Suddenly learning that Luo Xiu was about to leave, the hearts of a group of beautiful fairies sank, becoming gloomier than the month-long downpour. However, Luo Xiu did not leave that day, as he still had things to do.
It took him two full days, but using the Spirit Ores plundered from the Heavenly Moon Cult, Luo Xiu set up the Five Thunder Heavenshaking Formation near Shura City. This formation, a Ghost Valley Supreme Knowledge, integrated both offense and defense and was far superior to the Sky-Covering Mysterious Array of the Tianji Pavilion. After several trials and refinements, Luo Xiu infused the array's pivot with his Tricolor Liuli Thunder, which finally set his mind at ease.
He had absolute confidence in this array. Even if the Heavenly Emperor himself came, he would have to expend some effort to break this grand array! If a Venerable One were to come, breaking the Five Thunder Heavenshaking Formation would cost them half their life.
However, despite its strength, the array consumed a vast amount of spirit stones. The Yanhuang Empire's current national strength could only maintain it for ten years at most. But Luo Xiu believed that with Lin Shanshan's ability, she would surely lead the Yanhuang Empire to prosperity and strength within those ten years. At the very least, it was inconceivable that after a full decade of development, the empire couldn't even sustain a single National Protection Array.
...
Time passed like flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, the day of departure arrived.
Luo Xian found Luo Xiu, and the siblings went for a walk in the woods.
"Tian'er, are you feeling better?"
Luo Xiu smiled. "Don't worry, Sis. I haven't been recuperating for nothing this past month."
"Speaking of which, the moonlight from the Goddess of Heaven Moon was truly effective. It's just a shame that I've nearly drained her dry, so she'll need some time to recover."
Luo Xian looked at Luo Xiu with a gentle gaze, her lips slightly pursed as she said, "Then you must be very careful on your journey to the Lingtian Plateau… Luo Hao has obtained your Life-bound Green Lotus, and his strength is now unfathomable. Avoid a direct confrontation with him whenever possible."
Luo Xiu nodded. "Don't worry, I will. I'm very clear about what I need to do. I won't face him head-on at a time like this."
"By the way, Sis, I'm leaving Shanshan and everyone on Yan Huang Star in your care."
"Mm, you can go without any worries. Just be sure to come back soon."
...
...
As everyone watched, Luo Xiu transformed into a bolt of lightning, streaking across thousands of miles of sky and disappearing over the horizon.
For his trip to the Lingtian Plateau, he only brought Master Ping, Lao Ba, and the two women, Hua Muyan and Xia Chan. As for Black Fatty, Lao Ba's good buddy, it had gone to the Shanhai Territory. Luo Xiu had given it a mission: to subdue all the Demon Beasts in the Shanhai Territory. Then, together with the Daren Empire controlled by Chi Yue, it was to form alliances with the various tribes and build a formidable army in the Shanhai Territory.
In truth, Luo Xiu could have handled this himself, but he was the god of the Shanhai Territory, after all. It wouldn't be appropriate for him to personally engage in such 'raiding and pillaging' activities.
...
「Three days later.」
While wandering the Flowing Thunder River, Luo Xiu stealthily boarded a Starry Sky Ferry and successfully reunited with Luo Yue. This was a ferry headed for the Lingtian Plateau.
"That's wonderful, Your Majesty! You finally made it! This ferry is about to arrive, and I was starting to worry you wouldn't make it..."
Inside the plain, unadorned passenger cabin, Luo Yue's eyes were red with anxiety when she saw Luo Xiu. But now that he had arrived safely, she could finally let out a long sigh of relief. She had sent a message to Luo Xiu five days prior, afraid he wouldn't have enough time, which was why she'd asked him to meet her in advance. To her dismay, Luo Xiu had arrived just in the nick of time, which had made her incredibly anxious.
...
The Lingtian Plateau is the foremost realm of the Three Thousand Worlds. Security there is extremely strict; it's not a place one can enter at will. The realm gate of the Lingtian Plateau only opens to the public once every six months. Each time, anyone entering or exiting must undergo a rigorous inspection.
However, Luo Yue had been an agent for many years. For her, creating a 'fake identity' for Luo Xiu that was utterly convincing was a piece of cake.
"Your Majesty, from now on, your name is Bai Haoran, and you hail from the Bai Lu Continent..."
After her briefing, Luo Yue opened her palm, revealing the Divine Sense image of Bai Haoran. Luo Xiu stared at the image hovering above her pristine palm and immediately took out a case of needles. Before long, he had used the needles to transform his face into the spitting image of the Bai Haoran from the image.
Luo Yue gazed at the 'Bai Haoran' before her, momentarily stunned. Her eyes gradually began to well up with tears. His mastery of disguise was even more perfect than she had imagined.
Luo Xiu asked curiously, "Where is the real Bai Haoran?"
Luo Yue's expression dimmed. She said slowly, "The real Bai Haoran was my partner. We were in the same unit and worked together for ten years. Half a year ago, he died protecting me from a group of bandits. I never reported his death, so Your Majesty can conveniently assume his identity."
Luo Xiu nodded. He sensed there was more to the story between Luo Yue and Bai Haoran, so he didn't press the matter.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"It is my duty."
Luo Xiu walked over to a seat by the window. Gazing out at the magnificent starry vista, he asked, "How is the task I assigned you progressing?"
Luo Yue replied, "This subordinate has already secretly contacted some trustworthy clansmen. Everyone was overjoyed to hear of Your Majesty's return. They are now trying to reach out to our other kinsfolk. Rest assured, Your Majesty. As soon as there is any news, I will report it to you immediately."
Luo Xiu nodded. "You've worked hard."
Luo Yue let out a sigh and said somberly, "For us Luo Clan Members who bear the Green Lotus totem... there was a time when this totem was a symbol of glory. We could walk with our heads held high wherever we went. But ever since Emperor Hao ascended the throne... we have been relentlessly suppressed. Some were killed, some surrendered, and some were exiled... Those of us who were exiled can only eke out a meager existence, full of compromise and humiliation."
"But things are different now. Your Majesty... you've returned..." At this, Luo Yue was choked with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.
Luo Xiu watched her with pity and sighed softly before changing the subject. "How much longer until we reach the Lingtian Plateau?"
Luo Yue dried her tears. "About four more hours."
Luo Xiu closed his eyes and said no more.
Just then, Luo Yue suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Your Majesty, my husband sent me a message not long ago. I received some news concerning Her Highness the Holy Maiden."
Luo Xiu's eyes snapped open. "News of Luo Qingxian?"
Luo Yue nodded. "Emperor Hao wants her to marry Zhu Yu, but she refuses. After she caused a huge scene, the Council Hall decided to hold a sword-dueling tournament. They've invited young heroes from all realms. Whoever emerges victorious in the tournament will marry Her Highness the Holy Maiden. To put it simply, it's a martial contest to win her hand."
"In any case, Your Majesty, from our perspective, Her Highness the Holy Maiden absolutely cannot marry Zhu Yu. If she does, it would be tantamount to the Heaven Azure Empire gaining complete control over the entire Lingtian Plateau. The Heaven Azure Empire may be located on the Lingtian Plateau, but it doesn't represent the entire plateau. For years, however, Emperor Hao's influence has been steadily expanding in an attempt to seize control of it all."
Luo Xiu thought for a moment. "In that case, it seems I'll have to go and join in on the excitement."
...