"We really did get teleported together!"
Arriving in the familiar Soul Beast forest, the group of seven—Tang Luochuan and the others—found themselves gathered in the same spot. Xie Xie couldn't help but exclaim.
After visiting the Spirit Ascension Platform so many times, this was the first instance where all of them had appeared together. The feeling of fighting as a team...
It was amazing!
"Roar—"
At that moment, three five-hundred-year Crimson Shadow Leopards charged toward them, as if they had spotted a delicious meal.
In the primary Spirit Ascension Platform, the strongest Soul Beasts were only a thousand years old, making five-hundred-year Soul Beasts already formidable. Yet, high-level Soul Beasts like these, which were usually rare and considered powerful in the primary platform, were now everywhere.
"Wind Blade."
Gu Yue remained silent, merely flicking her wrist to release a cyan wind blade—her first Soul Skill, Elemental Control.
"Light Dragon Storm."
Xie Xie snorted coldly, the purple Soul Ring beneath his feet flashing briefly. In the next instant, a storm accompanied by draconic roars surged forth, barreling toward the three Soul Beasts.
This was his second Soul Skill, Light Dragon Storm.
"Boss, should we move somewhere else?"
"There are quite a few Soul Beasts around here."
Zhang Yangzi, a flying-type Soul Master, soared into the air to scout the surroundings. His gaze landed on a group of Soul Beasts not far away, and he couldn't help but speak up. There were so many of them—not that they were afraid, but dealing with them would still be troublesome.
"That's not really a problem."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan shook his head.
"During the Spirit Ascension Platform's upheaval period, Soul Beasts are everywhere. Changing locations won't make much of a difference. We can't just hide in a place without Soul Beasts and wait for the three hours to pass."
"In that case, we might as well take the initiative..."
He smiled, his right hand already transformed into a dragon claw as he looked toward the Soul Beasts in the distance, his expression amused.
"Hmm?"
Tang Wulin pondered for a moment before his eyes lit up.
"Brother once said, if the path is blocked, use your fists to break through. I think we can do that!"
"Golden Dragon Claw..."
Tang Wulin grinned, his left hand summoning a Blue Silver Grass whip while his right hand also manifested the Golden Dragon Claw.
A Control System Soul Master who didn't aspire to be a warrior wasn't a good assassin. Well then, he'd carve a path forward himself!
"Wu Lin, wait for us! Skyward Strike!"
"Bone Soul Shift!"
"Shadow Assault!"
"Shadow Dragon Storm!"
The others were equally unwilling to fall behind, immediately positioning themselves around Tang Wulin as they advanced. The enemy was undoubtedly strong, but so were they.
As comrades, they would fight together.
"Then, Gu Yue."
"Let's handle that side."
Turning to Gu Yue beside him, Tang Luochuan smiled. He could sense that the Soul Beasts on Wu Lin's side weren't beyond their capabilities, so there was no need for him to intervene.
Unlike the others, who had only just reunited, Gu Yue and he had already fought side by side the very first time they entered the Spirit Ascension Platform.
"Let's go."
Gu Yue smiled gently, wind-attribute energy swirling around her as she wielded a massive wind blade in her hand.
Fighting alongside Luo Chuan once again!
"Luo Chuan, tell me—has your Soul Ring already surpassed ten thousand years?"
As they fought, Gu Yue couldn't help but ask softly.
"You noticed."
Facing Gu Yue, Tang Luochuan didn't deny it because he knew that, given Gu Yue's abilities, failing to notice would have been the real issue.
"Hmph, there's nothing I can't see."
Gu Yue snorted lightly, her smile unwavering, though she couldn't help but feel a wave of awe in her heart. A ten-thousand-year first Soul Spirit…
Even knowing Luo Chuan's terrifying talent, this was still a bit too outrageous. The talent she had displayed couldn't even keep up with his!
"You're really so much stronger than me."
She couldn't help but sigh.
"Don't sell yourself short. Gu Yue is amazing too."
"That's more like it…"
"Hah… Fighting feels great!"
Not long after, once they had dealt with the nearby Soul Beasts, the group gathered again. Tang Wulin exhaled deeply, his face full of excitement.
Ever since his second Martial Soul awakened, he had fallen in love with the thrill of battle. The feeling was just too incredible.
"Too bad my spiritual power isn't high enough."
"These Soul Ring age points are useless too."
Looking at the Soul Ring age points beneath his feet, Tang Wulin felt deeply regretful. Being able to see but not use them was the worst.
If their spiritual power were stronger, who knew just how much they could enhance their Soul Spirits in the Spirit Ascension Platform during this turbulent period.
"Tell me about it."
The others nodded in agreement, their expressions full of helplessness.
"What about you, Luo Chuan?"
Only Gu Yue turned her gaze toward Tang Luochuan, lost in thought. Could Luo Chuan still absorb more?
"I've had enough for now."
Tang Luochuan shook his head with a smile. Earlier, he and Gu Yue had hunted quite a few as well, and the ones they took down were stronger than what Wu Lin and the others had fought. The increase in Soul Ring age was far greater than this.
"Those people over there actually have so many Soul Ring age points. What luck. Xiaoyan, stay here. Brother will be back soon."
Not far away, Xu Xiaoyu's gaze fell upon Tang Luochuan's group, his attention completely captured by the massive amount of Soul Ring age points. He couldn't help but mutter.
If he didn't seize this opportunity, it would be such a waste.
"Brother, isn't this a bit too much?"
Xu Xiaoyan was momentarily stunned. Stealing the age points others had worked hard to earn—wasn't that just too despicable?
She felt that she and her brother should just focus on hunting Soul Beasts properly. Besides, those people seemed to be around her age. Doing something like this was really too cruel.
"It's fine."
"Brother's fists are strong—that's the only Reason that matters."
Xu Xiaoyu shook his head, a confident smile on his face.
Though he was alone, his current cultivation had already reached rank 39, the absolute peak of what the primary Spirit Ascension Platform allowed below rank 40.
And from the looks of it, those people were about the same age as his little sister. If he couldn't beat them…
Hmph, he might as well not live anymore!
He had no doubt in his own strength. Still, since there were more people on the other side and his sister was weak, it wouldn't be worth it if she got hurt. Better to let her wait here for a while.
With that thought, he dashed toward Tang Luochuan's group alone, anticipation written all over his face.
"Brother…"
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Xu Xiaoyan fell silent, unable to stop herself from murmuring. But for now, all she could do was grip her Starwheel Ice Staff tightly and wait where she was.
"These Soul Ring years will just have to be left here."
"Waiting for the destined ones."
Tang Wulin's face showed a hint of heartache. He had always been particularly frugal with resources—even metal materials he wished he could split in half to use. These Soul Ring years...
If sold, they'd be worth quite a bit!
"Sigh, it can't be helped..."
"Everyone, leave behind the Soul Ring years and withdraw on your own."
At that moment, Xu Xiaoyu's confident voice suddenly rang out, leaving everyone momentarily at a loss.
"Hmm?"
"Is that... Xu Xiaoyan's brother?"
Tang Luochuan was momentarily stunned, clearly recognizing the other's identity. But if he was here, then where was Xu Xiaoyan...
As he pondered, his gaze drifted to a spot under a large tree not far away, where a twin-tailed girl tightly clutching an ice staff came into view—clearly Xu Xiaoyan.
"Ah..."
"That person is looking over here!"
Xu Xiaoyan happened to meet Tang Luochuan's gaze and immediately lowered her head, gripping her ice staff even tighter, appearing timid and nervous.
"Am I really that scary?"
Tang Luochuan withdrew his gaze, sighing inwardly.
"Huh?"
"Are you talking to us?"
Hearing Xu Xiaoyu's words, Xie Xie and the others looked up at the lone Soul Venerable before them, whose Soul Rings were arranged in yellow, yellow, and purple. They were momentarily baffled.
This guy... is he really that confident?
"Who else?"
"I don't want to hurt you. Leave behind the Soul Ring years and withdraw on your own. It'll be better for everyone."
"I'm a level 39 Soul Venerable—you're no match for me."
Xu Xiaoyu wore a smile as he spoke, his ice staff Martial Soul already prepared to strike at any moment.
"Oh really?"
Tang Wulin snorted coldly. The next moment, a purple Soul Ring abruptly appeared. Though he only had one ring, his aura was no weaker.
"A thousand-year Soul Ring?"
"This..."
Xu Xiaoyu froze. A thousand-year Soul Ring with just one ring? This kid was way too strong...
But still, not unbeatable.
Before he could finish his thought, a synchronized wave of purple Soul Rings appeared—only this time, it wasn't just one per person, but two.
"All purple Soul Rings?"
Just as Xu Xiaoyu was dumbfounded, Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue also moved. Three purple Soul Rings emerged behind each of them.
"..."
"I admit my joke earlier was a bit too much. Uh, don't take it too seriously..."
Xu Xiaoyu took a deep breath, then instantly changed his expression, laughing awkwardly.
"I won't disturb you, I'll just leave now—"
Before he could finish speaking, the massive ice spike Gu Yue unleashed pierced straight through his body.
"So noisy."
Gu Yue snorted coldly.
Trying to
show off in front of her and Luo Chuan—how annoying.
"..."
Watching the scene unfold from afar, little Xu Xiaoyan wore a silent expression. She had told him not to do bad things, hadn't she?
Brother, why did you have to provoke them?!