Chapter 1658: The Lights of Daxia City

Because of Student Xin Fu's matter, Li Luo, his mood somewhat low, returned to Daxia City with Jiang Jiang Qinge, casually tossing the ruined Gong Yuan, who had shattered the Marquis Conferring Platform and become a cripple, to the Eldest Princess.

"Eldest Princess, now that the Daxia Calamity has been broken and Zhu Xuan Chen, Zhu Zhu Qinghuo, and Si Qing have all been executed, please lead the Wang Ting army next, unify north and south, and end the chaos," Li Luo said to the Eldest Princess.

"Understood."

The Eldest Princess stared blankly at the heavily wounded and unconscious Gong Yuan at her feet. After a long moment of daze, she finally nodded in assent.

At the same time, intense emotions surged within her. In the span of a brief moment, those once-formidable threats had vanished from the world, and this royal uncle, who had once given her sleepless nights and whom she regarded as the greatest threat, had become a cripple, discarded at her feet.

And this was merely something the current Li Luo did in passing.

In her narrow phoenix eyes flowed complex emotions. Her gaze couldn't help but steal a glance at the youth before her. Deep in her memory, she could still vaguely recall their first meeting at the Golden Dragon Treasure House. Back then, Li Luo was nothing more than a freshman who had just been admitted to the Sacred Phoenix Star Academy, and the House Luolan Mansion was also tottering on the brink, in constant danger.

But now, that youth had already become a top-tier powerhouse capable of stabilizing an entire nation single-handedly. This sense of power made even the deeply scheming Eldest Princess tremble.

Even, deep within, a sense of awe arose spontaneously.

So at this moment, she decisively set aside the so-called dignity of the Daxia Wang Ting monarch, because she clearly knew that although Li Luo had no intention of letting House Luolan Mansion replace the Gong family's Wang Ting, with his current background and strength, he was bound to become a supreme sovereign above the Wang Ting.

The true decision-maker of Daxia in the future would not be her, but Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge.

Regardless of whether Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge were willing or not, all the factions of Daxia, including the Eldest Princess herself, would think so.

And the Eldest Princess felt not the slightest unwillingness about this, because although the Daxia Calamity had ended, the world would face even greater catastrophes in the future.

Without the protection of Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge's power, Daxia would surely find no peace. It might not be long before, as calamities erupted across the world, Daxia would be destroyed along with them.

Afterward, the Eldest Princess said no more, and led Qin Zhenjiang and the many Wang Ting troops, preparing to continue advancing toward northern Daxia.

Qin Qin Zhulu wanted to follow, but his father Qin Zhenjiang kicked him out of the formation with one foot, cursing in a low voice: "Idiot, the north is bound to surrender at the mere rumor of our arrival. Rather than wasting your time there, you'd better go to House Luolan Mansion headquarters and help clean up the rooms."

Qin Qin Zhulu said, bewildered: "Old man, has your brain been damaged by the Other Ones? I'm a dignified Wang Ting general—why would I go clean rooms instead of killing enemies?"

The Eldest Princess smiled lightly, while Qin Zhenjiang's face alternated between green and pale. He grabbed Qin Qin Zhulu by the collar and said with a furious laugh: "If you don't want me to come back and find you ten wives to breed like crazy with, then get your ass to House Luolan Mansion and do odd jobs properly!"

This idiot son had no sense of perception at all. At a time like this, even if you just stood by Li Luo like a wooden stake and properly consolidated your old classmate friendship, in the future you would possess a status in Daxia surpassing even your father's.

Qin Qin Zhulu was so frightened by Qin Zhenjiang's terrifying threat that his face turned a shade paler, and he didn't dare to retort a single word, retreating meekly.

At the same time, Duze Yan also privately said earnestly to his own son and daughter: "In the future, House Luolan Mansion will be the hottest place on this land. This is your opportunity, so properly maintain the classmate friendship you once had with Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge."

Both Duze Duze Honglian and Duze Duze Beixuan wore somewhat unnatural expressions.

"Dad, what kind of friendship could I possibly have with Li Luo? Back then I was always targeting him. If he doesn't come to take revenge on me, I'd already be heaving a sigh of relief," Duze Duze Beixuan said with a bitter smile.

Duze Duze Honglian also gently bit her red lips. In the academy, she likewise regarded Jiang Jiang Qinge as a rival. Although their relationship couldn't be called hateful or hostile, it certainly couldn't be called close either.

Duze Yan, however, said with a faint smile: "At their level, when they look back on the past, the youthful grudges and grievances become a kind of memory worth savoring. For Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge to achieve the title of Unparalleled Marquis—what kind of breadth of mind and talent does that take? How could they possibly hold the small frictions of their academy days against anyone?"

So the siblings could only accept their old father's command.

And when Li Luo saw Qin Qin Zhulu and the Duze Duze Honglian siblings sneak over, a smile surfaced in his eyes. Qin Zhenjiang's and Duze Yan's little maneuvers naturally couldn't escape his perception. Of course, the other party should also know this, so this little act was put on for him to see.

The great general and the Duze Mansion master, who had weathered decades in the Daxia Wang Ting without ever falling, naturally lacked neither scheming nor skill.

However, Li Luo paid no heed to this, merely saying to Qin Qin Zhulu: "Tonight, get Seeing Yu Lang and the others. Let's have a proper catch-up."

Meanwhile, Pang Pang Qianyuan and Vice Dean Suxin, unable to contain their eager hearts any longer, led the academy troops toward the Sacred Phoenix Star Academy ruins outside Daxia City.

The future Sacred Phoenix Star Academy would surely be rebuilt here, and become even more glorious.

The forces of the other various factions also entered Daxia City one after another. Thus this Ducheng, dead silent for many years, began to glow with life once more.

Perhaps before long, this Ducheng of Daxia would prosper again.

Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge, meanwhile, led Li Li Jingzhe, Li Li Qingpeng, Li Li Jingtao, Li Li Fengyi, and others to House Luolan Mansion headquarters.

Years of abandonment had left the headquarters somewhat dilapidated, but overall there hadn't been too great a change. Li Luo led everyone, recounting many things that had once happened here.

Li Li Jingzhe listened silently. He could feel from Li Luo's words his attachment and memories of this place, an emotion far stronger than what he felt at the Dragon Fang Branch.

He knew that this small House Luolan Mansion was the warmest harbor in Li Luo's heart.

Li Li Jingzhe told Li Luo he needn't accompany him, and instead found a high place in House Luolan Mansion headquarters on his own, sitting there alone, gazing at this old residence. In his deep eyes, he seemed to pierce through time and space, seeing those two young figures who had first arrived here back then, joining hands here to carve out a warmer little home than the Dragon Fang Branch.

That beloved youngest son he had doted on most all these years had begun to become a father here.

He felt an inexplicable pang of bitterness, and his eyes grew slightly moist.

Finally, the old man murmured softly: "Taixuan, once things here are settled, your father will come to the Wang Hou battlefield to find you. Back then I failed to protect you. Now, even if it costs me this old life, I will keep your family together and safe."

In the desolate Daxia City, lights began to be lit, driving away the chilling darkness that had haunted this place for years.

In House Luolan Mansion, Li Luo summoned many friends. Seeing Yu Lang, Qin Qin Zhulu, Bai Bai Doudou—and naturally he didn't forget Ning Meng, Yin Yue Zhiyu, and the others who had rushed over from the academy alliance to help.

Li Fulou, Li Zhihuo, and many others from the Five Heavenly Dragon Guards were also present in full.

The current Li Zhihuo and the others had already developed a strong sense of awe toward Li Luo, because they all understood that the future Li Li Tianwang branch would truly undergo a seismic shift.

No, strictly speaking, it wasn't a shift in the heavens, but rather an additional sky appearing.

In the past, only Old Ancestor Li Jun was the sky of the Li Li Tianwang branch, but now, Li Li Jingzhe could be counted as one too.

Their Li Li Tianwang branch would henceforth possess two Heavenly Kings. What a heart-stirring thing this was! If this news were to spread back to Outer Shenzhou, one couldn't imagine how tremendous an uproar it would cause. From then on, the Li Li Tianwang branch would be the undisputed number one Heavenly King branch in Outer Shenzhou.

And beyond this sky, the overall strength of the Dragon Fang Branch would also reach an extremely terrifying level.

Setting aside Li Li Jingzhe, this Heavenly King, the Dragon Fang Branch now possessed three Unparalleled Marquises. Dantai Lan was an eighth-grade Unparalleled, while Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge were both seventh-grade Unparalleled...

One branch, three Unparalleled!

What a stunning achievement for the world. In a sense, this rarity was no less than Li Li Jingzhe becoming a Heavenly King.

With such foundations, even if the Dragon Fang Branch wanted to establish its own house and independently carve out a Heavenly King branch, its strength would be no weaker than any Heavenly King branch.

So everyone understood that in the future Li Li Tianwang branch, the true power of authority would inevitably shift from the Dragon Blood Branch to the Dragon Fang Branch.

Under the lamplight, the people in the courtyard laughed and talked. Those faces illuminated by the lamplight had lost the youthful innocence of those days, and each now bore some weathering. Within that weathering hid many winding stories.

Seeing Yu Lang sat beside Li Luo, clinked his wine bowl against his, and suddenly said: "Too bad Qing'er isn't here."

Li Luo's hand holding the wine cup paused for a moment, his expression somewhat wistful. Even if Lv Qing'er were here now, she probably wouldn't sit here drinking with them, because her heart was now sealed in ice.

Those nostalgic people and things from the academy days could ultimately never return.

Seeing Yu Lang glanced at Li Luo's expression, and didn't dwell on the topic. He raised his head, gazing toward the edge of the sky. There, a terrifying pitch-black rift visible to the entire world stretched out. Deep within the rift, it was said, lay that terrifyingly extreme Dark World.

The "Eight-Headed Black Demon King" that had ravaged Daxia so badly before was merely one of those Demon Kings.

And in the days to come, more demons of this kind would descend upon the world, stirring up endless chaos and despair.

So the peace that the Great Xia was now reveling in was only temporary.

"Li Luo."

"Mm?"

"The world will be even more chaotic in the future, and no one knows how long we'll live. If one day something happens to us, don't be sad. You're a legend carrying a great mission. I think the chaos of this world will ultimately still have to rely on you and Senior Sister Jiang." Seeing Yu Lang gazed up at the rift at the edge of the sky and said slowly.

Li Luo was silent for a moment, then said, "Don't talk to me so seriously, or I won't be able to stop myself from laughing."

"Damn!"

Seeing Yu Lang cursed. The mood he had finally built up was ruined by a single sentence from Li Luo.

Li Luo raised his wine bowl and clinked it against his, then drained it in one gulp. He too looked up at the rift in the sky and murmured, "I will protect this place."

At this moment, a petite, delicate figure walked over and stopped in front of them.

It was Bai Bai Mengmeng—no, or rather, the Pill Saint.

Seeing Yu Lang saw her and immediately stood up to make way, his face full of fear, and at the same time seeming to want to say something but holding back.

"Don't worry. Once I'm done with things here, I'll let Bai Bai Mengmeng come out." The Pill Saint's deep gaze swept over Seeing Yu Lang as she spoke.

"Yes, yes." Seeing Yu Lang nodded hurriedly.

The Pill Saint then looked at Li Luo and Jiang Jiang Qinge and said, "Come with me for a moment. There are some things perhaps you should know."

Meeting the Pill Saint's gaze, Li Luo's heart gave a slight jolt. He glanced at Jiang Jiang Qinge, and an inexplicable heaviness settled in his chest.

He had a vague idea of what the Pill Saint wanted to say—and moreover, it was in front of Jiang Jiang Qinge.

But he clearly couldn't refuse, so he could only set down his wine bowl, stand up together with Jiang Jiang Qinge, and follow the Pill Saint's figure.