The white-haired elder trembled. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't pay them any mind, but that Lord Lu was quite famous in Dragon Country, and his reputation also extended to Sea Country. He knew very well.
"Old man, do you still want me to make a move?" Lu Fan's gaze fell upon the elder. "Submit or die?"
"As a strong practitioner of Sea Country, how can I be coerced and exploited by you!" The white-haired elder sneered, slowly drawing out a dagger and plunging it directly into his chest, his heart's blood flowing out.
Many Grandmasters and experts were shocked. The white-haired elder before them had chosen to end his own life, not even struggling in the end. This was extremely rare.
"Is this the martial spirit of Sea Country?"
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow and then turned to face the crowd. "From now on, Star Fort will be the headquarters of the Qingyun Sect!"
Everyone clasped their fists, not daring to disobey in the slightest.
"Ziyue, your strength is the strongest here, so you shall be the Lord of Star Fort!" Lu Fan stated directly.
"This subordinate dares not!"
Ziyue hurriedly knelt. "Star Fort was conquered by Your Excellency. How could Ziyue dare!"
"Clan Leader Ziyue, please don't misunderstand!" Han Qiushui smiled. "My master is merely letting you manage it, not giving it to you!"
"This subordinate made a vow in the Hundred Thousand Mountains never to betray Your Excellency!" Ziyue's expression was serious. "How could I dare to differentiate between yours and mine with Your Excellency!"
"Besides Star Fort, the Qingyun Sect will also occupy other strongholds!" Lu Fan said. "So you don't need to worry. I'm letting you become the Lord of the Stars for a reason!"
Hearing Lu Fan's words, Ziyue nodded solemnly. Lu Fan's trust in him made him feel embarrassed to refuse further.
"Your Excellency, I fear this matter is not that simple!" Han Yunhai spoke. "Sea Country has many powerful experts. If we move their strongholds, how can they stand idly by!"
"I have naturally considered this!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "This stronghold is not far from other Dragon Country strongholds. Sea Country would not dare to dispatch their top fighting forces, otherwise, the few elders of Dragon Country might not sit still!"
"Your Excellency intends to have Dragon Country tie them down?" Han Yunhai suddenly realized.
"Some things are not as simple as they seem!" Lu Fan shrugged. "But since we've come to the Outer Realm battlefield, it's fraught with danger!"
Meanwhile, at Sea Country headquarters, several elders sat facing each other, their eyes filled with coldness.
"What a grand gesture, occupying a Sea Country stronghold as soon as we arrive in the Outer Realm battlefield!"
One elder spoke coldly. "When did Dragon Country gain such confidence?"
"Truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!" Elder Shangguan said coldly. "I will lead people to reclaim Star Fort now! I didn't have the chance to fight that brat within Dragon Country, but it damaged my reputation. Does he really think I fear him!"
"Elder Shangguan, do not be rash!" Another elder chuckled. "If you lead the team, do you have the confidence to capture Star Fort?"
"Naturally!" Elder Shangguan said coldly. "Let the Sea Raksha people accompany us, and we will definitely annihilate them!"
"If that is the case, you must be extra careful!"
The other elders nodded. "If you cannot take it, do not engage in prolonged combat lightly. Star Fort is very close to the other major strongholds of Dragon Country. If they coordinate their efforts, it might cause trouble."
"Sea Country has over a hundred strongholds. If Dragon Country dares to make a move! We will make them pay dearly." Elder Shangguan's expression was indifferent.
The other elders subtly shook their heads. Just then, a black-clothed man wearing a mask walked in and looked at Elder Shangguan. "As an elder of Sea Country, to still have such a temper, how will you govern Sea Country in the future!"
"Elder Wuji!"
Elder Shangguan clasped his fists, his face showing embarrassment. He had not expected Elder Wuji to appear.
The last time at the Dragon Country border, if Elder Wuji had not heavily injured the Fourth Elder of Dragon Country, his life would have been in danger. He dared not show any disrespect to this masked old man.
"Elder Wuji, Star Fort has been taken. We have discussed letting Elder Shangguan lead the Sea Raksha people there!" The elders clasped their fists.
"It is a time of crisis now, Sea Country faces many dangers, and the Outer Realm battlefield is gradually losing ground. It is not advisable to engage in large-scale conflicts," Elder Wuji stated directly. "If Sea Country makes a move, Dragon Country will not stand idly by, and it will lead to a war between nations!"
"Elder Wuji, are we just going to let this matter go?" Elder Shangguan asked in surprise. "This is a stronghold in the Outer Realm battlefield, which has great importance for the nation."
"The nations are rising together. In the future, it will not only be a contest with Dragon Country, but also with other nations," Elder Wuji said coldly. "If you forcibly seize the stronghold, it will inevitably lead to a war between nations."
The elders were surprised. "According to Elder Wuji, Qingyun Sect occupies a Sea Country stronghold, and Sea Country remains silent. I fear they will become more aggressive. By then, all of Sea Country's strongholds will be lost!"
"I will handle this matter!" Elder Wuji waved his hand. "You do not need to worry. These are extraordinary times. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not easily initiate a war between nations!"
The elders frowned but dared not say more. Currently, among the elders of Sea Country, Elder Wuji held absolute authority, and they did not dare to act recklessly.
After Elder Wuji left, Elder Shangguan showed his dissatisfaction. Given his personality, how could he tolerate such a thing.
The strongholds of Sea Country were immeasurable resources for Sea Country. If they were wasted like this, it would be a loss to the nation. Sudan Novel Network
"Since the two elders went into seclusion, Elder Wuji has been in control of Sea Country for so many years, yet there has been no progress," Elder Ouyang lamented. "If this continues, I fear even all one hundred and eight strongholds of Sea Country will be lost!"
"Elder Ouyang, please do not speak so loudly!" Elder Shangguan said. "If it is overheard, it might cause a lot of trouble!"
"What are you afraid of? We are all elders of Sea Country. Even if he is powerful, can he do anything to us!" Elder Ouyang said confidently.
The other elders fell silent. Elder Wuji was powerful, definitely a strong practitioner among the elders, and they dared not offend him easily.
Meanwhile, on a peak in Sea Country, Ouyang Qingmu looked out at the outer battlefield, feeling indignant. "Who does he think he is, daring to occupy a Sea Country stronghold! Last time at Baiyun Peak, he killed so many experts from our Sea Raksha. We haven't settled that score with him yet!"
"I also just received the news!" Ouyang Qinghuo frowned. "Elder Wuji has told the elders not to act rashly. We can only wait and see!"
"Brother, you have already stepped into the Half-Step War King realm. Within Sea Country, apart from the elders, no one is your match," Ouyang Qinghuo said with a smile. "Why don't we go and see him?"
"Do you want to defy the elder's orders?" Ouyang Qinghuo frowned. "Killing him is not difficult, but have you considered that it might trigger a war between nations? This is not something Elder Wuji wishes to see!"
"We can move discreetly and act in secret, without revealing our identities," Ouyang Qingmu stated directly. "He killed so many brothers from Sea Raksha, don't you hate him?"