Astral Pet Store Chapter 2: Ancient Cultivation Sites
Previously on Astral Pet Store...
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Being a hardcore Otaku, Su Ping devoted his days to 'studying' on the internet. Systems held no mysteries for him. Overjoyed, he quickly started investigating the features of this system.
“I am the Super Pet System, focused on training the mightiest pets across the world. Our motto: everything can be trained, and everything counts as a pet!”
“A pet training system?!” Su Ping cried out in astonishment.
The system's claim came off as bold. Everything qualified as a pet? Did that include roadside flowers and grass?
“Flowers and grass qualify as pets once they gain intelligence and spiritual awareness. Vegetation family pets evolve from ordinary plants,” the system replied coolly.
Stunned, Su Ping stared into empty space and questioned, “You can read my mind?”
“Linked to the host’s soul, I naturally know your thoughts... Warning: first curse detected!”
“...”
Su Ping went quiet.
“System activated. Host, establish your own pet store within 24 hours. Failure means system removal and erasure of today's memories...” the system continued.
“System removal?”
Su Ping arched his brows at the response. Systems weren't rare, but this was still one.
“There's a pet store right here. Can I claim this one?” Su Ping inquired mentally.
“Approved. Confirm now.”
Su Ping agreed instantly.
After all, the pet store belonged to his family—he could handle it freely.
“Store addition complete. Upgrading the pet store...”
“[Pet Trough] created, [Nursing Pen] created, [Window to Cultivation Plane] created...”
“Setup done. Starting beginner quest...”
“Two pets found in store. Pick one and boost its strength threefold within a week to meet the system's 'qualified' standard.”
Once the system wrapped up its announcements, Su Ping sensed the Astral Pet store had transformed. The foul stench of urine and feces had vanished. The place looked neater and spotless. Items remained unchanged, yet everything gleamed with a fresh vibe.
“Triple the strength of an Astral Pet? In just a week?” Su Ping doubted if he'd misheard or if the system glitched.
Boosting an Astral Pet's power was no easy feat.
Without constant hunting, relentless training, or pricey premium feeds, it was out of reach!
Gaining even one fold was tough—threefold in a single week? Impossible...
“What happens if I fail the quest?” Su Ping probed.
“Failure triggers host punishment. Drawn randomly: thunder punishment, purgatory torment, ultimate agony...” the system explained.
Su Ping rolled his eyes. The punishment names alone screamed severity.
“Can't I switch quests?” Su Ping made a last desperate plea.
“No.” Denied coldly. “Warning. Second curse alert!”
“...”
“Third curse alert! Thunder punishment selected!”
Before the system's words echoed out, a massive surge of electricity coursed through Su Ping's body. He convulsed wildly, like a zombie grooving to Disco.
The shock vanished swiftly. Su Ping ached with scorching pain everywhere. He swallowed sharp words—a smart move to bide his time.
“Fine. I'll tackle the quest. If it flops, this system's trash!” Su Ping gritted his teeth bitterly.
Limping from the pain, he headed to the store's pet room.
Inside, the space felt wider. Footprint unchanged, but messy iron cages gone. Replaced by neat rows of stone enclosures.
More like mystical stone formations than cages.
Stalagmites jutted from the floor, encircling the two Astral Pets. Gaps wide, no tops—pets could easily leap or slip free.
Yet both Astral Pets lounged on the ground, showing zero escape urge.
Su Ping frowned. System's handiwork for sure. This must be the [Pet Trough].
He eyed the two pets in the formation. Both common Battle Pets.
One: Lightning Rat, low-tier agile Battle Pet. Adult max: mid-first rank. Rare evolution to Thunderstorm Rat, topping at third rank.
The other: Managarm, low-tier agile Battle Pet. Mature strength: high-first rank, tiger-like power.
Su Ping vaguely recalled these were boarding clients, pickup soon.
“Lightning Rat it is.”
Su Ping picked the frailer one—greater growth potential.
System chimed, “Pet chosen. Select a Cultivation Plane.”
Instantly, a ethereal white glow ripped space before Su Ping, forming a vertical eye-shaped rift. Deadly aura seeped from beyond, warping all it touched.
Shocked, Su Ping verified safety before asking the system, “What's a Cultivation Plane?”
“Cultivation Planes serve as prime breeding and training grounds for pets. Host picks a fitting realm for the pet.”
“Training grounds?”
Su Ping recalled: Astral Pet growth tied to environments. Big stores rented vast lands for pro hunting sites.
Large chains offered premium versions.
Tiny shops like Su Ping's just fed and cleaned.
“Scanning pet. Lightning Rat. Thunder family. Optimal match: Ancient Thunder Cloud Realm. Enter? Yes or no?”
Su Ping blinked in confusion. “Yes... sure.”
As words left his mouth, the name rang a bell.
Astral Pets hailed from space rifts, beast worlds, or ancient planets.
Thunder Cloud Realm: fabled lost origin of thunder pets.
Legends said elite thunder Astral Pets like Blue Sea Thunder Dragon, Nine-headed Grand Thunder, Zephyr Beast originated there. Its fall turned them into myths.
Was he entering that vanished legend?
Before Su Ping recovered, a pull dragged him into the glowing crack.
World spun dizzily.
Darkness swallowed him.
Vision cleared to hazy white fog and booming thunder.
Su Ping stood stunned, then awestruck by the scene!
A forgotten ancient realm?
Amid colossal trees in an endless expanse. Clouds loomed tens of meters overhead. Lightning danced in the misty canopy like coiling dragons.
Through cloud gaps, starry void gleamed. Planets loomed huge and vivid, rings of meteorites sharply defined.