Murals

After leaving Wu Changkong's office, Su Hao began attending theory classes every morning, practical combat in the afternoon, and reading large numbers of Soul Tool books at night.

During breaks, he spent one day researching Soul Tools at the Spirit Pagoda. The next day, he spent the morning in the Spirit Ascension Platform, the afternoon training in his Second Profession, and the evening studying new skills. This continued for some time.

During this period, Tang Wulin found a new forging teacher. At the same time, because of his Martial Soul, Wang Jinxi moved next door to Tang Wulin and cultivated alongside him with the help of Tang Wulin's bloodline.

That day, Wu Changkong suddenly entered the classroom and said to the six of them:

"Today, we're going to the Spirit Pagoda."

Hearing that they were going to the Spirit Pagoda again during class time, Tang Wulin and the other four, apart from Su Hao, felt somewhat puzzled, but they did not ask any questions.

As they walked, Wu Changkong said:

"Starting today, you will have one opportunity every week to enter the Spirit Pagoda's Spirit Ascension Platform for cultivation. Cherish this opportunity. The academy specifically allocated funds to secure it for you."

At the mention of the Spirit Ascension Platform, only Tang Wulin and Gu Yue among the six looked confused, while Xie Xie and the other two wore astonished expressions.

Tang Wulin quietly asked Xie Xie:

"What is the Spirit Ascension Platform?"

Xie Xie stared at Tang Wulin in surprise.

"What? You don't know what the Spirit Ascension Platform is?"

Then, under Tang Wulin's pressure, Xie Xie explained the origins and functions of the Spirit Ascension Platform to him.

Before long, they arrived before the Spirit Pagoda. The academy had clearly made arrangements in advance. When they walked up the steps to the entrance, Dean of Students Long Hengxu was already waiting there.

Seeing Wu Changkong bring them over, Long Hengxu quickly stepped forward and said:

"Teacher Wu."

"Director Long."

Wu Changkong simply greeted Long Hengxu, his expression as impassive as ever.

Then, Long Hengxu said:

"Follow me."

After entering the Spirit Pagoda, Wu Changkong looked at the murals around them and introduced them.

"The murals record how the first master of the Spirit Pagoda, a legendary first-generation Soul Master and the inventor of Soul Spirits, Spirit Ice Douluo, once led human Soul Masters against the Soul Beast Tide.

"The murals here are only one part of the story. The complete tale is spread across the eighteen branch Spirit Pagodas. The murals at Spirit Pagoda Headquarters record the scene of Spirit Ice Douluo's great battle against the strongest Soul Beast, Beast God Di Tian.

"After that battle, Spirit Ice Douluo vanished and never appeared again.

"However, legend says that Spirit Ice Douluo was ultimately victorious, because Beast God, the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King Di Tian, likewise never appeared again after that."

After hearing Wu Changkong's introduction, Tang Wulin and the others raised their heads to look at the surrounding murals. Su Hao casually followed their gazes and glanced at them as well.

Yet it was this single glance that allowed Su Hao to discover the problem.

Previously, Su Hao had not carefully examined the paintings on the Spirit Pagoda's walls. Now, with one look, he realized that Snow Empress, Ice Empress, and that Mermaid were absent from this mural. In their place stood a white-furred giant ape and a fox at Huo Yuhao's side.

As for Huo Yuhao in the mural, his other Soul Spirits, such as the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm, had not changed.

Just as Su Hao was pondering what had happened Ten Thousand Years ago, Xie Xie's voice suddenly came from beside him.

"Dragon Butterfly Douluo Tang Wutong, the wife of Spirit Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao.

"Wulin, look. Spirit Ice Douluo's wife was truly beautiful! I heard she was also incredibly powerful. She and Spirit Ice Douluo possessed a powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill, allowing them to merge into one and become an overwhelmingly powerful existence. In that era, they were the strongest."

Then Gu Yue said:

"Tang Wutong's name does sound a lot like Wulin's.

"And haven't you noticed? Wulin seems to resemble Tang Wutong a little, especially around the eyes."

After hearing Gu Yue's words, Xie Xie argued:

"They don't look alike, do they? Dragon Butterfly Douluo's eyes and hair were both pinkish-blue, while Wulin's are black. How are they alike?"

As Xie Xie and Gu Yue argued, Dean of Students Long Hengxu spoke up from the side.

"Enough. Let's go.

"When I first came to the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars, I was just as curious as you. After coming here more often, that feeling gradually faded. Still, the murals in every one of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars are especially worth admiring."

Hearing this, Su Hao gathered his thoughts and decided that after returning to the academy, he would look through historical records to find out what had happened Ten Thousand Years ago.

The Federation's history might not contain detailed information about Huo Yuhao, but he believed he could still find some scattered records. From those fragments, he could roughly determine what had happened.

Seeing that everyone had quieted down, Wu Changkong said:

"Focus yourselves. Once you enter the Spirit Ascension Platform, you will be able to rely only on yourselves."

Tang Wulin asked in surprise:

"Teacher, aren't you coming in with us?"

Wu Changkong explained to Tang Wulin:

"Only Soul Masters below four rings may enter the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform."

Long Hengxu nodded as well.

"But don't worry. We will monitor your situation from outside. If you encounter danger, you must take the initiative to withdraw and return.

"We'll explain the precautions to you shortly."

Then, under Long Hengxu and Wu Changkong's guidance, everyone entered an elevator. After it traveled for some time, they walked into a corridor, then entered a metal room at the direction of a Staff member.

There were six metal pods inside the room, as well as many screens displaying the image of a forest.

The Staff member turned around and said to the six of them:

"There are six slots in the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform. There is no time limit. When you can no longer endure the dangers within, press your personal distress signal, and you will return here. Now, I'll explain the precautions."

The Staff member then explained the precautions and the development of the Spirit Ascension Platform to Su Hao and the others.

Afterward, Su Hao and the others all said they understood.

Hearing that, the Staff member nodded and added another reminder.

"You'll experience the rest for yourselves inside. This is your first time entering, so you may not last very long.

"But it should leave a deep impression on you. Children, prepare yourselves mentally. Remember, do not panic no matter what happens.

"Soul Beasts are not frightening, as long as you respond appropriately."

The Staff member then pressed a button, and the six metal pods opened. He said to Su Hao and the others:

"All right, you may lie down inside."

Then Su Hao and the others each chose a metal pod and lay down inside.