"If you cannot explain yourselves today, none of you will leave!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Master said coldly, "As the Sect Master of the Snow Mountain Sect, how can I allow you to take them away!"
"In ancient times, the Snow Mountain Sect was nothing. To think that in this era of declining Dharma, they would speak with such arrogance!"
The man in black sneered, "Let alone you, even the founding ancestor of the Snow Mountain Sect would bow to me if they were here!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Master trembled slightly. Not many dared to utter such words in this world. This man in black before him likely had an extraordinary background.
"Regardless of your sect or origin, should you not introduce yourself?" the Third Elder said, "If you have a prominent background, then so be it!"
"You are not qualified to know!"
The man in black's expression was calm, his words carrying a sense of age, "These few individuals are not for you to interfere with!"
"This is truly infuriating!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Master was furious. His aura turned sharp as he glared at the elder in black, "Since you insist on meddling, do not blame me for being ruthless!"
As soon as his words fell, the Snow Mountain Sect Master moved like a ghost towards the elder in black, unleashing his life's learning.
He knew very well that the man in black was exceptionally powerful, and if he didn't go all out, he might not be able to contend with him.
"Does the light of a firefly dare to compete with the radiance of the moon!"
The man in black stomped his foot on the ground. In that instant, an invisible wave of energy erupted. Before the Snow Mountain Sect Master could react, he was sent flying back dozens of steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, his arm numb.
"How is this possible!"
Everyone was greatly shocked. The Snow Mountain Sect Master was a Quasi-Emperor, and to suffer such repeated setbacks was a huge blow to them.
The Snow Mountain Sect Master stopped, his mouth twitching. He was very confident in his own strength and could not understand how things had come to this. The elder in black before him was far superior in power.
"War Emperor level!"
Lu Fan exclaimed, "If I'm not mistaken, he is even stronger than Patriarch Huoshan!"
"I sense it too!" Long Yi nodded, "Then why is he saving us?"
Lu Fan shook his head. Even he did not know, and was even more perplexed. Under normal circumstances, he didn't seem to know such a master.
"I have already held back. If you insist on making a move, do not blame me for my ruthlessness!"
The man in black said coldly, "The Snow Mountain Sect is truly declining. Even its Sect Master is merely a Quasi-Emperor!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Master's face turned ashen. He was no match for the man in black, and any rash move would surely lead to his demise. However, the humiliation today filled him with resentment.
"Since Senior insists, I have nothing more to say!"
The Snow Mountain Sect Master said coldly, then turned to leave. The situation had reached this point, and he could only lead his disciples away. Any hesitation might cause displeasure.
The strength of the man in black far surpassed his imagination.
After the Snow Mountain Sect disciples left, Lu Fan breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the man in black, "Thank you for your assistance, Senior. If not for your intervention, we would have been in danger!"
"No need to thank me!"
The man in black waved his hand and then removed his veil, "I am from the Ye family! I request that you all accompany me!"
"From the Ye family?"
Lu Fan was surprised, "I do not know you, Senior, and furthermore, I need to return to Longdu, so I am afraid..."
"Although you do not know me, you carry an unusual aura!"
The man in black said directly, "Moreover, I have investigated and confirmed that you are a descendant of the Lu family. This is absolutely correct!"
"Could it be that Senior has a connection with the Lu family?" Lu Fan asked with slight surprise.
"It is inconvenient to say certain things now!"
The man in black smiled lightly, "If you accompany me to the Ye family, you will naturally understand everything!"
"Since Senior has said so, I cannot refuse!" Lu Fan nodded slightly, "However, Senior's strength is extraordinary, how can it be related to my Lu family!"
"Do you have a stone with you?"
The man in black said directly, "That stone contains energy, and I believe you know it!"
"Little Fan, don't listen to his nonsense!"
Long Yi quickly stepped forward, "Although this old man saved us, he does not seem to have good intentions!"
The man in black smiled faintly, glancing at Long Yi, then at Lin Ke, "I never expected that the three of you would end up together. Is this fate!"
"What do you mean by that?"
Long Yi said coldly, "You old man looks extremely mysterious, and you don't seem like a good person!"
"Long Yi, do not speak carelessly!"
Lu Fan interjected, "Since this Senior has helped us, there must be a reason!"
"Can't you tell? He is after the item in your hand, just like Canglong Academy!" Long Yi said directly, "If you trust him, you will be deceived by him!"
Although Lu Fan had doubts, he felt that this old man before him did not seem like a bad person. He radiated a noble and upright aura, which commanded respect.
"The three of you possess inherited items, and this must be destiny that has brought you together!"
Old Man Ye San said directly, "If you trust me, follow me to the Ye family, and I will tell you everything from beginning to end!"
"Can't you do it here?" Long Yi asked coldly.
"I am Old Man Ye San of the Ye family, also known as the Third Ancestor of the Ye family!"
Old Man Ye San stated, "In ancient times, numerous sects flourished, and the most powerful was the Netherworld Hall. At that time, the Netherworld Hall wreaked havoc upon the world. The five ancient great clans joined forces to suppress the master of the Netherworld Hall. As descendants of the five ancient clans, you will inevitably walk the same path in the future! The blood flowing in you will ultimately make you extraordinary!"
"The five ancient great clans?"
Lu Fan was even more confused, "Do you mean to say that my Lu family is also one of the five ancient great clans?"
"Indeed!"
Old Man Ye San said directly, "Besides that, there are the Lin family and the Long family, all of whom are among the five ancient great clans. Your being able to come together is also destined by fate!"
"Why should we believe your one-sided words!" Long Yi said coldly, "I think you are just talking nonsense here!"
"Canglong Academy is an affiliated force of the Netherworld Hall. As a disciple of Canglong Academy, how could you not know?"
Old Man Ye San smiled faintly, "However, it is still too early to speak of these things. Your strength is still insufficient to resist the Netherworld Hall!"
Long Yi trembled slightly. During his time at Canglong Academy, he had indeed heard of the Netherworld Hall, albeit in a rather hushed and unclear manner. However, he knew that Canglong Academy's desire to seize the Starfall Stone from Lu Fan was related to the Netherworld Hall.
This made sense, but it still puzzled him as to why the Netherworld Hall would do this.
"Senior knows so much, you must also know the purpose of my Starfall Stone?"
Lu Fan asked solemnly, "Why do they all want to snatch it?"