The crisp chirping of birds pulled Lin Xiao from his meditation. Rising from bed, he peered out the second-floor window. Dawn had barely broken, yet several breakfast stalls were already being set up along the street.
Scanning both ends of the road and seeing nothing suspicious, he quietly exhaled. The Shrek investigation team should have left by now.
He had spent half the night searching for a safe place and finally found an inn to rest in.
This town lay some distance from the border, large enough to house permanent residents. Compared to the Sun and Moon Empire, the Heavenly Soul Empire lacked the convenience of soul-tools; its streets were lined with quaint wooden buildings, giving the illusion of a world from centuries past.
"Guest, you're up early!"
Downstairs, the innkeeper greeted him with practiced warmth.
"Yes. Could you prepare breakfast for me?" Lin Xiao replied, choosing a seat near the window.
"Right away."
By the time his meal arrived, the sun had climbed higher, golden light spilling into the shop. More travelers appeared on the streets, and soon the small eatery was bustling.
Out of habit, Lin Xiao's gaze swept the room—and suddenly froze.
At the door stood a trio: one burly middle-aged man in front, followed by two young women. The man was broad-shouldered, exuding quiet strength, but it was the two girls behind him who caught Lin Xiao's attention.
He knew them.
In an instant, everything clicked—those who had acted in Rongguan Crossing last night were the very same people he had once encountered outside the Holy Spirit Church's branch hall.
Perhaps they had never returned to the Academy after that mission. Or perhaps they had been sent out again on new orders. Either way, his mind began to race with a single question: Should I leave?
No. That would be more suspicious.
He had worn a mask both times they'd crossed paths—once at the Holy Spirit Church's outpost, and again last night. They shouldn't recognize him. But if he suddenly ran, it would only draw attention.
He lowered his head slightly, lifted his chopsticks, and continued eating like any ordinary customer.
"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
Lifting his gaze, Lin Xiao saw the young woman who had spoken. Her face was soft and graceful, yet the moonlight that had once surrounded her was still vivid in his mind. This was Zhang Lexuan—future Inner Court senior of Shrek Academy.
"No, please."
"Thank you." She smiled politely, signaling to her companions. The other two—familiar faces as well—hurried over.
"Teacher Fan."
Teacher Fan?
At that name, Lin Xiao's attention shifted to the man leading them.
Fan… could it be Fan Yu?
The surname was rare, and given the title "teacher," there was little doubt.
Lin Xiao's pulse quickened. He hadn't found Xu He yet—but he had stumbled upon Fan Yu himself. In the original events, Xu He had met Fan Yu here in Heavenly Soul territory and been brought to Shrek Academy. Could this be that very moment?
"Thank you, young man," Fan Yu said warmly, his tone calm yet firm. His towering frame carried the weight of a mountain, though his manner remained gentle.
"Not at all. Please, sit."
Fan Yu nodded and took the seat opposite him. His sharp eyes occasionally lifted to study Lin Xiao. "May I ask your name, young friend? I noticed the soul-tool on your wrist. Are you a soul engineer?"
"My name is Shen Hao," Lin Xiao said smoothly, giving a false name. "I only know how to use a few simple soul-tools. I wouldn't call myself a soul engineer."
He dared not admit more. Fan Yu was an eighth-rank soul engineer—one misstep in conversation and Lin Xiao's ignorance might expose him.
"That's not entirely wrong," Fan Yu said thoughtfully. "In the Sun and Moon Empire, we have a class of control-type soul engineers who specialize in using, not crafting, soul-tools. But here in the Heavenly Soul Empire, few display their devices so openly."
At that, Zhang Lexuan cast him a brief glance, but Lin Xiao feigned ignorance and continued eating.
"Many Spirit Masters fail to realize," Fan Yu went on, his tone gaining enthusiasm, "that soul-tools hold unique advantages in many situations. Especially fixed-mounted ones—during wartime, a single high-grade soul-tool can rival a high-rank Spirit Master."
Perhaps because few at Shrek could truly discuss soul engineering with him, his passion seemed to spill out freely. "Tell me, Brother Shen, what made you start using soul-tools?"
"Hmm… probably because they can make up for certain flaws in one's martial spirit," Lin Xiao replied truthfully enough.
Fan Yu's eyes brightened. "Exactly! You understand it well. Soul-tools and Spirit Masters complement one another—each amplifies the other's strengths. Yet even within… our Academy, not everyone agrees with that view."
While Fan Yu spoke, Lin Xiao quickly finished his meal, rose, and bowed slightly. "Well, I'll take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Of course, Brother Shen."
Lin Xiao offered a polite nod and retreated upstairs, his calm mask concealing the unease stirring inside. Being near Shrek's people always put him on edge.
Only after his footsteps faded did Zhang Lexuan speak softly. "Teacher Fan…"
"I understand what you're thinking," Fan Yu said, cutting her off. "You and your peers from the Martial Spirit Department are brilliant, gifted in battle. You've defeated countless soul engineers—it's natural to think soul-tools make little difference in high-level combat."
He looked between them with quiet seriousness. "But remember this: never underestimate soul-tools or the soul engineers who wield them."
His voice carried weight, though the two girls only nodded faintly.
"Teacher Fan," Han Ruoruo interjected, changing the topic. "Are the Academy's resources really that limited? You had to come all this way just to buy materials?"
"No," Fan Yu replied, shaking his head. "You don't understand. The Sun and Moon Empire's advantage in soul engineering isn't just talent—it's resources. They control the richest mines, the rarest metals. And they strictly ban export of those materials. Some things…" He sighed. "…I can only acquire here through less-than-official means."
Upstairs, Lin Xiao had no idea what was being said below. From his window, he watched as Fan Yu's group finished their meal and left the town.
After a moment's thought, he tidied his things, slipped out, and began to follow from a distance.
He didn't know if this meeting would truly lead to Xu He—but at least it gave him a direction. Wandering aimlessly had never been his plan.
(End of Chapter)