"Captain, what do we do now?" Han Bing looked at Long Aotian.
Their mission was to secretly protect Lu Fan, and now that their identities were exposed, it felt somewhat comical.
"The Hundred Thousand Mountains are full of insects and ants, and the Tianyun Hall has no ill intentions. Our mission can be considered complete," Long Aotian stated directly.
The members of the Dragon Group understood implicitly and headed towards the Arctic tribe. They had endured considerable hardship in the Hundred Thousand Mountains these past few days, and now that they could have a good meal, they wouldn't miss the opportunity.
Meanwhile, within the Arctic tribe, Han Qiushui ordered a large table to be prepared. The Dragon Group members ate ravenously, but none dared to mock them lightly.
Judging by their auras alone, the members of the Dragon Group were on par with the tribal chief. Such powerful beings, no matter what they did, were beyond their discussion.
"So, Lord Lu has so many experts behind him!" Patriarch Ziyue was shocked. "Fortunately, I was wise that day, otherwise, we would have been in great trouble!"
"Our Patriarch is truly formidable!"
A Grandmaster spoke, clearly aware that if not for Patriarch Ziyue, their entire tribe would likely have been hunted down.
"I was merely lucky. Lord Lu is the truly厉害 one," Patriarch Ziyue stated. "Not only is his talent extraordinary, but he also has so many people protecting him, and even the elders of Tianyun Hall show him utmost respect!"
"I say, Lord Lu, how did you discover us?" Jian Ying asked, eating and looking at Lu Fan.
"I discovered you when I arrived!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Even though you concealed your auras, it's not that easy to hide from me!"
"Since you discovered us so early, why didn't you invite us in earlier?" Han Bing shot him a look. "You made us sleep in the wilderness!"
"If I'm not mistaken, your purpose in coming to the Hundred Thousand Mountains was to protect me," Lu Fan shrugged. "Even if I had invited you in earlier, you might not have been willing."
"I really didn't expect you to be so narcissistic!" Jian Ying retorted grumpily. "We were just casually strolling through the Hundred Thousand Mountains!"
"Oh, really?"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, a smile instantly appearing.
The three elders of Heaven, Earth, and Cloud exchanged meaningful glances, saying nothing further, yet their hearts churned with mixed emotions.
No wonder even the Sect Master of Tianyun Hall cared so much. Lu Fan had the protection of Dragon Country's experts when he traveled. If anything were to happen to Lu Fan in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, Tianyun Hall would likely be held responsible.
After the feast, the members of the Dragon Group took their leave without lingering. Their mission was complete, and Dragon Country had many other places that needed them.
After the Dragon Group departed, the three elders smiled and said, "Lord Lu truly has many friends. To have Dragon Country treat you with such importance is a testament to your status!"
"Please, elders, refrain from such praise!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "You elders are no ordinary individuals, and you possess the strength of War Kings. Do you know how much influence a War King has in the Outer Realm battlefield?"
"The Outer Realm battlefield?" The three elders frowned. "We have been in the Hundred Thousand Mountains for decades and have never left. We also do not involve ourselves in worldly affairs!"
"Forgive my frankness, but you three elders are not bad people! With such formidable strength, why not serve Dragon Country?" Lu Fan stated directly. "Dragon Country's borders are repeatedly violated, and the experts of the Sea Country covet our territory, bullying our Dragon Country as if we have no one. You three elders are highly respected, and even more so as War King powerhouses. Even if you merely held a position at headquarters, it would make enemy nations wary."
"Lord Lu, you are unaware," Elder Tian said with a smile. "What you just said has touched upon a forbidden topic!"
"Indeed," Elder Yun nodded. "Sect powers will never join Dragon Country. These are the rules from over a decade ago, and no one will easily break them."
"Who says sects cannot contribute to the nation?" Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "If sects do not wish to join, does that mean they cannot defend against foreign enemies in the Outer Realm battlefield?"
"This..."
The three elders were speechless and looked embarrassed.
"I believe the various sects merely wish to preserve their own strength. As for the fate of the nation, it has nothing to do with you," Lu Fan stated directly. "If everyone were like you, who would defend Dragon Country in the future? Could you honestly believe that when enemy forces invade, they wouldn't also threaten Tianyun Hall?"
"Lord Lu's words are like a divine revelation!" Elder Tian suddenly stood up. "We are deeply impressed. Since its establishment, Tianyun Hall has absorbed many strong individuals. If Lord Lu ever needs our help in the future, Tianyun Hall will certainly assist!"
"That would be for the best!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly. "As long as we are united and protect the country and its people, how would people from other nations dare to offend us so easily?"
The three elders nodded in succession, showing considerable approval for Lu Fan. However, there were sect regulations that prevented them from breaking certain norms too easily, as it would cause a ripple effect in the martial world.
"What I said earlier was from the bottom of my heart. If I have offended you in any way, please do not hold it against me, elders!"
Lu Fan clasped his hands, and at the same time, poured wine for the elders. "If we are able to fight side-by-side against enemies in the future, I, Lu, will toast you first."
"Rest assured, Lord Lu, if that day truly comes, Tianyun Hall will never stand idly by," Elder Tian stated directly. "We understand the principle of 'When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold'!"
"'When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact!'"
Lu Fan stood up and smiled. "Having these words from you elders is enough!"
After the three elders left, Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction. This trip to the Hundred Thousand Mountains was not in vain. Being able to befriend three War Kings might prove useful in the future.
"Lord Lu is truly a divine being!" Patriarch Ziyue exclaimed. "To be able to drink and converse with him, and to hear those words just now made my blood boil. Previously, in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, we were always focused on tribal conflicts, but I never realized that 'When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact!'"
"It is a good thing to have such awareness!" Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction.
Meanwhile, on the road, the three elders exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile wryly. "When the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact.' These words are not wrong, but Lord Lu does not understand that sects and nations are vastly different!"
"'Nations are replaced in succession, but sects are eternal,'" Elder Di stated. "No matter who governs Dragon Country, it cannot threaten the sects. Lord Lu is, after all, too young."
"That cannot be said entirely. Lord Lu, at such a young age, has such passion. He is someone I truly admire," Elder Yun stated directly. "If Lord Lu summons me to the Outer Realm battlefield in the future, I will certainly go, without question!"
"Elder Yun, I am the same as you!" Elder Tian smiled. "The conversation with Lord Lu today has broadened my perspective!"
The next morning, Lu Fan and his party set off, heading towards the Outer Realm battlefield, bypassing Chu Prefecture.
Many of the experts from the Qingyun Sect needed to go to the Outer Realm battlefield for training, and there could be no delay. Only by growing stronger as quickly as possible could they protect their homes and prevent the invasion of the Sea Country.
In Chu Prefecture, at the Jiangjing Courtyard, a man dressed in a suit entered the courtyard, carrying a briefcase in his hand.