Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

She could clearly feel the coldness and anger emanating from Tang San at that moment.

Tang San suddenly turned his head to look at Cinderella, his voice hoarse from suppressing his emotions: "Sister, tell me, what exactly does he have that gives him the right?"

Cinderella opened her mouth, wanting to say something comforting, but found herself at a loss for words.

She naturally knew why Tang Hao did this.

It was nothing more than hatred, fear, and the shadow of the Spirit Hall looming over him.

He feared that they would be exposed to the world too early, and that their talents would be revealed and lead to their deaths.

But Cinderella couldn't say.

These things were clearly beyond her knowledge, and revealing them now would only increase Tang San's burden and potentially cause unforeseen trouble, without any benefit.

Looking into Tang San's eyes, which were almost spitting fire with anger and confusion, Cinderella took a deep breath, suppressed the complex emotions in her heart, and forced a gentle, reassuring smile onto her face.

She reached out and gently grasped Tang San's hand, which was trembling slightly and had white knuckles from clenching his fist.

"The mistress." Her voice was very soft, with a kind of cautious consolation.

"Don't be angry. He probably has his own reasons."

She could feel Tang San's hand beneath her palm suddenly stiffen, his muscles tensing like iron.

Difficulties?

These two words were like a needle, gently piercing the dam of anger in Tang San's heart. But what surged out was not understanding, but a deeper sense of suffocation and a feeling of powerlessness with nowhere to vent.

He abruptly turned his head away, not wanting Cinderella to see the barely contained rage in his eyes.

Chapter 193 Heading to Wuhun City

Difficulties?

What hardship could make him so arrogantly block others from becoming stronger?

What kind of hardship could drive him to crush himself with such humiliation and absolute power?

These questions churned and pounded wildly in Tang San's mind, almost bursting out of his throat.

But he can't.

He couldn't take out these negative emotions on his sister.

Under the moonlight, Cinderella's delicate face, etched with worry, was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing most of the anger in Tang San's heart, leaving only heavy embers smoldering.

He couldn't let her worry.

His sister was the only person in the world who truly cared for him and made him feel warmth. All his efforts and all his forbearance had only one purpose—to protect her and ensure that she could always be safe and happy.

If his anger caused his sister to show such a worried expression, then he would be the biggest jerk.

Tang San squeezed his eyes shut, his chest heaving violently as he forced the anger and humiliation that threatened to tear him apart back to the deepest recesses of his heart.

When he opened his eyes again, the crimson and violence in them had faded, leaving only a kind of exhausted calm, but beneath that calm was an unfathomable coldness.

He took Cinderella's hand in his own, and the cool, soft touch calmed his racing heart a little.

Tang San's voice was a little hoarse, but he deliberately kept it very soft: "I understand, sister."

He paused, as if feeling that those three words weren't enough, and added, "I won't do anything reckless. Don't worry."

He will not leave Nottingham College, at least not now.

Looking into Tang San's eyes, which were forcibly suppressing all emotions and left only with cold calmness, Cinderella felt no worry at all. Instead, a secret sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

She understood Tang San; the calmer he appeared, the bigger and deeper the knot in his heart was being clenched and suppressed.

This shows that the fragile bridge of father-son affection in Tang San's heart is breaking inch by inch under Tang Hao's merciless pressure and tyranny.

The larger the crack, the easier it is for her to fill it with her own image.

He was disappointed in Tang Hao, alienated from his so-called father, and all his emotional dependence and trust were focused on himself alone.

Make him her complete possession, her strongest shield and sharpest blade in this cold world.

As her thoughts raced, Cinderella's face revealed just the right amount of heartache and comfort.

She reached out her other hand and gently covered Tang San's clenched fist, her fingertips softly brushing across his tense knuckles, trying to gradually dissipate the tension within.

"Don't think about it anymore, mistress." Her voice was soft and gentle, with a magical power to soothe any agitation.

"Let's go back first."

As Tang San felt the soft touch on the back of her hand and the undisguised concern in Cinderella's words, the raging anger in his chest was finally forcibly suppressed, turning into a heavy lump that accumulated in the deepest part of his heart.

He raised his eyes and looked at Cinderella. Those eyes, which were always clear and blue, were now reflecting the faint moonlight, and contained only his own image.

This stirred a ripple in his heart.

At least, he still has his sister.

In this world, the only person he needs to care about is his sister.

Tang San nodded without saying anything more, letting Cinderella lead him by the hand and walk towards the dormitory.

……

The Soul Master Tournament's qualifying and preliminary rounds concluded after a month.

Meanwhile, on the official road leading from the Heavenly Dou Empire to Martial Soul City, carriages rumbled and horses neighed.

The team representing the Heaven Dou Empire in the finals of the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, along with representatives of the royal family, formed a magnificent convoy.

In the center of the procession, inside a particularly ornate carriage pulled by four magnificent horses, the atmosphere was far from pleasant.

Prince Xue Qinghe, or rather Qian Renxue, sat alone by the window.

The carriage was covered with thick velvet carpets, and calming incense burned in the corners. Delicate pastries and warm tea were laid out on the coffee table.

But none of this could dispel the gloom in Qian Renxue's heart at this moment.

Her gaze, peering through the slightly swaying curtains of the carriage window, fell upon the smaller carriage outside, which was also marked with royal insignia. Inside sat Snow White and Lin Wan.

The Snow Night Emperor's intentions were so clear they were nauseating.

Qian Renxue could almost imagine what that old guy was planning. He had his eye on Lin Wan's monstrous talent and potential, and wanted to use Snow White as a bond to firmly tie this rising star to the Tiandou royal family's war chariot.

Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched unconsciously, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force. Her refined face, which she had disguised as Xue Qinghe, was now so gloomy it seemed to drip water.

How old is Bai Xue? She's still a child!

She should be cultivating and growing without any worries, instead of being pushed into this filthy arena of power at such a young age and being used as a tool by this damned snowy night!

Thinking of this, Qian Renxue became even angrier.

She leaned against the soft interior wall of the carriage, closed her eyes, and tried to calm her turbulent emotions through breathing exercises, but to little avail. Her mind kept replaying the calculating face of the Snow Emperor and the innocent, naive face of Snow White.

These two images intertwined, like fine needles, making her restless and uneasy.

“Damn snowy night…” Qian Renxue couldn’t help but curse in her heart again. Her clenched fist slowly loosened, but her fingertips were still icy cold.

In stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere inside Qian Renxue's carriage, the atmosphere in the slightly smaller royal carriage in front was much more relaxed.

The curtains of the carriage window were held up by an exquisite silver hook, and the warm afternoon sun shone in, casting bright spots of light into the softly cushioned carriage.

Snow White sat by the window, watching the fields and forests rushing past outside, her clear eyes reflecting the flowing light.

Lin Wan sat opposite her, leaning against a soft cushion, her posture somewhat languid, seemingly resting with her eyes closed, or perhaps simply daydreaming.

The sound of the wheels rolling over the road was monotonous and regular, and the carriage was quiet for a while.

"How much longer until we reach Wuhun City?" Lin Wan suddenly asked, her eyes still closed, her voice carrying a hint of languor typical of long journeys.

Snow White turned her gaze away from the window, thought for a moment, and replied, "At our current speed, if there are no unexpected delays along the way, we should arrive before dusk."

As soon as he finished speaking, the carriage returned to silence.

Chapter 194 Escape

Xingluo City.

Dai Mubai stood alone in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window of his bedroom. Outside the window, Xingluo City was just beginning to light up, and the dazzling lights outlined the prosperous outline of this imperial capital.

But beneath this prosperity lurks an undercurrent powerful enough to devour him.

He held a piece of paper in his hand, the handwriting on it messy yet clearly conveying a message that made his heart race.

Davis and his core supporters have confirmed that they have completely left Xingluo City and are heading to Wuhun City to prepare for the competition.

He pressed hard with his fingertips, crushing the strip of paper into powder, letting it fall softly through his fingers.

An opportunity! This was the best opportunity he had been waiting for!

With Davis away from Star City, it was as if the biggest mountain weighing on his head had been removed. The suffocating surveillance that had been constantly on him would inevitably weaken significantly. No one would be watching his every move, day and night, in such meticulous detail, anymore.

This opportunity is fleeting and won't come again!

Without any hesitation, Dai Mubai took a deep breath, suppressing the surging excitement and tension in his chest, and called out in a low voice to the empty shadows of the bedroom: "Huo An!"

The voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable determination.

A figure appeared silently behind him like a ghost, kneeling on one knee. The newcomer was tall and broad-shouldered. Even in a respectful posture, one could feel the explosive power contained beneath his clothes. His aura was deep and imposing, like a crouching lion.

It was Huo An, the Soul Emperor Guard with the Fiery Lion Martial Soul, who was arranged by the Star Luo Royal Family to protect Dai Mubai.

"Your Highness." Huo An's voice was as deep and hoarse as ever, carrying the composure of someone who has weathered many storms.

Dai Mubai turned around, his sharp gaze landing on Huo An. Without any beating around the bush, he directly gave the order: "Get ready, we're leaving Xingluo immediately."

Huo An's expression remained calm and unfazed, as if he had long anticipated this day. He simply nodded silently and replied, "Yes."

He didn't ask where they were going, why, or try to dissuade them. As a guard, he only needed to carry out orders, especially at a time when the prince's life was at stake.

Dai Mubai said no more. All his belongings—the valuables, the life-saving items, and the precious pills given to him by Ge Duo—had already been categorized and stored in his personal storage soul tool. In this magnificent palace, apart from these clothes, there was nothing left for him to cherish or to tidy up.

Time slipped away silently, the lights outside the window gradually thinned, and the bustling city slowly sank into slumber. Night spread like thick ink, bathing the city's lights in a golden hue.

When the moon was high in the sky and all was quiet, Dai Mubai and Huo An exchanged a glance and moved in tacit agreement.

"Let's go!" Dai Mubai shouted in a low voice, and took the lead towards the side gate leading from the bedroom to the outer courtyard.

Huo An followed silently, like the most loyal servant scratching the white mark.

Without disturbing any servants, the two men, under the cover of night, moved like wisps of smoke blending into the darkness, weaving through the intricate palace corridors. Dai Mubai knew the palace's patrol routes and shift changes like the back of his hand; he had secretly observed and memorized these details over the years for the purpose of disguise and self-preservation.

Huo An, relying on his Soul Emperor-level perception, avoided the hidden sentries and soul power fluctuations in advance.

The process went surprisingly smoothly.

The high palace walls were right in front of them. Huo An gestured for Dai Mubai to stop. He observed carefully for a moment, and after confirming that there were no guards on the walls, he grabbed Dai Mubai's arm and whispered, "Your Highness, please forgive me."

The next moment, a powerful soul force enveloped the two of them. Huo An bent his legs slightly and exerted force, carrying Dai Mubai like a roc spreading its wings, silently flying over the high wall that symbolized power and restraint, and landing steadily on the cold ground outside the wall.

The wide streets were deserted, save for the occasional bark of a dog.

There were no pursuers, no alarms, and no one even noticed that the third prince of the Star Luo Empire had disappeared into the shadow of this magnificent capital city like a drop of water merging into the ocean.

After all, who would have thought that Dai Mubai, a prince who enjoys wealth and honor, would choose to leave Xingluo on such a night, in such a way that is almost like an escape?

With his feet firmly planted on the ground outside the palace walls, Dai Mubai glanced back at the outline of the imperial palace, which loomed like a colossal beast in the night. His eyes held no lingering affection, only a sense of liberation from his confinement.

Without further hesitation, he exchanged a glance with Huo An, and the two of them moved, pushing their soul power to the limit. Like two arrows released from a bow, they sped off towards the direction far from Star Luo City, towards the northeast, towards the Heavenly Dou Empire, and towards Sunset Forest.

The night breeze caressed Dai Mubai's young face, bringing a touch of coolness, but it could not extinguish the raging flames burning in his heart.

He left.

He finally left that place that had oppressed him, filled him with fear, and caused him to wake up in the middle of the night countless times.

The road ahead was unknown and fraught with danger, but he went without hesitation.

Because he knew that staying in Xingluo meant certain death. But escaping might offer a glimmer of hope—a future where he could trample Davis underfoot and reclaim everything that belonged to him!

……

On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing had just finished her cultivation.

She slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, feeling a slight increase in her soul power, but her face showed no joy.

This progress is as insignificant as dust in the face of the cruel rules of the Star Luo Royal Family.

The room was dark, with only the cool moonlight filtering through the curtains and casting dappled shadows on the floor. Darkness and silence enveloped her, just like her current state of mind, suffocating her.