Solo Operation

Zhang Yangzi also frowned, feeling that Situ Xuan was being somewhat unreasonable.

Gu Yue watched quietly, her eyes deep and thoughtful, though it was unclear what she was thinking.

Wang Jinxi tugged at the corner of Zhang Yangzi's shirt, signaling him not to speak.

Tang Wulin, however, quickly composed his expression, grabbed Xie Xie who was still wanting to argue, and shook his head: "Xie Xie, let it go."

He looked at the back of Situ Xuan, who was already walking down the stairs, his eyes complex.

He understood what Situ Xuan meant; it was a path of extreme self-confidence, a pursuit of pure, individual strength.

Although it differed from the philosophy of teamwork and mutual support he believed in, he could not deny that this might be one of the reasons why Situ Xuan, with only three levels of innate soul power, had reached his current level of strength.

"Everyone has their own choices."

Tang Wulin carefully put away the vest he had intended to give to Situ Xuan, smiled at the remaining four, his expression returning to its usual sunny disposition, "Let's put them on. This is a gesture of goodwill from Wulin, and it will also allow us to face the situation inside with more peace of mind."

He was the first to pick up a vest and put it on under his clothes; the touch was cool, yet it brought a sense of stability.

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

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

However, after this small episode, the group felt an even heavier premonition regarding the upcoming riot period of the Spirit Ascension Platform.

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

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

And as for Situ Xuan, what kind of attitude would he adopt as he threw himself into this "hunt" he had been looking forward to for so long?

Before long, the group, having gathered early, followed behind Wu Zhangkong. Situ Xuan did not inform Wu Zhangkong about the incident with Tang Wulin, choosing instead to close his eyes and rest.

When Wu Zhangkong brought his Zero Class students to the Donghai Spirit Pagoda, there were already many Soul Masters who had arrived early.

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

"Remember, the riot period of the Spirit Ascension Platform is when the number of people entering is at its peak. Inside, apart from each other, everyone else is an enemy. You only have one thing to do, and that is: survive. Those who fail the final exam will be punished."

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

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him, "Cancellation of the holiday."

After each semester, there was a one-month break. Upon hearing the words "cancellation of the holiday," Xie Xie's eyes widened immediately.

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

The others looked at each other in dismay; only Tang Wulin's expression remained normal, and even Gu Yue frowned upon hearing this punishment.

Only Situ Xuan waited with complete indifference, looking around with great interest, like a fierce tiger searching for prey. The undisguised, murderous glint in his eyes attracted many gazes.

"Let's go."

Six entry cards were handed over, and under the guidance of the staff, they arrived at the familiar room.

This was the capability of Eastsea Academy.

As the only intermediate and advanced Soul Master academy in Eastsea City, Eastsea Academy had immense influence and maintained a good relationship with the Spirit Pagoda; otherwise, spots to enter the Spirit Ascension Platform could not necessarily be bought with money alone.

The Donghai Spirit Pagoda had set up a dedicated access room for them, and allowing a teacher to monitor from here was not standard procedure, but a special privilege granted to them.

"The interior of the Spirit Ascension Platform during the riot period is extremely dangerous. You have all entered the Spirit Ascension Platform many times and are basically adapted to the situation inside, so I won't offer more reminders. If you feel something is wrong, leave the battlefield immediately."

The staff member gave a few simple instructions before inserting the entry cards provided by Wu Zhangkong into the machine.

The next moment, a familiar sense of dizziness washed over them, and everything around them became blurred and distorted.

When their vision cleared again, an aura of the primitive and the wild rushed toward them, accompanied by the scent of rotting vegetation and fresh soil.

The figures of the six appeared in a dense, primeval forest.

Towering ancient trees blocked out the sun, with only sporadic light spots filtering through the layers of branches and leaves, forming flickering dots on the ground.

Thick vines coiled around tree trunks like giant pythons, and all kinds of strange plants were scattered everywhere. In the distance, the low roars of unknown soul beasts could be heard faintly.

This was the soul beast forest simulated by the Spirit Ascension Platform, but at this moment, the air seemed to be filled with a restlessness different from usual, and even the wind carried a hint of urgency.

"We were actually teleported together!"

Tang Wulin quickly scanned his surroundings, confirming that his teammates were all there, and felt a little more at ease. He subconsciously touched his body; the texture of the Thousand-Refined Cloud Titanium Vest was clearly felt, giving him a bit more confidence.

Xie Xie, Gu Yue, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi also immediately stood back-to-back, forming a simple defensive formation, vigilantly observing the surrounding environment.

They all felt that this time in the Spirit Ascension Platform was different; the invisible pressure was far greater than usual.

Only Situ Xuan stood where he was, not joining the team's formation.

He took a deep breath of the air filled with wild and dangerous scents, closed his eyes, and seemed to be sensing something.

When he opened his eyes again, the indifference of the past was gone, replaced by a sharpness and excitement that was almost tangible, like a drawn blade, radiating a cold light.

The soul power within him began to circulate at an accelerated pace, and a faint, murderous aura began to linger around him, making him look like a fierce beast ready to strike.

He didn't care about any formation; his "formation" was himself.

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

Tang Wulin, as the de facto team leader, immediately made a decision. In such an unfamiliar and dangerous environment, acting rashly was a major taboo.

"Mm."

Gu Yue nodded lightly, her spiritual power already spreading outward like a spiderweb, sensing the energy fluctuations and life auras in the surroundings.

"Listen to Wulin."

Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi also expressed their agreement.

Xie Xie gripped the Guanglong Dagger in his hand, eager to try, but he also knew that now was not the time to be impulsive.

However, just as Tang Wulin was preparing to lead the team toward a sparser area of the forest, Situ Xuan moved.

He ignored Tang Wulin's suggestion and didn't even glance at his teammates; his gaze was fixed straight toward the deeper, darker direction of the forest, where the aura of soul beasts was clearly more powerful and chaotic, and one could even faintly sense several waves of soul power belonging to humans, filled with 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 his pace, only a flat voice drifted back, carrying a hint of indisputability: "I'm going over there to take a look."

With a few leaps, his figure merged into the dense shadows of the jungle like a ghost, rapidly moving away from the team.

"He..."

Xie Xie stomped his foot in anger, "He's going solo again! Teacher Wu clearly said we are a single unit!"

Tang Wulin looked in the direction where Situ Xuan had disappeared, his brows tightly locked.

He had long anticipated that this might happen, but he hadn't expected Situ Xuan to be so impatient, unwilling to even attempt basic cooperation.