[Sky Dream Ice Silkworm gave up on probing the secret of my transmigration.]
"Oh? Sky Dream Ice Silkworm can't share White Tiger Lin Qing's memories?"
Lin Qing rubbed his chin.
In the original story, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had learned everything about Huo Yuhao, including his suffering, after sharing memories with him.
But it seemed to have failed when it came to White Tiger Lin Qing.
Still, that was for the best.
White Tiger Lin Qing's identity as a transmigrator reborn would not be exposed, giving him more initiative.
[Then, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm told me about its 'God-Making Plan,' just as it had told Huo Yuhao.]
"Listen up, kid!"
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice turned solemn within the Spiritual Sea.
"I'm the first Million-Year Soul Beast in the continent's history, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm! From now on, I'm with you. I've got your back!"
"But our goal has to be set higher—making a god!"
"I'll become the strongest Million-Year intelligent Soul Ring and help you become a god!"
[I agreed to Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's God-Making Plan without a second word, which delighted it. Before long, Sky Dream Ice Silkworm noticed Electrolux.]
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm turned its head toward a certain direction deep within the Spiritual Sea.
There, an inconspicuous gray orb of light floated silently, emanating an aura that made even it feel uneasy.
"By the way, that gray orb in your Spiritual Sea is anything but ordinary."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm lowered its voice, carrying rare gravity and wariness.
"I can sense that the level of power contained within it is terrifyingly high, and its attribute is rather unusual."
"Don't touch it on your own for now. Wait until it awakens by itself, or until you're strong enough."
[Old Electrolux's fragment of divine consciousness still slumbered deep within my Spiritual Sea, radiating an ancient, mysterious aura as it awaited the moment of awakening.]
The scene shifted from the Spiritual Sea back to the forest outside.
White Tiger Lin Qing had already completely adapted to his surging strength.
He stood where he was, gazing beyond the Star Dou Great Forest toward the wider world.
His eyes flickered as he clearly pondered where to go next.
[Next, I faced a crucial choice—]
The narrator's voice became calm again as it analyzed the situation at the time.
[Should I follow Huo Yuhao's original fate and join Shrek Academy?]
Shrek Academy.
The continent's number one Soul Master Academy. It had a long history, an outstanding reputation on the surface, powerful faculty, abundant cultivation resources, and connections spanning the three great empires.
If he followed the original Huo Yuhao's path and entered Shrek, he would be able to grow in a decent environment, receive systematic training, and meet important people from the future.
It seemed like a steady, bright road to success.
But...
White Tiger Lin Qing stood still, his brow faintly furrowed as everything he knew about Shrek Academy's various "dark histories" and internal problems during the era of Peerless Tang Sect flashed through his mind.
Those rigid, decayed rules and regulations.
Those internal struggles based on seniority, where geniuses were suppressed.
Those sanctimonious higher-ups whose opinions were dictated by their own interests.
And all those future messes that were simply beyond words.
He slowly shook his head.
[I chose—not to join Shrek.]
White Tiger Lin Qing gave Huo Yuhao, who was still unconscious on the ground, one final glance, then looked toward the direction of Shrek Academy.
Then, without hesitation, he turned and strode in the complete opposite direction.
His objective was clear.
Lin Qing in reality was somewhat surprised by that choice.
Yet deep down, he vaguely felt that it made sense.
In truth, the help Shrek Academy could provide Huo Yuhao was not so irreplaceable.
And White Tiger Lin Qing's next words directly confirmed his suspicions.
[Compared to Shrek Academy, which had long rotted to the bone from its students to its teachers to its higher-ups, and could only cling to its glory from ten thousand years ago for self-indulgence...]
White Tiger Lin Qing walked through the forest, a faintly mocking sneer curling across his lips.
The narrator's voice carried the clarity of someone who had stepped outside the box.
[I chose to avoid years of detours and head straight to—the Sun Moon Empire!]
"..."
Lin Qing in reality froze when he saw this.
Then an understanding yet complicated wry smile appeared on his face.
"So I really guessed it..."
He gave up on Shrek, which appeared to offer a bright future, and instead turned to seek refuge in the Sun Moon Empire, which stood opposed to the three great empires and was scorned by traditional Soul Masters.
It had to be said that this decision was extremely bold, even somewhat radical.
"I really don't know whether this choice will be good or bad for him."
Lin Qing murmured to himself.
With his current god's-eye view, he naturally knew that the Sun Moon Empire would one day launch a war that swept across the continent. He also knew that it possessed more advanced Soul Tool technology and an environment that placed relatively greater value on ability, especially the abilities of Soul Engineers.
But for an eleven-year-old boy who had just obtained an enormous fortuitous opportunity, making such a decision required more than foresight. It required tremendous courage and absolute confidence in his own judgment.
He continued watching with bated breath.
He wanted to know how White Tiger Lin Qing's "journey to the Sun Moon Empire" would turn out.
The image on the light screen shifted.
White Tiger Lin Qing's figure began swiftly moving through all kinds of complicated terrain.
He crossed mountains and ridges, waded through rivers, and traveled by night while hiding by day.
[I traveled day and night, moving cautiously. I avoided official roads, bypassed towns, and tried not to come into contact with anyone.]
He knew that his identity was sensitive.
A genius from the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire had suddenly defected to an enemy nation.
If the Star Luo side discovered this, the outcome would absolutely be execution without mercy.
Likewise, the Sun Moon Empire would never easily believe the surrender of a young noble from an enemy nation.
From the very beginning, this road was destined to be far from smooth.
In the scene.
He evaded Star Luo soldiers patrolling the border.
Using the Heavenly Eye Martial Soul's perception and the Spiritual Detection soul skill granted by Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's Soul Ring—the same skill Huo Yuhao possessed—he narrowly avoided several Soul Master outposts.
His face had gained a touch of travel-worn hardship, but his gaze had become increasingly sharp and composed.
[At last, I crossed the long border and set foot on the land of the Sun Moon Empire.]
A massive city wall, grand and distinctly metallic in texture and geometric in style, appeared at the edge of his vision.
Its architecture was completely different from the classical style of the Star Luo Empire.
It was taller and more practical, with many buildings embedded with Soul Tool circuits that emitted faint light.
Quite a few people could be seen wearing silver-white uniforms adorned with various precise Soul Tools.
They were Soul Engineers.
[I found a local military garrison and stated my identity and purpose to the guards, expressing my wish to defect to the Sun Moon Empire. Then, as expected, I was arrested and interrogated.]
Inside a simple, cold military reception hall filled with a utilitarian atmosphere.
White Tiger Lin Qing stood ramrod straight.
Across from him sat several officers in Sun Moon Empire military uniforms, their solemn expressions full of scrutiny.
"Name: Lin Qing, a collateral descendant of the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the former Star Luo Empire."
His voice was clear and steady, echoing through the silent reception hall.
"Age: eleven. Current Soul Power: Rank 26 Soul Elder. Martial Soul: Heavenly Eye, a top-tier spiritual-type Body Martial Soul."
"I voluntarily renounce the Star Luo Empire and have come to pledge allegiance to the Sun Moon Empire. I hope to be accepted and to serve the empire."
The instant he finished speaking, the air in the reception hall seemed to freeze.
The officers exchanged glances.
There was no surprise in their eyes, nor was there any welcome.
Only deep suspicion, vigilance, and the absurd look one gave an idiot.
A genius youth from the White Tiger Duke Mansion of the Star Luo Empire had come to surrender himself and defect to an enemy nation?
What kind of joke was this!
Wasn't he an obvious lure? A spy? Or had his brain been crushed in a door?
Before you continue