Ch. 21Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform
Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Tang Li finishes an all-night cultivation session and senses that he is close to reaching Soul Power Level 20, likely within three days.
- Lin Ye and Tang Li eat a breakfast supplied by the Spirit Pagoda, including rare Soul Beast meat, before continuing their cultivation.
- Lin Ye escorts Tang Li deep beneath the Spirit Pagoda to the Intermediate Spirit Ascension Platform. After registration, they enter a simulated forest environment modeled after the former Star Dou Great Forest.
- Lin Ye explains the platform’s dangers and protects Tang Li with his six-ring cultivation and Heavenly Star Stove Martial Soul. He warns Tang Li to conceal his own Martial Soul because its effects are unusually conspicuous and could be recorded.
- The pair encounter a large group of Wind Baboons. Lin Ye identifies them as relatively weak but valuable targets for gaining energy.
- Lin Ye scouts for both Soul Beasts and hostile Soul Masters before planning an ambush with Tang Li.
- Tang Li secretly activates the Demon-Sealing Pot, instantly incapacitating the Wind Baboons, including the strongest three.
- Lin Ye follows up with a powerful attack from the Heavenly Star Stove, converting the baboons into spiritual energy.
- Tang Li uses the Demon-Sealing Pot to absorb the energy. However, he immediately senses something abnormal and realizes the pot may possess an unexpected function or effect. The chapter ends on this cliffhanger.
Character Developments
- Tang Li: Shows rapid cultivation progress and growing confidence. He is becoming more accustomed to combat opportunities and demonstrates strong tactical awareness. His Demon-Sealing Pot reveals a new, previously unknown ability: absorbing spiritual energy from defeated Soul Beasts.
- Lin Ye: Acts as Tang Li’s protector, instructor, and tactical partner. His experience with Soul Beasts and the Spirit Ascension Platform allows him to assess threats carefully, exploit easy targets, and coordinate effectively with Tang Li.
- Their partnership: Tang Li and Lin Ye display increasing trust and cooperation. Though Lin Ye takes the lead, Tang Li contributes an essential ability that makes the ambush far more effective.
Significant Themes
- Cultivation and advancement: Tang Li’s imminent breakthrough and use of the Spirit Ascension Platform emphasize the importance of building strength and laying a solid foundation.
- Resources and opportunity: Rare Soul Beast meat and the energy gained from the platform reflect how valuable resources are in a world where Soul Beasts are nearly extinct.
- Teamwork and strategy: The Wind Baboon ambush succeeds because Lin Ye combines his combat power with Tang Li’s unusual control ability.
- Secrecy and caution: Lin Ye stresses the need to hide Tang Li’s Martial Soul, while both characters remain alert to possible attacks from other Soul Masters.
- Unexplored power: The Demon-Sealing Pot’s unexpected reaction introduces a mystery surrounding Tang Li’s abilities and suggests that its true potential has not yet been revealed.
Character Interactions
- Lin Ye encourages Tang Li to eat and explains the value of the Spirit Pagoda’s food.
- He gives Tang Li safety instructions and warns him about revealing his Martial Soul.
- Tang Li returns the concern by reminding Lin Ye not to underestimate the ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts.
- The two collaborate on a detailed ambush plan, with Lin Ye identifying priority targets and Tang Li confidently promising that none will escape.
- After Lin Ye disperses the defeated baboons into energy, Tang Li absorbs it through the Demon-Sealing Pot, triggering the chapter’s unresolved mystery.