First entry into the Spirit Ascension Platform, a Night Owl with its taunt skill maxed out

Su Xun and Leng Yaozhu both fell silent.

After repeatedly confirming that this girl truly had received no "preschool education" whatsoever.

The two of them gave her a detailed explanation of Martial Souls, Soul Rings, and Soul Skills.

Only then did Na'er understand. Her cheeks flushed, and she said indignantly, "Su Xun, you big meanie! It's all your fault for not telling me sooner!"

Su Xun caught a stray bullet despite his innocence, but he didn't mind. He had Na'er get a feel for her first Soul Skill.

Na'er followed the method they had just taught her, then immediately lit up her Soul Ring.

She murmured instinctively, "Silver Dragon Piercing Thorn!"

The Silver Dragon Spear blazed with light. Na'er turned sideways with a touch of elegance and thrust forward with the spear in her right hand.

Roar!

The Silver Dragon Spear seemed to come alive. Its brilliant silver light coalesced into a silver dragon that surged out with a howl.

Wherever the silver dragon passed, space cracked inch by inch, as though thorns were growing through it.

Then, with a bang, the thorns exploded, and space shattered.

Su Xun's pupils contracted at the sight. A chill swept over him, and he dared not imagine the horrifying damage those thorns would cause if they sank into someone's body.

"The spatial attribute really is domineering." Leng Yaozhu's expression grew somewhat complicated as she watched.

The Silver Dragon Spear truly deserved its reputation as a Martial Soul that could make even the Heavenly Phoenix's heart tremble.

The Thorn Dragon was also an exceptionally good match for the Silver Dragon Spear.

Even Leng Yaozhu had to admit that, as things stood, Na'er surpassed Su Xun in head-on combat strength.

Still, their current specialties differed, so there was no need to compare them.

Moreover, one specialized in control and the other in assault. Together, they made a rather perfect combination.

Originally, Leng Yaozhu hadn't intended to let Na'er accompany Su Xun into the Spirit Ascension Platform for a first taste.

After all, Na'er had only just arrived, and she hadn't taught her close-quarters combat or other fighting techniques yet...

Hmm, I can leave that task to Su Xun in the future. It'll be a good chance for them to grow closer.

But judging by things now, with Su Xun controlling the overall situation, Na'er could simply serve as the muscle.

This first trip into the Spirit Ascension Platform might genuinely bring a few surprises.

At that thought, Leng Yaozhu could barely hide her smile.

"All right, first get familiar with it and recover what you've expended.

"Once Na'er has recovered, I'll send you both into the Spirit Ascension Platform.

"As it happens, the spiritual energy cultivation of your first soul spirits is about the same. You can experience the... fun of spirit ascension."

Anticipation appeared on Su Xun's face.

Na'er only half understood, but it sounded fun, so she was looking forward to it too.

Two hours later.

Inside a small private room, Su Xun and Na'er lay down in adjacent connection pods. Light flickered, and their consciousnesses were "drawn out."

Beside them, Leng Yaozhu watched the monitoring screen with one arm across her chest and her other hand at the tip of her nose, her fingers unconsciously tightening.

Su Xun felt that entering the Spirit Ascension Platform was similar to undergoing the Spiritual Power test.

The difference was that his vision went black this time, and a dizzying sensation swept over him.

Then he felt solid ground beneath his feet. He couldn't help opening his eyes, and a primeval forest greeted him.

The air was thick with the scent of rotting leaves and untouched wilderness.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Beside him, Na'er stared at their surroundings in astonishment and couldn't help exclaiming.

Outside the riot period, participants entered the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform at random locations.

But rules like that naturally meant nothing in the face of Leng Yaozhu's access privileges.

Su Xun couldn't help smiling as he watched Na'er skipping around, looking at something here and giving something else a kick there.

Then he took the lead and walked ahead. "Keep up. We're not here for a picnic."

Na'er pouted unhappily, puffing out her cheeks, but still followed Su Xun.

A moment later, rustling sounded. Su Xun's gaze sharpened, and a kaleidoscopic glow lit up his eyes.

At once, a Diamond-Patterned Rattlesnake more than three meters long shot out from beneath the rotting leaves, like a ghostly hunter perfectly blended into its surroundings.

Na'er jumped in fright, let out a scream, and hurriedly hid behind Su Xun.

The kaleidoscopic glow in Su Xun's eyes grew even brighter, and fantastical colors instantly stained the rattlesnake's pupils.

Yet its attack became fiercer. It opened its mouth and snapped down, but Su Xun brought Na'er with him in a slight sidestep, easily avoiding it.

The Diamond-Patterned Rattlesnake instead bit into the ancient tree behind them, driving its fangs into the trunk and injecting venom.

At the same time, its body coiled violently around the ancient tree and kept constricting. The entire tree shuddered, its leaves raining down.

"Has it gone crazy?!" Na'er clutched the hem of Su Xun's clothes with both hands, hiding behind him as she watched in amazement.

Su Xun smiled faintly. "Maybe it's hungry."

Na'er nodded in wholehearted agreement, feeling that eating a little tree bark wasn't so hard to understand if someone was starving.

Hoot!

Just then, the Night Owl appeared out of thin air and darted forward. Its sharp talons plunged into the back of the Diamond-Patterned Rattlesnake's neck, and its hooked beak easily pierced the snake's head.

The Diamond-Patterned Rattlesnake, which had been savagely biting and constricting the ancient tree, shuddered. Its life force vanished in the blink of an eye.

Then its body began to dissipate as well, turning into specks of yellow light that merged into the Night Owl's body.

"That's your soul spirit? It's so cute, and so strong!

"Unlike my big bug. It's hideous!"

Na'er's eyes lit up. She released Su Xun's clothes and lunged toward the Night Owl.

The Night Owl reacted nimbly. With a flap of its wings, it dodged her in an instant and landed on a branch of the ancient tree, tilting its feline head as it looked down at Na'er.

"Su Xun, it's-it's bullying me!

"Look, look! It's still taunting me! It keeps taunting me!"

Na'er was furious and wanted Su Xun to stand up for her.

But Su Xun just kept laughing.

Na'er grew even angrier. She released the Thorn Dragon and threatened, "If you can't catch it, I'll eat you!"

The Thorn Dragon had a slender body covered in thorns, with its tail trailing behind it and no wings. Overall, it looked somewhat like a dinosaur.

Earlier, when Na'er had called it a big bug and openly expressed her disgust, it had already begun doubting itself.

Now, abruptly summoned and threatened with becoming a meal, its body immediately trembled.

It didn't doubt for a moment that its owner would really eat it if she got hungry enough.

Then panic filled its silver eyes, and it didn't dare hesitate.

It squeezed every last ounce of strength from its hind legs and leaped high into the air, opening its mouth to bite at the Night Owl.

The Night Owl gave a light flap of its wings. Like a fleeting afterimage, it easily dodged and landed back on Su Xun's shoulder.

With the look of someone whose wicked scheme had succeeded, Na'er suddenly lunged over.

But the Night Owl moved again. Na'er caught nothing but air and looked about to serve Su Xun a headbutt.

Fortunately, Leng Yaozhu had personally sparred with Su Xun while teaching him close-quarters combat, leaving him exceptionally nimble.

With a slight shift, he not only avoided the headbutt but also reached out and caught Na'er around her soft, supple waist, settling her safely on the ground.

Having missed twice, Na'er flew into a rage, flailing about and refusing to give up.

The Night Owl continued staring at her with its signature head tilt.

Its taunt skill was maxed out.

"Argh! I'll fight you, you stupid kitty!" Na'er grew even angrier.

Helplessly, Su Xun tapped Na'er on the head. With a thought from him, the Night Owl flew back and landed on the back of his hand, and he held it out to Na'er.

"All right, getting worked up over a soul spirit, honestly..."