"Then why not just engage in direct physical combat? Machines are lifeless, and deviations are inevitable."
Ke Xin smiled sweetly.
"Because contracted beasts in physical combat get injured."
Lu Fei was confused.
Ke Xin patiently explained, "In the simulated combat space, no matter how severely contracted beasts are injured, or even if they die, they can still be unharmed as long as their souls leave the simulation. It's like having a dream!"
Lu Fei's mouth slightly opened, finding it hard to believe.
This was far more powerful than VR. VR only created an illusion, but the simulated space created by these machines could provide contracted beasts with a more realistic experience.
While marveling at the technology of the Beast Taming Continent, another thought sprouted in Lu Fei's heart.
When he went to the Beast Tamer Association to accept missions, the staff had mentioned the classification of Beast Tamer professions, and this Contracted Beast Researcher was one of them.
With his years of experience researching animals, he might be able to pick up a side job in the future by simply understanding the rules of contracted beast research.
As he was contemplating, Ke Xin's voice sounded again.
"Brother Fei, let me tell you something quietly."
Lu Fei snapped back to attention and cautiously leaned closer.
Ke Xin then whispered, "I heard there's an organization in this world called the 'Dark Ranking.'"
Lu Fei furrowed his brow, "Dark Ranking? What kind of organization is this?" He had only heard of the Hunter organization before, which was founded by his cheap nephew. That organization had already been incorporated into his family tree, a bunch of formidable figures...
Ke Xin continued, "This 'Dark Ranking' organization publishes a list called the 'Dark Ranking.' For Beast Tamers to get their names on the Dark Ranking, they must enter the simulated space designated by the 'Dark Ranking' organization for combat and accumulate points."
"Actually, the ranking rules of the 'Dark Ranking' are similar to the Beast Tamer Tournament. The only difference is that all Beast Tamers on the Beast Taming Continent can spar and compete on it, but there's only one list, and it's not divided by age or Beast Tamer profession."
Lu Fei nodded, his expression somewhat excited.
Interesting... a ranking match... Speaking of which, my Legend King account hasn't been played for so long, has it dropped in rank? And my national server Bailey Shouyue...
After a moment of thought, Lu Fei said,
"Isn't that a good thing? Why are you being so cautious?"
Ke Xin lowered her voice even further, "That's because the 'Dark Ranking' organization is an evil underground organization! This organization regularly issues 'Dark Ranking Orders,' and only Beast Tamers on the 'Dark Ranking' can accept missions!"
Ke Xin's expression suddenly changed, and she glanced around before whispering, "'Dark Ranking Orders' often involve illegal missions, such as assassinating high-ranking government officials or stealing treasures. In short, they have no bottom line!"
Lu Fei frowned slightly. He seemed to understand the intention behind the name "Dark Ranking" – simply put, it was something that couldn't see the light. But then he realized something was amiss.
"You said everyone on the Beast Taming Continent can participate in the 'Dark Ranking' rankings. So, others can see this ranking too. Wouldn't that make the information of all participants clear at a glance? Who would risk having their name appear on the Dark Ranking?"
Ke Xin shook her head.
"No, because the Beast Tamers participating in the 'Dark Ranking' competitions use code names."
Lu Fei uttered an "oh."
He continued, "Since this organization is not legal, why hasn't the world government eradicated them?"
When Lu Fei first learned about the Hunter organization, he had asked Chu Huainan the same question, but the reply was that the organization was too dispersed and powerful for the world government to handle. He was curious why the "Dark Ranking," also an evil organization, could still exist so prosperously.
Ke Xin pursed her lips, "Initially, this organization merely provided a platform for Beast Tamers to spar. By word of mouth, a large number of Beast Tamers poured in. Later, many commercial stores in cities even proposed rules where Beast Tamers with a ranking on the 'Dark Ranking' could receive various welfare benefits and privileges."
"This led to a massive increase in participants for the 'Dark Ranking.' But it was at this point that the organizers exposed their true intentions, which was to establish an underground mercenary corps!"
"In just a few years, the influence of the 'Dark Ranking' expanded rapidly. By the time the world government started to pay attention, it was too late. According to their estimates, at least fifty percent of the population on the Beast Taming Continent had participated in ranking battles on the 'Dark Ranking'!"
Lu Fei was dumbfounded.
"Because many Beast Tamers had become inseparable from the 'Dark Ranking,' when the world government ordered the eradication of the 'Dark Ranking,' they faced unprecedented resistance. Many people spontaneously took to the streets to protest."
"Finally, the eight councilors convened an emergency meeting, and their decision was that the 'Dark Ranking' could exist, but if they touched the legal bottom line, they would be severely punished!"
Lu Fei curled his lips, thinking to himself, so the world government compromised again?
Suddenly, Lu Fei's expression changed.
He said quickly, "Where do these 'Dark Ranking Order' missions come from!"
He stared intently at Ke Xin, his expression serious. This question was very important to him.
Ke Xin was slightly taken aback, and after pondering for a moment, she said, "I heard that anyone can pay a high price to have the 'Dark Ranking' organization issue a mission."
Lu Fei stumbled back two steps.
Damn... So if someone dislikes me, they can directly use money to kill me?
His first thought was of the Fang father and son. Although they were still lying in the hospital, they would definitely come looking for trouble after they were discharged. Even if they didn't come looking for him, he intended to find them. He wasn't done with being beaten until he vomited blood!
But now, with the existence of the "Dark Ranking," what if they, in their rage, directly posted a mission to take his dog head on the "Dark Ranking"? Wouldn't he be toast?
Ke Xin looked worried. "Brother Fei, what's wrong?"
Lu Fei waved his hand and strode forward.
"I'm fine. Let's go find some contracted beasts quickly."
His mind was in a mess. He felt the malice of this world. Originally, he only needed to face one or two people, but now he might have to face a whole group of top-tier Beast Tamers!
Those were guys who valued money over their lives!
Lu Fei felt as if a knife was hanging over his head, and he vowed to keep a low profile from now on!
Yet, he desperately wanted to improve his strength. He couldn't continue to muddle through by relying on luck!
"Brother Fei, wait for me~"
Ke Xin quickly caught up.
The two walked quickly, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the store specializing in selling contracted beasts.
Looking around, there were countless stores.
But Lu Fei soon discovered that he couldn't even see a single contracted beast here.