Chapter 701: The Return Journey Southward

On the fifth day after the protective grand array of House Luolan Mansion was dismantled, Li Luo finally issued the order to withdraw.

Outside House Luolan Mansion's headquarters, an endless stream of giant caravans stood ready to depart. All of House Luolan Mansion's elites had gathered here, layers of guards protecting the caravan tightly, after all, the goods being transported represented all of House Luolan Mansion's accumulated wealth over these years in Daxia City.

Of course, some important core items, such as Spirit Water Marvelous Light formulas, advanced phase arts, advanced treasures, and so on, were distributed and kept within their respective spatial spheres by Li Luo, Jiang Qing'e, Cai Wei, and others. As for other materials and resources, there wasn't even enough room in spatial spheres to store them, so they could only be transported by conventional means.

Li Luo first glanced at the streets around him. In the past, these streets in Daxia City were filled with pedestrians, brimming with a bustling, prosperous atmosphere. But now, the streets had only a sparse number of people, many shops had their doors tightly shut, presenting a scene of ruin.

This sight made Li Luo sigh inwardly. Who could have imagined that in just half a month's time, this central city of Daxia would have become such a state.

Li Luo's gaze withdrew, taking one last look at House Luolan Mansion's headquarters behind him. After these days of busy work, many important buildings within the headquarters had been dismantled, such as the Golden Houses used for cultivation. So looking at it now, the headquarters seemed as if it had been robbed, a complete mess.

And at this moment, many of the veterans of House Luolan Mansion in the caravan were also looking at the headquarters with dim expressions and reluctance. They had stayed here for many years and had grown attached to this place. Having to abandon it now was indeed heartbreaking.

"Everyone need not feel sorrowful. Once the Dark Cave is suppressed again in the future, we will have the chance to return." Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Li Luo stood on the carriage and offered words of comfort.

Jiang Qing'e rode over on a black horned horse beast whose four hooves seemed to be sprouting fire. She was wearing white long trousers today, her legs straddling the horse's back appearing exceptionally slender. Her cascading long hair was tied up into a clean, neat ponytail, and the azure-blue short cape personally sewn for her by Dantai Lan fluttered gently in the wind. The whole person appeared extraordinarily dashing and heroic, and this absolutely beautiful face and temperament made her the most vivid scene within this somber picture.

"Everything has been arranged. Now we're just waiting for Mentor Xi Chan to come over." Her golden eyes turned toward Li Luo as she spoke.

Mentor Xi Chan had been helping out at the Academy these past days, after all, the number of students there was quite large, and this kind of large-scale retreat was far more complicated than House Luolan Mansion's.

Li Luo nodded, flipped himself onto another horned horse beast, then his gaze swept toward a carriage behind him, where Niu Niu Biaobiao was located.

The latter now held "Divine Essence Matter," and by borrowing that special power, he could maintain his strength at the realm of a Fourth-Rank Marquis. This level of strength placed him among the very top tier of titled Marquis-level powerhouses in Daxia.

However, Li Luo did not expose Niu Niu Biaobiao, instead arranging some concealment for him. After all, this kind of hidden strength was the most unfathomable. Daxia was currently in extreme chaos, and Li Luo believed that the intelligence regarding House Luolan Mansion dismantling its protective grand array had already been learned by all forces these past days.

And anyone could guess that Li Luo would definitely take the Divine Essence Matter with him this time.

And with House Luolan Mansion having lost the protection of its grand array while holding such a supreme treasure, it was not certain that someone wouldn't harbor covetous thoughts amid the chaos. ….

Letting Niu Niu Biaobiao conceal himself slightly might achieve some unexpected effects.

"Whoosh!"

At this moment, a streak of flowing light swept across the horizon, then directly landed on the carriage beside Li Luo. When the light faded, Xi Chan's figure was revealed.

"Mentor, you've come!" Li Luo saw this and immediately perked up.

Xi Chan nodded slightly and said, "These past days there have been many matters at the Academy, a shortage of manpower, so I needed to stay there to help."

"Understood, understood."

Li Luo smiled. Although Mentor Xi Chan had left the Academy, this was only temporary. Now that the Academy was in trouble, Vice Dean Suxin was also in a bad mood. Mentor Xi Chan naturally needed to focus her attention on the Academy's side, offering as much help as possible. As for the so-called identity of House Luolan Mansion, everyone understood that this was merely a cover.

Under these circumstances, Xi Chan could still set aside matters at the Academy and come over to escort them along the way. Li Luo's heart was already

filled with gratitude toward her.

"Li Luo, I have already spoken with Vice Dean Suxin's side about the matters of your trip, including the possibility of an attack from Shen Shen Jinxiao."

"Now Shen Shen Jinxiao is also on the Academy's wanted list, considered a mortal enemy of the Academy. So if we truly discover any trace of Shen Shen Jinxiao on our side, the Academy will not stand idly by, because they also need to deal with Shen Shen Jinxiao." Mentor Xi Chan also brought a piece of good news.

"The number of personnel evacuating from the Academy is too large, so they will proceed in batches. This time, due to the need to guard against Shen Shen Jinxiao, Vice Dean Suxin will lead several of the strongest Purple-Glory Mentors to escort the students. The evacuation convoy and House Luolan Mansion's caravan will maintain a certain distance between them, but if anything happens, they should be able to catch up in time."

"Then we really must thank Vice Dean Suxin." Li Luo sighed.

With the Academy's assistance, this could allow people to relax somewhat. After all, even though the Academy had suffered heavy blows this time, it still possessed the deepest foundation and strength in all of Daxia.

The Shen Shen Jinxiao of the past might not have required such a grand display, but the changes at the Academy this time let Li Luo know that this fellow was truly one who hid his strength deeply. The strength Shen Shen Jinxiao had once revealed might not have been real, so for the sake of safety, no amount of caution was excessive.

"Let's set off."

With Xi Chan's arrival, Li Luo no longer hesitated. With a wave of his hand, a commanding shout rang out.

As his shout fell, this massive caravan began to move, like a continuous giant python, slowly advancing along the cold, wide streets of Daxia City, finally passing through the thick, broad city gates and walking out.

Li Luo rode the horned horse beast, his gaze looking toward the distance ahead, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He saw that between heaven and earth, a gray, gloomy aura spread like fog, that thick, chilling feeling making one feel exceptionally uneasy.

At the same time, there were those inexplicably eerie whispers coming from unknown places, causing emotions to involuntarily become somewhat restless.

However, Li Luo was quite calm about this. After all, he had been to the Dark Cave, and the environment there was far harsher than this. So the Evil Thought Qi here was still within Li Luo's tolerance.

But clearly not everyone was the same. ….

Within the massive caravan, some disturbances broke out. Although various news had been circulating these past days, this pervasive Evil Thought Qi could only be truly understood once experienced personally, and how much unease it would bring.

Li Luo waved his hand, and Pavilion Master Lei Zhang immediately led the guard cavalry forward to pacify various areas.

Then he turned his head to look at Jiang Qing'e beside him and asked, "Do you think Shen Shen Jinxiao will appear?"

Jiang Qing'e's golden eyes stared at this gray, gloomy world and said, "This is his last chance to make a move. Once we return to the south, and the defense line against the north is established by Wang Ting and the Academy, with his identity as a wanted man of the Academy, it will likely be very difficult for him to find another opportunity."

"I can keenly sense how intense his covetous obsession toward me is..."

"So..."

A look of extreme iciness surfaced in Jiang Qing'e's eyes.

"He will definitely come on this return trip!"

Li Luo fell silent. At this moment, for the first time, an almost uncontrollable intense killing intent toward a person arose in his heart.

At the same time, he also felt some helplessness regarding his own strength.

If he had sufficient strength, how would Jiang Qing'e have to suffer such covetousness.

Li Luo's five fingers tightened, his eyes closed, blue veins pulsing on the back of his hands. The wrath born from unease in his heart made him at this moment very much want to vent.

At this moment, a small hand as cool as jade covered his fist. Li Luo opened his eyes and saw Jiang Qing'e looking at him, then flashing him a smile as fleeting as a startled swan.

"Li Luo, don't be angry at yourself. Your achievements this year have already surpassed what anyone else has done."

"Don't be discouraged by a momentary lag. We still have time."

"The titled Marquis-level powerhouses who are currently untouchable in our eyes, one day..."

Jiang

Qing'e's slender five fingers slowly closed, the smile at the corner of her mouth seeming to carry a hint of ruthlessness.

"Will be crushed to death by us with a casual flick.".

Heavenly Silkworm Potato