Soldiers trudged through the blood-soaked mud, gathering bodies and scavenging the shattered fragments of soul tools scattered across the field. The damaged pieces could no longer function, but once melted down, their metal still held value.
Lin Xiao crouched and pried from the ground half of a broken amulet. The charm's once-delicate patterns had long since worn away. A token once filled with love and blessing had failed to protect its owner in the end.
From the distant woods came the low croaks of crows, bold enough to descend upon the corpses despite the soldiers still cleaning the field. Their wings beat the air in a slow rhythm, punctuated by wet, greedy pecks and guttural cries.
The smell of blood and smoke no longer stirred anything in him. Staring across the carnage, Lin Xiao felt no sorrow, no disgust—only quiet familiarity. Perhaps he had long since grown used to such sights.
The soldiers passing nearby avoided him instinctively, stepping wide of the cloaked figure. Lin Xiao cast them a single glance and turned away, heading back toward Pingxing City. The battle was over; there was no reason for him to linger.
As he approached the city gates, he caught sight of Zhongli Wu waiting for him.
"I was just about to fetch you," Zhongli Wu said with a faint smile. "It seems you've gained quite a bit from this battle."
"Many thanks for your guidance, Master."
"No need to thank me," Zhongli Wu replied mildly, glancing toward the Mingdou Range. "It merely occurred to me that this might prove useful. In time, our disciples may find even greater harvests here."
While they spoke, several figures emerged from the city.
"Your Highness, will you not rest a few days before departing?" Commander Liao Mengkai asked.
"No need," Xu Tianran answered with a faint smile. "I have already witnessed the fine performance you prepared. With Commander Liao guarding the border, the empire's safety is assured."
"In that case, allow me to escort Your Highness a short distance," Liao offered.
"There's no need. The battle only just ended, and your duties are heavy. I have my worshippers beside me—you needn't worry."
"As you command." Liao bowed deeply. "I bid Your Highness safe travels."
Xu Tianran nodded, turning toward Zhongli Wu and Lin Xiao before stepping forward. A moment later, his flight soul tool flared to life, lifting him into the air.
"Your Highness," one attendant called as they ascended, "our next destination lies to the north—toward the border between the Sun and Moon Empire and the Heavenly Soul Empire."
Their figures streaked across the morning sky when another voice spoke softly beside Xu Tianran. "Your Highness, have we not strayed somewhat from our course?"
"Hmph." Xu Tianran's gaze sharpened. "I travel with only a few attendants. You think no one watches us? Our route will be decided as I see fit."
He turned his head, eyes narrowing. "Why? Are you so concerned for my safety?"
The question carried a chill. The man beside him broke into a sweat, his throat tightening. He hesitated—then suddenly lunged.
"Protect His Highness!"
Shouts erupted. Instantly, rings of light flared—Spirit Rings of every color bursting into view. A web of defensive soul barriers closed around Xu Tianran, wrapping him completely.
The blow never touched him, but the impact jarred his flight device. The thrusters sputtered, sending Xu Tianran spinning downward.
Through it all, Zhongli Wu still hadn't moved. Only when the attacker was restrained by the other guards did the Church leader finally act—stepping once and flashing forward, his hand darting out to seize the falling prince.
At that instant, a crimson beam shot from the clouds, lancing straight for Zhongli Wu's forearm.
It seemed small—insignificant even—but his instincts screamed danger. He pulled back immediately, aborting his grasp.
"Master!" one of the Holy Spirit Church worshippers shouted. His eyes swept the horizon, then locked onto a distant ridge. Black wings burst from his back as he streaked toward the source of the shot.
Meanwhile, Xu Tianran's body continued to plummet—yet there was no fear in his face.
With a shout, seven Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet. He kicked against the air, forcing his descent to halt mid-fall.
A Spirit Saint.
Lin Xiao, trailing behind, had been half-lost in thought, still digesting the remnants of his battle insights. When two figures suddenly plummeted past him, he looked up—and froze as seven spirit rings blazed around Xu Tianran's body.
They had traveled together for days, and never once had the prince revealed his cultivation. To find that he was a Spirit Saint shocked him—but then again, it made perfect sense.
Xu Tianran's talent had never been weak. With the empire's vast stores of medicine and resources, it was only natural that even with his frail body, he would have reached such a level before middle age.
A dragon's roar reverberated through the sky as Xu Tianran steadied himself. While a Spirit Saint could not sustain true flight, hovering briefly was well within reach—hence his calm composure.
But rather than returning to his guards, Xu Tianran twisted mid-air and dove toward another falling figure.
It was Ju Zi. Her cultivation was meager, and throughout the journey she had relied on others to carry her through the skies. In this sudden chaos, no one had time to care for a child picked up along the road.
Xu Tianran extended his hand, activating his flight device and catching her mid-fall.
"Your Highness!"
A cry of alarm tore through the air.
The men nearest to him turned—and struck. Some of the very soul engineers who had sworn to guard him now unleashed their hidden weapons, intercepting Zhongli Wu's rescue attempt.
The ambush had been carefully planned; there was no way it would end with a single traitor.
Just as Xu Tianran grasped Ju Zi's wrist, a shadow emerged from his back.
No one saw where it came from. It was as though it had been fused with him all along—concealed within his aura, unseen until the moment it struck.
Even Xu Tianran himself hadn't sensed the presence behind him until the horrified shouts of his men warned him too late.
A flash of steel. A killing intent colder than winter.
Zhongli Wu's expression hardened. At last, the leader of the Holy Spirit Church moved in earnest. Nine spirit rings rose behind him like a descending storm, and a golden scepter-like weapon appeared in his grip. With a thrust, the wind howled—gales swirling into a violent tempest.
Though the Church merely cooperated with the imperial family, Zhongli Wu could not allow the Crown Prince of the Sun and Moon Empire to die before his eyes.
The storm shattered the assassin's precision, forcing Xu Tianran's balance to falter—but it also threw off the killer's aim for a single instant.
"Pff—"
A sharp sound pierced the wind—the unmistakable bite of metal driving into flesh.
"Your Highness—!"
The guards' faces went pale. They rushed forward in terror, only to freeze when they saw the truth.
The dagger had not pierced Xu Tianran's back.
It had sunk deep into Ju Zi's body.
She had seen the shadow before anyone else. And at the last possible second, her small figure had moved between them.
(End of Chapter)