Chapter 24: Actually, I Was Going for the Championship
Chapter 24: Actually, I Was Going for the Championship
Wang Che had a rough idea of what Teacher Zheng wanted to say and followed him over.
The two walked to one side.
“You kid did well. I underestimated you.”
Teacher Zheng turned around, looking at Wang Che, his eyes gleaming with intensity. “I never expected you could train a Green Caterpillar to such a level.”
“Just now, you were hiding your true strength, weren’t you?”
Wang Che asked, “What do you mean, Teacher?”
“Hah.” Teacher Zheng stroked his chin. “What, trying to fool me? I didn’t say it out loud earlier.”
“But you should know, I’m a Professional Soul Contractor. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? Back then, your Green Caterpillar didn’t even use any Soul Power! Using only its raw physical strength, it managed to shatter that huge boulder in a single blow?”
“Let me guess. Don’t tell me you really trained that kid to comprehend Rattler Tail Strike?”
In that instant, he fixed his gaze intently on Wang Che.
Wang Che smiled and let out a sigh. “I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Hmm?” Teacher Zheng glanced at him, thinking to himself that probably wasn’t a lie.
“The physical strength of this Green Caterpillar, without using Soul Power, is even stronger than that Zhiyun Snake earlier. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a thing. It hasn’t comprehended Rattler Tail Strike, yet its normal attacks pack such power… What a pity. Comprehending a Soul Skill isn’t something you can just force…”
Teacher Zheng paused before adding, “However, I have a feeling you might just be the one to help this Green Caterpillar grasp Rattler Tail Strike. Its attack stance earlier already captured the basic form of it. It only needs more practice in how to channel its Soul Power properly.”
“If you can truly manage that, you might actually have a shot at making the top ten in the Dawn Cup.”
“Thank you for the good wishes, Teacher.” Wang Che thought for a moment, then chuckled. “Actually, I was going for the championship.”
“…” Teacher Zheng.
“Forget about the championship,” Teacher Zheng retorted, sounding mildly irritated. “Within Tianxin City No.1 Middle School, your Green Caterpillar might be in a league of its own now. But ultimately, its potential is limited. The students from the other two major high schools are not easy targets. In seven days, the strength of that Zhiyun Snake will also far exceed what you imagine.”
“Your Green Caterpillar will find it hard to catch up.”
“Also, although I have no idea how you pulled this off with your training. Whatever it is you gained, or whatever stroke of luck you encountered, keep it to yourself. Just knowing it yourself is enough.”
“As for the Green Caterpillar, I won’t lecture you further. You clearly have your own way of training.”
Teacher Zheng waved his hand and turned to leave.
“Thank you, Teacher.” Wang Che said. After a moment, he too walked back.
This teacher… isn’t simple.
The day of studying and training quickly came to an end.
On the first day of school, practically all the senior high seniors were full of drive and energy.
The school’s training facilities were excellent. From specialized equipment to dedicated areas, everything catered to developing different aspects of a Soul Pet: strength, speed, constitution, defense, and more.
And it was all free.
But if one wanted to continue training after school, they’d likely have to go to a private training club.
Senior high didn’t have evening self-study sessions. They finished school after seven in the evening.
Training wasn’t solely focused on Soul Pets; the trainers themselves needed rigorous practice too.
They needed ample rest.
After school, Wang Che planned to head home with his Green Caterpillar.
Today’s training was mostly about reinforcing the basics for the little guy.
No more attention-grabbing displays.
Because Wang Che felt the school’s training equipment was quite basic. For a Green Caterpillar at its current level, it could only serve to solidify the foundation.
Furthermore, the training process didn’t leave much room for distractions.
Generally, no one was particularly interested in watching others train; everyone was excitedly busy training alongside their own Soul Pets, eager to get stronger.
“Seven days will pass quickly. The little guy’s weaknesses still need to be addressed as soon as possible,” Wang Che thought as he slowly walked out of the school gate, making plans in his mind.
‘If he truly could master that Soul Armament Haki… well, simply put, projecting Soul Power outward… it wouldn’t be entirely impossible.’
‘The goal for these seven days should ideally be getting the Green Caterpillar to master Soul Armament Haki. That would become our biggest trump card right now. It just happens to be a little difficult.’
‘After all, he’s just a child.’
At that moment, Wang Che had just stepped out of the school gate.
A figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
A pair of snow-white, straight legs shimmered with an amber-like luster in the fading glow of the sunset.
It stung Wang Che’s eyes a little, making him slightly uncomfortable.
Wang Che glanced down at the long, graceful shadow cast on the ground by the setting sun and spoke up.
“Lin Xi? Something you need?”
Lin Xi was wearing a blue knee-length school skirt with a white button-up shirt.
Her attire rarely seemed to change. She wore no makeup. Silky hair clung to her stunning cheeks, still flushed from training. If one ignored those cool, distant eyes, she looked almost like a girl-next-door with the look of first love.
“Nothing much,” Lin Xi replied. “Just wanted to chat.”
“Chat about what?” Wang Che checked the time. “It’s not that matter again, is it? If it is, you might as well forget it.”
“No,” Lin Xi shook her head. “I just wanted to talk about… that Green Caterpillar…”
“Chii-chii!” The Zhiyun Snake beside Lin Xi immediately hissed twice.
Wang Che smiled. “What? Could it be, you want us to battle now?”
He could naturally sense the Zhiyun Snake’s resentment.
Clearly, this snake was brimming with fighting spirit, itching for a direct confrontation.
A battle right here, right now.
Lin Xi was briefly taken aback, then replied, “No, fighting now has no point. Your Green Caterpillar really is extraordinary. I don’t know how you trained it… but… forget it.”
“If we meet in the Dawn Cup, then we’ll see who’s better.”
Wang Che nodded. “We’ll see if we get that far then. If that’s all, I’ll be heading off.”
Seeing this,
Lin Xi gently stroked the head of the Zhiyun Snake and whispered, “Be patient. In seven days, that Green Caterpillar won’t be your match.”
“Chii! Chi-chii!” The Zhiyun Snake immediately hissed as if protesting: Hmph! It’s not my match now either!
Lin Xi chuckled softly and walked over to an ordinary-looking floating car parked nearby.
A floating car that looked plain on the outside.
Only after stepping inside could one glimpse the luxurious interior.
“Young Miss Lin,” an old man sitting in the front driver’s seat spoke up immediately, “Regarding the Dawn Cup, the test data from both Nanhu High and Xingyue High today has been compiled and sent to your mailbox. Would you like to review it?”
“I’ve already seen it. It’s rather interesting…” Lin Xi’s tone carried an innate aloofness, her voice matter-of-fact. “By the way, the sponsor for this Dawn Cup…”
“It’s Dino Tech. Shall we arrange some extra training opportunities for that young man?”
“Arrange? Why would we?” Lin Xi countered.
“Well… I thought you seemed somewhat interested in him…” The old man coughed awkwardly.
“He is quite interesting,” Lin Xi admitted, “But a competition is a competition. That’s unnecessary.”
“Moreover… to cultivate a Green Caterpillar to this level… it’s not simple.”
Lin Xi softly shook her head. Even now, she couldn’t quite grasp how it was possible.
“Then what do you suggest?” asked the old man. “Investigate him?”
Lin Xi gave a short laugh.
“Investigate? We’ve been classmates for years. Do I need an investigation to learn his background? There’s been no change in him. Achieving this with that Green Caterpillar must have required incredible effort on his part…”
“This Dawn Cup is turning out quite interesting… There are a few competitors who seem… unlike they’re from Tianxin City. But pay them no mind.”
As she spoke, Lin Xi once again gently stroked the Zhiyun Snake’s head.
“If we meet him during the Cup, we’ll see his strength firsthand. If we don’t, then so be it.”
“There’s no need to force it.”