Chapter 702: The Journey Southward

Five days after the protective wonder-array of the Luolan Mansion was dismantled, Li Luo finally issued the order to evacuate.

Outside the Luolan Mansion headquarters, a continuous line of massive convoys stood ready; all of Luolan Mansion's elite forces were gathered here, with heavy guards protecting the convoy tightly, as these transported goods represented all the accumulations of Luolan Mansion in Xia City over these years.

Of course, some important core items, such as spirit liquid and wonder light formulas, high-level phase arts, high-level treasures, etc., were kept separately by Li Luo, Jiang Qing, Cai Wei, and others in their respective space spheres, while other supplies, resources, and the like could not even fit into space spheres and had to be transported by other means.

Li Luo first glanced at the surrounding streets; in the past, these streets of Xia City would be filled with pedestrians like weaving shuttles, permeated with a bustling and prosperous atmosphere, but now, there were few pedestrians on the streets, and many shops had their doors tightly shut, presenting a scene of desolation.

This sight made Li Luo sigh inwardly; who could have imagined that in just a short half-month, this central city of the Great Xia would turn into such a state.

Li Luo withdrew his gaze and took one last look at the Luolan Mansion headquarters behind him. After these days of busyness, many important buildings within the headquarters had been dismantled, such as the golden rooms used for cultivation, so looking at it now, the headquarters seemed as if it had been looted, a complete mess.

At this moment, many of the old members of Luolan Mansion in the convoy were also looking at the headquarters with dim and reluctant expressions; they had stayed here for many years and had developed an attachment to this place, so having to abandon it now was indeed heartbreaking.

"Everyone, there is no need to be sad. When the Dark Cave is suppressed again in the future, we will have a chance to return," Li Luo said, standing on a carriage and comforting them as he felt the heavy atmosphere.

Jiang Qing rode over on a black horned horse that seemed to have fire on its four hooves. Today, she wore white trousers, and her legs, draped across the horse's back, appeared exceptionally slender. Her waterfall-like long hair was tied into a neat and crisp ponytail, and the azure short cape, hand-stitched for her by Tantai Lan, fluttered lightly in the wind. Her entire person appeared extraordinarily dashing and heroic, and this stunning beauty and temperament made her the most vivid scene in this gloomy landscape.

"Everything is arranged; now we are just waiting for Mentor Xi Chan to come," she said, her golden eyes fixed on Li Luo.

Mentor Xi Chan had been helping out at the academy these days; after all, the number of students there was quite large, and such a massive evacuation was far more complicated than that of Luolan Mansion.

Li Luo nodded, swung onto another horned horse, and then cast a glance at a carriage in the rear, which was where Niu Biaobiao was located.

The latter now held the "Divine Essence Substance," and with the help of that special power, he was able to maintain his strength at the level of a Fourth-Rank Marquis. This strength, placed in the Great Xia, already counted among the top tier of Marquis-level powerhouses.

However, Li Luo did not expose Niu Biaobiao; instead, he kept him somewhat hidden. After all, this kind of restrained, unrevealed power was the most unfathomable. The current Great Xia was exceptionally chaotic, and Li Luo believed that the intelligence regarding Luolan Mansion dismantling its protective wonder-array had long been known to various forces these days.

And as for the Divine Essence Substance, anyone could guess that Li Luo would definitely take it with him this time.

With Luolan Mansion having lost the protection of the wonder-array and holding such a supreme treasure, one could not guarantee that some would not harbor covetous thoughts amidst the chaos.

Letting Niu Biaobiao remain slightly hidden might achieve some unexpected effects.

"Whoosh!"

At this moment, a streak of light flashed across the sky and landed directly on the carriage beside Li Luo. When the light dissipated, it revealed the figure of Xi Chan.

"Mentor, you've come!" Li Luo's spirits lifted immediately upon seeing this.

Xi Chan nodded slightly and said, "There have been many things at the academy these days, and we are short-handed, 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 after all. Now that the academy was in trouble and Vice Dean Suxin was also in a bad mood, Mentor Xi Chan naturally needed to focus her efforts on the academy and provide as much help as possible. As for the so-called Luolan Mansion identity, everyone understood that this was just a facade.

Under these circumstances, that Xi Chan could still put aside the affairs at the academy to come and provide escort along the way, Li Luo's heart was

already filled with gratitude toward her.

"Li Luo, I have already spoken to Vice Dean Suxin about your journey, including the possibility of an attack from Shen Jinxiao."

"Shen Jinxiao is now on the academy's wanted list and is considered a mortal enemy of the academy, so if we really discover traces of Shen Jinxiao, the academy will not sit idly by, because they also need to deal with him," Mentor Xi Chan also brought some good news.

"The number of personnel evacuating from the academy is too large, so it will be done in batches. This time, due to the issue of guarding against Shen Jinxiao, Vice Dean Suxin will lead several of the strongest Purple-Badge Mentors to escort the students. The evacuation team will be at a distance from the Luolan Mansion convoy, but if there is any change, they should be able to catch up."

"Then I must truly thank Vice Dean Suxin," Li Luo sighed.

With the assistance of the academy, it would make things easier. After all, even if the academy had suffered heavy losses this time, it still possessed the deepest foundation and strength in the Great Xia.

Perhaps the previous Shen Jinxiao did not require such a formation, but the academy's change this time made Li Luo realize that this guy was the one truly hiding his depth. The strength Shen Jinxiao had previously displayed might not be the real one, so for the sake of safety, one could never be too cautious.

"Let's move out."

With the arrival of Xi Chan, Li Luo no longer hesitated. He waved his hand, and his shout rang out.

As his voice fell, this massive convoy began to move, like a continuous giant python, slowly advancing along the cold and wide streets of Xia City, and finally passing through the thick and wide city gate to head out.

Li Luo rode his horned horse, gazing ahead, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He saw that in the world, a gray, dark aura was permeating like mist; that viscous, cold feeling made one feel exceptionally uneasy.

At the same time, there were strange, eerie whispers coming from unknown places, causing one's emotions to involuntarily become somewhat agitated.

However, Li Luo was quite calm about this. After all, he had been to the Dark Cave, and the environment of the Dark Cave was much harsher than this, so the current aura of evil thoughts was still within Li Luo's range of tolerance.

But clearly, not everyone was the same.

In the massive convoy, some commotion broke out. Although various news had been circulating these days, one could only understand how much unease this permeating aura of evil thoughts would bring after experiencing it personally.

Li Luo waved his hand, and Pavilion Master Lei Zhang led the guard cavalry to go and pacify the various sections.

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

Jiang Qing's golden eyes stared at this gray, dark world and said, "This is his last chance to strike. Once we return to the south and the Royal Court and the academy establish a defense line against the north, given his status as a wanted man by the academy, I am afraid he will hardly have another chance."

"I can keenly feel what an intense obsession his covetousness for me is..."

"So..."

A cold, extreme look emerged in Jiang Qing's eyes.

"On this return journey, he will definitely come!"

Li Luo was silent. At this very moment, for the first time in his heart, he felt an almost uncontrollable, intense murderous intent toward a person.

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

If he had sufficient strength, how could Jiang Qing suffer such covetousness?

Li Luo clenched his five fingers, closed his eyes, and veins throbbed on the back of his hand. The fury in his heart, born from unease, made him want to vent.

At this moment, a small, cool, jade-like hand covered his fist. Li Luo opened his eyes and saw Jiang Qing watching him, then she flashed a smile at him that was like a fleeting glimpse of a swan.

"Li Luo, don't be angry with yourself. Your achievements this year are already better than what anyone else could have done."

"Do not be discouraged by a temporary lag; we still have time."

"The Marquis-level powerhouses who seem unreachable in our eyes now, one day..."

Jiang

Qing's slender fingers slowly curled, and the smile at the corner of her mouth seemed to carry a hint of coldness.

"Will be crushed by us at will."

Tian Can Tu Dou