Once this thought emerged, a strange feeling arose in everyone's hearts.
Originally, they had wondered how Li Xun would handle the complicated emotions between several people, but they never expected this kid to act so swiftly.
Had he managed to win over both of them after just one trip to Seagod Island?
They had been prepared to watch Ning Rongrong and the others torment Li Xun until he was scratching his head in frustration.
Poison Douluo looked left and right with a spectator's mindset, but when his gaze fell upon his own granddaughter, he noticed something amiss.
At this moment, compared to the other two young ladies, Dugu Yan seemed to have less familiarity and more distance from Li Xun.
What was going on? Wasn't this girl always very proactive? And he had even given her the specially prepared potion, so how had she fallen behind instead?
A series of questions flashed through Dugu Bo's mind, and he decided to have a talk with Dugu Yan later.
Since everyone hadn't seen each other for a long time, they chatted for a while longer, though most of the conversation revolved around teasing Li Xun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Like many parents, the topics mostly involved wanting great-grandchildren, weddings, and similar matters.
This made the two young women blush deeply, keeping their heads down and not daring to answer directly. Eventually, they couldn't take it anymore and quickly left.
Dugu Yan also felt quite uncomfortable in this atmosphere, especially when she saw Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's bashful expressions.
She admitted she was somewhat afraid—after all, those days of screaming had been quite frightening, different from what she had imagined.
With the thought that she should have been one of them too, Dugu Yan couldn't sit still any longer and followed the two out of the tent.
Seeing the subjects of discussion disappear, the conversation gradually returned to serious matters, focusing on various problems encountered at this stage.
The Swift Clan was particularly emphasized.
"The Needletail Swift truly lives up to being the continent's number one Speed Spirit. Although it doesn't possess much combat strength, in terms of speed alone, even I fall slightly short."
Sword Douluo was now a level 98 powerhouse, but in terms of speed, he was indeed inferior to Bai He—unless he advanced another level.
However, the gap between level 99 and level 98 was a true watershed, requiring exceptional talent, aptitude, and great fortune.
Now that he was older and lacked the vitality of a young man like Li Xun, it was likely he would never cross this threshold without a tremendous opportunity.
The others also fell into contemplation.
Although Yang Wudi's side had been dealt with, how to sever this wing of the Clear Sky Sect remained a problem.
"I think I might have a solution."
Just as everyone was at a loss, Li Xun gently tapped the table.
When he saw all eyes gathering on him, he smiled and said, "My second Martial Soul, enhanced by the second Spirit Ring, can now track and locate targets. Unless they remain constantly airborne beyond my spiritual sense range, I can find them."
Everyone's eyes lit up.
Sword Douluo and the others instantly recalled the capabilities of Li Xun's second Martial Soul.
Antonio Frontline, Starfall Empire.
Due to their Martial Soul abilities, the Swift Clan was now highly valued by both the Empire and the Clear Sky Sect—an honor and treatment they hadn't experienced in many years, filling the entire clan with excitement and satisfaction.
The Swift Clan had suffered too much hardship over the years, to the point where they relied on support from the other three clans to avoid starvation.
All of this was caused by that sect claiming to be the continent's number one.
Initially, when the Clear Sky Sect made a high-profile return, the Swift Clan paid little attention. Everyone knew who had brought these hard times upon them and had no desire to experience a second betrayal.
Especially with the fate of the Strength Clan still fresh in their minds.
The ambiguous stance among Heaven Dou, the Spirit Hall, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School during that period had truly unnerved Bai He. Had it not been for his swift speed, he might have shared the same fate.
However, Bai He's firm resolve did not last long before it was shaken by Tang Xiao and Tang Hao's personal visit.
The repeated calls of "Uncle" and "kinsmen" made it difficult for him to refuse, and he felt a faint sense of delight inwardly. No matter how important the other three clans were, they could never compare to his own Swift Clan.
Bai He continuously monitored Heaven Dou's every move from high above.
He was aware that the Star Luo Empire was currently at a disadvantage, but such times only highlighted the importance of their Swift Clan.
Although Old Mountain Goat made valid points, the Swift Clan was, after all, kin to the Clear Sky Sect, and Star Luo needed them even more.
Star Luo's current predicament was due to overextended battle lines. If they abandoned some territories and regrouped their forces, Bai He believed Star Luo could withstand Heaven Dou's assaults.
Once neither side could gain the upper hand, the two empires would inevitably seek peace, and the Swift Clan would benefit as a result.
However, the Control Clan seemed to be making unusual moves lately. He ought to find time to sound out Old Rhinoceros's intentions.
If the Control Clan harbored thoughts of rebellion, he would need to warn Xiao Hao and the others to prepare early.
"Something's happening!"
Bai He narrowed his eyes, noticing continuous streams of soldiers emerging from Heaven Dou's sprawling military camps, methodically dismantling tents.
Filling pits, extinguishing fires, packing tents—these were signs of an army on the move.
"Didn't they just advance eighty li yesterday? How reckless—aren't they afraid of Star Luo's counterattack?"
Though puzzled by the Heaven Dou commander's decision, Bai He knew opportunities were fleeting.
While Soul Masters could endure such exhausting marches, ordinary soldiers would struggle. This was the perfect moment for Star Luo to strike back.
Although Heaven Dou's elite forces required Star Luo's full strength to counter, everyone had limits—even Soul Masters.
Despite their power, experts like Sword Douluo could not sustain endless assaults. The Clear Sky Sect's numerous experts had repeatedly exploited such opportunities to stabilize the situation.
This was why, despite continuous retreats, Star Luo's overall losses remained manageable.
Pulling out a specially crafted signal firework, Bai He launched it into the distant sky, his gaze fixed intently on the camps housing Heaven Dou's top experts.
His mission was to closely monitor Heaven Dou's strongest fighters. As long as their movements could be restricted, his clansmen would handle the rest.
Suddenly, several figures emerged from the Heaven Dou commander's tent.
Bai He's heart tightened. He swiftly launched fireworks of different colors into the air, each hue representing the movement of a key expert from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"Clan Leader Bai He, care for a chat?" A hearty laugh echoed from afar.
Sword Douluo and Li Xun gradually came into Bai He's view, closing in steadily.
A glint flashed in Bai He's aged, murky eyes as he mentally calculated the safe distance between them. "What does Your Excellency wish to discuss?"
Of all the forces in the Heaven Dou Empire, Sword Douluo demanded the utmost vigilance—he was the absolute priority in Bai He's mission.
Casually firing a crimson firework into the sky, Bai He hovered mid-air. Though he suspected Sword Douluo's intentions were merely recruitment, this just happened to give him an opportunity to stall while buying time for his own side to prepare.
Despite Sword Douluo and the young man continuing their approach, having repeatedly escaped Sword Douluo's pursuits before, Bai He knew precisely the speed disparity between them and maintained a safe distance.
"It is I who wishes to speak with you, Elder." Li Xun leaped off Sword Douluo's Flying Sword, suspending himself in mid-air.
"You are?" Bai He faltered momentarily, faintly perplexed.
"You likely haven't met me before, Elder. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Li Xun."
"So you are Li Xun?" Bai He's aged face tightened into a wrinkled mass. This name had echoed in his ears countless times.
Ever since the two great empires went to war, Star Luo and the Clear Sky Sect had compiled a roster of Heaven Dou Empire personnel, with Li Xun prominently ranked sixth—a higher priority target than even the Qinghe Emperor Xue Qinghe.
This reflected both respect for genius and profound wariness.
Li Xun smiled at Bai He. "Elder, on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire, I ask you one final time: Are you truly determined to share life and death with Star Luo?"
"You can represent Heaven Dou?" Bai He narrowed his eyes with a chuckle, his aged features twisting into an unpleasant smile.
"It seems that is your answer then."
(End of Chapter)