The Spirit Ascension Platform During the Riot Period

One hundred times.

One hundred seconds.

This number caused the expressions of both Tang Wulin and Xie Xie to shift.

Usually, when they killed soul beasts in the Spirit Ascension Platform, absorbing the spiritual power was almost instantaneous.

However, during the Riot Period, the absorption time was extended to one hundred seconds. This meant that for every soul beast they killed, they had to remain in place for one hundred seconds to fully reap the rewards.

During this interval, any passing soul beast or other soul master could launch an attack on them.

This was no longer a simple survival challenge; it was genuine danger.

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

"Four people?"

"Is Han Li going too?"

His gaze involuntarily drifted toward Han Li, who was standing by the window.

Han Li looked out the window with a calm expression, as if the matter they were discussing had nothing to do with him.

But Xie Xie knew clearly...

If Han Li also participated in this operation, then this trip to the Spirit Ascension Platform would be completely different.

Because with Han Li present, their safety margin would be several levels higher.

Ye Yingluo nodded, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

"Yes."

"However, Han Li is not participating in the final exam. The academy is simply worried because it is the riot-stricken Spirit Ascension Platform, and they fear something might happen to you."

"That is why they requested Han Li to accompany you and protect you when you are in danger."

"But if you let Han Li intervene, it will be equivalent to receiving a zero on your final exam."

"So, do not harbor any wishful thinking."

The final sentence carried a clear warning.

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

"Han Li is following you to prevent you from being in life-threatening danger, not to let you coast to victory."

"If you make Han Li take action, then your final grade will be zero."

"Do you understand?"

The three of them suddenly realized.

Tang Wulin stood up straight, faced Han Li, and bowed respectfully.

"Class Monitor, thank you."

Xie Xie also uncharacteristically reined in his cynical demeanor and nodded along.

"Thanks, Class Monitor."

To this, Han Li said indifferently.

"Nothing to thank me for."

"The academy gave me benefits anyway."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't bother going."

He was not just being polite.

Yu Zhen had indeed provided some tangible benefits to convince him to follow and protect the others.

Taking someone's money to resolve their troubles...

In his view, this was the most normal thing in the world.

Tang Wulin shook his head, looking at Han Li with a serious gaze, his tone filled with heartfelt sincerity.

"Regardless, you agreed."

"That in itself is a huge help to us."

"Class Monitor, we won't let you down. We will definitely pass the exam through our own strength."

Han Li glanced at Tang Wulin, seeing his earnest gaze and clear eyes, which held the genuine sincerity unique to a youth.

In the end, he said nothing.

This was normal; after all, Tang Wulin had not yet joined Shrek Academy, so his mind was still normal.

He possessed neither the arrogance of Shrek Academy's "only I am supreme" attitude, nor the paranoia that came after being brainwashed by certain ideologies.

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

Afterward, under the guidance of Ye Yingluo, the group headed toward the East Sea City Spirit Pagoda.

Wu Changkong followed along as he always did.

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

This was the extent of East Sea Academy's influence.

As the only intermediate soul master academy in East Sea City, East Sea Academy held immense sway and maintained a strong relationship with the Spirit Pagoda.

Furthermore, this positive cooperative relationship was not built in a day; it had formed gradually over many years of accumulation and mutual support.

The academy supplied talent to the Spirit Pagoda, while the Spirit Pagoda provided resources to the academy, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Otherwise, spots to enter the Spirit Ascension Platform could not be bought with money alone.

Especially during the Riot Period, spots were contested by all major factions; without a certain background and connections, one could not find a way in even while clutching Federal Currency.

The fact that East Sea Academy was able to secure four spots was sufficient proof of Yu Zhen's connections and capability in East Sea City.

Moreover, the East Sea Spirit Pagoda had specifically designated an access room for them and even allowed their teacher to monitor them from there.

"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 any more reminders."

"Therefore, if you feel something is wrong..."

"Withdraw from the battlefield immediately."

The staff member stood before the control console, troubleshooting the device while giving these instructions without turning his head.

The four of them lay down in their respective metal cabinets, preparing to enter under the staff member's operation.

Subsequently, the staff member inserted four cards into the dedicated slots and pressed a red button.

This was the Riot Period protection device; only by using these special cards could one enter the Spirit Ascension Platform during the Riot Period, and it allowed for the control of entry points to teleport members of the same group together.

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

They were surrounded by a vast, dense forest.

Han Li opened his eyes to find soft soil beneath his feet and a canopy of trees blocking out the sky above.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows upon the ground.

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

And the biggest difference from before was...

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

Han Li looked at the three of them and spoke briefly.

"Good luck."

With that, his figure flickered, and he darted toward the depths of the forest like an arrow released from a bow.

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

But he had not truly gone far.

After moving out of their sight, Han Li slowed his pace and silently climbed onto the branch of a large tree, looking down from a high vantage point toward the location of Tang Wulin and the others.

From this height and angle, he could clearly see the movements of the three, while it would be difficult for them to discover 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 stretched his wrists; though he didn't say anything, the expression on his face had become much more serious.

The three maintained a basic formation.

Tang Wulin was in the front, Gu Yue in the center, and Xie Xie brought up the rear.

At first, things went quite smoothly.

Inside the riot-stricken Spirit Ascension Platform...

Soul beasts were indeed more active than usual.

They had walked for less than a minute before encountering a century-level Iron-Armored Rhino.

The Iron-Armored Rhino was not uncommon in the Spirit Ascension Platform, but during the Riot Period, it was clearly more irritable than usual. The moment it saw the three, it charged over with bloodshot eyes, its hooves thumping against the ground.

Gu Yue raised her 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 deep, bone-reaching gash into the rhino's neck.

Tang Wulin followed closely, bringing his hammer down; the Clear Sky Hammer struck with heavy force, shattering the Iron-Armored Rhino's skull.

Although the trio's coordination was not yet seamless.

They already possessed a basic level of synergy.