Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform

At dawn, Tang Li opened his eyes after cultivating all night. Another wisp of soul power had condensed within him. At most, in another three days, he would break through to Level 20.

Lin Ye had awakened long ago. He was currently wolfing down food from a tray. Seeing Tang Li awake, he pointed at another tray, signaling for him to come eat breakfast.

After swallowing the huge mouthful of food in his mouth, Lin Ye wiped his mouth and said:

"This is food specially supplied by the Spirit Pagoda's Meditation Rooms. In this era where Soul Beasts are practically extinct, only a superpower like the Spirit Pagoda can still afford to eat this stuff. Come try it!"

Hearing that it was Soul Beast meat, Tang Li became interested as well. The best thing he had eaten before this was artificially raised, century-old hormone chicken from the market.

After spending so much time with Tang Wulin and Na'er, Tang Li felt that he had probably been influenced by those two big eaters. His efficiency at eating had improved considerably.

After the two of them swept through breakfast like a whirlwind, they cultivated for a while longer. Only when the room's alert sounded, reminding them that it was time to leave, did Lin Ye take Tang Li away.

Passing through the highly technological corridor, the two took an elevator downward. The floor numbers continued dropping until it finally stopped dozens of levels underground.

After leaving the elevator, a Spirit Master stationed there took the qualification card Lin Ye handed over. Following a simple registration process, he led them through a passage and into another elevator. More than ten seconds later, the doors opened, and they arrived in a circular room.

The room was entirely made of metal. A ring of screens hung on the walls, displaying lush, dense forests. In the center of the circular room stood an elevated glass pod.

After carrying out a series of operations and inspections, the Spirit Master turned to them and said:

"Colleague, you should already know the rules of the Spirit Ascension Platform, so I won't repeat them. Good luck to you both. You may enter now."

Lin Ye had already explained the rules to Tang Li before they came. As soon as the Spirit Master finished speaking, Tang Li and Lin Ye quickly took off their clothes and stepped into the glass pod.

The Spirit Master did not care at all why Lin Ye was bringing such a little tyke into the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform. Many major factions and families did this, helping their younger members raise their Soul Rings and Soul Spirits to the maximum limit their bodies could withstand, laying a solid foundation.

As for why they had to remove their clothes, Lin Ye only knew the rough reason. It was said that Battle Armor was not allowed inside, but only the upper echelons of the Spirit Pagoda knew the true reason.

"The device has been activated. Prepare to enter."

As the Spirit Master pressed a button on the control panel, the metal rings around the glass pod suddenly lit up with circles of golden light. A powerful numbness instantly swept through his entire body. Tang Li saw only blank whiteness before his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was already standing in a green world!

The moment they entered, Lin Ye released his Martial Soul, the Heavenly Star Stove. Six Soul Rings—two yellow, three purple, and one black—floated around his body.

"Little Tang Li, stay close to me. Also, remember to tell me before you release your Martial Soul. Your uncle will make some light to cover you up. Otherwise, the effect of your Martial Soul is too outrageous. It wouldn't be good if someone recorded it."

"Got it. But Uncle Lin, take it easy. There are ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts here!"

After hearing Lin Ye's advice, Tang Li reminded him as well. This place was indeed dangerous, and they could not waste such a good opportunity through carelessness.

"Relax, kid. The Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform is restricted to those below seven rings. The Soul Beasts here won't exceed fifty thousand years of cultivation. At this level, attacks capable of breaking through my defenses practically don't exist. Besides, these muscles of your Uncle Lin's aren't just for show. Just watch, Little Tang Li!"

Lin Ye even struck a muscle-flexing pose as he spoke. Seeing this, Tang Li relaxed. Uncle Lin might look a little strange, but he was actually quite dependable.

The Spirit Ascension Platform was built to imitate the Star Dou Great Forest. The Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform corresponded to the outer region of what had once been the Star Dou Great Forest's mixed zone, where thousand-year and ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts gathered.

Soul Beasts that had reached such ages possessed intelligence to varying degrees. They occupied their own territories and did not wander around aimlessly, so their numbers were not as great as those in the Junior Spirit Ascension Platform.

With the Heavenly Star Stove held before him, Lin Ye kept Tang Li protected at his side. His sharp gaze swept around them from time to time, remaining alert for Soul Beasts that might be hiding in the shadows.

Suddenly, a burst of chaotic roars rang out. Powerful sound waves sent fallen leaves fluttering everywhere. As a member of the Spirit Pagoda, Lin Ye knew Soul Beasts extremely well and immediately recognized the noise as coming from a group of Wind Baboons.

"Little Tang Li, let's go. Wind Baboons aren't particularly strong, and they're pack-dwelling Soul Beasts. Usually, one baboon king leads a group of smaller baboons. They're basically walking experience. If we get there too late, someone else might snatch them up."

As he spoke, Lin Ye grabbed Tang Li and ran toward the source of the noise with wind beneath his feet.

This was where the might of a six-ring Soul Di became apparent. Even though he was not a speed-type Soul Master, Lin Ye moved as fast as lightning. Tang Li only felt fierce wind pressure rushing at him, and within a few breaths, Lin Ye had brought him up into a large tree to hide.

In a place like the Spirit Ascension Platform, they not only had to guard against Soul Beast attacks but also watch out for ambushes from other Soul Masters. That was why Lin Ye had chosen to observe first.

After scouting the area, Lin Ye confirmed that no one else was lying in wait nearby. There was only the large group of Wind Baboons in the distance. Only then did he quietly discuss things with Tang Li.

"Little Li, Uncle Lin's Soul Skills make quite a lot of noise. Once I use them, they'll definitely scare off a large portion of them. It'll be difficult to catch them all in one go, so I'll need a little help from you. Here's what we'll do..."

Looking at the several dozen noisy Wind Baboons below, Tang Li felt that Lin Ye was absolutely right. This was easily obtained, low-risk energy. Letting even one escape would feel like a loss!

"Fine, Uncle Lin. Let's do it this way!"

"Then watch carefully, kid. The biggest one is three thousand years old, and there are two more just over one thousand years old. The others are little fellows only a few hundred years old. If your range isn't enough, prioritize catching the biggest three."

After hearing Lin Ye's instructions, Tang Li curled his lips into a smug smile and said, "Don't worry, Uncle Lin. Not a single one of these guys will get away!"

With that, Tang Li used the faint glow of the Heavenly Star Stove to conceal himself as he summoned the Demon-Sealing Pot. He silently activated it, and an extremely hidden fluctuation spread outward. The moment it enveloped the Wind Baboons, they instantly lost consciousness, foaming at the mouth as they collapsed to the ground. Even the largest one lost its ability to move.

Seizing the opportunity, Lin Ye reacted swiftly. Holding the Heavenly Star Stove, he descended from above. Brilliant starlight from the Heavenly Star Stove wrapped around his body, making his aura even more surging. His all-out strike fell like a meteor, followed by a thunderous boom—

The surrounding Wind Baboons were all blasted flying by the starlight shockwave unleashed by that tremendous force, transforming into a mass of energy that flew toward Lin Ye. Lin Ye flashed forward and called for Tang Li to hurry over.

Tang Li did not hesitate. A ghostly light flashed from the mouth of the Demon-Sealing Pot in his hand, and that spiritual energy was sucked into the Demon-Sealing Pot like a whale drawing in water.

Tang Li had not known at first that the Demon-Sealing Pot could be used this way. It was only when he entered this place that the pot produced a wave of yearning, so he had instinctively done this just now.

But the moment that spiritual energy entered the pot, Tang Li immediately realized something was wrong!

"This is..."