What?
Lin Xiao thought he had misheard. Though he didn't recognize the child, the exquisite fabric and craftsmanship of the boy's clothes made it clear he came from nobility. And since he had fled from the palace, his identity was not hard to guess.
That the Holy Spirit Church would help Xu Tianran commit murder did not surprise him—but rescuing someone from the palace was not their way. For a moment, he wondered if someone had used a spirit skill to imitate the Nightmare Douluo's voice.
"Help him escape. Why are you still standing there?"
The Nightmare Douluo's voice sounded again, sharper this time.
Hearing that, Lin Xiao no longer hesitated. His body shot out from the shadows, rushing straight toward the child. Having lived within the Holy Spirit Church for so long, he knew better than to question what he didn't understand.
The private guards patrolling nearby were closing in on the eastern gate. Before they could react, a dark figure burst from behind them. Hidden beneath the night, his face was invisible, only the flare of a black cloak flickering as he seized the boy—then both vanished into the darkness.
"Not good! After them!"
The soldiers' shouts echoed behind him, but they were quickly left far behind.
"Who are you?"
The boy in Lin Xiao's arms looked startled, but calmed himself quickly. From the blur of receding buildings on both sides, he realized his rescuer's cultivation far surpassed those soldiers.
Lin Xiao did not answer. Only the metallic mask on his face gleamed faintly, and his muffled voice came through.
"I'm taking you out of here."
"Are you one of father's men?" The boy's eyes brightened with hope. "My father is still inside! There's someone terrible in the palace—and my mother, my sisters… please, can you save them?"
Lin Xiao gave no reply, only shook his head slightly and continued speeding toward the outskirts of Radiant City.
Even if he wished to help, he was powerless against Zhongli Wu.
But from the boy's tone, Lin Xiao already understood who he was. If his guess was correct, this was Prince Xu He of the Sun and Moon Empire—the one who would later be known as the Source of Destruction, He Caitou.
In Lin Xiao's memory, Xu He had escaped the capital during Xu Tianran's coup, later reaching the Heavenly Soul Empire and being taken in by Shrek Academy.
He had always wondered how a nine-year-old child could evade the senses of Titled Douluos and escape the city alone. Now, it seemed the truth was not so simple.
Explosions of spirit power thundered occasionally through the air. Though Zhongli Wu was acting swiftly and doing his best to suppress the disturbance, many powerhouses outside the palace had sensed something amiss and clashed with the Church's defenders.
"Jing Hongchen, what do you think you're doing?"
At the Royal Soul Engineering Academy, several figures rose into the air from within the Illustrious Virtue Hall. But before they could act, another group intercepted them.
"Hall Master, our Illustrious Virtue Hall serves only the imperial family," one of them said coldly. "Whatever happens within the royal court isn't our affair."
"Not our affair?" the Hall Master replied, his eyes flashing toward the palace. "Then tell me—who did you let inside the palace tonight?"
Jing Hongchen remained silent, his expression unreadable, simply hovering in their way.
The Hall Master was about to retort when his gaze snapped toward the distance. In the streets of Radiant City, bright lights were flaring, and the sound of shouting and battle carried through the night.
"Charge!"
"Protect His Majesty!"
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao, with his Spirit King-level cultivation, had no trouble concealing himself and the nine-year-old prince. But just as they reached the outskirts of the city, noise erupted from beyond the walls.
The disturbance in the palace had barely quieted when the army stationed outside received the signal. Led by Xu Tianran's father, Xu Jing, they stormed into the capital.
The sound of synchronized footsteps filled the streets. Shopfronts still open late into the night crowded with civilians, all staring in confusion at the unfamiliar army. None knew what had transpired in the palace.
The world of ordinary people and that of Spirit Masters were separated by an unbridgeable gulf. With the Holy Spirit Church controlling the flow of information, the masses remained unaware that their empire had just changed rulers.
In a narrow alley, Lin Xiao peeked out at the marching troops. Their bodies emanated spirit power, their soul-tools gleaming—elite soldiers hardened by real battle.
He didn't recognize their banners, but their strength rivaled that of the empire's own Soul Engineer Legions. Xu Jing had indeed spared no expense for tonight's coup.
"Who's there?"
A harsh beam of light suddenly swept over them, erasing the shadows of the alley. Soldiers immediately surrounded them upon spotting Lin Xiao's cloaked figure.
Lin Xiao frowned. They were far away, and their strength was below his—but they had still noticed him. Could Xu Jing's troops be equipped with detection-type soul-tools?
His attire was meant for concealment, but once seen, it naturally drew suspicion. And beneath his cloak, the boy he carried could not be exposed.
The soldiers would recognize a prince of the Sun and Moon Empire on sight, especially dressed in royal garments.
As more troops began to converge, Lin Xiao made his decision.
Though the Holy Spirit Church was allied with Xu Jing and Xu Tianran, there was no explaining the boy's presence. The Church's future rested on this coup's success—if he were captured, the Nightmare Douluo would never admit to having given such an order.
There was still time to flee—but once surrounded by a fully armed soul-engineer army, escape would be impossible.
Thinking fast, Lin Xiao curved his fingers, slicing his palm. Drops of blood floated upward as his first spirit ring glowed yellow. Using his own blood as a medium, he conjured the seeds of the Other Shore.
Spirit power surged—dozens of dark-red streaks shot forward.
They looked harmless, but their power was deadly. The frontmost soldiers barely had time to raise their soul-tool shields before they were hurled backward as though struck by cannon fire.
Before the others could react, Lin Xiao sprang upward, feet tapping against the alley walls. In moments, he was on the rooftops, leaping from building to building until both he and the boy vanished once more into the night.
(End of Chapter)