A few days later, on the eighty-first floor of the Spirit Pagoda.
Han Tianyi's office.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling across the floor and bathing the entire room in warm, bright light.
The furnishings were simple yet elegant, and various books stood neatly arranged on the shelves against the wall.
A faint trace of sandalwood incense lingered in the air, calming the mind.
"Teacher."
Fang Lin walked straight in with Na'er.
"Mm."
Han Tianyi gave a slight nod. He lifted his gaze from the book in his hands and glanced at them. "Let's go."
With that, he closed the book and stood, then led Fang Lin and Na'er out of the office.
In the corridor, Han Tianyi led them into a private elevator and pressed the button for the twelfth basement level.
The elevator doors slid shut silently, and it began a smooth descent.
"Ding!"
A clear chime rang out. They had arrived at basement level twelve.
The elevator doors slowly opened, revealing a spacious silver-white hall filled with futuristic technology.
Soft light spilled evenly from the ceiling, illuminating the entire space.
Dozens of Spirit Pagoda staff members were busy at their stations, everything in perfect order.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Phantom Brain."
The Spirit Pagoda staff saw Han Tianyi and bowed in unison, their greeting respectful.
"Mm."
Han Tianyi stepped out of the elevator, his expression composed. His calm gaze swept over the group. "I'm bringing my disciples to the Spirit Ascension Platform for training."
"Yes, Your Excellency Phantom Brain."
The staff member leading the group hurriedly replied with respect, then turned and led the way.
They passed through a heavy alloy door and entered a straight, slightly shadowy metal corridor.
The wall lamps on either side cast a soft glow, lending the metal walls a faint sheen.
After walking about twenty meters, the space suddenly opened up before them.
An underground chamber several times larger than the hall they had just left lay before their eyes.
The surrounding walls were almost entirely covered with Soul Guidance screens. Shifting images showed various primeval forests in real time.
Towering ancient trees stood with their branches interlaced, while vines hung down like curtains.
Shadows of beasts darted silently through the woods. Through the sound system, they could even hear the faint cries of birds, the wind, and the distant growls of Soul Beasts.
The Spirit Pagoda staff worked intently at the control panels.
Whenever they saw Han Tianyi passing by, they paused what they were doing and bowed.
When their gazes fell on Fang Lin and Na'er, understanding dawned on their faces. The deputy tower master had personally brought his disciples here for training.
After all, Han Tianyi's decision to take disciples had caused quite a stir throughout the Spirit Pagoda.
It had been the subject of private conversations among the staff for days.
The staff member leading them brought the three of them to a special room.
The room was still built with high-tech metal structures, and a ring of enormous Soul Guidance screens hung on the walls.
The screens displayed a scene from within a primeval forest.
Dense treetops blotted out the sky, and sunlight filtering through gaps in the branches fell in dappled shafts.
The ground was blanketed in thick fallen leaves and ferns.
It was clear that the Soul Guidance screens in this room differed from those outside. They belonged to a separate system reserved for important figures.
"All right, Xiaolin, go on in," Han Tianyi said, his tone as calm as ever.
"Okay."
Fang Lin nodded.
"Go get 'em, big brother."
Na'er tipped up her little face, her clear violet eyes full of trust and anticipation.
"Mm, okay."
Fang Lin smiled faintly.
"Remember to stay safe," Han Tianyi reminded him. "If you encounter danger you can't handle, press the emergency escape button on your right arm."
"I understand, Teacher."
Fang Lin nodded. With the Spirit Pagoda staff's help, he lay down inside the metal pod.
He felt suction cups stick to his body. A tingling sensation spread from head to toe, and soon he lost consciousness.
He had no idea how much time had passed.
Fang Lin's vision went dark. When he opened his eyes again, he was in a primeval forest stretching beyond the horizon.
Fresh air rich with the scent of damp earth washed over him, mingling with the smells of plants and wildflowers. His spirits lifted.
He looked down at the back of his hand and saw a metal device attached to it, with a bright red button.
This was the SOS Signal Device. Once pressed, it would immediately take him out of the Spirit Ascension Platform and back to the real world.
"So this is... the Star Dou Great Forest?"
Fang Yang gazed up at the mysterious, ancient forest, a flicker of wonder in his eyes.
Sunlight filtered through layer upon layer of leaves, casting dappled shadows at his feet.
Every leaf's delicate veins, every breeze brushing his cheek, the insects and birds calling in the distance...
It all felt so real, it was hard to believe. He might as well have been there in person.
At that moment, inside the Spirit Pagoda room.
Han Tianyi stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the Soul Guidance screen as he watched Fang Lin's every move.
Fang Lin cautiously explored ahead, but he hadn't gone far.
A sharp blade of wind suddenly shot at him from the side, slicing through the air with a piercing whistle.
He reacted quickly, dodging to the side.
The blade of wind swept past and struck an ancient tree, leaving a deep gash.
Immediately afterward, a dark shape burst from the dense canopy and landed not far in front of him.
A wild God-Slaying Wind Baboon had appeared.
It stood about a meter tall, its body covered in yellowish-brown fur. A vicious gleam shone in its brown eyes.
The Wind Baboon bared its sharp fangs. A low growl rumbled in its throat, and a savage, wild aura rolled off it.
"Now that's interesting. You've come looking for trouble right at my doorstep?"
Fang Lin's lips curled slightly as he spoke. "Too bad for you, I'm no Tang family dog."
"Power of Metal Spirit."
He held out his right hand. A flash of golden light appeared and instantly gathered into a long, gleaming golden spear.
A cold, metallic sheen flowed along the shaft. The spearhead was razor-sharp, radiating a piercing edge.
Fang Lin's gaze sharpened. He swung his arm with sudden force, and the golden spear shot through the air like a shooting star, trailing a brilliant golden streak!
With a muffled thud, the spear pierced straight through the Wind Baboon and pinned it hard against the tree trunk.
The Wind Baboon let out a shrill cry and struggled a few times before quickly falling silent.
Its entire body turned into specks of golden light, which streamed in from all around and gathered into Fang Lin.
This was one of the Spirit Ascension Platform's special abilities.
Besides gaining combat experience, Soul Masters could absorb ten percent of the energy from Soul Beasts they killed on the Spirit Ascension Platform.
"Uh..."
Watching Fang Lin's simple, brute-force fighting style on the screen, Han Tianyi couldn't help but pause in surprise.
Then he shook his head gently, though a helpless smile tugged at his lips.
That kid really was swift and decisive. One move, one kill, without the slightest hesitation.
Still... his combat instincts were quite good. He reacted quickly and struck without wavering.
A trace of approval flickered in Han Tianyi's eyes.