Arc 10Purple Cloud’s Evolution Path

Xu Ran returned to Qingzhou City, lost Twelve when her father took her away, then set out to strengthen the Three Little Ones and prepare Purple Cloud’s evolution. Purple Cloud’s new Divine Punishment skill pushed its combat power beyond the rankings’ limit, and Xu Ran’s group began preparing to reach Marshal Rank.

  • Xu Ran returned to Qingzhou City with the Three Little Ones, reunited with Velvet Sparrow, and groomed familiar customers’ Contract Beasts while Tony managed the Cloud-Gathering City branch.
  • Velvet Sparrow chose to pursue a new evolution route and asked to contract with Xu Ran, who proposed the demanding five-star Deep-Sleep Bird route.
  • The Lava Beast King attacked Qingzhou City seeking Twelve, but the Nightmare Beast King arrived, killed it, and took Twelve away after promising she could return if Xu Ran came to claim her.
  • Xu Ran returned to Cloud-Gathering City, reclaimed first place in the rankings, appointed Fishing Enthusiast to manage the branch, and toured the Transcendent Evolution Department with Liu Yu.
  • Xu Ran drew a six-star evolution route for Purple Cloud, who agreed to meet its demanding requirements, including learning to fly and improving its Lightning and Fighting skills.
  • Purple Cloud fused four skills into the four-star Divine Punishment, then used the skill in a ranking challenge that shattered the testing ground and exceeded the system’s displayed combat-power limit.
  • Purple Cloud endured Divine Punishment’s backlash, and Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones began preparing to break through to Marshal Rank as Fang Canghai identified Attribute Leap as the source of Purple Cloud’s extraordinary power.
Chapters 226–250 Vol. 3 Read

Ch. 226Back to Qingzhou City

Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones exchanged their Beast Tamer Points for Monarch Rank resources to strengthen their skills. With the resources set to arrive the next morning, they planned to return to Qingzhou City.

  • Xu Qing left Xu Ran's Boarding Shop after asking him to consider Demonwood City for a future branch.
  • Purple Cloud reclaimed first place in the current Combat Power Rankings and rose to third in the all-time rankings, while all three pets earned more Beast Tamer Points from ranking challenges.
  • Xu Ran exchanged Purple Cloud's points for resources suited to fusing skills such as Critical Hit, Falling Thunder, and Monarch's Might.
  • Starlight chose resources for fusing Dark Curtain with Dusk Night Emblem, strengthening its night skills, and improving Fate-Binding Star-Link.
  • Can Can chose resources to strengthen Dragon Tortoise's Might and Eternal Iron Wall.
  • Xu Ran said they would return to Qingzhou City once the resources arrived the next morning.

Ch. 227You rascal, you finally remembered to come back!

Xu Ran returned to Qingzhou City's Starfire Foster Shop with the Three Little Ones and resumed caring for its residents, leaving Tony to run the Cloud-Gathering City shop. After reuniting with Velvet Sparrow, Xu Ran welcomed Su Xiaoxiao and her Blazing Fox as his first customers back.

  • Xu Ran assigned Tony to manage the Cloud-Gathering City shop and brought the Three Little Ones back to Qingzhou City.
  • Purple Cloud and Starlight settled into familiar spots, while Can Can eagerly looked forward to seeing Velvet Sparrow.
  • Xu Ran cooked breakfast for the shop's residents, reunited with Velvet Sparrow, and listened as Can Can described their adventures in Cloud-Gathering City.
  • Su Xiaoxiao brought the Blazing Fox to the shop for grooming, hoping Tony would be there, but Xu Ran told her Tony had gone to Cloud-Gathering City.

Ch. 228Boss Xu... Who the Hell Are You?

Xu Ran returned to Qingzhou City and groomed Su Xiaoxiao’s Blazing Fox, while Tony and the other employees opened the Cloud-Gathering City branch in his absence. Zhang Yun asked Xu Ran to deliver a letter to a senior in Cloud-Gathering City’s Transcendent Evolution Department, and Xu Ran agreed before grooming Zhang Yun’s Stone-Armored Dragon.

  • Xu Ran told Su Xiaoxiao he expected to stay in Qingzhou City for nine days and groomed her Blazing Fox while she told her friends he had returned.
  • At the Cloud-Gathering City shop, Tony rallied Blackie and the Green-Skinned Frog before they opened the branch and explained to a startled first customer that Xu Ran was away.
  • Zhang Yun told Xu Ran that the Green-Skinned Frog had fed its own frog dolls to the boarded Stone-Armored Dragon and that Blackie had frightened it into training hard.
  • Zhang Yun asked Xu Ran to deliver a letter to a senior in Cloud-Gathering City’s Transcendent Evolution Department, and Xu Ran agreed to take it.
  • Xu Ran took Zhang Yun’s Stone-Armored Dragon into the Grooming Room, where its excited roars reassured Zhang Yun that the familiar grooming experience had returned.

Ch. 229Cat Boss, it's time for your bath!

Xu Ran returned to his Qingzhou City shop, while the Velvet Sparrow continued its daily stroll and helped a blind elderly woman named Tang Yue Ru see the world through its Illusory Scene skill. After sharing pastries with Cat Boss, the Velvet Sparrow told it that Xu Ran was back and it was time for its bath.

  • Xu Ran finished grooming Zhang Yun's Stone-Armored Dragon, and Zhang Yun promised to bring him a letter to deliver to Cloud-Gathering City.
  • The Velvet Sparrow visited Tang Yue Ru and used Illusory Scene to let her see during their walk around the neighborhood.
  • Tang Yue Ru reflected on her life and her renewed chance to see herself, then paid the Velvet Sparrow and gave it homemade pastries.
  • The Velvet Sparrow carried the pastries to Cat Boss at the city gate, and they shared them.
  • The Velvet Sparrow told Cat Boss about helping Tang Yue Ru and said Xu Ran had returned, so it was time for Cat Boss's bath.

Ch. 230Seeing the squad again

Xu Ran reunited with the Fierce Tiger Hunting Squad and learned that Cat Boss had settled into a prosperous new life. In Cloud-Gathering City, Tony’s unusual grooming sessions spread through word of mouth, while Xu Ran discovered that recognition of his branch shop had risen sharply.

  • Cat Boss visited Xu Ran’s shop for grooming and paid despite Xu Ran offering the service for free.
  • The Fierce Tiger Hunting Squad reunited with Xu Ran, and he groomed the squad’s Contract Beasts while hearing how Cat Boss had adjusted to life with them.
  • Xu Ran learned that Cat Boss had earned the squad more money through its strength, helping Du Heng buy a large house and yard.
  • In Cloud-Gathering City, Brother Zhang brought an uninformed friend to the Starfire Foster Shop, where Tony’s grooming frightened him.
  • Customers who endured the shop’s employees began bringing unsuspecting friends to share the experience.
  • At closing time, Xu Ran saw that local recognition of his branch shop had risen to 47.9 percent and wondered how it had increased so much.

Ch. 231What do you think of Velvet Sparrow?

Xu Ran learned that Tony’s unusual customer service had boosted his fame and that Velvet Sparrow had helped the Three Little Ones gather resources. As Xu Ran prepared to ask Velvet Sparrow to become his fourth Contract Beast, the group exchanged their haul for Beast Tamer Points, and Velvet Sparrow requested resources for its evolution.

  • Xu Ran called Tony about the Cloud-Gathering City shop’s busy day and discovered that Tony’s enthusiastic grooming offer to a reluctant customer had helped raise his fame.
  • Can Can, Purple Cloud, Starlight, and Velvet Sparrow returned from scavenging outside the city with a large haul, and Xu Ran promised to share Beast Tamer Points from its sale among them.
  • Velvet Sparrow considered gathering the resources needed to evolve into a Nightmare Demon Kite and accepted Xu Ran’s offer of a share.
  • Xu Ran asked the Three Little Ones what they thought of Velvet Sparrow, and all three approved of the idea of him contracting it as his fourth Contract Beast.
  • Five days later, the group’s gathered resources had earned over sixteen thousand Beast Tamer Points, and Velvet Sparrow asked to exchange its share for Fantasy Crystal, Psychic Element Marshal Rank Blood Essence, transcendence flower, and Healing Water.

Ch. 232Your evolution route isn't very good

Xu Ran discovered that the Velvet Sparrow had prepared to evolve into a Nightmare Demon Kite and told it that the route had only three-star potential. The Velvet Sparrow agreed to form a contract with him, and Xu Ran revealed a far more demanding route to the five-star-potential Deep-Sleep Bird, leaving it overwhelmed by the requirements.

  • The Velvet Sparrow listed evolution materials and revealed that it planned to evolve into a Nightmare Demon Kite, while Xu Ran identified the matching route and its three-star potential.
  • Xu Ran explained that the Nightmare Demon Kite route had limited potential, and the Velvet Sparrow connected this to its father’s inability to advance beyond Monarch Rank.
  • The Velvet Sparrow asked whether Xu Ran knew a better route, then declared that it wanted to form a contract with him.
  • Xu Ran promised to find it a new route and selected the Deep-Sleep Bird evolution, which had five-star potential but required upgraded skills, rare materials, and ten thousand living beings dreaming at once.
  • The Velvet Sparrow became daunted by the Deep-Sleep Bird route’s requirements, while Purple Cloud looked to Starlight and Can Can to help.

Ch. 233The Nightmare Beast King's Push to Become a Beast Emperor

Xu Ran invited Twelve to stay upstairs and learned her name as she began bonding with his three beasts, while the Nightmare Beast King started an evolution using a Beast Emperor-level resource. After a subordinate warned the Lava Beast King about the Nightmare Beast King's unusual movements, the Lava Beast King decided to investigate by searching for Twelve in a human city.

  • Xu Ran reassured Twelve about her evolution requirements, invited her upstairs, and learned that her name was Twelve.
  • Can Can showed Twelve around, and Purple Cloud tucked her into a furry embrace while Xu Ran meditated.
  • The Nightmare Beast King began an evolution ritual in the cavern where Can Can had evolved, using the earth-element monarch's remains and powerful resources, including a Beast Emperor-level resource.
  • A Marshal Rank subordinate reported the Nightmare Beast King's unusual activities to the Lava Beast King.
  • The Lava Beast King decided to look for Twelve in a human city, claiming he would help the Nightmare Beast King find his missing daughter.

Ch. 234I, He Nian

Xu Ran prepared to leave Qingzhou City with his three Contract Beasts while promising to return for Twelve, but President He Nian arrived just before a catastrophic Beast Tide struck. A Beast King demanded the Nightmare Beast King's daughter, and Twelve recognized the voice as belonging to the Lava Beast King.

  • Xu Ran helped Twelve clean and polish its beak, then promised to return for it after reaching fourth-tier Contract Power.
  • He Nian introduced himself as Qingzhou City's Beast Tamer Association president and brought all four of his marshal-rank Contract Beasts to Xu Ran for grooming.
  • After the grooming, a citywide alarm warned of a Beast Tide, and an explosion shook Qingzhou City moments later.
  • The Lava Beast King roared that it would slaughter the city unless the Nightmare Beast King's daughter was handed over.
  • Xu Ran learned from He Nian that the Nightmare Beast King's species was the Nightmare Demon Kite, while Twelve recognized the Lava Beast King's voice and wondered why it had come for her instead of her father.

Ch. 235Twelve's identity was exposed!

Xu Ran learned that Twelve was the Nightmare Beast King's daughter, but promised to keep his word and form a contract with her. As the Lava Beast King threatened Qingzhou City unless Twelve was handed over, Xu Ran and the others watched the confrontation from hiding while He Nian tried to buy time.

  • After learning that Twelve was a Beast King's daughter, Xu Ran reassured the frightened Twelve that he would still form a contract with her.
  • Xu Ran rode Starlight toward the City Gate with Twelve, Purple Cloud, and Can Can, learning that the Lava Beast King had a poor relationship with Twelve's father.
  • Using Night-Hiding Star Gallop's concealment, Xu Ran and the Four Little Ones watched the Lava Beast King confront Qingzhou City's defenders at the breached gate.
  • The Lava Beast King demanded that Qingzhou City hand over the Nightmare Beast King's daughter or be destroyed.
  • He Nian proposed searching the city, and the Lava Beast King gave him ten minutes before it would slaughter the inhabitants.
  • He Nian agreed to begin the search and signaled Gu Wu to carry out his plan.

Ch. 236Battle of the Two Kings!

Xu Ran and Twelve waited as He Nian summoned the Nightmare Beast King to stop the Lava Beast King from taking her. The Nightmare Beast King killed the Lava Beast King, then collected Twelve and flew away, leaving Xu Ran and his Contract Beasts behind.

  • Twelve urged Xu Ran to hand her over if her father failed to arrive, but Xu Ran and his Contract Beasts promised to stand by her.
  • He Nian revealed that his Jade-Linked Spirit King had located the Nightmare Beast King, who arrived just as the agreed ten minutes expired.
  • The Nightmare Beast King attacked the Lava Beast King, and their battle destroyed Qingzhou City's weakened wall while the evacuated residents escaped unharmed.
  • The Nightmare Beast King overpowered the Lava Beast King with a spear of nightmare fragments and killed him.
  • The Nightmare Beast King approached Xu Ran, ignored Can Can's challenge, picked up Twelve, and flew away.

Ch. 237The Nightmare Beast King's Concession

After the Nightmare Beast King took Twelve to the Beast Domain, Xu Ran vowed to grow strong enough to bring her back, while Twelve resisted her father and waited for Xu Ran to come. He Nian explained Qingzhou City's strategy toward the Beast Domain, and Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones set off for Cloud-Gathering City to strengthen themselves.

  • Xu Ran decided to retrieve Twelve after the Three Little Ones mourned her departure, and promised they would go once they became invincible at Marshal Rank.
  • Twelve told the Nightmare Beast King she wanted to return to Qingzhou City, and he agreed to let Xu Ran contract her if he came to the Velvet Sparrow Clan's territory to claim her.
  • The Nightmare Beast King left a Marshal Rank Nightmare Demon Kite to guard Twelve, who watched wistfully in the direction of Qingzhou City.
  • He Nian told Xu Ran he had hoped Twelve's presence might help Qingzhou City form ties with a Beast King, and explained why humans needed alliances and discord among the Supernatural Creatures.
  • Xu Ran promised to keep the Starfire Foster Shop in Qingzhou City, then left with the Three Little Ones for Cloud-Gathering City to improve their rankings and prepare to bring Twelve back.

Ch. 238Taking Back the Glory That Belongs to Us!

Xu Ran returned to Cloud-Gathering City and learned Main Quest 3 was nearly complete, then entered the Commander Level rankings with the Three Little Ones after nine days away. He reclaimed first place on the Current Rankings and rose to second on the Historical Rankings, while Fang Yuling left to keep training and Xu Ran recognized the gap separating him from Fang Canghai.

  • Xu Ran found that local recognition had reached 69.1% and postponed choosing a new system shop manager until the three incoming clerks arrived.
  • Xu Ran sent Tony, the Black-Clothed Man, and the Green-Skinned Frog back to Qingzhou City, then prepared the Three Little Ones to challenge the rankings before they were finalized.
  • Fang Yuling waited for Xu Ran at the rankings after spectators debated whether he would appear, then saw him arrive and enter the C01 Test Area.
  • Xu Ran overtook Fang Yuling for first place on the Current Rankings and reached second place on the Historical Rankings with an overall combat power of 452983.
  • Fang Yuling left to continue training, and Xu Ran noted that he still trailed first-place Fang Canghai, whose score was 487896.

Ch. 239Three New Shop Assistants!

Xu Ran and his Contract Beasts swept the Commander Rank rankings, earned a large weekly settlement, and returned to the shop. The next morning, he claimed rewards for completing Main Quest 3 and met three new System Clerks, whose unusual voices and talents left him wondering who should manage the store.

  • Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones challenged the Commander Rank rankings, and their combined settlement rewards from two weeks exceeded 170,000 Beast Tamer Points.
  • Xu Ran told the gathered customers that Tony and the other assistants had been transferred, while hinting that he would not necessarily run the shop the next day.
  • After meditation, Xu Ran claimed the completed quest rewards and summoned three new System Clerks as the Three Little Ones watched.
  • Miaomiao and Murong introduced themselves, revealing that Miaomiao excelled at grooming and Murong at sparring, despite their voices clashing with their appearances.
  • Fishing Enthusiast emerged with a Dragon-Patterned Carp, offered it as a gift, and accepted Xu Ran's assignment to handle feeding.
  • Fishing Enthusiast asked Xu Ran who he had chosen as store manager and slyly questioned whether Miaomiao and Murong should greet customers.

Ch. 240The Transcendent Evolution Department!

Xu Ran appointed the Angler as the new shop manager and left the Starfire Foster Shop in the clerks’ hands while he delivered Zhang Yun’s letter to the Transcendent Evolution Department. There, he reunited with Fang Yuling and met Liu Yu, who became intensely interested in the Three Little Ones.

  • Xu Ran made the Angler the second System Shop Manager and told him, Miaomiao, and Murong to run the Cloud-Gathering City shop while he prepared to visit Demonwood City.
  • The Angler fed the boarding Contract Beasts, opened the shop, and stopped a disappointed customer from leaving by threatening to reveal the customer’s wish to be groomed by Xu Ran.
  • Xu Ran took Zhang Yun’s letter to the Transcendent Evolution Department and learned from a photograph that the department had helped evolve Vice President You Shengjiang’s Broken-River Sky Tiger.
  • Xu Ran encountered Fang Yuling, who warned him that delivering a letter to Liu Yu might take longer than expected.
  • Liu Yu arrived from the elevator, saw the Three Little Ones, and exclaimed that they were new species.

Ch. 241Mad Scientist Liu Yu

Xu Ran visited the Transcendent Evolution Department with Liu Yu and watched an experiment in which Golden Koi Dragons attempted to evolve. Of thirty participants, only two succeeded, leaving Xu Ran to reflect on how much safer the Three Little Ones’ evolution had been.

  • Liu Yu enthusiastically brought Xu Ran and Fang Yuling to tour the Transcendent Evolution Department and questioned Xu Ran about Purple Cloud’s evolution.
  • Liu Yu took Xu Ran to observe the 329th Golden Koi Dragon evolution experiment, where researchers supplied the volunteers with Transcendence Flowers and other resources.
  • The Golden Koi Dragons endured painful, unstable reactions, and a healing-type Contract Beast halted failed evolutions and treated the injured participants.
  • Little Zhang announced that only Golden Koi Dragons Numbers 6 and 18 had evolved successfully out of thirty, while Xu Ran wondered whether that success rate was considered high.

Ch. 242The Laws of Evolution and the Radiant Sacred Kingdom

Xu Ran toured the Transcendent Evolution Department with Liu Yu and learned how a contract beast’s growth stage and skill proficiency affect its chances of evolution. The visit ended with Liu Yu introducing records of holy spirit evolution from Abyssbreak City, revealing that Cloud-Gathering City belonged to the Radiant Sacred Kingdom.

  • Researcher Xiao Zhang explained that two Golden Carp Dragons had evolved into a Blue-Gold Thorn Dragon and a previously unknown form, making both results valuable for research.
  • Liu Yu took Xu Ran and Fang Yuling to the water-element floor, where he described factors that influence evolution success; Xu Ran deduced the ideal conditions for evolving a monarch species into an emperor species.
  • Xu Ran toured the department’s floors and watched evolution experiments and recordings while avoiding Liu Yu’s attempts to get him to ask questions.
  • Liu Yu brought Xu Ran to see records of emperor species evolving into holy spirit races and explained that the records came from Abyssbreak City, the Radiant Sacred Kingdom’s only First-Tier Capital.
  • Xu Ran realized he had never known the name of the country governing the cities and began forming a clearer picture of the Radiant Sacred Kingdom.

Ch. 243Holy Spirit Life Wheel!

Xu Ran watched a recording of an Emperor Species evolving into a Holy Spirit Race and learned about the Holy Spirit Life Wheel and the race’s unique nature. After discovering the visit had cost him 200,000 Beast Tamer Points, he shared limited details about his beasts’ evolution with Liu Yu before leaving.

  • Liu Yu showed Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones a recording of the Radiant Sacred Kingdom’s first Holy Spirit evolving and explained the Holy Spirit Life Wheel and the Holy Spirit Race’s uniqueness.
  • Fang Yuling revealed that Xu Ran had spent 200,000 Beast Tamer Points on admission and viewing the recording.
  • Liu Yu asked how Xu Ran’s Contract Beasts had gained a second attribute, and Xu Ran said they had raised their innate skills to three-star, used a Harmonizing Stone, and performed correct evolution rituals.
  • Xu Ran explained that evolution rituals helped Contract Beasts develop toward particular evolved forms, then left with the Three Little Ones.
  • Liu Yu realized evolution signs were connected to evolution rituals and resolved to draw more information from Xu Ran next time.

Ch. 244A special Main Quest 4!

Xu Ran met the Qin siblings on their way to the Starfire Foster Shop and personally groomed their Contract Beasts. He also received Main Quest 4, which required him to establish branches in four Second-Tier Strongholds, and learned that completing its stages would reward System Clerks and a System Skill Upgrade Token.

  • Xu Ran met Qin Can and Qin Yue, who complained about the new clerks at the Starfire Foster Shop, and promised to groom their beasts himself.
  • Xu Ran brought the Three Little Ones back to the shop, where he sent Miaomiao on a break before a new system quest appeared.
  • Xu Ran read Main Quest 4 and learned that he needed to open branches in four Second-Tier Strongholds, with the current stage requiring a second branch and rewarding three System Clerks.
  • Xu Ran realized the quest rewards included a System Skill Upgrade Token, which would let him advance one of his maxed-out B-Rank system skills.
  • Xu Ran groomed the Qin siblings' seven Contract Beasts, then told them he would soon leave Cloud-Gathering City; they decided to entrust their beasts to Miaomiao rather than Tony.

Ch. 245The second red item!

Xu Ran took a commemorative photo with the Qin siblings, then used his good fortune from the two koi to draw an Emperor Species Evolution Route. Can Can and Starlight yielded the route to Purple Cloud, and Xu Ran chose her a six-star evolution path.

  • Xu Ran asked Qin Yue and Qin Can to take a commemorative photo with him, and Qin Yue knocked Qin Can into the ground when he refused.
  • After leaving, Qin Can suspected Xu Ran had ulterior motives, but Qin Yue slapped him for doubting their friend.
  • Xu Ran revealed that he had drawn an Emperor Species Evolution Route, and the Three Little Ones celebrated.
  • Can Can and Starlight agreed to let Purple Cloud use the route first, and she promised to protect them after evolving.
  • Xu Ran selected the six-star route from Flashing Thunder Cat to Sky-Shocking Cloud Chaser for Purple Cloud.

Ch. 246Purple Cloud's Emperor Species Evolution Route!

Xu Ran revealed Purple Cloud’s six-star-potential Emperor Species evolution route, which required extreme skill proficiency, rare materials, and defeating two Monarch Rank creatures. The route also required evolution atop thunderclouds, leaving Purple Cloud stunned by the scale of the challenge.

  • Xu Ran selected Purple Cloud’s route to evolve from Flashing Thunder Cat into Sky-Shocking Cloud Chaser and learned its demanding skill and proficiency requirements.
  • Xu Ran found that two essential evolution materials were unavailable in Cloud-Gathering City, while the exchangeable materials would cost 550,000 Beast Tamer Points.
  • Xu Ran explained that Purple Cloud had to kill one Lightning Element and one Fighting Element Monarch Rank creature and collect their core resources as supplementary materials.
  • Purple Cloud learned that its skills needed Blazing Sun Level proficiency and that at least four Four-Star Innate Skills needed both Lightning and Fighting attributes.
  • Xu Ran revealed that Purple Cloud had to evolve atop thunderclouds and suggested learning a flying skill, leaving Purple Cloud shocked.

Ch. 247Evolution preparations, a new Four-Star skill!

Xu Ran helped Purple Cloud begin preparing for its Emperor Species evolution, discussing the route’s demanding requirements and allocating resources to improve its skills. Purple Cloud fused four Three-Star skills into the Four-Star dual-element skill Divine Punishment.

  • Purple Cloud accepted that learning to fly was necessary for its evolution ritual, while Xu Ran reassured Starlight that its own route would differ.
  • Xu Ran reasoned that Purple Cloud should upgrade all six remaining Innate Skills into dual-element skills to improve its chances of balancing both elements during evolution, and Purple Cloud agreed.
  • Starlight and Can Can gave Purple Cloud first choice in the resource allocation, and Starlight offered to lend it Value Points.
  • Purple Cloud upgraded Critical Hit into the Three-Star skill Sin-Punishing Strike and chose to fuse it with Thunderlight Refinement, Crimson Gold Lightning Infusion, and Crimson Fighting Spirit.
  • After spending forty-nine Skill Fusion Stones, Xu Ran successfully fused the four skills into the Four-Star skill Divine Punishment, delighting Purple Cloud.

Ch. 248Seeing Xu Qing Again

Xu Ran finished allocating skills for the Three Little Ones and arranged with Xu Qing to travel to Demonwood City in three days with a King-Rank Beast Tamer. He and the beasts resolved to grow stronger and find Twelve, while a looming competition between Second-Tier Strongholds and the arrival of Xu Ran at the Beast Taming Rankings hinted at events to come.

  • Purple Cloud explained that its new Divine Punishment skill fused Lightning and Fighting powers into one devastating strike, but caused a severe backlash and could only be used after a long interval.
  • Xu Ran used a Three-Star Skill Scroll to upgrade Purple Cloud's Falling Thunder into Heavenly Thunderfall Strike, and Purple Cloud, Starlight, and Can Can divided the remaining resources.
  • Xu Ran called Xu Qing and agreed to travel to Demonwood City in three days with Tian Chao, a King-Rank Beast Tamer.
  • Xu Qing discussed an upcoming competition in which Second-Tier Strongholds would select five Marshal Rank Beast Tamers, and worried that President Fang's urgent actions foreshadowed a major upheaval.
  • Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones talked about finding Twelve after growing stronger, and Purple Cloud vowed to evolve before confronting the Nightmare Beast King.
  • Spectators at the Beast Taming Rankings spotted Xu Ran and hurried over to see what he was doing.

Ch. 249A record surpassing Fang Canghai!

Xu Ran brought Purple Cloud to testing area C12 to challenge Fang Canghai’s historical Commander Rank combat-power record and test her Divine Punishment skill. Purple Cloud’s strike wrecked the testing ground, and the displayed score hit the apparent testing limit just as Fang Yuling witnessed a pillar of light rise from the rankings.

  • Xu Ran took Purple Cloud into testing area C12, where a growing crowd gathered outside in anticipation of her challenge.
  • Purple Cloud transformed into a long saber and activated Divine Punishment, fusing her Lightning and Fighting powers into a destructive new force.
  • Purple Cloud’s attack engulfed the energy-body opponents, shattered the testing ground, and left a huge crater behind.
  • The testing system displayed a combat-power score of 79,999, leading Xu Ran and Starlight to suspect Purple Cloud had exceeded the testing limit.
  • Xu Ran took Purple Cloud back to prepare for Divine Punishment’s backlash, while Fang Yuling arrived and watched the rankings in disbelief as a pillar of light rose.

Ch. 250Divine Punishment Backlash, breakthrough!

Xu Ran’s Flashing Thunder Cat, Purple Cloud, exceeded the Commander Rank combat-power ranking’s upper limit, then endured the backlash from Divine Punishment. After recovering, Purple Cloud and Xu Ran prepared to break through to the Marshal Rank, while Fang Canghai discovered the unusual source of Purple Cloud’s strength.

  • Xu Ran’s Flashing Thunder Cat took first place on the Historical Commander Rank Contract Beast Combat Power Rankings, triggering the ranking’s upper-limit display and nine bell peals.
  • Fang Yuling recognized that Xu Ran had exceeded the ranking’s upper limit and left with her friend, then told her father, Fang Canghai, what had happened.
  • Purple Cloud chose to endure Divine Punishment Backlash before advancing, and Xu Ran, Starlight, and Can Can supported it through the painful ordeal.
  • After Purple Cloud recovered, Xu Ran and the Three Little Ones began preparing to break through to the Marshal Rank.
  • Fang Canghai watched a recording of Purple Cloud’s challenge with Fang Yuling and identified Attribute Leap as the source of its extraordinary combat power.
Arc 10 of 16