After a night of rest, Lu Fan gradually stabilized his breath. Although he had suppressed his realm to the Heavenly Venerate level, he had a premonition that even in the face of a Sage, he could escape.
Leaving the city, Lu Fan followed Zhao Hanxue towards the Zhao family.
In the entire Tri-Domain, the Zhao family's strength was unquestionable, and their information network was bound to be very well-informed. If Tongtian Academy was recruiting, they would likely know immediately.
"You also ate the Immortal Fruit, why haven't you reached the Half-Saint realm?"
Zhao Hanxue suddenly looked at Lu Fan, "Could it be that you hadn't reached the Venerate realm before this?"
Under normal circumstances, after reaching the Venerate level and consuming the Immortal Fruit, one could attempt to break through to the Saint realm, or at the very least, reach the Half-Saint realm.
However, looking at Lu Fan's aura, he was only at the Heavenly Venerate level.
"Perhaps everyone is different!"
Lu Fan smiled, "Although I haven't reached the Half-Saint realm, I am quite satisfied with having this strength!"
"That is true!"
Zhao Hanxue nodded, "After consuming the Immortal Fruit, one's talent is bound to be enhanced. This trip to Shenhuang Mountain has been very rewarding!"
At the same time, at the Zhao family's gate, the Zhao family head felt his heart turn to ash. He only had this one daughter, and now she was missing, possibly dead in Shenhuang Mountain. This was naturally a great blow to him.
"Patriarch, we have searched everywhere and have not found any trace of the young lady!"
An elder strode forward, his expression heavy. He naturally hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
"Continue searching. If she's dead, we need to find her body. If she's alive, we need to find her!"
The Zhao family head spoke coldly, his heart refusing to believe it.
"Bad news, people from the Qin family have arrived!"
Just then, a man ran over in a panic, his heart filled with fear and unease.
"What's going on?"
The white-haired elder asked, frowning simultaneously, "What is all this haste and disarray!"
"Clan Elder, a large number of experts from the Qin family have arrived and are causing a commotion outside!" the man said repeatedly.
"They've come quite quickly!"
The Zhao family head's expression was indifferent. In the Tri-Domain, the two great families divided the territory, but the Zhao family had always had the backing of a Saint, giving them a slight advantage over the Qin family.
Now that their ancestor was absent, the Qin family was likely to make a move against the Zhao family.
A short while later, the Zhao family head arrived outside the main gate, where a crowd of Qin family members had already gathered.
"Zhao family head, I trust you are well!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, looking at the Zhao family head with an arrogant expression.
"Qin family head, you have brought so many experts here. For what purpose?"
The Zhao family head spoke coldly, "Although our ancestor has entered Shenhuang Mountain, he may not have met with misfortune. Your Qin family's audacity is truly immense!"
"Shenhuang Mountain has been sealed. Even if a hundred Saints were to enter, they would not be able to come out alive!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "You should know this better than I do, Zhao family head!"
"In other words, your Qin family is determined to clash with my Zhao family today?"
The Zhao family head's expression was cold, carrying a hint of chill. How majestic the Zhao family once was; how could they endure such humiliation now?
"That's not necessarily true!"
Qin Wushuang chuckled, "We have come today for only one matter: to demand that the Zhao family return the Qin family's mining rights in the Tri-Domain. If not, we will have to unleash a massacre today!"
"Qin family's mining rights?"
The Zhao family head sneered, "When did the Qin family ever have mining rights in my Zhao family's possession!"
"Zhao family head, a wise man knows when to adapt to circumstances!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "The Qin family has three Half-Saints. Your Zhao family only has you left. Do you intend to drag the Zhao family down with you?"
"Qin Wushuang, do not push your luck too far!"
The Zhao family head spoke coldly, "My Zhao family is, after all, the foremost family in the Tri-Domain!"
"When the Zhao family ancestor was present, the Qin family had nothing to say. But the current Zhao family has lost its former aura!"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "If you are unwilling, do not blame my Qin family for being heartless!"
The Zhao family head's face turned ashen. He knew very well that if they were to truly confront the Qin family, it would not be beneficial for the Zhao family.
At least, the current Zhao family was no match for the Qin family.
"Patriarch, please do not be angered!"
The Zhao family elder whispered, "Now that the ancestor is gone, the Zhao family is not as strong as before. Any misstep could lead to a family crisis!"
The Zhao family head frowned deeply. Did he not know what the clan elders were saying? But if they surrendered their mining rights, it would be equivalent to submitting to the Qin family. In that case, it would undoubtedly be a crisis for the Zhao family.
"Well, Zhao family head, have you made up your mind?"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "The three Half-Saints of the Qin family have come here, and we have never considered retreating!"
"Qin Wushuang, you should know that if the Zhao family were to unleash its full might, your Qin family would not necessarily emerge unscathed!"
The Zhao family head said coldly, "Do you truly intend to make an enemy of the Zhao family?"
"Enough of this nonsense!"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "Since you are unwilling to hand over the mining rights, do not blame my Qin family for being heartless!"
Qin Wushuang waved his hand, and the Qin family's experts gathered, displaying considerable arrogance, completely disregarding the Zhao family.
If it were in the past, the Qin family would not have dared to act rashly. But the current Zhao family was merely a paper tiger, without a Saint to back them, they naturally would not receive respect from others.
"Zhao family disciples, where are you!"
The Zhao family head's voice was icy, "Today, if anyone dares to step into the Zhao family, they will be killed without mercy!"
"We respectfully obey the Patriarch's orders!"
The Zhao family members were indignant and prepared to die.
The Zhao family had never suffered such humiliation before. Now that they had reached this point, they had nothing more to say.
"It seems the Zhao family is determined to stand against the Qin family!"
Qin Wushuang sneered. Even if the Zhao family resisted desperately, he would not care. After all, in his eyes, it was not difficult for the Qin family to destroy the Zhao family.
"The Qin family truly has great audacity, to bully their way to my Zhao family's doorstep!"
Just as the two forces were about to clash, a cold voice rang out. Zhao Hanxue strode forward, exuding an imposing aura.
"Xiao Xue!"
The Zhao family head was suddenly startled, and then filled with joy. He had thought Zhao Hanxue was dead, and he never expected her to return alive.
"Father!"
Zhao Hanxue walked forward, her emotions showing. During her last time in Shenhuang Mountain, she had almost believed she would die and never see her father again. Now, seeing him again, her heart was naturally touched.
"A mere young girl dares to interfere in family matters?"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "You had better advise your father not to act rashly!"
"Young girl?"
Zhao Hanxue sneered, and with a wave of her hand, a powerful aura struck towards Qin Wushuang.
Sensing the Half-Saint aura, Qin Wushuang immediately retreated, his heart filled with shock. He wondered when the Zhao family had gained another Half-Saint expert.
"Xiao Xue, your aura!"
The Zhao family head's body trembled, his disbelief palpable. Zhao Hanxue had actually reached the Half-Saint cultivation.
"I secretly entered Shenhuang Mountain and consumed the Immortal Fruit, which is why I have this cultivation!"
Zhao Hanxue stated, "Although our ancestor is absent, as long as I am here, the Zhao family will not be bullied by others!"