Chapter 0709: Returning to the South

On the fifth day after House Luolan's defensive ward was deconstructed, Li Luo finally gave the command to migrate.

Outside House Luolan's headquarters was a giant convoy with numerous carriages ready to go. All of the elites of House Luolan were assembled, so the convoy was under heavy protection. It was expected as all of the house's accumulations were being shifted that day.

At the same time, a few critical items such as the Spirit Liquids and Purifying Lights, high-grade resonance arts, and high-grade treasures were being safekept by Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, and Cai Wei in their respective pocket spheres. The rest of the resources and materials that could not be fit in pocket spheres were thus being transported by the carriages.

Li Luo inspected the surrounding streets. Xia City was once bustling with life and activity with an effervescent atmosphere. But now the roads were starkly empty. Numerous shops were now boarded up and dilapidated, with nary a person in sight.

This scene made Li Luo sigh deep down. Who would have expected that in the short span of half a month, the Xia Kingdom's most bustling city would turn into a ghost town.

Li Luo retracted his gaze and turned towards the headquarters. The last few days had been hectic as all of the important buildings had been dismantled, such as the skygold room which he utilized for cultivation. It looked as though the entire area had been pillaged of anything of value.

At this point, the older individuals of House Luolan who were sitting within the carriages stared wistfully towards the headquarters. They had spent many long years here and had naturally developed feelings for this home. Alas, today was the day they would have to let it go, and so they felt heartbreak.

"There's no need for everyone to feel hurt. When we eventually reseal the Umbra Cave, we will have the chance to come back here and rebuild." Li Luo consoled everyone when he felt the gloomy atmosphere.

Jiang Qing'e was currently mounted atop a black wildebeest with hooves that seemed to be wrapped in flames. She was currently garbed in long, white robes, and her slender legs were bare for all to see. Her usually cascading, long hair was neatly tied up into a ponytail and the short, azure cloak that Tan Tailan had personally sewn for her rippled in the wind, giving her an unusually heroic temperament. Her very presence seemed to enliven the dull and gloominess all around her. "Everything has been prepared. Now we are just awaiting Mentor Chi Chan." She glanced at Li Luo with her golden eyes.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Mentor Chi Chan had spent most of her days within the college providing assistance. Considering the sheer amount of students present, their migration was an even more complicated affair than House Luolan's.

Li Luo nodded before he turned to mount his own wildebeest. He then went to inspect the final carriage in the convoy, where Ox Biaobiao was currently seated.

He now held in his possession the Divine Matter, and thanks to its mystical strength, he was able to exhibit power comparable to that of a fourth-grade Duke. This put him at the very top of the Xia Kingdom.

However, Li Luo did not let Ox Biaobiao flaunt his strength, but got him to conceal himself instead. Only by being discreet could they ensure that their opponent's guard would be down. With the chaos unfolding in the Xia Kingdom, Li Luo was sure that news of House Luolan taking apart their defensive ward was no secret amongst the powers of the kingdom.

Similarly, anyone could also guess that Li Luo would take the Divine Matter somewhere else.

House Luolan without its defensive ward would definitely be a juicy target for covetous hearts.

By ensuring that Ox Biaobiao remained hidden, it could possibly reduce the likelihood of unexpected situations.

At this point, a stream of light arced across the sky, landing before Li Luo. When the light finally scattered, Chi Chan appeared.

"Mentor, you're here!" Li Luo perked up.

Mentor Chi Chan nodded slightly. "The college side has been extremely busy. They simply don't have enough people, so I stayed for as long as I could to help out."

"No worries, no worries, I understand." Li Luo smiled. Mentor Chi Chan might have left the college, but it was only temporarily. Now that the college was in trouble and Vice Principal Su Xin's state of mind wasn't ideal, Mentor Chi Chan naturally focused more upon the college's affairs, helping wherever she could. Even though she was a part of House Luolan, everyone knew this was just a temporary thing.

In the current situation, Chi Chan had chosen to put aside the college's problems and to accompany House Luolan instead. This was something that Li Luo felt great gratitude for.

Mentor Chi Chan had brought some good news. "Li Luo, I've explained your situation to Vice Principal Su Xin, including the possibility of Shen Jinxiao ambushing you. He has now been placed on the wanted list of our college and is considered a mortal enemy. If we discover any traces of him, the college will not sit by idly and will assist you in dealing with him.

"The college is simply too large, so the evacuation will happen over several phases. Because of Shen Jinxiao, Vice Principal Su Xin will lead a group of the most powerful Violet Vibrance mentors to escort the students. They will be trailing just behind House Luolan's carriages, and if there are any strange developments, they will immediately rush over and assist."

"I have to profusely thank Vice Principal Su Xin once again." Li Luo sighed.

With the college's assistance, he could feel a certain degree of relief. Even though the college had suffered heavy losses, it still had the deepest foundation and strength amongst the numerous superpowers of the Xia Kingdom.

In the past, such a formation would not have been required to deal with Shen Jinxiao, but with what had happened to the college, even Li Luo knew that that fellow had hidden himself deeply. The strength he had displayed was not necessarily his true strength, and being alert was of utmost importance.

After Chi Chan's arrival, Li Luo no longer tarried. He waved his hand and issued the command. "Let's move out."

As his command echoed out, the numerous massive carriages began to move, almost like a long, gigantic serpent slithering through Xia City's deserted and wide streets, finally passing through the massive city gates.

Li Luo rode atop his wildebeest, his gaze focused forward as he squinted slightly.

He could see a gray and dark fog before them, bringing about a gloomy atmosphere that permeated like a mist. Anyone who was within it could feel a terrible sense of unease.

At the same time, a strange and inexplicable whispering could suddenly be heard. No one knew where it came from, but everyone suddenly felt a little agitated.

Li Luo, on the other hand, remained calm. He had once visited the Umbra Cave, where the corruption was much thicker. Thus, the current corruption was bearable for him.

But not everyone felt the same way.

Some disturbances occurred within the convoy. Although there news had spread about the corruption, one had to experience it in the flesh to truly understand what it was like.

Li Luo waved his hand, and Lei Zhang with his armed cavalry guards came forth to stabilize the situation.

With that, he turned to face Jiang Qing'e. "Do you think Shen Jinxiao will appear?"

Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes stared at the grayish fog that surrounded them. "This is his last chance to act. Once we return to the City of Southwind, we will be in the presence of the royal court, and the college will also be establishing a perimeter. With his wanted status, it will be much more difficult to attempt to do so. I can keenly feel how strong his obsession with me is... So..." A cold expression appeared on Jiang Qing'e's face.

"He will definitely be here as we migrate towards the south!" Li Luo fell silent. Boundless killing intent towards that man fermented in his heart.

At the same time, he felt powerless when he considered his personal strength.

If he were strong enough, Jiang Qing'e wouldn’t have to face such troubles.

He clenched his fists and he shut his eyes, veins throbbing on the back of his hand as he felt fury surging within his heart at his own inability. He truly wanted to vent his frustrations.

However, a small, warm hand suddenly grabbed his fist. Li Luo opened his eyes to see Jiang Qing'e focusing on him as she gave him a graceful smile.

"Li Luo, there is no need to be angry. Your results this year are something no one else could have ever matched. Don't be discouraged just because you're not strong enough now. We still have time. We might currently be insignificant in the eyes of a Duke, but one day..." Jiang Qing'e similarly clenched her other fist, and a hint of a merciless smirk could be seen on her face.

"We will crush them beneath our very hands."