Chapter 8

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

By the northeast corner of the training ground was a bamboo forest covering about an acre of land. Bamboo leaves rustled at the touch of a slight breeze.

The brightness dropped as he entered the bamboo forest, it was entirely silent save from the light pitter-patter of morning dew that slid off the bamboo leaves onto the soil below.

Li Changsheng located a clearing in the deeper parts of the forest after strolling around—a suitable spot to commence Ai Xi’s training.

Now that he had formed a contract with Ai Xi, his next course of action was to strengthen it without delay.

There were a variety of methods a demon tamer could employ to increase their demon pet’s strength, which basically fell into the following five categories.

1. Level Up Through Battle

2. Upgrading Training Regime

3. Feeding Demon Cores

4. Energy Potions

5. Demon Food

Though these were not the only methods, the techniques listed were universally preferred, as they worked well and were suitable for beginners.

Battling was the quickest way for demon pets to reach breakthroughs to the next level. Each breakthrough provided a certain increment to three of the demon pet’s major stats, including power, agility, stamina, and even the range of their skills. This increment corresponded closely with a demon’s Class, Grade, and Bloodline. This was also the key factor that determined if a demon pet could stand a chance in a battle against higher-level demons.

The type of training employed varied with the demon pets in question, for demons of varying amounts of potential gave different results. Level breakthroughs could be attained through training as well, though that sort of thing usually only happens once in a blue moon.

Ai Xi was far too weak at the moment. Even under Li Changsheng’s guidance, it may not be able to defeat even the weakest wild demons in battle.

Given the current circumstances, Li Changsheng had no other option but to focus on the training method until Ai Xi became strong enough. Then he would change the primary strengthening method to battling and demote basic training to the secondary method.

There were three aspects demon tamers had to focus on while training their demon pets. Firstly, increasing the demon pet’s physical fitness. Secondly, guiding the demon pet in mastering their skills. Lastly, increasing the demon pet’s battle ability.

Since the amount of hard work a demon pet put in also affected their training results, Li Changsheng was strict in ensuring that Ai Xi did not dawdle. After all, once a bad habit sunk in it would be hard to weed it out in the future!

Reaching for a large stone slab, Li Changsheng gave it a good lookover before shaking his head in disapproval. Ai Xi may be talented and blessed with limitless potential, but it was still a young demon with underdeveloped teeth and claws. Not only would the attempt be fruitless, but Ai Xi might even get hurt.

In the end, Li Changsheng pointed at a bamboo tree and instructed, “Ai Xi, use Bite!”

As a beast demon, Ai Xi was always eager for challenges. Under Li Changsheng’s instruction, it pounced on the bamboo tree and bared its unfledged fangs.

Chomp~

Ai Xi began to gnaw at the bamboo tree the moment it sank its fangs into it, gurgling. Its bite left deep and clear imprints on the bamboo tree by the time it let go of it. 

The bamboo tree was tough and would take more effort than that if Ai Xi wished to snap it.

“Don’t stop! Keep going!”

Li Changsheng was stern and Ai Xi pounced again under his directions, attacking the bamboo tree with Bite.

As Li Changsheng had yet to call for a break, Ai Xi had no choice but to keep using Bite on the bamboo tree. The training went on and on.

Repeating the same skill over and over, Ai Xi began to grow frustrated as it no longer found the activity interesting, not to mention the sensation of bamboo tree in its mouth was far from pleasant. In its annoyance, it began to let up on the strength it applied without realizing it.

Releasing its hold on the bamboo again, Li Changsheng’s expression grew even more stern as he figured out what was happening judging from the depth of the new bite marks. Harshly, he called out, “Ai Xi! Don’t slack off!”

Ai Xi jolted in shock and shuddered, no longer daring to cut corners. It used Bite with all the strength it had.

Crack.

After being on the receiving end of Bite over ten times, the 3-meter long bamboo tree finally caved in and toppled over on its side.

“Good job!” 

Li Changsheng did not hold back with his compliments, for it was key to increasing Ai Xi’s enthusiasm toward training. If a demon tamer did not reward their demon pets for their hard work, short-term results might not be overly affected but there will surely be resistance toward training in the long run.

Hearing Li Changsheng’s compliment, Ai Xi became noticeably excited again and it instinctively grinned. Pain jolted from its teeth the moment its mouth widened.

Its milk teeth were not hard enough, and in the aftermath of breaking the bamboo tree with Bite, its gums had begun to bleed. With continued training, however, there was no doubt that Ai Xi’s fangs would continue to strengthen at an even faster rate.

As demons were essentially mutations of wild beasts, they were able to inherit the same incredible strength, as well as develop healing abilities that surpassed even that of wild beasts.

However, no matter how quick it took, healing still required time. 

“Open your mouth like this—Ahh.”

Ai Xi obeyed and imitated Li Changsheng in opening its mouth, revealing two rows of milk teeth. There were two sharp fangs on both upper and lower rows and though still unfledged, the sight of them could still run a shiver down people’s spines.

While slight abrasions could be seen on Ai Xi’s milk teeth, the main focus was its bleeding gums.

After a short examination, Li Changsheng was confident that a short rest, coupled with Ai Xi’s natural healing abilities, would surely be enough for its mouth to recover to its previous condition. Until then, Ai Xi would no longer train Bite so that its condition did not worsen.

The more severe the wound, the more difficult it is to heal!

Without further thought, Li Changsheng switched up Ai Xi’s regimen by swapping Bite training to Claw Tear!

“Ai Xi! Use Claw Tear!”

Following his instructions, Ai Xi pounced again on another bamboo tree, its front paws revealing their claws mid-air and delivered a criss-cross slash before it landed!

Slash~ Slash~

Bamboo shards flew everywhere following Ai Xi’s attack, and the green bark of the bamboo sported eight new gashes of different extents.

Slash~ Slash~

This time, Ai Xi pounced again without needing Li Changsheng to egg it on, leaving more gashes marking the bamboo tree before it!

“Align your claws with the existing marks, Ai Xi. That way it’ll be easier to break the bamboo tree!”

Li Changsheng’s voice rang out from behind. He was hoping that while he trained Ai Xi, he could slowly ease it into the battle mindset.

Battling was not child’s play. To say the least, injuries were unavoidable and there was always the risk of losing your life. Combat power was crucial, yes, but that did not mean a solid battle mindset was negligible. Only with both present could a demon pet unleash their maximum combat power.

The more you sweat when you train, the less you bleed when you battle. This was a matter of life and death, and it was only right to treat the topic with the utmost respect.

Howl~

Ai Xi gave a little howl and sharpened its gaze, evidently more concentrated. It fixed its eyes on the existing claw marks on the tree and continued to perfect its Claw Tear.

Ai Xi grew more accurate with each strike, widening the existing gashes by slashing at them again. 

Slash~ Slash~ Crack.

The bamboo tree gave out before long and toppled to its side like the first tree.

Like its milk teeth, Ai Xi’s claws also suffered damage after using Claw Tear on the bamboo tree. Its front paws sported small cuts.

“Give me your paw, Ai Xi!” Li Changsheng was well prepared, and from his pocket, he procured a vial of ointment.

It was only natural for a clan who had been around for generations to have a few tricks up their sleeve.

This was the Li Clan’s special medicine—the Green Jade Haemostatic Ointment. It was an ointment that, compared to those available on the market, showed better healing results.

This was not a cheap product, of course. However, a predetermined amount would be distributed each month to the clan’s demon tamers as perks to being part of the clan.

The pain in Ai Xi’s paws subsided after ointment was applied, with a cool and soothing sensation replacing the pain.

With the aforementioned healing capabilities of a demon coupled with the effects of the medicinal ointment and a short break, Ai Xi’s wounds fully recovered.