Chapter 45: Wild Soul Land

Wang Che organized his parcels, his mind already forming the next training plan for Green Caterpillar.

But there was no rush right now. After the Dawn Cup, there would be a long period of training until the end of the semester and graduation.

Four to five months would be more than enough to complete the next phase of training.

Three days of battling had given Green Caterpillar its first taste of the excitement of Soul Pet Battle.

It was now full of drive for training.

It didn’t understand the glory of being a champion yet. But that feeling of defeating an opponent was often the very motivation for Soul Pets to strive and grow stronger.

This motivation would fuel its desire to become stronger.

The immense popularity of Soul Pet Battle definitely had its reasons.

After sleeping soundly, Wang Che leisurely walked to school with Green Caterpillar.

However, because Green Caterpillar had been equipped with the Mecha Fall Armor, it hadn’t adapted even after a whole night. It followed Wang Che sluggishly, all limp…

The buzz among the surrounding classmates gradually faded as everyone settled back into regular school life.

Even if you were the champion, it didn’t really concern others.

People studied as they should, trained as they should.

His classmates in particular were reviewing the Dawn Cup battles.

“No training this morning, for now. Your teacher will lead a review session instead,” Teacher Zheng declared at the start of his morning class, echoing the actions of many other senior year teachers.

It was just like after an exam, when the papers were returned and explanations were needed.

“Because there were many battles over the three days, the teacher will focus on just a few. First, Wang Che’s regional tyrant match: Insect Type versus Flying Type.”

Teacher Zheng stood calmly on the school training field. “This was a very classic counter-type battle. Not only did it end in victory, but it was also extremely short. Does anyone know the most crucial reason why?”

“I know! The Green Caterpillar’s Silk Spitting Soul Skill was too powerful!”

“Nope.”

“I think it was more that the Green Caterpillar itself is just too strong…”

“Still no.”

“The opponent underestimated him?”

“Not really.”

“Teacher, I know! Wang Che is too damn charming! That Spiny Gull’s combat power dropped! He’s so charming it affects Soul Pets! My Hundred-Flower Beast wanted him to hold it the first time it saw him.”

“…Get lost!”

“Because the opponent shouldn’t have used ‘Wind Gust’ as their first Soul Skill!”

“Correct!”

Teacher Zheng nodded. “The Wind Gust Soul Skill is very effective against Soul Pets whose Soul Power Cultivation is lower than the user. But against those stronger than the user, its effect is minimal. Additionally, the power of Wind Gust depends on flying altitude. To maximize its power, the Spiny Gull lowered its flight height, giving Green Caterpillar a perfect opening.”

“That Spiny Gull also possessed ‘Feather Needles’ as its second Soul Skill. Had it attacked directly from the air, maintaining high altitude to create distance, and then showered Feather Needles for area coverage… even with low accuracy, if even one hit landed, Green Caterpillar’s strength wouldn’t have ensured such a swift victory.”

“That contestant was too hasty. She wanted to defeat the Green Caterpillar instantly. But Wang Che exploited that gap immediately, took advantage of her misjudgment of the Silk Spitting Soul Skill, and turned the tables for a one-hit counter-kill…”

Everyone nodded in understanding.

That made sense.

Wang Che didn’t deny it; that girl had indeed been too eager to beat him instantly.

Otherwise, she definitely wouldn’t have lost so quickly.

“Alright,” Teacher Zheng continued. “Later, I’ll discuss the final match with you all. That battle was the most interesting. For the Dawn Cup, that one was a classic display with fascinating tactical interplay. For now, rewatch the recording.”

He waved a hand. “Wang Che, come with me. I need to talk to you.”

Wang Che nodded and followed Teacher Zheng to a quiet spot away from everyone.

“The final reward for the Dawn Cup,” Teacher Zheng began, his expression suddenly turning serious, “is leaving the city for Wild Soul Land training.”

“But you likely know little about the wild. There isn’t much information online.”

Wang Che was thoughtful for a moment.

There was some information about the wild online.

Generally, it said there were many valuable resources, wild Soul Pets, and so on.

However…

“In reality,” Teacher Zheng continued gravely, “the wild is extremely dangerous. Danger to life itself.”

Wang Che’s expression shifted, showing genuine surprise.

“You know the Federation has Seven War Zones. But why call them ‘War Zones’, not ‘Nation Zones’?” Teacher Zheng spoke evenly. “The reason is simple. ‘War Zone’ means conflict frequently occurs there. Of course, those living within the War Zones usually don’t sense this war.”

“Added to that, things are far more stable now than a thousand years ago. So for the vast majority of ordinary people, the world feels peaceful and stable.”

“But outside the War Zones… is profoundly dangerous.”

Teacher Zheng paused, considering for a few seconds. “The detailed history… when you actually go Wild Soul Landing, the accompanying security personnel should explain it to your group. Your teacher won’t delve deeper here.”

“What I want to tell you is that you’ll likely be going to Floating Forest.”

“It’s an area about eight hundred miles outside Tianxin City.”

“It’s a relatively stable, small Soul Land on the Xiyue Continent…”

“Is it a very dangerous place?” Wang Che asked.

“It is dangerous,” Teacher Zheng emphasized. “You excel academically and know a lot about Soul Beasts. But the danger I speak of isn’t just from the place itself… but also from people.”

Wang Che nodded slightly, comprehending.

“Generally, those who venture into the wild for exploration are Professional Soul Contractors. Or, college students are permitted to enter Wild Soul Lands.”

“I need to tell you something now: If you encounter any creature – be it beast or person – in the wild with blood-black eyes and blood-black markings etched onto its body… don’t hesitate, just run. Forget anyone else.”

“Second…”

Teacher Zheng opened his palm. Engraved on his Communicator was a symbol.

A disturbing symbol: Two beastly claws tearing apart a heart.

“If you see someone with this symbol on their person, or on a Soul Beast… same rule, flee directly! Additionally, be incredibly cautious towards anyone you travel with. Federation law is only enforceable within the War Zones. Outside, in the Wild Soul Lands, the law holds no power.”

“So, you understand?”

“Of course,” he added, seeming to remember the planned security, “you’ll likely have strong protectors accompanying you. So don’t be overly frightened then.”

Teacher Zheng spoke with utmost seriousness.

Wang Che nodded thoughtfully.

“Alright, head back now,” Teacher Zheng concluded. “Actually, these are things you’ll gradually learn about in university.”

He managed a slight smile. “It’s just because you became champion, earning you this early trip to experience the wild. So I felt I had to give you a heads-up about some of this now. Also, please don’t discuss this with your classmates.”

“If they reach a certain level of capability in the future, they’ll learn themselves. If not, knowing these things would only burden them.”

“Before you go to the wild, don’t slack on training. Your Green Caterpillar’s development is quite unique; it should achieve much in the future. What truly surprises this teacher, however, is that you actually managed to devise a new Soul Skill… Your innate talent in nurturing Soul Pets is truly limitless.”

Teacher Zheng looked at Wang Che with genuine satisfaction. “But I can tell your new Soul Skill – that ‘Soul Armament Haki’ – still has huge room for refinement and growth. Keep working hard! Calculating the time, in about two months, specialists will come to take you to the Wild Soul Land.”

Teacher Zheng’s observation was remarkably sharp.

The Soul Armament Haki Green Caterpillar was learning indeed had immense potential for improvement.

It was still far from achieving the true ‘Martial Spirit Armament’ level.

‘Wild Soul Land… Floating Forest…’

Wang Che thought to himself, perhaps he would get to see another side of this world.

For the next two months, the priorities were clear: adapt to the Mecha Fall Armor, break through to a hundred years of Soul Power Cultivation.

Secondly, ideally, master ‘Blazing Charge’.

And also, elevate the Soul Armament Haki to the next grade.

After returning from the wild, roughly two more months after that would bring the Martial Soul awakening and the final graduation assessments.