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Innumerable people had chosen to abandon their homes and head either to the north or the south. Although they were unwilling in their hearts, they could only escape as the corruption had become even thicker in the surroundings and traces of Others could be seen.

The good thing was that these were low-grade Others, and with Xia City\'s experts being as common as the clouds, they were easily vanquished.

But even with the Others being killed, a terrifying atmosphere had built up within the city.

Every single day, the number of individuals fleeing continued to rise, all filled with panic. Some had not even gotten over the fact that they were about to celebrate the new year just a few days prior. Instead, life had turned into a nightmare.

This was a disaster none could avoid.

Even the top powers of Xia City were not exempt.

All of them hurriedly attempted to collect all of their resources, but due to the limited time, the amount they were able to retrieve was relatively miniscule, forcing them to give it up reluctantly.

Meanwhile, all was not at ease within Xia City.

A lack of peace had stemmed from the royal court\'s schism. The First Princess and the Regent had acrimoniously parted ways. The news of one of them heading to the north and the other to the south had spread within the city, and this incited tremors of shock amongst the populace. Even a toddler understood the implications of this action.

The royal court had split into two and the Xia Kingdom would inevitably separate into two smaller kingdoms.

The south would be controlled by the First Princess\' faction, whereas the north would be ruled by the Regent\'s.

If this separation had happened a month ago, the Regent would undoubtedly have invited endless criticism. After all, this was a treasonous conspiracy! Unfortunately, due to the critical issue of corruption spreading throughout Xia City, no one could be bothered to even glance at the Regent a second time.

Only those of the First Princess\' faction were still spending their time haranguing the Regent in public these days. The two factions continued to confront each other as the days passed, resulting in their conflict becoming more and more heated. If not for the overhanging threat, they might have simply burst out into an all-out war.

In short, the division within the royal court had caused the situation within Xia City to become even more chaotic than before!

……

House Luolan, underground palace

Li Luo and Jiang Qing\'e were currently sitting together as they watched Ox Biaobiao with trepidation. He was currently executing a series of hand seals, and with each one, the runic light patterns that covered the underground palace were gradually weakening in intensity.

These light patterns were the bedrock of the defensive ward that guarded House Luolan.

Li Luo\'s gaze was complex. The defensive ward had protected House Luolan for countless years, and he had never imagined that it would be broken by him instead of outsiders.

However, there was no choice. Xia City was headed to destruction and House Luolan had to migrate.

Thus, they had to retrieve the Divine Matter and protect the natal flames left behind by Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan.

After noticing that Li Luo was in a state of internal strife, Jiang Qing\'e glanced at him with her bright, cold eyes before tightly gripping his hand.

Feeling a cold and delicate touch on his palm, Li Luo turned to look at Jiang Qing\'e with a warm feeling in his heart.

"The defensive ward has served its purpose. It has protected us through the trials of the Housemeet. We should move ahead and rely on ourselves from now on." Jiang Qing\'e gave a slight smile. Her beautiful face lit up with such a bright luster that even the dimly lit underground palace seemed to have become brighter for a moment.

Facing this absolute beauty that was so close at hand caused even Li Luo to momentarily fall into a daze, despite long being accustomed to her appearance.

He similarly clasped his hand around her slender, jadelike fingers and lightly sighed. "Sister Qing\'e, it seems that a year has gone by in a blink. Do you still remember when you first came to Southwind Academy to pick me up? Don\'t you think that I\'ve passed enough trials and tribulations by now for you to accede to my proposal? Don\'t you think I should have an answer now?"

Jiang Qing\'e was left a little surprised. She blinked innocently before asking, "What answer are you referring to?"

"Don\'t act dumb!" Li Luo angrily said.

"Annulling the engagement! When can I change the agreement? Don\'t you think I\'ve passed your tests!? Now I\'m the House Lord of House Luolan to boot!"

Jiang Qing\'e helplessly replied, "You really like to kick up a fuss, don\'t you?"

"I\'m not kicking up a fuss! This is extremely important to me,” Li Luo solemnly replied.

Jiang Qing\'e then gave a smile that wasn\'t a smile. "Your strength hasn\'t surpassed mine. Didn\'t you always think that once you surpassed me, you could do as you please?"

Li Luo resentfully grumbled, "Surpassing you is a little crude. Are these words a couple should use on each other? Isn\'t that a little too competitive?"

After which, he forcefully clutched Jiang Qing\'e\'s little hand as he attentively looked at her. "I don\'t care! Sister Qing\'e, I just want to know, do you like me? Do you like me in the way a man likes a woman and not due to some sort of brotherly affection?" This sudden attack left even the usually calm Jiang Qing\'e a little lost for words. A faint blush emerged on her fair cheeks that looked as delicate as porcelain, and a rare hint of shyness appeared in her eyes at the same time.

Perhaps it was due to the defensive ward being deconstructed and they were abandoning House Luolan that Jiang Qing\'e felt like Li Luo was acting a little more reckless than usual.

At the same time, she did not know how to reply as her heart pounded in her chest.

Seeing that she did not reply, Li Luo\'s eyes widened. "Although your answer is not important, you are already part of House Luolan! As House Luolan\'s young mistress, you have to do what you\'re supposed to do!"

Knowing that Li Luo had been messing with her all along, Jiang Qing\'e did not know whether to laugh or to cry.

"Keh!" At this point a dry cough echoed throughout the underground palace, interrupting the romantic atmosphere.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing\'e hurriedly turned over as Ox Biaobiao had formed the final hand seal, causing all of the complicated, runic-light patterns to turn dim. A formless wave of energy swiftly washed over them.

The underground palace shuddered and dust flew all around.

Crack!

The stone pillar in the center of the underground palace began to gradually shatter, and a mysterious, diamond-shaped crystal slowly floated into the air, emanating waves of light. With the appearance of the object, a mystical energy pervaded the underground palace, and even Li Luo could feel the resonant power within him boiling with excitement.

Divine Matter!

Li Luo froze upon seeing it. This was a treasure left behind by his parents which every Duke coveted.

He slowly walked forward, first walking towards the two natal flames. "Father, Mother, the Xia Kingdom is undergoing an upheaval and we can\'t protect the headquarters any longer, so I have no choice but to take the Divine Matter somewhere else. If you can hear what I\'m saying, please take care on the Nobles\' Battlefield."

The Divine Matter had been kept in the underground palace to sustain the defensive ward, but it had another function. During a time of need, Li Taixuan and Tan Tailan could transmit some of their strength through it from the Nobles\' Battlefield and project themselves to defend the house.

Thus, if there was any other choice, Li Luo would not have opted to shift the Divine Matter away.

After which, he stretched out his hand and very cautiously placed the two natal flames into his pocket sphere.

Then he turned to face Ox Biaobiao. "Uncle Biao, store it away quickly!"

Ox Biaobiao glanced at Li Luo with a smile as he reached out and clutched the Divine Matter, the envy of all Dukes.

"Young Lord, I will safekeep this for the time being. Once the danger has passed, I\'ll return it to you," he said with a grin.

Li Luo nonchalantly waved his hand.

"House Luolan has already tidied up everything. We will probably leave in the next two days. Traces of Others have appeared in the outskirts of the city, so we can\'t tarry any longer."

Ox Biaobiao nodded. "I will make the final preparations on my side."

After which, the three gave one last look at the slightly derelict and collapsing underground palace for a good moment before they turned to leave.

Li Luo and Jiang Qing\'e followed Ox Biaobiao closely.

As Li Luo grasped Jiang Qing\'e\'s little hand, he secretly said, "Sister Qing\'e, you haven\'t answered me yet."

As the words blew past Jiang Qing\'e\'s dainty, little ears, they seemed to have turned a little redder, and she snuck a glance at Ox Biaobiao. She then whispered back, "I\'ll give you an answer when we reach the City of Southwind!"

After which, she hastened her steps, no longer entangling herself with Li Luo.

Li Luo grinned as he looked at the usually calm and unflustered girl who was striding away. With that, he began to leisurely follow.