"Indeed, this is the Grand Elder of the Dragon Kingdom!"
The Third Elder spoke, "We were quite worried about you going to Cangqiong alone this time, which is why we awakened the Grand Elder!"
The other elders also nodded slightly. If Lu Fan hadn't been trapped, the Grand Elder would likely still be in seclusion.
However, with Lu Fan's safe return, they could finally rest assured. Su Dan Novel Network
"Grand Elder, the masters from all paths are prepared. Shall we head to Cangqiong?" the Fourth Elder inquired.
To rescue Lu Fan, the Dragon Kingdom had mobilized many of its hidden strengths. Had Lu Fan not returned safely, the masters from all paths of the Dragon Kingdom would have surely marched on Cangqiong.
"Young Lu has returned safely. Launching a large-scale operation now would be detrimental to the Dragon Kingdom!"
The Grand Elder's expression was grave, and he looked towards Lu Fan, "Young Lu, what are your thoughts?"
"As the Grand Elder said, the Dragon Kingdom's strength is too weak. Dealing with the Cangqiong Kingdom will not be easy!"
Lu Fan shook his head, "Moreover, the Cangqiong Kingdom harbors sinister intentions and will not sit idly by. It's likely they will make another move soon!"
The elders instantly fell silent. In terms of national strength alone, the Dragon Kingdom still trailed behind the Cangqiong Kingdom.
Even with the Grand Elder emerging from seclusion, it was unlikely he could solve this problem.
They were well aware that the Cangqiong Kingdom was teeming with experts, with numerous Battle Emperor level cultivators. If it came to a real confrontation, the Dragon Kingdom's power would still be far too weak.
"Rest and recuperate, and enhance the Dragon Kingdom's masters. This is the only way!"
The Grand Elder voiced, "I wonder how many Emperor realm experts are within Cangqiong!"
"At least over ten!"
Lu Fan stated frankly, "In the Cangqiong Capital, I was pursued by these individuals. Each of them was an Emperor realm expert. Although I killed two, it's enough to show the Cangqiong Kingdom's might!"
"Over ten Battle Emperors?"
The Seventh Elder's expression shifted. Among the many elders of the Dragon Kingdom, only three had broken through to the Battle Emperor realm, and if Lu Fan's words were true, it was truly terrifying.
With the Dragon Kingdom's current foundation, confronting the Cangqiong Kingdom would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
"Although the Cangqiong Kingdom has many experts, as long as the people of the Dragon Kingdom are united, they will surely overcome all obstacles!"
Lu Fan declared, his eyes filled with determination.
Not long after, the visitors who had come to see Lu Fan departed one by one. The Grand Elder, however, went to the garden.
"Grand Elder, what business do you have here?"
Long Yi glanced over, her expression growing even more indifferent.
"If I'm not mistaken, Miss Long is no ordinary person!"
The Grand Elder stated directly, "Or, to be precise, are you from an ancient sect?"
"Since the Grand Elder knows, why ask?"
Long Yi smiled faintly, "Whether I am from an ancient sect or not, it doesn't seem to matter!"
"According to ancient texts, ancient sects have strict rules and would not easily allow disciples to appear in the world!"
The Grand Elder stated, "As a person from an ancient sect, you not only helped the Dragon Kingdom but have remained here. May I ask why?"
"You seem to have misunderstood!"
Long Yi shrugged her shoulders, "To be frank, I didn't save him for the Dragon Kingdom, but because I promised Xiao Ke!"
"Then why did you approach young Lu?" the Grand Elder inquired again.
His heart was filled with worry. People from ancient sects would not act casually unless they were executing a mission.
Long Yi's appearance naturally filled him with doubt, even concern.
He was well aware that in this world, there were still many unknown powerful individuals, and these were the people from ancient sects. If they were provoked, let alone the Dragon Kingdom, even the Cangqiong Kingdom would likely be unable to withstand them.
"Grand Elder, you're asking too many questions!"
Long Yi shrugged her shoulders, "If it weren't for my friendship with Lu Fan, I wouldn't bother talking so much nonsense with you!"
The Grand Elder trembled slightly and then said awkwardly, "I was impolite!"
Long Yi ignored him further, her expression growing more indifferent as she continued to play with the flowers in her hand.
After the Grand Elder and the others left, Lu Fan came into the courtyard, "I owe you a lot this time. Otherwise, I might not have made it back!"
"No need to thank me!"
Long Yi shrugged her shoulders, "If you want to thank someone, thank Xiao Ke! If he hadn't asked me, I wouldn't have gone to Cangqiong!"
"Regardless, thank you!"
Lu Fan smiled, "The Cangqiong Kingdom also suffered significant losses this time. It's likely that in a short while, there will be a real war between the two kingdoms!"
"That is indeed true!"
Long Yi nodded, "But have you noticed anything missing from you?"
Lu Fan paused and looked at Long Yi, "Did you take my Starfall Meteorite?"
"You're only realizing it now!"
Long Yi shrugged her shoulders and tossed the Starfall Meteorite to Lu Fan, "I've examined it. This Starfall Meteorite is indeed an ancient item, and certainly not an ordinary one!"
'You seem to know quite a bit!'
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow, "I thought you took the Starfall Meteorite to report back!"
"Report back?"
Long Yi gave a wry smile, "It's been a long time since I've contacted Canglong Academy. It's likely that soon, powerful figures from Canglong Academy will emerge!"
"To deal with you?" Lu Fan's brow furrowed.
"To deal with me is also to deal with you!" Long Yi stated frankly, "You may not know how much Canglong Academy values this Starfall Meteorite!"
Lu Fan immediately fell into thought. An item that could attract the covetousness of so many factions was indeed extraordinary. What puzzled Lu Fan was what kind of power the Starfall Meteorite possessed to make Canglong Academy so concerned.
After a few days of recovery, Lu Fan's injuries completely healed, and he felt much more energetic.
"Lord Lu, the Chief Elder requests your presence!"
A member of the Dragon Organization arrived, their expression solemn.
Lu Fan was not surprised and followed directly. Now that his injuries had healed, the elders would certainly summon Lu Fan. He didn't mind this at all.
Inside the Dragon Kingdom headquarters, several elders stood tall, their eyes filled with solemnity.
Upon seeing Lu Fan arrive, their furrowed brows relaxed slightly.
"Did the elders summon me just to show me these expressions?"
Lu Fan shrugged his shoulders, "Are you trying to ask me about the specific situation in the Cangqiong Kingdom!"
"You guessed it, why ask?"
The Seventh Elder gave him a sideways glance and said, "The Cangqiong Kingdom is teeming with experts. Next time they make a move, they will surely show no mercy!"
"That is natural!"
Lu Fan nodded, "In these past few encounters, the Cangqiong Kingdom has held back, allowing the Dragon Kingdom to seize opportunities. Now that they know the Dragon Kingdom is not weak, they will undoubtedly dispatch more experts!"
With these words, the elders' expressions also became serious. What Lu Fan said was not unfounded, and they were all too aware of this.
"Young Lu, what are your thoughts?" the Third Elder inquired, "And how do you plan to respond?"
"Cough, cough, I'm not entirely sure about the specific plans!" Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "But the overall strength of the Dragon Kingdom is indeed a bit weak!"