Gu Xun smiled warmly at Dong Qianqiu, who nodded in response. Glancing at the hand Gu Xun still held, her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Um... how much is this spirit ring? I'll pay you."
Dong Qianqiu thought to herself, Surely a spirit ring that grows on its own must be incredibly expensive?
Gu Xun paused at Dong Qianqiu's concern, then waved his hand dismissively.
"I already said it's a gift. If you insist, maybe next time you can give me something in return."
Dong Qianqiu had no idea what could possibly match the value of this self-growing spirit ring.
Could she possibly offer himself? No, absolutely not! Dong Qianqiu, how could you even think that? How utterly mortifying!
Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Gu Xun, observing Dong Qianqiu's chameleon-like transformation, also noticed they were still holding hands.
Seeing this, Gu Xun silently withdrew his hand. Dong Qianqiu stared blankly at his retreating fingers.
As the warmth of his large hand released her smaller one, Dong Qianqiu's blush faded, replaced by an inexplicable sense of loss.
"Alright, Qianqiu. Since you've broken through to Level 22 Grand Spiritmaster, let's prepare and head to the Spirit Ascension Platform at the Spirit Pagoda together."
Dong Qianqiu snapped back to reality. Right—she still had that entry ticket for the Basic Spirit Ascension Platform she'd drawn at the academy, unused.
"Sure, I'm ready anytime."
Dong Qianqiu nodded, signaling she was ready to depart. Gu Xun rose and headed for the door.
Dong Qianqiu hurried after him. They found Yuanen Huihui and Di Qiu'er still lazily in bed.
Thanks to the holiday break, the pair had been sleeping in every day, leaving Gu Xun feeling utterly helpless.
"Time to get up!"
Smack!
Five minutes later, Di Qiu'er and Yuanen Huihui emerged from their rooms clutching their behinds.
"Lord Brother, it's a rare holiday. Why get up so early?"
"Yeah, I finally got some sleep last night..."
Gu Xun shook his head helplessly at their listless expressions before gesturing for them to eat first.
"After breakfast, I'll take you to the Basic Spirit Ascension Platform at the Spirit Pagoda."
The moment the words left his mouth, Di Qiu'er and Yuanen Huihui perked up instantly, diving straight into their food.
Dong Qianqiu smiled at the two lively ones, who seemed like the group's natural entertainers.
After quickly finishing breakfast, everyone used the teleportation anchor to arrive at Heaven Dou Planet.
They boarded Di Tian's private vehicle heading toward the Spirit Pagoda. Yuanen Huihui sat in the front passenger seat, while Di Qiu'er, Gu Xun, and Dong Qianqiu took the back seats.
"Wow~ That black tower is so tall! It looks taller than the big treehouse at my house!"
Yuan En Huihui exclaimed, gazing at the towering Spirit Pagoda in the distance. Di Qiu'er glanced at the tower.
"So this is the Spirit Pagoda founded by Dai Yuhao? Should we blow it up?"
Hearing Di Qiu'er's words, Dong Qianqiu's expression changed. Could she please not say such terrifying things!
Di Qiu'er's words sent a chill down Dong Qianqiu's spine. Yuanen Huihui pondered for a moment before replying.
"How much explosives would it take for something this big?"
Dong Qianqiu felt embarrassed. Could you two please stop talking about such terrifying things?
"Calm down, both of you. Sure, the Spirit Pagoda was built by Dai Yuhao, but it has nothing to do with him now."
"It might bear his name, but he's completely detached from it. Don't be so extreme."
Gu Xun urged Di Qiu'er and Yuanen Huihui to rein in their words, lest they cause a scene at the Spirit Pagoda.
"Oh."
Yuanen Huihui and Di Qiu'er obediently complied. Soon, Di Tian's private car pulled up at the Spirit Pagoda entrance.
The group disembarked and approached the tower, arriving at the front desk.
"Hello, children. What brings you to the Spirit Pagoda?"
The receptionist greeted the four exquisitely dressed youngsters with a smile.
"We're here to claim a reward. We're from Heaven Dou Elementry Spirit Master Academy. The name on the reward is Dong Qianqiu."
Gu Xun spoke up. The receptionist paused, then began searching the records.
"One moment please... All right, young Dong Qianqiu, correct? Please proceed to Room 2 on the fourth floor to collect your reward."
"Thank you. Let's go."
Gu Xun thanked her, then gestured to the others. They immediately took the elevator to the fourth floor and soon arrived at the door of Room 2.
They entered together. The Spirit Master in charge looked at them expectantly.
"Which one of you is Dong Qianqiu?"
"This one."
Gu Xun pointed to Dong Qianqiu, who stepped forward. The Spirit Transmitter checked the records and nodded.
"The five-hundred-year spirit ring ascension period, along with one entry to the Basic Ascension Platform. You may bring a maximum of five people into the Basic Ascension Platform."
"Understood."
Dong Qianqiu acknowledged the limit as the Spirit Master explained.
Gu Xun, Yuanen Huihui, Di Qiu'er, Dong Qianqiu, and the others then entered the Basic Ascension Platform.
As their consciousnesses sank into it, they opened their eyes again to find themselves in a forest.