After everyone recovered from the white light, they were back in Dragon's Glory City. Qi Ling looked at the familiar buildings around her and couldn't help but sigh, "Finally back. I wonder if anything happened during this time."
Afterwards, Qi Ling quickly returned to the lord's manor. Everyone who saw Qi Ling return along the way was overjoyed.
"Oh! Alliance Leader, you're finally back!" As soon as they entered the gate, Tai Tan and Niu Gao came over together, their faces Qi Ling with joy. "Alliance Leader, the construction of Dragon's Glory City is basically complete. We are truly proud to have participated in the construction of such a magnificent city!"
"You flatter me, elders. It is I who should be thanking you. Dragon's Glory City's current achievements are all thanks to you two," Qi Ling said.
"Sigh, what are we compared to them? It's your team that's really capable, that's why the construction went so fast!" Niu Gao said. "Especially the machinery they were operating—excavators, bulldozers, cranes—I'd never even heard of them before! This was truly an eye-opening experience!"
Tai Tan added, "Yes, using these things, even an ordinary person can unleash abilities comparable to Soul Master. It's simply unbelievable! Alliance Leader, this is truly a magical place!"
Qi Ling smiled and said, "Since you two are interested, I'm happy to give you these things. If they can be of any help to you, that would be even better."
The two thanked him profusely and then left while discussing the architectural plans.
Back in his office, Qi Ling saw Xue Ke, and to his surprise, Bibi Dong was also there.
"Sister? You... you've grown up so fast!" Qi Ling exclaimed, because during their absence, Bibi Dong had absorbed another Soul Ring, and now, judging from her appearance, she was equivalent to a girl of about twelve years old.
Regardless of how old Bibi Dong looked, she was always breathtakingly beautiful. Witnessing Bibi Dong grow up little by little gave Qi Ling a sense of satisfaction.
"Ah, little brother, you're back?" Upon seeing Qi Ling, Bibi Dong exclaimed with delight, "Let me see how much stronger you've become!"
Now that everyone knows Bibi Dong's identity, there is no longer any need for her to hide it. After the initial shock, everyone has gotten used to Bibi Dong's presence.
Moreover, with someone Bibi Dong around, Xue Ke naturally had someone to consult on many important matters, and during this time, she learned a lot from Bibi Dong.
"Teacher, you're back? Did everything go smoothly?" Xue Ke asked happily when she saw Qi Ling.
"Everything went smoothly, absolutely smoothly. Everyone's strength has grown remarkably this time, and we are well-prepared for what the future holds. At least dealing with Xue Qinghe should be a piece of cake," Qi Ling said. "By the way, did anything happen while I was away?"
"Indeed, some things have happened. Xue Qinghe, in order to secure his ascension to the throne, has begun pressuring the various duchies and city lords to make statements," Xue Ke said. "And we have received many statements from lords and kings, and everyone's attitude is very positive."
"Yes, that's a good thing, but we can't completely trust these people," Qi Ling said. "Right now, they don't care who's the rightful heir; all they care about is who will emerge victorious."
"If we ultimately succeed, they will naturally maintain this loyalty; but if we fail, they will be among the first to betray us in order to curry favor with their new masters."
Xue Ke smiled after hearing Qi Ling's words, "Teacher, your opinion is the same as Sister Bibi Dong's! She also told me that these people are just dispensable forces to us, and the only one we can truly rely on is ourselves."
"However, despite this, we must still show them respect and promise not to pursue them if we win in the future," Bibi Dong said. "In short, we currently have the moral high ground of Xue Ye's will, but apart from that, we don't really have much of an advantage."
"More importantly, after defeating Xue Qinghe, we must consolidate the Empire's power as quickly as possible to reassure these people, because we will next face the powerful enemy, the Divine Court."
"Then, Sister Bibi Dong, how should we deal with these people's surrender?" Xue Ke asked.
"It's simple. We need to show them we value them, but also let them know we can't do without them," Bibi Dong said. "A combination of kindness and firmness is the best way to deal with these opportunists."
Hearing Bibi Dong's words, Qi Ling couldn't help but sigh. As expected of someone who had been Pope, Bibi Dong was undoubtedly more experienced than the two of them in handling these matters.
Qi Ling was completely at ease leaving these matters to the two of them. After dealing with some things that she had to decide herself, Qi Ling went out and came to the courtyard.
" Qi Ling! Qi Ling!" Ning Rongrong greeted her as soon as she stepped out, excitedly saying, "My dad's looking for you! Grandpa Jian and Grandpa Gu have finished their seclusion and were just about to thank you!"
"Oh? Senior Jian and Senior Gu have already emerged from seclusion?" Qi Ling asked in surprise. "Did they both successfully break through?"
"That's why I came here! Grandpa Jian and Grandpa Gu have both made breakthroughs. Grandpa Gu has reached level 96, and Grandpa Jian has reached level 97!" Ning Rongrong said excitedly. "That's why they specifically asked me to come find you and thank you in person!"
Hearing that the two had successfully broken through, Qi Ling couldn't help but feel relieved. Moreover, the most important point was that Sword Douluo was not breaking through by severing his arm. If he preserved his body, he might be able to reach level 98 or even 99 in the future.
"A level 99 Seven Kill Sword, what kind of power must it be? I can't wait!" Qi Ling thought to herself, then said to Ning Rongrong, "In that case, Rongrong, let's go quickly."
After arriving at the new sect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I found that after the reconstruction over this period of time, it had already acquired the grandeur of the Upper Three Sects. A sense of magnificence greeted me, making it hard to believe that this was a sect that had almost been destroyed.
"Alliance Leader, you've arrived." Ning Fengzhi was waiting at the sect entrance. Behind him, Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo stood side by side, both with faint smiles on their faces.
" Sect Master Ning, it's been a long time! And Senior Jian and Senior Gu, congratulations on your breakthroughs!" Qi Ling said with a smile. "With the two of you here, I feel much more at ease."
Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo bowed to Qi Ling and said, "We should be thanking the Alliance Leader! Without this miraculous Starry Sky Barrier, we don't know how long it would have taken us to break through."
Then, led by Ning Fengzhi, everyone arrived at the reception room. Ning Fengzhi told Qi Ling about what had happened during this time, and that everything was proceeding according to their plan.