“Stand under the waterfall for as long as you can last,” I said to the creature. “When it’s too much, jump out for a bit. As soon as you’ve replenished your energy, jump back in.”

The Dragonling tilted its head as I explained how to use the waterfall station, then it nodded in understanding after I’d finished and made a little chirruping sound in its throat.

I’d noticed that the creature had an Intelligence score of 6, which was reasonably high. I figured it was capable of understanding simple commands like this one. I doubted low-Intelligence monsters like the Flesh Muncher would be capable of understanding how to use a training station, so I’d likely have to forcibly guide them. Alternatively, I suspected that I could increase their attributes through sparring sessions. I was keen to put that theory to the test, which was why I was thankful to have Astrid with me.

I could spar with the monsters, but my abilities were far outclassed by Astrid’s abilities. I was only a Level 1 cultivator, but she was a Level 4 cultivator. It was like comparing a Little League pitcher to Cy Young. We were quite literally leagues apart. Now that I was a Keeper, I might not individually be as powerful as someone like Astrid, but my ability to summon minions might even the odds a bit. If not, I hoped that having her defeat my monsters would allow them, and me, to level up.

I took Astrid past the assault course and the training dummies, and climbed through the ropes into the circular fighting arena. The space was similar to the one used in the Cultivation Games, which had itself been adopted from the gladiatorial stadiums of Ancient Rome.

Astrid dropped her duffle bag outside the arena while I clambered up the side. The whole huge area was roped in like a boxing ring. When I stepped into the arena, I felt my boots sink into the surface a little. The floor of the arena seemed to be made of a type of high-density lightweight foam, like the floor of a boxing ring.

“So, what monster should we test first?” Astrid asked me once she’d climbed into the ring and was standing beside me.

I thought about it for a moment before answering.

“Well, you said that you’ve already fought the Magma Apes a bunch of times, so maybe we should start with the Frostbreath Cougar?”

Astrid rolled her shoulders then put both hands behind her back and stretched. The movement showed off her firm breasts in their lycra sport bra and also her incredible flexibility. She really was something else—sexy, strong, pretty funny too—I couldn’t wait to see how my monsters fared against her.

“How many of them can you summon at once?” she asked after she’d finished stretching her back.