The three pieces of battle armor sold for astronomical prices, their combined total easily exceeding twenty million.

That was only natural.

Battle armor was rarely sold. Nearly every set was custom-made for a specific Soul Master and martial soul. Even when such pieces entered the market, they often couldn't find buyers due to incompatibility.

The materials alone required Thousand Refined metal, while the design had to align perfectly with the user's martial soul. For particularly unique Soul Masters, their battle armor would be completely unusable by anyone else.

Because of this, powerful Soul Masters almost always forged or commissioned their own armor. The same was true of divine-rank mechas.

Even six-ringed Soul Masters often lacked battle armor. It wasn't simply a matter of strength, but of money, luck, and opportunity. Mastering secondary occupations demanded immense time and energy. Most had no choice but to rely on specialized craftsmen to design, forge, and adjust their armor.

Each set of battle armor was an extension of its user's flesh and blood, a symbol of both power and wealth.

Battle Armor Masters had long stood at the apex of prestige on the continent. A single one could outshine an entire regiment of Mecha Masters.

To even qualify for battle armor, one needed at least four soul rings.

With such requirements, it was no wonder the great clans of the Douluo Continent had maintained their dominance for generations.

As Ray left the Imperial Auction, his heart still burned with excitement.

If the Dragonscale Fruit appeared once, it would appear again.

I just don't have enough money yet.

Once I earn enough, I'll definitely get it.

Seeing battle armor had ignited a blazing desire in him. Images of himself clad in shining armor filled his mind, his blood surging at the thought. Battle Armor Masters were like the ancient generals of legend, towering figures who commanded both respect and fear.

"Wait."

Alfred's voice stopped him.

Ray paused. Without explanation, Alfred guided him to the side. The two stood silently, watching the other bidders exit the auction house.

Ray didn't ask why. His thoughts were still dancing around battle armor, easily washing away his earlier disappointment over the Dragonscale Fruit.

Then his eyes widened.

Isn't that… Branchmaster Eric?

The plump branchmaster exited the auction hall and walked straight toward them. He handed a jade box to Alfred and said flatly, "Return the funds to the company account. I'm leaving."

He then reached out and rubbed Ray's head, a faint smile appearing before he turned and walked away.

Ray stood there, dumbfounded.

The jade box vanished into Alfred's storage with a flash of light.

"I'll help you sell the rebellion spirit ascension entry card later," Alfred said coolly. "It should cover the cost of the two intermediate entry cards. You can pay me back for the Dragonscale Fruit when we return."

Ray froze.

"The… Dragonscale Fruit?" His eyes widened. "Teacher, what do you—"

Realization struck him like lightning.

The bidder from the sixth private box.

Branchmaster Eric.

So it was him all along.

Suddenly, everything made sense. The overwhelming bids, the intimidation, the sudden retreat. Five million wasn't expensive at all in that context.

Teacher Alfred used Branchmaster Eric's presence to scare off competitors… just to save me money.

Ray's chest tightened.

Yet Alfred still listed it as a debt.

That was exactly what Ray wanted.

He wanted to earn it himself.

Only then could he stand tall without guilt.

"Let's go back," Alfred said.

They returned to the inn.

"Rest well tonight," Alfred instructed. "Tomorrow morning, we enter Arcana City's spirit ascension platform. After that, we return to West Ocean City."

"Okay!"

That night, Ray meditated. At dawn, he cultivated the Purple Demon Eyes. His body brimmed with energy.

This journey had yielded immense gains.

One of the four spirit items he needed was secured. He now knew where to find the rest. Soon, he would enter the spirit ascension platform under Alfred's guidance.

A thousand-year spirit soul was all but guaranteed.

Little Gold… no, no longer little.

A powerful thousand-year Little Gold.

For the first time, Ray truly believed it.

I'm not a loser anymore. I have the potential to become powerful.

Early that morning, Alfred had him pack and check out. They boarded a soul bus headed for Arcana City's spirit ascension platform.

Compared to West Ocean City's, this platform was smaller but steeped in history. The mural in the hall depicted a tale far more intricate and ancient.

Ray barely noticed.

His heart was already racing.

What will the intermediate spirit ascension platform be like?

After a brief registration, they were led into a room similar to West Ocean City's, except smaller and fitted with glass chambers instead of metal pods.

The staff member guiding them asked no questions. It was common for powerful elders to escort talented juniors into higher-level platforms to help them build a solid foundation. Such opportunities were reserved only for the most gifted.

Before entering, both were required to strip down completely.

Alfred explained calmly, "This is a Spirit Tower regulation to prevent battle armor from being brought inside. The true reason is known only to the Tower's core members."

At the elementary level, this rule was unnecessary. But the intermediate level was different.

After preparations were complete, metal rings locked onto their bodies. The glass chamber sealed shut.

"Prepare to enter!"

Golden light erupted from the rings. A numbing sensation spread through Ray's body.

The world vanished.

Moments later, darkness gave way to lush green.

A familiar, refreshing aura filled the air.

Ray's lips curved upward.

Intermediate spirit ascension platform… here I come.

*

Towering greenery ruled this emerald world. At first glance, the intermediate spirit ascension platform looked no different from the elementary level, but Ray could clearly sense the subtle distinctions.

The air felt heavier. Denser. More oppressive.

Here, thousand-year soul beasts were no longer rare. There was even a slim chance of encountering terrifying ten-thousand-year existences.

Alfred stood at his side, white robes stirring in the cold aura radiating from his body as his sharp gaze swept across the surroundings. With him present, Ray felt an unshakable sense of safety.

"Stay close," Alfred said as he strode forward.

With each step, soul rings rose beneath his feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.

Though Ray had seen them before, the sight still made his heart tremble.

A true expert.

How long will it take me to reach six rings like that?

Blue light gathered in Alfred's right hand, solidifying into the Skyfrost Sword. The gleaming blade radiated chilling intent, a clear sign that he was treating the intermediate level with full seriousness.

After all, only those below seven rings were allowed to enter.

Ray followed silently.

Ten minutes passed.

Then another five.

Not a single soul beast appeared.

"Doesn't this feel strange?" Alfred suddenly asked without slowing his pace.

Ray nodded immediately. "It does. We should have been attacked by now."

Alfred replied calmly, "The spirit ascension platform is modeled after the Forest of Lamos, the largest soul beast forest on the continent."

"In ancient times, there were Ten Great Beasts, all exceeding one hundred thousand years of age. Five of them resided in the Forest of Lamos."

"The forest itself is divided into four regions: the outer region, the middle region, the inner region, and the territory of the Great Beasts."

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