Chapter 3234: Escaping from Martial Soul City_1
Meanwhile!
Inside Pope Hall, Xu Sheng, after simply using his spiritual power to sense his surroundings, couldn't help but speak up, "It seems that the royal household members and students from other academies have all arrived at Martial Soul City. I can't sense any familiar presences within Pope Hall!"
Perhaps he should take this chance to leave Martial Soul City temporarily?
However, before he could reach a conclusion, a Spirit Hall Soldier approached him...
He greeted with a respectful fist salute, "Your Highness the Holy Son!"
Xu Sheng glanced at him and asked in confusion, "What happened?"
The soldier answered truthfully, "By the order of His Holiness the Pope, you may not leave Pope Hall during the Friendship Competition!"
"So, I've been specifically assigned to follow you!"
Xu Sheng raised an eyebrow, "Follow? To be exact, it should be surveillance, right?"
It was merely a precaution in case he left Pope Hall and was attacked by powerhouses from the upper three families!
The Spirit Hall Soldier seemed to understand the implication and subconsciously lowered his head...
He was just a regular soldier who had to follow the Pope's orders, with no option to challenge them!
Xu Sheng took a deep breath. Instead of reprimanding the soldier, he nodded in understanding, "I see. Then you shall follow me from now on."
The soldier's face lit up with joy, "Thank you, Your Highness the Holy Son!!"
Indeed, His Highness the Holy Son was magnanimous. He almost thought he would be scolded!
But the next second, he felt the scenery before his eyes begin to sway, followed by sudden darkness, and he collapsed to the ground...
Without a doubt, it was Xu Sheng's doing!!
Looking down at the fallen soldier, Xu Sheng spoke with a touch of helplessness, "If I'm the one to knock you out, His Holiness the Pope won't be able to hold you accountable."
If he had let the soldier follow him out of Martial Soul City, he might have faced severe punishment; hence, this was the only solution!
However, just as he was preparing to leave, a pitch-black mist quietly appeared, and Gui Mei emerged from it...
After a glance at the knocked-out soldier, he demanded coldly, "Xu Sheng, what exactly are you planning to do by knocking out a soldier!!"
Xu Sheng showed not the slightest panic, but instead asked back, "Elder Gui? Weren't you accompanying His Holiness the Pope to greet Emperor Xue Ye? Why are you here?"
He hadn't sensed the Elder's presence before, which clearly meant he had returned hastily!
Gui Mei hesitated for a moment, thinking this wasn't something important, and replied, "The royal household has already arrived at Martial Soul City, and they are now waiting at the venue where the Friendship Competition is held!"
"Therefore, His Holiness the Pope sent me back immediately, fearing that you would leave Martial Soul City on your own!"
"It looks like, if I hadn't come back just now, you would have already left Pope Hall, wouldn't you?"
Xu Sheng didn't bother with excuses and openly admitted, "Indeed, that's the case. I knocked out this soldier simply to spare him from being punished."
Gui Mei frowned upon hearing this, "Xu Sheng, could it be that you're unaware you've been targeted by the upper three families? Leaving Pope Hall at this time might lead to an attack!!"
"And by that time, not even His Holiness the Pope would be able to seek justice for a fallen genius!!"
The difference between a fallen genius and one who is alive is stark!!
Xu Sheng smiled slightly, "Thank you for the reminder, Elder Gui. I am well aware of that!"
"However, there's no evidence to suggest that the strong ones from the upper three families have already infiltrated Martial Soul City!"
"Perhaps leaving here temporarily might actually be the safest option!"
These words left Gui Mei stunned, showing a trace of hesitation on his face...
"This... seems to have some truth to it, but the safest place is still within Pope Hall!"
Xu Sheng looked the other in the eye and slowly said, "Elder Gui, what you mean to say is... you can protect me from the attacks of the powerhouses from the upper three families?"
"Don't forget, those strongmen are at least Hyper Douluo, the same level as you!"
He certainly didn't believe that Gui Mei could fight multiple strongmen of the same level all at once!
In an instant, Gui Mei's expression turned ugly...
Indeed, although he held a distinguished position in the Spirit Hall, just by strength alone, there were probably only a handful on the whole Continent who surpassed him!!
If he really had to fight these strongmen alone, he was bound to be defeated!!
Seeing the change in his expression, Xu Sheng knew his resolve was wavering...
He continued to guide him, saying, "Elder Gui, what I just said is not wrong, right? Therefore, we still need to leave Martial Soul City for now to avoid trouble!"
"Of course, as soon as the friendship tournament is over, I will return to the Pope Hall!"
However, Gui Mei interrupted him sharply, "No, even if I am within the Pope Hall, I can't guarantee your safety, but without His Holiness the Pope's command, you cannot leave on your own accord!"
"After all, the last time you left without leaving any word, you almost made His Holiness the Pope revoke your title as Saint Heir!"
Although he couldn't out-reason the other, he couldn't just stand by and watch him leave!!
Seeing that guidance was ineffective, Xu Sheng resorted to provocation, saying, "Elder Gui, are you suggesting that I wait in the Pope Hall for death?"
"You must be aware of how difficult it is to confront several Hyper Douluo at the same time!!"
Gui Mei retorted angrily upon hearing this, "Nonsense, as long as you stay in the Pope Hall, I'd like to see who dares to take action!!"
Clearly, these words were still not enough to change the other's attitude...
Finally, after much consideration, Xu Sheng came up with another very sensible suggestion...
"How about this, Elder Gui, you leave Martial Soul City with me!"
"In this way, you can keep an eye on me, and you won't have to worry about attacks from the strongmen of the upper three families!"
"After all, His Holiness the Pope sent you just to ensure my whereabouts, didn't he?"
Gui Mei narrowed his eyes and began to think rapidly...
"Hmm... If that's the case, there shouldn't be any problem!"
He didn't believe Xu Sheng could escape his surveillance!
Not to mention, his Martial Soul was a plant-based one!!
Xu Sheng then showed a smile again, "Since Elder Gui doesn't see a problem, let's leave Martial Soul City immediately!"
"Otherwise, once the people from the upper three families lock onto my location, even if we wanted to run, it would be as hard as ascending to heaven!!"
Gui Mei stopped him and said, "Wait, before that, I need to inform His Holiness the Pope first!!"
Having said that, he kicked the soldier who was lying on the ground...
The stinging pain roused the latter, who gradually opened his eyes...
After standing up, he spoke in a befuddled tone, "Elder... Elder Gui? What happened... why was I lying on the ground!"
Gui Mei had no intention of wasting words, "No more nonsense, I need you to immediately convey a message to His Holiness the Pope!!"
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