Facing the Gu family, Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. With a mere raise of his hand, he dealt with all the members of the Gu family.
Instantly, exclamations erupted outside the imperial city. The crowd was clearly surprised by Lu Fan's sheer dominance and his complete lack of hesitation.
Shen Zhanguo frowned. The Gu family were his supporters, and their deaths, particularly that of the second master of the Gu family, were unacceptable to him.
"The mission is complete, let's go!"
Lu Fan spoke, "Such a significant commotion must have alerted the Gu family's Saint!"
Bi Qing and the others exchanged glances before nodding slightly. Their figures transformed into streaks of light, fleeing towards the Triangular Domain.
As long as they returned to Tongtian Academy, even the Gu family's Saint couldn't touch them. However, if they failed to reach the academy, they were undoubtedly in danger.
The moment they departed, an extremely powerful aura surged outside the imperial city. A middle-aged man arrived, soaring through the air. Gazing at the blood-soaked ground, he too couldn't help but frown.
"Patriarch Gu!"
Shen Zhanguo bowed slightly. Despite being the Grand Prince of the Taiyan Dynasty, he dared not show disrespect before a Saint.
"My Gu family is loyal to the Taiyan Dynasty; why has this befallen us!"
Patriarch Gu's gaze fell upon Shen Zhanguo, "According to my knowledge, it seems a princess from the Shen family was also involved!"
"My younger sister has insignificant strength; how could she pose a threat to the Gu family!"
Shen Zhanguo said repeatedly, "This was all the doing of others from Tongtian Academy!"
"If that's the case, then manage your own younger sister properly!"
Patriarch Gu said coldly, "Those few who dared to attack the Gu family, none of them will escape the Tianyan Dynasty!"
As the words fell, Patriarch Gu's figure shot forward, vanishing from his spot in an instant, leaving only an afterimage.
"Not good!"
Shen Zhanguo's brows knitted, and he turned to stride towards the imperial city. He knew very well that the Gu family's Saint intended to act personally.
Shen Yehong was still inside. If she were harmed, it would cost her life, and in that scenario, the Gu family and the royal family would likely be locked in an irreconcilable feud.
Shenji City was located at the southern end of Shenji Mountain, serving as its subsidiary city.
As Lu Fan and the others arrived at the city, Liuli led them to a luxurious tavern.
The reason they had come here was to evade pursuit from the Gu family's Saint.
The Gu family's Saint had already mobilized and had even pinpointed their presence.
However, Shenji City possessed the ability to conceal their aura, allowing them to evade pursuit.
Upon entering the tavern, Liuli ordered a table full of dishes and smiled, "Now that you are in Shenji City, I must play the role of a host!"
"The Gu family's Saint has been dispatched; our lives are in danger at any moment!"
Shen Yehong frowned, "How can we be so careless at a time like this!"
"Relax, this is Shenji City, it can conceal heavenly secrets!"
Liuli waved her hand, "So you don't need to worry!"
With these words, Shen Yehong didn't press further, but a sense of unease lingered in her heart, as a Saint's mobilization would inevitably lead to bloodshed.
"This is the foot of Shenji Mountain; even with the Gu family's Saint, there's no need to worry excessively!"
Lu Fan said calmly, "If it truly comes to it, we can hide within Shenji Mountain. Even the Gu family's Saint might not be able to penetrate it!"
"That's a good suggestion!"
Shen Yehong nodded, her spirits lifting. In such a situation, it would be ideal.
"Things might not be as simple as they seem!"
Liuli shook her head, "This matter is no trivial affair. Shenji Mountain might not intervene. We have offended the Gu family. The deterrent power of a Saint is considerable!"
"You are the senior disciple of Shenji Mountain; surely Shenji Mountain wouldn't disregard your life?" Liuli stated directly, "I refuse to believe it!"
"My life is not worth offending a Saint!"
Liuli chuckled bitterly, "Just as if we had hidden in the imperial palace, your father might not risk offending a Saint to protect you!"
Shen Yehong was taken aback, her expression shifting. As Liuli had said, if it truly came to that point, he didn't have absolute confidence.
"Alright, let's not discuss these matters for now!"
Lu Fan said casually, "The food is all served; let's have some wine!"
The others nodded slightly, but their hearts remained anxious, even somewhat uneasy.
As expected, while they were drinking, a terrifying aura suddenly arrived in Shenji City, causing them to tremble.
"Saintly aura!"
Lu Fan frowned, "Why has the Gu family's Saint arrived so quickly?"
"It seems he has already guessed that we are within Shenji City!"
Liuli's brows furrowed as she said, "It seems I miscalculated!"
"What should we do now!"
Shen Yehong's expression turned grim and uncertain, "If this matter is not handled properly, it will lead to endless trouble."
"You all go first!"
Lu Fan advised, "I will hold him back!"
"That won't do!"
Bi Qing shook his head, "If we go, we go together. Besides, a cultivator at the Saint realm is far beyond our ability to obstruct!"
"Don't worry, I have my own means of escape!"
Lu Fan said solemnly, "But if you don't leave, I might be held back!"
"In that case, we shall leave first!"
Liuli stated directly, "Perhaps Lu Fan truly has a way!"
Shen Yehong wanted to say something, but she couldn't. It seemed this was the only option.
Lu Fan was infinitely close to the Saint realm; perhaps he could manage to escape from a Saint.
After Liuli and the others left Shenji City, Lu Fan's gaze turned towards the sky above Shenji City.
He saw a colossal phantom hovering over Shenji City, its gaze like lightning, scanning the city.
"No need to look further; what you seek is me!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "The second master of the Gu family also died by my hand!"
Instantly, the colossal phantom transformed into its true form, a middle-aged man appearing before Lu Fan.
"How dare you attack my Gu family!" Patriarch Gu said coldly, "Who instigated you!"
"It was a mission from Tongtian Academy. You can only blame Gu Yuntong for not attending to his duties and harming others!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "Otherwise, why would he be hunted!"
"When has the Gu family's conduct ever required others to interfere!"
Patriarch Gu said coldly, "Not even Tongtian Academy can dictate to us!"
"Whether they can or not isn't for you to decide!"
Lu Fan said gravely, "Moreover, the second master of the Gu family is already dead. Why must you make such a fuss!"
"Ridiculous! You killed my Gu family member, and how can I let you go today!"
Patriarch Gu was furious, and a powerful aura emanated from him. The entire Shenji City was permeated with a Saintly presence.
"It seems no matter how I explain, you won't let me go today!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "Since that's the case, then I shall see just how terrifying a cultivator at the Saint realm is!"
As his words fell, Lu Fan's figure slowly ascended, holding thunderous flames in his hands, appearing eager to engage.
Many people in Shenji City watched, their hearts filled with shock. Clearly, they hadn't expected such a young Lu Fan to dare challenge a Saint.