Dai Yueheng never would have imagined that, not long after swearing his oath, the "legendary expert" he'd met would die in a haze of despair.
Of course, Xu Tianxi, Xuan Zichen, and Xiao Hongchen weren't part of the Holy Spirit Cult at all. They had allowed the Evil Soul Master to deceive "Huo Yuhao" (still known as Dai Yueheng at this point) solely to avoid attracting the attention of Tang San, the God King himself.
Now that the task was complete, there was no reason to let that Evil Soul Master live. As proper Spirit Masters, they could never allow such filth to walk free.
If they couldn't win a fight, fine. But if they could—and especially if the target fell into their hands—every breath the Evil Soul Master drew was just to squeeze out whatever remaining value they had.
As for whether Tang San might later take issue with the Holy Spirit Cult… well, Xu Tianxi was quite looking forward to that bit of chaos.
After all, the Holy Spirit Cult would never have grown so rampant had Tang San not destroyed Slaughter City (that prison for fallen Spirit Masters), or dismantled Spirit Hall—Douluo Continent's only large-scale anti–Evil Soul Master force—without ensuring Tang Sect or Shrek shouldered the burden of defense.
Nowadays, with two Limit Douluo overseeing operations and a host of Super Douluo and Title Douluo beneath them, the Holy Spirit Cult had become the most powerful Spirit Master force on the continent. It was absurd.
Xu Tianxi's decision to head to the Sun Moon Empire had a lot to do with his desire to avoid clashing with such lunatics—especially the twisted and unpredictable Ye Xishui, who he had no confidence he could escape if things went wrong.
Mingdou Mountain Range, at the border between the Star Luo Empire and Sun Moon Empire.
"Little Master, we've scouted ahead. The Sun Moon Empire's army currently stationed beyond the range is their First Soul Engineer Legion. Their commander is Xu Sheng, an eighth-rank Soul Engineer from the imperial family. He once received instruction from your maternal great-grandfather, and in his youth had some dealings with your grandfather as well..."
Yue Lao recited details from memory like an old encyclopedia, then paused with concern.
"Little Master... do you really intend to cross the Mingdou Mountains alone to reach their military camp? We could use the official trade routes instead."
Xu Tianxi smiled and shook his head. "I'm just a runaway from Heaven Dou, hiding out with the Xuanming Sect. There's no way I could've gotten official Sun Moon travel permits. Even if we faked one, I'd still be a ghost on their records. Doesn't make much difference."
"This time of year, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy sends students to the front lines as part of their annual patriotic training. And that's my destination. I've been waiting for their arrival."
"Besides—if I don't do something this drastic, how will they believe my resolve to defect to the Sun Moon Empire and avenge my mother?"
"Don't worry, Yue Lao. I'm now a Spirit Elder at Rank 35, and I can forge fifth-rank soul tools. I'm more than capable of handling the rest alone. My granduncle even gave me a personal recommendation letter for Jing Hongchen."
Yue Lao was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. Just promise me—you'll be careful."
"I understand the stakes," Xu Tianxi replied calmly.
The Next Day – Mingdou Defense Zone, Sun Moon Empire, First Soul Engineer Legion Camp
"Director Lin, and all the bright young talents from the Royal Academy—this is the front line where we hold off the Star Luo Empire. The terrain here provides a natural barrier, making it a fortress of steel and fire..."
Xu Sheng, Commander of the First Soul Engineer Legion, had personally taken time to give Lin Jiayi and the visiting students from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy a tour of the battlefield layout.
Normally, this kind of task would be left to an adjutant. But among this year's students were those handpicked for the upcoming Continental Elite Tournament, along with none other than the Hongchen siblings, grandchildren of the Dean of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen. That was enough reason for Xu Sheng to show up in person.
Jing Hongchen wasn't just one of the most powerful individuals in the empire—he controlled vast resources. It never hurt to stay on his grandchildren's good side. You never know when you might need a new piece of cutting-edge gear.
Unfortunately, as Xu Sheng earnestly lectured about fortifications, some of the students clearly weren't paying attention. One especially eye-catching youth with pure white hair stifled a yawn, whispering to another pale-skinned student beside him.
"Senior San Shui, how do you keep your skin so white? You gotta share the secret!"
"Cough... Young Master Xiao, you're the Dean's grandson—I'm not!" replied Li Sanshui, one-time disruptor of the academy's beauty rankings, waving his hands in a panic. "Director Lin and Commander Xu are both watching. I can't afford to slack off!"
You're the grandson of a ninth-rank Soul Engineer, the academy's Dean, and Mingde Hall's Hallmaster—an acknowledged genius of the Sun Moon Empire. They might not dare scold you, but me? I'd be flayed alive!
Xiao Hongchen snorted, sneaking a glance at both Lin Jiayi and Xu Sheng, neither of whom seemed to notice. Then he muttered, "It's not my fault your skin practically glows in the dark. It's my sister's birthday soon, and I want to surprise her."
"Give me the secret and I'll reward you—any sixth-rank or below soul tool you want, I'll make it."
Li Sanshui looked even more miserable. "I really don't know! Maybe because my parents weren't from the Sun Moon Empire? Born this way, I guess..."
Xiao Hongchen narrowed his eyes. You expect me to believe that?
"Maybe don't focus on me. There are better surprises in the world than my skincare routine," Li Sanshui pleaded.
Xiao Hongchen sighed and glanced sideways at Meng Hongchen, who was gently brushing her snowy white hair in a small mirror, completely ignoring Xu Sheng's speech. A wry smile touched his lips.
"You know how she grew up—nothing I get from the academy warehouse will impress her. Even if I sneak out a ninth-rank soul tool, she might just say, 'Oh, this was grandpa's prototype, right?' I'll need to get more creative."
Li Sanshui broke into a cold sweat. "I heard you've been sneaking into the warehouse since you were a kid?"
"Yup. Played with everything exciting already. Got caught and lectured plenty of times. Don't plan on going back soon."
Xiao Hongchen looked genuinely regretful.
Meanwhile, Xu Sheng continued his briefing, ignoring the few inattentive students.
"This defense line doesn't just hold off the Star Luo army. It also serves another function—welcoming defectors from the original Douluo Three Kingdoms."
Lin Jiayi blinked. "You mean... people have been sneaking across to join us?"
"Absolutely! Our soul tool technology is at least a thousand years ahead of theirs. Living standards can't even be compared. Plus, our empire welcomes talent with open arms. We've seen a steady trickle of bright minds come over."
"Even your own Mingde Hall's Chief Researcher, Master Xuan Zichen—his parents were from the Heaven Dou Empire, weren't they?"
Lin Jiayi nodded. "That's true."
Of course, most of these people were illegal immigrants with no proper documents, but the Sun Moon Empire didn't care. As long as they passed background checks and showed promise, the Empire was happy to raise talent—even from across the border.
"Still," Xu Sheng added, "It's a shame. The Three Kingdoms paint us like monsters in their propaganda, so only a few wise souls see through the lies. We mostly get engineers with broken dreams—true Spirit Master prodigies are rare."
Lin Jiayi laughed. "No need to fret, Commander. I wouldn't be surprised if a few real prodigies flew in any day now."
Right on cue, a figure soared toward them from the front lines—a scout reporting urgent news.
"Commander! A young Spirit Master from the Three Kingdoms has appeared near the border. Spirit Elder, three rings—strong cultivation."
Xu Sheng and Lin Jiayi exchanged curious glances.
"Well then, Director Lin," Xu Sheng said, intrigued. "Shall we go take a look?"
"Absolutely," Lin Jiayi said without hesitation.
He turned to the students. "Anyone else want to join us?"
Xiao Hongchen was about to beg off in favor of a nap when he noticed Meng Hongchen's eyes sparkle with interest. She raised her hand enthusiastically.
"I'm going!"
Seeing that, Xiao Hongchen sighed and raised his hand too. "Fine. Me too."
Li Sanshui and the other students all raised their hands as well, eager for the rare excitement.
Moments later, they approached just in time to hear Xu Tianxi's calm voice as he addressed a border officer.
"I am Xu Tianxi, born of the hidden clan Xuanming Sect in the Heaven Dou Empire. My mother was a citizen of the Sun Moon Empire. She... died tragically due to reasons I cannot yet reveal. I suffered persecution in the Three Kingdoms. I carry the blood of the Empire and humbly request sanctuary."
His words were clear, confident, and compelling. But more importantly, his heritage caught everyone's attention—even Xiao Hongchen raised an eyebrow.
Xuanming Sect? Grandpa mentioned that name once... they're not weak.
As the tent flap lifted, light from the morning sun illuminated half of Xu Tianxi's face. His silver-blue eyes gleamed with quiet strength—graceful, aloof, yet impossible to ignore.
"Whoa... he's really good-looking," Meng Hongchen whispered, eyes wide.
Xiao Hongchen's heart skipped a beat for reasons he couldn't explain.