Within Juling City, something had happened, causing the Baili family to dispatch numerous guards, stirring up a commotion. Many martial artists watched from the sidelines.
"Could someone have offended the Baili family? I've never seen such a stir from them!"
"Don't you know yet! The head of the Baili family was beaten up at a noodle shop today!"
"Really? To dare lay hands on the Baili family head, they must be insane!"
"Who knows! I heard they aren't from Juling Country, otherwise, how would they dare to act against the Baili family!"
On the streets, many martial artists conversed, filled with curiosity about the matter.
At the same time, in a secret location within Juling City, several elders sat in a conference room, their expressions grave. The City Lord of Juling City stood by, appearing quite deferential.
"Lord Lu from Long Country is already in Juling City?"
asked the white-haired elder, who sat at the head of the table, exuding an imposing aura.
"Reporting to the Grand Elder, Lord Lu is currently at the Baihua family's residence!"
The City Lord of Juling City stated solemnly, "This matter is of great importance, and I dared not act on my own accord, hence I have come to report!"
"You have done well!"
The Grand Elder of Juling nodded. "I will personally visit the Baihua family tomorrow!"
"The Grand Elder himself is going?"
The City Lord of Juling City was slightly surprised. "Such a grand gesture, wouldn't it seem overly casual! After all, Lord Lu from Long Country is not the Grand Elder of Long Country!"
"I have long heard that Lord Lu from Long Country has achieved remarkable feats on the Outer Domain battlefield, fiercely defending the nation!"
The Grand Elder of Juling stated directly, "Such a person, Juling Country cannot afford to be negligent. I am also very eager to meet him. Make the arrangements."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
The City Lord of Juling City clasped his fists, his expression becoming even more solemn. He had initially thought the Grand Elder would send other elders to negotiate, but it seemed the matter was not as simple as that.
After the City Lord of Juling City departed, another elder spoke, "The Grand Elder personally going shows great concern for this matter. Could it be that an alliance is truly desired!"
"Cangqiong Country has always been at odds with Juling Country. This alliance is imperative!"
The Grand Elder said earnestly, "Moreover, the world is not as peaceful as it once was. Long Country is vast and resource-rich. If we can form an alliance with them, it would be an excellent thing for Juling Country!"
"But allying with Long Country means making an enemy of Cangqiong Country. With Juling Country's current strength, it might not be able to resist Cangqiong Country!"
"That is true. Cangqiong Country's strength is too formidable. If we ally with Long Country, it would pose a great threat to Juling Country!"
Several elders spoke, their eyes becoming serious. As elders of Juling Country, they dared not act recklessly.
"I am aware of all this!" the Grand Elder stated directly, "But if we don't form an alliance now, when will we? Does Juling Country truly wish to sit and wait for death? When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; I believe everyone understands this principle!"
The elders present fell silent. What the Grand Elder said was true. If Long Country were destroyed, Juling Country would be next.
They were all too aware of Cangqiong Country's ambitions.
The next morning, the Grand Elder, accompanied by several other elders, headed towards the Baihua family's residence, with the City Lord of Juling City following behind.
Their visit was a secret one, and although the commotion was not great, it still attracted some attention.
Upon arriving at the Baihua family's residence, the head of the Baihua family personally welcomed them. "The Grand Elder's personal visit, the Baihua family is honored by your presence!"
"Brother Baihua, there is no need for such politeness!" the Grand Elder of Juling smiled. "Is Lord Lu from Long Country here!"
"Lord Lu is resting in the side courtyard. I will go and invite him!" Baihua Xue said.
"No need. Guests are guests, I will go myself!"
The Grand Elder waved his hand and then stepped towards the courtyard, with everyone following.
"The Grand Elder himself has come, why didn't you inform me earlier!" Baihua Liuyun looked at the City Lord of Juling.
"The itinerary was rushed."
The City Lord of Juling City gave a wry smile. "Brother Baihua, please bear with us!"
Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, as Lu Fan stepped out of his room, he felt an immense pressure and looked towards the outside of the courtyard.
Others within the courtyard also became alert.
"Within Juling Country, someone is suppressing me with their aura!"
Gu Wen exclaimed, "Who could it be, to possess such strength!"
"Besides the Grand Elder of Juling Country, who else could it be!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly and walked out of the courtyard.
"Lord Lu!"
Baihua Liuyun smiled. "This is the Grand Elder of Juling!"
Their gazes met. The Grand Elder of Juling looked at Lu Fan, his gaze lingering, and Lu Fan also looked directly at the Grand Elder of Juling.
One gaze was sharp, the other was solemn.
"I truly did not expect Long Country to produce such a prodigy!"
The Grand Elder of Juling chuckled. "May I ask the purpose of Lord Lu's visit to Juling Country this time!"
"The Grand Elder should know that Cangqiong Country is acting like a rampant tiger, and will eventually sweep across many nations!"
Lu Fan said solemnly, "If Juling Country is willing to form an alliance with Long Country, they can then act against the tide!"
"Lord Lu is joking!"
The Grand Elder stated directly, "With the strength of Juling Country and Long Country alone, how can we move Cangqiong Country! If we ally with Long Country, Juling Country will surely be in a disadvantageous position!"
"The Grand Elder's personal visit is already a great show of sincerity!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "But what you just said seems to indicate some reservations."
"Lord Lu, Long Country is not in a good situation now. If you wish to form an alliance with Juling Country, you will likely need to show more sincerity!" another elder chuckled.
Han Yunhai frowned slightly, looking at the words before him, it seemed the elders of Juling Country had other intentions.
"It seems my trip to Juling Country this time was a miscalculation!"
Lu Fan said with a wry smile. "If the elders feel that an alliance between Long Country and Juling Country would be a burden to Juling, then I shall pretend I never came to Juling Country!"
As his voice fell, Lu Fan looked at Han Yunhai. "Prepare our luggage, we are leaving Juling Country!"
"Yes!"
Han Yunhai nodded. Although he didn't understand Lu Fan's intentions, he dared not delay.
The Grand Elder of Juling frowned. He had long heard of Lu Fan's considerable mettle, and seeing him today, he was impressed.
"Lord Lu, there's no need to rush!"
Baihua Liuyun quickly said, "How about we have lunch first!"
"Juling Country has no intention of allying, so I shall not impose further!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists. "Thank you, Head of the Baihua family, for your hospitality!"
The City Lord of Juling City stood by, bewildered.
Last night, the Grand Elder intended to form an alliance, but what he said today was completely different.
"Lord Lu, why the haste!" the Third Elder of Juling chuckled. "Juling merely wishes for Long Country to show sincerity, not that we are unwilling to ally!"
"If you truly wished to ally, why would you ask such questions!"
Lu Fan stated directly, "Long Country sending me personally is enough to prove our sincerity!"
"Well said!"
The Grand Elder of Juling chuckled. "To possess such courage at such a young age is truly rare in this world! I quite admire it."
"Thank you for your praise, Elder!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "Cangqiong Country is ambitious and seeks to annex many nations. We cannot sit idly by. If Juling Country has no intention, Long Country will not force it!"
"Alright, you young fellow, stop provoking me!"
The Grand Elder chuckled. "An alliance between two countries is not a child's play!"