"Captain, what do we do now?" Han Bing looked at Long Aotian.
Their mission was to secretly protect Lu Fan, and now that their identities were exposed, it seemed rather comical.
"The Hundred Thousand Mountains are filled with insects and ants. Tianyun Hall has no ill intentions, and our mission can be considered complete," Long Aotian stated directly.
The Dragon Group members understood implicitly and set off towards the Arctic Tribe. They had endured considerable hardship in the Hundred Thousand Mountains these past few days, and now that they had the chance for a good meal, they wouldn't miss it.
Meanwhile, within the Arctic Tribe, Han Qiushui had ordered a lavish feast prepared. The Dragon Group members ate ravenously, yet none dared to mock them.
Judging by the aura of the Dragon Group members alone, they were on par with the tribal leaders. Such powerful beings, no matter what they did, were not for them to discuss.
"So, Lord Lu has so many experts behind him!" Patriarch Ziyue was shocked. "Fortunately, I was wise that day, or we would have been in great trouble!"
"Our Patriarch is truly amazing!"
A Grandmaster spoke, also understanding clearly that if it weren't for Patriarch Ziyue, their entire tribe would likely have been hunted down.
"I was merely lucky. Lord Lu is the truly formidable one," Patriarch Ziyue said. "Not only is his talent exceptional, but he also has so many people protecting him. Even the elders of Tianyun Hall are respectful towards Lord Lu!"
"I say, Lord Lu, how did you discover us?" Jianying asked, eating as he looked at Lu Fan.
"I discovered you when we arrived!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Although you concealed your auras, it's not that easy to hide from me!"
"Since you discovered us long ago, why didn't you invite us in?" Han Bing glared. "And made us camp in the wilderness!"
"If I'm not mistaken, your purpose for coming to the Hundred Thousand Mountains was to protect me," Lu Fan shrugged. "Even if I had invited you in earlier, you might not have been willing."
"I really didn't realize you were so narcissistic!" Jianying retorted. "We were just casually visiting the Hundred Thousand Mountains!"
"Is that so?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, a smile instantly appearing.
The three elders, Tian, Yun, and Di, exchanged meaningful glances and said nothing more, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
No wonder even the Hall Master of Tianyun Hall paid such attention. Lu Fan had the protection of Dragon Country experts wherever he went. If anything were to happen to Lu Fan in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Tianyun Hall would likely not escape unscathed.
After they had their fill of food and drink, the Dragon Group members took their leave without lingering. Their mission was complete, and there were many places in Dragon Country that still needed them.
Once the Dragon Group members departed, the three elders smiled. "Lord Lu truly has made many good friends. The fact that Dragon Country treats him with such importance is enough to show Lord Lu's status!"
"Please, esteemed elders, do not praise me!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Esteemed elders, you are not ordinary individuals and possess the strength of War Kings. Do you know how much influence a War King has in the Outer Domain battlefield?"
"Outer Domain battlefield?" The three elders frowned. "We have been in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for decades and have never left. We also do not interfere with worldly affairs!"
"Forgive me for being blunt, but esteemed elders are not bad people! With such formidable strength, why not serve Dragon Country?" Lu Fan stated directly. "Dragon Country's borders are constantly violated, and the experts of the Sea Country are covetous, bullying our Dragon Country for having no one. Esteemed elders, with your high prestige and War King strength, even just stationing yourselves at headquarters would make enemy countries wary."
"Lord Lu, you are unaware!" Elder Tian smiled. "Your words just now have touched upon a forbidden topic!"
"Indeed!" Elder Yun nodded. "Sect forces will never join Dragon Country. This is a rule from over a decade ago, and no one will break it easily."
"Who says sects cannot contribute to the nation?" Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "If sects do not wish to join, can they not defend against foreign enemies on the Outer Domain battlefield?"
"This..."
The three elders were rendered speechless, showing embarrassed expressions.
"I believe the various sects merely wish to preserve their own strength. As for the nation's fall, it has nothing to do with you," Lu Fan stated directly. "If everyone were like you, who would defend Dragon Country in the future? Can you be certain that when the enemy invades, they will not endanger Tianyun Hall?"
"Lord Lu's words are enlightening!" Elder Tian suddenly stood up. "We are greatly impressed. Since its establishment, Tianyun Hall has absorbed many strong individuals. If Lord Lu needs our help in the future, Tianyun Hall will surely provide it!"
"This would be for the best!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly. "As long as we are united and protect the nation and its people, how would people from other countries dare to offend us lightly?"
The three elders nodded in succession, holding Lu Fan in high regard. However, there were sect regulations that prevented many things from being broken one by one, lest it cause a seismic shock in the martial arts world.
"What I said just now were heartfelt words. If I have offended you in any way, esteemed elders, please do not take it to heart!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists and poured wine for the elders. "If we can fight side-by-side in the future, I, Lu, will toast you first."
"Lord Lu, rest assured, if that day truly comes, Tianyun Hall will never stand idly by," Elder Tian stated directly. "We understand the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!'"
"'When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact!'"
Lu Fan stood up and smiled. "With these words from the esteemed elders, it is enough!"
After the three elders left, Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction. This trip to the Hundred Thousand Mountains was not in vain. Being able to befriend three War Kings might prove useful in the future.
"Lord Lu is truly a divine being!" Patriarch Ziyue exclaimed. "To be able to share wine and conversation with him, and I was also moved by his words just now. In the past, in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, we were always preoccupied with tribal disputes, unaware of the principle that 'when the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact!'"
"It is good to have such awareness!" Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction.
On the road, the three elders exchanged glances and couldn't help but show wry smiles. "'When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact,' these words are not wrong, but Lord Lu does not know that sects and nations are vastly different!"
"'Nations are replaced in succession, while sects are eternal,'" Elder Di stated. "No matter who governs Dragon Country, it will not threaten the sects. Lord Lu is, after all, too young."
"'One cannot say that either. Lord Lu, at such a young age, possesses such passion. I truly admire him,'" Elder Yun stated directly. "If Lord Lu summons me to the Outer Domain battlefield in the future, I will certainly go, without fail!"
"'Elder Yun, I am the same as you!'" Elder Tian smiled. "My conversation with Lord Lu today has broadened my horizons!"
The next morning, Lu Fan and his group set off, heading for the Outer Domain battlefield, not to Chu Prefecture.
Now, many experts of the Qingyun Sect needed to go to the Outer Domain battlefield for training, and there could be no delay. Only by growing stronger as quickly as possible could they defend their homeland and prevent the invasion of the Sea Country.
Meanwhile, in the Jiangjing Courtyard in Chu Prefecture, a man wearing a suit arrived in the courtyard, carrying a briefcase.