Lu Fan, feeling somewhat weary, returned to his room in the Jiangjing Courtyard. The next day held a significant battle on Qinglong Mountain. While Lu Fan himself was unconcerned, he wouldn't underestimate the Golden Light Hall Master, a martial arts expert.
Meanwhile, at the Golden Light Martial Hall, numerous disciples, with red cloths tied around their heads, exuded an eager fighting spirit. For years, no one had dared to challenge the Hall Master, and this upcoming fight was an opportunity for them to show their support.
"I wonder how Master is doing," one disciple mused. "The battle is tomorrow, and I'm not sure if Master can win."
"Master has never lost," another disciple declared confidently. "Master will surely be the victor tomorrow!"
"Perhaps not. The aura that person exuded that day was like a rainbow; they are no ordinary individual!"
"Indeed, that person possesses the skill of a Grandmaster, not someone to be trifled with. Although Master is close to becoming a Grandmaster, he has yet to reach that level!"
The disciples frowned collectively. If this were true, it cast a shadow of worry over their hearts.
"Why are you all still here instead of resting?" the Golden Light Hall Master arrived, appearing invigorated.
"Master, we were worried about you!" one disciple stated. "Tomorrow is the battle on Qinglong Mountain, and that person is so powerful, perhaps..."
"While he may possess the skills of a Grandmaster, he has not yet reached that realm."
The Golden Light Hall Master spoke coldly, "For him to dare oppose Master, he is simply overestimating himself!"
As they spoke, the disciples looked at the Hall Master in surprise. "Master, your aura seems to have grown much stronger!"
"I have successfully entered the Grandmaster realm!" the Golden Light Hall Master sneered. "At the last moment, I broke through to the Grandmaster realm. Perhaps this is a divine opportunity!"
"You've already broken through to Grandmaster?"
The disciples rejoiced. They had never imagined that the Golden Light Hall Master would achieve this breakthrough on the final day. News of this would likely shake the entire Chu Prefecture.
"This matter should not be publicized!" the Golden Light Hall Master instructed sternly. "If we can achieve surprise, the effect might be even better!"
The disciples nodded in agreement, their hearts filled with joy. With the Hall Master's breakthrough to Grandmaster, tomorrow's battle would be a sure victory, and they no longer needed to worry.
"Fellow disciples, let's disperse for now," one man said. "We'll head to Qinglong Mountain tomorrow to cheer for Master!"
The disciples nodded, their fighting spirit soaring. The Hall Master's breakthrough to Grandmaster had given them immense confidence.
It wasn't until late into the night that the lights in the Golden Light Martial Hall were extinguished. This night was one of sleeplessness for many martial artists, who understood the significance of the battle to come.
Back in the Jiangjing Courtyard, Lu Fan and the others had already fallen asleep. A figure clad in black stealthily entered the courtyard, their movements eerie as they surveyed their surroundings, a long sword in hand.
Lu Fan opened his eyes and looked outside, his brow furrowing slightly as he sensed the killing intent.
The black-clad figure scanned the area and locked onto Lu Fan's room. Just as he was about to enter, Lu Fan appeared behind him. "Martial Perfection? Is that all the strength you possess?"
Thirteen Swords was startled and quickly turned to face Lu Fan. "You little brat have some nerve. Someone offered ten million to buy your head, so don't blame me!"
"Who is that person?" Lu Fan asked, surprised. "My head is only worth that much?"
"You've got a big mouth!"
Thirteen Swords said coldly, drawing his sword and lunging at Lu Fan. He was a renowned assassin and had never failed, which was why his price was so high.
Unfortunately, this time he had encountered a tough opponent. The powerful force approaching Lu Fan was shattered by the internal energy radiating from Lu Fan, and even his sword turned into nothingness.
"This..."
Thirteen Swords trembled. "How is this possible? Releasing internal energy externally, a Martial Grandmaster."
"As an assassin, you don't even know the specifics of your target. You are incompetent," Lu Fan remarked dismissively. "You are unlikely to escape today!"
Thirteen Swords' pupils dilated, his only thought being to escape this devil before him.
The strength Lu Fan displayed was far beyond his imagination. Such a terrifying existence was not something he could handle.
"It's not that easy to leave!" Lu Fan said with a cold smile, his figure vanishing from his spot in an instant.
Thirteen Swords, true to his assassin nature, possessed a secret art for escape. In the blink of an eye, he reached the forest and looked back, letting out a sigh of relief. "I thought Grandmasters were that powerful! It seems they are nothing special!"
"Do you really think so?" Lu Fan stood on a large tree, his arms crossed. "I've been waiting for you here for a long time. In the presence of a Grandmaster, you have no chance of escape!"
Thirteen Swords' face turned ashen, and he finally knelt down in resignation. "I'm just trying to make a living. I never expected to offend a Grandmaster. Please, have mercy and spare my life!"
"Who is the mastermind?" Lu Fan asked, glancing at him. "If you don't tell me, I'll take your life now!"
"It's the Yang family from Chu Prefecture. Yang Haibo instructed me to do this," Thirteen Swords said quickly. "I have no enmity with you, Senior, why would I attack you so readily!"
"Yang Haibo?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "I haven't gone looking for him, but he's come looking for me. Once I finish what I'm doing, his good days will be numbered!"
"Senior, rest assured, you won't have to lift a finger. I can personally resolve this for you!" Thirteen Swords clasped his hands in a salute. "I only beg Senior to spare my life!"
"Your hands are stained with blood. Assassins like you should not exist in this world," Lu Fan said with a cold laugh.
Thirteen Swords flinched violently and quickly stood up, intending to flee. However, in the face of Lu Fan's immense power, he was merely a lamb awaiting slaughter. In the blink of an eye, he dissolved into a mist of blood.
Lu Fan remained unfazed by the scene before him, his expression even more indifferent.
Returning to the Jiangjing Courtyard, Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He looked into the shadows. "One just left, and another one is coming?"
As soon as he spoke, Lu Fan's aura surged, and he stepped into the darkness. An old man was dragged out by Lu Fan. Sensing Lu Fan's powerful presence, the old man was startled and tried to act, but it was too late.
"Are you all in this together?" Lu Fan asked coldly.
"Please don't misunderstand, sir. I am here to find the young master," the old man said quickly. "I have no enmity with you!"
"Young master?" Lu Fan looked slightly surprised.
Just then, Gu Wen walked out of the courtyard. Seeing the scene, he looked somewhat confused. "Master, has someone from my clan offended you? Why are you..."
"So, it's someone from the Gu family!" Lu Fan gave an awkward smile. "It seems I misunderstood!"
The old man also breathed a sigh of relief. Lu Fan's imposing aura had given him a premonition that if Lu Fan wished, he would have no power to resist.