Unable to Cultivate, I Can Only Raise Soul Pets Chapter 4

The soul beast base sprawled, featuring distinct zones for sales, combat, research, and display, alongside a dedicated Soul Pet Recovery Center. Its structure comprised six floors; the initial five were accessible to the public, while the uppermost level served as the administrative hub exclusively for staff. Amidst the various extensive districts, the most thronged area was unexpectedly not the sales department, but the combat zone. “It truly seems like the third-floor combat section draws a substantial crowd,” remarked Xu Haifeng, tilting his head to peer at the second floor with eager anticipation. “It’s not far from our current location.” ‘Combat’ was, in fact, a subject of immense fascination among Contract Soul Masters. For high school students who had merely commenced their soul pet training and had yet to undergo martial soul awakening, it was certainly a compelling spectacle. Wang Che cast a fleeting glance, then averted his gaze. His primary interest lay in uncovering the more esoteric knowledge of this world. Within the sales sector, a breathtaking variety of soul pet eggs were on display. Each was meticulously labeled with its species and accompanied by a detailed price. The entry-level cost was set at 10,000 dollars, a monetary value comparable in purchasing power to Earth's early 21st-century Yuan. While considered expensive, the price was not without justification. “The eggs available at this soul beast base are the product of professional breeding. The personnel here rigorously monitor the diverse soul beast species. Even when the appearances of soul pet eggs are strikingly similar, they possess the ability to differentiate them precisely. The majority of those distributed freely by the Federation, however, bear a strong resemblance to one another. Distinguishing the specific soul beast species that will emerge from them would prove challenging even for your teacher… Those appear exceptionally alike; discerning them solely by external size and patterns is exceedingly difficult. Should you happen upon an unidentified, special soul pet egg, on the other hand, sophisticated equipment would be necessary to analyze the life fluctuations contained within. Through this analysis, its specific characteristics can be inferred. This method represents one of the research approaches employed by our soul beast base. Our research department currently holds as many as ten unknown soul pet eggs. We have not yet completed their full examination, so you are welcome to have a look,” announced a robust, aged voice from nearby. Wang Che turned towards the source of the sound. It was an elder, likely in his late sixties or seventies, donning a pristine white lab coat. His hair was a cascade of white, yet his countenance radiated vitality, and his eyes held a bright, spirited gleam. Adjusting his spectacles, he addressed a cluster of students surrounding him with a warm smile. Xu Haifeng interjected, “That’s Professor Yan. Doesn’t he appear remarkably youthful? He might look like he's in his seventies, but in reality, he's approaching his 120th birthday. He is also a Contract Soul Master, though his primary focus is research.” “He does seem quite young indeed,” Wang Che concurred. He perceived the professor’s life force as remarkably vigorous. Although he was presently incapable of cultivating Qi to fortify his body and his divine sense remained unawakened, his past existence as a cultivator in the Immortal Ascension Realm had endowed him with fundamental senses and an acute intuition. Consequently, he was exceptionally attuned to worldly energy fluctuations. While he might not perceive them with absolute granularity, this elderly gentleman was undeniably extraordinary. Even an ordinary individual, not possessing Wang Che’s background, would likely sense subconsciously that the professor was more than he appeared, emanating a distinct aura. “Hey, why aren’t you all waiting for us?” Xu Haifeng called out, approaching with a smile. “Wang Che has arrived.” The assembled students turned, their gazes locking onto the pair, particularly focusing on the green caterpillar peeking from the pocket on Wang Che’s chest. A tableau of diverse expressions flickered across their faces. Among them were fellow students who shared a sense of shared misfortune, holding their own young soul pets. Some offered welcoming smiles, others remained silent, a few chuckled nonchalantly, and a select few displayed unusual excitement… “Brother Che, as an elite student, I truly never imagined your luck would be worse than mine. As someone who considers myself plain, this makes me feel a bit better about myself,” one student remarked. “Did you see that? How could this happen? He’s quite handsome, though; perhaps he traded his luck for good looks.” “Brother Che, you’re starting with a green caterpillar? That’s quite something. Out of the 28 students in our class who opted for the free soul beast egg, even the most mediocre ones received carps with a potential of 101. Your pet’s potential is below 100. That’s really not ideal.”

“The Federation offers standard soul pet eggs. Current online data indicates a 4% chance of hatching a young, rare soul pet with species potential exceeding 200. For those with potential below 100, the probability is 5%.

“So, in a way, you're quite fortunate to have obtained a rare soul pet.”

...

More than ten students chimed in with greetings, their voices blending together.

Yet, beneath their smiles, the mockery wasn't particularly harsh.

It was mostly playful teasing, tinged with a touch of underlying sadness and pity.

This sentiment stemmed primarily from Wang Che's previous popularity, attributed to his exceptional looks and outstanding academic performance.

The fact that his very first hatched soul pet turned out to be a mere green caterpillar was, therefore, a significant shock to them all.

During the third year's winter break, students were required to sign a life contract to hatch their first soul beast egg.

This was preparation for the martial soul awakening set to occur half a year later.

With the winter vacation now concluded, the majority of students who had opted for free soul pet eggs had already successfully hatched their initial soul pet.

A smile touched Wang Che's lips. Engaging with these young individuals brought back memories of his own initial steps onto the path of cultivation.

“It’s not that terrible, really. Statistically speaking, with my abysmal luck, the other 28 students are practically guaranteed to hatch remarkable soul pets,” Wang Che proposed.

His perspective shifted, and he added with mock solemnity, “I’m sacrificing myself for the greater good!”

As an Immortal Ascension cultivator with millennia of existence, his bodily control was exceptionally profound.

Furthermore, Wang Che had merged with numerous life forms during his extensive travels across the cosmos.

Blending in with various non-human species was effortless for him; mere students were inconsequential.

His declaration caused a moment of stunned silence among the listeners.

“Damn!” Xu Haifeng exclaimed with a friendly punch. “Putting on such a natural and convincing act at a time like this, you really know how to play with my emotions. You truly live up to your reputation, Wang Che.”

“I’m so moved!”

“Brother Che, if you don’t mind gender, I could…”

“Hey, Brother Che, I wish I were a girl…”

“…”

Amidst the students' laughter, Professor Yan observed Wang Che, a faint smile playing on his lips as he overheard their jovial remarks.

“You are Wang Che, correct? You possess a commendable attitude. Should you find yourself unable to awaken your martial soul in the future, feel free to join my soul beast base.”

A ripple of surprise went through the crowd.

This was no small offer; it was a significant opportunity, not easily obtained. The resources and facilities at this soul beast base were far from ordinary.

Typically, ordinary individuals were barred from entry altogether.

Even aspiring Contract Soul Masters had to meet specific prerequisites to be employed there.

It was highly unusual for a professor to extend such a rare invitation to someone they had just met.

However, Wang Che gently shook his head and replied, “Professor Yan, during my initial assessment of this base, I noticed a significant number of female researchers. Are you perhaps trying to recruit me to lighten the mood around here? If that’s the case, I must decline.”

Professor Yan appeared taken aback for a moment before bursting into hearty laughter.

“Not bad, young man. I’m impressed you could see through my intentions.”

Hearing the professor’s jovial tone, the other students realized he had been joking.

Xu Haifeng, however, subtly shook his head.

He could tell the professor had been serious, yet Wang Che had expertly deflected the offer with a few witty remarks.

‘This fellow is truly sharp,’ Xu Haifeng mused inwardly.

He was aware that Professor Yan’s offer was made at someone else’s request, with a clear and simple objective: to ensure Wang Che had a promising future.