"Back at the Evil Soul Master stronghold, your goal was actually different from ours, wasn't it?"
That soul-ring configuration far exceeding the optimal ratio, the outfit he wore when they first met, and the description given by Xuan Zi—Zhang Le Xuan had already guessed long ago. Yet, clinging to a sliver of hope, she struck off the mask on Lin Xiao's face, wanting to see the true appearance beneath it.
"You're right. I was there to 'clean up' so you wouldn't discover too many secrets of the Holy Church."
"But why…" Zhang Le Xuan paused, leaving the second half unspoken. After a moment of silence, she slowly calmed herself.
"Why did you take Xiao Tao?"
Lin Xiao turned away, no longer looking at Zhang Le Xuan. He let out a long sigh. "The Saintess returns to her place. You cannot stop it."
Bending down to pick up the half-mask from the ground, Lin Xiao glanced around but couldn't find the other half; he didn't know where it had fallen.
He lifted his eyes toward the distance, then turned back. "Stop chasing. And do not lightly enter the Sun Moon Empire. What you have seen is merely the tip of the Holy Church's iceberg."
"Also…"
After a long silence, Lin Xiao continued, "It won't be long before you learn anyway—my name is not Shen Hao. It is Lin Xiao."
With those words, the black cloak billowed once more. Lin Xiao stamped heavily on the ground and shot toward the Sun Moon Empire.
"Lin Xiao—"
Zhang Le Xuan suddenly called out, her voice losing its usual cold clarity. Lin Xiao's departing figure paused slightly.
"Please take good care of Xiao Tao for me, will you?"
Lin Xiao gave no reply. His silhouette quickly vanished into the night.
The branches and leaves covering him scattered as he left. Zhang Le Xuan turned around, but Lin Xiao was already gone. Only the remaining half-mask appeared at her feet when she moved.
"Le Xuan—"
"Eldest Senior Sister—"
Several voices rang out from afar. Soon, multiple figures landed beside Zhang Le Xuan.
"Eldest Senior Sister, we sensed movement here just now. Did you encounter danger?"
One student spoke, then glanced around. "Eldest Senior Sister, you fought someone? Was it the people who took Xiao Tao?"
Zhang Le Xuan opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out.
"Eldest Sister?"
"I'm fine. I did fight someone. His attire matches Elder Xuan's description, and he was heading toward the Sun Moon Empire. His strength was very high; I couldn't stop him. I'm not sure if he was one of the people who took Xiao Tao."
"Then let's chase him now!"
"No!" Zhang Le Xuan hurriedly stopped them. "According to Elder Xuan, their cultivation is beyond what we can handle. We should report this to the academy."
"Alright." The student nodded, then looked at Zhang Le Xuan again. "Eldest Senior Sister, are you really okay? Are you injured?"
"No, just a bit drained."
"Then let's hurry back."
"Yes." Zhang Le Xuan nodded, bent down briefly, and then disappeared into the distance together with the Shrek Academy group.
The night grew quiet once more. After a long while, Lin Xiao's figure reappeared in the same spot, gazing from afar at the direction Shrek Academy's group had left.
"Taken a fancy to that girl?"
"Elder Yi, you're awake?"
A voice sounded in his ear. Lin Xiao startled, then immediately realised.
"I've actually been awake the whole time." Electrolux's aged voice carried a hint of amusement, as if something had genuinely pleased him.
"With the power of the Life Gold, apart from the first time I arrived in this world when I was extremely weak, I have never fully slept. Occasionally, I observe this world through your eyes."
"I see." Lin Xiao gave a slight nod.
"Speaking of the Life Gold, it's time I returned this to you."
As Electrolux spoke, a dot of emerald light suddenly shone from Lin Xiao's right palm. It slowly emerged from his skin, transforming into an exquisite carving knife.
"This is…"
Lin Xiao looked down. In his hand was none other than the Spirit-Devouring Carving Knife—or, more accurately, it should be called the Living Spirit Carving Knife.
"This is what I call the Life Gold. I don't know where you obtained this knife, but being able to acquire it shows your fortune is no small thing."
"Its existence stabilised this wisp of my consciousness. Earlier, when you absorbed soul rings, I used a portion of their power to reshape your body. You may not have noticed, but it has always resided within you."
"Elder Yi, if it's useful to you, keep it." To Lin Xiao, Electrolux was far more important than a single knife.
"No need." Electrolux smiled. "This wisp of my consciousness is now stable; I no longer worry about dissipating at any moment. And perhaps there is an even better way to stabilise it."
"Truthfully, something as important as the Life Gold—I wouldn't want it falling into other hands even if you hadn't said anything. But now, I believe entrusting it to you is a fine choice."
Lin Xiao stored the knife away. The emerald glow vanished completely, yet he still asked inwardly, puzzled, "Elder Yi, what method were you referring to?"
"No rush. You haven't answered my earlier question."
The earlier question?
Lin Xiao instinctively looked ahead, but saw only darkness.
"I suppose not."
"Haha." Electrolux suddenly chuckled. "Really? Yet with your usual style, you don't show mercy in battle the way you did with that girl just now."
Before Lin Xiao could respond, Electrolux continued, "No need to deny it hastily. In my view, human emotion is the most beautiful thing about people—even if you yourself cannot perceive it."
"It may bring you pain, bring you hatred…" Electrolux spoke more slowly, as if recalling something. "But precisely because of these things, a person does not become like trees or stones, devoid of feeling."
"Before today, I never sensed much rich emotion from you, the kind others display. Perhaps your upbringing buried it all in the deepest corner of your heart."
"But a person so skilled at hiding himself—I could never fully trust him." Electrolux returned to the present; the amusement in his tone grew clearer. "Now, however, I can confirm that your kindness is not an act."
"I know you have always pursued power, and that is not a bad thing. Therefore…" Electrolux paused. "Would you be willing to accept a new power from another world?"
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