"The nation is in peril, and I, this old man, only wished to die for my country!" Elder Jiu said with a wry smile. "Alas, my fate is not yet sealed!"
"If Elder Jiu puts it that way, are you blaming me?"
Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "I should have never intervened, lest you resent me so!"
"You brat, you know that's not what I meant!" Elder Jiu said helplessly. "But speaking of which, the combat power you displayed today far exceeded my imagination. I never expected there to be a War Emperor strongman within the Dragon Country!"
"Besides me, there should be one more, right?"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "However, the Third Elder is stationed at headquarters and will not be dispatched easily!"
"You should go rest for a while. Perhaps at night, they will launch a surprise attack," Elder Jiu said seriously. "If that's the case, tonight will surely be a fierce battle."
"Elder Jiu, rest assured, they would never dare to act like that!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "The Dragon Country's border is in danger. Under normal circumstances, they would never attack at night; otherwise, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them."
"I truly didn't realize you understood strategy so well, you brat!"
Elder Jiu nodded in satisfaction. "Given time, you will undoubtedly become a great leader!"
"Elder Jiu, you flatter me!"
Lu Fan waved his hand and produced several pills. "Take these pills; they will help with your injuries. If a major battle truly occurs, Elder Jiu, don't push yourself too hard. After all, you are the foundation of the entire Dragon Country. If even you are harmed, the Dragon Country will cease to exist!"
"When you put it that way, I dare not be so self-effacing," Elder Jiu said with a wry smile, accepting the pills from Lu Fan.
At that moment, he had been blinded by the fight, and with the enemy's overwhelming numbers, it was a desperate measure; otherwise, he wouldn't have been in such danger.
"Alright, I'll be leaving if there's nothing else," Lu Fan said. "Remember my words, you are the foundation of the Dragon Country and must not suffer any harm. Moreover, other nations are now providing aid, so we will surely win this war!"
"Why are you so long-winded, you brat?"
Elder Jiu rolled his eyes. "You weren't like this before. Is there something you're hiding from me?"
"What could I be hiding?"
Lu Fan shrugged. "I'm saying all this out of good intentions to remind you. You should recuperate! I'll be going now!"
After Lu Fan finished speaking, he left the tent. Watching Lu Fan's retreating figure, Elder Jiu felt a sense of unease. For some reason, he felt that Lu Fan was a bit off today.
As night fell, the Dragon Country's border was brightly lit. Many martial arts experts stood guard, some wounded, others recuperating. They knew very well that the Cang Qiong Country would not give up easily and could attack at any moment.
On a mountain peak along the Dragon Country's border, the disciples of the Qing Yun Sect stood at attention, fully armed and in neat rows.
Lu Fan stood at the summit, looking at the Qing Yun Sect disciples. "Our mission this time is to infiltrate Death Valley and ambush the Cang Qiong Country's reinforcements. This mission will be extremely perilous. If any of you are unwilling, I will not force you!"
"We swear to defend the Dragon Country with our lives, and we will never retreat!"
A resounding voice echoed across the mountaintop. Every individual was filled with righteous fervor. They were not only martial artists but also citizens of the Dragon Country. With the Dragon Country's defense line in critical condition, they would not allow the enemy to cross the border, even at the cost of their lives.
They understood the implications of their actions and knew that their families were within the border. Thus, they charged forward without hesitation, even if it meant their bones would be scattered.
Seeing their spirited resolve, Lu Fan nodded solemnly. He then picked up a bowl of wine. "Since everyone has made up their minds, follow me to ambush the Cang Qiong Country's reinforcements in Death King Valley!"
Lu Fan finished the bowl of white wine and then smashed it onto a rock. The other martial arts experts followed suit, their eyes filled with determination, showing no sign of retreat.
After completing these actions, Lu Fan and his group left the mountain peak and headed towards Death Valley in the extraterritorial battlefield. The infiltration into Death Valley would undoubtedly be extremely perilous.
Their footsteps were light, yet they carried a resolve to die, like peerless heroes, their figures firm and unyielding.
Meanwhile, in the camp, Elder Jiu was taking his medicine. The other elders arrived at his tent. "How is it? Are your injuries better?"
"The war is tense now, you don't need to worry about me!" Elder Jiu said. "My old life is not worth much anymore!"
"Don't say that. Today, on the battlefield, your achievements were the most glorious!" Elder Seven said with a smile. "One could say you are still vigorous in old age!"
"That's right!" Elder Four chuckled. "You were practically slaughtering everyone in sight, bringing honor to the Dragon Country's elders!"
Elder Jiu's face flushed slightly. He felt a bit embarrassed by their praise.
"By the way, have you seen that brat Lu?" Elder Jiu asked. "He visited me today and said some strange things that have left me feeling worried."
"Brat Lu?"
Elder Four looked surprised. The other elders pondered for a moment, a sense of foreboding suddenly gripping them, and they hurried outside.
When they reached the Qing Yun Sect's tent, they discovered that many of the Qing Yun Sect's experts had already disappeared, and even their beds were cold.
"What's going on? Did that brat Lu go to Death Valley?" Elder Seven said gravely. "If what he said is true, then it's a path of no return!"
Elder Four stood by, his gaze shifting slightly. He was quite resistant to Lu Fan's decision, but such a decision could indeed alleviate the Dragon Country's pressure.
"What's going on?" An elder from the Ju Ling Country approached, accompanied by elders from other nations.
"Brat Lu has already gone to Death Valley!" Elder Four stated. "If my guess is correct, they have entered the extraterritorial battlefield. It's likely impossible to bring them back now!"
"Young people indeed have spirit!" The Ju Ling elder's expression changed. Lu Fan's willingness to sacrifice himself for righteousness earned their respect, and his actions were quite moving.
At this very moment, many martial arts experts also emerged from their tents. Upon learning that the Qing Yun Sect had gone to Death Valley to intercept reinforcements, their hearts were filled with mixed emotions. The Qing Yun Sect had done too much for the Dragon Country, and their solitary mission now meant a high probability of disaster.
Elder Four gazed into the distance and bowed deeply, his eyes filled with solemnity. This battle concerned the survival of the Dragon Country, and the Qing Yun Sect's resolve further ignited their fighting spirit. The other experts also bowed, their hearts filled with admiration for the Qing Yun Sect's actions. To face death with such courage was truly awe-inspiring.
Meanwhile, in the extraterritorial battlefield, as the Qing Yun Sect disciples marched, Han Qiushui rubbed her back. "What's going on? Do any of you feel unwell?"