What?
Lin Xiao thought he had misheard. Though he didn't recognize the child, the boy's clothing—crafted with exquisite materials and fine workmanship—clearly indicated he wasn't from an ordinary family. Given that he had emerged from the palace, it didn't take much to guess his identity.
It wasn't surprising that the Holy Spirit Church would help Xu Tianran kill, but saving someone from the palace was hardly their style. For a moment, Lin Xiao suspected someone was using a soul skill to mimic Nightmare Douluo's voice.
"Help him escape. What are you waiting for?"
Nightmare Douluo's voice came again, clearer this time, urging him once more.
Lin Xiao hesitated no longer. His figure shot out from the shadows, rushing straight toward the child. Having lived in the Holy Spirit Church for so long, he knew some things were better left unasked.
The private soldiers lingering nearby were gradually closing in on the east gate. But before they could question anything, a dark figure swept past them from behind. Under the cover of night, his appearance was obscured, only the flutter of a black cloak visible. The boy who had come out of the east gate vanished without a trace.
"Damn it, after him!"
The voices of the private soldiers echoed faintly behind Lin Xiao, but they soon lost sight of him.
"Who are you?"
The boy in Lin Xiao's arms was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure. Catching glimpses of the buildings flashing by, he realized the person carrying him had a cultivation far superior to those soldiers.
But all he got in response was a mask made of some unknown metal and a muffled, indistinct voice.
"I'm taking you out of here."
"Are you one of Father's men?" The boy's expression grew slightly excited. "Father is still inside, and there's a terrifying person in the palace, along with Mother and my sisters… Can you go save them?"
Lin Xiao didn't respond, only shaking his head slightly before focusing on rushing out of Mingdu.
Not only was he allied with the terrifying person inside, but even if he had the intention to save anyone, not just anyone could easily defeat Zhongli Wu.
From the boy's tone, Lin Xiao had already pieced together his identity. If he wasn't mistaken, this was Xu He, the prince of the Sun Moon Empire, who would later become known as the "Source of Destruction," He Caitou.
In his memories, the original He Caitou had escaped Mingdu during Xu Tianran and his father's coup, eventually fleeing to the Heavenly Soul Empire, where he was taken in by Shrek Academy.
Lin Xiao had always wondered how a nine-year-old child managed to evade a Titled Douluo's senses and escape Mingdu alone. Now, it seemed there were other factors at play.
Occasional bursts of intense soul power fluctuations rippled through the air. Though Zhongli Wu was quick and trying to suppress the commotion, many experts outside the palace still sensed something amiss and clashed with the Holy Spirit Church members blocking the perimeter.
"Jing Hongchen, what are you doing?"
At the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, several figures rose from Illustrious Virtue Hall. But before they could act, another group ascended into the air, blocking their path.
"Hall Master, Illustrious Virtue Hall serves only the Sun Moon Empire's royal family. As for internal royal matters, we shouldn't interfere," Jing Hongchen said.
"No interference?" The Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall looked toward the palace. "Then who are the people you let into the palace tonight?"
At this, Jing Hongchen fell silent, simply standing in the way of the others.
The Hall Master was about to say more when his gaze suddenly shifted into the distance. Bright lights flared up along Mingdu's streets, accompanied by distant shouts and the sounds of battle.
"Charge!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
On the other side, Lin Xiao, with his Soul King cultivation, found it easy to conceal himself while carrying a nine-year-old child. But as they neared the outskirts of Mingdu, away from the palace, a clamor arose from outside the city.
The commotion in the palace had just subsided when the army waiting outside received the signal. Led by Xu Tianran's father, Xu Jing, they stormed into the city.
Uniformed footsteps echoed through the streets. In the shops still open on both sides, ordinary people who hadn't yet rested watched the unfamiliar army pass by, their faces filled with confusion, unaware of what had transpired in the palace.
The divide between the world of ordinary people and soul masters was vast. Under the Holy Spirit Church's deliberate suppression, they had no idea that earth-shattering changes had occurred in the palace.
In a secluded alley, Lin Xiao cautiously peered out at the passing troops. Their bodies radiated soul power fluctuations, and their soul tools were clearly not standard issue. A faint, intangible killing intent emanated from them, marking them as a battle-hardened force.
Though he didn't know which army they belonged to, their strength was comparable to the Sun Moon Empire's soul engineer legions. For Xu Jing to muster such a force, he had spared no expense for tonight's operation.
"Who's there?"
A piercing beam of light suddenly shot from the army, landing on them. The shadows in the alley were dispelled, and upon seeing Lin Xiao's attire, several soldiers immediately surrounded them.
Lin Xiao's brows furrowed slightly. At such a distance, and with the soldiers' cultivation inferior to his, he hadn't expected them to notice such a remote spot.
Had Xu Jing even brought detection soul tools with the army?
His outfit was perfect for concealing his movements, but once noticed, it drew suspicion, as it did now. And at this moment, he was carrying Xu He, a child who couldn't be exposed.
These soldiers would undoubtedly recognize the Sun Moon Empire's prince, and Xu He's clothing would easily draw attention.
As more soldiers noticed the anomaly and gathered, Lin Xiao made his decision.
Though the Holy Spirit Church was cooperating with Xu Jing and Xu Tianran, Xu He's presence couldn't be explained. Tonight's events were critical to the church's future. If he ended up before Xu Jing, Nightmare Douluo would likely not admit to giving such an order.
There was still a chance to escape now, but if he were fully surrounded by a heavily armed soul engineer army, getting away would be a pipe dream.
With this in mind, Lin Xiao raised his hand, curling his fingers. His fingertips brushed across his palm, drawing specks of blood that floated upward. His first soul ring glowed yellow, and using his blood and flesh as a medium, Higanbana seeds took form.
Soul power surged, and dozens of dark red streaks shot forward.
Though they looked like harmless seeds, their power was formidable. The soldier at the forefront barely had time to see what they were before raising a soul shield.
But his body was struck as if by a soul cannon, sending him crashing backward.
Before the other soldiers could react, Lin Xiao leaped into the air. His toes tapped the walls on either side, and in an instant, he landed on a nearby rooftop. With light steps, his figure darted across the roofs, swiftly disappearing into the night.