Lu Fan channeled strength into his palm, striking towards the strange old man with what seemed like no restraint.
Sensing something amiss, the old man also unleashed a palm strike, and the two figures retreated, appearing to be evenly matched.
"You old fellow, if you want roast chicken, you should go all out. Why hold back against me?" Lu Fan glanced at him. "It seems you don't want to eat this roast chicken!"
"How dare you say that about me?" The old man rolled his eyes. "Didn't you also hold back your strength, wanting to test me? It's not that easy."
"It seems you truly are a legendary mighty figure," Lu Fan chuckled. "If you were just an ordinary Grandmaster, how could you withstand my palm strike?"
"Mighty figure? That's just a term in your mortal world. Those truly at the higher echelons never consider themselves mighty figures!"
"Above Grandmaster, if not a mighty figure, what are they called?" Gu Wen asked in surprise.
He was already a Half-step Grandmaster, considered a prodigy among the younger generation. Yet, for some reason, he always felt useless when he was with Lu Fan.
"Those stronger than Grandmasters are called Battle Spirits!" the old man stated directly. "Grandmaster is merely a dividing line for the strong. Within the Dragon Country, although Battle Spirits are not numerous, they are enough to destroy heavens and earth!"
"So, above Grandmaster are Battle Spirits, the legendary mighty figures!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. Even he himself was unsure of his current strength.
He could only vaguely estimate that he might not lose to the old man, meaning he could potentially also be a Battle Spirit.
"As expected of a higher level!" Gu Wen was inwardly delighted. "Before, figures above Grandmaster were all called mighty figures. Now there's talk of Battle Spirits!"
"In the ordinary mortal world, even martial arts families have at most a few Grandmasters," the old man said plainly. "But within the Dragon Country, there are many hidden experts. Those are the true powerhouses!"
"So the two pursuing you are also Battle Spirit level?" Lu Fan was somewhat astonished.
Hearing the old man's words, he felt a surge of impulse regarding combat power.
"Indeed, they are quite good!" the old man nodded. "To become a member of the Dragon Group at such a young age, Battle Spirit experts, they are no weaker than you."
"Master already possesses unparalleled talent, are there even more formidable existences than Master?"
Gu Wen was inwardly shocked and increasingly eager to know.
"To become a member of the Dragon Group and be discovered by them, one must be a titan in martial arts," the old man smiled faintly. "I've heard that eight or nine out of ten Dragon Group members are among the top five of the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings from previous years."
"Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings?"
Lu Fan was shocked. "What kind of ranking is that? Why have I never heard of it?"
"You don't even know about the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings? Truly ignorant," the old man grinned. "Your world is too small, and we have no common topics!"
However, at that moment, Lu Fan and the old man exchanged glances. The old man then directly headed towards the room, as if something major had happened.
Just then, the courtyard gate was opened, and Han Bing and Jian Ying stepped in. Upon seeing Lu Fan, they were surprised. "It's you!"
"What is it, sirs?" Lu Fan asked. "You've come uninvited."
"We sensed a powerful aura and thought it was that old man," Jian Ying said with a smile. "We apologize for the intrusion."
Han Bing, however, was sharp, scanning the rooms in the courtyard as if sensing something. "There's a Battle Spirit aura here! Is that person here?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Lu Fan shrugged. "I don't know anything about Battle Spirits. You've trespassed into my residence, which is likely highly inappropriate."
"The Battle Spirit aura, there's no mistake," Han Bing stated coldly. "Search every room!"
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Lu Fan's expression turned cold, his body radiating immense battle intent. He would not allow Han Bing's arrogance to succeed.
"I am a member of the Dragon Group and have the authority to act first and report later," Han Bing said, taking out a token. "I advise you to behave yourself!"
"I don't care who you are!" Lu Fan said coldly. "You've trespassed here and are so arrogant. How can I let you in!"
"Jian Ying, stop him."
Han Bing's voice was icy, completely disregarding Lu Fan. Since there was a Battle Spirit aura here, it must be where the old man was hiding, and they would not let him go easily.
Jian Ying said nothing more, drawing his sword and slashing towards Lu Fan. The attack was imbued with boundless sword intent, turning everything in its path to dust, appearing extremely fearsome.
"Is this what a Battle Spirit expert is like?" Gu Wen was filled with disbelief, finding it hard to accept even now.
Lu Fan and Jian Ying exchanged ten blows. Lu Fan moved like a phantom, blocking Han Bing once more. "If you want to investigate my place, you'll have to get past me first!"
"Battle Spirit aura."
Han Bing looked at Lu Fan, somewhat astonished. The aura emanating from Lu Fan was such that even he was not confident of victory, which was enough to indicate that Lu Fan was also a Battle Spirit.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding!" Jian Ying said with a wry smile. "However, to become a Battle Spirit at such a young age is truly remarkable. If you are interested in joining the Dragon Group, they will surely welcome you!"
"I have no interest!" Lu Fan glanced at them. "You were arrogant, trespassed into my courtyard, and then tried to recruit me. I don't think that's very appropriate."
"Han Bing, that Battle Spirit aura just now was likely emitted by him," Jian Ying spoke up. "Let's leave! It's better to avoid unpleasantness."
Han Bing frowned and reluctantly left. If it came to a fight, they weren't entirely confident.
Seeing the two depart, Lu Fan let out a sigh of relief. Those two were formidable. If he had truly fought them, he might not have won.
Just as they left the courtyard, Jian Ying said, "This kid's strength is good. Why don't we send a message to the superior? See if they are interested in recruiting him into the Dragon Group?"
"To enter the Dragon Group, one must pass through many trials, not just strength," Han Bing said coldly. "Our mission this time is to capture that old man, not to find new blood for the Dragon Group!"
"I was just suggesting," Jian Ying shrugged helplessly.
Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, the old man swaggered out. "If I didn't want to avoid a direct confrontation with them, those two wouldn't be my match!"
"If you're so powerful, why are you hiding here!" Lu Fan retorted. "But about that Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking you mentioned, what does it mean?"
"The Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking is the Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking. What else could it mean?" the old man said, sitting aside and cracking sunflower seeds leisurely.
Lu Fan felt somewhat helpless and then asked Han Yunhai to investigate.
As a martial arts expert, not knowing about the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings was utterly embarrassing.
After a long while, Han Yunhai returned in a hurry.
"How is it? Did you find out?" Lu Fan asked.