Chen Zhou, Na'er, and Xie Xie had arrived together, and the one who brought them was none other than Xie Mother.
Over the past two years, Xie Xie had always stuck close to Chen Zhou.
At first, Chen Zhou hadn't thought much of him—or, rather, because of the Xie Family, he'd held some reservations about him.
But after spending two years together, the two of them had become good friends.
Xie Xie, in particular, was always dragging them both out to eat.
The food made by the Xie Family was especially delicious. And besides, even the chefs they hired were top-notch.
After all that time spent together, Chen Zhou and Xie Xie had gotten along pretty well.
"Brother Chen, where are you planning to go for the break? Want to go out and look around together?"
"And bring little sister Na'er, too."
Xie Xie looked at Chen Zhou as he spoke, waving the graduation certificate in his hand.
Meeting Xie Xie's gaze, Chen Zhou remained calm.
"I'm planning to keep improving myself at the Spirit Ascension Platform. If you're interested, you can come with me."
As he spoke, Chen Zhou opened a snack bag and took out a pack of beef jerky to hand to Na'er.
After two years of growing, the little girl had gotten quite tall. She was now no shorter than Chen Zhou, and the chubby look she'd had before was gone.
She wasn't quite a beautiful young woman yet, but her face already showed every sign of becoming a great beauty.
Still, when Chen Zhou took out the beef jerky, the little girl opened her mouth wide into an O.
She let Chen Zhou toss the jerky into her mouth, then chewed it with a smacking sound.
Hearing Chen Zhou's answer, Xie Xie looked a little hesitant.
He didn't want to train at the Spirit Ascension Platform. He'd heard about places like that, and every visit meant suffering; there was even a chance of being killed.
Besides, now that he'd graduated from junior academy, he ought to go enjoy himself in a nearby city.
But Xie Mother wasn't foolish. A single trip into the Spirit Ascension Platform cost 500,000, and getting in each time required connections and influence.
Now he had the chance to follow this young master of the Spirit Pagoda in for free and train. Even the Xie Family couldn't usually get such an opportunity.
"Come on, Xie Xie. Why don't you learn from your Brother Chen?"
"Look how hard he works. He trains properly every time. You should go with him, too. Let your Brother Chen take you along and teach you a few combat techniques."
Xie Xie's mother spoke politely as she turned to look at Chen Zhou.
Chen Zhou paused for a moment, then nodded.
Chen Zhou didn't dislike Xie Xie's mother. She didn't have any ulterior motives, and treated him simply as her son's good friend.
It was only when it came to Xie Xie that she became a little over-eager.
But Chen Zhou could understand that perfectly. A mother would always put her son first.
Hearing his mother's words, Xie Xie looked a little helpless, but nodded as well.
Once everything was settled, Chen Zhou didn't linger. He boarded a Spirit Pagoda car and returned to the Spirit Pagoda.
After training for this period of time, his Soul Power had smoothly reached the three-ring level, and his current Soul Power Level was around 34.
The third authority Chen Zhou had gained was called Arbitration of Equilibrium: Judgment Authority.
This ability had also greatly enhanced him, directly granting him the power to observe people's hearts.
By observing someone's aura, he could judge how much blood was on their hands, whether they were good or evil, and what their nature was like.
The power of judgment that came with this ability had already become part of his everyday combat.
When he encountered an Evil Soul Master, or a Soul Master with many lives on their hands, the power of judgment would weaken their strength and increase his own.
But if he encountered a kind-hearted Soul Master, the power of judgment wouldn't activate.
This ability mainly targeted Evil Soul Masters and was especially effective against them.
Overall, the Judgment Authority was quite good—a fairly versatile authority. Chen Zhou just hadn't fully mastered how to use it yet.
The third Soul Skill Chen Lengjing had granted him was called Wrath of the Dragon Emperor.
This Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Skill had two effects. First, it reduced the pain felt by his body by 40%, allowing him to unleash even greater destructive power for a short time.
The actual effect of Wrath of the Dragon Emperor was also similar to dragon's breath, except that this time it unleashed a powerful blast of water—or, more accurately, a wave.
The wave could surge forward and attack in all sorts of ways, making it a powerful offensive ability.
This effect was formidable, and using the Water of Destruction caused utterly terrifying destruction.
Like a wave crashing into a building, this ability could demolish houses outright. Its effects were especially terrifying outdoors.
Chen Zhou was satisfied with the authorities and Soul Skills he already had.
After today, he planned to enter the Spirit Pagoda and begin intensive training.
It would be difficult to raise Chen Lengjing to the hundred-thousand-year level right away, but gradually increasing the years was still possible.
He could only keep building up and improving, since Chen Lengjing was currently his only Soul Spirit.
He only needed to raise Chen Lengjing to the hundred-thousand-year level before he reached the four-ring level.
By then, once Chen Lengjing became a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, Chen Lengjing could grant him his fifth Soul Ring.
That would complete the foundation for his first stage, and afterward he could seek a second Soul Spirit.
By then, Chen Lengjing could at the very least become a true-dragon-class dragon creature, and the support Chen Lengjing provided him would surely be even greater.
Chen Zhou had planned it all out, which was why he was so determined to improve Chen Lengjing at this stage.
That was also why he came in every day to increase the age of his Soul Ring.
After returning to the Spirit Pagoda, Chen Zhou went to the cafeteria to eat. He hadn't been there long when Su Xin came over with some news.
"The Riot Spirit Ascension Platform is about to open. The Pagoda Master knows you want to increase your Soul Ring's age, so he's applied for a place for you at the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform this time as well."
Su Xin wore a gentle smile. Chen Zhou had gone to the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform the previous few times, but he'd only just broken through to the three-ring level. Although he'd been very strong at the two-ring level, that had still limited him.
Because he couldn't show his full strength, he'd been at a disadvantage against some three-ring Soul Masters.
Especially when he couldn't use his undying state, he'd had to dodge their Soul Skills.
That was troublesome and had also greatly affected him, seriously slowing down his rate of absorbing spirit power.
Although he couldn't be killed, he'd gained very little each time, and Chen Zhou was quite dissatisfied.
Now that his Soul Power had reached the three-ring level this year, he'd be able to do a great deal more on this trip into the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform.