Juzi (Part 1)

Outside Mingdu, on the official road.

Xu Lanqing, Jing Hongchen, and Zheng Zhan stood by the roadside, watching the carriage being driven back. As he turned his gaze to look at Mingdu from afar, he felt an even greater sense of awe.

Unlike other cities, this was a city without walls. As his gaze stretched into the distance, it was majestic and vast, with no end in sight.

Jing Hongchen and Zheng Zhan each released their flying Soul Tools, both extending and unfolding like wings.

Zheng Zhan's flying Soul Tool was pitch black like ink, giving off a tough, dense metallic texture. When unfolded, it spanned two meters in width, and with a single flap, he had already ascended into the sky.

Behind Jing Hongchen, a pair of wings shimmering with golden light spread out. The paper-thin flying Soul Tool suddenly flared with brilliant golden radiance, instantly enveloping Xu Lanqing. The flying Soul Tool expanded a thousandfold, two massive golden light wings ten meters wide gently beating.

Xu Lanqing was wrapped in a layer of golden film, floating behind Jing Hongchen as they rose slowly into the air. He felt an itch to touch the golden wings, and when he did, they gave him a soft, pliable sensation, nothing like metal at all. It was an eye-opener for him.

"Your Highness, we need to pick up the pace. If we set off now, we can reach the empire's border by evening."

Jing Hongchen smiled faintly at him. The next moment, the golden light suddenly intensified, and the surrounding scenery instantly blurred.

High in the sky, two streaks of light—one gold, one black—shot across the heavens like shooting stars, speeding northward.

Everything outside had become completely indistinct, but inside the light membrane, Xu Lanqing felt no discomfort at all. It was as if he were sitting in a quiet room, unable even to hear the wind. If not for the rapidly fleeting scenery outside, he would never have realized he was flying at high speed.

Their destination was the Far North. Although the empire had the Demonic Forest, a soul beast habitat second only to the Star Dou Forest, for Xu Lanqing's Ultimate Ice Ice Phoenix Martial Soul, there was no better place than the Far North to obtain the finest, most suitable soul rings. If he could get the best, why settle for anything less?

Besides, if he didn't leave the empire far behind, those people in the shadows wouldn't make a move easily.

"Hall Master Jing, any findings?"

Xu Lanqing was a little nervous—after all, his life was on the line.

"Ever since we left the city, I've faintly sensed a gaze watching us. I tried to probe, but I couldn't detect its presence or location. Either they're using some special Soul Tool or method to observe us from afar, or their strength is so great that even I can't sense them. If Master were here, he'd definitely be able to flush them out, but unfortunately, he has to guard the Imperial City to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation."

Jing Hongchen had once received frequent guidance from Kong Deming, so he usually addressed him as "Master."

Jing Hongchen frowned slightly, his heart filled with vigilance. He had clearly realized the strength of the enemy lurking in the shadows.

"I'm leaning toward the former. If someone could stay close to us without being detected, they'd have to be at least Rank 98. But there isn't a single Super Douluo above Rank 95 in the empire, unless it's a powerhouse from Shrek or the three eastern nations."

Xu Lanqing also hoped it was the former. If it really was a Rank 98 powerhouse, or even a Rank 99 Limit Douluo, he would be in grave danger.

Wait. Xu Lanqing suddenly thought of something, and his expression turned extremely grim. The only Limit Douluo within the Sun Moon Empire were those damned Evil Soul Masters from the Holy Spirit Cult. But at this time, who would collude with the Holy Spirit Cult to kill him?

Xu Lanqing's mind raced. Who stood to gain the most from his death? He knew that his greatest value lay in the Crown Prince position he might one day inherit—or even the throne itself.

Combined with what he had seen in the female assassin's memories...

The one who wanted him dead was already clear.

Xu Tianran!

These past few years of peace had made him almost forget that bastard.

Damn it, he had been careless. Now he could only hope that Jing Hongchen and the others were strong enough—if they couldn't fight, they should at least be able to escape.

Add in Ye Yulin and the three Rank Nine Soul Masters he had brought along, that made six Rank Nine Soul Masters in total.

Unfortunately, with the frequent battles against the Star Luo Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire lately, the stationed Soul Master legions had all been sent to the borders. Otherwise, Xu Lanqing would have insisted on dragging a Soul Master legion along for safety.

It was too late to turn back now, and it was just a guess anyway. Xu Lanqing tried to comfort himself.

Time passed. In the distant sky, the rosy glow of burning clouds began to appear, blending with the sunset's afterglow—a beautiful sight.

Xu Lanqing's mood relaxed a little. If they hadn't made a move after all this time, it meant they weren't confident in their strength. That meant there was no Limit Douluo.

Soon, a small town appeared before them.

"Your Highness, this is the closest town to the Far North. Let's stop here to rest. It's getting dark, and searching for soul beasts in the dark would be inefficient and far more dangerous."

"Mm."

Xu Lanqing didn't object. This was his first time out, so he would naturally follow the advice of these veterans.

In half a day, they had crossed half the empire—thousands of li. If they hadn't been keeping their soul power at peak levels at all times, they might have been even faster.

They landed outside the town and walked in on foot.

Meanwhile, dozens of li away.

In a forest, seven or eight figures were either standing or lounging against the trees. Their bodies exuded an evil, chilling aura, turning the entire forest into a sinister, haunted grove.

One person stood in the center. He had a pale face, an oversized head, and a very short body, looking as if he could barely support himself. On his forehead, a blood-red vertical slit opened, revealing a pupil filled with countless tiny eyeballs—a grotesque sight.

Around him floated two yellow, two purple, and four black Soul Rings, with the sixth ring flickering continuously. A stream of crimson energy spread out before him, forming a screen that displayed the figures of Xu Lanqing and his two companions.

A figure asked, "Second Elder, should we make our move now?"

"Move your ass. Such an obvious trap—are you trying to get yourself killed?" Second Elder Nangong Wan shot a glare at the fool.

"Alright, Second Brother. When will the Cult Master arrive? If we wait any longer, this Fourth Prince will have already gotten his Soul Ring and gone back. Once he returns to the palace, we won't have another chance."

Third Elder Ming Lei grumbled.

"If the Supreme Cult Master weren't in seclusion, and the Hall Master of Worship weren't guarding him, we wouldn't need all this trouble."

"I don't know either. By all rights, he should have been here by now, but there's still no sign of him. Not even a message has come through."

For some reason, Nangong Wan felt a flicker of unease in his heart, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

Now that the Cult Master wasn't here, he was the highest authority. If he did nothing and went back, he would surely be punished. But if he attacked, success was far from guaranteed, and he might even lose his life here.

His expression shifted between uncertainty and hesitation. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "Xiao Hong, stay here. Your ability is special—you might come in handy later. The rest of you, come with me to the Far North. Since he wants a Soul Ring, we'll prepare a surprise for him."

A petite woman nodded. The others swiftly left with Nangong Wan.