Riotous Ascension Platform

"So we're going to the Spirit Pagoda now?"

Xie Xie watched the growing number of vehicles on the road with curiosity. Wu Zhangkong, seated in the driver's seat, shot him a glance.

"Sit properly and fasten your seat belts—we're going to the Ascension Platform today. The qualification the school gave the champions isn't just one chance to enter the Ascension Platform. This time, it's during the riotous period, something many people can't obtain even after exhausting all their connections. As Zero Class students, you also receive an Ascension Platform ticket once a week."

Xie Xie could hardly believe his ears. What did once a week even mean?

And this time, they were going straight into the riotous Ascension Platform?

"Isn't that a little too dangerous, Teacher?"

Wu Zhangkong glanced at him without saying anything, but Xie Xie still caught the disdain in his eyes.

Xie Xie could only shut his mouth and turn to look at the three people in the back seat.

The sight behind him immediately shattered and rebuilt his worldview.

Luo Qing was squeezed between them, while Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were like buns pressed around a filling, practically trying to stick themselves to him.

Luo Qing felt rather uncomfortable from being squeezed. He had no idea why Tang Wulin and Gu Yue always liked crowding against him.

Tang Wulin was one thing—Luo Qing knew she loved acting spoiled—but why was that Silver Dragon King doing it too?

Gu Yue wasn't Na'er, who had initially lost her memories. She was already so old, so why did she always like rubbing up against a young person like him?

Even Gu Yue's expression seemed a little off now, as if a cat were sniffing catnip.

At that thought, Luo Qing could no longer hold it in.

"Gu Yue, do I smell bad or something?"

Only then did Gu Yue snap back to her senses. Realizing her earlier lapse, her thoughts immediately became a mess.

Oh no. That scent smelled too nice, and it felt warm, so I unconsciously leaned closer. They saw that... They won't think I'm some kind of weird person, will they? What do I do? This is so embarrassing...

But before Gu Yue could organize her words, the car came to a stop.

"Stop fooling around. Get out."

Wu Zhangkong lowered his head, opened the door, and stepped out first.

Xie Xie hurriedly got out from the front passenger seat, casting Luo Qing a sympathetic look at the same time.

Luo Qing could only climb out alongside Tang Wulin, with Gu Yue hurrying after them.

The moment they entered the Spirit Pagoda's grounds, everything around them changed.

Holographic streetlamp projections and all kinds of advanced technology came into view.

The landscaped greenery was tended by dedicated spraying drones, and there were even unmanned guide vehicles ahead.

Following the little vehicle, they made their way into the Spirit Pagoda's main hall.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

The receptionist smiled as she politely asked the group.

"Eastsea Academy. Here are the tickets."

Wu Zhangkong took out their identification and corresponding tickets from his pocket.

After confirming everything was in order, the receptionist led them into the high-rise building.

Once they reached their floor, a Spirit Master at the entrance handed each of them a wristband.

"Be sure to watch your safety. If you encounter danger, press the button on the wristband immediately. Although the Ascension Platform is simulated training, it can still be dangerous—especially since you're challenging the riotous period."

Everyone put on their wristbands and exchanged glances. Most of them were excited, without the slightest hint of fear.

"I'll be waiting outside. Be sure to stay safe! Luo Qing, as the team leader, look for your classmates as soon as you enter and do your best to ensure their safety. If there's truly no other option, press the button on the wristband. Also, be especially wary of other Soul Masters. How long you can hold out will depend entirely on your strength."

Wu Zhangkong instructed Luo Qing, the strongest member of the team, then gestured for them to lie down in the pods.

Luo Qing took a look. These immersion pods resembled the hibernation chambers found in most science-fiction anime.

The instant he lay down, a gentle light seemed to sweep over his brain, calming him.

His consciousness gradually sank into some deep sea. When he opened his eyes again, the sensation around him was completely different.

Beneath his feet was no longer the metal flooring inside the pod, but soft grass.

Looking up, he saw towering ancient trees everywhere. The trees that blanketed the sky blocked out the sunlight, allowing only faint rays to filter through the gaps between branches and leaves.

Luo Qing instantly realized that he seemed to be in the innermost ring of a simulated forest.

For ordinary people, this might not have been a good thing, but Luo Qing, with his formidable strength, saw it differently.

Although Luo Qing wanted to stay and go on a rampage, his companions were more important.

He spread Tyrant's Wings and flew into the sky to survey the surroundings.

Sure enough, the moment he took off, he saw Xie Xie being chased all over the place by a thousand-year Crystal Bear.

"Help! Why did I spawn right inside a bear's den?!"

Xie Xie pumped his legs in front, nearly using all his strength, while the Crystal Bear behind him seemed to have locked onto its prey and pursued him relentlessly.

Luo Qing immediately focused, slightly tucked in his wings, and dove straight at the thousand-year Crystal Bear.

This action left the staff observing from outside dumbfounded.

"If I remember correctly, isn't that student only at two rings?"

"Isn't that too dangerous?"

Wu Zhangkong was unconcerned. He knew Luo Qing's strength best, and that Crystal Bear was not some eight- or nine-thousand-year beast on the verge of a major breakthrough.

It had only recently entered the thousand-year level and was merely a little over 1,200 years old.

As Xie Xie fled ahead, he heard a dull thud from behind him, followed by the sound of something heavy collapsing.

He instinctively turned around and saw that the area behind him was shrouded in strange dust.

"Saved?" Xie Xie weakly sat down on the ground.

Once the dust from the impact dispersed, a large hole could be seen in the Crystal Bear's forehead.

Luo Qing wiped the blood from his hand and reached out to pull Xie Xie, whose legs had gone weak from being chased, to his feet.

"Luo Qing, good thing you were nearby! Do you know how unlucky I was just now? I landed right on that bear's belly!"

Xie Xie clung to Luo Qing's arm, trembling slightly. He had nearly died in the bear's jaws.

"It's fine. Did you see Wu Lin or Gu Yue? I think meeting up first is the most important thing."

Luo Qing asked, and Xie Xie recalled the figures he had seen while being chased.

"I don't think so. The only people I saw were a pair of siblings."

"Then I'll keep looking. Find somewhere safe to hide first. We'll meet up later!"

Xie Xie nodded, found a tree hollow, and began resting to recover his strength.

Luo Qing continued flapping his wings, searching the sky for his teammates.

In the distance, dozens of Azure Wolves surrounded a petite figure. From far away, Luo Qing could see several Azure Wolf corpses already lying on the ground.

The corpses looked miserable. Most had their skulls smashed apart by a hammer.

That figure appeared uninjured, holding a pair of hammers as she faced off against the alpha wolf.

There was no need to say who it was.

"Wu Lin! She's surrounded?"

Luo Qing hurriedly accelerated toward her. On the ground, Tang Wulin stared calmly at the alpha wolf before her.

The alpha wolf was not without intelligence. It was simply constantly judging the gap in their strength and the cost of attacking.

Its earlier probing assault had already cost several of its kin their lives. Whether to fight or flee, it had yet to decide.

Just then, a sharp sound tore through the air.

Hearing that familiar sound, Tang Wulin smiled.

"I'm waiting for reinforcements. What are you waiting for?"