Dr. Gu, the Unrivaled Beastmaster (2) |
Limitless City.
It was a large safe zone where beastmasters who had cleared the Beginner Trial Secret Realm gathered, equipped with various facilities catering to their needs.
Gu Qingyi initially believed she was the only one chosen to become a beastmaster. However, after clearing the Beginner Trial Secret Realm, she realized she wasn’t alone.
After exploring the facilities in her private room, Gu Qingyi left under her real name, opting not to create a new ID for Limitless City.
Outside, a dozen or so people were already engaged in lively discussions, venting their excitement. It seemed they had all cleared the Beginner Secret Realm.
“What? Then we must be neighbors! I’m a hunter from Lu Village!”
“Seriously? I’m from Golden Hill! What’s your ID? Mine is ‘Condor Hero’!”
“Brothers, do any of you know what’s going on? Is this some infinite flow thing? Or aliens with ulterior motives?”
“Hey, look! There’s a beautiful girl!”
“Hey, gorgeous, you must be confused, right? I’ve already figured things out. My ID is ‘Pig God.’ Wanna add me as a friend and chat? Hehe.”
“Move.”
Gu Qingyi’s cold expression made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him as she strode past, leaving the man heartbroken.
“Damn… rejected…”
Gu Qingyi noticed that those chosen to become beastmasters were all young, ranging from 20 to 30 years old. The youngest couldn’t be under 18, and the oldest likely wouldn’t exceed 40.
These young people adapted quickly to the new reality, already dreaming of changing their lives through the beastmaster profession.
After a brief exploration of Limitless City, Gu Qingyi returned to the real world. Having been gone for a day without notice, she worried her acquaintances might be concerned. Fortunately, her absence hadn’t caused much of a stir.
Over the next few days, Gu Qingyi scoured the internet for any mention of beastmasters. She found it hard to believe that so many people being chosen wouldn’t leave a trace. But to her surprise, there was no discussion at all. She concluded that the authorities must have intervened.
Instead of reaching out to the authorities herself, she focused on tackling other secret realms with her dragon, harvesting extraordinary materials for research. She kept the useful materials and sold the rest at Limitless City’s recycling station for crystal coins.
One day, as Gu Qingyi finished sorting her materials, a middle-aged man in camouflage stopped her.
“Hello. Dr. Gu Qingyi, right?”
“What do you want?” Gu Qingyi looked up, sensing an unusual aura from the man.
“My name is Kong Jie. I’m with the military. The authorities have been observing you for some time. I’d like to ask if you’re interested in joining us. You must have some understanding of Limitless City by now.
“Although we haven’t fully unraveled its mysteries, it seems people around the world have been chosen as beastmasters. To explore this facility as efficiently as possible, the government plans to unite all beastmasters in Xia.
“Your skills are impressive, so I’d like to invite you to join the official Secret Realm Raid Team. Together, we can conquer Hard and even Hell-difficulty secret realms.”
Kong Jie elaborated on the benefits of joining the organization, promising access to resources and conveniences.
“Since you’ve investigated my real-world profession, I want a transcendent research institute,” Gu Qingyi stated.
“No problem,” the military beastmaster agreed readily.
Thus, Xia’s newly formed Secret Realm Raid Team welcomed a formidable member. Gu Qingyi began growing stronger at an astonishing pace. Whether it was her achievements in secret realms or her effortless crystal coin earnings in the arena, she left the other first-generation beastmasters in awe.
“Incredible…”
In the Limitless City Arena, a young man clutching a sword stared in shock at her dragon. The sight of the crocodile molded into the shape of a true dragon left him dazed.
“Is this a form of martial arts mimicry? This is called the greatness of Gu Qingyi. If I could learn from her, I might even grasp Sword Intent… But I hear she’s aloof. Even in the official raid team, she only teams up with a fixed group. She’s hard to approach… What kind of man could ever tame a woman like her?
“How am I, the Condor Hero, supposed to master Sword Intent…?”
***
An ascension realm was a special trial realm established by Limitless City that beastmasters must clear to level up. As beastmasters worldwide hit bottlenecks, many chose to enter these realms to level up. Gu Qingyi was no exception.
Having already cleared one beginner ascension realm, she now entered her second. However, this time, her mission was more challenging as it was a hunting competition against nine other beastmasters. Rankings would determine who advanced.
In the Stellar Moon Continent’s Monster Forest, ten level 1 beastmasters from across the nation hunted fiercely. As a core member of Xia’s raid team, Gu Qingyi wasn’t fazed by the competition. But with several foreign beastmasters in the mix, she remained vigilant, knowing threats could come from both beasts and fellow competitors.
Just as she finished off another beast, her senses sharpened. She tensed, feeling as if a malevolent spirit had locked onto her.
“Who’s there?” Her voice was cold as two figures in gray robes emerged from the bushes, their faces hidden.
“Relax.” The pair—a man and a woman—spoke in Xia’s language, but their attire made Gu Qingyi wary.
“We just wanted to see if you needed help, fellow Xia beastmaster,” the woman said with a smile.
“I don’t. You should worry about yourselves. This place is dangerous.” Gu Qingyi eyed them cautiously.
Without another word, she left, leaving the two robed figures exchanging glances.
“Such a young girl, yet so cautious.”
“Xia truly breeds extraordinary talent. She can’t be much older than Little Ran, yet she’s far stronger than any beastmaster we’ve met.”
“And quite beautiful too. If Little Ran could marry someone like her, I’d be at ease. Enough about others. Let’s focus on getting stronger. If we gain the power to escape the Other Shore, we might reunite with Little Ran someday…” The woman sighed.
***
Dragon Master. This title was renowned internationally, as she was the first to breed a pure dragon species. Since the first dragon’s birth, Gu Qingyi faced endless requests from people hoping she’d help them raise a Dragon familiar. But her success had been due to rare opportunities, and she couldn’t assist everyone.
“Little Qingyi~! Help me out! Try breeding a dragon-cat hybrid for me!”
In a cafe, Gu Qingyi sat across from an elegant Ragdoll cat, staring silently.
“So you’re the infamous information broker? Ying, was it? And don’t act like you’re close with me. Use my full name,” Gu Qingyi said coldly.
“Tch, you’re no fun. According to my intel, you have a very special item, right? Don’t worry, I’m not interested in that. I just want to know if you’d like to work at my Cat Maid Cafe. Honestly, it’s got better prospects than the official raid team. Plus, you should know my real identity.”
“Not interested.” Gu Qingyi stood to leave but paused. “However, Ying, your information network seems unique. I’d like to commission you for something. I’ve recently taken an interest in special abilities…”
Ying smirked. “Oh… so you’re butting heads with that psychic, Lin Nian, huh? Work for me, and I guarantee you’ll crush her within three years…”
Gu Qingyi walked away without another word.
“You’re missing out on greatness!” Ying called after her, shaking its head.
***
Three years had passed since the first appearance of the black contract cards. Every year since, a new batch of people was chosen as beastmasters. The fourth generation was particularly large. Numerous beastmaster factions were scouting fresh talent among the newcomers.
In these three years, Gu Qingyi had become one of Xia’s top beastmasters. Yet, as her fellow first-generation peers fell one by one in secret realms, she grew even more solitary. Years of trials had hardened her heart. Her only goal now was to raise stronger familiars and climb to the pinnacle alongside them.
Fresh from her research, Gu Qingyi received a call from Ying, who rambled about strange intel.
“Lu Ran?”
Only after hanging up did Gu Qingyi understand that the information broker had encountered a talented beastmaster with special abilities and assumed he was connected to her.
Although she was strong now, aided by powerful items from the start, she knew there were always greater talents like that old man or that psychic girl, whose abilities defied logic. She realized that to grow further, she couldn’t limit herself to dragon research. She needed to explore new avenues.
“Lu Ran.”
Although she didn’t know the boy Ying mentioned, she looked into him. Soon, her screen displayed a photo of a spirited young man and a particularly… intelligent-looking husky.
“I’ll investigate further. If he’s suitable, an assistant might not be a bad idea.”
Little did she know, this decision would set countless fateful gears in motion…