The term inexplicably surfaced in Li Xun's mind.
Although he didn't know what had transpired last night, he could now make up for the missed experience.
His hands slowly moved across smooth skin, eliciting unconscious murmurs of discontent from the person beside him. Li Xun immediately stilled his movements.
He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing that Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong showed no signs of waking.
Li Xun continued slowly like this, unsure how much time had passed before he finally withdrew.
"Let me go, I need to use the bathroom."
Someone attempted to escape, but Li Xun was already positioned by the bedside and promptly intercepted them.
The morning sun rose amidst their playful bickering.
As an important defensive city of the Star Luo Empire, Gengxin City now had its gates wide open, allowing the Heaven Dou army to enter.
This came as a disappointment to soldiers who had marched for days expecting a fierce battle.
With Li Xun's recent promotion to Title Douluo, Heaven Dou's military strength had been further enhanced, and soldiers were eager to earn military merits to rewrite their family histories.
It was already foreseeable that this war would conclude rapidly, leaving few opportunities for distinction.
Outside the city lord's mansion, crowds gathered - numerous Star Luo nobles, wealthy merchants, and even Soul Masters - all hoping to curry favor with the new powers.
However, neither Li Xun nor Sword Douluo had time to entertain them.
Inside a luxurious reception room of the city lord's mansion, members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School were chatting amiably with Niu Gao, leader of the Control Clan.
"Old Rhino, you've finally made the right choice this time," Yang Wudi laughed heartily.
Among the four single-attribute clans, two had already fallen excluding the surviving younger generation. Yang Wudi was genuinely pleased to see his old comrade submit.
"I'm ashamed. I must thank you all for showing mercy to the Control Clan." Niu Gao bowed respectfully to the leaders.
"Clan Leader Niu's persuasion of Gengxin City's various forces to abandon resistance has saved us considerable effort," Sword Douluo nodded with a smile.
Li Xun and the others had initially expected the Control Clan to follow the Swift Clan's path of unwavering loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect.
But since they chose to surrender, whether out of respect for their strength or for Yang Wudi's sake, they had to be given a chance.
After all, Li Xun wasn't someone who enjoyed killing.
"By the way, Old Rhino, do you know where the Clear Sky Sect went?" Yang Wudi asked curiously.
After Li Xun's promotion to Title Douluo, he had visited with Sword Douluo and two others, but the Clear Sky Sect had already vanished by then.
"The Clear Sky Sect withdrew from Gengxin City the same day you captured the Sky Blue Bull Python. From what Tang Xiao said, they intended to retreat from the world."
Niu Gao smiled self-deprecatingly: "Actually, the Clear Sky Sect didn't plan to abandon us suddenly this time, but I declined their invitation."
"Given the current situation, they no longer have the luxury of withdrawal."
Li Xun laughed: "Indeed! It's too late now."
If the Clear Sky Sect wanted to remain detached from worldly affairs, they should have maintained that stance consistently, rather than emerging to cause trouble only to retreat when they realized they couldn't win.
With half of the Star Luo Empire already fallen to the Heaven Dou Empire, where could the Clear Sky Sect possibly hide?
An entire sect of several hundred people - were they planning to hide deep in the mountains and become self-sufficient farmers?
If they truly possessed such tranquility of mind, Tang Yuehua would never have appeared in Heaven Dou City initially, and the Clear Sky Sect wouldn't have sealed their mountain near Heaven Dou City.
At this thought, Li Xun suddenly remembered someone.
It seemed Tang Yuehua was still being detained, and according to his earlier instructions, she was being treated quite well—no torture or interrogation had been conducted.
"Honored sirs, there are two urgent letters."
Just as Li Xun's thoughts drifted, a servant knocked on the door and handed him the letters.
"One is from the Teacher, and the other is from Star Luo City."
Li Xun waved the letters in his hand and, under the curious gazes of everyone, opened the one from Star Luo City.
It wasn't that he didn't value Ning Fengzhi, but the Teacher's letters were usually filled with small talk or inquiries about the well-being of Ning Rongrong and the others, much like a lonely elder left behind.
Li Xun unfolded the letter and quickly scanned it: "Manager Wu writes that the Star Luo Emperor has announced the relocation of the capital to Tianxing City, and the Clear Sky Sect has declared its seclusion."
"Just as we were discussing this, it seems our thoughts have summoned the news." Li Xun chuckled wryly and passed the letter to Sword Douluo.
"Hah, the Clear Sky Sect's title as the number one sect on the continent is likely to be lost!" Dugu Bo took the letter from Sword Douluo.
Everyone present took turns reading the letter.
After understanding its contents, complex expressions appeared on the faces of these renowned experts of the continent—some sighed, while others sneered.
The once-glorious Clear Sky Sect had now completely fallen into decline.
This wasn't due to a lack of talent or the sect's destruction, but rather the tarnishing of its reputation.
This kind of decline was actually more terrifying than the previous two scenarios, because when people mentioned it again, they would no longer feel awe or aspiration, nor would they recall its former glory.
People would only remember the stain on the Clear Sky Sect's name until they grew tired of the topic, and the sect would fade into oblivion.
It's often said that a person's death isn't when they die, but when the last person forgets their name.
Li Xun paid it no further mind and unfolded Ning Fengzhi's letter. This time, he didn't skim through it quickly but carefully read every word.
A moment later.
Li Xun handed the letter to Sword Douluo and fell into deep thought.
"What does Bibidong mean by this?" Sword Douluo took the letter, and his eyes grew solemn as he read its contents.
They had speculated about Bibidong's reaction after her seclusion but never expected her to summon both Li Xun and Ning Fengzhi to the Spirit Hall.
Although the tone was somewhat forceful, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was indeed under the jurisdiction of the Spirit Hall, so Bibidong wasn't acting unreasonably.
A Hongmen Banquet?
After everyone finished reading the letter, the same thought inexplicably crossed their minds.
"Why didn't the Sect Master consult with us before departing?" Poison Douluo expressed some confusion.
The letter mentioned that Ning Fengzhi had already set off for Spirit City, and by their calculations, he should have arrived by now.
"It's fine. We can discuss it when we reach Spirit City," Li Xun slowly stood up. "There's no need for everyone to worry. Although Bibidong is the Pope, she doesn't rule with absolute authority."
"With Qian Renxue around, even if Bibidong wants to do something, she can't bypass Qiandao Liu."
"Moreover, our current strength is not weak."
"What about this situation?" Yang Wudi pointed at the map of Star Luo.
"Remain stationary. The results we've achieved so far have already met our expectations. Didn't we anticipate this long ago?"
This military action against Heavenly Dou was originally timed to take advantage of Bibidong's seclusion. Now, having occupied half of the Star Luo Empire, it was already beyond their initial expectations.
Li Xun thought for a moment: "Sword Grandpa, let's just have you and me go this time. Fewer people will make it more convenient."
Sword Douluo nodded.
With just the two of them plus Ning Fengzhi providing support, if anything were to happen, escaping would be easier.
(End of Chapter)