Several Worship Hall elders looked at Ji Ye at the same time.
They wanted to know the answer, too.
Ji Ye stood among them, feeling their curious gazes. The corners of his mouth curved slightly.
"Because I had a dream."
Demon Subduing Douluo froze.
"A dream?"
"Mm." Ji Ye replied without batting an eye.
"In the dream, I became a god. My spiritual power covered the entire Douluo Continent, and everything was within my perception."
The elders found it even more outrageous after hearing that.
"A god... You brat, what a dream..."
Azure Luan Douluo's mouth twitched. He clearly didn't believe it, but he didn't press Ji Ye for details.
Everyone had secrets.
Golden Crocodile Douluo burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the Worship Hall several times.
"Good! Good lad! If something like this happens again, remember to tell me. I'd be more than happy to be the first to run an errand for you!"
The other elders laughed, too.
"Little Ye, what are you going to do with the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast beside you?"
Xiao Wu had been standing behind Ji Ye the whole time, her head bowed in fear as her whole body trembled.
It was her first time appearing before so many human Titled Douluos.
It was like a sheep walking into a den of wolves.
When Feather Douluo said this, everyone's eyes fell on her.
Ji Ye glanced back at her, his gaze calm.
"Her name is Xiao Wu. She's still somewhat useful to me, so don't hurt her for now."
Feather Douluo blinked.
"If that's the case, then we'll do as you say."
Demon Subduing Douluo slung an arm around Ji Ye's shoulders. With his other hand, he stroked his chin, wearing his usual roguish grin.
"Little Ye, are you still going back to that lousy Shrek Academy?"
Ji Ye shook his head.
"No."
"Oh?" Demon Subduing Douluo raised an eyebrow.
"Then why did you go there in the first place?"
"It wasn't just for this transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, was it?"
Ji Ye thought for a moment, his tone casual.
"I just wanted to take a look at what those so-called monsters from Shrek looked like."
"Monsters?" Demon Subduing Douluo paused.
"Those so-called Shrek Seven Devils are nothing special, really. They're weak." Ji Ye spoke with disdain.
Feather Douluo chuckled at that.
"Across the entire Douluo Continent, the only one who could be called a monster is probably you, Ji Ye."
Ji Ye didn't respond. He turned his gaze to Demon Subduing Douluo.
"Demon Subduing Senior, come out with me."
Demon Subduing Douluo's eyes lit up at once.
"Where to?"
"Sunset Forest."
The elders all looked at Ji Ye.
"Sunset Forest? That place is choked with poisonous miasma. What are you going there for?"
Ji Ye smiled without answering.
Azure Luan Douluo furrowed his brow.
"Little Ye, explain yourself. That place is dangerous. I can't let Seventh accompany you alone. What if something happens—"
"Don't worry, Senior Azure Luan," Ji Ye interrupted him.
"I know what I'm doing."
Demon Subduing Douluo thumped his chest.
"What's there to worry about? With me here to protect him, how could I let this kid get hurt?"
The elders exchanged glances. Golden Crocodile Douluo spoke at last.
"Since Ji Ye wants to go, let him. The lad knows what he's doing."
He looked at Ji Ye. "But Seventh, keep an eye on him. Don't let anything happen to him."
"Of course!" Demon Subduing Douluo put an arm around Ji Ye's shoulders and headed out.
"Come on, Little Ye. Lead the way!"
The two walked out through the doors of the Worship Hall. Ji Ye looked back and saw Xiao Wu standing inside the hall, watching him from more than ten zhang away, tension and unease in her eyes.
Ji Ye gave her a slight nod, then turned back and walked away without looking back.
Xiao Wu couldn't die just yet.
Because he didn't need a Soul Ring right now...
Demon Subduing Douluo walked beside him, asking curiously, "Sunset Forest is huge. What are we looking for there?"
The corners of Ji Ye's mouth lifted slightly as he gazed into the distance.
"A treasure trove."
"What kind of treasure trove?"
"You'll know when we get there."
Three days later, on the outskirts of Sunset Forest.
The carriage slowed to a stop in front of a disorderly camp.
Quite a few people had gathered there, mostly low-ranking Soul Masters and mercenaries. They sat in groups of three or five beside campfires. Some polished their weapons, others checked their supplies, and still others talked in low voices, discussing their routes for hunting Soul Beasts in the forest.
The air was thick with the smoke of campfires and the aroma of roasting meat, mingled with the damp, earthy scent peculiar to the forest's edge.
Ji Ye lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down. Demon Subduing Douluo followed close behind.
Both wore Spirit Hall uniforms: dark blue robes with the golden Spirit Hall insignia embroidered on the chest. They stood out sharply in this setting.
The lively camp fell mostly silent in an instant.
Everyone turned to look at them. Some were curious, some wary, and some showed a hint of awe.
A middle-aged mercenary who had been sharpening his knife stopped what he was doing. His gaze lingered on the two for a while before landing on the badge on Demon Subduing Douluo's chest. His pupils suddenly contracted.
"That's... the Worship Hall insignia?!" he exclaimed under his breath. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly through the quiet camp.
A young Soul Master beside him leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"The Worship Hall? A Spirit Hall worshipper? Wouldn't that mean... he's a Titled Douluo?!"
"Shh, keep your voice down!"
"My heavens, what's a Titled Douluo doing in a place like this? Sunset Forest may be large, but surely there's nothing worth hunting for a Titled Douluo?"
"Who's that young man beside him? He looks so young. Could he be the worshipper's disciple?"
Several female Soul Masters' gazes went straight past Demon Subduing Douluo and landed on Ji Ye.
A young woman with a ponytail was drinking water, but when she saw Ji Ye, she forgot to lower her waterskin. Water trickled from the corner of her mouth, and she didn't even notice.
Her companion gave her a gentle nudge. Only then did she snap back to her senses. She hurriedly wiped her mouth, her face turning red all the way to her ears.
"That young man is... way too handsome, isn't he?" she whispered to her companion.
Her companion covered her mouth, eyes shining.
"And he's with a powerful Titled Douluo, too."
Demon Subduing Douluo took in all the commotion and grinned. He nudged Ji Ye with his elbow.
"Little Ye, you've got everyone in this camp staring like fools."
Ji Ye glanced at him, his tone flat.
"Senior, shouldn't you rein in your aura a little? You're frightening everyone."
"I am reining it in." Demon Subduing Douluo spread his hands.
"Some of these people still know what they're looking at. They recognized the Worship Hall insignia. But compared to that, your face draws far too much attention."
Ji Ye couldn't be bothered to answer. He strode toward the forest entrance.
Demon Subduing Douluo laughed and followed him.
The two entered Sunset Forest, while the camp behind them gradually faded among the shadows of the trees.
Sunset Forest was damper than Star Dou Forest. A faint smell of humus hung in the air, and thick layers of decaying leaves cushioned their steps.
Light filtered through gaps in the dense canopy, casting mottled shadows across the ground.
Every so often, some unknown bird or beast darted through the undergrowth, rustling the bushes.
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