Hunted Down

However, Ouyang Zixin looked extremely happy. She hurriedly took out some picnic food from her little pink shoulder bag and arranged it neatly.

Only then did she notice that something was off with Lin Xiuran, but she did not pay it much mind. Smiling, she asked, "Little brother, aren't you happy?"

Lin Xiuran did not answer. He merely looked at her and asked, "Aren't you going to celebrate Xu Xiaoyu's birthday?"

Ouyang Zixin froze slightly, then looked at Lin Xiuran. "You already knew?"

Lin Xiuran was silent for a moment before saying, "Sister Zixin, I may be young, but I'm not stupid."

Ouyang Zixin frowned faintly and hurriedly said, "I only wanted to help ease the tension between you and Senior Xu. When Senior Xu gets here, you need to speak properly. You're real brothers—how can you turn against each other?"

Ouyang Zixin seemed to feel somewhat guilty about deceiving Lin Xiuran, so she still offered an explanation.

"Don't overthink it. I said that because I was afraid you wouldn't come, but we're still celebrating your birthday. Senior Xu will come later too, and we'll celebrate together."

Once Ouyang Zixin said that, Lin Xiuran understood everything. It seemed Xu Junwen had used repairing their relationship as an excuse to have Ouyang Zixin invite him out.

And Ouyang Zixin was only so happy because Xu Xiaoyu would be coming and they could eat together.

But before the two of them could see Xu Xiaoyu, several people suddenly rushed out of the woods beside them.

They were all dressed in pure white, their faces covered by masks. Still, their killing intent was obvious.

They had come straight for Lin Xiuran!

Lin Xiuran had been to the Spirit Ascension Platform and had some practical combat experience. He immediately backed away.

Ouyang Zixin, beside him, seemed to have reacted as well, but she clearly had no time to retreat. She directly tried to use a Soul Skill to defend herself.

However, the leader among them launched an attack in an instant. A one-meter-long Ice Spike shot forward, naturally targeting the Ouyang Zixin who was standing farther ahead.

Apparently never expecting such a situation, she summoned her Martial Soul but had no time to use a Soul Skill before the Ice Spike was already before her.

The Ice Spike grew larger and larger in her pupils. Just as it was about to pierce her, she instinctively closed her eyes.

But at that critical moment, a force surged from her arm and instantly pulled her aside. She barely avoided the fatal blow from the Ice Spike, though her arm was still slashed open. Blood streamed down, quickly covering her left arm.

Ouyang Zixin stared in horror at Lin Xiuran, who had saved her. For a moment, she was completely at a loss. She was only in her teens—how could she possibly stay calm in such a situation?

Her mind was filled with disbelief. Why had Senior Xu not come? Why were assassins lying in ambush here? This was clearly the location Senior Xu had given them!

But no one answered the questions in her heart. The assassins were already closing in again.

Lin Xiuran gritted his teeth, his expression turning solemn. There were five opponents in all—three Soul Elders and two Soul Ancestors.

With his level-twenty Soul Power, there was no way he could fight them. And they were in the outskirts, where few people lived. Calling for help was basically impossible. This was a dead end!

Yet no one would give up even the slightest hope, especially in the face of life and death. This was also Lin Xiuran's first true life-or-death battle between Soul Masters. Though he clearly had no experience with this, he remained exceptionally calm and did not panic too much. It seemed to be a natural reaction from his body.

"Finish them quickly!"

The leader stomped down and sprang into the air. At the same time, the fourth purple Soul Ring on his body lit up. A blue bird flew through the sky, then let out a cry.

Above them, Ice Spikes gathered around the blue bird in an instant and rained down like droplets, immediately engulfing Lin Xiuran and Ouyang Zixin.

Lin Xiuran did not hesitate. Soul Power condensed around his arms, and he stacked his hands together, intending to directly withstand the Soul Skill.

There was no other way. The opponent's Soul Skill covered too wide an area. He could not escape in time and could only block it with Soul Power.

But the leader merely smiled disdainfully. How could a thousand-year Soul Skill unleashed by a level-forty Soul Ancestor possibly be blocked by a level-twenty child?

Yet just as the Ice Spikes were about to strike Lin Xiuran, a circular shield instantly appeared before him.

No matter how the Ice Spikes battered it, the shield remained firm, blocking the Ice Bird Soul Master's fourth Soul Skill.

The Ice Bird Soul Master's gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "A defensive Soul Tool!"

It was the Soul Tool the Clan Elder had given Lin Xiuran for his wrist. Even Lin Xiuran had not expected this defensive Soul Tool to be so powerful that it could truly block a thousand-year fourth Soul Skill.

"Attack!" The Ice Bird Soul Master did not hesitate. His Soul Rings lit up as he prepared to launch another attack, and the others did the same.

But at that moment, pink smoke suddenly enveloped them. In that instant, they lost sight of their targets.

When they rushed out of the smoke, the Ice Bird Soul Master's face had already gone dark. He had never expected that the five of them would fail to deal with Lin Xiuran and Ouyang Zixin immediately.

Grinding his teeth, he said, "Chase them!"

At that moment, the Xu Family villa district in the center of Eastsea City was overflowing with guests and bustling with excitement.

There was no other reason. Today was the birthday banquet of the Xu Family's eldest young master, Xu Xiaoyu. Many of Eastsea City's prominent figures had been invited. The Xu Family was, after all, a great family, so the guests were naturally either wealthy or influential.

Dressed in a well-fitted suit, Xu Xiaoyu wore his hair immaculately combed and responded politely to each guest with a courteous smile. He was the center of attention today, basking in the spotlight and enjoying everyone's flattery.

After all, there were far too many people in Eastsea City who wanted to curry favor with the Xu Family. Naturally, they would also seek to please the Xu Family's eldest young master and future heir.

Xu Junwen watched Xu Xiaoyu socialize with the guests from the second floor, nodding from time to time. He was clearly very satisfied with Xu Xiaoyu's performance.

After watching for a while, he turned to the Butler beside him and asked, "Well? Any news from over there?"

"Master, not yet."

Xu Junwen nodded. "Tell me immediately when there is."

Xu Xiaoyu was absolutely satisfied with himself at that moment. These past two days, everything had been going his way. Without the threat Lin Xiuran posed, he no longer needed to worry about the Xu Family's future inheritance.

No matter how outstanding or favored Xu Xiaoyan was, she was still a girl. Sooner or later, she would marry out. In the entire Xu Family, he alone was the most qualified to inherit it.

"Though I won't get to have fun with that woman Ouyang Zixin, it was still worth it."

Through the window of the Xu Family villa, Xu Xiaoyu looked toward the outskirts with some regret in his eyes, though even more smugness.