Assassination

"Actually, you could lower your pride a bit."

Zhu Zhuqing suggested this, knowing Chen Xuan fairly well and understanding he was referring to Yu Xiaogang and others.

During this time, he had been harshly suppressed in the Shrek team. With the preliminary and advancement rounds spanning over two months, he had only been sent out three times, while the team members who participated the least, Huang Yuan and Jing Ling, had appeared no less than ten times each.

Zhu Zhuqing was sharp and insightful, often perceiving situations clearly. She understood that the academy's suppression was largely due to Chen Xuan's personality.

If he would bow his head, learn to be more pliant, and align himself with the master's philosophy without opposing him, he would likely not be so deliberately targeted.

"It's different, because I have never accepted his theories," Chen Xuan replied. He understood this; had he, from the very beginning, flattered the master, praised his theories, and treated him like a god, he certainly wouldn't face exclusion. On the contrary, he might have gained his favor, perhaps even being accepted as a disciple.

But he wasn't that kind of person. From the start, he had seen Yu Xiaogang as a fraud. The core theories of martial souls were riddled with gaps, barely scratching the surface. It was as if Yu Xiaogang had copied fragments from countless books to create his so-called theories.

What appeared to be a good deed actually led others astray, misleading many soul masters without families or backgrounds.

Not one Blue Silver Grass soul master had reached the tenth soul power level, and Tang San breaking this limit was certainly not due to ordinary Blue Silver Grass.

Whether it was the Blue Silver Emperor or the Blue Silver Grass, its primary trait was vitality—not control, and certainly not poison.

In this tournament, Tang San's poison-based Blue Silver Grass had almost no impact. Without restraining attributes, the grass was easily shattered by Feng Xiaotian, a harsh reality.

Thus, Chen Xuan held firmly to his belief: the so-called master was nothing more than a charlatan from the beginning.

This time, Yu Xiaogang's early departure was primarily to seek out Bibi Dong to ask her for the cultivation method for twin martial souls for his disciple, Tang San.

All signs showed that Yu Xiaogang not only misled his disciple but also shamelessly sought help from his former lover—a truly brazen act.

After decades, Yu Xiaogang hadn't thought of Bibi Dong, but now, in trouble, he suddenly remembered her.

"You're too stubborn; you're likely to get hurt," Zhu Zhuqing sighed. People like him are often the ones to face obstacles.

She worried about Chen Xuan being ostracized, not out of reproach but rather admiring that he did what she dared not do.

If this continued, he would face the master's pressure in the elimination rounds. The All-Continent Soul Master Tournament was an honor for every soul master; merely passing through would be regrettable.

"Blind silence, never resisting—that is true sorrow," Chen Xuan said, gazing at her as he spoke.

Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback, realizing he was hinting at her.

She shook her head, her face tinged with sorrow. The Star Luo Empire was vast; how could a small figure like her oppose it?

Chen Xuan said no more; it was too early to discuss such things. He wasn't powerful enough yet to help her in any meaningful way.

In the next two days, he stayed at Shrek Academy, walking through every corner to make his presence known.

He met each of the Seven Monsters and their teachers, making himself familiar to prove he hadn't left Shrek.

Once satisfied, he left the academy and returned to his residence outside the city, preparing for his journey and needing to arrange things with Chen Yiyi.

After two days, his shadow clone had almost caught up with Yu Xiaogang, though the clone's limit was near.

That day, shortly after he returned home, Xue Qinghe visited, bringing an unexpected conversation.

This surprised him. To find his residence precisely and to come at this time was abrupt.

Xue Qinghe wasted no time, directly inviting Chen Xuan to join the Heaven Dou Empire.

"Brother Chen, talents like you are exactly what our empire needs."

Chen Xuan didn't enjoy beating around the bush and asked, "Join Heaven Dou, or become part of your faction?"

Xue Qinghe's expression shifted subtly, a bit of tension showing in his eyes. Did this kid see through his true identity?

He quickly dismissed the thought—it was impossible. If Chen Xuan had such perception, he would have seen through him long ago.

"Naturally, it would mean allegiance to my father, His Majesty Xue Ye."

"Then I'll pass. I've already joined another sect," Chen Xuan declined, curious to see how that woman would react.

"Brother Chen, no need to rush. If you change your mind, you can find me here," Xue Qinghe said, handing him an address. As Xue Qinghe left, Chen Xuan watched him go, feeling a growing suspicion. Something seemed off.

The questions Xue Qinghe avoided and the ones he asked seemed calculated, as if he had come just to test the waters—a peculiar vibe.

"Brother, who was that?" Chen Yiyi appeared in a simple home dress, her figure graceful and face wearing a sweet smile.

Chen Xuan explained, "The crown prince."

"Ah!" Chen Yiyi covered her mouth, her eyes wide with shock.

To ordinary people, the crown prince was an elevated figure; meeting him was unimaginable, let alone seeing his portrait.

"Yiyi, the day after tomorrow, I'll head to Spirit City. It's not convenient to bring you along. Would you like to stay in Heaven Dou City or go elsewhere?" Chen Xuan asked, focusing on future arrangements.

With the journey to Spirit City and the tournament time, it might take a month or two, and he worried for his sister's safety.

"Brother, I'll stay here; I won't go anywhere," Chen Yiyi said firmly. This was her home, a place of deep meaning to her.

"Alright."

Chen Xuan didn't insist. As long as she was happy, he would arrange things as best as he could.

…

In the afternoon, just as Chen Xuan left his home, he received a letter from that woman.

"So soon, a mission already?" He frowned. Promises of no missions for a year seemed empty.

Chen Xuan opened the envelope and read through it carefully. Only a few concise lines were written.

"As expected, something's wrong."

The letter was simple, asking him to pretend to accept Heaven Dou or Xue Qinghe's invitation, rise to the top, and become a vital official in the empire.

"Are they monitoring me?"

The thought crossed his mind, though he dismissed it quickly. If it were true, that woman's influence would be terrifyingly vast.

Xue Qinghe had only been gone three hours, yet she had already heard. That was unsettling.

Chen Xuan felt that the whole situation was strange. He now began doubting that woman's identity.

He planned to find Xue Qinghe the next day to uncover more. Only by following her instructions could he understand her true intentions.

"My shadow clone should have caught up with Yu Xiaogang by now."

…

Elsewhere

At the border of Heaven Dou Empire

Vast yellow sands stretched endlessly across a desolate desert. As the red sun sank, the horizon glowed a deep red, exuding a somber aura.

Yu Xiaogang rode a white horse through the desert, leaving a long trail of hoofprints, having traveled nearly 200 miles.

Gazing at the red sunset, an inexplicable sadness filled his heart, a sense of unease settling in.

"Master, we've been traveling all day. Shall we rest?" asked two knights in armor.

They rode black horses, clad in full armor with sharp swords—the bodyguards Yu Xiaogang had hired at a high price.

"Alright," Yu Xiaogang nodded, feeling somewhat fatigued as he prepared to dismount.

However, as he did, a chilling sensation shot down his spine, his body tensing up.

Suddenly, a black dagger appeared, slicing through the air toward his head—a ruthless strike aiming to end him in one blow.

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