Douluo Jueshi: I Don't Want to Be an Evil Soul Master

Looking up slightly, Lin Xiao glanced around, matching the names of the people before him with the ones he remembered. Aside from the elders and the leader, Zhongli Wu, he didn't recognize many of the others. He only knew that they were probably, like him, trusted aides of the elders.

"Now everyone is here." Zhongli Wu raised his right hand, and the door closed instantly. "You should all know what to do next. I don't want to say anything else, but you must control your hands during this operation."

"Those who covet blood and food, those who covet souls..." Zhongli Wu glanced around, "Now is not the best time. As long as you endure for a while, the entire Sun-Moon Empire will be a sacrifice to my Holy Church in the future. No one is allowed to act without authorization. If this trip fails, don't blame me for being ruthless."

"Yes."

The room became quiet for a while. After a while, Zhongli Wu suddenly looked up at the door. Lin Xiao also followed his gaze and looked outside. Soon, two footsteps were heard getting closer.

Chapter 5 A fish slipped through the net

Walking in front was a young man in his twenties, walking with the swift gait of a dragon and a conceited smile on his face. Behind him followed a short, stout old man, who had been gazing around with half-closed eyes since entering the house.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince." Zhongli Wu spoke first.

"Master Zhongli, you don't have to be polite. Just call me Tianran."

Lin Xiao stood behind Sleepy Nightmare Douluo, watching the two people enter the room. The young man who spoke was probably Xu Tianran, who would later become the Emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire.

Xu Tianran sat aside, without saying a word, but just glanced around.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. These are all elites of my sect." Zhongli Wu saw what Xu Tianran was thinking at a glance.

"Of course I trust the leader." Xu Tianran retracted his gaze. "It's just right. Let me introduce you to the person behind me, Jing Hongchen. He is currently the deputy head of the Mingde Hall of the Sun and Moon Empire."

Xu Tianran's attitude towards Jing Hongchen was very polite. It was obvious that although Jing Hongchen was involved in this matter, he clearly had other motives and was not working for Xu Tianran.

Jing Hongchen also took the opportunity to bow slightly to the people around him.

"Master Zhongli, the Lord of Hongchen Hall is the key to entering the palace that I mentioned before." Xu Tianran just introduced it with one sentence and couldn't wait to get to the point.

"The Mingdu Imperial Palace's formations and soul guides were all set up by the Mingde Hall. With the presence of the Hongchen Hall Master, your sect can enter the palace unnoticed. However, the palace guards only obey the emperor's orders, and there are two ninth-level soul guides guarding the palace. We can only rely on your sect's strength."

Zhongli Wu lowered his head and thought for a moment, "I wonder if Your Highness has any information related to these two ninth-level soul masters?"

"I have prepared it in advance, please take a look, Master Zhongli." Xu Tianran naturally came prepared.

"Yes." Zhongli Wu nodded lightly as he watched. "This matter is simple. I will personally lead the troops into the palace. It shouldn't take long."

"Then I await good news from the Sect Leader." Xu Tianran's smile widened. "As long as matters in the palace are successfully completed, my father will lead the army into Mingdu immediately. For subsequent matters, the Sect Leader only needs to wait for news from my father and me. When the time comes, I will definitely give your Sect a satisfactory result."

"Also..." At the end, Xu Tianran suddenly lowered his voice, "I have something else I would like to trouble Sect Leader Zhongli with."

"Your Highness, please speak frankly."

"I hope that when the leader takes action... he won't leave anyone alive."

Hearing this, Zhongli Wu's eyes changed slightly. He hadn't expected that just when he was arranging for everyone to control him, Xu Tianran would be even more decisive than him, an evil soul master. There were so many people in the palace, and he actually wanted to leave no one behind.

Zhongli Wu was consumed by a multitude of thoughts. Xu Tianran, the man before him, was already a prince, and one day he might very well become the crown prince or even emperor of the Sun-Moon Empire. With his ruthless character, the Sun-Moon Empire would likely undergo significant changes.

This was good news for the Holy Spirit Church. Zhongli Wu didn't care what would become of the Sun-Moon Empire; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to such a heinous act as assassinating the emperor. However, Xu Tianran's rule would definitely benefit the Holy Spirit Church.

Zhongli Wu looked at Xu Tianran, who was smiling all the time, and wondered if he said that on purpose to please these evil soul masters or if he had already had that thought in mind. But deep down, he still made a secret decision.

Zhongli Wu nodded imperceptibly, "There's no time to lose. Second, third, and fourth brothers, follow me into the palace. Third and fourth brothers will deal with those two ninth-level soul masters, while second brother will hold back the imperial guards."

"The remaining people will be divided into four groups: east, south, west, and north. Block anyone outside the palace who wants to approach. Also, be careful not to let any fish that slip through the net escape."

"Yes."

Zhongli Wu looked at Xu Tianran and said, "Let's take a day off today and officially start tomorrow night. What do you think, Your Highness?"

"Okay, let's follow the leader's arrangements." Xu Tianran stood up and nodded, "Master Hongchen and I will go take care of the Mingde Hall matter right away."

Xu Tianran had arrived and departed just as quickly, leaving with Jing Hongchen shortly afterwards. Zhongli Wu finally looked at the others, "Alright, the elders and the rest of the disciples can return to investigate the situation in Mingdu and prepare for tonight's operation."

Lin Xiao looked at Sleepy Nightmare Douluo and saw him turn around. "Just follow the leader's instructions. There's no need to rush to find a place to stay. Wait until tomorrow night. The Holy Church will have other arrangements in Mingdu. We'll make arrangements then."

Lin Xiao responded and left with the others. He then realized that it was already daytime outside. When he walked out of the yard and along the street, he saw that various shops on both sides of the street were open and there were many customers inside.

Looking around, there are high-rise buildings of more than ten stories all around. As the capital of the Sun-Moon Empire, soul guides have become commonplace in people's lives.

Although it was not as prosperous as the cities in the other world in his memory, it vaguely bore some of the shadows of those cities, and even had some special buildings that were unique to this world.

Perhaps if soul guides were allowed to develop further, they would accomplish many incredible things just as he remembered.

A day is extremely short. Lin Xiao just experienced the convenience of life surrounded by soul guides before night came quietly.

Although he knew that he had no significant role in this matter, and that the true outcome would be decided by the several Titled Douluo, and based on his memory, this matter had a high probability of success, he still felt a slight change in his heart as he felt the serious atmosphere around him.

Near the east gate, he and Sleepy Nightmare Douluo hid in the shadows. From time to time, soul masters passed by in groups on the street. There was no sign of the army on them, but they were well-equipped and well-managed. They were obviously specially trained private soldiers, and it was unknown which noble family had trained them.

It seems that what Sleepy Nightmare Douluo said was right. It is not just Xu Tianran and his son and the Holy Spirit Church who want to change the Sun-Moon Empire. Many nobles and officials have also been dissatisfied with the status quo for a long time.

Time passed minute by minute, and the operation went much more smoothly than Zhongli Wu had expected. Under the guard of the Titled Douluo, even if someone noticed something unusual in the palace, they would not be able to get close.

The fluctuations of soul power in the palace gradually subsided. Lin Xiao guessed that the result had probably been decided. At this moment, a child stumbled out from the east gate of the palace.

Although it could be seen that he was trying his best to hide his figure, his whereabouts were clear to the soul master's perception.

Lin Xiao subconsciously turned his head to look to the side, but there was no one else around him. Sleepy Nightmare Douluo had already stood up to intercept the people who came to the palace.

"Stop, who is it?"

The private soldiers wandering the streets were also soul masters. Although their perception was not as good as Lin Xiao's, they still discovered the child.

At this moment, the voice of Sleepy Nightmare Douluo suddenly sounded in Lin Xiao's ears.

"Go and take that child away from Mingdu."

Chapter 6 Escape

what?

Lin Xiao thought he had misheard. Although he didn't know the child, the clothes he wore were made of exquisite materials and workmanship, clearly not from an ordinary family. Furthermore, since he came from the imperial palace, he could easily guess his identity.

He wasn't surprised that the Holy Spirit Cult would help Xu Tianran kill someone, but rescuing someone from the palace wasn't like the Holy Spirit Cult's style. For a moment, he thought someone had used a spirit skill to imitate the voice of Sleepy Nightmare Douluo.

"Help him escape, why are you still standing there?"

The voice of Sleepy Nightmare Douluo became clearer, and he urged again.

Lin Xiao no longer hesitated after hearing this, and suddenly rushed out from the shadows, rushing straight towards the child. Having lived in the Holy Spirit Church for so long, he also knew that it was better not to ask too many questions about some things.

The private soldiers wandering around were gradually surrounding the east gate. However, before they could ask clearly, a dark figure came from behind them. His appearance could not be seen under the cover of night. Only the black cloak was seen rising, and the boy who came out of the east gate disappeared.

"No, chase!"

The sounds of the private soldiers behind Lin Xiao could be heard from afar, but soon his trace disappeared.

"who are you?"

The boy in Lin Xiao's arms was a little dazed, but he quickly calmed down. He vaguely glanced at the buildings on both sides that were constantly retreating. The boy knew that the person who took him away must have a very high level of cultivation, far superior to those private soldiers just now.

However, the only response the boy received was a mask made of some unknown metal and a muffled voice.

"I'll take you out of here."

"Are you one of Father's men?" The boy's expression was a little agitated. "Father is still in there. A very scary person has come to the palace. And Mother and my sisters... Can you go and save them?"

Lin Xiao didn't say anything, just shook his head slightly, and then rushed out of Mingdu with all his heart.

Not to mention that he was in cahoots with the guy inside, even if he wanted to save him, not everyone could easily defeat Zhongli Wu.

However, listening to the tone of the boy in his arms, Lin Xiao probably already knew this person's identity. If he guessed correctly, he was Xu He, the prince of the Sun and Moon Empire, and also the future "source of destruction" He Cai Tou.

In his impression, the original He Caitou would flee Mingdu when Xu Tianran and his son launched a coup, and fled all the way to the Tianhun Empire to be adopted by Shrek Academy.

Originally, he was a little puzzled as to how a nine-year-old child could escape from Mingdu alone without being perceived by a Titled Douluo. Now, it seemed that there might be other reasons.

From time to time, there were violent fluctuations of soul power in the air. Although Zhongli Wu moved quickly and tried his best to conceal the movement, there were still many masters outside the palace who noticed the abnormality and confronted the people from the Holy Spirit Sect who were blocking the way outside the palace.

"Jing Hongchen, what are you going to do?"

In the Royal Soul Guidance Academy of the Sun-Moon Empire, several figures rose from the Mingde Hall. However, before they could make any move, another group of people also rose into the air and blocked their way.

"Master, our Mingde Hall only serves the royal family of the Sun-Moon Empire. As for the internal affairs of the royal family, we should not interfere."

"Shouldn't we be involved?" The head of Mingde Hall looked towards the palace. "Then who did you let into the palace tonight?"

After hearing this, Jing Hongchen stopped talking and just stood quietly in front of everyone.

The leader of Mingde Hall was about to say something else when he suddenly looked into the distance. Dazzling lights lit up on the streets of Mingdu City, and bursts of shouts and cries of killing could be heard from afar.

"Come on -"

"Protect His Majesty—"

On the other hand, Lin Xiao had the cultivation level of a Soul King after all, so it was not difficult for him to hide his figure with a nine-year-old child. However, just as they left the vicinity of the palace and approached the outskirts of Mingdu, bursts of noisy sounds came from outside Mingdu.

The commotion in the palace had just subsided when the army that had been waiting outside the city received the news and rushed into the city under the leadership of Xu Tianran's father Xu Jing.

The sound of orderly footsteps rang out on the street, and the shops on both sides that had not yet closed were crowded with ordinary people who had not yet rested. Everyone looked at this army that came from nowhere with confusion, and they didn't know what had happened in the palace.

There is still a huge gap between the world of ordinary people and the world of soul masters. Under the deliberate blockade of the Holy Spirit Church, they have no idea that earth-shaking changes have taken place in the palace.

In a secluded alley, Lin Xiao peered out to observe the passing troops. They all radiated soul energy fluctuations, and their spirit guides clearly showed they were no ordinary equipment. A faint, invisible murderous aura emanated from them, clearly a team seasoned in actual combat.

Although he didn't know which army they were from, their strength was no less than that of the Soul Master Corps of the Sun-Moon Empire. Xu Jing had invested heavily in tonight's event by bringing in such a team.

"who?"

A strong light suddenly shone from the army onto them, completely dispelling the shadows in the alley. Seeing Lin Xiao's attire, several people immediately surrounded him.

Lin Xiao frowned slightly. He hadn't expected them to notice such a remote place, given the distance and the soldiers' abilities. Could it be that Xu Jing had brought all the soul-detecting instruments in the army?

His attire was perfectly suited for concealing his form, but once noticed, it would arouse suspicion, as it did now. Furthermore, beneath his cloak was Xu He, a child he couldn't see.

It is impossible for these people not to know the prince of the Sun and Moon Empire, and the clothes on Xu He are also easy to attract attention.

Seeing more soldiers gathering around after noticing something was amiss, Lin Xiao had already made up his mind.

Although the Holy Spirit Cult had a partnership with Xu Jing and his son, Xu He's origins remained unclear. Tonight's events shaped the future of the Holy Spirit Cult. If this were to happen before Xu Jing, Sleeping Nightmare Douluo would likely not claim it was his order.

There is still a chance to escape at this time, but once you are completely surrounded by the fully armed soul guide army, it will be a fantasy to leave.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiao raised his hand and bent his palm. His fingertips passed across the palm, and drops of blood floated up. The first soul ring lit up with yellow light. With flesh and blood as the medium, seeds of the other shore condensed into shape.

The soul power surged, and dozens of dark red streams of light shot out in front of Lin Xiao.

Although the seed looked harmless, its power could not be underestimated. The soldier standing at the front had not yet seen what it was. Just as he put up the soul shield, his body was hit by a soul cannon and fell backwards suddenly.

Before the other soldiers could react, Lin Xiao leaped up, his toes tapping against the walls on either side. In a flash, he had landed on a nearby rooftop. With a tap of his foot, his body continued to leap, quickly disappearing along the rooftop into the night.