For many years without seeing each other, they must have had much to say. Gazing at the beautiful scenery by the river, Lu Fan felt quite content.
However, at this very moment, Lu Fan suddenly looked towards the rear, sensing a sense of crisis. Directly behind him, a woman in black, with sharp eyes, had been staring intently at Lu Fan.
"Who are you?"
Lu Fan was somewhat alerted. The aura of the black-clothed person before him was formidable. Besides Long Yi, this person was likely the strongest he had ever encountered.
"Someone from Cang Long Academy!"
The black-clothed woman smiled slightly, "Lord Lu, have you been well!"
"Cang Long Academy."
Lu Fan's expression turned cold. "It seems you've come for me!"
"Indeed!"
The black-clothed woman narrowed her eyes. "Hand over the Star Meteorite, and your life can be spared. You must understand, Cang Long Academy wants the Star Meteorite, not your life!"
"What if I don't hand it over?"
Lu Fan shrugged his shoulders. "Will you attack me then?"
"A wise man knows when to adapt. This Star Meteorite is nothing to you!" the black-clothed woman stated frankly. "If you refuse to hand it over, not only will you be in trouble, but those around you will also suffer!"
"The thing I detest most in this life is being threatened!"
Lu Fan's expression turned icy, and his aura instantly erupted. He stepped towards the black-clothed woman, unwilling to let those around him be harmed.
The black-clothed woman did not confront him head-on but continuously fled forward, her speed incredibly fast, seemingly intentionally avoiding engagement.
In the blink of an eye, the black-clothed woman entered the forest. Lu Fan blocked her path. "Cang Long Academy truly has hidden masters; any random person they send is a top expert!"
"This world is vast, and many things are beyond your comprehension!"
The black-clothed woman smiled. "If we were to truly fight, you would not be my match!"
"If that's the case, why didn't you attack me by the river?" Lu Fan asked coldly. "Are you perhaps wary of something?"
"Cang Long Academy has many disciples. If I can bring back the Star Meteorite early, I will surely be promoted in the future," the black-clothed woman sneered.
"So you lured me here fearing Long Yi's knowledge?"
Lu Fan chuckled faintly. "A clever plan indeed. To snatch credit, you leave no stone unturned!"
"What do you know? In Cang Long Academy, to obtain better resources, you must have value!" the black-clothed woman said coldly. "Senior Sister Long Yi is so strong because she has abundant resources. If these resources were mine, I wouldn't be any worse than her!"
"Enough with the nonsense. If you want to fight, let's get straight to it!"
Lu Fan's expression was frigid. He wanted to see the black-clothed woman's true strength, given her actions.
At that very instant, the black-clothed woman lunged at Lu Fan, without any hesitation, heedless of the consequences.
Lu Fan dared not be careless and unleashed his full power, striking towards the black-clothed woman.
*Boom...*
An explosion sounded. The black-clothed woman's face turned ashen, and her body retreated rapidly. Lu Fan also frowned and retreated several dozen meters.
"I never imagined that in this mortal realm, the younger generation could possess such ability!" the black-clothed woman exclaimed. "If you were in Cang Long Academy, you would undoubtedly be an outstanding disciple!"
"Strength at the level of Battle Emperor is merely considered outstanding?"
Lu Fan chuckled. "Cang Long Academy is indeed extraordinary; this is quite surprising!"
"Although your strength is not weak, if I go all out, you will still be no match for me."
The black-clothed woman said coldly, "Hand over the Star Meteorite now, and there might still be a sliver of hope!"
"You talk too much!"
Lu Fan's figure surged forward again, his eyes filled with a cold glint. He was already infinitely close to the Battle Emperor realm, and his actual combat power could even rival a Battle Emperor. While the black-clothed woman before him was indeed slightly stronger, Lu Fan, by fighting with his life on the line, might be able to force her back.
Sensing Lu Fan's formidable aura, the black-clothed woman also became serious. She continuously engaged Lu Fan. She knew very well that as long as she defeated Lu Fan, she could obtain the Star Meteorite and return to Cang Long Academy early to gain more resources.
As time passed, the black-clothed woman's expression grew solemn, and blood began to trickle from the corner of her mouth.
Although Lu Fan's aura was not as powerful as hers, for some reason, the combat techniques Lu Fan displayed were subtly superior.
"The tragedy eighteen years ago was entirely caused by Cang Long Academy. Today, I will deal with you first!"
Lu Fan's expression was frigid. "To bring peace to the souls of my parents in heaven!"
The black-clothed woman's expression shifted. Lu Fan's strength grew with each passing moment. If this continued, she might be buried here today.
With this thought, the black-clothed woman fled into the distance, no longer daring to engage lightly. She was already heavily injured, and if she continued to grapple with Lu Fan, she had no absolute certainty of victory.
Seeing the black-clothed woman retreat, Lu Fan stood his ground, not pursuing, his eyes still filled with a cold light.
*Pfft...*
Suddenly, he coughed up a mouthful of blood, and Lu Fan knelt on one knee, feeling utterly drained.
If he hadn't steadied his injuries and forced himself to endure, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
The black-clothed woman's strength was superior to Lu Fan's. All he could do was intimidate her into retreating. Only then could he escape unharmed; otherwise, he would have likely met his end today.
Meanwhile, within the courtyard, Yang Shihai and Yang Shiwen were still drinking, their faces beaming with smiles. After so many years, they naturally had much to catch up on.
"Zixin, come here for a moment, I want to ask you something!"
Yang Shiyun spoke, her expression slightly solemn.
"Sister Shiyun, what is it?" Yang Zixin stood up.
"You've met Xiao Fan before, so you must know him quite well!"
Yang Shiyun smiled. "Does he have any other identities that I'm unaware of?"
"This..."
Yang Zixin looked slightly embarrassed. "Sister Shiyun, shouldn't such matters be asked of Xiao Fan himself?"
"If he were willing to say, why would I ask you!"
Yang Shiyun sighed helplessly. "Xiao Fan is very secretive; it seems he's unwilling to disclose many things!"
"Sister Shiyun, if Xiao Fan doesn't wish to reveal it, he must have his reasons!"
Yang Zixin said earnestly. "You don't need to worry too much; in any case, Xiao Fan is no ordinary person!"
"No ordinary person?"
Yang Shiyun became even more curious. What was initially just a question had now made her even more eager to know the truth.
"Ahem, I promised Xiao Fan that I wouldn't reveal anything about him!"
Yang Zixin chuckled awkwardly and then sheepishly left.
After all, he was a person of great integrity, and betraying Lu Fan would be too dishonorable.
Yang Shiyun was helpless; she had wanted to glean some information but had asked in vain.
However, it didn't matter. At least she could now confirm that Lu Fan indeed possessed an extraordinary identity.
On the other side, Long Yi was admiring flowers in the courtyard when Gu Wen walked up. "What did you do to Master?"