Chapter 11: Growth, Second Rank Moonlight Fox

The Thorn Demon was a relatively common type of Soul Pet, and Chu Mu was very familiar with everything about it.

Chu Mu had already judged earlier that this Thorn Demon should only be at second rank strength and only possessed one vine. A Thorn Demon of this strength had a vine length of roughly between fifteen to twenty meters. Judging from the vine’s elasticity now, it could probably extend outward another half that distance.

This meant the Thorn Demon’s main body should be within ten meters of Little Mo Xie.

Just as Chu Mu was searching for the Thorn Demon’s main body, he suddenly noticed the vine contract swiftly.

“Vine Slash!” The Thorn Demon’s powerful attack skill flashed in Chu Mu’s mind. If the power of this Vine Slash hit Little Mo Xie directly, with Mo Xie’s fragile little body, it would surely be heavily injured.

Chu Mu immediately swept a glance at Mo Xie. He didn’t yet know what skills Mo Xie possessed. Seeing this powerful Vine Slash about to strike down, he felt a secret worry in his heart!

“Mo Xie, get away quickly!”

“Swoosh!” The speed of the vine suddenly increased as it slapped down!

Little Mo Xie was already prepared thanks to Chu Mu’s warning. Just as the Vine Slash fell, its small figure, illuminated by the silvery moonlight, suddenly produced two blurry shadows!

“Slap!”

The Vine Slash landed squarely on the two blurry shadows of Little Mo Xie. Instantly, dust flew, gravel scattered, and the patch of thorns was completely broken!

Chu Mu’s heart tightened. The power of the Vine Slash was actually this frightening; if it had hit him, his skin would likely have split.

However, Chu Mu was even more worried about Little Mo Xie’s condition.

Only a few beams of silvery moonlight penetrated the Thicket of Thorns, one of them right where the Vine Slash had fallen.

In the moonlight, some gritty turbidity floated in the air. As this turbidity slowly cleared, the two soft, blurry shadows gradually faded, revealing Little Mo Xie’s graceful figure.

“Moon Shadow!” Chu Mu looked at the little creature who had easily dodged the Vine Slash, his face showing surprise.

Moon Shadow was an evasion skill that used moonlight. Mo Xie was only a first-rank Moonlight Fox, yet it had just performed a skill that only a third-rank Moonlight Fox could perform!

The Azure Bird Chu Mu had encountered before also mastered a skill beyond its stage. Chu Mu had classified it as a Soul Pet with very high talent.

And now Little Mo Xie, still at such a young stage, had mastered a higher-stage skill. Its talent was definitely not ordinary.

Indeed, as the rumors said, every Soul Pet with a Mutation bloodline had incredibly freakish talent.

When the Thorn Demon used Vine Slash, it exposed itself, and Chu Mu accurately seized this opportunity.

“Left front, seven meters. Attack its body!” Chu Mu immediately gave the command.

Little Mo Xie also locked onto the direction immediately. While the Thorn Demon was slowly retracting its vine, the little fox had already turned into a streak of silver light, swiftly darting into the dense thicket of vines!

“Crunch~! Crunch~!”

Soon, sounds like branches breaking came from that part of the Thicket of Thorns, and messy vines scattered on the ground.

Chu Mu immediately followed. Pushing aside the thorns, he saw Little Mo Xie holding a bitten-off vine in its mouth, its retractable claws already extended, buried in the body of a blue-black, vine-like Soul Pet, pinning it under its four paws. It raised its head proudly towards the moonlight and let out a cry.

The Thorn Demon was a low-class second rank, its species below the Moonlight Fox. Even though it was one rank higher than Mo Xie, once its body was found by Mo Xie, it definitely was no match for Mo Xie.

“Woo~!” Mo Xie let out another fox cry. A beam of cool moonlight happened to fall upon it, highlighting its graceful and delicate body. At this moment, the moon-colored fur on its body grew a bit longer.

“It grew up?” Chu Mu looked at Mo Xie with pleasant surprise.

Battle was the most direct way for a Soul Pet to grow quickly!

And so-called growth was the process of a weak creature gradually maturing!

There was hostility and competition between Soul Pets. During battle, they desired to defeat their opponent. This desire and the tempering of their bodies during the fight could promote a Soul Pet’s growth.

Mo Xie had grown from first rank to second rank. The fur on Mo Xie’s body became fluffier and more vibrant in color.

“The Moonlight Fox’s fur seems purely decorative fluff; it probably hasn’t gained much resistance. But reaching the second rank, its strength should have increased somewhat,” Chu Mu said.

“Kill it. Its Soul Core should give you a good meal,” Chu Mu said to Mo Xie.

After getting permission, Mo Xie immediately used its claws to tear open the Thorn Demon’s body and took out from its vine-like form a drop of something that looked like liquid yet also like amber, a crystal-clear Soul Core.

Soul Cores from different realms differed. Soul Pets from the Plant Realm usually had this kind of liquid-like, amber-like Soul Core.

After eating it as food, Little Mo Xie probably would not need to eat for the next day or two. Jumping back into Chu Mu’s arms, the little creature also seemed drowsy. After giving a cute yawn, it lay in Chu Mu’s arms, looking like it was about to sleep.

After collecting the Thorn Demon’s vines, Chu Mu hugged Little Mo Xie and left the Thicket of Thorns.

Leaving the Thicket of Thorns meant entering the area belonging to the Outer Island. Chu Mu finally relaxed a little. He deliberately found a relatively safe small cave, blocked the entrance, and spent the night inside.

…

Early the next morning, Chu Mu was awakened by a smooth, wet feeling on his cheek. Opening his eyes, he saw the beautiful-looking Little Mo Xie licking his cheek with its tongue, making a cooing “woo woo” sound.

Chu Mu patted the little creature, put it on the ground, washed up with the water in the cave, and took a big drink. Then he moved aside the rocks blocking the cave entrance.

Sunlight fell on Chu Mu’s face, making him feel somewhat dazzled and hot.

“It’s almost noon already… how did I sleep until now…” Chu Mu said.

Perhaps it was because he had remained tense throughout the time in the Inner Island. After leaving there, he finally managed to sleep peacefully and unknowingly slept this late.

Chu Mu took out some dry rations, took a few bites himself to fill his stomach, and also fed some to the little bookworm that always hid in his collar.

After getting food, the little bookworm happily wriggled its body, looking very cheerful.

After leaving the cave, Chu Mu headed straight for the Camp. Outside the island, there were also some fierce Soul Pets, but Mo Xie was very alert. It could sense the presence of some powerful Soul Pets and could easily avoid them.