Chapter 177: The Abandoned Xue Beng
Xue Beng nodded. Seeing that Yu Xiaogang was still wearing a mask, he wanted to know the man's true identity.
Just then, a stern shout came from the distance: "This is a restricted area! Who's there?"
Startled, Yu Xiaogang and Xue Beng turned around to see a team of Wuhun Hall guards rushing toward them.
On the roof, a faint smile appeared on Luo Ling's face.
These guards were also arranged by him.
Yu Xiaogang could leave, but Xue Beng had to stay.
The guards would witness this prince together with the evil soul masters attempting a prison break, and Salas, the Platinum Bishop, would be onsite as a witness.
Once they searched Xue Beng's soul tool and found the Blood Demon Ritual, the evidence would be undeniable.
He had ordered Salas not to act immediately precisely for this moment.
"Your Highness?" Salas was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the guards. When he saw Luo Ling's calm expression, he immediately understood that this too was part of his plan.
"Bishop Salas, in a moment, you may step in. Let Yu Xiaogang and the others go, but keep Xue Beng." Luo Ling's tone was indifferent.
Salas paused, unsure why Xue Beng needed to be left behind.
Luo Ling turned, smiling faintly. "Prince Xue Beng consorted with evil soul masters and joined a prison break. I doubt Emperor Xue Ye would want to pass the throne to such a prince."
"You're doing this for Young Master Qian Renxue?" Salas finally understood Luo Ling's intent.
Luo Ling gave no answer, simply turning his gaze back to Yu Xiaogang and Xue Beng below.
Yu Xiaogang tossed out the iron sphere in his hand. A deafening explosion shook the air, releasing clouds of soporific smoke.
Inside the prison, Flender and Zhao Wuji felt the tremor, hurriedly stored the corpse inside their soul tools, and prepared to retreat.
Xue Beng, without a protective mask like Yu Xiaogang's, coughed violently within the smoke.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang helplessly took a spare mask from his soul tool and forcibly strapped it onto Xue Beng's face.
"Hurry, we're leaving!" Yu Xiaogang urged.
At that moment, Flender and Zhao Wuji emerged from the prison. Seeing an unfamiliar figure beside Yu Xiaogang, they were ready to strike but were stopped by him.
"Don't attack, he's one of us! We've been discovered—take him and go!" Yu Xiaogang shouted.
Flender looked doubtful but didn't argue. He moved to lift Xue Beng and flee.
But suddenly, a commanding voice rang out: "Who dares cause trouble in my Wuhun Hall!"
Through the smoke, Yu Xiaogang saw the silhouette of the Platinum Bishop, Salas.
The moment Flender and Zhao Wuji saw him, their faces turned pale.
It was still competition season—wasn't Bishop Salas supposed to be at the tournament arena? Why was he here?
They couldn't understand, but there was no time to think.
Salas, a Contra-level powerhouse, far exceeded their strength as Spirit Saints. The noise they had made meant they had to escape immediately.
Flender tried to drag Xue Beng along, but no matter how hard he pulled, the prince's body refused to budge.
Zhao Wuji, sensing something wrong, asked urgently, "What's going on?"
"I can't move him!" Flender grunted, pulling again, but Xue Beng stood frozen and lifeless.
His eyes were blank, and though Flender tugged at him, he didn't respond at all—it was unsettling.
"Let me try!" Zhao Wuji approached, gripping Xue Beng's arm and pulling hard.
Still, Xue Beng didn't move an inch.
"Damn it! What's wrong with this kid?" Zhao Wuji cursed.
"Who's there!" Salas's voice thundered once again from the distance.
Flender and Zhao Wuji were drenched in sweat. Yu Xiaogang gritted his teeth and said decisively, "Leave him. We go first!"
He had no other choice.
The divine decree of the Original God was important, but compared to their safety, Xue Beng wasn't worth the risk.
Flender and Zhao Wuji nodded, immediately taking Yu Xiaogang and escaping into the night.
Watching them disappear, Xue Beng's heart sank into hopeless despair.
He had no idea what was happening—his body wouldn't obey him at all.
As the smoke cleared, Salas and the guards arrived at the prison gates. Everything seemed perfectly timed.
…
Meanwhile, in the royal arena, the final round of the promotion tournament was nearing its end.
Facing the furious Feng Xiaotian, Tang San was forced to retreat again and again.
Feng Xiaotian was a prodigy—his self-created Wind Demon Wolf Thirty-Six Slash demonstrated overwhelming skill.
Tang San didn't want a direct clash; his goal was to buy time for Yu Xiaogang's mission.
"Is dodging all you can do?" Feng Xiaotian's angry voice barked in his ear.
Tang San ignored him, his eyes flicking toward the VIP seats.
The Platinum Bishop Salas wasn't there—and an uneasy feeling crept over him.
Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from afar.
Everyone—the royal knights, students, and spectators—heard it and turned toward the direction of the sound.
Emperor Xue Ye and Ning Fengzhi both paused, exchanging glances before their expressions darkened.
That sound—they had heard it once before. It was the same as during the royal prison break.
They exchanged a heavy look, alarm flashing in their eyes.
Tang San's expression hardened.
Feng Xiaotian seized the opening, unleashing a flurry of strikes with his wings and arms, slashing Tang San multiple times.
Caught off guard, Tang San was sent flying out of the arena.
Feng Xiaotian, still unsatisfied, tried to pursue, but the referee intervened.
The match ended with Feng Xiaotian declared the winner.
Nearby, Tang San rose slowly from the ground, casting a cold glance at his opponent before turning to leave.
The tournament continued.
But none of the following matches matched the intensity of that fight. Emperor Xue Ye seemed distant, distracted—the explosion had clearly disturbed him.
Moments later, a guard approached and whispered into his ear.
Emperor Xue Ye's face darkened; without hesitation, he stood and left the arena.
Intrigued, Ning Fengzhi followed after him.
…
At the Wuhun Hall prison, Xue Beng was tightly bound by the guards.
Salas had not tortured him yet—he was waiting for someone.
Soon, distant footsteps echoed, and Salas looked toward the entrance.
Emperor Xue Ye approached, his expression grave and stormy.
The guards had already reported everything: the evil soul masters had struck again, targeting the Wuhun Hall's prison.
That alone would not have concerned him—but his own son, Xue Beng, had been found at the scene, witnessed alongside those same criminals.
"Emperor Xue Ye, you've raised quite the son—collaborating with evil soul masters," Salas said with open disdain.
Emperor Xue Ye did not respond, only lowering his gaze to look coldly at Xue Beng lying on the ground.
(END CHAPTER)
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