Hone, Train, Ascend

As Kael approached the camp, he began to see other members of Nightmare Island.

Most of these members were taciturn, and when they saw Kael, they would at most glance at the Soul Pet he was carrying, as if sizing up a potential opponent.

"Kael, when did you turn into one of those pampered noble ladies? Hahaha, I can't stop laughing!!" came a mocking voice.

Kael immediately turned to look, his gaze coolly fixed on a long-faced youth.

The long-faced youth, named Tang Xian, had entered Nightmare Island at the same time as Kael. His demeanor was instantly off-putting, as he unabashedly displayed his arrogance.

Beside him was a Soul Pet—a giant rat about a meter long, covered in thin scales, with two stark white fangs exposed, giving off an air of aggression...

Kael recognized this Soul Pet; it was a Steeltooth, a common type, likely of high grade. From its appearance, it seemed to be at the third stage!

"Put your little fox down and let it spar with my Steeltooth, hahaha," Tang Xian taunted.

Kael ignored the provocation, silently noting the Soul Pet of this adversary, and walked straight into the camp.

"Another troublesome opponent..." The mocking laughter grew louder behind him, but Kael muttered to himself.

Tang Xian's Steeltooth was of high grade and at the third stage. After more than two months of training, it could likely reach the eighth stage, potentially stronger than the Fang Wolves the overseers had used to train their physical endurance. Kael needed to prepare early, as Moye, before its mutation, was still only of medium-low grade...

Returning to his wooden hut, Kael set Moye down and washed up, applying medicine to some festering wounds to prevent infection.

Moye, being a clean creature, also jumped in to bathe, then hopped onto the soft bed of Tingyu, rolling around on it to dry itself.

"Eh... Never mind, she probably won't be back soon," Kael thought, deciding not to stop Moye from messing up Tingyu's bed.

To train a Soul Pet, one must first understand it—know its abilities and characteristics.

Moonlight Foxes weren't very common, and Kael wasn't entirely familiar with their capabilities.

On the cabinet beside the bed was a thick tome titled Soul Pet Compendium. Kael opened it, searching for information on Moonlight Foxes.

Moonlight Fox: Beast World—Spirit Branch—Fox Tribe—Moonlight Fox Sub-Tribe

"So, Moonlight Foxes belong to the Spirit Branch, not the Beast Branch..."

"Moonlight Foxes are of medium-low grade, classified as agile-type Soul Pets. Their combat strength is average, with claws as their primary attack method. Their fur possesses resistance, and their eyes can cast charm abilities to weaken an enemy's fighting spirit."

"The racial skill of Moonlight Foxes is: Moonlight Essence."

"Basic skills include: Moon Shadow, Charm, Graceful Lament."

"Main skills include: Rend Claw, Ambush."

"Advanced skill: Moonlight Blade."

After reading the entry on Moonlight Foxes, Kael sighed, looking at Moye, who was curled up on the soft bed.

"Low grade, so few skills... Only two or three attack skills. How pitiful..."

The racial skill, Moonlight Essence, was innate to all Moonlight Foxes, requiring no special training to master.

Among the basic skills—Moon Shadow, Charm, and Graceful Lament—Kael had already seen Moye use Moon Shadow. The other two skills likely hadn't been mastered yet and would be learned gradually through growth and evolution.

"One step at a time."

Kael consoled himself. Moye had immense potential, but the immediate priority was to enhance its combat strength. If Kael didn't secure a spot in the top ten, he would still face death.

After resting briefly in the hut, Kael took Moye out of the camp, leading it to an open grassland to begin formal training.

"Moye, aside from Moon Shadow, what other abilities do you have? Show me," Kael said.

Moye lifted its head, casting a resentful glance at the bright sunlight, then let out a pitiful whimper, indicating that its abilities could only be activated under moonlight.

"Give me your paw," Kael said to Moye.

Moye obediently extended its soft paw, the padded foot resting on Kael's palm.

"Extend your claws," Kael instructed.

"Swish!!" Moye's claws suddenly extended, about four centimeters long, sharp as blades. Kael immediately felt a chill on his palm, noticing the outer layer of his skin being slightly cut.

Unfazed by the minor injury, Kael examined Moye's claws closely and said, "As expected, they're still at the initial stage of juvenile claws. Your speed is already decent, so we'll focus on enhancing your offensive capabilities first. We need to train your claws from the initial stage to the intermediate stage to give you stronger attacking power."

"Whimper~~" Moye mumbled.

"Rend Claw can only be effective once your juvenile claws reach the intermediate stage. For now, let's practice on tree trunks," Kael said.

Moye, eager to grow stronger, quickly locked onto a tree about ten centimeters in diameter and began attacking with its claws!

"Swish!!"

The claws slashed across the bark, tearing it open and scattering wood chips.

"Keep going," Kael urged.

"Swish!!! Swish!! Swish!!"

Moye delivered three consecutive slashes, leaving deep marks on the tree.

"Continue until you tear this tree down," Kael instructed.

After a soft whimper, Moye resumed honing its claws.

"Swish!!"

Finally, on the eighth cross-slash, the ten-centimeter-thick, four-meter-tall tree toppled over.

"Whimper~~"

Moye's claws were still at their most tender stage, and forcibly tearing down a tree had caused significant wear, even leaving faint traces of blood.

"Keep going," Kael said.

"Whimper"

Moye immediately protested, raising its bloodied paw to show how much it hurt.

"Without honing, your claws will remain at the initial stage. Don't worry, they'll heal by tomorrow and will be sharper than ever," Kael assured.