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Zhang Yangzi frowned as well, feeling that Situ Xuan was being rather cold-hearted.

Gu Yue watched quietly, her gaze profound, impossible to read.

Wang Jinxi tugged at Zhang Yangzi's sleeve, signaling him not to speak.

Tang Wulin swiftly concealed the surprise on his face and grabbed Xie Xie, who still wanted to argue, shaking his head. "Xie Xie, enough."

He looked at Situ Xuan's retreating back as he descended the stairs, his expression complicated.

He understood Situ Xuan's meaning. It was an extreme kind of self-confidence, a path that pursued nothing but personal strength.

Although it differed from Tang Wulin's belief in teamwork and mutual support, he could not deny that this might be one of the reasons Situ Xuan, despite having only rank-three Innate Soul Power, had reached his current level of strength.

"Everyone has their own choice."

Tang Wulin carefully put away the vest he had meant to give Situ Xuan, then smiled at the remaining four. His usual sunny smile returned. "Let's put them on. This is Wulin's thoughtfulness, and it'll let us face what's inside with more peace of mind."

He was the first to pick up a vest and pull it on beneath his clothes. It felt slightly cool against his skin, yet it gave him a reassuring sense of security.

Xie Xie curled his lip. Though he was still somewhat indignant, he obediently picked one up and put it on, muttering, "Doesn't appreciate kindness..."

Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi silently put on their vests as well.

Yet after that little incident, everyone felt an even deeper sense of foreboding about the approaching Spirit Ascension Platform's riot period.

Situ Xuan's refusal was like a stone cast into a lake, clearly drawing the invisible boundary between him and the team.

Today's Spirit Ascension Platform was destined to be anything but peaceful.

And Situ Xuan—what stance would he take as he threw himself into the "hunt" he had long awaited?

Before long, the group that had assembled early followed behind Wu Zhangkong. Situ Xuan had not told Wu Zhangkong about Tang Wulin's offer and instead closed his eyes to rest.

When Wu Zhangkong brought his Zero Class students to the Eastsea Spirit Pagoda, quite a few Soul Masters had already arrived as well.

After all, entering early meant fewer chances of encountering opponents.

"Remember this: during the riot period, the Spirit Ascension Platform holds the greatest number of entrants at once. Inside, aside from each other, everyone else is an enemy. You have only one task: survive. Those who fail the final exam will be punished."

Listening to Wu Zhangkong's admonition, Xie Xie asked curiously, "Teacher Wu, what's the punishment?"

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him. "Your vacation will be canceled."

At the end of every semester, there was a month-long break. The moment Xie Xie heard that their vacation would be canceled, his eyes widened.

He had been looking forward to the break for a long time.

The others exchanged looks as well. Only Tang Wulin's expression remained unchanged. Even Gu Yue frowned upon hearing that punishment.

Situ Xuan alone waited without concern, eagerly surveying the surroundings like a fierce tiger searching for prey. The undisguised ferocity in his eyes drew quite a few looks.

"Let's go."

After handing over six entry cards, they were led by a staff member into a familiar room.

This was Eastsea Academy's influence.

As Eastsea City's only intermediate and advanced Soul Master Academy, Eastsea Academy wielded enormous influence and maintained a good relationship with the Spirit Pagoda. Otherwise, entry slots for the Spirit Ascension Platform were not something one could necessarily buy with money.

The Eastsea Spirit Pagoda had specially arranged an access room for them and even permitted their teacher to monitor them from here. That was not normal treatment, but a special privilege granted to them.

"The Spirit Ascension Platform is extremely dangerous during the riot period. You've all entered it many times and have basically adapted to its conditions, so I won't remind you of much else. If things feel wrong, leave the battlefield immediately."

After briefly giving them a few instructions, the staff member inserted the entry cards Wu Zhangkong handed over into the machine.

The next moment, the familiar sensation of dizziness swept over them. Everything around them blurred and twisted.

When their vision cleared again, a primitive, savage aura rushed at them, accompanied by the scent of decaying vegetation and fresh earth.

The six of them appeared in a dense primeval forest.

Ancient towering trees blocked out the sky and sun, with only scattered patches of light filtering through the overlapping branches and leaves, forming shifting flecks of light across the ground.

Thick vines coiled around the trunks like giant pythons, strange plants covered the area, and the low roars of unknown Soul Beasts faintly echoed in the distance.

This was the Soul Beast forest simulated by the Spirit Ascension Platform. Yet at this moment, the air seemed to be filled with a restless element unlike usual, and even the wind carried a hint of urgency.

"We really were teleported in together!"

Tang Wulin swiftly scanned their surroundings. After confirming that all his teammates were present, he relaxed slightly. He subconsciously touched his body, feeling the distinct texture of the Thousand-Refined Cloud Titanium Vest, which gave him a little more confidence.

Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi immediately stood back-to-back as well, forming a simple defensive formation as they warily observed their surroundings.

They could all sense that this Spirit Ascension Platform was different. The invisible pressure was far greater than usual.

Situ Xuan alone remained standing where he was, without joining the team's formation.

He took a deep breath of the air, thick with wildness and danger, then closed his eyes as if sensing something.

When he opened them again, the usual indifference in his eyes was gone. In its place was an almost tangible sharpness and excitement, like an unsheathed blade radiating chilling light.

The Soul Power within him began to circulate faster, while a faint Malevolent Qi started to coil around his body, making him resemble a ferocious beast poised to strike.

He did not care about formations at all. His "formation" was himself.

"Let's find a relatively safe place first and observe the situation."

As the team's de facto commander, Tang Wulin immediately made a decision. In such an unfamiliar and dangerous environment, acting rashly was a grave mistake.

"Mm."

Gu Yue nodded lightly. Her spiritual power had already silently spread outward like a spiderweb, sensing the surrounding energy fluctuations and life auras.

"Let's listen to Wulin."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi agreed as well.

Xie Xie gripped the Guanglong Dagger in his hand, eager to make a move, but he knew this was not the time for impulsiveness.

However, just as Tang Wulin prepared to lead the team toward a more sparsely wooded area to one side, Situ Xuan moved.

He ignored Tang Wulin's suggestion and did not even glance at his teammates. His gaze went straight toward the deeper, darker part of the forest, where the Soul Beast auras were clearly stronger and more mixed. He could even faintly sense several waves of human Soul Power carrying greed and killing intent.

That was the "hunting ground" he wanted.

"Situ, where are you going?"

Seeing this, Tang Wulin hurriedly called out in a low voice.

Situ Xuan did not stop walking. Only his calm voice drifted back, carrying an unquestionable edge. "I'm going over there to take a look."

With a few leaps, his figure merged into the dense shadows of the forest like a ghost, swiftly distancing himself from the team.

"He..."

Xie Xie stomped his foot in anger. "He's going to act alone again! Teacher Wu clearly said we're a whole!"

Tang Wulin stared in the direction where Situ Xuan had vanished, his brows tightly furrowed.

He had expected this might happen, but he had not imagined Situ Xuan would be so impatient that he was unwilling to even attempt the most basic cooperation.