"The chances are lower than one in a billion."
Wang Che lamented in his heart. To the divine beasts of the cultivation world, a lifespan of a million years was not considered young either.
Of course, talking about age in another world which had a different flow of time was pointless, and there was nothing to compare.
"However, with the life contract, the young soul beast's intelligence will be developed ahead of time. With the addition of the Contract Soul Master's training, it can quickly raise its cultivation base. Even if it isn't this type of soul beast, we humans can still raise a few of them with high potential to a million years of cultivation base.
"You also answered me earlier. During the ancient era, the limit of lifespan was identical to the limit of the soul beast's cultivation base. You have yet to enter university, and have not studied the history of soul beasts.
"If you pursue your studies further, you will learn that the upper limit of a modern soul pet's cultivation will not be more than two times its lifespan.
"Do you know how long a green caterpillar can live?"
Wang Che shook his head slightly.
This kind of knowledge was way too specific.
Professor Yan continued calmly. "It's about 5,000 years. According to recent history, if the green caterpillar does not evolve, the upper limit of its cultivation base is 10,000 years.
"If it was during the ancient era, we might not even have been able to find a thousand-year green caterpillar at all, because it was simply too weak. Even if it had a thousand-year cultivation base, its combat strength was still low. It could easily be eaten by other soul beasts…
"The environment of the modern era has changed, so you can still find a thousand year old green caterpillar in the wild. Back in olden times, you wouldn't have been able to encounter it at all.
"Presently, you won't even be able to nurture one with a cultivation base surpassing 10,000 years.
"As for a million…"
Professor Yan sighed and did not convey explicitly. "It's good to be young, you're all daring and fearless."
Wang Che nodded lightly as he understood the situation. He probably knew what to do now.
What Professor Yan had just taught was very important.
"Of course, you'll also think that maybe you could increase the upper limit of a soul beast's lifespan."
Professor Yan's eyes glowed with wisdom as he added. "In fact, it can indeed be increased."
"Many people have thought of it. There are many ways to do so.
"After all, raising the limit of a soul pet's lifespan can boost their cultivation level. Once the level increases, a soul pet may even undergo an unexplained evolution.
"But…"
As Professor Yan said this, a clear and sonorous voice interrupted him from afar.
"No matter which method it is, it's still very challenging to achieve."
The voice itself emanated such a strong aura.
Wang Che turned around and the first thing he saw was a pair of long legs that were as white as snow.
Following that was a knee-length dark blue striped skirt. Her slim waist was wrapped in a seemingly fancy belt, decorated with mysterious jade rocks that gleamed under the light.
A white shirt struggled to envelope her torso, the buttons straining from the cloth. It seemed impossible for the top button to be fastened, and it revealed her round neck and prominent collarbone.
A few strands of her black hair fluttered, enhancing her beauty even further.
She was an alluring female classmate, dressed in simple attire but still radiating a dominating presence.
However, Wang Che's gaze was only fixed on her shoulder.
Rested on it was a very beautiful soul pet that resembled a snake.
It was light green in color and about 20 centimeters long. Its tail was in the shape of a mushroom cap. There were two small claws at the front of its tail, allowing it to erect itself firmly on the woman's shoulder. Small wings that looked like wisps of clouds protruded from the side of its head, and its eyes resembled green gems.
Suddenly, it crossed its tiny arms and looked askance at Wang Che and the others. Its noble aura was overwhelming.
The Cloud Cap Snake.
Among young soul pets, it was an extremely rare one.
Even as a baby, it had a species potential of 300.
The concept of species potential was different from the lifespan of soul beasts.
It was like adding stat points in a game. With a high species potential, one could obtain more stats by leveling up.
As a soul pet's soul power cultivation increased every year, its various attributes would also multiply.
The lifespan only determined how many levels it would be able to gain, which was known as the upper limit.
There was a huge difference in potential between species.
Moreover, the species potential would only change when the soul pet transformed into a new life form, which was also known as evolution.
This was basically fixed from birth.
For a soul pet with the same cultivation level at the same age, the higher the species potential, the stronger it got.
A high quality soul pet raising its cultivation by a year was equivalent to a low quality one doing the same by several years or even decades.
This was only considering the strength of a soul pet itself.
If it involved Contract Soul Masters, soul pets with different species potentials would supply different soul rings and soul techniques to its Contract Soul Master, who could also be worlds apart in terms of strength.
Wang Che had seen a few Cloud Cap Snakes when he entered the base.
In the last stage, the final evolution of the Cloud Cap Snake was the Emperor Pride Snake, a flying and grass dual-type soul pet with a species potential exceeding 500. It was truly a King-ranked soul pet.
As for this female classmate…
'Lin Xi.'
The name appeared in Wang Che's mind.
Lin Xi slowly walked over with a calm smile on her face.
"There are many ways to increase a soul pet's lifespan.
"Firstly, if it consumes the blood of numerous Dark Beasts, there is a chance that doing so would increase its limit.
"However, there is also a high chance that the soul pet will explode and die. Thus, the number of them that have perished in this way is innumerable.
"Secondly, the life force of soul beasts far exceeds that of humans by consuming all sorts of heaven and earth treasures.
"These treasures, which are required to increase one's lifespan, are priceless. Legend has it that in the past, there was an ice silkworm-type soul beast in the northern icy plain. It had a lifespan below 100,000 years but relied on eating an ice marrow treasure and lived on for a million years…
"Thirdly, life replenishment. Powerful soul beasts can give their own life force to weaker soul beasts alternately. Apart from the strict requirements of having the same attribute and bloodline, not many soul beasts are willing to do so in the first place.
"Fourthly, we have developed a type of Vitality Serum that can not only increase their years of life, but also extend the lifespan of humans by a few years. It is very expensive to produce, has quite a few side effects, and causes resistance to medicine.
"Fifth, out of the perimeters of the war zone, there is the soul illusion realm created by the Soul Demon back in the day. If one could withstand it, there is a chance of enhancing the soul pet's life force limit and even its potential. However, the death rate is higher than the first…"
…
Lin Xi listed several methods.
However, all of them were extremely risky and many students had never even heard of them before.
She looked at Wang Che and said, "Every one of them isn't that simple to accomplish."
Her tone was calm and not aggressive at all.
He could not help but ponder over her information.
Lin Xi was his classmate; an independent, calm, rational and mysterious one.
The both of them actually had a good relationship prior to this, but on the eve of winter break, she had searched for him to make a deal.
The condition of the pact was that Wang Che would have to get close to a woman and assist her with something.
That was all he had to do.
Lin Xi, on the other hand, would buy a rare soul pet egg for him.
However, at that time, Wang Che had naturally thought that she had other intentions, and he had a strong ego.
Therefore, he outrightly rejected her, thinking that she was insulting him.
Lin Xi wasn't a narrow-minded person. Perhaps she had been a bit unhappy with his decision, but she didn't say anything back.
She didn't bother Wang Che anymore from then on. After the winter break, she didn't contact him much either.
The other students didn't know what was going on between them.
With Wang Che's current state of mind, he naturally wouldn't argue with a woman.
To him, the only thing that was of interest was the soul pet on Lin Xi's shoulder.
Of course, he wasn't envious, but he could feel the life force of this soul pet.
It was quite incredible.
"I see. You're right," Wang Che replied simply.
Then, he turned toward the rest of the students and said, "I'll go back first. You guys have fun. Oh right, thank you Professor Yan."
After he finished speaking, he smiled and waved at everyone, preparing to return home.
"F*ck, why are you in such a hurry?" groaned Xu Haifeng as he pulled Wang Che. "Let's go to the third floor and ask for permission to take a look! We haven't even seen the beautiful lady in the second floor's Soul Pet Recovery Center…"
Wang Che scratched the head of the green caterpillar that had fallen asleep.
A newborn soul pet would sleep for a long time every day. After wandering around for an entire morning, it seemed to be tired.
"There's still half a semester to go before the test, so it's still early. As for pretty girls… From an aesthetic point of view, I'd rather look at myself."
Wang Che said, rejecting Xu Haifeng as he turned around and left.
After hearing Professor Yan's explanations throughout the morning, he already had many ideas.
His understanding of this world, especially of soul pets, had greatly altered.
"Screw you." Xu Haifeng hissed, giving his friend the middle finger after hearing his self-praise.
When Wang Che passed by Lin Xi, he suddenly said, "Oh right, thank you too."
Lin Xi frowned slightly when she heard that. She whipped her head behind and stared at Wang Che's leaving back without saying anything.