"Is this real?" Lin Ke looked at Lu Fan, "Didn't I tell you not to take risks so easily!"
"There's no other way. When the life of my beloved is at stake, how can I stand by and do nothing!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Now that you've recovered, we should leave as soon as possible! I've had a bad feeling these past few days; the Cang Qiong Kingdom could make a move at any moment!"
Lin Ke nodded slightly, while Xiao Jiu rolled her eyes. "It's rare to come to Jiulong Mountain, and to leave just like that, it's truly disheartening!"
"Senior Sister Xiao Jiu, what are you saying!"
Lu Fan chuckled awkwardly. "The Long Kingdom is in urgent need, and could fall into crisis at any time, which is why I'm so anxious!"
"Since when did matters of the state become your concern?"
Xiao Jiu smiled faintly. "I really didn't realize you had this kind of free time."
"The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. As a person of the Long Kingdom, how can I let it fall into the hands of others!"
Lu Fan stated directly, his words carrying a hint of indifference, and an aura of authority that commanded respect even without anger. He appeared to possess great righteousness.
"Since that's the case, then I won't stop you!"
Xiao Jiu shrugged. "But be careful in all things. This is a turbulent time, and I don't know if we'll meet again."
"With your words, we can meet anytime!"
Lu Fan smiled. "I can come to Jiulong Mountain anytime."
"I was just speaking my mind; you don't need to take it too seriously!"
Xiao Jiu waved her hand. "It's about time. You should go! I'll inform the old man later!"
"Actually, I have an idea, but I don't know if Senior Sister Xiao Jiu would be willing!" Lu Fan smiled. "The Long Kingdom is in great need of capable people. If someone as powerful as Senior Sister Xiao Jiu could lend me a hand, we would surely be able to defeat Cang Qiong!"
Lin Ke stood by, his face showing a hint of awkwardness. He hadn't expected Lu Fan to be so direct in his intentions towards Xiao Jiu.
"You're quite calculating, kid!"
Senior Sister Xiao Jiu rolled her eyes. "But you've probably miscalculated. I won't intervene, especially in matters of the state."
"Why is that?"
Lu Fan frowned. "Senior Sister, you are also from the Long Kingdom, why are you so indifferent?"
"There are some things you don't understand!"
Xiao Jiu waved her hand. "I'm not like you, able to seek revenge and settle grudges freely! After all, my goals are not here."
"Then what are your goals?"
Lu Fan looked surprised, especially by Xiao Jiu's words, which left him bewildered.
"Alright, I've said what I should and shouldn't say. It's about time you leave!"
Xiao Jiu spoke. "After you leave, I'll be going into seclusion as well!"
Although Lu Fan was puzzled, he didn't press further and left Jiulong Mountain with Lin Ke and the others.
Watching their departing backs, Xiao Jiu turned to the old man. "Master, are we really leaving?"
"My time here is up, I will not linger,"
The old man said. "You have also reached a certain juncture and are not suited to stay here!"
Xiao Jiu gave a wry smile. "If we leave, what about Xiao Fan? His only reliance is us!"
"This kid has an extraordinary destiny; he can turn misfortune into fortune no matter what he encounters, so you don't need to worry about him!"
The old man waved his hand and said no more.
With these words, Xiao Jiu nodded slightly, not daring to say anything further.
Outside Jiulong Mountain, Long Yi looked at Lu Fan. "Leaving Jiulong Mountain this time, I don't know when we'll return. But I'm very curious, what is so powerful about Jiulong Mountain that it possesses such deterrence!"
"Actually, I don't know either!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "Although I am from Jiulong Mountain, I don't understand much about it, especially about my master! This old man is very mysterious and not an ordinary person."
"Even you don't know?" Lin Ke was slightly surprised. "You are also from Jiulong Mountain!"
"That may be so, but I am not very familiar with other matters of Jiulong Mountain."
Lu Fan smiled wryly, with a hint of helplessness. After all, he had only begun to sense in the past few days that the entire Jiulong Mountain was not simple.
In the past, when his strength was low, he thought Xiao Jiu could defeat him because his own strength was too weak. But now it seemed that was not the case. Lu Fan was already at the Battle Emperor realm, yet he still couldn't see through Xiao Jiu. This was enough to show that Xiao Jiu was deeply hidden.
As they walked, Lu Fan suddenly stopped, looking around and becoming vigilant.
"Xiao Fan, what's wrong?"
Lin Ke asked repeatedly. "Why the sudden change in your expression?"
"Be careful, everyone. I've sensed an unusual aura!"
Lu Fan stated. "We offended the Snow Mountain Sect when we went to snatch the Snow Lotus Root. The Snow Mountain Sect will surely not let this go!"
"Could it be people from the Snow Mountain Sect?" Long Yi frowned. He knew very well that such a situation could be life-threatening if mishandled.
After all, the sect leader of the Snow Mountain Sect was no ordinary person. If there was the slightest mistake, they would have no way to retreat.
"You few stole the Snow Mountain Sect's Snow Lotus, is it time you gave this old man an explanation!"
A cold voice rang out, and an old man descended from the sky, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan and the others.
The white-haired old man's voice was chilling, and the aura he exuded made people involuntarily feel a sense of dread.
"Who is this senior?" Lu Fan asked. "Could he also be an elder of the Snow Mountain Sect?"
"I am the Sect Leader of the Snow Mountain Sect!"
The white-haired old man said coldly. "You trespassed into my Snow Mountain Sect and committed such acts. If you don't provide an explanation, do you think you can just leave? Are you not taking my Snow Mountain Sect seriously!"
"The Snow Lotus has already been consumed. This matter is our fault!" Lu Fan clasped his fists. "No matter what compensation you desire, I can provide it!"
"Since that's the case, then give up your lives!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Leader said coldly. "You insulted my Snow Mountain Sect and stole the Snow Mountain Sect's Snow Lotus. How can I let you leave today!"
Long Yi frowned. "It's just a Snow Lotus; it shouldn't be a major issue for the Snow Mountain Sect. Why does the Sect Leader make such a fuss."
"What a joke!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Leader said coldly. "You trespassed into the Snow Mountain Sect and insulted it. These alone are enough reasons for you to forfeit your lives!"
"Since that's the case, it seems there's nothing more to say!"
Lu Fan chuckled. "Please, Sect Leader of the Snow Mountain Sect, make your move. If we are defeated, we deserve to die!"
Upon hearing Lu Fan's words, the Snow Mountain Sect Leader burst into laughter, his eyes flashing with coldness.
At that very moment, many figures from the Snow Mountain Sect arrived, surrounding Lu Fan and the others, exuding a powerful aura.
"Sect Leader, we cannot let these people off easily today!"
The Grand Elder spoke. "These few stole the Snow Lotus and tarnished the reputation of the Snow Mountain Sect. They must not be spared!"
The other elders nodded in agreement, harboring deep hatred for Lu Fan and his companions.
In all these years, no one had dared to disrespect the Snow Mountain Sect, let alone steal the Snow Lotus.