thefictionvixens Chapter 62: The Ascension Platform
Chapter 62: The Ascension Platform
The next day, Wu Changkong walked into the classroom as usual.
However, this time he did not lead the trainees to the operations room for live-fire training. Instead, he took a few people to a special car and waited until the car started moving before speaking:
"Today, I'm taking you all to the Spirit Transfer Tower. From today onwards, every Friday, you'll have one opportunity to enter the Spirit Transfer Tower's Ascension Platform to cultivate. You must cherish this opportunity; the academy has invested a considerable amount to secure it."
"It's actually the Spirit Ascension Platform! The academy really has a lot of resources!"
Upon hearing Wu Changkong's words, Xie Xie exclaimed in surprise.
Wang Jinxi and Zhang Yangzi, standing to the side, also looked on with surprise.
"Brother Chen, Sister Gu Yue, what is the Spirit Ascension Platform? Do you know?"
Hearing the three exclamations, Tang Wulin curiously asked the person closest to him.
"I don't know much about the Spirit Ascension Platform, I've only heard that it can increase the age of spirit rings. Yue, what about you?"
Upon hearing Tang Wulin's question, Yu Chen shared the answer he knew, and then asked Gu Yue.
"Increase the age of a spirit ring? Is that... really possible?!"
Tang Wulin's surprise was palpable; this information had a significant impact on him.
Gu Yue nodded slightly and explained further in a clear and steady tone:
"Chen is right. The Spirit Ascension Platform is one of the core technologies of the Spirit Pagoda, specifically designed for Soul Master training. It simulates the ecosystem of the ancient Soul Beast Forest, where Soul Masters fight against various Soul Beasts."
Upon successful kill, one can absorb a special energy to enhance the cultivation years of their own soul.
She paused briefly, giving them time to process what she was saying, before continuing:
"More importantly, the Ascension Platform itself is a protected virtual space."
The Soul Master's consciousness will be completely immersed in it, gaining a near-realistic combat experience, but their physical body will remain safe.
Even if one 'dies' within the Ascension Platform, it will not cause fatal damage in reality. It truly is a sacred cultivation ground that every Soul Master dreams of.
"but,"
Gu Yue then changed the subject, highlighting the key point.
"The entry requirements are extremely stringent. Even the lowest level, the Elementary Spirit Ascension Platform, costs as much as 500,000 Federal Credits for a single entry."
Moreover, money is not the only requirement; the number of admissions is limited each month, and without certain connections, even money cannot guarantee a chance.
After listening to Gu Yue's detailed explanation, everyone showed expressions of longing.
Even Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi, who came from relatively good backgrounds, knew how precious such an opportunity was. Xie Xie was already eager to try, while Tang Wulin's eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Yu Chen is undoubtedly the one most looking forward to.
What attracted him was neither the increase in the age of his spirit rings, nor the "Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear Right Palm Bone" opportunity that might exist in the original work.
Rather, it was the setting of "complete immersion of consciousness in the virtual world" itself—it sounded too much like the immersive virtual games in those novels from his previous life. The one that impressed Yu Chen the most was "Grandpa Tong".
With anticipation for the Ascension Platform, the car soon came to a stop, and the group arrived at the Spirit Transmission Tower in Donghai City.
Looking up from below: the spire at the top soars into the clouds, giving the impression that it has no end in sight.
Upon seeing this scene, Yu Chen and Tang Wulin, two country bumpkins who were visiting the East Sea Spirit Pagoda for the first time, were deeply shocked.
Nothing compares to the awe-inspiring experience of seeing the real thing in person, whether it's someone else's description or a book.
The most magnificent building the two had ever seen before was the Spirit Transmission Tower in Aolai City, but compared to the Spirit Transmission Tower in the East Sea before them, it was worlds apart.
Even just gazing at the East China Sea Spirit Transmission Pagoda from afar, one can feel its magnificent and imposing aura.
It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Eighteen Heavenly Pillars.
At this moment, Long Hengxu was already waiting here.
After greeting Wu Changkong, Long Hengxu led the way.
Long Hengxu acted swiftly and efficiently, leading everyone through the first-floor lobby without any obstacles, and directly onto the soul-guided elevator that went deep underground.
As they walked down the corridor, Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and the others were all drawn to the exquisite murals adorning the hall.
The murals vividly depict the epic growth and battles of Huo Yuhao, the founder of the Spirit Pagoda, the inventor of Soul Spirits, and the legendary Soul Master, the Ice Douluo. The stories are highly engaging and have captivated the hearts of young people.
However, Yu Chen's attention was not on these murals. He had heard that Tang Wulin and his sister looked somewhat alike, and Yu Chen was curious whether it was true as the rumors suggested.
He glanced at the Frankenstein's monster on the mural and then at Tang Wulin in the group, his focus completely different from the other four.
Whether it was because Yu Chen was somewhat face-blind or because Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Emperor had not fully awakened, Yu Chen did not see any resemblance between the two.
Finally, whether it was psychological or not, Yu Chen noticed that the two had a slight resemblance in their eyes and brows.
"Chen, what are you looking at?"
Gu Yue noticed his darting gaze and asked softly, assuming he was attracted by the image of Tang Wutong in the mural.
"It's nothing," Yu Chen replied softly, withdrawing his gaze.
"I just feel that Wu Lin and that Dragon Butterfly Douluo Tang Wutong have a somewhat inexplicable resemblance in their eyes and brows. Moreover, the names 'Wu Tong' and 'Wu Lin' are quite fitting."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yue also carefully examined the mural and Tang Wulin, a thoughtful glint flashing in her purple eyes:
Now that you mention it, it does look somewhat similar. Especially the shape of the eyes.
Xie Xie chimed in, "Doesn't it look like it? His hair and eyes are all pinkish-blue, while Wu Lin's are all black. They're worlds apart."
"Alright, concentrate."
Long Hengxu's voice interrupted the hushed discussion, and the heavy metal door began to close, slowly and steadily descending.
"When I first saw these murals, my reaction was the same as yours. You'll get used to it after seeing them a few more times. Now, get yourself ready; you can only rely on yourselves inside the Ascension Platform."
"Isn't Teacher Wu coming in with us?" Tang Wulin asked, somewhat surprised.
Wu Changkong explained calmly, "The primary Spirit Ascension Platform has cultivation level restrictions; only Soul Masters below the fourth ring are allowed to enter."
Long Hengxu nodded and added, "We will monitor the entire process from the external monitoring room. Remember, if you encounter danger, do not linger; evacuate immediately. Safety first. The staff will explain the precautions in detail later."
The elevator continued to descend for about three minutes before coming to a complete stop.
After the door opened, a spacious silver metal hall appeared before them, with dozens of fully armed guards standing guard all around, on high alert.
If this place weren't part of the ancient Spirit Transmission Tower, whose reputation had long been established, the presence of such a deep underground and heavily guarded environment would inevitably arouse suspicion—Yu Chen even inappropriately thought of the risk of being "kidneyed".
Just as Yu Chen was lost in thought, a staff member from the Spirit Pagoda appeared in time. After verifying their identities, the staff member led them into a circular, silver-white room filled with a sense of technology.
The soul-guided screens surrounding the wall were displaying dynamic images of a dense primeval jungle.
"Director Long, the six spots for Donghai Academy are now filled."
The staff member then turned to Yu Chen and his group of six, saying, "Since this is your first time here, we would like to explain the key points as follows..."
The explanation is concise and to the point, covering basic rules, danger warnings, and ways to call for help.
Once finished, the staff pressed a button, and six metal cabinets, resembling a technology cabin, slid smoothly out from the adjacent wall.
"Lie down one by one and relax your body and mind."
The six people lay down in the metal capsule as instructed. As a series of instruments and probes automatically fitted themselves to their bodies, the staff gave them a final instruction:
"Relax your whole body and clear your mind. You may experience slight discomfort upon penetration; just bear with it for a moment."
The hatch slowly closed, plunging into darkness. A tingling sensation spread from his body, and Yu Chen's consciousness gradually faded, as if he were falling into a deep sleep.
……
Once consciousness returned, he arrived at the primary Ascension Platform.
Yu Chen opened his eyes and found himself in a completely unfamiliar environment.
Sunlight filters through layers of giant leaves, surrounded by ancient trees that are tens of meters tall and require several people to encircle. The air is moist and filled with the scent of grass and earth.
He raised his wrist, and there was a new metal bracelet on it, with a particularly eye-catching red button in the center—a distress signal device.
"This is... the simulated Starry Sky Forest from ten thousand years ago?" Yu Chen looked around at the magnificent and primeval forest, his heart trembling, and he sighed softly, "Indeed... extraordinary."
"hiss!"
After a moment of reflection, Yu Chen bit down hard on his arm, drawing blood with such force that he couldn't help but make a sound.
"There's pain, and there's blood, but the pain is less than outside, and the blood..."
Watching the blood dissipate into starlight in no time, Yu Chen fell into deep thought.