The Consecration Hall, Like Home

At this moment, a low voice drifted from behind the crowd at the edge of the plaza.

"No need for you to go."

The crowd parted automatically as Lion Douluo strode out.

He was followed by Feather Douluo and Azure Phoenix Douluo, all three of them wearing grim expressions.

Lion Douluo walked up to Ji Ye and looked down at him.

"Little one, is this Flender you speak of the dean of Shrek Academy?"

"Yes."

"Where is Shrek Academy?"

"Soto City, south of the city."

Lion Douluo nodded and turned to leave.

"Senior Lion," Ji Ye called out to stop him.

Lion Douluo looked back.

"What are you going there for?"

"To have a chat with this Flender."

When Lion Douluo said "chat," the corner of his mouth twitched, a smile that sent a chill down Ji Ye's spine.

"Senior Lion, he is a dean after all; please don't beat him to death."

"Rest assured, he won't die."

Lion Douluo paused.

"At most, I'll cripple him."

With that, he kicked off the ground and shot into the sky, his golden lion mane flaring in the sunlight before he vanished into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Feather Douluo watched the direction in which Lion had disappeared and clicked his tongue twice.

"Old Lion is quite fired up today."

Azure Phoenix Douluo said coldly, "After hearing about such things, who wouldn't be?"

Feather Douluo thought for a moment and nodded. "True. If it were me, I'd go too."

He then looked at Ji Ye, his expression uncharacteristically serious.

"Little one, you're quite lucky. To have been locked up for six years, still managed to cultivate to the fourth ring, escaped, and even ended up here at our Spirit Hall."

Ji Ye didn't know whether to call it good luck or bad.

He had escaped from Flender's clutches only to be caught by Spirit Hall.

Though, the treatment at Spirit Hall was ten thousand times better than at Flender's place.

Azure Phoenix Douluo looked puzzled.

"Ji Ye, that third soul skill of yours—once the domain is activated, can it really immunize you against any attack?"

"Non-physical ones, yes."

Feather Douluo nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "How far can that second soul skill of yours teleport you?"

"Currently about fifty zhang, and even further if my soul power is sufficient."

"Fifty zhang..." Feather Douluo clicked his tongue.

"I couldn't even shoot that far when I was your age."

Ji Ye didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply didn't.

Demon Subduing Douluo walked over and draped an arm around his shoulder again, though this time with much less force.

"Little one, since you've chosen to join Spirit Hall, then from now on, the Consecration Hall is your home."

Ji Ye looked up at him.

Demon Subduing Douluo's expression didn't look like he was joking.

"Consider us old fogies your elders. From now on, if anyone dares to bully you, just call me."

As he spoke, he patted his own chest.

"I'll come and beat them up for you."

Ji Ye was stunned.

He had been transmigrated for twelve years and had met many people.

This was the first time he had ever been protected.

"Senior Demon Subduing..."

"Stop, stop, stop. I can't stand mushy talk." Demon Subduing Douluo released his shoulder and took a step back.

"Just remember, in Spirit Hall, no one can touch you."

Ji Ye nodded, saying nothing more.

Behind the second-floor window, Qian Daoliu took it all in.

Golden Crocodile Douluo stood beside him, his expression shifting from grave to satisfied.

"Big Brother, Lion has already set out."

Qian Daoliu nodded.

"Tell Lion not to kill him."

"Then we'll cripple him," Golden Crocodile Douluo said indifferently.

Qian Daoliu glanced at him, the corners of his mouth curling slightly.

"Crippling is fine."

Golden Crocodile Douluo smiled as well.

The two exchanged a look, their smiles carrying the exact same meaning.

Anyone who dares to touch someone Spirit Hall has set its sights on is tired of living.

On the plaza, Ji Ye wiped the sweat from his forehead, his footing unsteady.

The previous battle had consumed too much energy; he needed a good rest.

"Seniors, if there's nothing else, I'll be heading back."

Qingluan and Guangling nodded.

"Go on, go on," Demon Subduing Douluo waved his hand.

"Get some good rest. I'll have someone bring you food tonight to help you recover."

"Mm."

Ji Ye turned to leave.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Demon Subduing Douluo.

"Senior."

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Demon Subduing Douluo froze for a moment, then grinned.

"I told you not to be mushy, get lost already."

Ji Ye chuckled and turned away.

As he walked toward the edge of the plaza, the surrounding guards and maids automatically cleared a path.

The way everyone looked at him had changed.

In the eyes of the guards, there was respect and envy.

In the eyes of the maids...

Ji Ye quickened his pace.

The gazes of several maids were as if they wanted to devour him alive.

Just as he stepped off the plaza, a maid squeezed out from the crowd, holding a towel in her hand.

"Young Master Ji, wipe your sweat."

Ji Ye took it. "Thank you."

Another maid handed him a cup of water. "Thirsty? This is honey water."

Ji Ye took that as well. "Thank you."

A third maid pulled out a fan and began fanning him. "Are you hot? Let me help you cool off."

Ji Ye glanced at his surroundings and noticed four or five more maids pushing their way toward him, holding various items.

Pastries, handkerchiefs, fruit, and even a bouquet of flowers.

This scene...

Ji Ye decided to run.

"Thank you all for your kindness."

"I just remembered I have something to attend to, so I'll be going."

Ji Ye shoved the towel and water back into the maids' hands and turned to bolt.

Behind him came the disappointed voices of the maids.

"Eh? Why did he leave?"

"I haven't even asked his name yet..."

"I know! His name is Ji Ye! I heard Elder Xiangmo call him that!"

"Ji Ye... what a lovely name..."

"Don't you all think he looks so handsome even when he's running?"

"Even the back of his head looks good."

Ji Ye was running at full speed, yet his ears caught every word clearly.

He somewhat regretted not wearing his mask today.

Ji Ye returned to his room but did not lie down immediately.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to meditate.

He had expended too much today; his soul power was nearly bottomed out.

But the more critical the situation, the less he could afford to relax.

The recovery period after overdrawing one's soul power was the best time to increase it.

He had known this principle even before he transmigrated.

That madman Flender had never taught him any of this.

Time passed bit by bit.

The sky gradually darkened.

During this time, a maid came to deliver food and knocked on the door three times gently.

No one answered.

She knocked three more times.

Still, no one answered.

The maid pressed her ear against the door panel to listen, but there was not a sound from inside.

She looked down at the tray in her hands, a look of disappointment on her face, and turned to leave.

After a while, another maid arrived.

The same knocking, the same waiting, the same disappointment.

Several maids had already done the same during this period.

Ji Ye, however, was completely unaware of any of this.

His consciousness was immersed in the circulation of his soul power, and he had no perception of the outside world.

The soul power within his body was like a dried-up river, slowly refilling bit by bit.