Gu Xun, Yuanen Huihui, Di Qiu'er, Dong Qianqiu, and the others entered the basic Ascension Platform.
Gu Xun sensed a slight sense of dissonance and needed a moment to adjust.
"Is this the Spirit Ascension Platform? It feels just like an ordinary forest."
Yuanen Huihui looked around curiously, constantly glancing left and right as if searching for something.
Di Qiu'er felt an overwhelming sense of familiarity. It was as if she'd played here for thousands of years—how could she not recognize it? The Ascension Platform was modeled after the Star Dou Forest.
Dong Qianqiu noticed striking similarities to the virtual world used during midterm and final exams.
Just as the group was adjusting, a piercing eagle's cry echoed through the air. They looked up to see a century-old Azure Shadow Eagle soaring overhead.
"Enemy spotted! Watch me take it down!"
Yuanen Huihui, seeing his first adversary, immediately summoned his martial spirit and drew his bow, ready to fire.
"Air Lock!"
At that moment, Gu Xun materialized the Heaven-Supporting Divine Spear in his hand, aiming it directly at the Azure Shadow Eagle circling overhead, poised to ambush Gu Xun and his companions.
As Gu Xun activated his skill, the Azure Shadow Eagle was instantly pulled down by an irresistible force. Everyone stared in shock as it slammed violently into the ground, nearly killing itself.
"I didn't even get to shoot..."
Yuanen Huihui silently retracted his bow, surprised it ended so quickly. It felt surprisingly easy, while Gu Xun casually dispatched the Azure Shadow Eagle.
The Azure Shadow Eagle vanished instantly, transforming into spiritual energy that flowed into Yuanen Huihui and Dong Qianqiu's bodies.
"Huh? Why aren't you two absorbing it?"
Dong Qianqiu looked curiously at Di Qiu'er and Gu Xun, prompting them to explain. Gu Xun casually offered a reason.
"Because all my spirit rings and Qiu'er's are self-enhancing spirit rings. They don't require spiritual energy."
"Oh, I see."
Dong Qianqiu understood at once. As for Yuanen Huihui, he already possessed his first spirit ring when he met Gu Xun.
His second spitit ring, like those of Dong Qianqiu, Gu Xun, and Di Qiu'er, was also a self-enhancing soul ring.
That's why Yuanen Huihui could absorb spiritual energy. Afterward, the group wandered around the Spirit Ascension Platform.
"Spirit beasts are approaching up ahead! Leave it to me!"
Spotting the spirit beast, Yuanen Huihui immediately volunteered to handle it, and Gu Xun nodded in agreement.
"Divine Spirit Focus!"
Yuanen Huihui instantly unleashed his first spirit skill. Star Spirit Arrows shot forth like streaks of light.
They struck the century-old Nether Wolf fifty meters away with pinpoint accuracy. The beast collapsed instantly, then dissolved into pure spiritual energy drifting toward them.
"So easy, not a bit of difficulty at all."
Yuanen Huihui felt this basic-level Spirit Ascension Platform posed no challenge whatsoever. Seeing this, Gu Xun led the group to the next area.
"Let's go."
"Oh, here comes Lord Brother."
The group resumed their search through the forest, eventually locating a thousand-year-old Cyclops. For a thousand-year spirit beast, all three would attack together.
"Golden Dragon Body!"
Di Qiu'er charged forward, her footsteps leaving spiderweb-like cracks in the ground.
"Such terrifying power..."
Dong Qianqiu marveled at Di Qiu'er, now radiating golden light. She leapt into the air and slammed a fist into the cyclops's skull.
Boom!
The cyclops collapsed, falling into a baby-like slumber. Youth had its perks—it could sleep anytime, anywhere.
Di Qiu'er landed on the ground, glancing at the millennia-old cyclops that had taken her punch and now lay asleep, sated. It felt so weak.
"One punch took it out?"
Dong Qianqiu stared in disbelief, astonished that Di Qiu'er had knocked out the millennia-old spirit beast with a single blow.
Di Qiu'er nodded, then transformed her right hand into a dragon claw, finishing off the millennia-old cyclops.
Pure spiritual energy surged toward Dong Qianqiu and Yuanen Huihui, continuously enhancing the years of their spirit rings.
"Feels kinda... simple."
Di Qiu'er glanced at the sleeping cyclops and couldn't help but complain about how easy this basic-level Spirit Ascension Platform was.
"Qiu'er, save some for Qianqiu and Huihui. There's movement over there—let's go check it out."
Gu Xun sensed the disturbance and beckoned the others. Seeing this, they hurriedly followed him.
Soon, eight golden leopards came into view. They appeared to be one large family—two thousand-year-olds and six hundred-year-olds.
"Finally, some opponents worthy of warming me up."
Di Qiu'er perked up at the sight. Yuanen Huihui drew his bow, ready to strike at any moment, while Dong Qianqiu circulated his soul power, poised to act.
"Master Brother, let's take them down!"
"Let's blast them to smithereens!"
Seeing the trio itching for battle, Gu Xun immediately gave the order. Di Qiu'er and Dong Qianqiu charged forward the instant they heard it.
"Second spirit skill: Poison Spirit Devouring Soul!"
Yuanen Huihui instantly fired a poison arrow, which flew between Di Qiu'er and Dong Qianqiu.
The commotion instantly caught the attention of all the golden leopards. Turning their heads, they saw a golden and a blue figure approaching.
Whoosh!
A flash of green light streaked toward them, striking the head of a hundred-year-old golden leopard with pinpoint accuracy.