Under the personal guidance of Qian Xunji, the pope, the Soul Bone exchange went exceptionally smoothly. In less than an hour, he had exchanged it for Gold Soul Coins.
With everything taken care of, Ban Shu was just about to take his leave when Qian Xunji stopped him with a smile.
"Xiao Ban, wait a moment."
"Teacher, what is it?"
"Come with me."
As he spoke, Qian Xunji led Ban Shu through a maze of turns until they finally arrived outside a massive palace.
"Teacher, what is this?"
Ban Shu stared at the enormous doors, stunned. As far as he could remember, he had never been here before.
"This is the treasury of our Spirit Hall. It holds countless rare and precious treasures, all discovered by our predecessors in ruins and deep mountains across the Douluo Continent."
Qian Xunji clasped his hands behind his back and spoke proudly.
"So that means it has not only Soul Bones, but also all kinds of treasures from ruins?"
"That's right."
Qian Xunji stepped forward and waved his hand. Two gray-robed figures appeared nearby. As soon as they saw the pope, they hurriedly dropped to one knee, awaiting his orders.
"These two are the treasury's guardians. Both have cultivation above the Soul Douluo level."
Qian Xunji nodded. The two understood at once and worked together to open the treasury doors, then gestured for them to enter.
"Come on. Let's go inside."
Qian Xunji led Ban Shu into the enormous treasury.
The moment he stepped through the doors, Ban Shu's first impression was that it was grand—unbelievably grand.
The pillars all around them were golden. Between them stood row upon row of cabinets, every item neatly arranged on the shelves, stretching as far as the eye could see.
There were Soul Bones, medicinal herbs, and Soul Tools of unknown types, as well as items whose purpose he couldn't even guess. Most of the treasures shimmered in a riot of colors, nearly dazzling Ban Shu's eyes.
"Xiao Ban, go ahead and pick one."
Qian Xunji let go of Ban Shu and smiled at him.
"Can I?"
"Mm."
Qian Xunji nodded. "Think of it as a reward for this mission. Go on."
At that, Ban Shu no longer hesitated. He slowly stepped forward, carefully examining the items around him.
Everything was sorted and numbered by type, with each section devoted to a different kind of item.
Ban Shu passed over the Soul Bone section first. Although it held some ten-thousand-year Soul Bones, and even a few approaching a hundred thousand years, he had better options. He couldn't waste this chance here.
Next came the section for rare plants and herbs. Ban Shu only gave it a cursory look before moving on. Though there were some valuable items, they paled in comparison to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.
He didn't study Soul Tools, nor did he have any desire to. This was Douluo I; no matter how much he researched these things, he wouldn't discover anything. Besides, he didn't know how, so he passed over that section too.
After wandering around, Ban Shu finally stopped in the rare treasures section.
Most of these items had been found by Spirit Hall's predecessors among the ruins of the Douluo Continent. Some were Soul Tools, while others weren't.
But they all shared one trait: ordinary means couldn't activate them. In other words, in the hands of an ordinary Soul Master, they were nothing but junk.
Still, there were some unexpected surprises among them. For example, Godhood Inheritance.
Don't forget, the Heaven Dou Empire's national treasure, the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, was an item from the Sea God Trial—in other words, the Heart of the Sea God.
If even the Heaven Dou Empire had such a treasure, Ban Shu refused to believe the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire didn't have something similar.
Most likely, they didn't know what the items really did and had simply left them in their treasuries.
After all, before Tang San got his hands on the Vast Sea Cosmic Shroud, it had been little different from a piece of junk, serving only as a symbol.
With that in mind, Ban Shu wandered around the section again and again. Plenty of items caught his interest, but none of them felt right.
As for what that feeling was, he couldn't explain it himself. Maybe it was the sense that something was calling to him from somewhere beyond his understanding?
Outside, Qian Xunji saw that Ban Shu still hadn't made his choice, but he wasn't in a hurry. The treasury was enormous, so it was only natural that it would take some time.
Time passed quickly. Ban Shu searched for a long while, nearly ready to give up. Perhaps the thing he was looking for simply wasn't here. After all, it had only been a guess.
But just then, Ban Shu's whole body shuddered. His heart began to race uncontrollably, and wisps of lightning suddenly spilled from him.
"What's going on?"
Ban Shu instinctively clutched his chest, then summoned his Painted Halberd. The sensation immediately grew even stronger. Could it be...?
Realizing something was amiss, Ban Shu hurriedly followed the guidance of his Martial Soul, running toward the place that resonated with him.
After winding through the treasury, Ban Shu finally stopped in front of a gray, dusty box.
"What is this?"
Ban Shu picked up the box without thinking. It was heavier than he'd imagined; he could barely hold it with both hands.
"Whatever it is, I trust my Martial Soul."
He didn't know what was inside, but his Martial Soul had guided him here for a reason. Ban Shu chose to trust it.
"Have you chosen?"
Seeing Ban Shu come out carrying something, Qian Xunji asked him.
"Yes, Teacher. I'll take this."
Ban Shu struggled to lift the box a little and nodded.
"This thing?"
Qian Xunji looked at the dusty gray box in Ban Shu's hands, his expression tinged with surprise. "I remember Uncle Golden Crocodile found it in some ruins when he was young."
"Ruins?"
Ban Shu hurriedly stepped forward to ask. There might be some clues. "Teacher, what ruins were they?"
Qian Xunji shook his head. "I'm not sure. Uncle never told me where it came from, but he should know. You can ask him."
"I understand, Teacher." Ban Shu nodded.
Seeing how much effort Ban Shu was having to put into carrying it, Qian Xunji reached out and took the box with ease. "Since you've made your choice, let's go. Head to the library first. I'll have this put in your room."
"Mm."
Ban Shu nodded, turned, and left the treasury for the library.
Qian Xunji looked at the box in his hands, but couldn't see anything special about it. "I hope you haven't made the wrong choice, Xiao Ban."
When Ban Shu arrived at the library, he saw a scene that left him both amused and exasperated.
Bibi Dong sat upright at the desk, her eyes drooping with sleepiness. She was still forcing herself to stay alert and attend to the lesson, looking utterly miserable.
"Teacher, I'm late."
Ban Shu smiled as he walked over and sat beside Bibi Dong.
"It's all right. You're here now."
When Teacher Fang saw Ban Shu, her face immediately lit up with a smile. "Hurry and sit down. I'm about to start the new lesson."
"Mm."
Ban Shu nodded. An ordinary day was about to begin.
Before you continue