Several elders of the Sea Kingdom frowned. As the Ninth Elder had said, if they hadn't broken the rules, the Dragon Kingdom wouldn't be so enraged.
"The Dragon Kingdom is ultimately showing weakness," the leading elder said coldly. "Even if they suffer some grievances, what does it matter? If a national war truly breaks out, the Dragon Kingdom will cease to exist."
"What a joke. If the Sea Kingdom wants to start a national war, the Dragon Kingdom will see it through to the end," the Fourth Elder said coldly. "The Dragon Kingdom has never feared anyone, nor will it compromise its principles. You cannot achieve your goals!"
"Since the elders have spoken, we shall meet again."
The leading elder in black chuckled coldly. "If a national war is initiated, the Dragon Kingdom will be destroyed, and you will become a sinner of the nation."
"Our Dragon Kingdom is united, and we will not be coerced by you," the Fourth Elder said coldly. "Do you really think the Dragon Kingdom has no one?"
"Very well, since the Dragon Kingdom is prepared, we shall wait and see."
The leading elder sneered, with a hint of disdain. In his eyes, the Dragon Kingdom could be destroyed with a wave of his hand; they were no match for the Sea Kingdom.
Watching the departing figures in black, Lu Fan wanted to pursue them but was stopped by the Fourth Elder. "They are not weak. The three of us may not be able to keep them here."
"Are we just going to let them leave like this?" Lu Fan frowned. "They intruded into the heart of the Dragon Kingdom and never took us seriously."
The Fourth Elder waved his hand. "The Sea Kingdom has countless experts, so their arrogance is understandable. It's a pity we couldn't keep Shangguan. Otherwise, we would have made him pay."
"Fourth Elder, let me help you back," the Ninth Elder offered. "Today's battle will likely lead to many complications in the future!"
"So what!" the Fourth Elder said indifferently. "The Sea Kingdom has always suppressed the Dragon Kingdom on the outer battlefield, precisely to prevent the Dragon Kingdom from obtaining more resources. What has the Dragon Kingdom gained by yielding?"
"What the Fourth Elder says is right!" Lu Fan declared forcefully. "How can we let the Sea Kingdom, so arrogant, have an easy time!"
"However, speaking of which, the Dragon Kingdom is undergoing reconstruction and is constantly rising. If given enough time, it will surely achieve the power it had in ancient times," the Fourth Elder said with anticipation. "If that happens, our Dragon Kingdom will surely prosper!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly but showed a wry smile. Given the current situation, the Dragon Kingdom likely didn't have enough time. The Sea Kingdom was watching covetously, and other enemy nations were observing from the sidelines.
"By the way, why has your aura surged so much?" the Fourth Elder asked curiously. "You were actually able to chase Shangguan."
"I don't know either. Perhaps it was because of something."
Lu Fan smiled awkwardly. Even now, he didn't know why he had broken through in that situation.
"You truly don't know?" the Fourth Elder asked, then added, "What was it?"
"My family's heirloom!"
Lu Fan was not stingy and took out the Star Meteorite. If it weren't for this stone, he would have likely died at Shangguan's hands.
"This is..."
The two elders exchanged glances, their expressions filled with astonishment. They could clearly sense that the Star Meteorite was no ordinary object.
"Could it be that one of your ancestors was a remarkable person?" the Ninth Elder asked. "This Star Meteorite is not simple; it likely has a significant origin."
"I don't know about that!" Lu Fan shrugged. "If there really was a capable person, why would our clan be easily annihilated? Elders, please don't tease me!"
"In ancient times, there were many martial arts families, and they were extremely powerful. There were even quite a few War King level cultivators," the Fourth Elder stated frankly. "At that time, it was a hundred schools of thought contending within the Dragon Kingdom. If these meteorites are ancestral items, your ancestors must have been greatly capable." Su Dan Novel Network
"I see!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. If it were his ancestors, it was hard to say.
After all, who could know what happened in ancient times.
"We shall return to headquarters first. If you have time, you can come to headquarters to find us," the Fourth Elder said. "We won't be stingy with rewards then."
"Elder, your words seem to have a hidden meaning," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "What kind of rewards are we talking about?"
"You'll know when you come!" the Fourth Elder replied with a smile.
Lu Fan glanced at him but said nothing more. However, since the Fourth Elder had said so, there must be something good.
But he didn't want to go. As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit, especially favors from the Dragon Kingdom's headquarters. He was well aware that accepting favors meant owing a debt.
The Fourth Elder had already given him an elder's token, leaving him unsure how to repay it. If he were to receive more benefits, what would he do in the future?
After the two elders left, Lu Fan also departed from the Dragon Kingdom's border.
Meanwhile, within the three major sects, many elders looked on with anticipation. They had expected a battle, and were somewhat disappointed that it ended in such a manner.
However, they were quite curious about Lu Fan. To have reached such a realm at such a young age, besides his own talent, he must have had other opportunities.
In Jiangnan, at the Tianquan Villa, the Dragon Group members sat cross-legged. The Jiangnan City Lord had sent people to guard them, not daring to delay in the slightest.
When Lu Fan arrived, everyone looked at him.
"Lord Lu, how did it go?" Han Bing stood up and asked. "Did you capture him?"
"I pursued him to the Dragon Kingdom's border, where two elders appeared. I could have killed him then," Lu Fan said frankly. "Unfortunately, experts from the Sea Kingdom also arrived, and the Fourth Elder was inadvertently injured."
"The Fourth Elder was injured?"
Long Aotian was slightly surprised. Besides the three elders, the Fourth Elder was the strongest. If even the Fourth Elder was injured, the intruders were likely not ordinary individuals.
"Fortunately, none of you were harmed," Lu Fan said with a frown. "Otherwise, I would be deeply responsible!"
"Lord Lu, please do not blame yourself," Long Aotian waved his hand. "This is our duty as the Dragon Group. Lord Lu is the tenth elder of the Dragon Kingdom. How could we allow others to harm you."
"No, no, please don't say that!"
Lu Fan chuckled awkwardly. "Although I accepted the elder's token, I haven't acknowledged this identity. It's just for convenience, not as one of the Ten Elders!"
"Whether Lord Lu acknowledges it or not, we all believe it to be so," Han Bing stated. "Therefore, you don't need to refuse!"
"Exactly, exactly!" Jian Ying nodded. "Lu Fan pursued and killed a Sea Kingdom elder within the Dragon Kingdom's territory. You are truly deserving of your title. In the future, throughout the Dragon Kingdom, you will be able to command great influence, and the Dragon Group will naturally obey your orders!"
"You are quite eloquent. Seeing that your injuries have healed, and today is a rare occasion, why don't you stay at Tianquan Villa?" Lu Fan said with a smile. "We can have a few drinks. Tianquan Villa has osmanthus wine that has been aged for decades. You mustn't miss it."
"How could I refuse Lord Lu's invitation!" Jian Ying quickly replied.
Han Bing shot him a glance and looked at Long Aotian. After all, Long Aotian was the captain, and they dared not act on their own accord, as it would be disrespectful.
"We naturally obey the Lord's invitation," Long Aotian smiled. "After all, the opportunity is rare."