Chapter 8: Growth Stage
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Despite sitting in the back row, Su Hao had a clear view.
There were two public battles on the battlefields.
On one side, a Leaf Blade Lizard battled a Fluffy Ball. On the other, a Bubbling Turtle fought against an Earth Hedgehog.
The sprites were still in their initial form but had obviously been cultivated for some time. The Leaf Blade Lizard was very fast. It dashed from side to side, as though it was dancing.
The Fluffy Ball started spinning, resisting the Leaf Blade Lizard’s sharp blades with its thick hair.
The two were evenly matched. Although they were not strong, Su Hao was mesmerized.
“Gurgle, gurgle!”
Silkworm Baby also exclaimed excitedly, standing upright on its hind legs, babbling.
On the other battlefield, a sharp thorn sprang out of the ground abruptly, sending the Bubbling Turtle flying up in the air and injuring its lower body. The Earth Hedgehog then took the opportunity to slam the turtle, stabbing its sharp spikes into it. Tiny holes appeared on areas of the Bubbling Turtle’s body that were not protected by the sh.e.l.l. One could feel its pain just by looking.
Soon, the battle was over.
Su Hao looked at Silkworm Baby, which was still yelling excitedly, without showing signs of worry, fear, or flinch.
It was just fat.
The baby silkworm did not seem to be afraid of getting injured. He could provide it with some tough training after it entered the growth stage.
…
Su Hao watched several games with Silkworm Baby. Even the newbie Sprite Trainers who had just contracted sprites were so excited that they joined the battles. Due to their weak power, they took a long time to finish off each other.
Generally, the sprites on the field took 10 seconds to get close to each other, whining as they wrestled each other.
The Sprite Trainers didn’t even know how to give instructions.
Also, the sprites may not listen.
Thus, it was unbearable to watch.
Silkworm Baby was indeed at a disadvantage before its evolution.
The spikes on the Earth Hedgehog were comparable to steel needles, but the sh.e.l.l of the Bubbling Turtle was also very hard. The thick hair of the Fluffy Ball also provided it with good protection…
Su Hao was not afraid.
Silkworm Babies, which were developed normally, may have limited combat power. However, one of the unlocked basic cultivation plans was to increase their body’s st.u.r.diness. The soft outer skin was able to turn into a sh.e.l.l comparable to armor.
Also, as long as their speed and strength overcame the opponent, it didn’t matter whether they had special skills.
As long as Silkworm Baby could be cultivated to evolve before the college entrance examination, Su Hao was confident of being admitted to a prestigious Sprite University… probably. After all, he had not understood the admission criteria of prestigious universities.
After coming out of the battle hall, Su Hao turned to the Green Shade Supermarket next door.
This supermarket did not sell ordinary goods. It only sold sprite-related medicines, supplements, elixirs, evolution materials, etc.
It had the most complete range of sprite products in the market.
The resources needed for Silkworm Baby to evolve into a Reverie b.u.t.terfly were all here. The only constraint for Su Hao was the lack of money.
“Green Herbal Liquid Type I is the most suitable supplement for Silkworm Babies to replenish their strength.
“Sprite Injury Medicine (Basic) is said to be developed by the Green Shade Group to specifically treat sprites. They are not expensive. Well, Silkworm Baby’s Miraculous Cure characteristic has some healing effects. I could use that instead of buying more medicine.
“Fat Deity Milk, a special milk cultivated by the use of sprite technology. Hmmm, so expensive, and the advertis.e.m.e.nt did not even state clearly its main effects. Silkworm Baby, since you wanted it so much, I’ll buy some for you.
“Herbal essential oil, a required item needed to strengthen Silkworm Baby’s skin under the Cultivation Plan. It is a type of elixir… Forget it, I’ll get this in the future.”
Su Hao brought the supplies needed for Silkworm Baby’s training to the checkout counter.
He bought very little, only those that were truly essential. Clearly, sprite supplies had only one characteristic—expensive!
This small amount of supplies cost nearly 1,000 yuan. The value of the card given by his parents for Silkworm Baby’s expenses was reduced by 1/3 instantly.
“It is more expensive raising sprites than raising me. Ah, Silkworm Baby, don’t disappoint your master’s expectations. You have to train hard, understand?”
“Gurgle?”
Su Hao went to the last destination of his trip, the sprite training center.
Unlike the supermarket, there were several training centers. At this time, they were soliciting newbie Sprite Trainers like Su Hao.
“Little brother, little brother, do you want to come to our Giant Elephant training center? The members.h.i.+p is only 998 yuan a month, and you can use whichever training facilities in the center. We have professional sprite instructors to teach you how to train sprites from scratch, moving you closer to getting admitted to Sprite Universities. One course only costs 1,688 yuan, and newbie Sprite Trainers can enjoy a 20% discount.”
Su Hao was initially interested, but the monthly members.h.i.+p was 1,000 yuan?
And the course cost 1,688 yuan? Don’t a.s.sume that he was unaware that sprite instructors may sound very cla.s.sy, but in fact, there was no such professional qualification at all. Those who formulated training plans for sprites were usually Sprite Cultivators. Obviously, the so-called instructors of the Giant Elephant training center did not even have the professional qualification of a novice Sprite Cultivator.
Su Hao turned around and left with disdain.
It had nothing to do with his shyness and the plain appearance of the female saleswoman.
…
After leaving Sprite Square, Su Hao did not go home immediately but took Silkworm Baby for a stroll around An City.
An City was not a big place. It could be regarded as an old city with historical charm.
There were several parks within the city, with hills and rivers. However, there were many elderly around taking walks and performing aerobic dancing. Hence, these were not suitable for sprite training.
“Well, public places can be ruled out. Even if there are not many people around, I can be fined if sprites are found destroying flowers or trees.”
Su Hao recalled An City’s surroundings.
There were many roads and buildings in the city that were different from what he remembered, but he clearly remembered the hills and rivers.
“Yes, Lake East Hill Park!”
Lake East Hill was located on the outskirts of the city, but the boundaries of An City were not big. It was not far from his home and would take only 20 minutes to get there by bicycle. The area consisted of 70% hills and 30% rivers. Only the south was designated as a park. In other areas of Lake East Hill, Silkworm Babies were being trained.
It was a bit late today, so Su Hao could only head home.
At night, Su Hao was writing a training plan for Silkworm Baby, planning its training time slots.
Silkworm Baby was watching TV while Su Hao’s parents were teasing it.
Su Hao seemed to be forgotten. No one urged him to do his summer homework.
Since contracting Silkworm Baby, he had become “family status: -1”.
…
The next day, Su Hao was awakened by his alarm clock. He picked up Silkworm Baby, which was sleeping soundly beside his bed.
“Gurgle?!”
It dreamed that it went on a dangerous adventure and finally defeated the great Demon King, just like the protagonist on TV. It was about to start enjoying life with other sprites on the s.h.i.+p when it was woken up from its dream.
Silkworm Baby was very angry and ignored its Sprite Trainer.
Su Hao said earnestly, “Look, if you don’t train hard, you can only be a background character who is defeated by the protagonist in the cartoon. But through hard work, you can be the protagonist. Do you want to be the protagonist? Do you want to be the center of attention? Do you want to show off?”
Silkworm Baby, which had only recently come into contact with the human world, was unable to resist those three questions. Its tiny face became very serious as it gurgled.
“Good, let’s work hard together.”
Su Hao opened the game interface and clicked Silkworm Baby under the sprite column.
Sure enough, the data had changed significantly.
[Sprite: Silkworm Baby]
[Basic information: Wood-Element, 0.1% in Growth stage]
[Contract target: Su Hao]
[Details:
Height 0.12m
Weight 2.6kg
Physique: 4
Spiritual Force: 6
See more…]
“Indeed…”
Silkworm Baby, which had entered the growth stage, had a slight increase in height and weight. Su Hao also noticed that the green stripes on its back were now more p.r.o.nounced and intricate.
However, physique and spiritual force represented the real changes.
Both had doubled!
The growth period of sprites was a period where the various attributes experienced rapid improvements. Every minute and second of training time shouldn’t be wasted.
“Let’s go!”
Su Hao had already prepared his stuff last night. It consisted of a big school bag that had the rations and training items for Silkworm Baby and a few slices of bread and water for himself. This was to save time so that he did not have to go home at noon to eat.
Mother Su had made him breakfast before going to work. Su Hao quickly ate and washed the dishes. Silkworm Baby was also full of energy after eating its breakfast jade powder.
He then went downstairs and took a look at the bicycle parking spot next to the entrance of his neighborhood. Well, there were still some shared bicycles left.
Su Hao was about to walk over but stopped suddenly.
Silkworm Baby needed to digest the jade powder that it just ate. It was a bit wasteful for it to ride there.
Why not cycle and let Silkworm Baby run behind me?