Chapter 15: The Dawn Cup, Soul Pet Battle
Chapter 15: The Dawn Cup, Soul Pet Battle
The changes over a week could be quite obvious.
The most significant was the progress in Soul Power Cultivation.
Nearly fifty-years-worth of Soul Power cultivation, in Wang Che’s view, meant it had some initial fighting strength.
Its form had also grown, from the initial ten centimeters to sixty centimeters.
A newborn baby was generally about fifty or sixty centimeters long.
Compared to two weeks ago when it first hatched, its skin was clearly thicker and a deeper green.
Usually, it felt very elastic to the touch. A small, pale yellow, ‘V’-shaped bud was gradually appearing on its head.
Its eyes shone brightly.
Following Wang Che around, its size resembled a small green snake.
However, because its body was much thicker and sturdier than a snake, distinctly segmented, it was quite easy to tell the difference.
Because it practiced the Beast Origin Art daily, this little one’s physical strength was far beyond what it had been during the test over a week ago.
When first starting the Beast Origin Art and its four stances, the Green Caterpillar could only manage one hour each time before needing a long rest.
Over a whole day, it could only practice a few times.
With Soul Power gradually increasing and all aspects of its body strengthening significantly, it could now last for three hours each session.
Practicing once in the morning, afternoon, and evening, the efficiency of its cultivation had greatly increased.
This little guy was quite hardworking. Mainly because Wang Che kept cheering it on, telling stories to fuel its inner desire to become strong.
Otherwise, the speed of its Soul Power cultivation wouldn’t have increased so much.
The soul energy required for each year of Soul Power cultivation kept increasing.
Unless the rate of absorbing that energy also increased, the progress would naturally slow down.
Yet over this past week, the Green Caterpillar’s Soul Power cultivation had maintained an improvement rate of about three years per day.
That was quite something.
“Generally, once it crosses the hundred-year barrier, the rate of cultivation growth will decrease significantly. By then, the Beast Origin Art won’t help much.”
“After all, ten years, one hundred years, a thousand years—they’re like big barriers. Comparable to breaking through a major realm in the Cultivation World. After breaking through, cultivation growth naturally slows down considerably…”
Wang Che glanced out the window at the drizzling rain.
The start of the school term approached, coinciding with the rainy season.
The light drizzle couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of senior year students eager to return to school.
The second semester of senior year here was the one all students looked forward to the most.
Especially the seniors.
Ever since the senior-year winter break began, countless students had been eagerly anticipating the start of school.
From the moment they were born and grew up, beginning to understand the world, countless children yearned to have their own Soul Pet.
Until they turned eighteen and entered adulthood, finally getting their very first Soul Pet.
Whether weak, common, or rare, for every young man and young woman reaching that age, it was exciting and thrilling.
Its hatching, its first chirp, its first feeding, its first affectionate nuzzle, its first training session, its first Soul Power cultivation increase, its first comprehension of a Soul Skill… each milestone added to their anticipation for their Soul Pet.
And this anticipation would explode completely after school started, when they experienced one of the world’s most popular battles: the Soul Pet Battle.
“Soul Pet Battle…”
Wang Che glanced at the Green Caterpillar munching on Leaf Biscuits nearby.
Sensing Wang Che’s gaze, the Green Caterpillar instinctively threw down its Leaf Biscuit and bounced up.
It straightened up, signaling it was ready for training!
Wang Che felt both amused and exasperated. He could only say, “Today’s a break, no training. Go ahead and eat!”
The continuous training of the past two weeks had obviously ingrained a habit into the little guy.
While sticking to it was hard… there were stories! And tasty treats!
In the stories, it had become a mighty thousand-year Soul Beast, defeating countless stronger Soul Beasts.
The feelings of those stories had seeped deep into its bones…
And the Leaf Biscuits? The little guy craved them more and more.
It just couldn’t understand. They were both leaves. Why did this one taste so much better?
“Who knows how you’d actually perform in a fight against other Soul Beasts, little guy…”
Wang Che naturally hadn’t been idle these past few days.
While he couldn’t cultivate Soul Power, basic physical training remained essential.
His physical fitness was already strong, especially after the Life Soul Pact with the Green Caterpillar strengthened over these two weeks.
Wang Che clearly felt significant improvement in all aspects of his body.
The very basics—eyesight, hearing, sense of smell. All his five senses sharpened considerably.
He could even feel his own life essence becoming more vibrant, brimming with vitality.
His energy seemed limitless. Deep within his spirit, a peculiar sense lingered.
Wang Che guessed it was likely the power of the Martial Soul hidden within this body.
“Without cultivation, all my body’s latent potential has improved quite a bit.”
Given Wang Che’s experience, he knew well: the stronger the body, the more energy it could contain.
Representing better innate talent.
The feeling was strange, akin to his energy pathways opening up.
And in the Cultivation World, those pathways were closely linked to spiritual roots.
Stronger, more resilient innate pathways meant faster cultivation speed and the capacity to hold more spiritual energy than others.
“This Life Soul Pact truly changes the innate talents of people in this world…”
Wang Che mused to himself. “No wonder the humans here are naturally stronger… The top fighters in this world are probably formidable too.”
Beyond training himself, Wang Che spent each day learning general information and knowledge about many Soul Beasts.
Mainly to be more effective in training the Green Caterpillar.
And to prepare for future battles.
The Soul Beasts here shared little similarity with those from the Cultivation World. But Wang Che’s perspective and knowledge allowed him to understand many different Soul Beasts quite deeply.
Just then, his phone lit up. A message appeared in the class group chat application.
Teacher Zheng: “Students, school starts tomorrow! How is your Soul Pet’s initial training? How many of you are actively training your pets? Does anyone already have a Soul Pet with Soul Power cultivation reaching ten years?”
The winter break usually lasted just under a month.
In the first half, the focus was on personal physical and mental examinations, followed by registration and confirmation at the Soul Pet Management Center in the War Zone.
This process proved one was physically and mentally capable of forming the Life Soul Pact.
Then one could either pick a free Soul Pet Egg directly at the management center,
or prepare further and purchase a Soul Pet Egg at the Research Base.
Hatching only took a day or two. After that, with roughly two weeks left, it was time to teach the Soul Pet basic knowledge and do some training.
Teacher Zheng was Wang Che’s homeroom teacher during senior year.
Usually, elementary, middle, and high school teachers weren’t necessarily Professional Soul Contractors.
But they all studied a wide range of Soul Pet knowledge thoroughly through training programs.
“This Teacher Zheng… is a Professional Soul Contractor…”
Seeing this message, Wang Che didn’t reply immediately. Instead, memories about this teacher surfaced in his mind.
As the teacher spoke up, quickly many students started sending replies.
Bu Yan: “Teacher Zheng! Starting training is so hard. My Ppai Pampan was born over a week ago and only stares blankly all day…”
Tong Liang: “My Ppai Pampan is alright. Super cute. My whole family loves it. But it’s clingy and hates training. Still hasn’t improved its Soul Power Cultivation…”
Gong Leying: “Starting training is tough too! Teacher Zheng, pet training is really tricky. Not that they’re disobedient or dumb. My Sharp-toothed Mouse listens, but just won’t exercise…”
Xu Haifeng: “All of you, step aside! Such rookies! Teacher Zheng, my Hundred-flower Beast gained fifteen years of Soul Power Cultivation after ten days of training! Proud emoji.”
Xu Haifeng’s words probably struck a nerve with others.
Arguments popped up at once.
Wang Che chuckled.
Xu Haifeng had mentioned it to him a few days before.
He picked Hundred-flower Beast at the Soul Pet Base with help from Professor Yan.
The main reason?
Hundred-flower Beast’s final form, Flower Fairy, had really good looks.
Besides him, several girls in class chose Hundred-flower Beast—an ordinary Soul Pet famous for evolving into something stunning.
After all, strength could come later.
Good looks were what mattered most then.
“Seems growing pets isn’t going smoothly for many classmates.”
Wang Che shook his head.
Most hadn’t finished basic training, so advancing Soul Pet training became difficult.
A few were done and starting to gather Soul Power.
Only a tiny handful crossed the ten-year cultivation mark.
Teacher Zheng patiently answered questions.
Though truly developing them would start after school began.
Senior high’s second semester focused entirely on raising Soul Pets, preparing to awaken Martial Souls, and starting beginner Soul Pet Battles.
“Nearly all under thirty years cultivation…”
Wang Che read awhile.
“Where’s our Goddess Lin? Why hasn’t she spoken?”
“Don’t ask about Goddess Lin. Zhiyun Snake—an Ultra-Rare Soul Pet. Once training actively started, she must have thirty years cultivation already.”
“Asking about Lin? That’s asking to feel awful. When most haven’t even finished basic training…”
Shortly after.
Lin Xi: “Sorry Teacher Zheng, I was training just now. Missed the message… Zhiyun Snake’s clever. I finished basic training a week back. It works hard itself. Now at forty years Soul Power.”
“Whoa!”
“Huh???”
“Forty years?”
“Totally different level…”
“Is this what Ultra-Rare types are like?”
“Ultra-Rare can’t speed up like that! Must have great resources and training…”
Suddenly, shock spread through the class chat.
Wang Che thought Lin Xi came from a well-off family.
But Ultra-Rare pets were really impressive.
Take his Green Caterpillar. Wang Che spun stories, tweaked training tactics, cooked special meals, trained daily—
After two weeks, it barely hit fifty years cultivation.
But in just one week, Zhiyun Snake reached forty years.
This gap in potential made a huge speed difference.
Teacher Zheng: “Good. With forty years Soul Power, you raised Zhiyun Snake well. By the way… Wang Che, how about you? How’s your Green Caterpillar? Did it evolve into Green Phantom Butterfly?”
Once these messages appeared, the group went quiet.
Wang Che thought and replied: “Doing okay. It didn’t evolve.”
Teacher Zheng: “Knocking head emoji.”
Teacher Zheng: “Don’t dodge questions. Green Phantom Butterfly is fine too. Bring it to school at the start of term tomorrow; I’ll look.”
Teacher Zheng: “Senior high’s second semester begins with Soul Pet exams. After seven days, we hold the opening ceremony Dawn Cup battle experience contest. Think about joining if interested.”
“As an entry event, it’s practice. Lets you feel Soul Pet Battles. But rewards? Very rich.”
“Top ten win big prizes. First place? A hundred thousand dollars. High-level food to speed training, potions to strengthen pets, Soul Guiding Device gear, plus one field training trip outside War Zones.”
“Anyway, tons of benefits. To compete, beyond practice at school, join a battle club for more fights or watch matches.”
“Teacher’s tip? If pets learn even one Ten-Year Soul Skill before matches? Good ranking? Guaranteed.”
“Lin Xi: Best chance. Zhiyun Snake likely learns Soul Skills around sixty years cultivation. Train hard; it could trigger.”
Teacher Zheng laid things out. Moans filled the chat instantly.
Most hadn’t gotten past basic training. Pets lacked motivation—didn’t willingly absorb Soul Power; forget Soul Skills.
But many classmates grew determined suddenly.
The Dawn Cup? Basically early-stage goodies.
Pets were all beginner-level now. Weak.
Normal pets vs. Rare ones? Power gaps weren’t big yet.
Anyone stood a shot.
“Dawn Cup… Great prizes… Might let this little guy see the world too.”
Wang Che rubbed Green Caterpillar’s head.
Ready to close the chat, another message popped up.
Yuan Xiaole: “Che, school starts tomorrow. Wanna visit my club today first?”
Wang Che thought and replied: “Sure.”
Filling in as sparring partner? He hadn’t forgotten.
Yuan Xiaole sent a location pin right away.
Wang Che packed his bag, grabbed Green Caterpillar, and set off.
From earlier checking, he knew Yuan Xiaole’s family-run club was big—Tianyue Battle Club, well-known in Tianxin City.
They had several Professional Soul Contractors.
Specializing in coaching students with new Soul Pets.
Think of places like after-school tutoring centers.
Just official… and large-scale.
At the club entrance, Yuan Xiaole waited.
“Came at last! Thought you’d ditch me.”
Yuan Xiaole grinned. “So here’s the plan: since you’re here… battle first?”
“Soul Pet Battle?” Wang Che eyed him. “Against who?”
“With me, duh!” Yuan Xiaole grinned wider. “Not making you practice seriously here—our trainers are pros. College kids working part-time, plus veteran Soul Contractors.”
“We’ll battle for fun. My Kuka Beast has twenty-seven years Soul Power. Should be a little stronger than your Green Caterpillar.”
He hadn’t spotted it behind Wang Che.
Eleven days prior at testing, Wang Che’s caterpillar had ten years cultivation tops.
Back then Yuan Xiaole thought its power felt slightly above average, sure—but it being picked early wasn’t surprising.
His own Kuka Beast wasn’t even near ten years yet; he’d started prep training slowly.
“Alright.” Wang Che glanced back.
“My dad’s club let me battle days ago. But? They went easy on me.” Yuan Xiaole waved a hand, somewhat annoyed. “Felt boring. Need someone like you, a little behind me.”
Pure honesty poured from him.
Wang Che smiled.
“Relax, I’ll go easy,” Yuan Xiaole patted Wang Che’s shoulder. “Your Green Caterpillar probably evolved into Green Phantom Butterfly already? Even if behind my Kuka Beast… over ten days? Must have over twenty years power?”
“Why can’t I see it?”
He peeked left and right.
“Behind me.” Wang Che pointed.
Yuan Xiaole finally looked and froze in place.
“Whoa! That huge???”