Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

Without alerting any servants, the two moved like wisps of smoke disappearing into the darkness, weaving through the intricate palace corridors under the cover of night. Dai Mubai knew the palace's patrol routes and shift changes like the back of his hand; this was all thanks to his years of secret observation and memorization for 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, powerful soul energy enveloped the two of them. Huo An bent his legs slightly, exerted force, and carried Dai Mubai like a roc spreading its wings, silently skimming 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 in such a late 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 giant beast in the night. There was no lingering attachment in his eyes, only a thrill of breaking free from his cage and a crazy desire for the future.

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 away from Star Luo City, towards the northeast, towards the Heaven 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 fire in his heart.

he left.

He finally left that place that made him feel depressed, fearful, and that woke him up countless times in the middle of the night.

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

Because he knew that staying in Xingluo meant certain death. Escaping, however, might offer a glimmer of hope—a future where he could trample Davis underfoot and reclaim everything that was rightfully his!

……

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

She slowly exhaled a breath of stale 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, much like her suffocating state of mind.

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, pricking Zhu Zhuqing's heart. It wasn't deep, but it caused a persistent, irritating, and dull pain.

She loathed this feeling, loathed any thought that connected her to Dai Mubai.

That man was frivolous and unrestrained. 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 tied to 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 indulging in taverns and seeking pleasure, reached level twenty-nine in soul power at the age of twelve.

Chapter 195 Dai Mubai's Letter

Star Luo City and Heaven Dou City are not close, 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 muddy, with each step sinking deep into the mud and sinking into shallow water. Thorny bushes scraped against their robes, making a soft, hissing sound that was particularly clear in the still night.

Although Dai Mubai kept telling himself that he wasn't betraying his country, but rather going to Tiandou to accumulate strength so that he could return in the future with a more powerful presence, he still left a letter for his father, the Star Luo Emperor Dai Tianfeng, explaining his reasons and determination.

However, in the history of Xingluo, there has never been a precedent of a prince escaping Xingluo.

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

This Soul Emperor guard was like the most alert cheetah, his aura concealed, but his sharp eyes, even in the darkness, constantly scanned his surroundings, and any slight movement made his muscles tense.

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

He is afraid.

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

What will happen to him once he is 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 out of himself, pouring it into his legs, almost disregarding the physical exertion, just so he could get a little faster and further away from Star Luo City.

Hoan clearly understood the risks involved.

He chose extremely treacherous routes, sometimes deliberately taking longer detours 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 night owls, the two stealthily and silently moved 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.

"Let's rest for fifteen minutes." 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 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. 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, then looked 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 dishevelment of a fugitive and his undisguised panic remained.

"I don't know," Huo An replied, as concise and direct 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 Tiandou to seek opportunities, enhance my strength, and defeat Davis honorably in the Soul Master Competition! Isn't that also permitted in 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 with the person who holds the highest power.

No matter how high-sounding the reasons given for Dai Mubai's actions, the essence of his escape was 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 remained silent, only clenching 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, so we need to find another hiding spot as soon as possible."

Dai Mubai took a deep breath and forced his trembling 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 shone through the stained glass windows into the side hall where the council was to be held.

Dai Tianfeng sat behind a 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 emotion; 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 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 sincere, even carrying a touch of tragic desperation.

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 his unpredictable wrath.

A prince's unauthorized escape from the capital might not seem like much in the Heaven Dou Empire, but in the Star Luo royal family, it was an unheard-of act of defiance!

Time passed slowly, but 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 under the eaves of the palace. His eyes were deep and unfathomable, and no one could fathom the emotions churning within them.

Chapter 196 Curiosity

Did they think their son was useless, cowardly, and evasive?

Or did we see a glimmer of determination in him seeking 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 didn't explain, he just waved his hand: "Go down. This matter must not be spread."

"...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.