200: Training begins

"That's it, I'm leaving." Without anyone blocking him, Shen Guyan walked slowly out of the competition scene wearing that hair-raising Candle Dragon mask.

On the other side, Wu Changkong held Tang Wulin in his arms. A pale blue light barrier was released from his Sky Ice Battle Armor, blocking all external air currents. After nodding to Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan, he strode outward.

Shen Yi carried Naer on her back and followed behind him.

As for the spectators at Tianhai Stadium, and the two deans, Long Huantian and Zhang Zhenpeng, these people didn't even pay them any mind and just walked away like that.

In the vast stadium, no one dared to say a word of obstruction.

Tang Wulin only felt that he had slept very, very deeply. When his consciousness began to blur, what he saw were Naer's large purple eyes, from which tears were constantly dripping.

Wu Changkong had been sitting by the bed, watching Tang Wulin lying there.

After Shen Yi confirmed that they had no life-threatening injuries or aftereffects, she had already left yesterday. After all, she had many matters at Shrek Academy and could not delay for too long.

According to Shen Yi, Tang Wulin's self-healing ability was extremely strong. Despite suffering such serious injuries, his internal organs had actually healed rapidly under Shen Yi's healing.

Shen Yi's Spirit was the Shy Mace, a mutated healing-type Tool Spirit, and her status in the Shen Family was also extraordinary.

Tang Wulin was currently just suffering from excessive physical exhaustion and needed time to recover. There was definitely no danger to his life. As for whether his cultivation would be affected, that would only be known after he woke up.

Wu Changkong had great confidence in Tang Wulin. He knew very well that because of his Bloodline, his Disciple's self-healing ability was much stronger than an ordinary person's.

The Tianhai Alliance officials did not pursue his actions that day, but no one came to apologize either; it was as if everything had never happened.

With one main member absent, Naer brought Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan to participate in the subsequent matches. However, they had previously lost to the Sea and Land Academy team, so their final ranking probably wouldn't be too ideal.

Mu Chen had come three days ago after Tang Wulin was injured. Only after confirming he was fine did he return to Donghai City first.

For the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, the appearance of a Battle Armor Master was a shocking interlude, but it was just an interlude after all. Without follow-up, even the most sensational news would gradually disappear.

Because of their excellent performance in the group stage, they eventually entered the top four. But because Naer was distracted, their final ranking was only fourth.

Long Huantian of Tianhai Academy, as well as Zhang Zhenpeng, had also inquired about the situation of the Donghai Academy Zero Class afterward. However, the academy had sealed their information very tightly; except for federal officials like the Shen Family, it was difficult for others to find out anything.

The turmoil of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition came to a temporary end. After the competition ended, Lan Fozi seemed to have disappeared, and Nalali did not seem to have appeared again either. Shen Guyan then took The Five Little Ones—Yu Qin, Gu Qi, Tang Shi, Wu Hua, and Xiao Jian—to the nearest East Sea Spirit Pagoda.

Stepping into the East Sea Spirit Pagoda, the internal space was spacious and bright. Crystals emitting soft light were embedded in the surrounding walls, reflecting the entire hall in a dreamlike manner. People came and went in the tower; Spirit Masters looked hurried, either discussing the trade of spiritual items or preparing to enter the Spirit Ascension Platform for training. Shen Guyan scanned the crowd and walked straight to the reception desk.

"May I ask if Teacher Hong Ying is here? I am her former student." Shen Guyan said to the receptionist. The receptionist was slightly stunned, seemingly recalling Hong Ying's previous instructions, and quickly said: "Please wait a moment, I will go report this."

Before long, a woman with a graceful figure walked over with light steps. She was wearing a long red dress, and the hem of the dress fluttered with the wind, like a burning flame. Her long, black, shiny hair was draped casually over her shoulders, and her delicate face wore a gentle smile. It was indeed Teacher Hong Ying, whom Shen Guyan hadn't seen for a long time.

"Guyan, it's really been a long time!" A flash of pleasant surprise crossed Teacher Hong Ying's eyes, and she walked quickly to Shen Guyan.

Shen Guyan smiled and bowed: "Teacher Hong Ying, it's been many years, and you are as elegant as ever." Teacher Hong Ying looked Shen Guyan up and down and sighed: "Yes, so many years have passed, and you have already grown into a powerhouse capable of handling things on your own. I've heard about your exploits at the Youth Genius Competition; it really makes me look at you with new eyes."

After the pleasantries, Shen Guyan looked at The Five Little Ones beside him and said to Teacher Hong Ying: "Teacher, I came here this time because I want them to enter the rampage period of the Spirit Ascension Platform for training."

Teacher Hong Ying frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over The Five Little Ones one by one, and said: "The rampage period of the Spirit Ascension Platform has a very high danger coefficient. They don't even have spirit rings; how can they cope?"

Shen Guyan's expression was firm: "Teacher, I believe in them. The Martial Skills I have taught them are enough for them to maneuver within it. Moreover, only in such a desperate situation can they grow faster."

Teacher Hong Ying thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Since you insist, I will arrange it for you. However, you must be careful. If there is danger, immediately use the Spirit Pagoda's distress signal."

Shen Guyan thanked Hong Ying and took The Five Little Ones to follow the staff to the area where the Spirit Ascension Platform was located.

Shen Guyan looked at The Five Little Ones and said with a serious expression: "This training is full of danger, but it is also an opportunity for your transformation. Remember, stay calm, use the Martial Skills I taught you, and cooperate with each other."

The Five Little Ones replied in unison: "Yes, Young Master!" Their eyes were full of firmness and anticipation.

Shen Guyan watched them step into the Spirit Ascension Platform, his mind beginning to review the battle with Wu Changkong at the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition. He knew that although he had caught Wu Changkong off guard with the Candle Dragon's ability, causing him to passively endure the Demonic Technique of the Great Sorrow Scripture, the opponent's strength was still unfathomable. If he wanted to win in future fights, he had to further improve his strength.

Shen Guyan calmed his mind and operated the "Heavenly Yin Earthly Yang Great Primordial Art". As the Cultivation Technique operated, the surrounding heaven and earth energy surged toward him like a tide, gathering and compressing within his body. His Meridians were like galloping rivers, with energy flowing endlessly, constantly tempering his body and Soul Power.

Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform, as soon as The Five Little Ones entered, they felt the terrifying atmosphere of the rampage period. Thick fog permeated the surroundings, and low roars came from the fog from time to time, as if countless Vicious Beasts were hiding in it. Xiao Jian gripped the long sword in his hand, the sword body trembling slightly. He took a deep breath and performed the Taibai Sword Sect's "Return of the Falling Goose". His figure flashed instantly, shuttling through the fog as lightly as a wild goose, trying to investigate the dangers around him.

Gu Qi held chess pieces in his hand, his eyes vigilant. He performed the Beggars Sect's "Laughing Drunk and Crazy" movement technique. His footsteps were floating yet rhythmic, moving in a peculiar rhythm, ready to deal with emergencies at any time. Tang Shi and Wu Hua stood back to back. Tang Shi's paintbrush flashed with light, performing the Tianxiang Valley's "Fleeting Glory in Full Bloom". Using the paintbrush as a medium, he emitted a strange power, perceiving the flow of Soul Power around him. Yu Qin used the Flower Shifting Palace's "Flower Killing" technique, integrating the Soul Power in the zither music into the surrounding environment, laying down an invisible line of defense.

Xiao Jian held the long sword, the sword body emitting a biting cold light. With a resolute expression, he once again performed the Divine Might Castle's "Breaking the Midstream". An indomitable Aura emanated from him, like a sharp blade guarding his companions.

Suddenly, a huge black panther rushed out of the fog, pouncing on The Five Little Ones like black lightning. Xiao Jian reacted first. He shouted and performed the Zhenwu Sect's "No Trace". He swung his long sword, seemingly without pattern but hiding mysteries, and a fierce Sword Qi slashed toward the black panther. The black panther nimbly dodged to the side, then opened its bloody mouth and sprayed a black flame.

Gu Qi seized the opportunity and performed the Beggars Sect's "Drunkenly Drinking the River". He threw the chess pieces in his hand, and the chess pieces instantly grew larger in the air, like a shield, blocking the flame. The flame impacted the chess piece shield, splashing sparks, but Gu Qi stepped back slightly due to the powerful impact.

Yu Qin's fingers slid quickly across the strings, and the zither sound turned into sharp bursts of Qi, rushing toward the black panther, causing the black panther's actions to lag slightly. Tang Shi waved his paintbrush and performed the Tang Sect's "Torrential Pear Blossom Needle". Using the paintbrush as a guide, he shot out countless needle-like lights condensed from Soul Power toward the black panther. Wu Hua unfolded the scroll and used the Five Poisons Cult's "Bewildering Heart Gu" technique. A strange fragrance emanated from the scroll, attempting to confuse the black panther's mind.

The black panther felt the threat. It roared, its fur standing on end, and a powerful Soul Power erupted, breaking free from the confusion of the fragrance, while rushing toward The Five Little Ones at a faster speed. Just as the black panther was preparing to launch a new round of attacks, The Five Little Ones looked at each other and performed their Martial Skills at the same time.

Xiao Jian performed the Divine Might Castle's "Wild Dragon Shock", pouring all his strength into the long sword, and slashed fiercely at the ground. A huge crack spread out in front of the black panther, hindering its advance. Yu Qin performed the Tianxiang Valley's "Death-Defying Umbrella", using the zither sound as a guide, forming a huge umbrella of Soul Power above the black panther, with the tip of the umbrella shooting out deadly rays of light. Gu Qi performed the Flower Shifting Palace's "Pitying the Flower and Receiving the Jade", using the power of the surrounding environment to cleverly divert the black panther's attack. Tang Shi performed the Five Poisons Cult's "Thousand Butterflies Spitting Stamens". With a wave of the paintbrush, countless butterflies condensed from Soul Power flew toward the black panther, trying to disturb its vision. Wu Hua performed the Tang Sect's "Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track". The scroll's light flashed, making the figures of The Five Little Ones become illusory and unpredictable in the black panther's eyes.

The Martial Skills of The Five Little Ones gathered together, forming a powerful force that blasted toward the black panther. The black panther wanted to dodge, but found that the surroundings were locked by Soul Power and it could not escape. With a loud "boom", the black panther was hit, fell to the ground, and turned into a beam of light and disappeared.

The Five Little Ones breathed a sigh of relief, but they knew this was just the beginning. The dangers in the Spirit Ascension Platform were far more than this. They had to remain vigilant at all times, continue to move forward, and constantly hone themselves and improve their strength in this crisis-filled environment...

Shen Guyan sat cross-legged on the ground, immersed in the Cultivation of the "Heavenly Yin Earthly Yang Great Primordial Art", the surrounding heaven and earth energy surging crazily around him like a whirlpool. Just as he was getting into the state, a burst of light footsteps broke the tranquility.

Shen Guyan slowly opened his eyes and saw Teacher Hong Ying walking in with a tall young girl. It was none other than Ouyang Zixin, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

On this day, Ouyang Zixin was wearing a pale purple long dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her steps, like petals dancing in the wind in spring. Her long, waterfall-like hair hung down softly on her shoulders. On her delicate face, a pair of bright eyes were like stars twinkling in the night sky, but at this moment, a complex look flashed in her eyes as she looked at Shen Guyan, and then she quickly buried it deep in her heart.

"Guyan, how is your Cultivation going?" Teacher Hong Ying asked with a smile, breaking the brief silence.

Shen Guyan stood up and said respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, Teacher, it is going quite smoothly." After saying this, his gaze inadvertently met Ouyang Zixin's. Ouyang Zixin was slightly stunned, quickly turned her head away, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

Although Shen Guyan had some doubts in his heart, he did not ask further. He knew that now there seemed to be an indescribable subtle atmosphere between himself and Ouyang Zixin.

"Zixin, didn't you always want to see Guyan? Now that you see him, why are you shy instead?" Teacher Hong Ying teased with a smile.

Ouyang Zixin bit her lower lip and said in a low voice: "Mom, don't tease me." Then, she mustered up the courage to look at Shen Guyan and said: "Shen Guyan, I saw you show off your Divine Might at the Youth Genius Competition, with your own strength..."

Shen Guyan smiled slightly, stopping the other party's words, and said: "Sister Zixin is too kind, it was just luck."

As the three were talking, suddenly, a strong fluctuation of Soul Power came from the direction of the Spirit Ascension Platform, accompanied by a heaven-shaking roar. Shen Guyan's eyes moved; The Five Little Ones were likely encountering a very powerful opponent.

He had arranged for The Five Little Ones to undergo hellish training, aiming to let them grow on their own in desperate situations, so even if The Five Little Ones died inside, he would not intervene.

Judging from the images on the monitoring screen, the situation facing The Five Little Ones was extremely severe.

"This is... Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear! And looking at it, it has at least a hundred years of cultivation." Teacher Hong Ying said with a grave expression. The Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear was known for its strength and defense, with thick skin and flesh, and fierce attacks. For The Five Little Ones who did not yet have spirit rings, it was undoubtedly a nightmare.

Ouyang Zixin also clenched her fists nervously. She couldn't help but say: "Shen Guyan, will they... be in danger?"

Shen Guyan smiled lightly and said casually: "This is a test they must experience to grow. Death is also an experience."

Inside the Spirit Ascension Platform, that Mountain-Splitting Violent Bear was as huge as a mountain, its whole body covered with a layer of thick dark golden fur, flashing with a cold metallic luster under the light. Its eyes were like two blood-red suns, emitting a Bloodlust light. Every time its bear paw swung, it brought up a gust of wind, causing the surrounding space to tear—