At last, Lin Xiao understood how those men had perfected their fluid, coordinated attacks.
If they lured a client into the Star Dou Forest under the pretext of protection, surrounding the target "for safety," even a capable Spirit Master would be caught off guard. Those with support- or food-type martial souls would never even have the chance to resist.
They weren't Evil Spirit Masters by name—but their crimes were no different.
No wonder they'd said that leaving or staying meant death. Shrek Academy had been hunting them.
And it made sense that when he killed Old Third, the others froze in shock—they weren't hardened warriors at all. They were just thugs used to preying on the weak.
"In the Star Dou Forest," Lin Xiao said quietly, finishing Zhang Lexuan's unspoken thought, "danger lurks everywhere. When a few people disappear, no one asks questions."
Zhang Lexuan nodded faintly.
He gave a small, ironic smile. "A bit of a… cliché story, isn't it?"
She looked up at him suddenly. "Have you seen many like it?"
Lin Xiao hesitated. In his previous life, and in the Holy Spirit Church, he had heard countless stories just like this. Tragedies that blurred together. In any world, there was nothing new about cruelty.
"For the families of those Spirit Masters," Zhang Lexuan murmured, eyes distant, "perhaps one moment they were rejoicing over a child born with talent, and the next… they received only grief. No one ever expects how fast it can all change."
Moonlight traced the soft outline of her face. Lin Xiao watched her quietly, saying nothing. If not for certain things, she might have been celebrating with her family right now. If not for fate, perhaps even he wouldn't be wandering this world alone.
"By the way," Lin Xiao said at last, breaking the silence, "they had a fifth member. He's already been dealt with."
Zhang Lexuan nodded. "I see. You—"
"Does Shrek really let you handle missions like this alone?" Lin Xiao interrupted quickly, diverting the topic. Ordinary people wouldn't enter the Star Dou Forest unless they sought a spirit ring—too dangerous otherwise.
"The Academy wants us to learn to handle crises independently," she replied.
Lin Xiao nodded, but his mind turned. Is she truly alone?
If she had a hidden protector—someone of Titled Douluo strength—perhaps Lin Xiao could use Shrek's power to escape the Holy Spirit Church.
He knew Shrek's stance on Evil Spirit Masters; it had never changed. If they learned of the Church's existence, they'd act. And with Mu En at the helm, even the Church would hesitate to cross them.
But if Zhang Lexuan really was alone, dragging her into his mess would bring her nothing but danger—and himself no gain.
"Is there something you're trying to say?" she asked suddenly.
"Hmm?" Lin Xiao blinked. "Just that we've met twice now, and I still don't know your name."
"I'm—"
Before she could finish, a piercing scream ripped through the night, drowning her words.
Lin Xiao's expression changed instantly.
He hadn't felt its presence before—its aura had been completely hidden. But now, there was no mistaking it.
The hundred-thousand-year spirit beast had come.
And from the sound of its cry, its arrival was tied directly to the Ghost-Faced Owl that Nightmare Douluo had captured.
"Go!"
The word left his mouth as he surged forward.
Zhang Lexuan reacted at once, darting after him. But no matter how fast two Spirit Masters ran, they couldn't hope to outrun a beast of that level.
The oppressive aura behind them grew rapidly closer. Trees splintered like twigs in its wake; the forest howled with snapping wood and swirling winds.
Lin Xiao's face tightened. He had thrown away the captured owl's body—yet the beast still chased them.
So vindictive… but it's chasing the wrong person!
He glanced back at Zhang Lexuan, then abruptly reached out, seizing her wrist.
In the next instant, his speed exploded.
She gasped in surprise, but before she could speak, a crushing pressure hit her.
The air itself seemed to solidify, bearing down on her chest. Only then did she see the brilliant jets of light flaring from Lin Xiao's back.
Soul Tool Thrusters.
Not every soul engineer used them. Their acceleration came at a heavy price—the pressure on the body was immense, often beyond what most could endure.
But that very strain proved their strength.
Soul power surged endlessly into the device, and blinding light burst forth. Lin Xiao could feel his muscles tearing under the strain, pain stabbing through every fiber.
Wind roared past his ears, drowning all sound. Trees that stood in their path shattered as he tore through them.
A Titled Douluo hiding himself and letting his disciple face the wrath of a hundred-thousand-year beast… what a fine teacher you are, Nightmare Douluo.
His soul power drained rapidly, mind racing.
If he survived this chase, perhaps he could delay the Soul Ascension Ceremony even further.
But—
The beast had been rampaging for this long, and still no one from Shrek Academy had appeared. Could it be that Zhang Lexuan truly was alone?
He considered abandoning her—but just then, her voice cut through the wind.
"Fly toward the forest's edge! I can hold it off for a while. The Academy has patrols—hundred-thousand-year beasts never cross into open land!"
As expected of Shrek's future Senior Sister, Lin Xiao thought grimly. Even while under the pressure of flight, she adapted quickly, forming a protective barrier of soul power as she spoke.
He gave no reply, just fixed his eyes ahead. More trees cracked and splintered as he barreled through.
A surge of spirit power flared behind them, making him tense. He almost turned—but then hesitated.
A golden light burst in the sky.
A dragon's roar shook the forest.
(End of Chapter)