Assassination

Deep in the night, inside a bedchamber within the imperial palace, the faint candlelight on the desk flickered, illuminating only a few meters of the surrounding area. The rest of the room was plunged into darkness, giving the interior an exceptionally eerie and gloomy atmosphere.

A figure sat before the desk, intently reading a book. His complexion had a sickly pallor, and although he had long since entered middle age, he looked as young and handsome as a twenty-year-old.

It was the Third Prince of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Tianran.

Suddenly, a black figure appeared beside Xu Tianran, but he did not react, continuing to read the book in his hands with focus.

"Your Highness, the news has been confirmed. Xu Lanqing has already accepted Kong Deming as his master."

The black figure knelt on one knee, his hoarse voice devoid of emotion.

Xu Tianran paused, slowly closing the book. He stared at the cover with somewhat hollow eyes, lost in thought.

After a long while, he finally snapped back to reality, smacking his lips with a trace of mockery on his face.

"Heh, Ultimate Ice, and now he's even apprenticed to Kong Deming. If this continues, should they just crown him Crown Prince next?"

No one knows a son like his father; likewise, as a son, Xu Tianran knew exactly what his imperial father was thinking.

He looked down at his empty trousers, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness. He clearly remembered the agony of his forced amputation. Although he had already made the First Prince who framed him pay a bloody price, and they had fought tooth and nail for that sole throne, now the Emperor wanted to hand the position over to a mere six-year-old child. How could he be reconciled to this?

With Kong Deming backing him, he could gain the support of nearly half of the Sun Moon Empire's Rank Nine Soul Masters. Coupled with Xu Lanqing's own powerful talent, as long as he was given time to grow, the position of Crown Prince was practically set in stone.

"I remember you previously discovered an underground stronghold of the Star Luo Empire in Mingdu. Find a way to send this information to them. I'm sure they would be very happy to create some chaos within the empire. Remember, do not expose yourself."

Xu Tianran's lowered face flickered in the dancing candlelight, like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to deliver a fatal strike to its prey.

After a moment, he clenched his fists, as if having made a decision, and spoke slowly: "Also, tell that side that I agree to their terms."

If there were any other way, he truly would not want to cooperate with that group of disgusting, shadowy creatures, but as he was now, he had no other choice.

"Understood."

The black figure acknowledged the order and vanished, transforming into black smoke.

The next morning, the soft, tipsy light of dawn shone through the window into the room.

Xu Lanqing woke up in a daze and went through his usual morning routine.

The maid serving him had already entered with a washbasin. Xu Lanqing looked at her unfamiliar face, stunned for a moment, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Why is it you today? Where is Sister Xiu'er? She's always the one who comes."

The maid stepped forward, a smile on her delicate face.

"She accidentally injured herself earlier, so this servant is here to serve you today."

As the distance closed, the maid bent down to set down the basin.

"Careful!"

Electrolux's warning echoed in his mind.

Xu Lanqing's expression changed drastically. Every hair on his body stood on end, and his skin felt a faint, stinging pain. Without a second thought, driven by instinct, he activated the Starry Night Guardian worn on his right index finger.

A two-meter-diameter shield instantly expanded. The silver-white barrier was covered in irregular, shimmering clusters of light that flowed slowly; standing within it, Xu Lanqing felt as if he were surrounded by stars.

The next instant, a cold, water-like chill swept over. Violent fluctuations shook the air, followed by a sharp, whistling sound.

"Clang—"

The dagger, radiating a frigid aura, struck the beautiful shield, emitting a crisp, vibrating sound. The shockwave from the collision raged outward, instantly turning the room into a mess before it collapsed.

Dust and smoke danced in the air, accompanied by a loud crash. Guards from the Royal Law Enforcement Team had already arrived.

Stars flowed across the shield, and the next moment, it shone brilliantly. The counter-shock sent the female assassin flying backward before it dissipated, revealing Xu Lanqing standing in place, completely unharmed.

The female assassin narrowed her eyes, shocked. Eight Soul Rings circled her dagger.

She had just used her Martial Soul Avatar, simultaneously activating her third and eighth soul skills, concentrating all her momentum into her strongest strike. Yet, it hadn't even broken a soul guidance shield released by a mere Soul Master? Had the soul guidance technology of the Sun Moon Empire truly reached such a level?

With the first strike failing, she attacked again. Having come to the palace to assassinate, she had never intended to leave alive.

"Thief, how dare you!"

A roar like a thunderclap erupted from afar. Immediately following, a terrifying pressure of soul power descended from the air, causing the entire area to suddenly sink.

Under this pressure, the female assassin's body froze instantly, while Xu Lanqing remained as if nothing had happened—clearly, the newcomer had skillfully avoided him and the group of law enforcement officers rushing over.

The female assassin was pressed to the ground on all fours, arching her body in an attempt to rise, but she could not move. Her eyes hardened, and she prepared to bite down on the poison in her mouth to commit suicide.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort came, and the female assassin was instantly struck by an invisible force. Blood flowed from her seven orifices, her eyes lost focus, and she collapsed completely, her body twitching from time to time.

To subdue a Soul Douluo-level assassin without even appearing showed just how formidable the person's strength was.

A streak of light crossed the sky and appeared in front of Xu Lanqing. It was the familiar, tall figure of his teacher, whom he had just apprenticed to yesterday: Kong Deming.

"Lanqing, are you alright?"

Kong Deming asked with concern, his sharp eyes carefully scanning Xu Lanqing. Only after confirming he was uninjured did he heave a sigh of relief.

"It is fortunate that I had the Starry Night Guardian you gave me yesterday, Teacher. Your disciple is unharmed."

In truth, even without the Starry Night Guardian, he had his other teacher, Electrolux, to rely on. Holding out for a second or two until Kong Deming arrived would have been no problem at all, but that would have exposed his secret.

Xu Lanqing, having survived the ordeal, cast a fearful glance at the female assassin. As his frantic heartbeat gradually steadied, he hurried back to Kong Deming's side, finally feeling a sense of security.

Kong Deming looked at the unconscious female assassin, his face filled with fury.

"The White Tiger Dagger Martial Soul is a mutation of the White Tiger Martial Soul. While retaining the killing power of the White Tiger, it extends into extreme speed—a top-tier agility-type Martial Soul. Aside from the Star Luo Empire, I have never seen it appear anywhere else."

"Take her away, interrogate her strictly, and pry everything you can out of her!"

"Yes!"

The captain of the Royal Law Enforcement Team responded respectfully, and two of his subordinates stepped forward to take the female assassin into custody, escorting her to the palace dungeons.

The captain knew well that although the Law Enforcement Team had many cruel interrogation methods, it was usually impossible to get anything out of such dead soldiers; he could only hold onto a sliver of hope and try anyway.