Escape

Star Luo City.

Dai Mubai stood alone before the enormous floor-to-ceiling window of his chambers. Outside, the lights of Star Luo City were coming on, their brilliance tracing the bustling outline of the imperial capital.

But beneath that splendor lurked undercurrents powerful enough to swallow him whole.

He held a note in his hand. Its handwriting was hurried, but its message was clear enough to quicken his heartbeat.

Dai Weisi and his closest followers had left Star Luo City. They were bound for Spirit City to prepare for the tournament.

Dai Mubai tightened his fingers, grinding the note to powder and letting it sift through them.

An opportunity! This was the chance he had waited so long for!

With Dai Weisi gone, it was as though the greatest mountain pressing down on him had been lifted. Those suffocating eyes that clung to his every move would surely thin out. No one would watch this prince day and night, scrutinizing every little thing he did.

Miss this chance, and it would never come again!

Dai Mubai did not hesitate. He drew a deep breath, forced down the excitement and tension surging in his chest, and called sharply into the shadows of his empty chambers, "Huo An!"

His voice was low, but his resolve was unmistakable.

A figure appeared soundlessly behind him, as if from nowhere, and dropped to one knee. The man was tall and broad-shouldered. Even in that respectful posture, the explosive power beneath his clothes was palpable, his presence as still and heavy as a lion lying in wait.

It was Huo An, the Soul Emperor guard assigned by the Star Luo Imperial Family to protect Dai Mubai. His Martial Soul was the Blazing Fire Lion.

"Your Highness." Huo An's voice was as deep and hoarse as ever, steady