Setting Out for the Worship Hall

"Ow, this is so hard."

In Spirit City, Bibi Dong leaned against Ban Shu's shoulder and let him drag her along.

"It's just a few books. You're exaggerating, sis."

"A few?"

Bibi Dong's eyes widened, her expression full of disbelief. "That book is half a meter thick. You call that a few?"

"It is a little thick, but for Soul Masters like us, that's pretty average."

Ban Shu pointed to his head. "As our strength grows, so does our mental power, and our memory improves too."

"But I just can't make myself study~"

Bibi Dong pouted and muttered under her breath.

"Come on, don't think about that for now. Here, candied hawthorns."

Ban Shu bought two candied hawthorns from a nearby stall and handed them to Bibi Dong.

"Hehe, Xiao Ban, you're the best."

The moment she saw the candied hawthorns, Bibi Dong beamed, casting all thoughts of books out of her mind.

That night, Ban Shu sat at his desk, carefully examining the dusty gray box he had obtained.

"This thing actually resonated with me. It definitely isn't ordinary. What is it?"

Ban Shu placed his hand on the lid and tried to open it, but no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn't budge.

"What a sturdy box."

As he carefully felt around the box, Ban Shu was surprised to find not even the tiniest seam between the box and its lid. It was seamless, as if it were one piece.

"In that case..."

Ban Shu summoned his Painted Halberd and brought it down hard on the box.

Clang~

A powerful recoil surged through him. Ban Shu's hands went numb, and he nearly lost his grip on his weapon.

"What a sturdy box. It didn't even leave a scratch."

Ban Shu closely examined its surface and found, to his dismay, that there wasn't a mark on it.

That only made him more curious about what was inside. What could it be that warranted such elaborate protection?

"I'll visit Golden Crocodile Douluo at the Worship Hall tomorrow. Maybe he'll have some clues."

Ban Shu set the box aside for the time being, then took out the Rare Herb Compendium Yue Guan had given him and began studying it.

The book described many rare and precious herbs, including those found in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well that Ban Shu remembered, as well as others from different places.

He decided to head for the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well after absorbing his third Soul Ring. He needed to learn about these Immortal Herbs.

"Based on the current timeline, Dugu Bo probably hasn't claimed that place yet. In other words, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well still belongs to no one."

Ban Shu closed the book and gazed at the moon outside the window. "In that case, it's about time that treasure land belonged to the Ban family."

The next day, under Qian Xunji's guidance, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong entered the Worship Hall for the first time.

"Xiao Ban, Dong'er, once we enter the Worship Hall, watch what you say and mind your manners. Don't act rashly. Understood?"

Qian Xunji gave Bibi Dong a pointed look. It was clearly meant for her.

"Yes, Teacher."

"I know, Teacher. I always respect my elders." Bibi Dong grinned and scratched her head.

Inside the Worship Hall, Qian Xunji introduced the elders one by one. At last, he stopped before a massive Angel God Statue and bowed respectfully.

"Father, I've brought them."

"Mm."

Qian Daoliu, who had been facing away from them, finally spoke. He slowly turned around and looked at Ban Shu and Bibi Dong.

"This is our Spirit Hall's Great Enshrined, and my father. Elder Qian Daoliu, known as 'Unrivaled Under Heaven.'"

"Greetings, Elder."

Ban Shu and Bibi Dong hurriedly bowed their heads and spoke in unison.

"No need to be so formal. Just call me Grandpa."

Qian Daoliu's stern expression softened into a kind smile. He stepped forward himself and helped them up. "You're the future hope of Spirit Hall. Keep working hard."

"We will!"

Bibi Dong blinked and nodded with a smile.

"Heh heh, good."

Qian Daoliu nodded. "Ji'er told me you had something to discuss with us, Xiao Ban?"

"Ji'er?"

Hearing Qian Daoliu call Qian Xunji that, Ban Shu felt a strange twinge.

Um... never mind. Qian Xunji didn't seem bothered, so I'll just ignore it.

"Grandpa Qian, it's like this."

Ban Shu took out the box. "I picked this box from the treasury. I heard that Grandpa Golden Crocodile brought it back from some ruins, so I wanted to ask about it."

"This thing?"

Golden Crocodile, who had heard Ban Shu call out to him, came over and immediately spotted the box in his hands.

Golden Crocodile thought it over carefully before finally remembering. "I found this box in some ruins, deep in a valley near the Star Dou Great Forest."

"By the time I found it, the ruins were already in terrible shape. They might have collapsed completely by now."

"Ruins..."

Ban Shu gently stroked the box, then looked up at Golden Crocodile Douluo. "Grandpa Golden Crocodile, could you take me to see those ruins?"

"Well... I suppose I can."

Golden Crocodile nodded, then looked at Ban Shu. "But for now, you should focus on your studies. How about this: once you reach level thirty, I'll take you there and help you obtain your third Soul Ring. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good, Grandpa Golden Crocodile." Ban Shu nodded.

"Mm."

Golden Crocodile Douluo patted Ban Shu's head, then glanced at the elders gathered around them. "Now, everyone, these two youngsters are new here. We ought to give them something to welcome them, don't you think, Big Brother?"

"Hmm..."

Qian Daoliu closed his eyes and considered it for a moment, then nodded. "That would be appropriate."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant and split it in two. "This is called the Twin Jade Pendant. It's a Storage Soul Tool, and I'm giving it to you today."

"Of course, it's different from the Storage Soul Tool you're using now. The Twin Jade Pendant can store living creatures, and each half has five cubic meters of space. Make good use of it."

Qian Daoliu smiled and held out the pendants to Ban Shu and Bibi Dong.

"Thank you, Grandpa Qian."

Ban Shu and Bibi Dong took the pendants and hurriedly fastened them around their waists.

He had been worrying about how to bring Red Hare along. Then Qian Daoliu had handed him this treasure—it was just like getting a pillow when sleepiness struck.

"I'm glad you like them." Seeing how much the two of them cherished the pendants, Qian Daoliu stroked his beard with a hearty smile.

Since even the eldest brother had given them a gift, the other elders couldn't just sit there doing nothing.

Golden Crocodile Douluo gave each of them a suit of armor that could withstand attacks from Soul Masters below the Soul Ancestor level. For the two of them, it was the best life-saving gear they could ask for.

Azure Luan Douluo and Mighty Lion Douluo each gave them a Seven-Leaf Purple Ganoderma. It wasn't as precious as a Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma, but it was still a rare treasure.

All in all, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong left the Worship Hall loaded down with gifts, grinning from ear to ear and striding along as if the wind were at their backs.