"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 one had experienced the Outer Territories battlefield, they would understand its conditions, making it easier to go there in the future.
After Lu Fan left, Han Bing returned to the pavilion, drawing the curious gazes of everyone present.
"What did you say to Lord Lu?" Long Aotian asked in surprise. "He seemed quite happy!"
"Just some comfort!" Han Bing shrugged. "Captain, what do you think I said?"
"Han Bing is truly capable!" Jian Ying commented. "If we had gone to comfort him, it might not have been as effective!"
"Don't speak carelessly!" Han Bing cautioned. "Lord Lu is a married man. If this were overheard, you'd be the one in trouble!"
"What's wrong with being married! Lord Lu is so outstanding, I doubt he'd mind even if he had a few companions!" Jian Ying teased.
Han Bing's face turned ashen, filled with displeasure, while the Dragon Group members erupted in laughter, further fueling his embarrassment and anger.
As night deepened, a figure was already waiting outside Tianquan Villa.
Han Bing, clad in black, approached Lu Fan. "My lord, you've been waiting long!"
"I just arrived myself!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Do you need to wear black to go to the Outer Territories battlefield?"
"It's safer to go at night wearing black!" Han Bing smiled. "And it's harder to be identified!"
"Is that so?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, putting on the black attire.
"Indeed. If detected by others, it would expose Dragon Country's hidden strength!" Han Bing said with a serious expression. "This is extremely important for the nation!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly and said nothing more.
However, as soon as they left Tianquan Villa, two figures appeared, looking in the direction Lu Fan and Han Bing had gone.
"The captain is indeed sharp; he guessed correctly!" Jian Ying whispered. "Should we follow them?"
"There's no need for that."
Long Aotian waved his hand. "Lord Lu is not weak. Anyone capable of pursuing Shangguan should be able to handle the Outer Territories battlefield without danger!"
"That's for the best then!" Jian Ying nodded. "The combat power Lord Lu displayed today has likely reached the War King realm. With this, our Dragon Country has gained another War King-level expert. In future power struggles among nations, he will surely play a significant role!"
"I don't think so!" Long Aotian shook his head. "Although Lord Lu is from Dragon Country, he might not necessarily act for Dragon Country, much like the three hidden Grandmasters. With so many experts, did they ever intervene when Dragon Country was in crisis?"
"Lord Lu is different from them!" Jian Ying stated firmly. "Lord Lu, in his heart, is like us; he cares for Dragon Country, but he's unwilling to reveal his true feelings!"
"Let's hope so!" Long Aotian nodded slightly.
Meanwhile, in a certain area of the Outer Territories battlefield, two figures stood atop a peak, gazing down at the land below.
"This is the Outer Territories battlefield!" Han Bing announced. "Those areas below are the strongholds occupied by various countries!"
Looking at the numerous strongholds resembling cities, Lu Fan was somewhat surprised. "What are these strongholds used for?"
"The Outer Territories 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. "Thus, the more strongholds a country possesses, the stronger it is!"
"How many strongholds does 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 Dragon Country's situation already this grim?" Lu Fan raised an eyebrow.
"Dragon Country should be teeming with experts, but unfortunately, some people are utterly wicked!" Han Bing gave a wry smile. "For their own benefit, they defect to enemy nations, or some experts choose to remain in seclusion rather than fight for Dragon Country!"
"So, during the battle at Baiyun Peak, you all risked your lives to protect many martial arts masters!" Lu Fan nodded solemnly. "You truly put in the effort!"
"Martial arts are Dragon Country's only means of enhancing its fighting strength. Any mishap would have a fatal impact on Dragon Country!" Han Bing said seriously. "In the Outer Territories battlefield, 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 deploy experts!"
Lu Fan asked in surprise, "Why are Dragon Country's strongholds so few?"
"It's indeed not difficult to seize strongholds, but the Outer Territories battlefield is vast. Without experts to guard them, strongholds cannot be stabilized!"
Han Bing stated frankly, "A stronghold requires at least one War Spirit Commander and two Grandmasters to support it!"
"No wonder the dignified Dragon Country doesn't have many experts within its borders; it turns out they are all in the Outer Territories battlefield!" Lu Fan sighed deeply.
"Within a hundred miles ahead is a 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 experts do they have that make you so wary?"
"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 unharmed!" Han Bing's expression was serious. "The Black Shadow Organization has accumulated strength over many years and possesses numerous experts! They have eighteen strongholds!"
"Eighteen strongholds?"
Lu Fan frowned. The dignified Dragon Country had only thirty-six strongholds in the Outer Territories battlefield, yet the Black Shadow Organization had eighteen, implying at least dozens of Grandmasters and dozens of War Spirits.
Such terrifying combat power would likely make even Dragon Country tremble.
"My lord, you've learned enough about the Outer Territories battlefield!" Han Bing smiled. "Should we leave now?"
Looking at the Black Shadow headquarters, Lu Fan's eyes gleamed with intensity, but he had promised Han Bing not to act rashly.
Moreover, 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 an advantage against the Ninth Elder.
Thinking of this, Lu Fan couldn't help but smile wryly.
"Actually, with your influence, my lord, you could establish your own stronghold in the Outer Territories battlefield!" Han Bing said with a smile. "Training in the Outer Territories battlefield can also further improve your strength!"
Han Bing's eyes flickered. Lu Fan had a good relationship with Dragon Country. If he had a presence in the Outer Territories battlefield, it could serve as a strategic link to Dragon Country, which would be a good choice for the nation.
"That's a good idea!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, feeling a touch of interest. The Qingyun Sect had many experts; if they were to come here for training, it would be beneficial in the future.
The Black Shadow Organization was powerful, and Lu Fan dared not underestimate them. He would need to possess equivalent strength before daring to attack the Black Shadow.
Glancing around, the two then departed.
However, along the way, they heard shouts of combat. Over a dozen figures were surrounded by numerous experts, with the woman in the lead holding a spiritual herb and her gaze sharp as she looked at the surrounding experts.