"Looks like I'll have to discuss this with the Crown Prince after all." Xu Jingyao put the items into his Storage Soul Tool and vanished from the study with a Flash Step.
The next morning.
Xu Jingyao went to the Crown Prince's Residence. Without having anyone announce him, he went straight into Xu Tianran's study on the strength of his familiar face.
Xu Tianran was reviewing memorials with his head lowered. Hearing the door, he spoke without looking up. "You're here? Early today, aren't you?"
"Brother, I'm going to the Original Three Kingdoms."
The brush in Xu Tianran's hand stopped.
He slowly raised his head. That mask of gentle refinement still hung on his face, but the light in his eyes had already turned cold. "Say that again?"
"I'm going to the Original Three Kingdoms." Xu Jingyao sat down across from him and casually picked up the teapot on the desk to pour himself a cup. "An invitation came from Shrek Academy. The Many Treasures Pavilion wants to meet me in person. As it happens, I sensed an opportunity over there, something I'll need for a future breakthrough."
"An opportunity." Xu Tianran rolled those words around in his mouth, set down his brush, and leaned back in his chair. "Jingyao, how old are you this year?"
"Twelve."
"A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor, an innate rank of twenty, a God-Bestowed Martial Soul, the future hope of the Sun Moon Empire." Xu Tianran's voice instantly grew sharp. "And you want to go to the Original Three Kingdoms, to Shrek Academy's territory, to look for an opportunity. Do you know what sort of place Shrek Academy is?"
"Of course I do."
"And you're still going?" Xu Tianran's voice rose a little before he lowered it again, tapping twice on his wheelchair's armrest. "If the people there learn of your existence, do you think they'll let you come back alive? Your status works in Mingdu, but once you're outside its gates, a princely title from the Sun Moon Empire might not carry any weight. It might even become a summons to your death."
Holding his teacup, Xu Jingyao took a leisurely sip. "Brother, do you really think Sun Moon is safe?"
Xu Tianran froze for an instant.
Xu Jingyao set down his teacup, his tone light. "Evil Soul Masters run rampant in Mingdu, hunting down commoners whose lives are worth less than dogs'. Some of the higher-ranked students even dare to torture and slaughter nobles at will!"
"I know, and I'll deal with this too. But not now. Right now, the Sun Moon Empire needs them, however much it offends Heaven." Xu Tianran's brows shifted slightly as he spoke with some helplessness.
Xu Jingyao fell silent for a moment.
He pushed his teacup aside and straightened, the careless smile disappearing from his face. "Brother, I'll tell you the truth. I'm over rank forty now, I have twin martial souls, and I can use a self martial soul fusion skill too. If I go all out, no one below Titled Douluo is my match. It's enough to protect myself."
"And Titled Douluos or above?"
"That's why I came to discuss it with you." Xu Jingyao looked at him. "I want to take Shadow Douluo with me."
Xu Tianran's fingers stopped on the armrest.
"Shadow Douluo serves Father, and he serves me too," Xu Jingyao continued. "If he travels with me, no one will suspect on the surface that he's a covert guard of the Sun Moon Empire. Besides, with my looks, I'm unmistakably someone from the Original Three Kingdoms. Who would imagine the Sun Moon Empire's Carefree King would run off to Shrek's territory?"
"You certainly have thought it through." Xu Tianran sneered. "But I never imagined you'd be this bold!"
"What else would you expect? You taught me well, Brother."
"Don't try putting a tall hat on me." Xu Tianran glared at him, his fingers beginning to tap the armrest again. Once, twice, the rhythm slowing more and more. "You absolutely have to go?"
"I absolutely have to." Xu Jingyao nodded. "That opportunity is very important to me. If I miss it, I might truly lose it for good."
Xu Tianran stared at him for a long time.
The study was so quiet that only the rustle of leaves in the wind outside remained.
"Shadow Douluo isn't enough," Xu Tianran finally said. "I'll assign you two more retainers to follow in secret."
"No need. More people would only draw attention."
"Xu Jingyao-"
"Brother." Xu Jingyao interrupted him, his tone earnest. "I promise you I'll come back alive."
Xu Tianran pressed his lips into a thin line.
Only after a long while did he seem to squeeze a sentence through his teeth. "If you die out there, I'll chop Tang Wulin up and feed him to the dogs."
Xu Jingyao froze for a moment, then laughed. "Sure."
If Tang Wulin heard that, he had better remember to bring a little handkerchief and cry on the sidelines!
"Get lost." Xu Tianran waved a hand as though shooing away a fly. "Make arrangements for Ye Guyi before you go. An angel martial soul stands out a little too much in Mingdu."
"I'm planning to dump her on Elder Kong." Xu Jingyao stood up. "Elder Kong has been unhappy with those Evil Soul Masters for a long time, and Ye Guyi's angel martial soul happens to be their bane. Have her stay with Elder Kong, and he'll naturally protect her."
Xu Tianran nodded. "What else?"
"I'm leaving Tang Wulin in your care." Xu Jingyao reached the door, then turned back to add, "Don't let him go out alone. You know his constitution attracts Evil Soul Masters."
"Understood." Xu Tianran picked up his brush again and lowered his head to the memorials, his tone indifferent. "Get lost."
Xu Jingyao smiled and pushed the door open to leave.
The instant the door closed, Xu Tianran slammed the brush in his hand onto the desk with a smack.
He raised his head and looked at the closed door, an indescribable emotion churning in his eyes.
"Little brat," he cursed under his breath, though his voice held a trace of a helpless smile. "You've grown your wings."
After leaving the Crown Prince's Residence, Xu Jingyao first visited Kong Deming's quarters.
After hearing his arrangements, Kong Deming stroked his beard and nodded. "Rest assured, Your Highness. Miss Ye won't suffer any mistreatment under my care. An angel martial soul is indeed a natural weapon against those things lurking in the gutters. For the future of our Sun Moon Empire, I'll keep her well protected."
"Then I'm sorry for the trouble, Elder Kong." Xu Jingyao cupped his hands. "I'll thank you properly when I return."
"You're too courteous, Your Highness." Kong Deming saw him out with a warm smile. "Take care on your journey, Your Highness."
Xu Jingyao waved and turned to leave.
Next was Shadow Douluo.
"You're going on a long journey, Your Highness?" After hearing him out, Shadow Douluo did not so much as furrow his brow. "At your command."
"You're not asking where?"
"Wherever Your Highness wishes to go, I'll follow." Shadow Douluo's voice was even. "His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me that this life of mine is yours to use."
Xu Jingyao glanced at him and said nothing more.
"Pack up. We leave tomorrow."
"Yes."
That night, Xu Jingyao returned to the Carefree King's Residence and packed everything he needed into his Storage Soul Tool.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Electrolux...
He stood before the study window, looking at the moon outside.
On this trip, he was ostensibly going to Shrek Academy to discuss Soul Tools, but in truth, he had to follow behind Huo Yuhao.
He had to get his hands on that old fellow Electrolux before Huo Yuhao did.
And then there was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. That place was one of the Tang Sect's foundations. Devouring it before Tang San could react would be the same as cutting off one of Tang San's arms.
Before you continue