Heading to the Consecration Hall

"Ouch, this is so hard."

Inside Spirit City, Bibi Dong leaned against Ban Shu's shoulder, letting him drag her along.

"It's just a few books, isn't it? You're being too dramatic, Sister."

"A few?"

Bibi Dong widened her eyes, looking as if she couldn't believe what she had just heard. "That book is half a meter thick, and you call that a few?"

"It might be a bit thick, but for us Spirit Masters, it's just the standard level."

Ban Shu pointed to his own head. "As our strength grows, our spiritual power increases, and our memory improves along with it."

"But I just can't get it into my head~"

Bibi Dong pouted, muttering softly.

"Alright, let's not think about that for now. Here, have a candied hawthorn."

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

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

Seeing the candied hawthorn, Bibi Dong immediately beamed, tossing all thoughts of books to the back of her mind.

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

This thing can actually resonate with me; it certainly isn't a simple object. What on earth is it?

Ban Shu placed his hand on the lid, intending to open it, but no matter how much force he applied, the lid didn't budge.

"What a sturdy box."

Ban Shu carefully stroked the sides of the box and was surprised to find that there wasn't a single gap between the box and the lid; it was perfectly seamless.

"In that case."

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

Clang~

A wave of recoil surged back, and Ban Shu instantly felt his hands go numb, nearly losing his grip on his weapon.

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

Ban Shu carefully inspected the surface of the box, only to find, helplessly, that there wasn't a single mark on it.

This only piqued his curiosity further; what could possibly be inside that was worth protecting with such great effort?

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

Ban Shu set aside his study of the box for the moment and turned to the Rare Herb Compendium that Yue Guan had given him.

It recorded many rare herbs and plants, including those from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well that Ban Shu remembered, as well as others from various locations.

He decided that after absorbing his third spirit ring, he would head to the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, as the information on these immortal herbs was essential.

"According to the current timeline, Dugu Bo shouldn't have occupied that place yet. In other words, the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well is still ownerless."

Ban Shu closed the book and looked at the moon outside the window. "If that's the case, this precious land should bear the name Ban."

The next day, led by Qian Xunji, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong entered the Consecration Hall for the first time.

"Xiao Ban, Dong'er, once you enter the Consecration Hall, be cautious in your words and actions. Do not be reckless, understand?"

Qian Xunji specifically glanced at Bibi Dong, clearly directing his words at her.

"Yes, Teacher."

"I know, Teacher. I am still very respectful toward my elders," Bibi Dong said with a laugh, scratching her head.

Upon entering the Consecration Hall, Qian Xunji introduced the elders one by one. Finally, he stopped in front of a massive statue of the Angel God and bowed his head respectfully.

"Father, I have brought them here."

"Mm."

Qian Daoliu, who had been standing with his back to them, finally spoke. He turned slowly to look at the two of them.

"This is the Great Consecrator of our Spirit Hall, and also my father, Elder Qian Daoliu, known as 'Invincible in the Heavens'."

"Greetings, Elder."

Ban Shu and Bibi Dong quickly lowered their heads and spoke in unison.

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

Looking at the two, Qian Daoliu's expression shifted from stern to kind. He stepped forward personally to help them up. "You are the future hope of our Spirit Hall; you must work hard."

"We will, we certainly will!"

Bibi Dong blinked her eyes and nodded with a smile.

"Hehehe, that's good."

Qian Daoliu nodded. "I heard from Ji'er that you have something you wanted to discuss with us, Xiao Ban?"

"Ji'er?"

Hearing the way Qian Daoliu addressed Qian Xunji, Ban Shu felt a sudden sense of strangeness.

Uh... forget it. Looking at Qian Xunji's expression, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. I'll just ignore it.

"Grandpa Qian, it's like this."

Ban Shu took out the box from before. "I chose this box in the treasury. It is said that Grandpa Golden Crocodile brought it back from some ruin, so I wanted to learn a little more about it."

"This thing?"

Hearing Ban Shu call him, Golden Crocodile walked over and caught sight of the box in Ban Shu's hand at a glance.

After thinking carefully for a moment, Golden Crocodile finally recalled, "I found this box in a ruin deep within a valley near the Star Dou Great Forest."

"By the time I discovered it, the ruin was already dilapidated. By now, it might have even collapsed."

"A ruin..."

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

"This... I suppose I could."

Golden Crocodile nodded, then looked at Ban Shu. "However, it would be better for you to prioritize your studies for now. How about this: once you reach level thirty, I will take you there and help you obtain your third soul ring along the way. How does that sound?"

"That sounds great, Grandpa Golden Crocodile." Ban Shu nodded.

"Mm."

Golden Crocodile Douluo patted Ban Shu on the head, then looked at the surrounding elders. "I say, everyone, these two juniors are new here; we really ought to show some hospitality, don't you think? Big Brother, what do you say?"

"Hmm..."

Qian Daoliu closed his eyes in thought for a moment before nodding. "That is only right."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant and split it into two. "This item is called the Twin Jade Pendant, a type of storage soul tool. I shall gift it to you both today."

"Of course, this is different from the storage soul tools you currently use. The Twin Jade Pendant can store living things, with five cubic meters of space in each. You must make good use of them."

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

"Thank you, Grandpa Qian."

Ban Shu and Bibi Dong took the pendants and quickly fastened them to their waists.

He had been worrying about how to bring Red Hare along, and Qian Daoliu had just handed him this treasure; it was truly like being handed a pillow just as one was getting sleepy.

"I'm glad you like them." Seeing how much the two enjoyed the gifts, Qian Daoliu stroked his beard with a chuckle.

Since the eldest brother had already given a gift, the other elders could not just sit idly by.

Golden Crocodile Douluo gave each of them a piece of precious armor capable of resisting attacks from soul masters below the Soul Ancestor rank, which was the best life-saving equipment for the two of them at their current level.

Green Phoenix Douluo and Lion Douluo each gave them a Seven-Leaf Purple Ganoderma; although not as precious as the Nine-Leaf Purple Ganoderma, they were still rare and valuable items.

All in all, this trip to the Consecration Hall left Ban Shu and Bibi Dong with their pockets overflowing. They couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear, walking with a spring in their step.