Chapter 7: Leveling Up and the Obstacles of Combat

Su Bai returned once more to the area where she had previously encountered a large group of silkworm larvae.

She reflected on the earlier battle’s progress.

“Pearl still has some weaknesses in both offense and evasion.”

Pearl was originally a mutated ordinary pet bird, so it still needed plenty of training. What Pearl required most now was to improve her dodging ability.

Although Pearl currently possessed only one skill—“Singing”—Su Bai had firmly positioned her as a support-type companion.

However, survival skills were equally important.

Lacking offensive powers did not mean she could only hide behind; on the contrary, Pearl needed to learn to protect herself in danger and even create opportunities for Su Bai in battle.

“You don’t have a powerful attack yet, so you must improve your reaction speed to avoid danger,” Su Bai said earnestly to Pearl.

Pearl cocked her head and looked at Su Bai, as if understanding her words, then nodded gently before darting nimbly through the forest.

Su Bai found several silkworm larvae and deliberately guided Pearl in training.

Pearl leapt lightly among the trees, drawing the larvae’s attention.

At first, Pearl was flustered when attacked by a few larvae, but she quickly found her rhythm for dodging.

Whenever the larvae launched their “Silk Spitting” attack, Pearl was able to swiftly evade with agile moves, avoiding being entangled in the threads.

During these evasions, Pearl also began to use her singing skill.

Taking the opportunity, Su Bai wielded her weapon and swiftly struck down the larvae that Pearl had lulled to sleep with her “Singing” ability.

The battle was far from easy.

Though the larvae were individually weak, they came in great numbers, and their silk attacks had a wide range, making it easy to get caught if careless.

Sweat soon covered Su Bai’s forehead; her breathing grew rapid.

Yet she did not stop; instead, she persevered, fighting while observing Pearl’s performance.

“Good, Pearl, keep it up!” Su Bai encouraged.

Pearl’s dodging became increasingly proficient, even skillfully guiding the larvae into Su Bai’s attack range while evading.

Their cooperation gradually deepened, greatly enhancing their combat efficiency.

As the last silkworm larva in the area fell, Su Bai exhaled deeply and wiped the sweat from her brow.

She glanced at Pearl, noticing that while the bird looked somewhat weary, its eyes sparkled with excitement.

Clearly, this battle had not only granted Su Bai valuable experience but also honed Pearl’s skills in real combat.

“Well done, Pearl,” Su Bai said with a smile, gently patting Pearl’s head.

Pearl emitted a joyful chirp, seemingly responding to the praise.

Suddenly, a clear system notification sounded in Su Bai’s ears.

It was the sound she had been eagerly awaiting, like celestial music echoing in her mind.

【Ding! Experience threshold reached. Congratulations, player level up!】

At the prompt, Su Bai felt a warm current surge from deep within her body, swiftly spreading throughout.

Her fatigue vanished instantly, replaced by newfound vigor.

The soreness and weakness in her arm from wielding the chopping axe dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented lightness and strength.

“Finally leveled up!” Su Bai’s heart surged with excitement as she clenched her fist.

She could distinctly feel subtle changes in her body, as if every cell was rejoicing.

Eagerly, Su Bai opened her character panel to examine the upgrades.

【Player: Su Bai】

【Level: 2】

【Talent: Reception—Able to acquire certain abilities from one’s own pets】

【Profession: Beast Tamer】

【Skills: Tame Capture, Beast Control Space, Energy Strike, Spirit Beast Summon, Identification Eye】

According to the data, aside from rising from level 1 to 2, no other attributes had changed significantly.

Yet Su Bai keenly sensed her physical condition was vastly different.

“My strength… has definitely increased quite a bit!”

Su Bai waved her arm lightly, feeling the power within her limbs had grown noticeably—not overwhelmingly, but undeniably stronger.

She mused that future level-ups would continue to boost her strength; even without other skills, she could become a strongwoman through sheer force alone, a thought that made her smile.

Of course, leveling up brought more than just strength; her senses had become considerably sharper.

What had once been slightly blurred vision due to mild nearsightedness was now remarkably clear.

“Is this the benefit of leveling up?” Su Bai thought with quiet delight.

She closed her eyes, savoring the changes within.

Her hearing, smell, and touch all seemed more acute than before.

“Apparently, leveling up isn’t just a numerical increase; it’s a comprehensive enhancement of the body,” she reflected.

Su Bai realized that with each new level, these transformations would only grow stronger.

She was genuinely pleased.

Her happiness was further amplified because Pearl also leveled up during the ensuing battles.

【Monster: Singing Bird】 (Pearl)

【Level: 2】

【Talent: Enchanting Voice—emits a captivating sound that relaxes the listener’s mind】

【Skill: Singing—produces a soothing and beautiful melody that lulls enemies to sleep】

Although the data showed little change beyond the level, Su Bai understood that Pearl must have undergone a similar strengthening.

Meanwhile, while Su Bai continued to slaughter silkworm larvae, Li Weiwei was facing unexpected challenges elsewhere.

“Weiwei, what’s going on? Why are there so many green caterpillars? You know I’m terrified of bugs,” Mi Yao said, standing amid a cluster of green leaves, her face pale as she eyed the wriggling, fat green worms, instinctively taking a few steps back.

Her fingers gripped tightly around the baseball bat her brother had found for her, but she hesitated to swing it, as if the bugs might leap onto her at any moment.

Sighing, Li Weiwei brought the bat down hard on a caterpillar.

She turned to Mi Yao with a hint of helplessness in her voice: “Mi Yao, don’t be afraid. Don’t you think these green caterpillars are quite docile? Even when we attack them, they make no move to resist—almost like they’re just letting me hit them.”

Mi Yao’s brother, Mi Hanwen, nodded in agreement. “Yao Yao, don’t be scared. You have to overcome your fear of insects. If you can’t do that, how will you survive in a world full of dangers?”

Mi Yao frowned, acknowledging their words were true, but changing so quickly was not something she could manage overnight.

“I understand,” she said.

Though these so-called green caterpillar monsters truly showed no aggression—not even basic evasive moves, merely crawling slowly on the ground as if awaiting slaughter—she still felt a trace of fear.