"Then it's settled. We'll meet at the entrance of Tianquan Villa after they fall asleep!" Han Bing smiled.
Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction. Once someone had been to the Outer Realm battlefield, they would understand its situation, making future visits less difficult.
After Lu Fan left, Han Bing returned to the pavilion. Everyone's gaze turned to him, filled with curiosity.
"What did you say to Lord Lu?" Long Aotian asked in surprise. "He seemed quite happy!"
"Just offered some comfort!" Han Bing shrugged. "Captain, what did you think I said?"
"Han Bing is truly remarkable!" Jian Ying commented. "If we had gone to comfort him, it might not have been as effective!"
"Don't speak carelessly!" Han Bing warned. "Lord Lu is a married man. If he overhears this, you'll be the one in trouble!"
"What's wrong with being married! Lord Lu is so outstanding, even if he has a few companions, I doubt he'd mind!" Jian Ying teased.
Han Bing's face turned ashen, showing his great displeasure. The Dragon Group members burst into laughter, further fueling his shame and anger.
As the night deepened, a figure was already waiting outside the entrance of Tianquan Villa.
Han Bing, dressed in black, approached Lu Fan. "My Lord, you've been waiting long!"
"I just arrived!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Do you need to wear black to go to the Outer Realm battlefield?"
"It's safer to go at night dressed in black!" Han Bing smiled. "And it makes it harder to be identified!"
"Is there such a thing?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes and put on the black attire.
"Of course. If others detect us, it would expose the Dragon Country's hidden strength!" Han Bing said seriously. "This is extremely important for the nation!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, saying no more.
However, as soon as they left Tianquan Villa, two figures appeared and looked in the direction Lu Fan and Han Bing had gone.
"The Captain was right, he guessed correctly!" Jian Ying whispered. "Should we follow them?"
"There's no need for that!"
Long Aotian waved his hand. "Lord Lu's strength is not weak. Someone who can pursue Shangguan should be safe in the Outer Realm battlefield!"
"That's good then!" Jian Ying nodded. "The strength Lord Lu displayed today has likely reached the Battle King realm. With this, our Dragon Country has another Battle King level expert, which will surely be of great use in future international power struggles!"
"I don't think so!" Long Aotian shook his head. "Although Lord Lu is from the Dragon Country, he might not necessarily act for it. Just like the three reclusive Grandmasters; with so many powerful individuals, did they ever intervene when the Dragon Country was in crisis?"
"Lord Lu is different from them!" Jian Ying stated firmly. "Lord Lu, like us, carries the Dragon Country in his heart, he just doesn't wish to reveal his true feelings!"
"Let's hope so!" Long Aotian nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, in a certain part of the Outer Realm battlefield, two figures stood atop a mountain peak, gazing down at the land below.
"This is the Outer Realm battlefield!" Han Bing announced. "The regions below are the strongholds occupied by various countries!"
Looking at the numerous strongholds resembling cities below, Lu Fan was somewhat surprised. "What is the purpose of these strongholds?"
"The Outer Realm battlefield is rich in resources. If a stronghold can be occupied, all resources within a hundred-mile radius will be absorbed by it!" Han Bing explained. "Therefore, the more strongholds a country has, the stronger it represents!"
"How many strongholds does the Dragon Country have?" Lu Fan inquired.
"Thirty-six!" Han Bing frowned. "I recall a few years ago there were fifty, but they were captured by enemy nations!"
"Is the Dragon Country's situation this dire?" Lu Fan raised an eyebrow.
"The Dragon Country should have had an abundance of powerful individuals, but unfortunately, some have lost all conscience!" Han Bing gave a wry smile. "For their own benefit, they defected to enemy countries, or some powerful individuals prefer to remain in seclusion rather than fight for the Dragon Country!"
"So, during the battle at Baiyun Peak, you fought desperately to protect so many martial arts experts!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly. "That was indeed thoughtful!"
"Martial arts are the only way for the Dragon Country to enhance its strength. Any mishap would have a fatal impact on the Dragon Country!" Han Bing said seriously. "In the Outer Realm battlefield, the Sea Country has one hundred strongholds, which is why they dare to be so arrogant!"
"It's not difficult to seize strongholds; one only needs to dispatch experts!"
Lu Fan was surprised. "Why are the Dragon Country's strongholds so few?"
"While it's not difficult to seize strongholds, the Outer Realm battlefield is vast. Without experts to guard them, the strongholds cannot be secured!"
Han Bing stated frankly. "Each stronghold requires at least one Battle Spirit Commander and two Grandmasters to assist!"
"No wonder the Dragon Country, despite its prestige, has so few experts within its borders; they are all in the Outer Realm battlefield!" Lu Fan sighed deeply.
"Within a hundred miles ahead is the stronghold of the Black Shadow Organization!"
Han Bing pointed forward. "We cannot go any further, or we will alert the Black Shadow Organization!"
"The Black Shadow Organization?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "How many powerful individuals do they have that you are so wary of them?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but the Ninth Elder mentioned that if he went to the Black Shadow headquarters alone, he might not be able to retreat unscathed!" Han Bing said seriously. "The Black Shadow Organization has accumulated strength over many years and possesses numerous powerful individuals! They have eighteen strongholds!"
"Eighteen strongholds?"
Lu Fan frowned. The mighty Dragon Country only had thirty-six in the Outer Realm battlefield, yet the Black Shadow Organization had eighteen, equivalent to at least several dozen Grandmasters and dozens of Battle Spirits.
Such terrifying combat power would likely make even the Dragon Country apprehensive.
"My Lord, you've learned enough about the Outer Realm battlefield!" Han Bing smiled. "Should we be leaving now?"
Looking at the Black Shadow headquarters, Lu Fan's eyes gleamed with determination, but he had promised Han Bing not to act rashly.
Furthermore, from Han Bing's earlier words, the Black Shadow headquarters was not an easy place to infiltrate.
Lu Fan was confident in his own strength, but he wasn't sure if he could gain the upper hand against the Ninth Elder.
Thinking of this, Lu Fan couldn't help but give a wry smile.
"Actually, with your influence, my Lord, you could establish your own stronghold in the Outer Realm battlefield!" Han Bing said with a smile. "Training in the Outer Realm battlefield can further enhance your strength!"
Han Bing's eyes flickered. Lu Fan had a good relationship with the Dragon Country. If he could establish a force in the Outer Realm battlefield, it would be a good choice for the Dragon Country to have them act in concert.
"That's a good idea!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, feeling somewhat tempted. The Qingyun Sect had many experts; if they were to come and train, it would be useful in the future.
The Black Shadow Organization was powerful, and Lu Fan dared not be careless. He would need to have comparable strength before daring to attack the Black Shadow.
Glancing around, the two then departed.
However, along the way, they heard shouts and the clash of weapons. Over a dozen figures were surrounded by numerous powerful individuals. The leading woman held a spiritual herb, her gaze sharp as she looked at the surrounding experts.