The Advanced Soul Elevation Platform is a place many Title Douluo dream of entering. To gain access, merely having strength is not enough. Only those who have made significant contributions to the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation have a chance to explore it. In addition, forces that have deep cooperation with the Spirit Pagoda often have the opportunity to obtain access as well.
It is not to say that having strength guarantees no opportunity. It's still possible to ascend from a middle-level Soul Elevation Platform to an advanced one, but that's practically impossible. It's speculated that the soul beasts guarding the advanced platform might be at the ten-thousand-year level. Even if not, they would be close. The middle-level Soul Elevation Platform only allows Soul Saints and below to enter, so using the cultivation of a Soul Saint to deal with ten-thousand-year soul beasts is laughable.
Following Leng Yaozhu, Gu You traveled to the top of the Spirit Tower via elevator.
"Master, I've always had a question. Where does the energy for the Soul Elevation Platform come from?" Gu You asked Leng Yaozhu during the elevator ride.
"I'm not sure. Even though I've been the vice tower master for several generations, only the first Spirit Ice Douluo might know the answer," Leng Yaozhu shook her head.
Gu You didn't press further; Leng Yaozhu seemed to be hiding something...
"Master, are you really letting her take that kid?"
Qiangu Dongfeng did not respond immediately. After a moment, he opened his eyes. "Now is not the time to make enemies with her. We still need the Leng family. That child has extraordinary talent. It's better to get along with her for now, let her go." Qiangu Dongfeng, of course, knew about Leng Yaozhu's bloodline and had always been aware of the existence of the Blood God Legion. He hadn't expected her to hide it so well. From the beginning, he had been aware of the Blood God Legion's existence. After all, his own family had many talented younger generations, including the military's bloodline.
The Spirit Pagoda's top floor was incredibly cramped. A path narrowed inward.
Perhaps because they were so high up, Gu You felt a significant drop in temperature.
"There are many ways to enter the Advanced Soul Elevation Platform, but the one I'm showing you is the simplest," Leng Yaozhu explained.
They walked through a narrow corridor, and after some time, they reached a room with a strange sight: a circular portal stood in the middle of a small metallic room.
Leng Yaozhu gathered her soul power in her palm and slapped the portal. A terrifying wave of soul power surged into the portal.
A blinding flash of light radiated from the portal. White energy covered its outer rim, and in the center, a vortex formed, expanding outward until it reached the edge of the portal.
Leng Yaozhu stepped inside, and Gu You followed.
The world went black, as though they were traveling through an unknown dimension.
When they opened their eyes again, they were surrounded by lush green vegetation. The air was thick with life force—so strong that it felt unnatural, far more intense than even the Golden Ancient Tree's interior.
"Have you ever seen the might of the Heavenly Phoenix?" Leng Yaozhu suddenly asked.
Gu You shook his head. He hadn't even seen a real chicken, aside from a roasted one, let alone the Heavenly Phoenix.
"Today, I'll show you what the Heavenly Phoenix really is!" Cold Yaozhu's soul power suddenly exploded and turned red.
A phoenix's cry echoed through the sky, and a massive red figure broke through the clouds above.
Leng Yaozhu flew upward, and Gu You was pulled along by an unseen force.
Breaking through the clouds, Gu You finally saw the true form of the massive figure: a phoenix!
Its primary color was red, and its tail was surrounded by iridescent light. As they approached, the temperature around them soared to unbearable levels.
Leng Yaozhu stood atop the phoenix's head, and Gu You clung to its feathers.
This feeling was incredible. It was as though, from this vantage point, he could destroy anything at will. The power of Leng Yaozhu's martial soul had reached divine level, surpassing even the highest-grade beast martial souls, such as the Evil Fire Phoenix.
"World Fire!" Leng Yaozhu murmured.
The phoenix seemed to hear her command and spread its wings. Its fiery red feathers fell, and the world below was consumed by flames, burning everything in sight—forests, trees, and all life within.
The sight was mesmerizing, like a sunset but eternal.
The ground was ablaze, the forest in agony...
After just a few minutes, the trees were completely incinerated, leaving behind only energy-infused land, with no soul beasts in sight.
Gu You's hands trembled. Was this the power of a demigod?
"This is enough," Leng Yaozhu said softly.
"Mm."
Gu You sat firmly on the phoenix as it soared higher, and an overwhelming torrent of energy rushed into the sky, but unfortunately, Gu You could not witness it.
After half an hour, Gu You felt exhausted and began to fall into a drowsy state.
When he awoke, he had no recollection of how he left the place, only knowing that the black and red soul rings hovered beneath his feet—an unprecedented combination for someone his age.
After a brief chat with Leng Yaozhu, Gu You proceeded to the final location: the Golden Ancient Tree's interior.
Level 40 Breakthrough!
Taking the high-speed train, Gu You arrived in Shrek City after just one night.
After connecting with Yun Ming, Gu You quickly traveled to the Sea God Lake pavilion.
There, a familiar figure awaited: Yun Ming.
Gu You's face went pale. He wasn't used to the instantaneous space travel.
"She really didn't die?" Yun Ming asked.
"No," Gu You nodded slightly.
"How absurd!" Yun Ming slammed his fist into the air. The force caused a ripple in space, and upon hearing Gu You's story, he was filled with rage. The world understands the pain of family, but from another perspective, it seems no one is at fault.
"I need to break through to level 40 as soon as possible. Only with a single-word battle armor will I have a chance to fight," Gu You stated.
"Are you going to cultivate inside the Golden Ancient Tree? That's a feasible option."
With that, the two vanished.
Surrounded by golden and brilliant scenery, a faint golden energy drifted through the air, full of life. The thick tree branches twisted around the space, and the entire area seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow.
On first arrival, Gu You felt a slight rejection from this place, but despite that, he felt as though his body instinctively adapted to the overwhelming life force.
(End of Chapter)