Chapter 0729: Returning to Southwind

With Jiang Qing'e's departure, Li Luo spent his time solitarily laying upon a carriage full of equipment, quietly watching the sky for over half a day.

He then spent the next two days in a daze. He rarely appeared outside of the carriage and all his meals were sent directly to him. No one felt like it was strange, as they all understood him. If Qing'e's departure had already caused them to feel such sadness, Li Luo had it worse.

House Luolan finally arrived in the vicinity of the City of Southwind amidst the depressive atmosphere.

When the outline of the city appeared on the horizon, the spirits of everyone in the convoy lifted. The depressed atmosphere seemed to have abated at this point in time, and everyone's expressions relaxed.

Li Luo finally left the confines of his carriage for a closer look.

He was similarly staring at the city in the distance, feeling a little absentminded. Just a year ago, he had left the City of Southwind for the bustling Xia City.

At that point in time, he had just solved the issue of his blank palaces, and everyone doubted his ability as the young lord of House Luolan, even including those within the house.

These doubts were then vanquished one after another as he brought about miracles.

Li Luo then entered Xia City and did his best to turn the rising tide. He strengthened the Suncreek Villa and stabilized House Luolan's economic situation, buying them time. In the college, his fame preceded him and he became the strongest One Star Hall student in the East Divine Continent during the Holy Grail Meet.

𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

And now he was at the Earth Fiend Stage.

His name was one that everyone knew.

He had metamorphosed in the past year, and now he was making his return.

However, things had also vastly changed.

The Astral Sage College had been destroyed and the center of the Xia Kingdom's activity, Xia City, had been abandoned with everyone running for their lives. A wave of death had engulfed the entire city.

One could only imagine how tumultuous the Xia Kingdom would be over the next few years.

“Phew.”

As his thoughts turned, Li Luo lightly exhaled as he waved his hand and barked a command. "Speed up and prepare to enter the city."

The people of House Luolan acknowledged his command, spurring the beasts forward and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Tens of minutes later, the convoy arrived at the city gates. A human tide milled about the streets without rest, and countless curious eyes were focused upon House Luolan's massive entourage. News of what had happened to Xia City had already spread throughout the kingdom.

The migration of so many individuals had caused the entire Xia Kingdom to enter a state of chaos.

News of the Umbra Cave being unsealed and corruption leaking in every direction was now common knowledge. This also instilled a sense of shock and fear amidst the common populace.

The average individual did not know much about the Others, other than the fact that they were a terrifying disaster upon the world. All life would be swallowed up by them, and coexisting with them was impossible.

They could see that even the great Xia City had to be reluctantly given up despite the strength of the forces stationed there!

If the corruption spread further, the entire kingdom might turn into a wasteland devoid of life.

Li Luo looked in the direction of the city gates before he signaled for the convoy to come to a halt. A familiar figure was waiting in an area sectioned off by the city guards.

It was the Southwind Academy's principal, Dean Wei.

Beside him was another figure. Just by the look of his clothes, it was probably the new governor of the Tianshu Province, the previous one being Governor Shi.

When the convoy stopped, Li Luo dismounted and led the upper echelons of House Luolan to meet Dean Wei directly.

"Greetings, Dean Wei. It has been a year since we last met, and yet you seem to be getting more and more energetic!" Li Luo flashed a smile. He had always held great respect towards Wei Sha.

"Haha. Southwind Academy's Qilin son has returned, so of course I had to come and greet you personally." Wei Sha's wizened face beamed as he looked upon Li Luo with great appreciation. For the past year, he had been well received and praised due to Li Luo's outstanding results in the Astral Sage College.

Southwind Academy had now firmly established itself as the number one academy in the Tianshu Province. Even when compared to the academies in other provinces, they were still head and shoulders above them.

Additionally, no academy in the history of the Xia Kingdom had ever produced two students who would eventually be titled as strongest in the East Divine Continent.

"You and Qing'e are Southwind Academy's idols. Your influence has been far-reaching, and countless juniors have started to worship you as well!" Wei Sha chortled.

These words brought a smile to Li Luo's face. In a sense, he had finally received the same treatment as Qing'e. Thinking back to the time he was still studying here, he could only helplessly sit by and watch Jiang Qing'e's dazzling figure longingly, hoping to one day achieve the same.

Wei Sha introduced the middle-aged man beside him. "Li Luo, this is the Tianshu Province's new governor, Governor Zhao."

When he turned to face him, the handsome, middle-aged man hurriedly cupped his hands and greeted him with a smile. "Greetings, House Luolan's House Lord."

Governor Zhao acted humbly before Li Luo as he was clear that this was no longer the child with a blank palace. This was the House Lord who held in his hands the power of his entire House and possessed an inexplicable relationship with the First Princess. Most importantly, House Luolan was now completely different from the one battered by the elements just a year ago.

Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan had appeared during the Housemeet, and they had frightened off any rats that skulked in the dark.

Governor Zhao's gaze quickly swept past the people who were right behind Li Luo. Ox Biaobiao, Chi Chan, and Li Rouyun were all silently standing by with cool indifference. They had no plans to chat, and from the oppressive auras their presence brought about, it was clear that these were all Dukes.

This scared him out of his skin. When had House Luolan found so many Dukes?

Li Luo returned Governor Zhao's courtesy with politeness. After all, House Luolan would use the old manor as their new headquarters in the future, and having dealings with the governor would thus become inevitable.

After a brief silence, Wei Sha broke the ice with a look of worry. "Li Luo, can you tell us what the situation in Xia City is like now?"

Governor Zhao attentively looked over as well.

"I’m sure you have already received news of Xia City's situation. The Astral Sage College has been ruined, and due to the corruption spreading from the Umbra Cave, the people within the city were forced to migrate. The First Princess and the Regent have openly split into two factions, one controlling the north and the other, the south. Vice Principal Su Xin will arrive here very soon, and I have recommended Southwind Academy to her. If she finds it suitable for her needs, they will likely use Southwind Academy as their base and rebuild the Astral Sage College here," Li Luo explained.

The news excited Wei Sha. If Southwind Academy could be transformed into the new Astral Sage College, that would be amazing news. Although he may lose his position as the dean, the honor of being chosen was enough to make all the other deans drool with envy. Additionally, once Southwind Academy was transformed, the Astral Sage College would not shortchange any of the existing students. They might even give a few extra places to them, which would be a great benefit for all of them.

"I would like to thank you on behalf of all the students and staff." Wei Sha beamed widely.

Li Luo shook his head humbly, and the two exchanged a few more words. At this point in time, House Luolan's convoy had slowly made its way into the city under the gazes of countless individuals.

Li Luo stood by the city gates and sighed while looking at the tall walls that were now mottled and eroded by the passage of time.

A year had passed and things had changed. Yet he was back here once again.

Alas, he would not remain here for long.

Once things had settled down, it would be time for him to go.