Under the watchful eyes of Luo Xiu and Master Ping, Mei Ji nodded bashfully.
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty... I and Liu Sha, I suppose we are now Dao companions."
Upon hearing this, Luo Xiu couldn't help but widen his eyes, internally exclaiming that this revelation was quite something.
Master Ping suddenly slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "That rascal Liu Sha!"
"He's really something, keeping this from Master Ping even while dating!"
"Just wait, see how Master Ping deals with him when I return!"
Luo Xiu suddenly asked, "Was it during the support mission to Yan Huang Star last time that this happened?"
Mei Ji gently nodded.
That time when the Three Thousand Alliance landed on Yan Huang Star and encircled Shura City, Mei Ji personally led the disciples of the Jade Delight Sect to support Yan Huang Star, joining Liu Sha to defend Xuanji Mountain together, and the little yellow flower of the story... bloomed from then on.
Through numerous life-and-death battles, caring for each other, they developed feelings for one another.
After the battle ended, Mei Ji found Liu Sha to be of sound character and expressed her affection before leaving.
Having been single most of his life, Liu Sha was not one to be picky.
Not caring about Mei Ji's past, he agreed to spend the rest of their lives together.
...
Looking at the bashful Mei Ji, Luo Xiu suddenly smiled and said to her, "Although Guang Yu State seems subdued for now, I am not completely at ease."
"Ah?"
Mei Ji looked at Luo Xiu in confusion, finding his words a bit baffling.
Luo Xiu, watching her, smiled and said, "So I think we need to station our Yanhuang Empire troops in Guang Yu State."
Mei Ji said, "That's necessary."
Luo Xiu chuckled, "I notice Liu Sha argues with Lin Zhi and Zhu Ji all day, why not assign him to manage the troops in Guang Yu State?"
At this, Mei Ji's eyes widened in disbelief at Luo Xiu.
Only then did she truly understand Luo Xiu's intention.
Luo Xiu waved his hand, "Sect Leader Mei, you may leave now."
With tearful eyes, Mei Ji gratefully looked at Luo Xiu, "Thank Your Majesty for making this happen! I'll take my leave!"
"..."
Watching Mei Ji leave, Master Ping patted Luo Xiu on the shoulder, teasingly saying, "Didn't expect you to be such a nice guy."
Luo Xiu sighed, "Sometimes, watching others fall in love is quite sweet too."
Master Ping said, "May they stick together for long. But, unfortunately, one less person will accompany Master Ping for massages."
Luo Xiu asked, "Where do we go next?"
Master Ping pondered, "We'll just hit them one by one, no need to rush as we're looting."
"..."
...
In the following month, Luo Xiu was either raiding or on the way to another raid.
In just a month, almost half of the powers within the Three Thousand Alliance were plundered, with some even surrendering and swearing allegiance, becoming subordinate forces of the Yanhuang Empire.
Thanks to Luo Xiu's endeavors, Yan Huang Star truly became wealthy.
They had people, resources, and every kind of material they could need.
But this left Lin Xiyue and Lin Shanshan overwhelmed, busy all day with no time to rest.
As for Luo Xiu, he suddenly chose to "retire," returning to Yan Huang Star to live a leisurely life, fishing and sparring daily, enjoying his days.
In retaliation, Lin Xiyue made sure to exhaust him each night.
...
...
Heavenly Qing Empire.
Deep within the Imperial Palace.
Xue Aogu, holding a stack of battle reports, forcefully broke into Luo Hao's retreat chamber, ignoring Mei Nu's attempts to stop him.
"Luo Hao!"
"What have you been doing all day long?!"
"Most of the Three Thousand Alliance's power has been uprooted by that demon, they've practically taken a dump on your head, yet you still have the mind to stay in seclusion!"
Luo Hao slowly opened his eyes, calmly looking at Xue Aogu, and said softly, "Those wavering minor powers were meant to be plucked. As for those truly loyal to the Heavenly Qing Empire, they've long been gathered together."
Xue Aogu took a deep breath, saying, "That's true."
Luo Hao asked, "The State Preceptor must have had a reason to come here, surely it wasn't just about this?"
Xue Aogu, staring at Luo Hao, said gravely, "Why do you persistently refuse to advance the Sky Elixir Plan?"
Luo Hao's heart weighed down slightly, replying, "The time is not yet right."
Xue Aogu: "But in my view, the time is ripe!"
Luo Hao asked, "So?"
Xue Aogu said, "Regardless, I will immediately send a message to the Celestial Realm, formally initiating the Sky Elixir Plan... to kill the Holy Grandmother, seize the Sacred Tree, and build the Starry Sky Bridge!"
Luo Hao stared at him coldly, "Why such haste?"
Xue Aogu chuckled, "Remember, Luo Hao, the decision is not yours!"
"You're merely a pawn of the Heavenly Dao Alliance!"
"Everything you have now is granted by the Heavenly Dao Alliance!"
Luo Hao remained unperturbed, "If the State Preceptor insists, then do as you please."
Xue Aogu scoffed, turning to leave.
But after only a few steps, his body suddenly froze.
He slowly looked down, frowning in agony at the thread of azure light emanating from his heart, his gaze trembling.
"Luo Hao, how dare you... betray the Heavenly Dao Alliance..."
Luo Hao's figure flickered, appearing like a wraith behind him, gripping his neck and coldly saying, "One day, I will trample you ants, who think yourselves superior, underfoot!"
"I will prove to all creation... Even without the Azure Emperor, I, Luo Hao, can still repel foreign invaders, protect all beings, and be the Savior!"
Xue Aogu suddenly laughed, "So, you've always lived under his shadow."
"Pathetic, and pitiable."
Facing Xue Aogu's sarcasm, Luo Hao was unfazed, smiling faintly, "I must thank him for injuring you last time, otherwise, it would've been tough to kill you."
Xue Aogu gritted his teeth, feeling his life slipping away, despairing in his heart.
Shaking his head slightly, a self-mocking smile appeared on his face, "I never imagined I'd fall to someone as insignificant as you."
"But the pity is... Just now, I've already sent a Divine Sense message back to the Celestial Realm. Soon enough... they will learn of this."
Upon hearing this, Luo Hao's eyes turned cold, his body radiating azure light, and he fiercely punched out.
"Boom!"
With a loud explosion, the entire chamber trembled.
Xue Aogu's head exploded like a watermelon.
Mei Nu rushed into the chamber, seeing the headless corpse on the ground, she fell to the floor in fright.
"Your Majesty... Did you really kill the State Preceptor?"
Luo Hao ignored her, casually flicking away the remnants of the head in his hand, looking up at the sky outside the chamber.
"Since they're coming, let them come."
"For each one who comes, I will slay one!"
"..."