Chapter 231: Competitive Trial, Meeting a Senior
Chapter 231: Competitive Trial, Meeting a Senior
The wilderness around Raging River City was quite similar to that around Forest City.
Before getting close to the Thunderous Soul Earth, the environment was still quite pleasant.
Wang Che walked at a fast pace. Because he was in a hurry, he did not take much time to appreciate the surroundings.
Soon, Wang Che saw that special area.
It was visible from far away.
The sky was dark and gloomy with rolling clouds. From the outside, it was also covered in a faint mist.
He closed his eyes and carefully sensed the surroundings.
It seemed he could feel the free-flowing lightning Life Energy in the world, darting around chaotically.
“What kind of Soul Beast’s evolution could cause such a phenomenon?”
Wang Che felt quite surprised. “It’s been a month since the evolution, and it still hasn’t dispersed. Could it be a Transcendent Grade lightning Soul Beast?”
At that thought, Wang Che became more interested.
He even considered some other possibilities.
Wang Che directly released Magnetic Sword and Green Caterpillar.
As soon as Magnetic Sword was released, it excitedly flew around while still sheathed in the Electromagnetic Sword Sheath.
It probably sensed something.
Green Caterpillar, on the other hand, yawned lazily.
Normally at this time, it would be leisurely farming and watering plants.
Little Caterpillar looked around, especially ahead.
It didn’t really like that kind of environment.
“This is to help Magnetic Sword.”
Wang Che said to Little Caterpillar. “Be a bit more energetic. It’s your little brother. If you don’t help it, it won’t remember your kindness.”
Little Caterpillar thought for a moment and felt Wang Che made sense, so it became more alert.
It glanced at Magnetic Sword flying around in the air, its eyes showing a bit of longing.
After flying for a while, Magnetic Sword instinctively hung itself on Wang Che’s back.
With the two of them, Wang Che quickly entered the area with rolling thunderclouds.
As soon as he entered, Wang Che knew he had come to the right place.
He saw thunderclouds rolling in the sky, and tiny streams of lightning flickering in the air, as if it had suddenly turned to night.
But the visibility around wasn’t low.
The surrounding plants and trees seemed to be coated with a light purple skin, changing colors under the rolling thunderclouds.
Many students and Soul Pact Masters were walking around with their Soul Pets, taking photos.
Occasionally, one or two wild Soul Beasts appeared. There wasn’t much danger.
But there weren’t many resources either.
It really felt like a scenic spot. With the environment so well-rendered, it attracted many students to come and visit.
“Just by training in this place, Magnetic Sword’s speed would be much faster than in other places.”
Wang Che thought.
However, this area only had very faint lightning, with an occasional Heavenly Thunder striking down.
Wang Che continued to take Magnetic Sword further inside.
These areas belonged to the outer region; the inner region had even greater changes.
The further inside they went, the fewer people there were.
The rumbling thunder grew louder.
Magnetic Sword became more excited, emitting constant sizzling sounds.
It was as if it was shouting: Heavenly Thunder, here I come!
Not long after, they reached the border between the inner and outer areas.
To Wang Che’s surprise, when they reached this border, there were actually more Soul Pact Masters here.
There were even many temporary stalls, some set up by students.
“Lightning-proof suits worth a hundred thousand, available for rent at negotiable prices! Soul Pact Masters wanting to explore the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar, hurry up!”
“Thunder Magnetic Bracelets! After use, they release a thunder magnetic field covering three feet around, able to avoid Heavenly Thunder! Five thousand per hour! A must-have Soul Guiding Device for entering the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar!”
“Wind Thunder Wing Devices! As long as a Sky Element Soul Pet is equipped, even if flying in the air and struck by lightning inside, it won’t suffer much damage! Last one left! Hurry if you want to rent!”
…
Many young-faced Soul Pact Masters were shouting around.
Besides renting Soul Guiding Devices, there were also various potions for sale, and even rare materials being sold.
“This area was just formed recently. It seems many Soul Pact Masters have already caught wind and taken action.”
Wang Che glanced around.
This situation was like when a new dungeon had just opened.
Especially since it had only been a month.
Wang Che even saw many students from other academies, forming teams and planning to go inside for exploration.
Usually, newly discovered ruins, wilderness environments, or spatial fluctuation points had high exploration value.
This meant there might be new material resources, new training environments, and even new mutated Soul Beasts appearing.
Sometimes, the Military Department would even organize exploration competitions.
They encouraged students from various academies to enter and explore for training.
But he hadn’t heard any news about that here.
Moreover, to enter the inner layer of this area for exploration, registration was required.
At the border, there was a faint membrane that seemed to separate the two areas. The inner area had a special entrance.
They could only enter from the entrance.
At the entrance, soldiers from the North River Continent were stationed.
Many Soul Pact Masters gathered there, forming a line to register and enter.
Wang Che pondered for a few seconds. This situation was within his expectations.
The outer area wasn’t dangerous; people could roam freely.
The inner area might be more complex and dangerous, so they wouldn’t let just anyone enter.
As for the Thunderous Soul Earth, it was sealed off and not yet open.
Near the entrance, there were also many different exit points. From time to time, Soul Pact Masters walked out from inside.
They mostly looked quite pale; some were even injured. Occasionally, a few walked out with happy expressions, probably having gained something.
“Hey, Wang Che!”
Just as Wang Che was about to go and line up, a familiar voice came from the direction of the exit.
Wang Che looked over and saw Senior Tian Xiaoyu, who had welcomed new students before, standing not far from the exit, looking at him with some surprise.
Next to her were several seniors from the Agricultural Planting Major.
Shen Mingluan was also among them.
“You’re here too?”
Wang Che walked over and greeted them with a smile.
Over the past month, he had been deeply focused on farming. After Senior Shen Mingluan had relayed some messages from Principal Gu last time, she hadn’t visited much.
“Are you planning to go into the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar too? Well, with your strength, you definitely have the ability.”
Tian Xiaoyu said with a smile, “Most of the new students who are drawn here just play around outside.”
“I’m a bit curious, so I thought I’d go in and take a look.”
Wang Che said, “Have you already gone in to explore?”
“Of course.”
Tian Xiaoyu sighed, “Two weeks ago, the sophomore and junior students of Forest Sea Academy organized an expedition inside.”
The situation near Thunderous Soul Earth had been going on for a month now.
It wasn’t surprising to Wang Che that they had organized early expeditions into nearby areas.
“How did it go?”
Wang Che asked.
“Sister Luan, you explain.” Tian Xiaoyu shrugged, “Wang Che doesn’t know much about the situation here.”
“Not great.” Shen Mingluan was wearing a light blue combat suit today, fitted and snug. Her hair was tied up, and she wore a Soul Guiding Device that looked like a baseball cap, giving her a more spirited look.
Probably because she had just come out from the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar, her beautiful face showed some exhaustion.
“The Inner Layer of Thunder Roar is quite troublesome.”
Shen Mingluan thought for a moment, “The main issue is the environment is too harsh. Even if you have a lightning-type Soul Pet, you can’t stay for too long. Heavenly Thunder strikes every moment, and if you’re not careful, you’ll get hit. Also, the lightning-type Soul Pets inside are too strong. Even earth-type Soul Pets, which have strong immunity to lightning, can’t hold out for long.”
“We didn’t stay long and didn’t find many good things. With bad luck, you might encounter mutated Soul Beasts that have become abnormally powerful.”
“Or some Berserk Soul Beasts that escaped from Thunderous Soul Earth.”
“It’s very dangerous.”
“The deeper you go, the more dangerous it gets.”
Wang Che thought to himself, what a great place.
Heavenly Thunder striking every moment.
That was perfect.
The Magnetic Sword hanging on Wang Che’s back seemed eager to come out of its Electromagnetic Sword Sheath.
“That’s okay.” Wang Che said, “If we can’t find good things, we can just come back.”
“It seems you don’t know yet.” Seeing Wang Che, the exhaustion on Shen Mingluan’s face gradually faded, and she smiled, “The Inner Layer of Thunder Roar is quite important. I guess you’ve heard about the situation at Thunderous Soul Earth? Actually, in a month, the currently sealed Thunderous Soul Earth will reopen. The Military Departments of North River Continent and Thunder Cliff Continent will organize a Competitive Trial for academies in Thunderous Soul Earth.”
“It’s only for students below the senior year of various academies. And the qualification for the competition requires staying in the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar for at least three hours.”
“Otherwise, you won’t be eligible to participate in the Competitive Trial.”
Wang Che was surprised. There was such a thing?
“Thunderous Soul Earth underwent a change due to a Soul Beast’s mutation and evolution. The situation inside has become complicated. The Military Departments of the two continents organized this Competitive Trial to train the students from various academies in both continents.”
Shen Mingluan explained, “Because Thunderous Soul Earth is even more dangerous than the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar. So, if you can’t stay long in the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar, Thunderous Soul Earth will be even harder. Three hours is the basic qualification requirement for the Competitive Trial.”
“Among us, only Senior Shen can stay unharmed for three hours so far.” Tian Xiaoyu chimed in, “The first time we came, we could only last a little over an hour before we had to give up. For the past two weeks, we’ve come whenever we had time, especially on weekends.”
“The junior students and those from other majors are doing slightly better. Students from various majors have been coming to try.”
“Principal Gu also said he plans to organize us to participate in the Competitive Trial together later, hoping we can rank a bit higher.”
“But this news hasn’t been fully announced yet.”
“Mainly because the difficulty is too high. The students from our academy’s medicine and Dietary Meal majors are already researching potions and meals that can improve lightning resistance.”
Wang Che nodded, understanding.
He was somewhat interested in the Competitive Trial, but even more so in that Soul Beast.
Before coming, Wang Che had looked up Thunderous Soul Earth. It was a small Soul Land.
Much smaller than Floating Forest.
But even as a small Soul Land, to cause such a major mutation, that evolved Soul Beast must be very unusual.
“You’re not wearing a Soul Guiding Device?”
Shen Mingluan glanced at Wang Che, took off the cap from her head, and said, “The Inner Layer of Thunder Roar is quite dangerous. Whether a contracted soul is a Soul Pet or not, without wearing some Soul Guiding Devices, you can’t last long. Especially since most of our Agricultural Planting Major’s Martial Souls are related to planting. Our physical strength isn’t high to begin with.”
“Here, take this. It’s a Thunder-Storing Magnetic Cap. You can use it for now. In theory, with your planting skills—two farmlands plus one herb field, and your Green Caterpillar being able to accelerate crop growth—you should have made quite a bit of money by growing and selling some high-quality crops. You shouldn’t be short on money.”
“Since you came here, why didn’t you buy some lightning-avoiding Soul Guiding Devices?”
Shen Mingluan handed over the cap.
“Uh…”
Wang Che was silent for a few seconds.
He did have some stored Soul Plants and crops.
But he couldn’t keep up with Little Caterpillar’s huge appetite.
After reaching Millennium Spirit Power Cultivation, it needed to start condensing Five Elements Soul Essence. To prevent Little Caterpillar from running out of food, he hadn’t sold any.
Wang Che didn’t care much about money.
Because with money alone, he couldn’t buy low-level Soul Plant crops that could compare to the Water Orchid grown in his Spirit Field.
Higher-level Soul Plants refined into main food weren’t suitable for Little Caterpillar’s current cultivation level. Poor absorption could even be harmful if eaten too much.
“That won’t be necessary, right?”
Wang Che looked at the cap, wanting to refuse.
“If Sister Luan gives it to you, just take it.”
Tian Xiaoyu giggled, “Sister Luan has been quite wealthy lately. After her Hundred-Scent Soul Bean was improved, many corporate groups took notice and started selling it in bulk on the market. She holds the patent, so she earns money from every batch sold. She’s really rich now!”
“It’s all thanks to the ideas you gave me last time.” Shen Mingluan said with a smile.
“Not necessarily. Even without my suggestions, you would have thought of it yourself soon enough.” Wang Che shook his head.
From Wang Che’s perspective in his previous life, Hundred-Scent Soul Bean still had many shortcomings.
Not just Hundred-Scent Soul Bean, many of the main foods and potions sold on the market had issues.
But for most Soul Pets, these issues didn’t matter at all.
In fact, most Soul Masters who refined them probably knew about these problems.
For example, the issue of raw material utilization efficiency.
Most refining Soul Masters, in pursuit of speed, carried out the process roughly, with less than 30% utilization of raw materials.
Even with refined processing, utilization rates didn’t reach 50%.
Beyond that, limited by conditions and refining methods, the maximum utilization might only be around 70%, at best.
Wang Che refined everything himself to feed Little Caterpillar because he used Cultivation alchemy methods.
With his experience and skill, especially after gaining Soul Power and using powerful alchemy techniques, he could achieve over 90% utilization.
This was only the flame of Little Caterpillar. If it were the Three True Fires, the utilization rate could get infinitely close to one hundred percent.
The quality of the main food refined was unbelievably high.
If Little Caterpillar’s appetite wasn’t considered, and some were casually sold, it would absolutely shock the world.
But this kind of production couldn’t be mass-produced.
Unless Wang Che lowered his own standards, improved suitable alchemy methods, and spread them, so most Soul Masters could learn some of it, then mass production might be possible.
That was just too much trouble. With that effort, it was better to cultivate his own Soul Pet himself.
Later, when there were more Spirit Fields and resources were stockpiled more, it would be fine to think about it when he had time.
Shen Mingluan’s Hundred-Scent Soul Bean could be mass-produced and replicated. Even if the utilization rate wasn’t high, plus the improved effect was quite good, it was normal for it to be valued.
For a student, achieving something like this was truly remarkable.
Seeing this, Wang Che didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted the Thunder-Storing Magnetic Cap.
He would just return it to her later when he came out.
Whether he used it or not didn’t matter.
“Do you have any recovery potions or potions for insulating against lightning?” Shen Mingluan asked again.
“…”
Wang Che thought to himself that these senior students were really well-prepared.
Wang Che hadn’t prepared any because it wasn’t necessary… given his physical strength and Magnetic Sword, it really wasn’t needed.
“Prepare more!”
Shen Mingluan touched her bracelet, took out bottle after bottle of potions, and handed them all to Wang Che in one go.
“I’ve watched your matches. I know your second Soul Pet is Magnetic Sword, which has a strong absorption capability for lightning. Back then, you managed to defeat two Thunder Element Soul Pets one against two.”
Shen Mingluan glanced at the Magnetic Sword behind Wang Che and said, “You came here surely to find some resources for your Magnetic Sword to train, right? The academy’s resources in the Mechanical Soul Pet area are indeed quite limited. However, this place isn’t for Soul Pet Battles. Your Magnetic Sword can only absorb lightning to a certain extent, but it can’t achieve immunity like an Earth Type Soul Pet, can it? Over time, even Earth Type Soul Pets can’t withstand this place.”
“Moreover, inside there is very powerful Heavenly Thunder, much stronger than the lightning released by Soul Pets.”
“You, according to what Mentor Yanshan said, have quite a lot of experience in wilderness exploration. Every time you go on a wilderness expedition, you’re even more experienced than him. Why didn’t you prepare anything this time? Even if this is a new wilderness environment, you shouldn’t come completely unprepared!”
Wang Che looked at those potions, thought for a moment, and without explaining too much, still accepted them.
Explaining would be troublesome and a waste of time.
After all, she meant well.
Wang Che hadn’t prepared recovery potions; he had prepared some pills he refined himself.
As for insulating potions, those were completely unnecessary.
If he drank those potions, how could he train?
The Divine Sword Thunder Control True Scripture wasn’t just for Magnetic Sword to train; Wang Che himself had to train along with it.
“Then I’ll go in first,” Wang Che said, waving to the group.
“Be careful,” Shen Mingluan advised.
Wang Che queued up to register, then passed through the inner entrance into the area of the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar.
After Wang Che left.
“Hee… Sister Luan, you’re way too concerned about him, aren’t you?” Tian Xiaoyu poked Shen Mingluan’s shoulder, grinning mischievously. “Tell me, is it…”
“Principal Gu and Professor Yun instructed me,” Shen Mingluan coughed lightly, “to pay more attention and look after this junior. Actually, I don’t think it’s necessary; he’s very capable himself.”
“Pfft~ I don’t believe that.”
Tian Xiaoyu looked skeptical. “But I heard this junior is very focused. Since starting university, he’s been cultivating every day in his Small Wooden House, never missing activity classes, occasionally taking on tasks and completing them perfectly. He hasn’t engaged in Soul Pet Battles with others either; he seems very laid-back. His speed of improvement through cultivation like this probably isn’t fast, right?”
“He became the Qihang Cup champion; I thought he trained with Soul Pet Battles every day.”
“I also heard many pretty junior and senior girls are very interested in him.” Tian Xiaoyu giggled. “But unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to have any interest in that area at all. Does he like planting that much?”
“Besides, no matter how special Green Caterpillar is, its demand for cultivation resources shouldn’t be that high, right?”
“Well…” Shen Mingluan pondered for a moment. “I’m not sure either. It’s the weekend today, let’s hang out outside. We’ll go back together when he comes out later. Let’s also see how long he can stay inside; the Competitive Trial a month from now is quite important.”
“Okay, I’m fine with that. I’ve been in the Inner Layer of Thunder Roar every day for the past two weeks, dreaming every night about being struck by lightning.” Tian Xiaoyu stretched lazily. “I really need a break. I think Wang Che will probably come out in at most two hours.”
—
After Wang Che entered the inner space, he looked up and saw a roll of Heavenly Thunder.
It struck not far away.
Blasting countless stone particles and dust into the air.
In the sky, clusters of Thunder Message Seeds could be seen floating, continuously guiding the thunderbolts down.
The surroundings were pale purple soil, with very little vegetation or trees. If there was any, it was vegetation related to lightning.
But much of it was guarded by powerful lightning Soul Beasts.
In the distance, broken and fractured mountains could be seen.
Just within sight, there were many thunder Soul Beasts.
Many students who had just entered, upon seeing this scene, immediately wanted to retreat.
It was like a thunderous hell, the atmosphere was very intimidating.
“This is heaven!”
Wang Che couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
After walking for a while.
“Magnetic Sword, come out and train!”
Whoosh~!
Magnetic Sword unsheathed and floated in mid-air, its body glowing red, clearly extremely excited.
Little Caterpillar wasn’t very afraid of the Heavenly Thunder anymore either.
Having learned Nature’s Power and cultivated the Great Nature Contemplation Method, it had gained some understanding and resistance to various powerful natural forces.
Although this Heavenly Thunder wasn’t like normally cast lightning.
“We can look for resources when we have time,” Wang Che said. “Let’s just train for a day first.”
“Zzzzt!”
Magnetic Sword nodded.
Wang Che first looked around, observing for a while.
The strength of the Heavenly Thunder was indeed quite high, even stronger than the lightning from a normal thunderstorm.
Naturally, the training effect would be better.
The air was filled with dense Soul Power and thunder energy, making it a treasure trove for training Thunder Element Soul Pets.
However, one couldn’t stay too long either.
“The spots where the Heavenly Thunder strikes are too random.”
Wang Che frowned slightly. “We need to concentrate them. Otherwise, we’d have to move to a new spot every time a thunderbolt strikes; that’s too troublesome for training.”
Wang Che set his eyes on those Thunder Message Seeds.
This was a plant-type Soul Pet that liked lightning.
It was a rare dual-attribute Soul Pet, both Plant and Thunder. It had a strong thunder-attracting effect itself.
The first-stage plant Soul Pet was called Thunder-Guiding Root Doll. In the second stage, it evolved into Thunder Message Seed. In the Third Stage Evolution, it became Thunder Crown Root King.
It was a rare dual-attribute Soul Pet that could float at low altitudes.
“With so many Thunder Message Seeds, it’s probably because the environment changed, causing many Thunder-Guiding Root Dolls to evolve. Before evolution, Thunder-Guiding Root Dolls were just plant Soul Beasts.”
Wang Che pondered. “The condition for evolution is to guide Heavenly Thunder to stimulate themselves. After years of stimulation, they evolve into Thunder Message Seeds. Now, with the environmental mutation, Heavenly Thunder falls incessantly. This caused these wild Thunder-Guiding Root Dolls to evolve in large numbers.”
It was normal to have such Thunder-Guiding Root Dolls near the Thunderous Soul Earth.
“Their cultivation levels are quite high, all above eight hundred years, with many over a thousand years. And they can summon Heavenly Thunder. Especially in a place like this, being attacked by them means constantly being in danger of Heavenly Thunder strikes.”
Wang Che glanced around and noticed that most of the Soul Pact Masters who entered were carefully avoiding these Thunder Message Seeds floating in mid-air.
Compared to other thunder Soul Beasts, Thunder Message Seeds weren’t particularly strong, but the Heavenly Thunder they triggered was hard to guard against.
“Little Caterpillar, let’s go catch some Thunder Message Seeds.”
Wang Che finalized the plan. “Use the Insect Net to gather them together, then fix them to summon Heavenly Thunder for Magnetic Sword to train.”
Little Caterpillar felt this method would deal a great blow to those Thunder Message Seeds.
But it did not refuse…