Chapter 6: The Trap, Capturing the Soul Pet

Covered in bloodstains, Kael dared not act recklessly. Many Soul Pets possessed keen senses of smell, such as the fearsome and savage Fang Wolves.

The Fang Wolf, a high-level Soul Pet, surpassed the Mandy Beast in strength. Capturing one, even if it was of average potential and raised to the seventh stage, would almost certainly secure a top-ten position.

In contrast, a low-level Thorn Demon, even at the ninth stage, would struggle to compete with a seventh-stage Fang Wolf, a high-level Soul Pet.

Kael found a secluded spot and rested for a day, tending to his wounds. The medicinal effects were significant, and he managed to hold on.

By the third day, Kael had truly entered the inner island. Proceeding with utmost caution, he encountered Soul Pets far more terrifying than the overseers' Fang Wolves. Capturing one of these would undoubtedly give him an overwhelming advantage over his competitors.

However, these creatures were ferocious beyond compare. Kael didn't dare approach them, let alone attempt to capture them.

"Twin-Headed Serpent, Gulanis, Flame Tail, Ten-Legged Poison Centipede, Mischievous Sprite… Sigh, not a single one I can handle. Almost all are at the seventh stage or higher…"

Hiding in a tree, Kael watched the Soul Pets pass below, feeling a bitter sense of helplessness. Most of these were high or medium-level creatures, yet Kael could only watch, the trap rope in his hand remaining untouched.

The trap was Kael's only hope of capturing a Soul Pet far stronger than himself.

But the trap he had set was only effective against weak, high-level Soul Pets below the third stage. The ones he had just seen were at least at the seventh stage, comparable in strength to the Fang Wolves. Kael's modest trap was no match for such formidable beasts.

Patience—Kael needed extreme patience.

"Strange, why is such a weak creature wandering here?"

Suddenly, a frail Soul Pet appeared in Kael's line of sight. By his estimate, it was likely at the first stage.

The little creature had beautiful russet fur, a fox-like tail, and a delicate, petite frame. The young fox was clearly drawn to the bait Kael had placed on the trap. It seemed injured, cautiously and unsteadily picking up the food.

"Russet fur… It must be a Red Cloud Fox… But that silver crescent mark on its forehead… Isn't that unique to the Silver Moon Fox? Could this little one be a hybrid?" Kael murmured to himself.

Kael didn't trigger the trap. The creature was indeed at a weak stage, but its level was low. Both the Red Cloud Fox and the Silver Moon Fox were low-level Soul Pets.

Such Soul Pets could hardly be considered combat companions. In major cities, they were often kept as cuddly pets by young girls.

Kael decided against springing the trap. After the little hybrid took the food, he reset the bait and continued to wait.

Three days passed in the tree, and Kael still hadn't encountered a suitable Soul Pet.

Early in the morning, Kael nibbled on his dry rations, planning to venture deeper into the island if no desirable Soul Pet appeared by midday.

"Rustle…"

Suddenly, Kael's ears caught the faint sound of leaves.

The tree Kael was in was called a Longleaf Tree, favored by certain Soul Pets like the Mischievous Sprite he had seen earlier.

Besides the Mischievous Sprite, the tree was also home to the Azure Bird and the Wind Spirit Butterfly.

The Mischievous Sprite was a high-level Soul Pet, as was the Azure Bird. The most formidable of the three was the Wind Spirit Butterfly, which belonged to an even higher level.

Kael's minimum requirement was a high-level Soul Pet. As for potential, that was a matter of luck. If he could capture an Azure Bird or a Wind Spirit Butterfly, he could return and begin training his Soul Pet.

One reason Kael had chosen to climb the Longleaf Tree was that the Mischievous Sprite, Azure Bird, and Wind Spirit Butterfly inhabiting it were not aggressive toward humans, making it a safer spot.

So, when he heard the rustling, Kael felt not fear but excitement, as it likely signaled the appearance of one of these three Soul Pets.

Parting the long leaves, Kael looked toward the sound.

What met his eyes was not the muscular Mischievous Sprite, the elegant Azure Bird, or the graceful Wind Spirit Butterfly, but a small green caterpillar, much to his disappointment.

The caterpillar was tiny, no longer than Kael's palm and as thick as his thumb, with shiny black eyes.

At that moment, the little pest with its shiny eyes was half-standing, gazing longingly at the dry rations in Kael's hand.

"…" Kael was speechless. With a wry smile, he broke off a small piece of his rations and handed it to the pitiful creature. "Here, eat up. Maybe you'll bring me some luck."

The caterpillar wasn't even a Soul Pet, just a tiny life form, dashing Kael's earlier hopes.

The little creature wasn't shy. It took the small piece of food and happily munched away beside Kael.

The caterpillar ate quickly, emitting a pleasant rustling sound. After finishing one piece, it stood up again, staring at Kael with pleading eyes.

Kael didn't mind sparing a bit more food. Out of boredom, he fed it another piece. The caterpillar made contented noises as it devoured the morsel.

"Screech!!"

Suddenly, an unusual gust of wind swept through, causing the Longleaf Tree's canopy to sway violently. The green leaves fluttered and scattered in all directions.

Startled, Kael peered through the leaves and spotted a Soul Pet with bluish feathers, slightly larger than an eagle, circling the tree.

"An Azure Bird!" Kael's heart leaped with joy.

The Azure Bird belonged to the Beast category—Winged type. Its wing superiority and wind-controlling abilities made it a formidable opponent among Soul Pets of the same stage and level.

An agile, flying, wind-attribute Soul Pet like this, if captured and raised to the seventh stage within three months, would undoubtedly secure a top position!

"Rustle, rustle…"

The little caterpillar, sensing the Azure Bird's presence, trembled in fear. It scurried up Kael's arm and hid in his collar.

"Damn it, this one must be at least at the fourth stage, high-level and fourth stage…" Kael thought bitterly as he watched the graceful bluish figure stirring up winds around the Longleaf Tree.

Kael's trap was designed for ground-dwelling Soul Pets. Capturing an Azure Bird would be far more challenging.

"Regardless, I have to try!" Kael didn't want to miss this opportunity. He parted the branches and climbed to the top of the tree.

Standing on a sturdy branch, Kael gripped his machete tightly, took a deep breath, and braced against the fierce winds. His eyes were locked on the Azure Bird circling the Longleaf Tree.