âHurry! Quickly go save him! Does this child not recognize the Duskgold Dreadclaw Bear? Why didnât he hit the ejection button!â
An anxious voice echoed in Tang Wulinâs mind as he gradually regained consciousness, the icy numbness fading from his body at the same time.
A metallic friction sound rang out and in the next moment, light filled his eyes.
Iâm back. Iâm fine. Those were Tang Wulinâs first thoughts, but then he noticed something strange about his state. Why do I feel fine?
His body had been shredded into pieces so he should be experiencing strong residual effects, and yet, he didnât feel anything in particular.
âHow are you doing?â Wu Zhangkongâs face appeared above the metal box.
Staff members also came over, prodding Tang Wulinâs body with a sort of popsicle-looking thing. âAre you conscious? Do you feel cold?â
âYes,â Tang Wulin answered.
âHeâs awake and has feeling. This is odd! He recovered this quickly?â
Tang Wulin grabbed the edge of the metal box and slowly pulled himself up.
A burst of weakness struck his brain, as if his mind had tired. Apart from this, everything else felt normal for him.
âTeacher, Iâm fine.â After confirming that his body had no abnormalities, Tang Wulin got out of the metal box.
Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi and Gu Yue were waiting at the side. Standing right beside his box, Gu Yue only let out a breath of relief when she saw Tang Wulin sit up.
However, the box next to his was bustling with people.
Xie Xie, thatâs Xie Xieâs box.
Xie Xie should be fine, right?
Tang Wulin anxiously asked, âHow is Xie Xieâs state right now?â
Wu Zhangkong said, âHe managed to avoid having his head destroyed at the final moment, but the spiritual backlash for the rest of his body is still great. Heâs currently unconscious, but he should wake up after resting a bit. Oh, heâs conscious.â \nA long sigh of relief escaped from Tang Wulin after hearing that Xie Xie was awake. The most important thing after exiting the spirit ascension platform was waking up. As long as one was able to wake up, the body would be able to slowly recover. After all, they hadnât truly sustained any injuries. Â
Tang Wulin quickly reached Xie Xieâs box and peered inside. Xie Xieâs complexion was pale and his body was twitching. Abnormal twitching of the body was a typical residual effect from dying in the spirit ascension platform.
Twitching is normal after dying in there, but there arenât any effects in my body at all. Why arenât I twitching too?
Tang Wulin wasnât the only person thinking of this question. Within Wu Zhangkongâs heart, he was asking himself the exact same question. It was obvious, however, that Tang Wulin was unable to answer this question.
âAs long as everybody is fine, then thatâs good.â Wu Zhangkong dully said.
âWulin, thank you.â Xie Xieâs weak voice called out from the metal box.
âHuh? What are you thanking me for?â Tang Wulin smiled bitterly.
Xie Xie forced out a difficult smile. âThank you for your Thousand Refined Cloud Titanium vest. If I hadnât worn it on my shoulders, helping to block some of the attack and giving me enough time to react, then my head might have been shredded too. That would have been truly troubling.â
It was only then that Tang Wulin understood Xie Xieâs words. Although it had seemed to him that Xie Xie had been sliced apart, the vest had still slightly protected him. With his sharp reflexes as an Agility System Soul Master, he had just been able to narrowly avoid having his head destroyed.
Come to think of it, it was also like that when the Duskgold Dreadclaw Bear tore me apart from the waist down. Itâs just that I was already dodging at that time. \nâYou guys cheated.â Wu Zhangkongâs cold voice suddenly cut in as he stood there holding a vest. That vest was undoubtedly Xie Xieâs, stripped off during his post-ejection medical inspection.
Tang Wulin immediately blushed with embarrassment and awkwardness. âTeacher Wu, that shouldnât be considered cheating, right? I only made it because I was afraid everyone would suffer like Wang Jinxi the first time.â
Wu Zhangkong handed the vest to Tang Wulin and indifferently commented, âThe craftsmanship is not bad. You can already Thousand Refine?â
âAh?â Tang Wulin was stunned.
âYes!â
Wu Zhangkong said, âFor the first part of your final exam, everyone gets full marks except for you, the captain. You get points deducted because you cheated and encouraged your teammates to cheat. Your final exam score isâŠâ
Tang Wulin listened anxiously for the final verdict, his heart racing.
âJust 99 points.â
âHuh?â
Ninety-nine points? Thatâs not a huge difference from one hundred though? At that moment, Tang Wulin was at a loss as to how to react. The Zhang Yangzi at the side had already started yelling, âLong live Teacher Wu!â
Wu Zhangkong coldly responded, âDonât get so excited just yet. Thereâs still one more section to your final exam. You will need to pass this section too in order to pass your exams.â
A staff member brought out a machine to stabilize Xie Xieâs conditions. This machine sent electric currents into his body to alleviate the side effects of the spirit ascension platform.
Xie Xie had suffered from many residual effects after being killed, so it took him over an hour before he was able to muster enough strength to sit up.
Everyone else had already recovered and were all waiting for Xie Xie. Tang Wulin walked to Wu Zhangkongâs side and softly asked, âI still have another entry card for the rebellion spirit ascension platform. Am I actually able to go in again?â \nâMn?â Wu Zhangkong stared at the card in Tang Wulinâs hand, a trace of astonishment flashing through his eyes.
âThe Blacksmithâs Association gave this to me.â Tang Wulin didnât bother trying to hide it.
Wu Zhangkongâs impression of Tang Wulin changed. He then shook his head and said, âYou donât need to go in again. Thereâs no meaning in it for you. As the rebellion period progresses, the spirit ascension platform will grow increasingly powerful, and even more rabid soul beasts will emerge. If you go in right now, you wonât be able to survive for long at all. You can just hold onto the card for now and use it during the next rebellion period. The card itself is also worth a lot. You could auction it off for quite a sum.â
Tang Wulin had originally wanted to return to the rebellion spirit ascension platform to absorb more spirit energy, but after hearing Wu Zhangkongâs words, he understood that his thoughts had been too naive.
âTeacher Wu, I have an idea, but Iâm not sure if itâs possible to achieve or not. Itâs about the spirit energy we absorbed. This time weâŠâ
Just as Tang Wulin was about to explain, Wu Zhangkongâs hand shot out and covered his mouth. Wu Zhangkongâs eyes shifted to the nearby Spirit Pagoda staff members then whispered, âWeâll discuss this when we get back.â
Tang Wulin realized his error. Thatâs right! We had absorbed so much spirit energy this time that we must have surpassed the average. I really shouldnât talk about this in front of the Spirit Pagoda members.
âYes!â
Xie Xie was piggybacked by Tang Wulin all the way back to the academy. Although Xie Xie was recovered now, he still didnât have full control over his body and all his movements were uncoordinated. According to a Spirit Pagoda staff member, he would need at least a day to recover from this state. Fortunately, there would be no lasting effects. As for whether a shadow had been cast over his heart, only Xie Xie could answer that. \nâIâm fine? I didnât even see what soul beast killed me, so why would I have a shadow over my heart?â Xie Xie said, all thick-skinned.
âThatâs good then.â A faint smile appeared on Tang Wulinâs lips after hearing such a typical response from Xie Xie.
Xie Xie grumpily complained, âItâs so unfair. You were slashed apart too, yet why are you completely fine?â
Tang Wulin shrugged. âI donât know either. Anyways, Iâm just happy I made it out alright. Perhaps itâs also related to your body strength. Your body is still too weak. How about you come with me on morning runs from now on? Itâll increase your constitution and strength.â
Xie Xie teased, âAlright! I can go meet that senior sister with you then.â
Tang Wulin blushed crimson. âWhat meeting with the senior sister? Stop talking about things you donât know about.â
Gu Yueâs gaze instantly locked onto Tang Wulin, while Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi cast curious glances in his direction.
Tang Wulin said dismissively, âItâs nothing. There are a lot of people going on runs in the morning so naturally Iâve met a few seniors.â
Even though the words he spoke denied it, a delicate face appeared within his heart.
It was just as Xie Xie had said; every day he would be able to see Ouyang Zixin on his morning runs. Although he only greeted her each time and occasionally spoke a few words with her, the more he ran, the more familiar he had grown with her.
Moreover, he was so accustomed to seeing her every morning that disappointment would fill his heart if she wasnât there one morning.
âGo back and rest properly. Weâll be summarizing your experiences tomorrow. Tang Wulin, come to my quarters.â Wu Zhangkong immediately issued out these commands the moment they arrived at the academy. \nTang Wulin first delivered Xie Xie to his room and laid him down to rest before heading over to Wu Zhangkongâs office.
âWulin, you must remember that in the future, regardless of whether it be the spirit ascension platform or the Spirit Pagoda, you mustnât speak of any ideas. Instead, wait until you come back. Understood?â Wu Zhangkong advised.
Tang Wulin nodded. âUnderstood, teacher. But why? If the spirit ascension platform has a problem, shouldnât I tell the Spirit Pagoda?â \n