious, "this Lu Ran is a rare talent, a genius. You must persuade him to join the official ranks."

"Take a look at this."

With a hint of doubt, Little White Dragon accepted the file from his superior's hand.

Clearly, despite the short time that had passed, Lu Ran's background had already been thoroughly investigated.

Name: Lu Ran

Gender: Male

Age: 17…

The first section was filled with basic, unremarkable details. His student status was unsurprising.

What did catch Little White Dragon off guard, however, was the information about his academic record—this "Passerby A" was actually a model student?

A scholar and a warrior?

As he continued reading, his expression shifted.

"Lu Ran… is an orphan?"

"Yes. His parents passed away five years ago."

"Look at his family background."

Little White Dragon read on.

Father: Lu Qiancheng—Zoologist. Former professor at Jinling University. Later recruited as a biological consultant by Nature Life Corporation. Conducted 22 international expeditions to study wildlife ecology. Authored multiple academic works…

Mother: Lu Yunxiu—Biologist. Former professor at Imperial Capital University. Later employed as a biological consultant by Nature Life Corporation. Held numerous patents in biological pharmacology…

Grandfather: Lu Hai—Village Chief of Lu Family Village, a community of hunters…

Grandmother: Lu Ying—Veterinarian of Lu Family Village…

Lu Family Village—A village of hunters, where the village chief was elected based on hunting prowess…

"Holy…"

Little White Dragon was dumbfounded as he stared at the overwhelming lineage laid out before him.

He had known that Lu Ran was no ordinary youth, but this pedigree—pure, beyond pure!

If someone with such a background didn't become an outstanding beastmaster, who could?

It was as if the very blood in his veins carried the essence of a beastmaster's calling.

Most beastmasters merely had a deep connection with animals or pets. But Lu Ran? His entire lineage, going back generations, had been entwined with the animal world!

A prodigy.

No wonder he had managed to score highly in the novice secret realm with just a husky. No wonder he had tamed an extraordinary tiger!

Yet, it was a pity… His elders had all passed away early. Even his parents had died young, leaving him to navigate the world alone.

"You understand now, don't you?"

"A dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix… And you've seen his potential with your own eyes. His upbringing alone has set him apart. If such a talent were to fall into the hands of the civilian Beastmaster Guild, it would be a tremendous loss." Zhao's voice carried a deep appreciation.

"Old Zhao, I leave this one to your Second Bureau. You must bring him in! If you succeed, you'll have my utmost gratitude!" Li, from the First Bureau, looked at Zhao and Little White Dragon with keen anticipation.

At that moment, Little White Dragon felt the weight of responsibility settle upon him.

Even Lu Ran himself probably hadn't realized just how much his lineage had made him a prime target for recruitment by the authorities…

After he left, Team Leader Li and Team Leader Zhao set aside the files, leisurely sipping tea as they chatted.

"More and more people are becoming beastmasters. The Alliance's internal departments are about to undergo a major restructuring. Who knows where we'll be reassigned? Hopefully, we'll remain in Magic City…"

"Difficult to say. No use worrying about it. Just drink your tea."

Green Sea City.

Lu Ran and Fang Lan were deep in discussion, analyzing the details of their recent novice secret realm experiences.

Lu Ran had entered the Forest of the Demon Cat, while Fang Lan had ventured into another map—the Spider Cavern, the one Lu Ran had previously glimpsed.

Lu Ran could only say… for Fang Lan, entering the Spider Cavern was essentially a homecoming.

"I'm starting to suspect that unlocking some hidden storyline is the key to achieving an SSS rating."

"No, didn't you pay attention to the entry prompt? Ratings are based on 'combat performance'!"

"Most likely, to get an SSS rating, you need to eliminate every wild creature in the novice secret realm."

"That's impossible…"

"Why not? The novice trial secret realm only contains a small portion of the beginner-level map, and there aren't many creatures above level 5. If someone started with a leader-tier pet, it might be feasible."

As their discussion grew more intense, Fang Lan's phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the caller ID, she quickly hushed Lu Ran. "It's Dr. Gu!"

"Not a word."

She picked up the call.

"Senior Sister Gu!"

"Fang Lan?"

"It's me!"

The voice on the other end chuckled. "You mentioned being interested in the Secret Realm Strategy Team, but I don't think it suits you. You're still a novice, and frontline combat would be too dangerous for someone like you."

"What about the research department?" Fang Lan asked.

"There are no openings for new trainees at the moment."

"Ah…"

"Honestly, I'd advise you to continue your studies. But not at Magic City University—there's a new institution dedicated to the beastmaster profession."

"If everything goes as planned, they will start enrollment in two months. With the rapid rise of fourth-generation beastmasters, there are now enough students to sustain a dedicated school."

"This academy will have instructors from official agencies, major guilds, and veteran combat and lifestyle beastmasters. Additionally, seasoned professors specializing in extraordinary creatures from the past three years will also be teaching."

"It's a safe environment that focuses purely on education and mental fortitude. Students can freely choose their paths after graduation—be it official agencies or beastmaster guilds. Consider it a transition phase, since most young people can't immediately adapt to the beastmaster profession."

"A university for beastmasters?"

Fang Lan was intrigued. She hadn't expected such an institution to exist.

But… did this mean her top-nine provincial exam ranking was now pointless?

"Wait…!"

Lu Ran, who had sharp hearing, caught every word. His eyes gleamed with excitement.

A beastmaster academy?

That sounded far more appealing than Magic City University.

Forget high school. Forget senior year.

Could he skip straight to this academy?