I Choose to Defect to the Empire and Serve It! Save Myself a Few Years of Detours!

[Sky Dream Ice Silkworm gave up on digging into the secret of my transmigration.]

"Oh? Sky Dream Ice Silkworm can't share the memories of White Tiger Lin Qing?"

Lin Qing pinched his chin.

In the original work, after Sky Dream Ice Silkworm shared memories, he learned everything about Huo Yuhao and his suffering.

But it seemed to have malfunctioned with this White Tiger Lin Qing.

However, this was for the best.

The identity of the transmigrated and reborn White Tiger Lin Qing would not be exposed, giving him more initiative.

[Subsequently, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm told me about his 'God-Making Plan' just as he had done with Huo Yuhao.]

"Listen up, kid!"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice became solemn within the Spiritual Sea.

"Brother is the first million-year soul beast in the history of the continent, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm! From now on, Brother will hang out with you, and Brother will have your back!"

"However, we must set our goals high—God-Making!"

"Brother will serve as the most powerful million-year intelligent soul ring to help you become a god!"

[I agreed to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's God-Making Plan without a second thought, which made him very happy. Not long after, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm noticed Electrolux.]

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's head turned toward a certain direction deep within the Spiritual Sea.

There, an inconspicuous gray ball of light floated silently, emitting an aura that even made him feel a sense of trepidation.

"By the way, that gray ball of light in your Spiritual Sea is not simple."

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice lowered, carrying a rare sense of seriousness and vigilance.

"Brother can feel that the level of power contained within it is terrifyingly high, and its attributes are very unique."

"Don't touch it actively for now; wait for it to wake up on its own, or wait until you have enough strength."

[The fragment of Elder Yi's divine consciousness is still sleeping deep within my Spiritual Sea, radiating an ancient and mysterious aura, waiting for the moment of awakening.]

The scene shifted from the Spiritual Sea back to the forest in the outside world.

White Tiger Lin Qing had completely adapted to his surging power.

He stood in place, casting his gaze toward the vast world beyond the Star Dou Great Forest.

His eyes flickered, clearly contemplating where to go from here.

[Next, I faced a crucial choice—]

The narrator's voice became calm again, analyzing the situation at that time.

[Should I follow Huo Yuhao's original destiny and join Shrek Academy?]

Shrek Academy.

The continent's number one Soul Master Academy, with a long history, a prestigious reputation on the surface, strong faculty, abundant cultivation resources, and a network spanning the three great empires.

If he followed the original host Huo Yuhao's path and entered Shrek, he could grow in a decent environment, receive systematic training, and befriend important future figures.

It seemed like a safe, bright, and broad road.

But...

White Tiger Lin Qing stood where he was, his brows slightly furrowed as he quickly recalled everything he knew about the various "dark histories" and internal problems of Shrek Academy during the era of Peerless Tang Sect.

Those rigid and decaying rules and regulations.

Those internal struggles based on seniority that suppressed geniuses.

Those sanctimonious high-level officials who prioritized their own interests over everything else.

And all those unspeakable messes that would happen in the future.

He slowly shook his head.

[I choose—not to join Shrek.]

White Tiger Lin Qing took one last look at the still-unconscious Huo Yuhao on the ground, then glanced in the direction of Shrek Academy.

Then, without hesitation, he turned around and began walking in the exact opposite direction of Shrek Academy.

His goal was clear.

In reality, Lin Qing felt somewhat surprised by this choice.

But deep down, he vaguely felt it was within reason.

In fact, the help Shrek Academy could provide to Huo Yuhao was not as irreplaceable as it seemed.

And White Tiger Lin Qing's next words directly confirmed his inner suspicions.

[Compared to that Shrek Academy, where everyone from students to teachers and even the top brass has rotted to the bone, only knowing how to indulge in the glory of ten thousand years ago...]

White Tiger Lin Qing walked through the forest, a mocking sneer curling the corner of his mouth.

The narrator's voice was also one of clarity, stepping outside the framework.

[I choose to save myself a few years of detours and head straight for the Sun Moon Empire!]

"..."

Lin Qing, in reality, was stunned for a moment upon seeing this.

Then, a look of realization mixed with a complex, bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I really guessed it right..."

Giving up on the seemingly promising Shrek Academy to defect to the Sun Moon Empire—a nation hostile to the three great empires and looked down upon by traditional soul masters.

This decision, it must be said, was incredibly bold, perhaps even radical.

"I truly don't know if this choice will be a blessing or a curse for him."

Lin Qing muttered to himself.

From his current god's-eye view, he naturally knew that the Sun Moon Empire would eventually ignite a war that would sweep across the continent, and he knew that they possessed more advanced Soul Tool technology and an environment that valued ability—especially the ability of a soul master—more highly.

But for an eleven-year-old boy who had just obtained a massive opportunity, making this decision required more than just foresight; it required immense courage and absolute confidence in his own judgment.

He continued to watch, holding his breath.

He wanted to know what the outcome of White Tiger Lin Qing's "Sun Moon Empire journey" would be.

The light screen shifted.

The figure of White Tiger Lin Qing began to move rapidly through various complex terrains.

Crossing mountains and ridges, wading through rivers, hiding by day and traveling by night.

[I traveled day and night, sneaking carefully, avoiding main roads, bypassing towns, and trying my best to avoid contact with anyone.]

He knew his identity was sensitive.

A genius from the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire suddenly defecting to an enemy nation.

If the Star Luo side discovered this, the outcome would undoubtedly be execution on sight.

Likewise, the Sun Moon Empire would never easily trust the defection of a noble's son from an enemy state.

This path was destined to be anything but smooth from the very beginning.

In the scene.

He dodged the border patrol soldiers of the Star Luo Empire.

Using the insight of his Heavenly Eye Martial Soul and the Spiritual Detection—a soul skill identical to that of Huo Yuhao, granted by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm soul ring—he narrowly avoided several soul master outposts.

His face had grown weathered, but his eyes had become increasingly sharp and calm.

[Finally, I crossed the long border line and stepped onto the land of the Sun Moon Empire.]

A massive city wall, grand and possessing a distinct metallic texture and geometric style, appeared at the end of his vision.

The architecture was vastly different from the classical style of the Star Luo Empire.

It was taller and more practical, with many building surfaces inlaid with glowing soul tool circuits.

He could see many people dressed in silver-white uniforms adorned with various intricate soul tool decorations.

Those were soul masters.

[I managed to find a local garrison station, declared my identity and purpose to the guards, and expressed my desire to defect to the Sun Moon Empire, and then, unsurprisingly, I was arrested for interrogation.]

In a simple, cold, and utilitarian military reception hall.

White Tiger Lin Qing stood straight.

Opposite him were several officers in Sun Moon Empire military uniforms, their expressions serious and scrutinizing.

"Name: Lin Qing, formerly a collateral branch descendant of the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire."

His voice was clear and steady, echoing in the quiet reception hall.

"Age: eleven, current soul power: level 26 Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Heavenly Eye, a top-tier spiritual body martial soul."

"I voluntarily renounce the Star Luo Empire and have come to defect to the Sun Moon Empire, hoping to be accepted and to serve the empire."

As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the reception hall seemed to freeze for a moment.

The officers exchanged glances.

There was no surprise or welcome in those eyes.

Only deep suspicion, vigilance, and the absurdity of looking at a fool.

A genius boy from the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire running over to surrender and defect to an enemy nation?

What kind of joke was this!

Was this a trap? A spy? Or was his brain squeezed by a door?