From a young age, Kael had received comprehensive education, including rigorous physical training. Despite the numerous challenges along the way, he was able to endure them.
Kael followed a small stream, which originated from the melting snow atop the towering central mountain of the island. By moving upstream, he ensured he wouldn't lose his direction.
"A Mandy Beast?" Kael suddenly slowed his pace, his gaze fixed on a Soul Pet drinking water about a hundred meters away.
The Mandy Beast had a lizard-like torso, a pinkish hue, pointed ears, and a fish-like tail. It belonged to the Beast category of the Demonic Beasts, known for its strength and defense but lacking in speed and agility.
"The Mandy Beast's race level should be medium."
A Soul Pet's strength is determined by its stage, which can be improved through battles and proper training. Stages range from the first to the ninth and beyond.
Therefore, the stage is not the sole criterion for judging a Soul Pet's potential and quality; the "Race Level" is a more crucial factor.
The Race Level represents the inherent advantages of a Soul Pet's species.
For example, two Soul Pets at the fifth stage: the one with a medium Race Level will be stronger than the one with a low Race Level. This is due to racial factors, akin to the difference between a tiger and a dog. No matter how well-trained a dog is, it can hardly rival a tiger.
The Mandy Beast is a popular choice, as medium-level Soul Pets are easier to control and can advance through stages more quickly.
However, Kael wasn't particularly impressed by this level. Moreover, the Mandy Beast had significant combat limitations, such as its slow speed, making it vulnerable to agile or magic-casting Soul Pets.
Kael decided not to linger near the Mandy Beast. It was relatively docile and wouldn't attack unless provoked.
As Kael passed by, the Mandy Beast lifted its head from the water, its large eyes staring at him. Seeing no threat, it submerged its head again, continuing to drink.
"Second Soul Contract, Capture!!"
Suddenly, a loud, enthusiastic voice rang out.
Kael immediately turned toward the source and saw a boy of similar build casting a Soul Contract.
Kael recognized him as Jason, a boy with distinctive brown hair, fair skin, and freckles.
"Heh, don't even think about competing with me!" Though Jason didn't speak, Kael could see the smug, preemptive smile on his face.
Kael smirked and quickened his pace.
Using the Capture skill on a Soul Pet could yield two outcomes: either the Soul Pet becomes the Soul Pet Master's companion, or it enrages the Soul Pet.
Though the Mandy Beast was of a lower rank, its appearance suggested it was at least at the fourth stage and in peak condition. With his weak soul power, Jason had less than a one percent chance of success. The consequences of failure were predictable…
"Roar!!"
Sure enough, the Mandy Beast was enraged, crashing through the underbrush and charging at Jason!
Jason's face paled, and he fled in panic into the forest.
Kael glanced at the chaotic scene, amused, and continued on his way as the commotion faded into the distance.
Kael had prepared ample food and water for this long journey. On the first day, he covered about seven or eight kilometers before nightfall.
He took shelter in a small rocky cave, blocking the entrance with stones to prevent any ferocious Soul Pets from entering and making a meal of him.
At night, Kael focused on cultivation. Soul Pet Masters primarily cultivate soul power, the energy source and life force that sustains them.
Early the next morning, Kael resumed his journey. According to the overseers, a dense thorny area marked the boundary between the inner and outer regions of the island.
Kael had prepared a machete and hacked his way through the thorny undergrowth.
The thorny forest stretched over two hundred meters, with thorns reaching three to four meters high—taller than some village fences. Kael's slight frame allowed him to climb over certain areas.
Even with caution, injuries were inevitable. Soon, Kael's body bore numerous wounds, his blood dripping onto the ground.
"Whoosh…"
Suddenly, a strange sound reached Kael's ears!
Startled, he halted and slowed his breathing.
"Whoosh… whoosh…" The faint sound repeated. Kael lay amidst the thorns, his breath nearly stopping.
Then, he felt something wrap around his ankle!
Kael quickly turned to look and was shocked to see a green, snake-like tendril coiled around his ankle.
"Ah!!!" Before he could react, Kael was yanked off his feet and dragged across the ground, deeper into the thorny forest.
As he was dragged, Kael finally caught a glimpse of the green, snake-like object.
It wasn't a snake but a moving thorny vine!
"Thorn Demon!" The name of this Soul Pet flashed in Kael's mind.
The Thorn Demon belonged to the Plant category—Vine type, inhabiting thorny forests and preying on creatures passing through. It was a relatively common carnivorous plant in the Plant realm.
Kael knew that once he was dragged to the Thorn Demon's main body, he would be dismembered and turned into fertilizer!
Without hesitation, Kael gripped his machete, forced himself upright despite the thorns cutting his face, and slashed at the thumb-thick vine.
The blade struck hard, and the vine was severed, green liquid oozing from the cut.
Kicking the vine aside, Kael didn't dare linger. He grabbed his machete and crawled swiftly through the thorns, escaping the Thorn Demon's attack range.
As he scrambled, the sharp thorns continued to cut his skin, but Kael didn't stop.
The endless thorny forest seemed to stretch forever, and Kael felt himself gasping for breath.
Finally, beams of sunlight broke through, and the thorny forest thinned out. Kael, battered and bruised, emerged from the green thicket.
"That Thorn Demon was only at the second stage. If it had advanced two more stages and grown another vine, I'd have been in serious trouble!"
Kael crouched behind a large rock, panting heavily, his heart still racing.
The Thorn Demon's Race Level was low, even lower than the Mandy Beast's. However, it was one of the more aggressive Soul Pets in the Plant category, formidable in the early stages and capable of rapid advancement. Capturing a Thorn Demon and quickly raising it to the seventh or eighth stage within three months would almost guarantee a top-ten ranking.
In fact, the Thorn Demon Kael encountered, with only one vine, had a decent chance of being captured. Unfortunately, its low Race Level meant it lacked long-term potential.
Kael decisively abandoned the idea of capturing the Thorn Demon.