The Only Problem Was That They Shouldn't Flaunt Their Affection in the Spirit Ascension Platform

Crack!

A crisp cracking sound rang out.

The Time Burial Sword in Zhao Tao's hand had stabbed straight into the Thousand Year Crystal Bear's cervical vertebrae!

The immense force of the plunge, combined with the Soul Power and Power of Time contained within the Time Burial Sword—

In an instant, it shredded the Thousand Year Crystal Bear's neck, producing a sharp snapping sound.

As its cervical vertebrae broke—

The Thousand Year Crystal Bear's corpse crashed heavily to the ground with a thunderous boom!

However—

At this moment, Zhao Tao still did not lower his guard.

After all, he knew very well that the Thousand Year Crystal Bear would trigger an extremely powerful Deathrattle Effect upon death!

He immediately recalled the Time Burial Sword.

Zhao Tao swiftly retreated to an area roughly ten meters away from the Thousand Year Crystal Bear's corpse.

Boom!

It was at that moment—

An incredibly dense earthy-yellow radiance burst from the Thousand Year Crystal Bear's body!

Although the light only covered an area of about one meter around the Thousand Year Crystal Bear—

Everything enveloped by it—

Was transformed into a layer of fragile brown crystal in an instant!

One could only imagine how miserable Zhao Tao's fate would have been if he had not dodged in time.

"Phew, that was close!"

"Teacher Wu, had you taught him about Thousand Year Crystal Bears before?"

Seeing Zhao Tao evade the Thousand Year Crystal Bear's dying counterattack, Long Hengxu also sighed in relief and turned to Wu Changkong beside him.

"I hadn't."

"However, Zhao Tao has always possessed strong combat instincts. Perhaps his sixth sense for danger was triggered?"

Wu Changkong shook his head as he spoke, making a guess.

"If that's the case, then it's even more commendable!"

"I'll definitely recommend to the dean that additional resources be allocated to Zhao Tao and Gu Yue!"

Hearing Wu Changkong's words, Long Hengxu's eyes lit up, and he declared firmly.

Meanwhile—

Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform—

As the Thousand Year Crystal Bear fell, a mass of purple Spirit Energy drifted out of its corpse.

Most of it surged toward Zhao Tao, while the remainder flowed toward Gu Yue.

"Gu Yue, you're not in great shape. Rest here for now; I'll stand guard for you!"

While urging the Aged Silkworm Spirit to absorb the Spirit Energy provided by the Thousand Year Crystal Bear—

Zhao Tao looked toward Gu Yue, who was still taking small, ragged breaths, and reminded her.

"Alright, thank you!"

Hearing Zhao Tao's words, Gu Yue sat down cross-legged and began meditating.

A moment later, Gu Yue had recovered and rose to her feet once more.

Zhao Tao had also refined the Spirit Energy from the Thousand Year Crystal Bear.

Together with the Spirit Energy he had absorbed earlier from killing the Man Faced Demon Spider and Unicorn Dragon—

The cultivation of the Aged Silkworm Spirit rose from one thousand years to one thousand one hundred years.

"Since we ran into each other, how about we travel together from here on?"

Gu Yue slowly walked to Zhao Tao's side and made the suggestion.

"I'd be delighted!"

Hearing Gu Yue's words, Zhao Tao smiled and nodded.

The two then traveled together, heading deeper into the forest.

With Gu Yue's help, Zhao Tao's speed in finding prey increased considerably!

After all, whether it was her true Spiritual Power or merely the Spiritual Power she displayed, Gu Yue surpassed him in both!

Furthermore, Gu Yue's Elemental Master Martial Soul could communicate with the elements and obtain many clues.

With those two advantages combined—

In only half a day, the two had already taken down more than twenty Thousand Year Soul Beasts!

Zhao Tao's Aged Silkworm Spirit had also silently reached a cultivation of one thousand seven hundred years!

As for Gu Yue, although she served as support during battle and received less Spirit Energy—

Her Soul Spirit was only a Hundred Year Soul Beast, yet it was absorbing Spirit Energy from Thousand Year Soul Beasts.

Thus, her Soul Spirit naturally advanced from a hundred years to a thousand years.

Her cultivation also broke through, reaching level nineteen.

As long as she advanced one more level, she would be able to become a Soul Grandmaster like Zhao Tao!

"Congratulations, Gu Yue!"

Sensing the fluctuations of Soul Power emanating from Gu Yue, Zhao Tao offered his congratulations with a smile.

"It's all thanks to your help. If I had been alone, I couldn't have dealt with so many Thousand Year Soul Beasts."

Gu Yue looked at Zhao Tao beside her and smiled sweetly, taking his hand of her own accord.

"Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, your training time in the Spirit Ascension Platform has ended. It's time to leave the Spirit Ascension Platform."

Suddenly—

Wu Changkong's cool voice came through the Distress Signal Devices on their wrists.

It broke the warm moment between them.

Naturally, the time Soul Masters could spend in the Spirit Ascension Platform on each visit was not unlimited.

At that moment, they had already reached the maximum duration for this session.

"You can't say that. Gu Yue, your contribution was just as great."

"Alright, see you outside."

The two smiled at each other, then simultaneously pressed the red buttons on their hands. Their figures blurred within the Spirit Ascension Platform before vanishing.

"Brother Tao, y-you're way too strong!"

As he slowly climbed out of the Metal Cabinet, Xie Xie's voice of utter amazement sounded beside him.

Compared with Zhao Tao's performance in the Spirit Ascension Platform, Xie Xie only wanted to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it!

They were both Soul Grandmasters, so why could Brother Tao effortlessly kill so many Thousand Year Soul Beasts while he had died under the siege of several Hundred Year Soul Beasts?

"Yeah, Brother Tao, you really are my idol!"

At that moment, Tang Wulin also looked at Zhao Tao with a face full of admiration and spoke up.

Clearly, Zhao Tao's formidable strength had once again conquered Tang Wulin's young heart.

"It's fine. Work hard, and I believe you'll gradually become stronger too!"

Zhao Tao smiled, patted Tang Wulin and Xie Xie on the shoulders, and encouraged them before walking over to the Metal Cabinet where Gu Yue was.

Soon, Gu Yue regained consciousness as well, and Zhao Tao proactively extended a hand to pull her out of the Metal Cabinet.

"Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, your performance was excellent."

"As for Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, Wang Jinxi, and Zhang Yangzi, you should carefully reflect on today's trip to the Spirit Ascension Platform. I expect to hear your reflections tomorrow morning."

After leaving those words behind, Wu Changkong and Long Hengxu led the way ahead, bringing everyone back to Eastsea Academy.

In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.

Class Zero's classroom.

As scheduled, Wu Changkong listened to everyone's reflections.

Naturally, Zhao Tao and Gu Yue were not included.

After all, even by Wu Changkong's exceptionally demanding standards, their performance in the Spirit Ascension Platform had been practically flawless.

If he absolutely had to point out a problem, it was that they should not have flaunted their affection in the Spirit Ascension Platform!

As for Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and the others, they also reflected and summarized their experiences based on their own circumstances.

Wu Changkong then offered his evaluations based on the four's performance.

But in summary, there were only four words—too weak, train more!

After that, Wu Changkong intensified the training aimed at the four of them, especially Tang Wulin, whose cultivation was the lowest.

At times, Tang Wulin did not even have time to train in forging with Mang Tian.

As for Zhao Tao and Gu Yue, as Wu Changkong had suggested, they received additional resource support from Eastsea Academy.

In particular, regarding food, not only were Grade A Meals provided without limit at every meal—

They also received all kinds of Whale Rubber, Sea Cucumber, and fish meat from Fish Soul Beasts originating from the deep sea, helping them build a solid physical foundation.

Busy times always passed quickly.

In the blink of an eye, two months had gone by.

And the final examinations for the first semester of first year were about to begin!