Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends.

She walked to the window, opened it, and the cool night breeze brushed against her face, but it couldn't dispel the heaviness in her heart.

She thought of Dai Mubai again.

This thought was like a tiny thorn, stuck in Zhu Zhuqing's heart. It wasn't deep, but it continuously sent waves of irritating, hidden pain through her.

She hated this feeling, hated any thoughts that were related to Dai Mubai.

That man was frivolous and dissolute. Every time she had to run into him at family gatherings or royal occasions, watching him flirt with other noble ladies, Zhu Zhuqing wished she could turn around and leave immediately, as far away as possible.

She didn't want to be with him, not at all, but the marriage contract bound them together tightly.

Thinking of this, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her hands slightly, her fingertips turning white from the force.

However, she also had to admit that Dai Mubai's talent was far superior to her own.

Dai Mubai, who spent his days frequenting taverns and indulging in pleasure, reached level 29 in soul power at the age of twelve.

Chapter 195 Dai Mubai's Letter

Star Luo City and Heaven Dou City are not close to each other, almost spanning half of the Douluo Continent.

After leaving Xingluo City, Dai Mubai and Huo An did not catch their breath or relax for a moment.

The two left the main road, choosing instead to traverse secluded paths and dense forests. The path beneath their feet was uneven and full of wet mud, each step sinking deep into the damp, desolate ground. Thorny bushes scraped against their robes, making a soft, rustling sound that was particularly clear in the quiet night.

Although Dai Mubai kept telling himself that this was not treason, but rather a journey to Tiandou to accumulate strength so that he could return to compete in the future with a stronger presence. To this end, he even left a letter for his father, the Star Luo Emperor Dai Tianfeng, explaining his reasons and determination.

However, there has never been a precedent in the history of Xingluo for a prince to escape from Xingluo.

"Your Highness, stay close." Huo An's deep voice rang out from ahead, interrupting Dai Mubai's thoughts.

The soul emperor's guard was like the most alert cheetah, his aura tightened around his body, but his eyes that were still sharp in the darkness kept scanning the surroundings, and any slightest movement made his muscles tense.

Dai Mubai pursed his lips, suppressing the metallic taste rising in his throat from the hurried journey, and silently quickened his pace.

He is afraid.

He feared that his father, Dai Tianfeng, would not understand his good intentions after seeing the letter, but instead would regard it as a provocation and betrayal of royal rules. He feared that his father, in his rage, would immediately send elite royal knights, or even more terrifyingly, the Shadow Guards, to capture him and take him back.

What will happen to him once he's caught and brought back?

Dai Mubai didn't know, and dared not think about it.

This fear of the unknown pursuers, like a cold, venomous snake, coiled around his heart, driving him to unleash unprecedented potential.

He squeezed every last bit of soul power into his legs, almost disregarding the physical exertion, just so he could get further away from Star Luo City faster.

Huo An clearly understood the risks involved.

He chose extremely treacherous routes, sometimes even deliberately taking longer routes or wading through icy streams to conceal his presence and scent. He rarely spoke, devoting all his energy to sensing his surroundings and planning his route.

Like two startled owls, the two stealthily and silently made their way away from Xingluo under the cover of the deep night.

As dawn broke, they had completely left the radiation range of Xingluo City and entered a desolate, uninhabited hilly area.

"Take a 15-minute break." Huo An stopped behind a sheltered boulder, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue. The intense tension and rapid running of the previous night had taken a toll on even a Soul Emperor like himself.

Dai Mubai almost immediately collapsed to the ground, leaning against the cold stone, panting heavily. Sweat had already soaked through his inner shirt, sticking stickily to his skin, and the cold morning wind sent shivers down his spine. His legs felt heavy and aching as if they were filled with lead, and most of his soul power was also depleted.

He took out water and dry food from his storage soul tool and silently handed one to Huo An.

Huo An accepted the food, thanked him, and ate in silence, just like everyone else. He ate quickly, but his eyes remained alert, constantly scanning his surroundings.

"Huo An." Dai Mubai swallowed the dry food in his mouth and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.

Do you think Father will send someone?

Huo An paused, looking up at Dai Mubai. The young prince's face was covered in dust, his hair was disheveled, and his eyes were sunken. He no longer had any of his usual arrogant demeanor, only the disheveled appearance of a fugitive and his undisguised panic.

"I don't know," Huo An replied as simply and directly as ever.

"No one can fathom His Majesty's thoughts."

This answer clearly failed to reassure Dai Mubai; instead, it made him even more uneasy. He scratched his head in frustration: "I left a letter! I made myself perfectly clear! I'm not running away; I'm going to the Heavenly Dou Sect to seek opportunities, increase my strength, and defeat Davis honorably in the Soul Master Tournament in the future! Isn't that also permitted by the royal competition?"

His voice unconsciously rose a little, carrying a hint of grievance and resentment.

Huo An paused for a moment before slowly saying, "Your Highness, rules are rigid. But His Majesty is flexible."

This means that the final interpretation right always lies in the hands of the person who holds the highest power.

No matter how high-sounding the reasons given for Dai Mubai's actions, his act of escaping was essentially a challenge to the established order of the Star Luo royal family.

Whether Dai Tianfeng can tolerate this challenge is the biggest unknown.

Dai Mubai stopped talking, but gripped the water pouch tightly in his hand until his knuckles turned white.

Fifteen minutes passed quickly.

"It's time to go, Your Highness." Huo An stood up and brushed the grass clippings off his clothes.

"It's even less safe during the day; we need to find another hiding spot as soon as possible."

Dai Mubai took a deep breath and forced his weak legs to stand up. He knew Huo An was right; now was not the time to relax.

The two set off again, their figures quickly disappearing into the misty mountains and forests.

……

Xingluo City, Imperial Palace.

The next day, the morning sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows and into the side hall where the council meeting was held.

Dai Tianfeng sat behind his large desk, holding a letter in his hand.

He had just finished listening to the chief eunuch's report that the Third Prince, Dai Mubai, had quietly left the palace last night and had not returned since.

This letter was delivered by someone left behind by Dai Mubai as soon as the palace gates opened at dawn.

Dai Tianfeng's face showed no expression; he was neither furious nor surprised.

He simply ran his fingers slowly over the fine paper, calmly reading its contents.

In the letter, Dai Mubai explained in detail the reasons for his departure.

He suffered ruthless suppression from his elder brother Davis in Star Luo City, his cultivation resources were withheld, and his personal safety was threatened. In order to save his life and to have the strength to fight Davis fairly in the future, he had no choice but to go to the Heaven Dou Empire to accumulate strength.

He emphasized that this was only a temporary measure, and that his heart was with Xingluo, and that he would eventually return to fight for the glory of the empire in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament.

The choice of words and sentence structure is truly remarkable, conveying a poignant sense of desperation and helplessness.

The eunuchs and palace maids standing in the hall held their breath, not daring to make a sound, for fear of disturbing His Majesty's thoughts and provoking unpredictable wrath.

A prince's unauthorized escape from the capital might not seem like a big deal in the Tiandou Empire, but in the Xingluo royal family, it was an unheard-of act of defiance!

Time passed slowly, and Dai Tianfeng remained silent.

He put down the letter in his hand, turned his gaze to the window, and looked at the brightly lit sky below the palace eaves. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, and no one could fathom the emotions churning within them.

Chapter 196 Curiosity

Do you think this son is incompetent, cowardly, and escapist?

Or did we see a glimmer of determination in him as he sought a way out of his predicament?

Nobody knows.

The chief eunuch stood below, hands at his sides, and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to fetch the Third Prince...?"

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Dai Tianfeng withdrew his gaze and looked at the chief eunuch, his face still expressionless. He pondered for a moment, and finally spoke calmly, his voice steady and devoid of any emotion:

"No need."

The chief eunuch was stunned for a moment, seemingly unable to believe his ears.

Dai Tianfeng offered no explanation, simply waving his hand and saying, "Go down. This matter must not be revealed."

"...Yes, Your Majesty." The chief eunuch suppressed his surprise and doubt, bowed respectfully, and then slowly withdrew from the side hall.

In the empty hall, only Dai Tianfeng remained. He picked up the letter again, read it for a moment, and then casually tossed it into the soul tool used to dispose of waste paper. A faint light flashed, and the letter vanished into nothingness.

He stood up, walked to the window, and stood with his hands behind his back.

Tacit approval.

He tacitly approved of Dai Mubai's actions.

Perhaps, in his heart, the successor of Xingluo should possess the ruthlessness and courage to tear a path to survival in desperate situations. Whether one stays in the country and advances step by step, or goes abroad to borrow strength, as long as one can become stronger and bring ultimate benefits, the process is not important.

Dai Mubai's choice, though unconventional, was also a form of test.

Let him go.

Go fight the heavens, struggle, become stronger.

As for whether he'll ultimately become a dragon or a worm, whether he'll survive and come back alive, and whether he'll truly be qualified to challenge Davis...

A cold glint flashed in Dai Tianfeng's eyes.

That depends on his own fate.

……

In the Hall of Offerings in Wuhun City, inside Qian Renxue's quiet room.

Qian Renxue had removed her disguise as Xue Qinghe and regained her original appearance. Her long golden hair flowed like sunlight, but her beautiful face showed a hint of gloom and exhaustion.

Returning to Wuhun City meant that she would have to face that woman again—Pope Bibi Dong.

Her fingertips tapped the table unconsciously, making a dull sound. Qian Renxue's mind was in turmoil.

She had no doubt that Bibi Dong already knew that Snow White had come to Wuhun City with her this time.

“There’s no escaping it…” Qian Renxue murmured to herself, her voice slightly hoarse.

She took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress all the pent-up emotions and resistance in her chest. A resolute glint flashed in her golden eyes.

Yes, she must go see Bibidon first.

Before that woman takes the initiative to approach Bai Xue, or does anything unpredictable, she needs to sound her out first and draw an invisible line. Even if that line might be incredibly fragile in front of Bibi Dong.

After composing herself, Qian Renxue walked out of the quiet room with steady steps toward the Papal Palace, which symbolized the highest power of the Spirit Hall and also held the most of her cold memories.

The Papal Palace remained spacious and solemn, with light filtering through the tall stained-glass windows and casting dappled yet cold shadows on the floor.

Bibi Dong sat high on her throne, her face beneath the purple-gold crown both exquisitely beautiful and majestic. She seemed to have anticipated Qian Renxue's arrival, for the moment she stepped into the hall, her deep purple eyes fell upon her, scrutinizing her and with a hint of barely perceptible amusement.

"You're back." Bibi Dong's voice was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Qian Renxue stood in the center of the hall and bowed slightly: "Your Holiness, I have come to confirm the subsequent cultivation plan for Bai Xue."

Bibi Dong's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest of the throne, producing a rhythmic sound that was particularly clear in the quiet hall.

"Oh? You're quite concerned about things that are confusing. Since I've already promised, I naturally won't go back on my word. Haven't I already handed over the initial foundational work and the soul ring selection plan to you?"

Her gaze was sharp as a knife, as if it could pierce through Qian Renxue's feigned composure.

"Or is it that what you're really worried about isn't the cultivation itself, but that I'll have too much contact with her?"

Qian Renxue's heart tightened suddenly.

In Bibi Dong's presence, her thoughts always seemed to be laid bare. "She is my daughter. I don't want any unnecessary factors to interfere with her growth, nor do I want anyone to disturb her."

Upon hearing this, Bibi Dong's lips curled into a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.

“Unnecessary factors? Disturbance?” She slowly repeated these two words, then suddenly changed the subject, her voice becoming a few decibels lower.

“Qian Renxue, don’t forget, she is able to cultivate her twin martial souls safely now because of whose experience. I am her teacher in name only, isn’t it only natural for me to care about my student’s progress?”

Bibi Dong leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Qian Renxue below the stage.

"Moreover, I am indeed quite curious about this child who possesses a six-winged angel martial soul and is also a twin martial soul. I really want to see with my own eyes how far she can go."

“Your Holiness the Pope…” Qian Renxue wanted to say something more.

“That’s enough.” Bibi Dong interrupted her, her tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

“Do what you’re supposed to do. As for when and how I see the child, that’s my prerogative. Just remember our promise.”

She waved her hand, signaling Qian Renxue to step back, clearly not intending to continue the topic.

"During the Soul Master Competition, I want to maintain the identity of the Heavenly Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe. I don't want any mistakes to happen. You may leave."