Some soldiers moved through the battlefield, collecting corpses and picking up fragments of broken soul tools. Though the soul tools were no longer usable, they still held some value when melted down into metal.
Lin Xiao glanced at the ground, prying a half-broken amulet from the muddy earth. Its patterns were heavily worn, and this amulet, filled with longing and blessings, had ultimately failed to protect its owner.
A few bold crows flew in from the distance, greedily pecking at the scattered corpses despite the soldiers still cleaning the battlefield. From time to time, a low, mournful caw echoed.
The smell at his nose had long become familiar, and looking at the scene around him, Lin Xiao's heart felt no great stir. Perhaps he had already grown accustomed to such sights.
The passing soldiers deliberately or subconsciously avoided this area. Lin Xiao gave it one last glance before heading toward Pingxing City. With the battle over, there was no need for him to linger.
Just as Lin Xiao reached the outskirts of Pingxing City, he saw Zhongli Wu already standing there.
"I was just about to come get you," Zhongli Wu said, looking at Lin Xiao with a faint smile. "It seems you've gained quite a bit."
"Thanks to the Leader's guidance."
"No need for that. It was just a passing thought," Zhongli Wu said, glancing toward the Mingdou Mountain Range. "In the future, perhaps my Holy Church's disciples can gain even more from this place."
As Zhongli Wu spoke, several figures emerged from the city.
"Your Highness, must you really not stay in the city for a few days?"
"No need for further words, Commander Liao. I've already witnessed the grand spectacle you prepared. With you here, the Sun Moon Empire's border is surely secure."
"In that case, please wait a moment, Your Highness. I'll bring a few men to personally escort you."
"No need. Last night's battle has just ended, and you have military affairs to attend to, Commander Liao. You can't leave so easily. I have several consecrators with me, so there's no need for concern."
"Yes." Liao Mengkai said no more, cupping his hands. "Safe travels, Your Highness."
Xu Tianran nodded, glanced at Zhongli Wu and Lin Xiao standing nearby, took a few steps, and then soared into the sky with the aid of his flying soul tool.
"Your Highness, according to the original plan, we'll head north next, to the border between the Sun Moon Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire."
As the group flew through the air, one of Xu Tianran's entourage suddenly leaned closer. "Your Highness, aren't we veering off course?"
"Hmph." Xu Tianran let out a cold snort. "I didn't bring many people on this trip, so there are likely plenty watching me in the shadows. Where we go must be decided on the spot."
"What? Are you worried about my safety?"
Xu Tianran's gaze turned cold, and the person beside him instantly broke into a cold sweat. After a moment of silence, the man suddenly lunged at Xu Tianran.
"Protect His Highness!"
The others shouted, and in an instant, soul rings of various colors rose. Soul tool shields enveloped Xu Tianran, protecting him completely.
Though Xu Tianran himself wasn't harmed, the collision caused his flying soul tool to lose balance, sending him plummeting toward the ground.
Zhongli Wu, standing nearby, hadn't made a move until the assailant was subdued by the others. Only then did he step forward, catching Xu Tianran in midair.
But in that instant, a blood-red beam shot out from an unknown source, aimed directly at Zhongli Wu's forearm.
Though it seemed unremarkable, Zhongli Wu sensed a hint of danger and had to retract his outstretched hand.
"Leader!" one of the Holy Spirit Church consecrators shouted. His gaze swept around, locking onto a direction. A pair of pitch-black wings sprouted from his back as he flew off into the distance.
Meanwhile, Xu Tianran, still falling, showed no signs of panic. Seven soul rings suddenly rose around him, and with a tap of his foot, he steadied himself instantly.
The events unfolded in a mere moment. Lin Xiao, trailing behind and still processing his gains, saw two figures plummet past him.
Then he noticed the seven soul rings around Xu Tianran.
Despite spending several days together, it was only now that Lin Xiao realized Xu Tianran, who had never revealed his cultivation, was a Soul Saint.
But it made sense. Xu Tianran's talent wasn't lacking, and with the aid of various elixirs, he had even broken through to the Titled Douluo level in his thirties despite physical ailments. His current cultivation wasn't surprising.
A dragon's roar sounded, and Xu Tianran's falling body came to a sudden halt. While a Soul Saint couldn't fly for long periods, they could hover in the air, which explained his calm demeanor.
After stabilizing himself, Xu Tianran didn't immediately return to the group. Instead, he turned and flew toward the other falling figure.
Ju Zi's cultivation was low, and she had been carried by others during the journey. In such a critical moment, no one had the time to look after a child picked up along the way.
Xu Tianran, however, maneuvered his flying soul tool to catch her.
"Your Highness!"
A sudden cry rang out.
The sudden attack from someone in Xu Tianran's entourage, coupled with a soul engineer blocking Zhongli Wu's attempt to save him, showed this was a carefully planned ambush. It wouldn't be so simple.
The moment Xu Tianran grabbed Ju Zi, a figure "emerged" from behind him.
No one could tell where the figure came from—it was as if they had been completely fused with Xu Tianran from the start, only revealing themselves when they struck.
Even Xu Tianran hadn't sensed the presence behind him. It was the others' cries that alerted him to something amiss.
But it was too late. A cold gleam shot straight toward his back.
The air darkened abruptly. Zhongli Wu, standing in midair, finally acted. As nine soul rings rose one by one, a scepter-like weapon appeared in his hand. With a point forward, a fierce gale erupted instantly.
Though the Holy Spirit Church only cooperated with the imperial family, Zhongli Wu couldn't simply watch the Sun Moon Empire's crown prince die in front of him.
The onslaught of the storm destabilized Xu Tianran's stance and slowed the movements of the figure behind him.
Swish—
The cold gleam flashed, and the blade descended, the sound of a weapon piercing flesh ringing out.
"Your Highness—"
The faces of the other consecrators turned ashen. But as they rushed to Xu Tianran's side, they realized the dagger hadn't struck Xu Tianran's back—it had pierced Ju Zi.
From the moment the figure emerged behind Xu Tianran, Ju Zi had noticed them. At some point, she had positioned herself between them.