Back in Zhongzhou City, Lu Fan did not go to a hotel but instead headed to the Gu family.
Han Yunhai was severely injured. Although Lu Fan had already treated his wounds, he was still worried. Han Yunhai had followed him all the way, and Lu Fan naturally cared about him.
"Master."
Gu Wen said respectfully, "I didn't expect to be of no help at all. I am truly ashamed."
"It was never your responsibility," Lu Fan waved his hand. "You don't need to blame yourself. Where is Han Yunhai?"
"He's in my room. I've already invited several Chinese medicine practitioners, and I believe his injuries are not serious," Gu Wen said quickly.
Lu Fan nodded slightly and walked towards Gu Wen's room.
Han Yunhai lay on the bed, bandaged with medicinal herbs. However, he was already much better.
"Sir!"
Han Yunhai tried to get up, but Lu Fan stopped him. "No need for formalities! It's more important to recuperate."
"It's just a minor injury, nothing significant," Han Yunhai stated directly. "If it weren't for my momentary negligence, he wouldn't have been taken away."
"Rest assured! I have already killed all those people," Lu Fan said directly. "The ones who injured you have also met their demise."
"This..."
Han Yunhai was stunned. "There were thirteen Grandmasters!"
"Let alone thirteen, even if there were a hundred, I would make them perish here," Lu Fan said coldly. "How could I let go of someone who dared to lay a hand on my people!"
As Lu Fan spoke, a warm current flowed through Han Yunhai's heart.
With Lu Fan's arrival, the Gu family head specially ordered the kitchen to prepare many delicacies and brought out aged Osmanthus wine, not daring to show any disrespect.
He had just received news that Lu Fan had killed thirteen Grandmasters at Phoenix Ridge. Such powerful combat strength was enough to make them submit.
The Zhao family of Chuzhou and the Han family of Jiangbei were also invited. These were all friends of Lu Fan, and the Gu family head naturally did not dare to forget them.
Lu Fan had not planned to dine there, but since Han Yunhai was recuperating at the Gu family, he could not refuse.
Since the Gu family had not firmly stood with Lu Fan, Lu Fan would not associate too closely with them. After all, there were some matters that even Lu Fan could not make decisions for the Gu family.
Later, in the Gu family courtyard, under a willow tree, a table was set with a delicate banquet. Everyone took their seats. Lu Fan was invited to the head seat by the Gu family head, who looked very sincere.
Lu Fan did not pay much attention to it, but instead looked at the Han family head. "Senior, the Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. If you intend to participate, please be careful."
"To be honest, I am old and did not wish to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament. However, if I can enter the Heaven Ranking, it will be of great benefit to the family in the future," the Han family head stated directly. "This is why I want to participate!"
"Elder Han is still vigorous. I truly admire you," the Zhao family head said, cupping his fists.
"Indeed!" the Gu family head nodded, looking at Lu Fan. "If Lord Lu participates in the Martial Arts Tournament, he will surely win first place on the Heaven Ranking and become famous in the martial arts world."
"Grandfather, you are mistaken!" Gu Long interjected. "Lord Lu's reputation has long been established, not just in Jiangnan, but throughout the entire Dragon Kingdom, he is considered a top-tier existence."
"That's right, that's right!" Gu Wen also quickly nodded. "What kind of methods does Master possess? Killing thirteen Grandmasters consecutively is simply shocking. I'm afraid even the number one on the Martial Arts Heaven Ranking wouldn't be able to do such a thing."
"You don't need to flatter me so much!" Lu Fan said softly. "I'm not interested in the Martial Arts Tournament. I came to Zhongzhou this time intending to meet Du Qianqiu, but unfortunately, he is far away on the outer battlefield!"
"To be honest, the outer battlefield is extremely dangerous. Those who can establish themselves there have a nine-death chance," Gu Long said. "If Lord Lu wishes to go to the outer battlefield, he must be very careful. It is a place with a mixed crowd and many strongholds. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to advance even half a step alone."
"Big brother, you're talking about ordinary people," Gu Wen said. "Master is not ordinary!"
"I know that, of course," Gu Long nodded repeatedly. "But the outer battlefield is where true powerhouses compete. Grandmasters are merely ants there."
"Is the outer battlefield really that terrifying?" Han Qiushui exclaimed. "It seems we are like frogs in a well."
"The outer battlefield possesses abundant resources, making it a place coveted by many nations," Gu Long stated directly. "On the outer battlefield, there are not only millennium-old spiritual herbs but also endless fierce beasts. These are powerful resources that can not only increase a martial artist's cultivation but even increase a nation's assets. Therefore, every nation has many experts guarding the outer battlefield. Moreover, the outer battlefield is vast. Under normal circumstances, there will be many strongholds along the borderlines of each nation." Su Dan Novel Network
"Then do you know which stronghold the Black Shadow Organization is in?" Lu Fan asked. "I am quite curious."
"I don't know about that!" Gu Long said with a wry smile. "I am merely a Grandmaster, not a high-ranking general of the Dragon Kingdom. I don't know much about the Black Shadow Organization."
"It's alright!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "With so many benefits in the outer battlefield, if I were to bring the Qingyun Sect there for training, we would surely achieve great success in time."
"This..." Gu Long shook his head. "Entering the outer battlefield without peak martial arts strength is a sure death, with no chance to fight back!"
"Is it that terrifying?" Gu Wen was surprised. Before he broke through to Grandmaster, he was also at peak martial arts. He did not expect to be among the weakest in the outer battlefield.
"There are many things I cannot explain clearly, but the outer battlefield is by no means as simple as imagined," Gu Long said again. "What we know is merely the tip of the iceberg of the world."
"Long'er, you must not be rude. How can you speak like that in front of Lord Lu?" the Gu family head said. "Lord Lu is no ordinary person. Even if he goes to the outer battlefield in the future, he will surely be a powerful figure."
"I appreciate your kind words, old sir!" Lu Fan smiled. "I have something I wish to ask you, old sir. May I ask if it is appropriate to speak of it!"
"Lord Lu, please speak freely. This old man will tell you everything he knows!" the Gu family head said with a serious expression, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
"Does the Jiang family have any connection with the Black Shadow Organization?" Lu Fan asked directly.
"This..."
The Gu family head frowned. "Lord Lu's guess is correct. The Jiang family does indeed have clandestine dealings with the Black Shadow Organization. I once heard that many of the younger generation of the Jiang family went to the outer battlefield for training, and they all went to the Black Shadow Organization."
"Then it's no wonder!" Lu Fan's expression turned cold. "The head of the Jiang family deliberately challenged me, but it was actually a diversion."
"Since that is the case, Master, are you planning to take action against the Jiang family?" Gu Wen asked repeatedly.
The others also watched. Lu Fan's decision would determine the life and death of the martial arts families. Perhaps this was what a true powerhouse was.
"Since they are related to the Black Shadow Organization and have been secretly plotting against me, I naturally cannot let them go easily," Lu Fan said indifferently.