Entering the Pagoda

The Realm Patrol drove steadily along the broad streets of Eastsea City. Keeping an eye on the road, Huo Yuhao began explaining the situation to Tang Wulin and Na'er in the back seat, as well as Tang Ziran in the passenger seat.

"Before we get there, let me give you a general rundown of the rules for buying Soul Spirits at the Eastsea Spirit Pagoda. They're quite different from the ones in Aolai City, and there are far more choices." Huo Yuhao's voice was steady and clear, carrying a reassuring strength.

"First, the most common category: fixed prices." He raised one finger. "There are around two hundred types of Ten-Year White Soul Spirits available here. Depending on factors such as rarity, ability focus, and growth potential, their prices range from seventy thousand to one hundred and fifty thousand Federal Credits. As for Century Yellow Soul Spirits, there are about fifty varieties, with prices ranging from one million to two million Federal Credits. The benefit of this method is that the choices are clear. You get what you pay for, there's practically no risk, and if you like one and have enough money, you can take it home."

"One... million?" Tang Wulin gasped softly from the back seat. Clinging to the front seat's backrest, his blue eyes widened roundly. He subconsciously touched the thick stack of Federal Credits in his little bag—the savings his entire family had worked for over three years to accumulate. He had once thought it was an enormous sum, but compared to this, a heavy pressure and a trace of reluctance rose in his heart. "That's so expensive..."

"Yes. Raising and capturing a Century Soul Spirit requires resources and technology far beyond what a Ten-Year Soul Spirit needs, so naturally they're costly." Seeing the little boy's shoulders slump slightly in the rearview mirror, Huo Yuhao continued gently, "That's why the second method is more common now, and gives more people a chance: random draws. Pay four hundred thousand Federal Credits, and you get one chance to draw a random Century Soul Spirit. The type and quality are completely random. Or, for thirty thousand Federal Credits, you can draw a random Ten-Year Soul Spirit. The cost is relatively lower, but risk and opportunity go hand in hand. You might draw something exceptional, or you might get one that doesn't suit you very well."

As he spoke, the vehicle turned through a bustling intersection. In the distance, a towering octagonal spire came into view. Its body was constructed from a special silver-white alloy and soul-guided glass, faint halos of light flowing across it beneath the sun. Its base was massive, while every ten floors narrowed slightly upward. Its lines were smooth yet filled with power, and its pointed tip pierced straight into the sky. It rose far above every surrounding building, like a silent giant overlooking all of Eastsea City. Even from afar, its grandeur and the imposing blend of precision with modern soul-guided technology were enough to inspire awe.

"Wow—!" Tang Wulin and Na'er exclaimed at the same time, pressing themselves against the windows as they stared unblinkingly at the landmark. Tang Ziran and Lang Yue took deep breaths as well. Compared to the colossal structure before them, the tiny branch in Aolai City was like a child's building blocks.

"That's the Eastsea Spirit Pagoda, and it's only a branch tower." Huo Yuhao spoke at just the right moment, his voice carrying a hint of emotion. "They say the Celestial Spirit Tower, where the Spirit Pagoda headquarters is located, is even more beyond imagination. All right, we're almost there." He smoothly drove into the Spirit Pagoda's enormous multi-level parking structure.

After parking, the five of them got out. Looking up from close range, the Spirit Pagoda felt even more oppressive. Crowds streamed in and out through the massive entrance, orderly yet full of life.

"The last option," Huo Yuhao said as he led them toward the entrance, revealing the most crucial information, "just happens to fit your budget and needs—'self-selection,' by entering the 'Ascension Platform.'"

"Self-selection? Ascension Platform?" Tang Ziran immediately asked. It already sounded more appealing than the first two methods.

"That's right." Huo Yuhao nodded and explained in detail. "Pay three hundred thousand Federal Credits, and you gain the qualification to enter the Junior Ascension Platform once. The Ascension Platform is a special space created through soul-guided technology, one that comes infinitely close to a real soul beast forest. Those who enter can explore it and use their own perception, affinity, or even luck to seek out and attract the Soul Spirit most compatible with them. The greatest advantage of this method is that the Soul Spirit you find is often highly compatible with your martial soul and personality, with greater potential for future growth. Of course, there's still risk—if you're 'defeated' by a simulated soul beast inside the Ascension Platform, you'll be forced out early, and the money will be wasted. But don't worry. The Junior Ascension Platform has protection measures and places participants in relatively safe areas to begin with."

He looked at Tang Wulin, whose eyes had already begun to shine, and reached over to ruffle his hair. "Normally, this 'self-selection' qualification costs five hundred thousand Federal Credits, and you have to apply and wait in line far in advance. But today is a coincidence. A friend of mine—Teacher Wu Changkong from the East Sea Academy Intermediate Division—is bringing his students into the Ascension Platform for their midterm practical assessment. I told him about your situation, and he agreed to let Wulin go in with his student team. Since they'll be going in anyway, the fee will only be the base three hundred thousand. It's a rare opportunity."

"Going into that Ascension Platform... and finding a Soul Spirit myself?" Tang Wulin processed the information, quietly clenching his small fist. He was nervous about the unknown space, but even more eager to give it a try. He knew compatibility with a Soul Spirit was extremely important. If he could find the one best suited to him himself... "Uncle Huo, I'll be extra careful and stay safe!" he promised loudly, his heart full of gratitude.

Huo Yuhao smiled. "I believe you. Remember, once you're inside, listen to Teacher Wu's instructions."

Just then, a black soul-guided sedan with harsh, angular lines stopped beside them. The door opened, revealing a pair of long legs first. Then Wu Changkong stepped out before them, dressed in fitted black clothing, with silver hair, purple eyes, and a cold, stern air. Behind him, six boys and girls around twelve or thirteen years old filed out one after another, all bright-eyed and curiously surveying their surroundings.

"Teacher Wu!" Huo Yuhao stepped forward to greet him.

"Boss Huo." Wu Changkong nodded at him, his voice as cool and concise as ever. His gaze then swept over the Tang family of four behind Huo Yuhao.

"Hello, Boss Huo!" The six students clearly all knew Huo Yuhao—after all, Yuling Grilled Fish was one of the most popular food spots around Eastsea Academy. They greeted him with cheerful smiles. One sharp-looking short-haired boy even joked, "Boss Huo, you came to the Spirit Pagoda today too? Did you find some new inspiration for grilled fish made with soul beast ingredients?" The other students chuckled.

Huo Yuhao smiled as well and introduced them. "These two are Tang Wulin's parents, and this is his younger sister, Na'er. And this..." He rested a hand on Tang Wulin's shoulder and gently guided him forward. "...is Tang Wulin, the boy I mentioned to you from Aolai City. He's here to choose a Soul Spirit today, so I'll have to trouble Teacher Wu and everyone to look after him."

Wu Changkong's gaze fell upon Tang Wulin. It was calm yet extraordinarily penetrating, as though he wanted to see straight through him. After a moment, he gave a nearly imperceptible nod and extended his hand to Tang Ziran. "Mr. Tang, hello. Boss Huo has mentioned your son several times. He said the boy has a resolute temperament and good talent. I look forward to his performance today."

Tang Ziran hurriedly stepped forward and shook his hand, looking somewhat flattered. "Hello, Teacher Wu! Thank you so much for giving Wulin this opportunity. He's still young and doesn't understand much. I'll have to ask you to guide him carefully!"

"It's my duty." Wu Changkong was brief as ever. He then turned to the students behind him. "This is Tang Wulin. He'll be entering the Junior Ascension Platform with us today to look for his first Soul Spirit. Once inside, you are his seniors, so look after him, but don't interfere too much. Let him experience it for himself. Understood?"

"Understood, Teacher Wu!" the six students answered in unison, their curious gazes all settling on Tang Wulin, who looked several years younger and somewhat immature compared to them.

"Wulin, follow Teacher Wu and your older brothers and sisters. Listen carefully and stay safe." Huo Yuhao patted Tang Wulin on the back.

"Mm! Uncle Huo, Dad, Mom, Na'er, I'm going in!" Tang Wulin took a deep breath and tried his best to appear calmer as he jogged to the back of the six-student team.

The students immediately gathered around him, the atmosphere lively. The short-haired boy who had joked earlier leaned closer and grinned. "Tang Wulin? That's a nice name. If Boss Huo thinks so highly of you, does that mean you're especially good at cooking? Did you inherit his skills?" The others smiled good-naturedly too.

Tang Wulin's face immediately turned red, and he hurriedly waved his hands. "Huh? No, no... I'm actually not very good at cooking..." He often watched Huo Yuhao grill fish, but he did not get many chances to do it himself.

Another girl, tall and ponytailed, looked him over and smiled. "Little brother, you're so young, yet you're going into the Ascension Platform yourself? You've got guts. Don't run around once we get in. Stick with us, and your big sister will protect you!" She patted her chest, looking quite heroic.

"Thank you, big sister..." Tang Wulin thanked her quietly, a little embarrassed, though his heart felt warm. These older brothers and sisters all seemed easy to get along with.

"All right, stop teasing him." A boy who looked the most composed spoke up. He gave Tang Wulin a friendly nod. "Stay close to the group once we're inside. The Ascension Platform is a simulated environment, but it feels very real, and the soul beasts are realistic too. Observe more, feel more, and search for the fluctuations that make your Soul Power resonate. If you run into danger, don't force yourself to endure it. Call for help or withdraw in time."

"Mm! I understand. Thank you, big brother!" Tang Wulin memorized his words seriously.

Watching Tang Wulin head toward the Spirit Pagoda's grand dedicated entrance with Wu Changkong, surrounded by the group of young students, his figure gradually disappearing into the crowd, Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze. He said to Tang Ziran and Lang Yue, whose faces were full of worry, and to the quietly watching Na'er, "All right. Once they go in, they'll probably be there for several hours. The Ascension Platform has been reserved by Eastsea Academy for assessments today, and the main hall is undergoing internal maintenance as well, so it isn't open to the public. I'll take you to the rest area in the side tower to wait. It's quieter there."

He led the three around the massive crowds at the main tower and arrived at a much shorter but equally refined side-tower building. This was where daily consultations, soul master registration, and business processing were handled, so it was comparatively quiet.

As soon as they entered the spacious, brightly lit first-floor lounge of the side tower, a kind-looking woman in her thirties wearing a Spirit Pagoda staff uniform brightened and hurried over.

"Boss Huo? Oh my, what a rare guest! How did you find time to come today? It's not the end of the month yet, so it's not time to deliver goods and settle accounts. Did you finally take a day off for yourself?" The staff member, Su Qin, was obviously very familiar with Huo Yuhao and teased him with a smile. Huo Yuhao's Yuling Grilled Fish was a regular on Eastsea City's food rankings. Many of the premium seafood ingredients he used even had to be ordered through special Spirit Pagoda channels, so over time, he had gotten to know quite a few staff members here.

Huo Yuhao replied with a smile, "Sister Su, I'm not here for business today. I brought a friend's child here to choose a Soul Spirit. The child went into the Ascension Platform with Teacher Wu's assessment team, so I brought his family here to wait."

"Oh, I see!" Su Qin suddenly understood and warmly looked toward Tang Ziran, Lang Yue, and Na'er. "Welcome, welcome! There's tea and pastries in the lounge. Please sit wherever you like and don't stand on ceremony. Oh my, this little girl is so pretty! Silver hair and purple eyes—she looks like a little elf!" Her gaze landed on Na'er, and she could not help praising her, her tone full of affection.

Na'er lifted her purple eyes and glanced at Su Qin, giving a slight nod in greeting before falling silent again.

Huo Yuhao led the three to sit on a soft sofa by the window. Su Qin quickly brought over several cups of tea and some delicate pastries, placing them on the small table. "Boss Huo's friends are our friends. If you need anything, just call me anytime. You talk—I'll be at the counter over there." Considerately giving them space, she returned to her workstation.

The small lounge fell quiet for the moment. Through the window, they could see part of the main tower and the crowds moving back and forth. The tea gave off a gentle fragrance, and the pastries were exquisite, but Tang Ziran and Lang Yue's thoughts were clearly tied to the towering pagoda. Their gazes drifted toward the main tower from time to time. Na'er sipped her tea in small mouthfuls, her purple eyes calm, no one knowing what she was thinking.