"So you're from Shrek Academy?" Lin Xiao's tone turned "enthusiastic" instantly.
Zhang Lexuan glanced at him, her expression odd, but she said nothing.
"Thank you for your kindness. I've long admired Shrek Academy, but unfortunately, I already have a master, so…" Lin Xiao trailed off.
"That's truly a pity," Fan Yu sighed softly, not pressing further. Shrek Academy's reputation resounded across the continent, but its Soul Tool Department was indeed lackluster.
Fan Yu's flight speed was swift, and as they spoke, they returned to the town from before. Landing on the ground, the group breathed a sigh of relief. The man from earlier was gone from the town entrance, but three figures—two adults and a child—were looking around.
"Senior, Teacher Fan!" one of them called, waving eagerly upon seeing the group land. "After settling those two, we followed the markers here, wondering where you'd gone!"
"We just dealt with some other matters," Fan Yu said, a hint of embarrassment on his face as he quickly changed the subject. "By the way, who's this child?"
"Oh, we met him on the way," the two stepped aside, revealing the child behind them. "He said he was being chased by bandits, so we brought him along."
Lin Xiao had remained silent, but upon seeing the child hiding behind the two Shrek students, his eyes flickered slightly.
He had found him.
It had been over half a month, and Xu He's clothes were now tattered, his face gaunt. Combined with the exhaustion from lack of rest and the dust from constant fleeing, he no longer resembled the prince who had emerged from the palace.
Visible scars marked the skin his clothes couldn't fully cover, evidence of encounters with pursuers. With Xu Jing now on the throne, controlling the Sun Moon Empire's intelligence network, finding someone was indeed faster than Lin Xiao could manage.
"Child, what's your name?" Fan Yu crouched down, looking at Xu He gently.
"I'm… He Caitou," Xu He hesitated, mumbling a name.
He Caitou? What kind of name is that?
Fan Yu looked back, exchanging glances with Zhang Lexuan and the others, but he didn't press further. "He Caitou, where are your parents?"
"They were killed by bandits," Xu He replied.
Fan Yu's expression shifted, as if reminded of something. After a long silence, he reached out and patted He Caitou's head. "How about I take you back with me?"
Seeing He Caitou hesitate, Fan Yu smiled. "Don't worry. I'm from a place called Shrek Academy. It's a powerful place—those bandits won't dare come there."
At the mention of Shrek Academy, He Caitou's guard finally dropped. He stepped forward, nodding firmly. He knew his pursuers wouldn't dare enter Shrek Academy.
"Teacher Fan?" Han Ruoruo stepped forward, giving him a meaningful look.
Fan Yu shook his head almost imperceptibly. "Since we've encountered him, we can't just ignore him, can we?"
Lin Xiao observed the group closely. From Fan Yu's reaction, it seemed he suspected He Caitou's background wasn't as simple as he claimed.
Regardless, having confirmed He Caitou's destination, Lin Xiao had no reason to linger. "Everyone, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
Fan Yu hurriedly stood. "Brother Shen, why the rush? We haven't thanked you for your help earlier."
"It was nothing," Lin Xiao waved dismissively. "You're from Shrek Academy. Even without me, that soul beast wouldn't have stopped you."
"No, no, that's not true. Without you, Brother Shen, the outcome would've been hard to predict…" Fan Yu protested.
As Fan Yu spoke, Lin Xiao stepped back. "No need for formalities. Farewell."
"Brother Shen—" Fan Yu called, but seeing Lin Xiao's figure quickly vanish, he didn't pursue. "Fine, pressing further would make me seem petty. This Brother Shen is young but knowledgeable—likely no ordinary person. It's a shame I didn't get to talk with him more…"
Unaware of Fan Yu's musings, Lin Xiao, shortly after leaving, turned and sped northwest.
If he could, he'd have liked to accept Shrek Academy's gratitude with a clear conscience, but it was all built on a lie.
Had he not intervened to lead the Shrek group away, they might have soon noticed something amiss.
Lost in thought, Lin Xiao tilted his head slightly, as if sensing something. Moments later, his speed surged.
At the foot of the mountain, the recent battle had left piles of fallen rocks. A skinny figure stealthily glanced up the mountain, then leaned against a boulder, pulling out a dozen assorted storage soul tools from his chest.
After carefully counting them, he tucked them back with satisfaction, then took out a bottle, pouring a pale yellow liquid over himself.
Prepared, the man peeked out from behind the boulder and began climbing the mountain.
But he hadn't gone far when a pair of black boots appeared in his view. Looking up, past a black cloak, he saw a familiar face.
"S-Sir… how are you here?" the man stammered.
"Didn't you sell me that information? Why so surprised?" Lin Xiao said, looking down at the man who had sold him the mineral tip. The Higanbana Seed he had planted on him was still vivid.
"In such a hurry—eager to see how much is left of me in that soul beast's mouth?" Lin Xiao's gaze swept over the man's chest, and he sighed lightly.
"The Gold-Devouring Beast, though it absorbs ores and metals, boasting immense attack and defense, struggles to digest them. After feeding, it must slumber for a time."
"You likely took advantage of its slumber, using its urine to mask your scent and scavenge the battlefield. As they say, snakes have their paths, and rats have theirs. I'm impressed—a mere two-ring Great Soul Master, yet you've figured out the habits of an eighty-thousand-year soul beast."
"Sir, what are you talking about?" the man said, still trying to deflect.
Lin Xiao shook his head with a smile. "Minerals don't appear in small patches. Finding scattered ores often means a whole vein lies behind them. You didn't mention that—were you hoping buyers would figure it out themselves?"
"But you were too eager to make people believe. This is the border of two empires. Who living here isn't cautious? Why would you so easily show your martial soul to a stranger?"