At that, Leng Yaozhu lifted her teacup, her fingertips brushing the rim. Her red hair slid from her shoulder, hanging over her ivory qipao like a burning flame.
Crimson feather patterns shimmered at her collar and hem, quivering gently with her movements.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Don't beat around the bush. I still have other things to do."
Her voice was warm. She glanced at Phantom Brain Douluo. That guy had probably taken a liking to someone too; he must be planning to notify the Body Sect.
Qiangu Dongfeng stopped tapping and looked up at them. "So, what do you think about allowing weapons into the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform?"
"I think they should be allowed," Phantom Brain Douluo said. "You can't ban Soul Tools just because of this one loss. These things aren't something ordinary Soul Masters can get their hands on."
"I agree." Leng Yaozhu set down her teacup. Its base touched the table with a clear chime. "That child has a special identity. Better not ban them. It wouldn't be wise to offend someone."
Qiangu Dongfeng fell silent for a moment. He felt like these two were just waiting to watch him take a loss. But at worst, it was only a Hundred-Year Soul Bone; absorbing it wouldn't produce anything too outrageous.
"Then that's settled. Replace the guardian of the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform with a thousand-year Soul Beast. A Hundred-Year Soul Beast can't withstand a Soul Tool. And don't give out a Soul Bone either. Give them a ball of spiritual power."
"A thousand-year one? What about everyone else?"
"That's their problem. They can talk after they manage to beat it! Put a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform too, to block the way."
Leng Yaozhu smiled, a trace of amusement flashing in her red eyes. "Just say you don't want to give out Soul Bones."
"What else?" Qiangu Dongfeng said coldly. "These are, after all, resources belonging to my Spirit Pagoda. They can't just be handed out so casually."
He spoke with such pride now, but he wasn't giving away a Soul Bone. After Xiao Mu's technological sanctions, he'd learned what suffering meant.
From now on, he'd stick to direct current and give up the internet too. They could communicate with the outside world like it was twenty thousand years ago.
The losses would be even greater.
After the meeting, Phantom Brain Douluo returned to his room.
He picked up his Communication Soul Tool. His finger hovered over the keypad for a moment before he dialed a number.
"Mu Ye, go to Eastsea City."
"Martial Uncle, I'm not going sea fishing."
"Who asked you to go fishing!"
"I found a promising youngster with a Body Martial Soul. Hurry over and find him. It'd be best if you could help him with his Martial Soul Second Awakening. If you can also use your acquired secret technique on him, his combat strength will definitely soar."
There was silence on the other end of the call, followed by a soft chuckle.
"A Body Martial Soul? Then he's one of us. I'll head over once the Divine Craftsman has finished treating me."
"It'll take that long?"
"Do you think the Spirit Pagoda will act so quickly?"
"No. Qiangu Dongfeng is watching the people under him. There's no way he'd let another family recruit someone so easily."
"Exactly."
Time flew by. At the academy, the eight of them continued with their classes as usual. One morning, Xiao Mu watched Tang Wulin finish his run and part ways with the upperclassman he had a crush on.
Ouyang Zixin headed toward the teaching building, her ponytail swaying in the morning breeze. Tang Wulin stood where he was, his eyes following her until she disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Leaning against a parasol tree by the track, Xiao Mu had seen it all.
As Tang Wulin walked over, Xiao Mu teased him. "You just can't bring yourself to say it~ Let her know, it's only a few simple words~ I can't do it, my whole heart's suspended in midair, and all I can do is watch from afar..."
Tang Wulin whipped around, his ears turning visibly red.
"Xiao Mu, I don't feel that way about Senior Sister..."
"If you like her, go confess. Don't chicken out. You're both Soul Masters; it's not like age matters." Xiao Mu couldn't help saying.
"But I..."
"You come out to run every morning at six. That can't be a coincidence, right? Have some confidence in yourself."
Tang Wulin lowered his head, the red spreading from his ears to his neck.
"Well, if it isn't our lovesick fool?" Xie Xie came over from the other side of the track. He stepped beside Tang Wulin and slung an arm around his neck, wearing that signature, infuriating grin.
"Xie Xie, don't go saying..." Wulin's voice was hoarse.
"Don't say what?" Xie Xie cut him off. "Xiao Mu's right. If you like her, go confess. You're in Class Zero. If you like her, go after her. Don't chicken out."
He leaned closer and lowered his voice, as if he were sharing some secret.
"I asked around for you. Your senior likes..."
Xie Xie really was a good brother. He went ahead and told Tang Wulin most of Senior Sister Ouyang's details.
"How do you know?" Tang Wulin was stunned.
Xie Xie straightened up and glanced around. "Isn't it obvious? I asked some upperclassmen for you."
Xiao Mu raised an eyebrow and looked at Xie Xie and Tang Wulin. "Have a little confidence. You're already a pretty talented youngster in Skysea City."
As he spoke, he headed toward the teaching building. Then, as if a thought had just occurred to him, he stopped and said, "If you want, I'll bring my Barrett along someday and help you blow up someone's axle, then snatch her for you."
Tang Wulin was utterly baffled. Wasn't that illegal? Was the sky over Eastsea City really this dark?
At that moment, Xu Xiaoyu kept sneezing, feeling as if someone was about to come steal his little sister.
On his way to the classroom, Xiao Mu received a message from Xu Xiaoyan.
His Communication Soul Tool vibrated in his pocket. He took it out and saw a line of text pop up on the screen: "Xiao Mu, my brother and I are going into the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform. Want to come with us?"
Xiao Mu paused. His fingertip hovered over the screen for a moment before he typed three words: "Not teaming up."
Send.
He slipped the Communication Soul Tool back into his pocket and continued on his way.
Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoyan was fuming.
She sat on the edge of her dorm bed, pale blue hair falling over her shoulder as she clutched her Communication Soul Tool tightly.
On the screen, the words "Not teaming up" looked like three icy nails driven into her gaze.
"Xiao Mu actually turned me down!"
Xu Xiaoyu walked in from outside, his brows slightly furrowed, long hair obscuring half of his cold, haughty face.
"He actually dared to turn you down? How could he?"
He walked over to the window, his expression still cold. Even if Xiao Mu had agreed, he wouldn't have treated him any better.
If he got the chance, he'd beat him up.
By then, Xiao Mu had already arrived in the classroom.
As expected, Wu Zhangkong announced the final exam that day. "Your final exam will have two parts. The first is the Spirit Ascension Platform."
"But this time, there's a difference. You'll need to survive for one hour in the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform."
"The Spirit Ascension Platform has two periods of unrest each year. At first, they were caused by instability in the energy used to build the platforms. Later, with advances in technology, these periods could be controlled and turned into a special feature. During a period of unrest, the Soul Beasts inside become especially active, and their numbers increase. The danger rises sharply."
"During these periods, you can enter the Spirit Ascension Platform in teams, but no team can have more than seven people. So you'll have to split into two groups. Whether you manage to meet up will be up to you."
"Remember, inside, you might encounter not only Soul Beasts but also other Soul Masters who've entered the platform. They're just as dangerous to you."
"Because when a Soul Beast is hunted during a period of unrest, it takes a hundred times longer to absorb the spiritual power it produces. During that time, anyone can snatch it."
Xiao Mu listened quietly, thinking about how to eliminate his opponents quickly. Setting the whole mountain ablaze would be fastest, but it was easy to hit his teammates by mistake.