"Fenglei Valley?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "So they were using the Black Shadow organization's banner to expand their influence in the outer battlefield!"
"I don't want to go to war with you."
Du Qianqiu smiled gently. "If we were to fight, I'm afraid both sides would suffer heavy casualties. Why not bury the hatchet and let this matter end here?"
"You want to bury the hatchet after getting what you wanted?"
Lu Fan sneered. "Who will pay the price for the lives of so many members of my Lu family?"
"Lord Lu, you are mistaken. That was more than ten years ago. Why dwell on it?"
Du Qianqiu smiled. "Besides, my own son also died by your hand, so we are even. I have also obtained what I desired. Why don't we let it end here today?"
The Fourth Elder frowned slightly. With both sides representing the fighting strength of Dragon Country, he naturally did not wish for a war. However, Du Qianqiu and Lu Fan had an irreconcilable enmity, making it difficult for him to make a decision here.
"Since you do not wish for a bloodbath, I can give you a choice!"
Lu Fan said coldly, "If you can defeat me, I will let you leave. Otherwise, your head will be forfeit!"
Du Qianqiu's expression turned cold as he said to the elder of Fenglei Valley, "Organize Black Shadow experts for a desperate counterattack!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
The elders nodded, their hearts stirred. With the Qingyun Sect and many martial arts experts of Dragon Country present, even if the Black Shadow organization possessed immense power, they would likely not escape. However, Du Qianqiu's order for them to attack suggested a desire for mutual destruction.
"Attack and capture Du Qianqiu!"
The Fourth Elder spoke, stepping forward directly. The Seventh and Ninth Elders exchanged glances and quickly moved towards Du Qianqiu. As elders of Dragon Country, they were obligated to defend its dignity. This was within Dragon Country's borders, and they would not allow the Black Shadow organization to act with impunity.
Instantly, blades flashed and shadows danced within the banyan tree forest, and screams echoed incessantly.
"Qiushui, take Xiaoke and leave, protect her safety!"
Lu Fan commanded, his gaze fixed on Du Qianqiu. The Starfall Stone was a treasured heirloom of the Lu family, and Lu Fan had no idea of its purpose. It absolutely could not fall into the hands of a villain. Moreover, Du Qianqiu had exterminated his entire family, and Lu Fan had long harbored resentment. Now that he had the opportunity, he would not miss it.
Han Qiushui reluctantly wished he could join the battle but lacked the chance. Bai Huaxue also turned her gaze towards Lin Ke. Seeing Lin Ke's beauty, she felt a slight sense of calm. In fact, during their time in Juling Country, she had wondered what Lu Fan's beloved looked like and why she had caught his attention.
Within the banyan tree forest, even with the combined efforts of the three elders, they could not subdue Du Qianqiu. They were even showing signs of being at a disadvantage, which caused concern. These were the strongest fighting forces of Dragon Country. If even the Dragon Country elders could not resolve the situation, the future of Dragon Country would be dire.
"Du Qianqiu has an irreconcilable enmity with my Lu family. Elders, please step aside!"
Lu Fan leaped forward. "I will personally resolve him to appease the spirit of my late father!"
"Young Lu, be careful!"
The Fourth Elder said gravely, "His strength is extraordinary. None of us three are his match!"
"Rest assured, Elder, I have my own ways of dealing with him!"
Lu Fan's expression was serious, but he did not pay much heed. Not to mention Du Qianqiu, even a Battle Emperor could be fought by him. If it weren't for Du Qianqiu, his family would not have been annihilated. Wrongdoers must be held accountable, and now that the true culprit had been found, Lu Fan would not let him go.
The three elders retreated, their brows furrowed. After engaging him, they realized the terrifying extent of Du Qianqiu's power, and any mistake by Lu Fan could lead to mortal peril.
"I never imagined that the Sect Master of Fenglei Pavilion would have reached such a realm after years of experience!" the Ninth Elder mused.
The Seventh Elder added, "Indeed, I never expected that even with our combined strength, we couldn't suppress him. Could he have already become an Emperor realm expert?"
"If he is truly an Emperor realm expert, how can the three of us possibly resist him!"
The Fourth Elder stated frankly, "However, to be fair, his strength is indeed peculiar, and it seems he is hiding something. If he were to reveal his true combat power, he would likely be even more terrifying!"
The other two elders nodded; they also had a vague premonition. Meanwhile, within the banyan tree forest, many Qingyun Sect martial artists displayed exceptional combat prowess, successively slaying Black Shadow organization experts as if they harbored deep grudges. They all knew that Du Qianqiu was Lu Fan's mortal enemy, and the Qingyun Sect members naturally regarded the Black Shadow organization experts as enemies, their combat strength soaring significantly.
On the other side, Lu Fan exchanged several blows with Du Qianqiu, his brow furrowing. He could clearly sense that Du Qianqiu was not as simple as he appeared.
"The Starfall Stone is an heirloom of my Lu family. What do you want it for?" Lu Fan questioned.
"The Starfall Stone holds a great secret. Although you are not weak, you know very little," Du Qianqiu said, his eyes narrowed. "You probably don't know yet that there are even more terrifying existences in this world, and we are merely ants!"
"What exactly are you trying to say? What does this have to do with the Lu family!"
Lu Fan's expression turned cold. Ever since he broke through to Battle King, he had sensed that there were more terrifying forces in this world, and it was possible they were merely ants. However, he saw no connection to the Lu family.
"If you can survive until the end, perhaps you will know!"
Du Qianqiu smiled faintly, found the opportune moment, and leaped out of the banyan tree forest, heading towards the outer battlefield. He had no intention of lingering here. The Black Shadow organization members were stunned. The banyan tree forest had been sealed, and Du Qianqiu was escaping alone, abandoning them. They were speechless.
Lu Fan, however, was now radiating immense power as he pursued Du Qianqiu. This was the best opportunity, and he would not let it pass. Several elders also stepped out, pursuing Du Qianqiu without any delay. Du Qianqiu had an enmity with Lu Fan, and Lu Fan had rendered great service to Dragon Country, so as elders of Dragon Country, they naturally had to assist Lu Fan.
Within the banyan tree forest, Long Aotian said coldly, "Du Qianqiu has already escaped and abandoned you. Do you still intend to struggle pointlessly? We are all martial artists of Dragon Country. If we continue to fight, it will only result in a river of blood!"
The Black Shadow organization members looked at each other, filled with despair. They had expected to return triumphantly, but the reality told them it was impossible.
"Lay down your weapons; this is your only option!" Bai Huaxue stated. "If you resist, you will pay with your lives."
The Black Shadow organization members began to lay down their weapons. They had lost their faith. Du Qianqiu had always been their leader, but they never expected that at this critical juncture, Du Qianqiu would escape alone, completely disregarding their lives.
"Secure all of them!" Long Aotian commanded. "Transport them to the Dragon Capital without any delay!"