When the stone chamber door closed behind him, Lin Xiao was finally alone—free at last to examine the changes within himself.
Beyond the obvious surge in spirit ring age, his body had grown stronger, his meridians tougher, his soul power denser and far more refined. Though his rank had not increased, the energy flowing through him felt purer, sharper—alive.
He raised his palm and summoned his martial spirit. The Other Shore Flower bloomed in his hand, its crimson hue even more vivid than before. Around it, faint whispers rose and fell—the voices of countless lingering spirits.
Among them, one small fragment of a soul darted restlessly within the flower's center. It did not struggle or fade as the others did; instead, it drifted about like a fish in water—utterly at home.
A trace of amusement flickered across Lin Xiao's lips. He dismissed his martial spirit and drew a deep breath, quietly feeling the flow of power through his veins.
The ceremony had lasted far longer than he had realized. His body bore faint traces of growth, as though years had passed in that single ritual. When he returned to the Church, it was already nearing the year's end—outside, a new year had likely dawned.
He had to admit—the Holy Spirit Church possessed frightening skill. Leaving aside the mind control and pain, their method of enhancing spirit rings and refining a Spirit Master's very foundation was beyond the reach of ordinary sects.
Yet even after living it himself, he still could not decipher the truth behind that mysterious "Holy Emperor." The Church, it seemed, still held secrets beyond his understanding.
Shaking his head, Lin Xiao let the thought fade and sank into meditation…
Days later, several figures streaked through the sky, flying on beams of light from their soul tools.
Wind roared past his ears. Lin Xiao glanced ahead at the man leading them—Xu Tianran, the Crown Prince of the Sun and Moon Empire. He had expected a prince to travel with pomp and guards, but instead, Xu Tianran wore a simple, fitted uniform and used the same soul propulsion devices as everyone else.
"The front lines are perilous, Your Highness," one of the guards called out anxiously. "Please, do not stray too far from us."
Xu Tianran smiled faintly. "The soldiers at the front risk their lives for the Empire's peace. With such loyalty, what danger could possibly frighten me? Besides—" He turned his eyes toward Zhongli Wu, "—with the great Worship Zhongli accompanying us, what could I fear?"
Zhongli Wu merely looked at him once and said nothing.
The prince seemed unbothered by the cold response, his smile undimmed. Only once in a while did his gaze drift backward—to Lin Xiao.
He had invited Zhongli Wu for a reason: to draw the Holy Spirit Church closer to him. And among the entourage that followed Zhongli Wu, aside from two of the Church's Elders, there was only this masked youth—quiet, unreadable, yet carried with deliberate purpose.
Xu Tianran could not sense Lin Xiao's cultivation clearly, but the fact that Zhongli Wu had brought him personally piqued his curiosity. What kind of value did this young man hold?
His eyes lingered on the mask for a long while, wondering what kind of face hid beneath it—and whether such a talent could be lured to his side.
Zhongli Wu, of course, was aware of every glance, every calculating thought, but chose not to care.
Lin Xiao followed silently, expression calm as ever.
"Hmm?" Xu Tianran suddenly tilted his head, peering down. "What's happening there?"
"Your Highness," a guard quickly replied, "those are refugees who fled from the front lines. The city below has been distributing porridge for relief."
Xu Tianran sighed softly. "The people endure so much for the Empire's sake." He looked toward Zhongli Wu with a faintly noble air. "Perhaps we should descend and see for ourselves?"
"As Your Highness commands," Zhongli Wu answered smoothly, though his tone gave nothing away.
They landed at the edge of the city. Even without banners or heralds, the entourage's fine attire drew countless stares. Passersby stepped aside in awe.
The refugees, however, barely looked up. Their dull, hollow eyes focused only on the steaming cauldrons ahead. For them, a stranger's presence meant nothing—half a bowl of porridge meant survival.
Only a few children, too young to know hunger's weight, peeked at the new arrivals with curiosity.
"Your Highness…" one of the attendants murmured uneasily, unwilling to let the prince wander too close to the crowd.
Xu Tianran waved the concern away, frowning as if in sorrow before letting out a theatrical sigh. "The suffering of the people pains my heart," he said—and then, in a softer tone, "We've been traveling for quite some time. Perhaps we should rest here for a moment?"
As he spoke, his eyes flicked—not toward Zhongli Wu this time, but toward Lin Xiao.
The others exchanged puzzled looks. None of them were tired, and their soul power was far from depleted. It seemed the prince's words were meant less for his own comfort, and more for the masked youth following them.
"That won't be necessary, Your Highness," Zhongli Wu interjected calmly. "The border isn't far. We can rest once we arrive—and the soldiers at the front will take heart knowing you reached them swiftly."
At that, the guards visibly relaxed. A delay on the road meant greater risk; every extra hour before reaching the safety of the army weighed heavily on them and their families alike.
"Well then," Xu Tianran said, smiling faintly, "since Worship Zhongli insists, let us continue."
He turned to leave—but something by the roadside caught his eye.
A young girl knelt beside the wall, no older than eleven or twelve. Her clothes were ragged, her small frame thin from hunger, her face streaked with dirt. Yet beneath the grime, her features hinted at delicate beauty, and her eyes—bright and clever—watched him without fear.
Xu Tianran paused. Then, with deliberate gentleness, he stepped forward and brushed a few strands of straw from her hair.
"Are you here to… buy me?"
Her voice trembled, timid but steady. For a moment, Xu Tianran only studied her—then laughed quietly.
"You want me to buy you? Tell me—what can you do?"
"I… My father was a cook. I can make food."
"Hah! I have no need for another cook," he said with a smile. "But I am short one attendant. If you're willing to serve me, perhaps I'll consider it."
"I'm willing!" she blurted, bowing low, forehead touching the dirt.
Xu Tianran chuckled again and looked toward his attendants. "Take her. To appear before me is a talent in itself."
"Yes, Your Highness." One of them stepped forward, helping the girl to her feet. "Child, what's your name?"
The girl hesitated only a moment before answering softly,
"My name is… Ju Zi."
(End of Chapter)