Chapter Thirty-One: Forbidden Realm of Souls

"After receiving the baptism of the water from Panlong Lake, you will understand yourself even better!" Counselor Song stepped forward and patted Han Tianyue’s shoulder. Han Tianyue nodded.

Han Tianyue gazed at the immense dragon coiling before him. It was so real, yet he knew all of this was conjured by those elderly masters. "So there truly are hidden talents within the school—no wonder the physical form of the spirit was sealed inside the crystal sphere!"

One by one, the students approached the Panlong. As soon as each stood before it, the dragon opened its mouth and sprayed a jet of water. The water passed through them, slicing straight through their souls.

Those who had received the baptism felt as if a door within their bodies had swung open.

"Han Tianyue!"

When it was Han Tianyue’s turn, a strange unease gripped him. His soul stood exposed beneath the Panlong, feeling completely bare.

The dragon opened its mouth, and the water surged toward Han Tianyue’s soul. Han Tianyue’s soul resisted the force of the lake water.

"It’s a restriction!" The elders sitting cross-legged around the hall suddenly opened their eyes, gazing intently at Han Tianyue before the Panlong. "Such a powerful restriction seals the depths of this child’s soul—what could possibly be hidden there?"

"Feng Shang!"

Han Tianyue walked away from the Panlong, fully aware that the lake water had not completely cleansed his soul. He glanced around—the elders had already closed their eyes, now as lifeless and yet as vibrant as the dragon itself.

Thus, one after another, everyone finished the baptism, and the ceremony of the entrance ritual officially concluded. The crowd began to leave the hall.

"So, how was it?" Counselor Song asked as they headed toward the stone gate.

"In a word: invigorating!" Feng Shang was intoxicated by the sensation of his soul being purified.

Fang Zhe added, "After the baptism, I feel so much more relaxed!"

Han Tianyue’s brow remained tightly furrowed. Hearing Counselor Song’s question, he answered quickly, "It’s a feeling I can’t quite describe!"

"Haha, that’s just right! As long as the soul is clean, there’s more room for growth in magic!"

Even Counselor Song knew nothing of the deeper mysteries at play. Meanwhile, Han Tianyue, who seemed to have brushed against those mysteries, found their true nature obscured by a surge of inexplicable thoughts.

"The restriction set by the consciousness of that old man in my body—these elders couldn’t break it. Just who was he?"

After leaving the hall, Han Tianyue didn’t follow Counselor Song to the meditation room. He bade farewell to Counselor Song, Feng Shang, and Fang Zhe, choosing instead to head alone toward the rear mountain. "I need to find a quiet place to explore the depths of my own soul."

With most students and teachers busy preparing for the upcoming graduation competition, there were few people in the rear mountain. On his way, Han Tianyue didn’t see a single soul. He found a shaded spot beneath a tree and crouched down to sit. Suddenly, a faint, sorrowful cry drifted to him!

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