Evil soul master.
The three words flashed through the officer's mind as he realized the eerie way Lin Xiao's cultivation was advancing. But just as quickly, he remembered that Lin Xiao had been personally arranged by Liao Mengkai.
Did Commander Liao know? Had these evil soul masters deceived Liao Mengkai, or was he already involved with them? The officer didn't dare think further.
Even in the Sun Moon Empire, most people held similar views toward evil soul masters. Lin Xiao glanced at the officer, and seeing that he had guessed the truth, he no longer bothered to conceal it. As the Higanbana, wisps of remnant souls began converging toward him.
Lin Xiao knew he was merely the beginning. With the Holy Spirit Church's cooperation with the imperial family, it wouldn't be long before evil soul masters gradually appeared throughout the Sun Moon Empire. In the future, the Holy Spirit Church might even become the state religion of the Sun Moon Empire.
Watching the five pitch-black soul rings, the officer was dumbfounded. It wasn't until the sound of soul tool cannons echoed nearby that his attention snapped back to the battlefield.
With a fearful glance at Lin Xiao, he returned to commanding the troops, no longer attempting to speak with him.
Lin Xiao was content with the solitude, his gaze fixed on his palm. As the remnant souls were drawn to the Higanbana, scenes appeared before his eyes—memories the souls couldn't let go of.
Ever since his sea of spirit was no longer restricted, he could see more from these remnant souls. Some were warm memories of family, others were obsessions with treasures even in death, and sometimes, he could even learn unique techniques from them.
These remnant souls were no longer just for condensing soul seeds.
Though his soul power level had already broken through, the soul power within him showed no signs of settling. Only the sounds around him seemed to quiet slightly. While the Star Luo Empire held the high ground, in the face of the Sun Moon Empire's soul tool cannons, that advantage was significantly diminished.
Coupled with the detection soul tool's precise pinpointing of the camp's location, in just half the night, the surprise attack was nearing its end. The Star Luo Empire's army was forced to abandon their advantageous terrain and retreat eastward.
"Well done!"
In Pingxing City, Xu Tianran had yet to rest, his eyes fixed on the soul tool screen. Though he wasn't a renowned general, he wasn't ignorant of military matters either. He could see that after tonight, most of the Mingdou Mountain Range had fallen under the Sun Moon Empire's control.
With the range of soul tools, once they held the high ground, it would be nearly impossible for the Star Luo Empire to counterattack.
"Our Sun Moon Empire's army should be like this. In the future, we will surely crush the three great empires," Xu Tianran said, his face tinged with excitement, his ambitions undisguised.
The Sun Moon Empire had many border cities, and Xu Tianran's trip wasn't just to Pingxing City. He hadn't expected to witness such a spectacle upon arriving here, which gave him a faint sense of anticipation for his upcoming visits to other border regions.
Of course, many others were paying attention to Xu Tianran's itinerary.
Thousands of miles away in the capital, Mingdu, in an unremarkable courtyard, several cloaked figures gathered. Occasionally, the edges of luxurious clothing peeked out from beneath their cloaks, hinting at their extraordinary status.
"Second Brother, what are you still hesitating for?"
"No, I need to think this over more." The one called "Second Brother" paced anxiously before abruptly sitting down, his brows tightly furrowed, showing no sign of relaxing.
"Second Brother, we can't hesitate any longer. Father letting Big Brother go to the border already shows his stance. Once Big Brother returns, the perceptive ones in court will immediately flock to him. By then, we'll have no chance!"
"No, no." Second Brother waved his hand dismissively.
"Second Brother!" Another person stood up. "This isn't just some throne; it's the imperial throne of the entire Sun Moon Empire. Even if you don't act, once Big Brother ascends, with his personality, how could he tolerate us?"
The speaker's voice grew colder. "If you hesitate now, when Big Brother makes his move, he won't care about brotherly bonds."
Second Brother's expression wavered, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Seeing this, the others exchanged glances and hurriedly stepped forward. "Second Brother, this is the best opportunity. We've already had people investigate. Big Brother is traveling light, with no army accompanying him, only a few experts protecting him."
"We just need to hire experienced assassins to distract those experts for a moment. A single opportunity is all it takes for a fatal strike."
"Yes, Second Brother," another urged. "Once Big Brother returns to Mingdu, it won't be so easy to act. Opportunities are fleeting."
"But I still feel this isn't right. This concerns the crown prince—who would dare be so bold?"
"Second Brother, with all due respect, don't forget how Father got his throne… There are still many loyalists of the former emperor in Mingdu. Just leak Big Brother's whereabouts, and someone will take action."
"Outrageous!" Second Brother shouted. "Such words touch on the foundation of our imperial family. Never speak of this again."
"Second Brother!"
Despite his words, the others continued to persuade him, their voices rising one after another.
Finally, Second Brother could no longer sit still. He stood abruptly, his gaze growing colder as he looked at the others. "After tonight, you all…"
"Second Brother, Big Brother is narrow-minded. We're only acting to protect ourselves. If this succeeds, we will all support you to become the crown prince!"
"We will all support Second Brother to become the crown prince!" the others echoed.
"Fine! Since my brothers all share this resolve, I agree. Send the order: have our people closely monitor the crown prince's movements. Besides contacting the former emperor's loyalists, hire a group of assassins. When the time is right, we must strike fatally. The crown prince must not return to Mingdu!"
"Yes!"
The group in the courtyard reached a consensus, their voices gradually lowering. Soon after, the courtyard gate opened, and one by one, the figures glanced around to ensure no one was watching before leading their people out.
In the courtyard, the one called "Second Brother" sighed softly, removing his hood to reveal a face bearing some resemblance to Xu Tianran's. "Big Brother, don't blame me. This isn't just my decision. Your ruthless ways leave us, your younger brothers, no choice but to protect ourselves."
A breeze swept through, scattering the thin clouds, and moonlight illuminated the courtyard. Looking at his face, there was no trace of the hesitation he had shown earlier.
By dawn, sunlight bathed the entire Mingdou Mountain Range. The sounds of battle had ceased, leaving only shattered armor and weapons mixed with dark brown blood and mud before Lin Xiao.