"You want to buy some demon spirits?" Zhao Xue asked in surprise, her gaze falling on Ling'er, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"This is Heaven's Scar City, after all. I heard the demon spirits here are the most potent. Naturally, I want to purchase some!" Ling'er nodded. "This is a rare opportunity. I never expected to pass through Heaven's Scar City on our way to the imperial capital!"
"Since you like demon spirits so much, let's buy some!" Lu Fan said. "Opportunities like this are few and far between. After we're done buying, we need to leave quickly. I have a feeling the Situ family will catch up to us!"
"Weren't they already shaken off?" Ling'er asked, surprised. "Are you being too nervous?"
"No, my intuition is never wrong!" Lu Fan shook his head, his expression serious.
Ling'er immediately became suspicious. If Lu Fan was right, they would be in grave danger. This matter was no trivial affair, especially with the Situ family boasting a Martial Emperor-level expert. Such immense power would be difficult for their small group to contend with.
"Regardless of whether this feeling is real or not, we should be prepared in advance!" Zhao Xue stated frankly. "This is no joke. After buying the demon spirits, we'll leave Heaven's Scar City!"
As they conversed, Lu Fan noticed several figures not far from Heaven's Scar City who looked somewhat familiar.
"It's people from the Northwest Prefecture!"
Lu Fan alerted them, quickly pulling Ling'er and the others back. They ducked into a small alley within the city, not daring to delay. He knew all too well the consequences of being discovered by the Northwest Prefecture.
"What happened?" Ling'er looked at Lu Fan, completely bewildered. She hadn't expected him to suddenly become so cautious.
"It's people from the Northwest Prefecture!" Lu Fan's voice was heavy. "If I'm not mistaken, they're looking for us. We need to be careful. If we're discovered by the Northwest Prefecture, it will lead to endless trouble!"
Hearing this, everyone nodded slightly, not daring to be negligent. The people from the Northwest Prefecture were not to be trifled with. If they had tracked them all the way to Heaven's Scar City, they were likely prepared.
"Steward Zhao, we've searched the entire Heaven's Scar City and haven't found that brat!"
One of the men spoke, a slight frown on his face. They were all from the Northwest Prefecture, their objective being to find Lu Fan, yet after searching for so long, they hadn't found any trace of him.
"Heaven's Scar City is the only route to the imperial capital. He will inevitably pass through here,"
Steward Zhao stated directly. "All you need to do is wait here. Fish will naturally come to the bait. Seal off all exits from Heaven's Scar City!"
Several men nodded, their expressions becoming solemn. They dared not disobey this order.
Meanwhile, Lu Fan's brow furrowed. With the Northwest Prefecture blocking the exits of Heaven's Scar City, his departure to the imperial capital would be difficult.
"What should we do? This is the only road to the imperial capital!"
Ling'er's eyes showed panic as she spoke. Though she had been calm moments before, she was now terrified, knowing that if they were captured by the Northwest Prefecture, there would likely be no chance of survival.
"Our only option now is to find another exit!" Lu Fan said. "We'll stay at a small tavern for now. I'll go and inquire in Heaven's Scar City. If there are other exits, that would be for the best. If not, we might have to force our way out."
"But there's a Martial Emperor-level expert!"
Ling'er's brow furrowed as she quickly interjected, her expression serious.
Lu Fan's expression also flickered at her words. He knew that the people from the Northwest Prefecture were top-tier experts, and dealing with them would not be easy.
"Facing such a formidable enemy, our only recourse is to attempt a stealthy breakout!" Lu Fan said helplessly. "Hopefully, there's another way!"
At these words, everyone's expression grew serious. They knew that failing to pass this blockade would spell disaster for them.
Concurrently, many experts from the Situ family also arrived at Heaven's Scar City. However, the Situ family head's face was pale, appearing to have suffered a severe blow, and he seemed listless.
"Isn't that the City Lord of Giant Spirit City? I didn't expect you to be here in Heaven's Scar City!"
Steward Zhao's voice rang out as he looked at the Situ family head, his gaze carrying a significant meaning.
"So it's Steward Zhao!" The Situ family head cupped his fist, his tone somewhat deferential. "Steward Zhao, are you here to apprehend that person?"
"Indeed. A subordinate of the Heavenly Soldier Mansion dared to offend the Northwest Prefecture. I am ordered to arrest him!" Steward Zhao nodded slightly, his words indifferent.
"I was also looking for this person!" The Situ family head said with a smile. "This brat has no idea of the immensity of heaven and earth, daring to oppose me and killing my son. If he is not captured, how can my Situ family maintain its dignity?"
"So that's how it is!" Steward Zhao burst into laughter. "Since we're looking for the same person, let's search together. I have a hunch that the brat is within this Heaven's Scar City. Once this brat is dealt with, we can complete our mission smoothly!"
"That is precisely my intention!"
The Situ family head nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face, as if everything was planned out in his eyes.
As night deepened, Lu Fan ascended the city walls of Heaven's Scar City. Gazing at the scene before him, his brow furrowed. The city walls were like an iron barrier, and outside them stood numerous guards from the Northwest Prefecture, posing a significant threat to him.
Lu Fan frowned, feeling increasingly troubled. If he didn't leave Heaven's Scar City soon, he might be discovered, and then they would all be in danger.
"Who are you? Sneaking around here in the dead of night, do you have some disreputable business?"
Just then, a woman approached, her gaze fixed on Lu Fan with a mixture of curiosity and surprise.
"Just passing through," Lu Fan replied, intending to turn and leave. He didn't recognize this woman and had no desire to get entangled with her. After all, within Heaven's Scar City, besides the Northwest Prefecture, there were also experts from the Situ family, which posed a great threat to Lu Fan.
"You think you can leave without explaining yourself? Things don't work that way in this world!"
The woman's expression turned cold, and she blocked Lu Fan's path, a strange look in her eyes. She suspected Lu Fan had some unspeakable secret, otherwise, he wouldn't be acting this way.