In these past few days, Lu Fan had been in seclusion at the hotel, but the old man had disappeared without a trace, and there was still no news of him.
The battle between Lu Fan and the Jiang family patriarch had spread like wildfire, sparking a heated discussion. Both Lord Lu of Jiangnan and the head of the Jiang family were Grandmaster realm experts. Such powerful combat naturally aroused considerable anticipation. In the past few days, many martial arts experts had arrived from Zhongzhou, paying even more attention to this matter. Even before the Martial Arts Tournament began, many were preparing to watch the show.
In a tavern, the disciples of the Overlord Blade Sect were drinking, their faces filled with excitement. They had heard the news and were even more thrilled. With the strength of the Overlord Blade Sect alone, dealing with Lu Fan was not simple, but Lu Fan had offended the Jiang family, which was akin to courting death.
"Sect Master, this matter was resolved without any effort, saving us a lot of trouble!" an elder chuckled. "We can go watch the fight tomorrow and see how that fellow Lu is defeated!"
"I originally thought that fellow Lu had some brains, but now it seems he's truly disappointing!" the Overlord Blade Sect Master sneered. "To think he wants to deal with the Jiang family; isn't that just wishful thinking!"
"Old Master Jiang is a presence on the Heaven Ranking. A mere Grandmaster from Jiangnan is simply ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!" The disciples of the Overlord Blade Sect all spoke, not optimistic about Lu Fan. At least in their eyes, Lu Fan's offense against the Jiang family was a dead end.
Shen Shan sat to the side, his brow furrowed. He didn't actually believe Lu Fan would lose. Among everyone present, only he had experienced Lu Fan's methods firsthand and remembered them vividly. Although the Jiang family patriarch was powerful, Lu Fan was not famous for nothing.
As night fell, Lu Fan completed his seclusion and was about to go for a walk when Gu Wen arrived at the hotel.
"Why are you here?" Lu Fan asked in surprise. "Coming so late, is there something important?"
"Master's attack on the Jiang family this time was likely intended to escalate the situation and draw out Du Qianqiu!" Gu Wen said. "But as far as I know, Du Qianqiu is in the extraterritorial battlefield, leading a force there!"
"How did you know that?" Lu Fan asked curiously.
"My brother is in the extraterritorial battlefield, and he has a lot of intelligence!" Gu Wen stated directly. "The Black Shadow Organization has always been mysterious; even in the extraterritorial battlefield, they hold a significant status!"
"Black Shadow Organization?" Lu Fan frowned. "I've never heard of it!"
"I've come today to remind Master!" Gu Wen said. "My brother fears implicating the Gu family, so he doesn't allow me to leave casually!"
"You are very thoughtful!" Lu Fan patted Gu Wen on the shoulder. "Your brother did the right thing!"
"Although I am a descendant of the Gu family, I am also a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. If Master is in danger, your disciple will surely protect you with his life!" Gu Wen said with a serious expression.
"Your words are enough!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly. "I am confident about the battle by the Zhongzhou lake tomorrow, so you don't need to worry!"
Gu Wen nodded solemnly, his eyes also becoming serious. He did not want anything to happen to Lu Fan; this was his most genuine feeling. After Gu Wen left, Lu Fan wandered outside the hotel alone and went into a tavern. He ordered a few bottles of wine, not paying much mind to the upcoming duel tomorrow.
"Dragon Team, it's him!" Not far from the tavern, Jian Ying said. "Lord Lu of Jiangnan, so young yet already so powerful!"
"If what you say is true, and he's a Great Grandmaster at such a young age, we can consider letting him join the Dragon Group!" Long Aotian stated directly. "The Dragon Country has lost quite a few strong individuals recently; we need fresh blood like this!"
"Naturally, there's no mistake!" Jian Ying nodded. "Why don't I go and test him myself?"
Long Aotian nodded slightly. He was the captain of the Dragon Group, possessing immense strength and holding a pivotal position even within the Dragon Country. Lu Fan was drinking when Jian Ying swayed over. "What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here!"
"Someone from the Dragon Group?" Lu Fan glanced at him. "A supreme expert!"
"You've inquired quite thoroughly!" Jian Ying smiled. "But I'm not a supreme expert. At least in the Dragon Country, to be called a supreme expert, you must be at least a War God of the Nation!"
"War God of the Nation?" Lu Fan was surprised. He had never heard of this title.
"That's right, only true powerhouses are worthy of being called supreme experts!" Jian Ying chuckled.
"I'm not interested in these things!" Lu Fan shrugged. "However, since you're here so suddenly, what is the matter?" Lu Fan's words were sharp. He knew very well that someone from the Dragon Group would not appear without a reason. He had always been vigilant towards people from the Dragon Group; with their terrifying strength, no one wanted to provoke them.
"Naturally, I'm here to cause trouble!" As soon as Jian Ying finished speaking, he struck Lu Fan with his palm. Lu Fan retreated rapidly, frowning as he took a step back, moving ten meters away.
"I have no grievances with you, why are you doing this?" Lu Fan said coldly. "Even an expert from the Dragon Group shouldn't act like this!"
"There is no one who can stop what the Dragon Group intends to do!" Jian Ying smiled faintly. "So..."
"So you're here to assassinate me?" Lu Fan sneered, taking a step towards the mountains of Zhongzhou. Many people in the tavern were stunned. It was normal to have martial arts experts as the Martial Arts Tournament was about to begin, but for someone to disappear with a single step, such a powerful existence was rarely encountered.
"Interesting!" Jian Ying smiled playfully and followed, while Long Aotian's voice transmitted: "Just a friendly spar, don't hurt him!"
"Dragon Team, don't worry!" Jian Ying smiled and increased his speed.
Not long after, Jian Ying arrived in a forest. Lu Fan stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Jian Ying. "You are a member of the Dragon Group after all; I don't wish to harm you!"
"You have quite a big mouth!" Jian Ying smiled. "In martial arts, there aren't many who can injure me!"
"Is that so?" Lu Fan sneered. "Since that's the case, I'll try today!"
In the shadows of the forest, Long Aotian watched quietly, quite satisfied with Lu Fan's demeanor. "Dragon Team, are you testing him?" Han Bing appeared, wearing a frosty dress.
"Yes, his foundation is good!" Long Aotian said with satisfaction. "If he joins the Dragon Group, I believe he will have a bright future."
"I saw this person in Chu Prefecture before; he indeed has some capabilities," Han Bing nodded. "Lord Lu of Jiangnan, who fought four Grandmasters with his own strength!"
"Such talent indeed fits the Dragon Group!" Long Aotian nodded with satisfaction.
As they were talking, Jian Ying and Lu Fan had already exchanged several blows. To Jian Ying's surprise, in such a short time, he didn't have the confidence to deal with Lu Fan.
"Members of the Dragon Group are indeed formidable!" Lu Fan retreated a few meters. "The rumors are not false."
"You also surprise me greatly!" Jian Ying said seriously. "In today's martial arts world, with hidden experts remaining secluded, no one can last more than three moves against me!"
"Jian Ying, that's enough!" Long Aotian stepped forward, with Han Bing following closely. Lu Fan looked at the person before him, becoming instantly alert. He thought Jian Ying was already terrifying, but this man before him was even more so.