Chapter 4: Looking for a new soul pet

In another camp, within the opulent wooden cabin's hall, four men were gathered. Three of them were the middle-aged overseers who had faced the children earlier.

These three overseers were the heads of the Green Nightmare Island, commanding twenty subordinates and holding absolute authority over the island.

However, at this moment, the three leaders stood deferentially behind a man dressed in white. The cruelty and malice they had shown earlier were nowhere to be seen, replaced by an almost obsequious demeanor, as if afraid their expressions weren't humble enough.

"Master Xia, it is truly an honor to have you visit our island once again," the lead overseer, Ethan, said.

"Xia Yi, is that boy I threw here still alive?" the man referred to as Master Xia asked.

Master Xia appeared to be in his thirties, with pale skin that gave him a frail, almost sickly appearance. His entire presence exuded a chilling coldness.

"For now, he is," Ethan replied.

Master Xia's expression shifted to one of mild surprise. "According to the employer's records in Gangluo City, he was just a novice Soul Apprentice. With such feeble soul power, he should have been devoured by the White Nightmare at its second stage. How is he still alive?"

The three men exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what Master Xia was referring to.

"Master Xia, should we eliminate him directly? Feeding such a weak soul to your noble White Nightmare would be an insult," Ethan finally ventured.

"No need. If he's still alive, it means his soul power can sustain my White Nightmare. It seems this boy has some potential, unlike the mediocrity others assumed. For now, let him continue to nourish my White Nightmare. Perhaps he can sustain it for a few more stages..." Master Xia said.

After speaking, Master Xia stood up and added, "Continue his training here. After his death, send my White Nightmare to my island."

"What if he doesn't die?" one of the overseers, Marcus, whispered cautiously.

"Fool! The growth of a White Nightmare is built upon the corpses of thousands. How could that boy possibly survive?" Ethan snapped, glaring at his subordinate.

"Of course, of course, my mistake..." Marcus stammered, nodding frantically.

Master Xia smiled enigmatically, saying nothing as he walked toward the door.

In truth, Master Xia didn't believe Kael could survive either. The growth of a White Nightmare was a process of carnage, often requiring the souls of thousands of talented hosts to sustain it...

Master Xia's White Nightmare was in its nascent state, and its current soul consumption was still within the capacity of a young Soul Pet Master with potential.

But this was only because the White Nightmare was at a low stage. Once it advanced, its appetite would increase exponentially, and it would require a new, more powerful host—not a weak fifteen-year-old like Kael.

Master Xia estimated that by the time the White Nightmare reached its third stage, Kael's time would be up.

In the Cabin

"The high-level, high-potential Soul Pets on the island are likely limited. We should act quickly to secure our combat Soul Pets. If we end up with a subpar one, even after three months of rigorous training, it'll be difficult to rank in the top ten."

Despite the life-and-death struggle of the previous night, Lina didn't sleep in. Early the next morning, she was ready to set out and capture her own Soul Pet.

"Good luck," Kael said with a slight nod as Lina prepared to leave.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Lina asked.

"I'll go alone. You wouldn't want this cabin to have only one occupant because we fought over a good Soul Pet, would you?" Kael replied casually.

Lina pursed her lips. "But without cooperation, how can we defeat and capture a Soul Pet?"

Typically, a Soul Pet Master's first combat Soul Pet would be provided by their family, teacher, or elder. After a period of training, it would become a true fighting companion.

But the training on Nightmare Island was different. Soul Pet Masters had to secure their first combat Soul Pet on their own, which often meant battling the creatures directly.

"You know this is a competitive environment. Unless you have a physical advantage like Ethan, who no one dares challenge for the best Soul Pets in a group, cooperation is risky. Conflicts over resources can lead to casualties. To truly get the Soul Pet you want, it's best to act alone," Kael explained seriously.

"But... I don't trust others..." Lina said, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

"Neither should you trust me," Kael replied. With that, he picked up a bag and walked out of the cabin.

Lina watched Kael's retreating figure, stomping her foot in frustration. "Hmph! After I helped you with your wounds last night, the least you could do is let me choose first if we find something good. You're so stingy!"

Kael ignored Lina's complaints. Applying medicine was a simple act of reciprocity. If Lina got injured, he'd help her in return. This was a savage, brutal island, not a civilized city where one had to play the role of a protective older brother or gentleman.

The medicine had worked overnight, and Kael could move freely again, though the lingering pain in his back was still noticeable.

Kael had already familiarized himself with the island's terrain. As he ventured into the dense forest, he moved like an agile spirit, swiftly making his way to the challenging central region of Green Nightmare Island.

The island spanned twenty kilometers. While the Nightmare Palace had occupied it for a long time, most overseers stayed in the outer regions, rarely venturing into the inner ten kilometers.

Green Nightmare Island was a small ecosystem, home to various types of Soul Pets. Securing a good one required not just luck but also keen judgment and sufficient strength.

Luck meant encountering a high-tier Soul Pet.

Judgment meant identifying its stage and potential.

Strength meant the Soul Pet Master's ability to capture it.

In theory, any Soul Pet, no matter how weak or strong, could be captured.

Most children were searching for Soul Pets in the outer regions, stopping frequently to examine every creature they encountered, ensuring they didn't miss a good one.

Kael, however, didn't linger in any outer area. He ignored every Soul Pet he passed, heading straight for the island's inner region.

The inner region was dangerous, a place even the overseers avoided. Kael's decision to venture there wasn't born of arrogance or overconfidence.

He knew that if he stayed in the outer regions, settling for a mediocre Soul Pet, he might secure a spot in the top ten with his knowledge and judgment.

But surviving this round would only bring him closer to death. The devil inside him was a White Nightmare, far more terrifying than the Green Nightmares the others carried. Without a powerful Soul Pet, his own growth would be severely limited.

It wasn't that Kael didn't want to take the steady path, building his strength step by step. But he couldn't afford to lower his standards or place himself on the same level as the other children with their Green Nightmares.

He was backed into a corner, and his only way out was to risk everything for a chance at survival.