Departure to the East Sea, Overbearing Angel Falls in Love with Me, Riot Period Rises

Chapter 14: Departure for Eastsea City, Overbearing Angel Falls in Love with Me, Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform (4K)

"Zhao Xuanzhen, let's go!"

Early morning, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, Zhao Xuanzhen's door was thumped loudly. The young girl's crisp, spirited tone revealed her joyful mood at the moment.

"Coming, coming."

Zhao Xuanzhen opened the door, his clear, ink-black eyes reflecting the lively Na'er, a hint of helplessness within them.

"It's a trip, how come you're not excited at all!" Na'er planted her hands on her hips, looking at him as if disappointed in his lack of enthusiasm.

"We've trained hard for four years, getting up early and staying up late, going to class six and a half days a week, learning a second profession, tempering ourselves in the Spirit Ascension Platform, getting tormented in the Real Illusion... Aunt Leng only rewarded us with this vacation to Eastsea City, you need to get into the spirit!

I stayed up half the night last night checking guides on the Soul Net. Eastsea City really lives up to its reputation as a seaside tourist city—sun, sand, and waves, all available, plus tons of specialty foods!"

Na'er still hadn't changed her nature as a little foodie. At the mention of food, she couldn't help swallowing, then her big silver eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhao Xuanzhen, a hint of expectation in her voice:

"Oh, by the way, look at me. Is there anything different today?"

"Oh?"

Zhao Xuanzhen sized up Na'er and easily spotted the change in the young girl. Probably because of the trip, Na'er had dressed up specially.

A pure white belted short dress, platinum-gold crystal shoes, delicate ornaments hanging from her silver long hair—even Zhao Xuanzhen, who was used to Na'er, had to admit she was exceptionally beautiful today.

The innate, peerless beauty of the Silver Dragon King Half Body was utterly incomparable to any mortal. Any intelligent lifeform seeing this young girl would sigh at God's favoritism, that only such bias could create a beauty rooted so deeply in the bloodline.

"Pretty?"

Na'er caught the surprise in Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes and became even more smug.

"Barely passable."

"Hmph! o(｀ω´)o"

Na'er gave a light snort, pretending to be aloof, but a comedian could never maintain a cold persona. She couldn't hold it in, and the upward curve at the corners of her mouth betrayed the joy in her heart.

"Charge, charge, charge! Target: Eastsea City!"

Deciding to drop the act completely, Na'er wrapped her arms around Zhao Xuanzhen's and pulled him downstairs to meet up with Leng Yaozhu.

Leng Yaozhu had sent them a message on the Soul Guide Communicator, saying they would meet in an open area today. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er took the elevator, walked out of the towering one-hundred-and-eight-story Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters, and spotted a graceful, mature figure from afar.

The Sky Phoenix Douluo had changed into a black dress. Time never defeats a beauty; her snow-smooth skin seemed as if it would break at a touch, her bearing was generous and dignified, and her full, slender figure was as if meticulously carved—one part more or less would ruin the perfect proportions.

"Teacher / Aunt Leng!"

The two waved at Leng Yaozhu, and her smile instantly filled her crimson phoenix eyes.

"Aunt Leng, how are we getting to Eastsea City? Are we taking the Soul Guide Train?" Na'er asked impatiently.

"Of course not." Leng Yaozhu's voice was gentle and soft. "The Soul Guide Train has too many people and prying eyes, and it's slow. We have a better choice."

After speaking, she clapped her hands, and a black streak of light descended from the sky.

A black, phoenix-shaped metal construct, with a wingspan exceeding thirty meters. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er looked up at the towering, magnificent product of modern Soul Guidance Technology. Having both broken through to the fourth level in their second profession, they spoke in unison:

"A Black-Grade Mecha!?"

"A Black-Grade Mecha, the Skyfire Phoenix." Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly. "Get on. The mecha is much faster than the Soul Guide Train."

The Skyfire Phoenix was a Black-Grade Mecha that Leng Yaozhu had built herself in her youth. As her own strength skyrocketed, the Black-Grade Mecha gradually couldn't keep up with her growth.

All along, Leng Yaozhu had never thought of upgrading the Skyfire Phoenix. After all, even the most top-tier Red-Grade Mecha was only equivalent to a Three-Word Battle Armor, and couldn't intervene in the battles of a Four-Word Battle Armor Master and Extreme Douluo.

Therefore, Leng Yaozhu simply converted the Skyfire Phoenix into a flying vehicle. With two massive Soul Forged Metal turbines and an eye-catching phoenix shell, this black mecha was, for a time, practically a symbol of the Sky Phoenix Douluo.

The three boarded the Black-Grade Mecha. Leng Yaozhu sat alone in the front cabin, acting as the pilot for the two juniors, while Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er enjoyed the luxurious interior of the Skyfire Phoenix.

The Skyfire Phoenix was enormous, a super-large mecha. Its interior space was more spacious than a living room. The sofa and coffee table were piled with snacks and drinks, and the metal ground was covered in a golden-red Blazing Lion King fur rug. Stepping on it made no sound, and warmth rose from the feet straight to the crown of the head.

The Skyfire Phoenix tore through the sky, crimson tail flames erupting from its nozzles. It plowed a long-lasting furrow through the sea of clouds, and the roar during takeoff was like the chirping of a phoenix reborn from the flames.

"So comfortable~ I love vacationing too much!"

Na'er lay down on the sofa, casually grabbing a soft pillow and hugging it to her chest.

It would take a few hours to fly from the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters to Eastsea City. Since it was a rare holiday, neither of them planned to cultivate during the trip. They each opened their Soul Guide Communicators and logged onto the Soul Net.

Zhao Xuanzhen generally only used the Soul Net to browse the news, while Na'er dabbled in all sorts of things. She saw a trending post and said excitedly:

"Zhao Xuanzhen, I found a new novel! Come take a look!"

"You switched books?"

Zhao Xuanzhen had already put away all the emotional fluctuations from the previous night. He sat down beside Na'er, his emotions as stable as a still lake. "I remember the last one you were reading was called The Counterattack of Waste Material Sanpao, Awakening of the Holy Dragon. In my past life, I was Luo Sanpao, unable to break through to Soul Elder for my entire life. My relatives despised me, my enemies looked down on me, and the fiancée I was betrothed to abandoned me. I was reborn. In this life, Luo Sanpao awakens as the Bright Holy Dragon. I will take back everything I lost!"

There was an awkwardness akin to having someone read your personalized signature aloud. Na'er shot Zhao Xuanzhen a glare, defending herself: "The waste-material-rebirth-revenge story is out of style. This one is a strong-couple sweet romance!"

Holding up her Soul Guide Communicator with one hand, Na'er recited with great emotion: "He is the all-powerful Angel God King, yet he falls in love with her, the Emperor Auspicious Beast, at first sight!

That night, the wind was high and the moon was dark. He pinned her against the wall, gave a devilish smile, and leaned in to whisper in her ear, 'Be with me, and I'll give you my life!'"

"Overbearing Angel Falls in Love with Me..."

Zhao Xuanzhen suddenly choked. Unlike Na'er, he couldn't bear such a world-shaking, heaven-and-earth-rending plotline!

Though he looked like an elementary schooler, his mental age was that of a seventeen-year-old genius high schooler!

"Don't insult my taste!"

Na'er sensed the thick malice in those seven words. Annoyed, she lightly bumped into Zhao Xuanzhen, then turned to look at him with longing. "Love is so beautiful. After I find someone I like, I'll give him my life too!"

"Ah? Is your life that valuable?"

"...No, Zhao Xuanzhen, your attack power is too strong. I'm broken."

Na'er fell silent for a long time, staring at Zhao Xuanzhen with a complicated expression. This guy opened his eyes every day just to be caustic. She hadn't dared to purse her lips so far, afraid she'd poison herself.

Na'er wasn't the only one broken. Hearing Zhao Xuanzhen's words, Leng Yaozhu, piloting the mecha in the front cabin, suffered a mental critical hit. She secretly reflected on her bitter past and decisively decided that after the holiday ended, Zhao Xuanzhen's training tasks would be super-doubled!

Zhao Xuanzhen, completely unaware he'd poked two sore spots, continued talking freely. "I think you should keep your life and give him a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. Doesn't matter what attribute—soul masters these days aren't picky."

"A Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone!?" Na'er leaned back. "Forget it. I earn three thousand Federation Coins a month and can't afford that.

Hey, I found the most beautiful beach in Eastsea City. Let's go swimming tomorrow morning!"

"Deal."

"Aunt Leng, you should come play with us!"

The two of them spent the journey enthusiastically discussing how to arrange their holiday trip. Then Na'er begged Leng Yaozhu to come to the seaside with them. Leng Yaozhu initially declined politely, but after Zhao Xuanzhen persuaded her, she couldn't bear to keep refusing and relented, agreeing to accompany them.

The Skyfire Phoenix sailed through the clouds, flying straight toward Eastsea City. Due to Leng Yaozhu's exceptionally high special permissions in the Sun Moon Federation, the city defense detection systems along the way cleared them directly. The group encountered no obstacles, let alone Evil Soul Master ambushes.

"Xuanzhen, Na'er, we've entered Eastsea City airspace." Leng Yaozhu reminded them.

The two looked out the window. A light rain was falling over Eastsea City, the raindrops pulling winding trails of water. The Skyfire Phoenix's Metal Wings were shrouded in mist.

Eastsea City was one of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars' locations. Though far less prosperous than Shrek City, it was one of the Sun Moon Federation's important eastern cities, with streets spreading like veins to every corner of the city.

"Look below. The Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower seems to have rolled out a red carpet for us." Zhao Xuanzhen chuckled softly.

The Skyfire Phoenix dove through the air, heading toward the open ground around the Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower. Tower personnel seemed to have been notified in advance. Elite stewards lined up on both sides, and a stern-faced middle-aged man stood at the front, welcoming the distinguished figure on the black phoenix.

Like a true phoenix stretching its body, the Skyfire Phoenix's tail-feather-shaped thrusters spewed fiery streams, violently tearing through the rain clouds. The shadow cast by its wings enveloped the earth.

"Sky Phoenix has arrived. Look sharp—don't embarrass us!"

The middle-aged man gave a low, cold shout. He was the Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower Master, an old subordinate personally promoted by Leng Yaozhu, now leading the tower's high-ranking stewards in a formation to welcome her.

The moment the Skyfire Phoenix landed, its reverse thrust engines sprayed scorching light downward, drawing the gaze of everyone from the Spirit Transmission Tower. Given Leng Yaozhu's status and wealth, even this Black-Grade Mecha used for transport was nearly the most expensive one below Red-grade Mecha. The hatch spun open, steam clouds billowed, and three figures slowly walked out.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath and bowed deeply. "Your subordinate, Eastsea Spirit Transmission Tower's Lu Ming, greets Sky Phoenix!"

"It's been a while, Lu Ming." Leng Yaozhu nodded slightly.

The Eighteen Heavenly Pillars Tower Masters were considered Regional Governors within the Spirit Transmission Tower system. As the Eastsea Tower Master she had personally appointed, Lu Ming was one of the Phoenix Family's important supporters.

Under Lu Ming's command, the Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower, besides providing normal services like soul spirits and the Spirit Ascension Platform, was also responsible for recruiting talent for the tower—or rather, the Phoenix Family. The Elementalist Gu Yue had been recommended by him.

"I've brought my disciples to Eastsea City for a vacation, and I'll also assess that girl named Gu Yue." Leng Yaozhu got straight to the point. "Where is Gu Yue now?"

"Reporting to Sky Phoenix, Gu Yue is a student of Eastsea Academy's Zero Class. Today, the Eastsea City Spirit Ascension Platform has entered its Riot Period. The academy's teachers sent Gu Yue and other students into the platform for training."

What? Gu Yue?

Na'er was startled. Leng Yaozhu had only messaged that she was bringing the two of them on vacation—she hadn't mentioned Gu Yue at all.

Could the world really be this small? They'd just left the Spirit Transmission Tower Headquarters and run into Lao Gu on the same day?

Hearing about the Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform, a glint flashed in Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes. He locked onto a specific day on the timeline: Tang Wulin had been enrolled for half a year, Zero Class had been established for three months, the Final exam, and the first meeting of the East Sea F4.

"The Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform..." Leng Yaozhu mused.

The Spirit Ascension Platform had two Riot Periods each year. Originally caused by unstable energy, as technology advanced and the platform came under control, the Riot Period transformed into a special mechanism.

Once the platform entered its Riot Period, the number of soul beasts greatly increased, becoming extremely active. Internal danger skyrocketed, but soul masters could also kill more soul beasts to complete soul ring ascension.

"Xuanzhen, Na'er, enter the Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform and test Gu Yue's abilities for me. I'll watch your actions from the observation room." Leng Yaozhu said.

"Aunt Leng, we came here for a vacation this time... Can't we skip it?"

Na'er's little face twisted up.

It wasn't fear. Having spent four years in the human world, Na'er had fully developed her humanity.

Back then, Ten Thousand Demon King had failed because of the many strong experts in Shrek City, missing the only chance to forcibly fuse Gu Yue with Na'er. Now, as long as Na'er resisted in her heart, Gu Yue would never be able to perfectly merge that thirty percent of power.

Na'er wasn't afraid of Gu Yue, but she didn't want to see her either. Humanity and bestiality were inherently opposed.

"No."

Leng Yaozhu's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation. "Testing Gu Yue is only one task. You have a more important second task: kill the Eastsea City Primary Spirit Ascension Platform Guardian.

If you fail, I'll arrange a Deep Sea Training session for you tomorrow."

Na'er immediately behaved and obediently walked into the Eastsea City Spirit Transmission Tower. Zhao Xuanzhen remained silent the whole time. Based on his understanding of Leng Yaozhu, he vaguely felt his teacher had another purpose.

Killing the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform Guardian was more important... That century-old Darkgold Fearclaw Bear?

Zhao Xuanzhen carefully pondered this in his mind. Then, under the personal guidance of Eastsea Tower Master Lu Ming, the two of them lay down in the metal pods.

Right before they entered, Lu Ming said in a deep voice, "Unlike normal times, the Riot Period Spirit Ascension Platform allows team entry. You two will be teleported directly together."

Please be careful of agitated soul beasts, and be wary of other soul masters entering the Spirit Ascension Platform. Hunting soul beasts during the Riot Period extends spirit absorption time by a hundredfold. If you leave the Spirit Ascension Platform, any remaining spirit power will be siphoned away by nearby soul masters.

At times like this, humans are even more dangerous than soul beasts. To put it bluntly, aside from yourselves, every other soul master is an enemy.

The light gradually faded, and the instrument scan began. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er were teleported into the Spirit Ascension Platform, leaving only Leng Yaozhu and Lu Ming in the room.

"Lu Ming," Leng Yaozhu said indifferently.

"Your subordinate is here."

"Have you finished the task I assigned you?"

Hearing this, Lu Ming's heart seemed to tremble. Those few supreme treasures were rare in the world; producing multiple at once required even the Spirit Pagoda Deputy Tower Master, Sky Phoenix Douluo, to take a roundabout approach. He quickly replied with utmost respect:

"Your subordinate has followed your orders. Those two soul beasts were successfully deployed, replacing the century-old Darkgold Fearclaw Bear as the new guardians of the Eastsea City Primary Spirit Ascension Platform..."