Word Count: 2,985
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"Zhao Xuanzhen, time to go!"
Dawn had only just begun to break when a rapid series of knocks sounded on Zhao Xuanzhen's door. The girl's crisp, buoyant voice made her cheerful mood unmistakable.
"Coming, coming."
Zhao Xuanzhen opened the door. His clear black eyes reflected Na Er's lively figure, a trace of helplessness lingering in them.
"We're going on vacation! How can you not be even a little excited?" Na Er planted her hands on her hips, looking at him with the disappointment of one hating iron for not becoming steel.
"We've worked our tails off for four whole years, up before dawn and busy till dark, classes six and a half days a week, studying secondary professions, training in the Spirit Ascension Platform, getting tortured in the True Illusory Realm... and only now is Aunt Leng rewarding us with a trip to Eastsea City. You need to show a little enthusiasm!
I spent half the night looking up travel guides on SpiritNet. Eastsea City really lives up to its name as a seaside tourist city. Sun, beaches, waves, it's got everything, and there are so many local specialties too!"
Na Er had not changed one bit at heart. The moment food came up, she could not help swallowing. Then she turned her bright silver eyes on Zhao Xuanzhen, sparkling with obvious anticipation.
"Oh, right. Look at me. What's different today?"
"Oh?"
Zhao Xuanzhen gave her a careful once-over and spotted the difference at once. Probably because they were going out on a trip, Na Er had clearly taken extra care dressing up.
She wore a pure white cinched-waist short dress paired with white-and-gold crystal shoes. Delicate ornaments hung from her silver hair. Even Zhao Xuanzhen, long since used to Na Er's appearance, had to admit she looked almost unfairly beautiful today.
Na Er bore half the Silver Dragon King's being, and the peerless beauty she had been born with was beyond anything mortals could match. Any intelligent being who laid eyes on this girl would sigh over heaven's favoritism. Only such favoritism could create a beauty etched into the very depths of one's bloodline.
"Do I look good?"
Na Er caught the flicker of surprise in Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes and grew even smugger.
"A little pretty."
"Tch! o(^｀)o"
Na Er gave a light snort and tried to act cool, but a born comedian was doomed to fail at that sort of persona. She slipped up after barely a second, and the upward curve of her lips gave away the delight she felt inside.
"Let's go, go, go! Destination: Eastsea City!"
She dropped the act altogether, wrapped both arms around Zhao Xuanzhen's, and dragged him downstairs to meet up with Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu had sent them a message on their Spirit Communication Devices, telling them to meet at an open area today. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na Er rode the elevator down and stepped out of the 108-story Spirit Pagoda, immediately spotting a graceful, mature figure in the distance.
Heavenly Phoenix Douluo had changed into a black dress. Time never defeated beauty. Her skin was smooth and snow-fair, so delicate it seemed breakable at a touch, while her bearing was poised and noble. Her full yet slender figure looked as if it had been sculpted with perfect care, every proportion flawless. Any more or any less would have ruined the whole.
"Teacher! / Aunt Leng!"
The two of them waved at Leng Yaozhu, and a smile instantly bloomed across her crimson phoenix eyes.
"Aunt Leng, how are we getting to Eastsea City? By Spirit Train?" Na Er asked impatiently.
"Of course not." Leng Yaozhu's voice was gentle. "The Spirit Train is crowded, full of prying eyes, and too slow. We have a better option."
She clapped her hands, and a streak of black light descended from the sky.
A black phoenix-shaped metal construct with a wingspan of more than thirty meters appeared overhead. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na Er looked up at the towering product of modern Spirit Guidance Technology. Both of them, already 4-star in their secondary professions, exclaimed in unison:
"A black-grade Mecha?!"
"A black-grade Mecha. Skyfire Phoenix." Leng Yaozhu smiled faintly. "Come on up. It's much faster than a Spirit Train."
Skyfire Phoenix was a black-grade Mecha that Leng Yaozhu had personally built in her youth. As her own strength soared over the years, a black-grade Mecha had gradually fallen behind her growth.
She had never entertained the idea of upgrading Skyfire Phoenix. After all, even the most top-tier red-grade Mecha was only comparable to Three-Word Battle Armor and could not possibly factor into the battles of a Four-Word Battle Armor Master or a Limit Douluo.
So Leng Yaozhu had simply refitted Skyfire Phoenix into a flying vehicle. With its two massive soul-refined metal turbines and its eye-catching phoenix shell, this black Mecha had, for a time, practically been a symbol of Heavenly Phoenix Douluo herself.
The three boarded the black-grade Mecha. Leng Yaozhu sat alone in the forward cabin and personally served as pilot for the two juniors, while Zhao Xuanzhen and Na Er enjoyed the luxurious interior of Skyfire Phoenix.
Skyfire Phoenix was enormous, a super-large Mecha whose interior was broader than a living room. Sofas and tea tables sat piled high with snacks and drinks. A gold-and-crimson Flame Lion King rug covered the metal floor, muffling every footstep. Warmth surged up from beneath their feet straight to the tops of their heads.
Skyfire Phoenix ripped through the sky. Crimson tail flames burst from its exhausts, plowing a furrow through the sea of clouds that lingered long without dispersing. The shriek it gave as it launched sounded just like a phoenix crying out as it rose reborn from fire.
"So comfy~ I seriously love vacations!"
Na Er flopped onto the sofa and casually grabbed a pillow to hug.
The flight from Spirit Pagoda headquarters to Eastsea City would take several hours. Since this was a rare holiday, neither of them had any intention of cultivating on the way. Both took out their Spirit Communication Devices and logged onto SpiritNet.
Zhao Xuanzhen usually only used SpiritNet to browse the news, while Na Er's interests ranged all over the place. Before long, she found a wildly popular recommendation and exclaimed excitedly:
"Zhao Xuanzhen, I found a new novel. Come look!"
"You switched books again?"
Zhao Xuanzhen had already put away every last emotional ripple from the previous night. He sat down beside Na Er, his composure as still as a quiet lake. "I remember the last one you read was called something like 'The Counterattack of Trash Sanpao: Holy Dragon Awakening.'
'In my past life, I was Luo Sanpao, forever unable to break through to Spirit Elder. My family despised me, my enemies looked down on me, and even my fiancée abandoned me.
But I have been reborn! In this life, Luo Sanpao has awakened into the Light Holy Dragon. I will take back everything I lost!'"
Having someone recite that sort of thing to her face was the height of embarrassment. Na Er shot Zhao Xuanzhen an annoyed glare and argued back:
"That whole trash-protagonist reborn-to-make-a-comeback thing is outdated! This one is a sweet romance with two overpowered leads!"
She raised her Spirit Communication Device in one hand and declaimed with full dramatic flair: "He, the Angel God King who could cover the heavens with one hand, fell in love at first sight with her, the Emperor Destiny Beast!
That night, with the wind dark and the moon high, he pinned her against the wall, gave a wicked smile, and whispered in her ear, 'Be with me, and I'll give you my life!'"
"'The Domineering Angel Falls for Me'..."
Zhao Xuanzhen nearly choked. He was nothing like Na Er. He simply could not withstand such earth-shattering, heaven-defying melodrama!
He might look like a primary school student on the outside, but mentally he was a seventeen-year-old genius high schooler!
"Don't insult my taste!"
Na Er sensed the thick malice packed into those six words and lightly bumped him in annoyance. Then her expression turned wistful. "Love is such a beautiful thing. When I find someone I like, I'll give him my life too!"
"Huh? Is your life really that valuable?"
"...Zhao Xuanzhen, your attack power is way too high. You've broken my defenses."
Na Er went silent for a long while, then looked at Zhao Xuanzhen with a complicated expression. This guy woke up every single day ready to spew venom. She was convinced he didn't even dare purse his lips, for fear of poisoning himself.
Na Er was not the only one whose defenses had been shattered. Zhao Xuanzhen's remark landed like a critical strike on Leng Yaozhu's soul as well. From the forward cabin, she quietly reflected on the bitter first half of her life, then decisively resolved that once the vacation ended, Zhao Xuanzhen's training load would be doubled and then some!
Completely unaware that he had stabbed two people right in the sore spot, Zhao Xuanzhen continued talking away. "I think you should keep your life and just give him a 100,000-year spirit bone instead. The attribute doesn't matter. Spirit Masters these days aren't picky."
"A 100,000-year spirit bone?!" Na Er leaned back in disbelief. "Forget it then. I can't afford that on my three thousand federation coins a month.
Hey, I found the prettiest beach in Eastsea City. Let's go swimming there tomorrow morning!"
"Deal."
"Aunt Leng, come play with us too!"
The two of them spent the trip excitedly discussing how to spend their holiday. Then Na Er started pestering Leng Yaozhu to join them at the beach. Leng Yaozhu initially declined in her tactful way, but after Zhao Xuanzhen added a few words of persuasion, she ultimately could not bear to keep refusing and agreed to accompany them.
Skyfire Phoenix flew through the clouds straight toward Eastsea City. Because Leng Yaozhu held exceptionally high special clearance within the Sun-Moon Federation, every city-defense detection system along the way let them pass without question. The group encountered no obstacles at all, much less an ambush from Evil Spirit Masters.
"Xuanzhen, Na Er, we've entered Eastsea City's airspace," Leng Yaozhu reminded them.
The two glanced out the window. A light rain was falling over Eastsea City. Streams of water drew winding trails across the glass while a thin mist gathered over Skyfire Phoenix's metal wings.
Eastsea City was one of the locations of the Eighteen Pillars of Heaven. Though its prosperity fell far short of Shrek City, it remained one of the Sun-Moon Federation's major eastern cities, its streets stretching like branching veins toward every corner of the city.
"Look down there. It seems like Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda rolled out a red carpet for us." Zhao Xuanzhen let out a soft laugh.
Skyfire Phoenix cut through the air and descended toward the open ground surrounding Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda. The personnel there had clearly received advance notice. Elite deacons stood lined up on both sides, and a stern-faced middle-aged man waited at the very front to welcome the distinguished guests aboard the black phoenix.
Like a true phoenix spreading its body, Skyfire Phoenix's feather-shaped tail thrusters spewed streams of flame, brutally tearing open the rainclouds. The shadow cast by its wings blanketed the earth below.
"Her Excellency Heavenly Phoenix has arrived. Stay sharp. Don't embarrass yourselves!"
The middle-aged man barked the order in a low voice. He was Lu Ming, the Eastsea City Spirit Pagoda's Branch Master, an old subordinate personally promoted by Leng Yaozhu. He now stood at the head of the senior deacons, leading the formation to receive her.
The instant Skyfire Phoenix touched down, its reverse engines blasted blazing light downward, drawing every eye present. Given Leng Yaozhu's status and wealth, even a black-grade Mecha used purely for transportation was built with materials nearly as extravagant as anything short of a red-grade model. The cabin door rotated open, steam billowed outward, and three figures slowly stepped forth.
Lu Ming drew a deep breath and bowed low. "This subordinate, Lu Ming of Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda, greets Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix!"
"It's been a long time, Lu Ming." Leng Yaozhu gave a slight nod.
The Branch Masters of the Eighteen Pillars of Heaven could be considered regional lords within the Spirit Pagoda system. As the Eastsea Branch Master personally appointed by Leng Yaozhu, Lu Ming was one of the Phoenix Clan's key supporters.
Under Lu Ming's command, Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda not only provided normal services such as Spirit Souls and the Spirit Ascension Platform but also took responsibility for recruiting talent on behalf of the Spirit Pagoda, or more precisely, on behalf of the Phoenix Clan. Elementalist Gu Yue had been one of the people he recommended.
"I've brought my disciple to Eastsea City for a vacation, and while I'm here, I'll inspect that girl called Gu Yue." Leng Yaozhu got straight to the point. "Where is Gu Yue now?"
"Reporting to Your Excellency Heavenly Phoenix: Gu Yue is a Class Zero student at Eastsea Academy. Today, Eastsea City's Elementary Spirit Ascension Platform has entered its Rebellion Period, and the academy's teachers have sent Gu Yue and the other students inside for training."
What... Gu Yue?
Na Er was instantly startled. Leng Yaozhu had only sent a message saying she was taking the two of them on vacation. She had never once mentioned Gu Yue.
Could the world really be this small? They had only just stepped out of Spirit Pagoda headquarters, and they ran into Gu Yue on the very same day?
The words 'Rebellion Period' made a glint flash through Zhao Xuanzhen's eyes. He immediately locked onto the exact point in the timeline: Tang Wulin had been enrolled for half a year, Class Zero had been established for three months, it was the final exam period, and the Eastsea quartet was about to meet for the first time.
"The Rebellion Period of the Spirit Ascension Platform..." Leng Yaozhu murmured thoughtfully.
The Spirit Ascension Platform entered its Rebellion Period twice each year. Originally, that had been caused by unstable energy, but as technology advanced and the Spirit Ascension Platform came under control, the Rebellion Period had transformed into a special mechanism.
Once the Spirit Ascension Platform entered its Rebellion Period, the number of spirit beasts inside increased dramatically and they became extremely active. The internal danger level soared, but at the same time, Spirit Masters could kill more spirit beasts and complete more spirit ring advancement.
"Xuanzhen, Na Er." Leng Yaozhu's tone turned businesslike. "The two of you are going into the Rebellion Spirit Ascension Platform. Test Gu Yue's abilities for me. I'll be watching your actions from the observation room."
"Aunt Leng, we came here on vacation... do we really have to go in?"
Na Er's little face twisted up in conflict.
It was not fear. After spending four years in the human world, Na Er had already developed an absolutely human nature.
Back then, the Myriad Demon King had failed to act because there were too many powerful figures in Shrek City, and that missed opportunity had been Gu Yue's only chance to forcibly merge with Na Er. Now, as long as Na Er resisted in her heart, Gu Yue would never be able to perfectly fuse that thirty percent of power.
Na Er was not afraid of Gu Yue, but she did not want to see her again either. Human nature and beast nature were innately at odds.
"You have to."
Leng Yaozhu's tone was firm, leaving no room whatsoever for discussion. "Testing Gu Yue is only one of your tasks. You have a second, more important one: kill the guardian of Eastsea City's Elementary Spirit Ascension Platform.
If you fail, tomorrow I'll arrange a deep-sea training session for the two of you."
Na Er fell obediently silent at once and walked meekly into Eastsea City's Spirit Pagoda. Zhao Xuanzhen, meanwhile, had said nothing from beginning to end. Based on what he knew of Leng Yaozhu, he had a faint sense that his teacher harbored another objective entirely.
Killing the platform guardian is more important... that 100-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear?
Zhao Xuanzhen turned it over carefully in his mind. Soon after, the two of them lay down inside the metal cabins under the personal guidance of Eastsea Branch Master Lu Ming.
Before the official entry began, Lu Ming spoke in a grave voice: "Unlike the normal period, the Rebellion Spirit Ascension Platform allows team entry. The two of you will be teleported in together.
Be careful of the agitated spirit beasts, and beware of the other Spirit Masters inside. When you hunt spirit beasts during the Rebellion Period, the time allowed for absorbing spiritual energy is extended a hundredfold. However, once you leave the Spirit Ascension Platform, any spiritual energy you haven't absorbed will be siphoned away by nearby Spirit Masters.
At a time like this, humans can be far more dangerous than spirit beasts. To put it bluntly, aside from each other, every other Spirit Master in there is your enemy."
The light gradually faded and the scanning instruments hummed to life. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na Er were teleported into the Spirit Ascension Platform, leaving only Leng Yaozhu and Lu Ming in the room.
"Lu Ming," Leng Yaozhu said evenly.
"This subordinate is here."
"Have you completed the matter I assigned to you?"
Lu Ming felt as though even his heart were trembling. Those few treasures were exceedingly rare in the world. Producing several of them at once had required roundabout methods even from Heavenly Phoenix Douluo, Vice Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda. He immediately replied with the utmost deference:
"This subordinate has carried out your orders exactly. Those two spirit beasts were successfully deployed. They have replaced the 100-year Dark Gold Terror Claw Bear and become the new guardians of Eastsea City's Elementary Spirit Ascension Platform..."