"Zhao Feitian, are you even from my Xuandi City, speaking up for others!" Ling'er questioned with displeasure.
"I'm just stating the facts, please don't take it to heart!" Zhao Feitian gave an embarrassed smile. "Besides, this is common knowledge. The Heavenly Horse Merchant Association spans the entire Heavenly Realm, and it's filled with experts!"
"Enough, enough, I don't want to argue with you about this!" Ling'er waved her hand, preparing to leave with Lu Fan. Since he had obtained the divine beast egg, she was quite satisfied and didn't pay much attention to other matters.
"I'll go back with you!" Zhao Feitian said with a smile. "After all, it's not often I get to come out. I'm quite happy to be with you!"
"You might be happy, but I'm not!" Ling'er rolled her eyes and then set off towards Xuandi City with Lu Fan.
However, at that very moment, they felt a monstrous aura permeating the entire area, appearing exceptionally terrifying.
"Emperor-level aura!" Zhao Feitian was startled, feeling a sense of dread. He never expected an Emperor-level aura to lock onto them, carrying a murderous intent. This was not a good omen; it sent chills down one's spine.
"It is indeed Emperor-level!" Ling'er frowned. "Could it be targeting me?"
"No, it's targeting me!" Lu Fan's voice rang out, his gaze serious, as if he wasn't lying.
Hearing this, Ling'er also frowned. Under normal circumstances, Lu Fan had come to Xuandi City and never left. He shouldn't have offended anyone outside Xuandi City. Now, with an Emperor-level aura locked onto Lu Fan, it must be someone from within Xuandi City.
"Patriarch Chen, I know it's you!" Ling'er shouted. "He is my personal guard. If you dare to lay a hand on him, my father will not let you off easily when he returns!"
There was no response from the void, but the locking force did not recede, causing further confusion.
"Patriarch Chen?" Zhao Feitian was slightly stunned and quickly retreated to the side. This matter had nothing to do with his Zhao family, and he naturally didn't want to get into trouble. However, he was curious. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way, catching him off guard.
At that very moment, a figure in black appeared and lunged towards Lu Fan, their movements incredibly sharp and without any hesitation. Zhao Feitian wanted to get a clear look at the figure, but unfortunately, the figure had employed an illusion technique, making it impossible to discern.
"I know it's you, it must be your Chen family!" Ling'er shouted. "If you dare to touch him, I will make your entire Chen family pay!" The figure in black did not speak, only let out a cold laugh and pressed on towards Lu Fan. Perhaps in their eyes, Lu Fan was already a fish on a chopping block, ready to be slaughtered.
Lu Fan felt the pressure and also frowned. Even he hadn't expected the figure in black to be so powerful and so brazen. At that instant, the figure in black struck Lu Fan with a palm, sending him flying backward. Upon receiving this powerful blow, Lu Fan's body shot backward, and blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. He hadn't expected the aura of a Half-Emperor to be so strong. Even someone as powerful as him was no match.
"Truly unfathomable!" From the sky not far away, the Second Master of the Chen family spoke. "To be so young and able to withstand my elder brother's attack. If we allow him to continue developing, he might become a great disaster for our Chen family in the future."
"There will be no future for him!" With a slight smile, Chen Jianbei's eyes flashed with brilliance. In his eyes, everything was already decided.
"Let's hope so!" The Second Master of the Chen family nodded, still harboring some worry. Until this matter was settled, his heart would remain uneasy.
Seeing the situation was dire, Ling'er rushed forward to protect Lu Fan but was repelled by an Emperor's aura, blood seeping from her mouth.
"Are you crazy? This is an Emperor-level aura!" Zhao Feitian grabbed Ling'er. "Let's quickly return to Xuandi City. No matter who this person is, they won't have any scruples outside Xuandi City."
"But Lu Fan will die!" Ling'er shook her head, breaking free from Zhao Feitian. She couldn't just stand by and watch Lu Fan meet his end.
"He's just a guard. You can pick any guard you want. Besides, there are so many ascenders below. Why do you care so much about a servant!" Zhao Feitian spoke again, his voice serious.
Ling'er was somewhat moved by his words. After hearing him say that, she felt it was indeed true. However, Lu Fan had been good to her, and she also thought Lu Fan was a good person. If he were to die unjustly, how could she accept it? With this thought, Ling'er stopped again, intending to stand in front of Lu Fan. But Zhao Feitian struck her unconscious with a palm, showing no mercy. The members of the Zhao family were also in a panic seeing this scene. They hadn't expected their young master to be so direct, especially since she was the daughter of the Emperor. If the Emperor were to investigate this matter, their Zhao family would not be able to bear the consequences.
"Let's leave quickly. Don't worry about anyone else!" Zhao Feitian said, and then he set off towards Xuandi City. Although he sympathized with Lu Fan, since the Emperor-level expert was targeting Lu Fan, he had no choice but to do so.
"This kid is good!" The Second Master of the Chen family laughed. "Without Miss Ling'er's interference, your father can act with greater freedom and without so many reservations!"
"When we get back to Xuandi City, I'll have to have a few drinks with him," Chen Jianbei also laughed heartily. He had been worried that Ling'er might fight to the death, but now it seemed there was no need to worry about that at all. With this thought, everyone felt a sense of relief, seeing things clearly.
At this moment, Lu Fan's mouth was bleeding, and his brow was furrowed. He hadn't expected things to turn out this way, catching him completely off guard. Seeing that Ling'er had left, the Patriarch Chen no longer concealed his figure. He directly removed his veil and looked directly at Lu Fan. "Brat, your time has come. This is the consequence of offending my Chen family!"
"I knew it was you. I didn't expect my guess to be correct!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "The dignified Patriarch of the Chen family, a Half-Emperor expert, stooping to such despicable acts. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed!"
"You can say a few more words, as you won't have the chance later!" The Patriarch Chen burst into laughter. "Do you think I care about that? What I care about is your life. Only when you are dead can my Chen family rest assured!"