LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 138: Chapter 138: The Exam Begins!
The next day, Wu Zhangkong led the Zero Class students to Eastsea's Spirit Pagoda.
"Big Sister Gu Yue, what kind of things do you study at the Spirit Pagoda?" Xu Xiaoyan sidled up to Gu Yue as they walked through the mural hall, her voice cheerful. "Is it related to the Spirit Ascension Platform?"
Gu Yue shot a brief, indifferent glance at Xu Xiaoyan and replied calmly, "Guess."
"Hmph, so boring." Xu Xiaoyan pouted, frustrated by the lack of response. She shuffled to the other side of Jing Shaoyu, clinging to his arm with a slightly sulky expression.
Jing Shaoyu chuckled inwardly. This girl never learns, does she? She keeps provoking Gu Yue and gets shut down every time. Still, she never gives up.
"Gu Yue, this is your territory now, huh?" Xie Xie quipped with a grin. His comment was more to lighten the mood; he didn't expect Gu Yue to respond.
True enough, Gu Yue said nothing and continued walking with her usual aloof expression.
Gu Yue's membership in the Spirit Pagoda was no secret, and Wu Zhangkong had no objections. He'd always maintained that he didn't care which organizations his students joined.
In truth, Wu Zhangkong was more concerned about Jing Shaoyu's decision. Shaoyu had yet to join any organization—not the Tang Sect, not the Spirit Pagoda—which left Wu Zhangkong with a faint sense of hope.
Deep down, he wished Shaoyu would remain unaffiliated. That way, he could join Shrek Academy, enter the inner court, perhaps even the Sea God Pavilion, and truly become part of Shrek.
Wu Zhangkong believed someone as exceptional as Jing Shaoyu should lead Shrek Academy's younger generation and perhaps even become its future leader.
If Jing Shaoyu knew Wu Zhangkong's thoughts, he'd likely joke, Teacher Wu, great minds think alike. Why don't you ask Yun Ming to step aside and let me take over as Pavilion Master? He can settle for being the Vice Master of the Spirit Pagoda.
The Zero Class had its affiliations divided. Gu Yue belonged to the Spirit Pagoda, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were Tang Sect members, and Jing Shaoyu was destined for the Spirit Pagoda. Only Xu Xiaoyan hadn't shown interest in any organization.
Whenever Shaoyu asked Xu Xiaoyan about it, she'd respond with a confused expression, clearly having no thoughts on the matter. In the original timeline, her joining seemed more like following the crowd than a deliberate choice.
Shaoyu knew she was simply waiting for him to decide so she could follow him.
"Ah!" Xu Xiaoyan suddenly exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention.
"What's wrong, Xiaoyan?" Jing Shaoyu asked, startled by her outburst.
"I just realized something," Xu Xiaoyan said, her face serious. "Isn't the beginner Spirit Ascension Platform restricted to soul masters below Rank 40? Wouldn't that mean Brother Shaoyu can't enter with us?"
Her question made Tang Wulin and Xie Xie frown as well.
"The level cap is relaxed during the riot period," Gu Yue explained calmly. "Soul Elders can also enter during this time."
"Phew, that's a relief!" Xu Xiaoyan said with a smile, visibly relaxing.
This little interlude lightened the mood.
When they reached the Spirit Ascension Platform registration room, now essentially reserved for Zero Class, the Spirit Pagoda staff couldn't help but grimace. Oh great, these little terrors are back. Looks like another overtime shift.
Over the years, the students' increasing strength had rendered the regular Spirit Ascension Platform insufficiently challenging. Their prolonged presence often drew complaints from the staff.
Still, there was nothing Wu Zhangkong or the students could do about it.
Each student entered their respective cabins. A faint tingling sensation enveloped their minds, followed by a flash of white light. Fresh, invigorating air greeted their senses as they materialized in a familiar setting: the beginner Spirit Ascension Platform during its riot period.
This wasn't their first time in the riot-period platform, so none of them showed surprise or curiosity. Instead, they immediately prepared for battle.
"Formation!" Jing Shaoyu ordered firmly.
"Yes!" the others replied in unison.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie moved to the front and rear positions of the formation, activating their martial souls and soul rings. Tang Wulin unleashed his Golden Dragon Claw, which could be considered a martial soul, and two purple soul rings appeared behind him. Xie Xie dual-wielded his Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger, accompanied by three purple soul rings. Yes, Xie Xie had finally shed his outlier status in the team. Through considerable effort, he had upgraded his spirit to a purple one before reaching Rank 30.
Jing Shaoyu, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan formed the center. Xu Xiaoyan held her Star Staff, supported by three deep-purple soul rings, each over 3,000 years old. Gu Yue stood with her arms crossed, exuding confidence, her three purple soul rings glowing faintly. Jing Shaoyu, meanwhile, summoned his Origin Spirit Martial Soul, accompanied by four deep black soul rings.
The sight of Shaoyu's black soul rings drew sharp contrasts against the other purple ones, making them stand out starkly in the beginner platform.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged knowing looks. They weren't surprised by Shaoyu's black soul rings—if anything, they found it entirely expected. Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan, having seen them the previous evening, showed no reaction.
Outside the platform, the Spirit Pagoda staff stared in disbelief. Black… black soul rings?! Did we really just see black soul rings in the beginner platform? Is this a joke? That kid, Jing Shaoyu, was at three purple rings last month. How is he at four black rings now?
Are we witnessing history in the making?
Even Wu Zhangkong couldn't hide his astonishment. Seeing Shaoyu's four black soul rings, he felt a surge of excitement. Any lingering doubts about Shaoyu's potential to earn the Sea God Pavilion's attention vanished. If someone like him doesn't catch their eye, the elders of the pavilion might as well retire. They'd only hold Shrek back.
The Zero Class began moving forward cautiously, their steps steady. The grass around them swayed as if whispering to Jing Shaoyu, reporting on the surroundings. His growing strength had enhanced his influence over plants, and he could easily control these non-spiritual grasses to scout for enemies.
After advancing about 600 to 700 meters, the forest remained eerily silent. No soul beasts, no soul masters—nothing stirred.
"Isn't it a little too quiet?" Jing Shaoyu remarked.
"It is," Gu Yue agreed. She raised a hand, conjuring a small green bird of wind, which flitted ahead to scout the forest. More wind birds followed, spreading out in different directions to gather information.
Moments later, Gu Yue's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "About five kilometers ahead, there's a skirmish."
"A skirmish?" The group halted and turned to Gu Yue. Jing Shaoyu asked, "Can you tell who's fighting?"
"I'll try." Gu Yue closed her eyes, a breeze swirling around her. Her hands moved in a rhythmic pattern as she concentrated. After a brief silence, she opened her eyes and said coldly, "It's a group of soul masters being attacked by a pack of soul beasts. I can't determine the numbers or strengths of either side, but I can confirm that most nearby soul beasts are gathered there."
"Interesting," Jing Shaoyu mused. After a moment's thought, he asked, "What do you all think? Should we check it out?"
"Yes," Gu Yue immediately replied.
"I agree!" Xu Xiaoyan chimed in enthusiastically. She rarely opposed Shaoyu's decisions and usually followed his lead.
"We're in," Tang Wulin and Xie Xie said simultaneously.
"Alright, let's take a look," Jing Shaoyu decided. "We'll assess the situation and see if there's an opportunity to muddy the waters and reap some benefits."
His suggestion sparked excitement among the group. Meddling and opportunism were strategies they were quite familiar with—and thoroughly enjoyed.
As for the risk of jeopardizing their exam? Please, with their strength, they were practically invincible
in the beginner platform. Unless their opponents were all Soul Elders, they had nothing to fear.
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