Riot Spirit Ascension Platform

A hundredfold.

A hundred seconds.

That number changed the expressions in both Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's eyes.

Normally, when they killed Soul Beasts in the Spirit Ascension Platform, absorbing spiritual energy was almost instantaneous.

But during the Riot Period, the absorption time was extended to a hundred seconds. This meant that after killing each Soul Beast, they had to remain where they were for a full hundred seconds before receiving the full benefit.

During that time, any passing Soul Beast or other Soul Master could attack them.

This was no longer a simple survival challenge. It was genuine danger.

At that moment, Xie Xie suddenly thought of something and asked in surprise.

"Four people?"

"Han Li is going too?"

His gaze involuntarily turned toward Han Li by the window.

Han Li gazed calmly out the window, as though their discussion had nothing to do with him.

But Xie Xie understood...

If Han Li was joining this operation, then this trip into the Spirit Ascension Platform would be completely different.

With Han Li there, their safety would increase by several levels.

Ye Yingluo nodded, a trace of helplessness in her tone.

"Yes."

"But Han Li won't be taking part in the final assessment. The academy is simply worried because this is the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform and fears that something might happen to you."

"That's why it asked Han Li to accompany you and protect you if things get dangerous."

"However, if Han Li has to make a move, it means you'll receive zero points on the final exam."

"So don't count on getting lucky."

Her final words carried an unmistakable warning.

Ye Yingluo looked at Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, her expression serious and stern.

"Han Li is accompanying you to prevent you from facing life-threatening danger, not so he can carry you to victory."

"If you make Han Li act, your final grade will be zero."

"Do you understand?"

The three of them finally understood.

Tang Wulin straightened up, faced Han Li, and gave him a solemn bow.

"Class monitor, thank you."

Xie Xie also rarely put away his carefree manner and nodded along.

"Thanks, Class Monitor."

Han Li merely said flatly in response.

"There's nothing to thank me for."

"The academy gave me benefits, after all."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered going."

He was not being polite.

Yu Zhen had indeed offered him tangible benefits in exchange for protecting the others.

Take someone's money, help them avert disaster...

To him, that was the most natural thing in the world.

Tang Wulin shook his head and looked earnestly at Han Li, his voice filled with heartfelt sincerity.

"No matter what, you agreed."

"That alone is already a huge help to us."

"Class Monitor, we won't let you down. We'll definitely pass the assessment with our own strength."

Han Li glanced at Tang Wulin. His eyes were serious and clear, carrying the sincerity unique to a young man.

In the end, he said nothing.

That was only natural. Tang Wulin had not joined Shrek Academy yet, so his mind was still normal.

He had neither Shrek Academy's arrogant belief that it stood above all others nor the stubborn obsession born from being brainwashed by certain ideals.

At the very least, he could still tell right from wrong.

Afterward, Ye Yingluo led everyone to the East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

Wu Changkong, as always, followed at the side.

After arriving at the Spirit Pagoda, the group was led by a staff member into that familiar room.

This was Eastsea Academy's influence.

As the only intermediate Soul Master Academy in Eastsea City, Eastsea Academy wielded enormous influence and maintained a good relationship with the Spirit Pagoda.

Moreover, this cooperative relationship had not been built in a day or two. It had gradually formed through years of accumulation and mutual support.

The academy supplied talent to the Spirit Pagoda, while the Spirit Pagoda provided resources to the academy. Both sides benefited.

Otherwise, entry slots for the Spirit Ascension Platform were not something money alone could necessarily buy.

This was especially true for Riot Period slots. Every major force was fighting over them. Without sufficient connections and influence, even holding piles of Federal Currency would not get someone through the door.

The fact that Eastsea Academy had secured four slots was enough to prove Yu Zhen's connections and capabilities in Eastsea City.

Furthermore, the East Sea Spirit Pagoda had specially arranged an entry room for them and even allowed teachers to monitor them from here.

"The Riot Spirit Ascension Platform is extremely dangerous. You've all entered the Spirit Ascension Platform many times and have basically adapted to its conditions, so I won't remind you of much else."

"So, whenever something feels wrong..."

"Immediately withdraw from the battlefield."

Standing before the control console, the staff member debugged the equipment while giving them a few reminders without turning around.

The four of them lay down in separate metal capsules, preparing to enter under the staff member's control.

The staff member then inserted four cards into their designated slots and pressed a red button.

This was the Riot Period Protection Device. Only these special cards could grant entry to the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform, and they could also control the entry location, teleporting members of the same group together.

Their consciousness briefly blurred, and when they regained awareness...

They were surrounded by a vast forest.

Han Li opened his eyes. Soft earth lay beneath his feet, while a canopy that blotted out the sky stretched overhead.

Sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves, casting dappled patches of light across the ground.

The air was filled with the scent of earth and vegetation.

And the greatest difference from before was...

This time, all four of them had appeared together in the Spirit Ascension Platform.

Han Li looked at the other three and spoke briefly.

"Good luck."

As he spoke, his figure flashed, and he shot toward the depths of the forest like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Within a few breaths, he had vanished from Tang Wulin and the others' sight, blending into the depths of the forest.

But he had not actually gone far.

After leaving their sight, Han Li slowed down and silently climbed onto the branch of a large tree, looking down at where Tang Wulin and the others stood.

From that height and angle, he could clearly observe the movements of all three, while they would have a hard time discovering his presence.

Tang Wulin took a deep breath, then looked at Gu Yue and Xie Xie beside him.

"Let's go."

Gu Yue nodded.

Xie Xie rolled his wrist. Though he said nothing, his expression had grown much more serious.

The three maintained a basic formation.

Tang Wulin took the lead, Gu Yue stayed in the middle, and Xie Xie brought up the rear.

At first, things went fairly smoothly.

Within the Riot Spirit Ascension Platform...

The Soul Beasts were indeed more active than usual.

Less than a minute after they began walking, they encountered a hundred-year Iron-Armored Rhino.

Iron-Armored Rhinos were not uncommon in the Spirit Ascension Platform, but this one was clearly more violent than usual during the Riot Period. The instant it saw the three of them, it charged over with red eyes, its hooves pounding the ground with thunderous thuds.

Gu Yue raised a hand, and an ice wall blocked the Iron-Armored Rhino's path. Xie Xie cut in from the side, his Light Dragon Dagger carving a bone-deep gash across the rhino's neck.

Tang Wulin followed immediately with a hammer blow. The Clear Sky Hammer's crushing force shattered the Iron-Armored Rhino's skull.

Though the trio's coordination was not flawless.

They had already developed a basic level of understanding.