The crisp chirping of birds woke Lin Xiao from his meditation. Getting out of bed, he looked out the second-floor window. The sky hadn't fully brightened yet, but several breakfast stalls were already set up along the street.
Glancing down both sides of the road and seeing no suspicious figures, Lin Xiao let out a slight sigh of relief. The Shrek Inspection Team had probably left by now.
Last night, after running for half the night, he had finally found a place to rest.
This town was some distance from the border, and many people lived here. Unlike the Sun Moon Empire, the Heavenly Soul Empire lacked convenient soul tools. The ancient-style buildings along the street gave him the faint illusion of stepping into the past.
"Guest, you're up early!"
The innkeeper's enthusiastic greeting came from downstairs.
"Yes, I'm awake. Could you prepare a breakfast for me, please?" Lin Xiao replied, taking a seat by the window.
"Sure thing, just a moment!"
The morning sky brightened quickly. As Lin Xiao's breakfast was served, rays of sunlight slanted in, and the number of pedestrians outside grew, livening up the inn as more people entered.
Habitually scanning the room, Lin Xiao's movements paused briefly. A man and two women entered through the door. The man in front was a broad-shouldered middle-aged figure, but what caught Lin Xiao's attention were the two girls behind him. He had seen them before.
He instantly realized that the people who acted at Rongguan Crossing last night were the same ones he had encountered outside the Holy Spirit Church's branch altar.
Perhaps they hadn't returned after completing their previous mission, or maybe they had received a new one. Either way, Lin Xiao began considering whether he should leave now.
No, that wouldn't do. Whether it was outside the Holy Spirit Church's altar or at Rongguan Crossing last night, he had been wearing a mask. These people might not recognize him. Fleeing abruptly would only draw more suspicion.
With these thoughts, Lin Xiao lowered his head slightly, picked up his chopsticks, and blended in with the others in the inn.
"Is anyone sitting here?"
Here it comes.
Lin Xiao looked up, scanning the room. The inn, with its few tables, was already full. With a soft sigh, he put on a faint smile.
The gentle face before him was familiar—the moonlight from last night was still vivid in his mind. She was likely Zhang Lexuan, the future senior sister of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard.
"No, please sit," he said.
"Thank you," Zhang Lexuan replied, glancing at her companions. Their eyes lit up, and they walked over together.
"Teacher Fan," she said.
Teacher Fan?
Hearing Zhang Lexuan's address, Lin Xiao looked at the middle-aged man. Called "Teacher" by Zhang Lexuan and bearing the rare surname "Fan," could it be…
Lin Xiao's heart stirred. He hadn't found Xu He, but he had unexpectedly met Fan Yu ahead of time. In his memories, Xu He had met Fan Yu in the Heavenly Soul Empire and was taken to Shrek Academy. Could this be that moment?
"Thank you, young brother," Fan Yu said. Tall and broad-shouldered, he exuded a mountainous presence, but his voice was warm and gentle.
"You're welcome, please sit," Lin Xiao replied.
Fan Yu nodded and sat across from Lin Xiao, occasionally glancing at him. "May I know your name, young brother? I noticed a soul tool on your wrist. Are you a soul engineer?"
"I'm Shen Hao," Lin Xiao said casually, giving a false name. "I only know how to use some simple soul tools. I wouldn't call myself a soul engineer."
Lin Xiao didn't claim the title. Fan Yu was an eighth-level soul engineer, and if they discussed soul engineering, Lin Xiao might expose himself with a single sentence.
"Not necessarily," Fan Yu shook his head. "In the Sun Moon Empire, there's a type of control-type soul engineer who specializes in using soul tools without crafting them. But in the Heavenly Soul Empire, it's rare to see someone like you who's so open about it."
At this, Zhang Lexuan glanced at Lin Xiao, but he pretended not to notice.
"Sigh, many soul masters don't realize that soul tools have unique advantages in many areas, especially fixed soul tools. In war, a single high-level fixed soul tool can have a greater impact than a high-tier soul master," Fan Yu said.
Perhaps because few at Shrek Academy could discuss soul tools with him, Fan Yu grew animated. "Brother Shen, what made you start using soul tools?"
"Well… probably because soul tools can make up for some of a martial soul's weaknesses," Lin Xiao said, not entirely lying.
Fan Yu nodded repeatedly. "Sigh, Brother Shen sees it clearly. Soul tools can aid soul masters, and the right soul master can maximize a soul tool's power. Unfortunately, even at… the academy, many don't share this view."
Listening to Fan Yu, Lin Xiao quickly finished his food and stood. "Everyone, I'll take my leave."
"Take care, Brother Shen," Fan Yu said.
Being around Shrek Academy people made Lin Xiao uneasy. After saying goodbye, he hurried back upstairs.
Only when Lin Xiao was out of sight did Zhang Lexuan speak softly. "Teacher Fan…"
"I understand," Fan Yu interrupted. "You're all exceptionally talented in the Martial Soul Department, having defeated many soul engineers. Naturally, you think soul tools don't play a big role in high-tier soul master battles. If it weren't for this inspection mission, you wouldn't have come with me."
"But never underestimate soul tools or soul engineers," Fan Yu said earnestly, though it was unclear how much the two girls took to heart.
"Teacher Fan, is the academy so short on resources that you need to come here to buy materials?" Han Ruoruo, sensing the heavy atmosphere, quickly changed the topic.
"No," Fan Yu shook his head. "You don't know this, but the gap in soul tools between the Sun Moon Empire and the other three empires isn't just about soul engineers—it's also about resources. The Sun Moon Empire has abundant mineral veins, producing rare metals we don't have."
"And with the Sun Moon Empire strictly controlling the export of rare metals and minerals, I have to resort to some less-than-honest methods to acquire them here."
Lin Xiao didn't hear the rest of their conversation. Back in his room, he soon saw Fan Yu and the two girls leave, heading out of town along the street.
After a moment's thought, he packed his things and followed at a distance.
Though he wasn't sure if Fan Yu would encounter Xu He this time, it gave him a general direction, which was better than aimlessly wandering and relying on luck.