Chapter 947: Chapter 947

In the dim fourth floor of the old building, Zhao Douan, in his soul state, suddenly rushed out from the stone wall, subconsciously gasping for breath.

When the familiar surroundings appeared in his vision, he finally confirmed that he had successfully escaped the control of the [Soul-breaking Blade] and returned to the depths of the Imperial Palace, crossing millions of miles.

"I did it... I never imagined that one day, I would use my visualization ability to escape." Zhao Douan, still fearful, experienced a surge of complex emotions.

Zhao Shixiong’s strength exceeded his expectations, and even though he had left the [Two-Life Gate] as a backup, he was still nearly captured and killed.

Fortunately, in the desperate situation, he remembered this ability from the "Human World" and successfully escaped from the jaws of death.

"According to the pattern I have explored in the past, as long as I use the mural to return, I can directly return to my body. However, I’m not certain if returning immediately will still allow Zhao Shixiong to pull me back."

"As a Martial Artist, he doesn’t possess magic himself. His ability to summon my Divine Soul seems to come from the weapon in his hand... Before understanding the scope of that weapon’s ability, I must not rush to return. Otherwise, if he catches me again after he’s prepared, he might not give me time to visualize a second time, opting to cut me with the blade..."

Zhao Douan’s thoughts flickered rapidly, cautiously abandoning the option of immediately returning to his body.

"As for my body’s safety, the Gold Shadow Guard will surely take care of it, but this is not assured. If Zhao Shixiong can still lock onto my body, then I will have to accompany Pei Niannu as a wandering ghost, hmm... I might even dissipate and vanish completely, which would be worse than her."

Thinking about this, Zhao Douan’s tension suddenly tightened, creating a strong sense of urgency.

He cannot stay in the Capital for too long!

Without hesitation, he immediately floated out of the pavilion, heading straight outside the Martial Arts Hall, and midway, he bumped into Eunuch Hai, who was coming out of the bedroom, wrapped in a coat and carrying a lantern.

"You come back in the middle of the night for something? Won’t you let me have a peaceful sleep..." Eunuch Hai complained upon seeing him.

As an Inner Court Tributor, he constantly paid attention to any commotion within the palace.

"Huh? No, your Divine Soul is injured? Why does it flicker, unstable?" The Python Robed Old Eunuch looked closely, his expression changing.

Zhao Douan, as if seeing a savior, immediately said: "I battled with Zhao Shixiong, and my soul was pulled out of my shell by the blade in his hand, leaving me with no choice but to flee back to the palace and hide. Eunuch, do you know what this means?"

The silver-haired old eunuch was taken aback, then said gravely: "This has happened? Quickly, come with me to see Your Majesty."

Old Hai, you don’t understand... such joy for nothing... Zhao Douan sighed.

The two immediately set off, heading to Yangxin Hall. At this hour, the Empress was still awake. When Xu Zhenguan glimpsed the two rushing in from outside the study, the Empress’s fair face also paused, her gaze drawn to Zhao Douan’s dim soul state, her delicate eyebrows furrowing: "What happened?"

Zhao Douan explained the situation once more, trying to save time by omitting causes and effects.

A battle with Zhao Shixiong? Forced to flee back? Xu Zhenguan stood up abruptly, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at him, the Heavenly Human Realm’s Divine Thought sweeping over him.

Enveloping Zhao Douan, his dim, flickering soul state quickly stabilized, gradually returning to fullness.

At the same time, he was surprised to find a scarlet streak running down Zhao Douan’s soul body, resembling blood vessels, extending downwards from the forehead and becoming fainter, almost wrapping half of his form.

"What is this?" Zhao Douan was stunned.

Eunuch Hai, experienced and knowledgeable, said solemnly: "It looks like marks created by Sword Energy, similar to a spell that can continuously weaken your Divine Soul. Zhao Shixiong likely left this mark during the battle so he could extract your soul from a distance. If this curse is not removed, you’ll be targeted again even if you return."

Xu Zhenguan’s face became frosty, decisive in action, as he enveloped Zhao Douan with divine thought and stepped outward: "Eunuch Hai guards the palace, I’ll be right back."

As soon as the words were spoken, the Empress’s hem flew up, and she rose from the ground, vanishing within the palace.

Following the Empress, Zhao Douan controlled the wind, soaring over the Capital’s skyline, only to see the silhouette of the Heavenly Master Mansion’s complex continuously enlarging.

"I’m not good at magic. For safety, it’s best to seek Zhang Yan Yi’s intervention." The Empress softly explained.

Being Heavenly Human herself, she wasn’t entirely helpless against soul injuries, but due to the uniqueness of the soul body, she hesitated to act recklessly, preferring to seek help from a "professional."

For this reason, even if it exposed Zhao Douan’s return ability, it didn’t matter, as it was not a significant secret.

In a blink of an eye, the sovereign and minister descended in a small courtyard deep within the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Under the night, a large banyan tree shone transparently, half verdant and half like red clouds, extremely eye-catching.

As the Empress descended from above, her formidable elegant presence caused the courtyard’s plants to bow, and the banyan tree trembled.

"Where is the Heavenly Master?" Xu Zhenguan glanced at the empty rocking chair under the tree, her lips gently parted.

With a creak, the lights in the house lit first, followed by the door opening. Zhang Yan Yi, donned in a priest robe, stepped out with an uncertain expression: "Your Majesty’s night visit to this old one, for what reason... Huh? Little Zhao?"

The Old Heavenly Master, upon seeing Zhao Douan, also paused in surprise.

Although he cultivates the Heavenly Dao, it’s not as though he’s divining at all times, especially involving the Martial God Map, which also affects the Heavenly Dao. He knew nothing about Zhao Douan’s situation.

"Greetings, Heavenly Master." Zhao Douan bowed his head, standing beside the Empress, refraining from recklessly calling "Old Zhang" swaggeringly.

To avoid suspicion, lest he call too intimately and provoke Zhenbao’s wild imagination.