"I have lost!"
The Jiang family patriarch said in a deep voice, "Lord Lu of Jiangnan is a superior strategist. My Jiang family willingly surrenders!"
As soon as his words fell, the crowd on both sides of the lake erupted. This was the dignified patriarch of the Jiang family, a top expert on the Heavenly Ranking, who had surrendered without a fight.
"How is this possible!" The sect leader of the Tyrant Blade Sect's expression was ice-cold. "This is the patriarch of the Jiang family, top ten on the Heavenly Ranking. How could he lose to him!"
"Sect Leader, you may not know, but Lord Lu of Jiangnan is exceptionally skilled, and ordinary people find it hard to deal with him," Shen Shan explained. "Otherwise, how could he have gained such fame in these few years?"
"He's just a brash youngster, how could he..." The Tyrant Blade Sect leader still frowned.
"I specifically sent people to inquire in the past few days, and it seems to be related to the Dragon Group," Shen Shan added. "Under normal circumstances, such a peerless prodigy would definitely be a member of the Dragon Group. If that's the case, we cannot afford to offend him."
"The Dragon Group?"
The Tyrant Blade Sect leader was shocked. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I only received the news recently," Shen Shan said helplessly. "Therefore, Lord Lu must not be offended!"
The Tyrant Blade Sect leader sighed. He had wanted to embarrass Lu Fan, but if Lu Fan were truly a member of the Dragon Group, dealing with them would be effortless.
At this moment, by the central lake, everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with doubt. Especially the many martial arts families. They had a hundred years of heritage, and like the Jiang family, they all had Grandmasters presiding over them.
But now, the patriarch of the Jiang family voluntarily surrendered, which made them extremely worried. As martial arts families, they naturally possessed the prestige of martial arts families, especially the families of the central region, which were the pillars of the martial arts families. Now, they were willing to surrender.
"Thank you, senior!"
Lu Fan clasped his fists. He had no grievances with the Jiang family. It would be best if this battle could be resolved so amicably.
The Jiang family patriarch said no more. Stepping on the lake water, he left the central lake. As a top ten expert on the Heavenly Ranking, he had lost to Lu Fan and had no face to remain there.
On both sides of the central lake, the crowd looked at each other, their hearts slightly rippled.
"I truly never expected that Lord Lu has reached such a profound level," Old Master Gu said directly. "It is truly astonishing!"
"Grandfather, I told you before that Master would not lose," Gu Wen said. "Our Gu family will surely follow Master's lead in the future!"
"Do as you wish!" Old Master Gu nodded slightly.
Gu Long was already a citizen of the Dragon Country and would be on the battlefield abroad in the future. The Gu family would eventually be handed over to Gu Wen. If they followed Lu Fan's lead, the Gu family might even embark on a path to glory.
After all, with Lu Fan's aura, he would surely possess great authority in the Dragon Country in the future.
Leaving the lake, Lu Fan arrived at the shore and walked towards Han Qiushui and the others. "Why have you also come to the central region?"
"Naturally, to join in the excitement," Han Qiushui said with a smile. "Master is truly formidable, winning with such ease!"
"The Jiang family patriarch is not weak. I only used clever force to intimidate him," Lu Fan waved his hand and then clasped his fists towards the Han family patriarch. "Senior, are you also thinking of making a name for yourself in this martial arts tournament?"
"This old man is of advanced age and has no such aspirations," the Han family patriarch said with a smile. "The main reason for coming to the central region this time is to witness Lord Lu claim the Heavenly Ranking!"
"That's right. We came to the central region wanting to see Lord Lu," the Zhao family patriarch said. "If Your Excellency can claim the top spot on the Heavenly Ranking, we will also have honor!"
"I am not interested in being first on the Heavenly Ranking," Lu Fan chuckled. "After some time, I might be going to the extraterritorial battlefield!"
"The extraterritorial battlefield?"
The Zhao family patriarch was shocked. "Lord Lu, please don't be reckless. The extraterritorial battlefield is said to be extremely brutal, a lawless zone. Most importantly, there are countless experts there!"
"I know all of what you've said!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "But I must go!"
"Master, if you are going to the extraterritorial battlefield, please take me with you," Han Qiushui said. "It's time for me to gain some experience."
"That is not a place for you to gain experience!" Old Master Han laughed. "Even Grandmasters might not be able to return alive if they go to the extraterritorial battlefield!"
"With Master here, I will be fine," Han Qiushui said earnestly. He was now a half-step Grandmaster and had considerable backbone.
"If you go, won't you be dragging me down?" Lu Fan rolled his eyes. "I am going to the extraterritorial battlefield to find someone!"
Han Qiushui looked helpless. Lu Fan's disdain was unexpected.
"Lord Lu!"
Just then, the Gu family patriarch arrived with the members of the Gu family, his face filled with smiles. "After today's battle, our Gu family has witnessed Lord Lu's methods. It is truly admirable!"
"You flatter me!" Lu Fan chuckled. "I am quite surprised that the Gu family patriarch came to watch the match!"
"The patriarch of the Jiang family, top ten on the Heavenly Ranking, and Lord Lu is a top expert from Jiangnan. How could this old man miss such a grand battle?" the Gu family patriarch said with a smile. "May I ask if you have time today? The Gu family has prepared a humble offering of wine."
"I think it would be best not to. I have other matters to attend to," Lu Fan said with a smile. "Thank you for your kind invitation, Gu family patriarch!"
The Gu family patriarch looked slightly embarrassed but did not say much more.
Meanwhile, in a hotel in the central region, Han Yunhai was sitting cross-legged, with Du Haisheng beside him. Su Dan Novel Network.
"If you let me go, I can give you anything you want," Du Haisheng said. "My father is the leader of the Black Shadow organization, and there is nothing he cannot do."
"I don't need it!" Han Yunhai sneered. "In my life, I will never betray my master."
"You are quite loyal!" Du Haisheng said coldly. "Do you know that there are countless ordinary Grandmasters like you in the Dragon Country? If you want to become stronger, you must have reliance, and your so-called master is clearly not qualified!"
"If you say one more word, I will seal your acupoints!" Han Yunhai said coldly. "If you don't believe me, you can try!"
"You will regret your actions soon," Han Yunhai said coldly. "I was captured by the Jiang family. I assume the Jiang family patriarch has informed my father, and he will not stand idly by."
"That would be even better!" Han Yunhai sneered. "The purpose of the Master capturing you is to lure him out."
"Just him?" Du Haisheng laughed loudly. "He is not qualified! In front of my father, he is nothing but an ant!"
Han Yunhai said nothing more. Du Haisheng's acupoints had already been sealed, and he was like an ordinary person now. Han Yunhai was too lazy to bother with him.
However, at this moment, Han Yunhai's brow furrowed. He looked towards the outside of the room, as if he had sensed something.
When he walked out of the room, a figure in black flashed out. He held a long sword and rushed directly towards him. The sword in his hand also carried sword intent.
As Han Yunhai dodged, he also struck forcefully. After all, he was a Grandmaster and naturally would not be at a disadvantage.
The figure in black was agile and, in the blink of an eye, stepped towards the outside of the hotel.
Han Yunhai pursued relentlessly. On the other side, several more figures in black appeared.
"Your subordinate greets the Young Master!"
The leading figure in black clasped his fists. "The leader sent me to greet the Young Master!"
"My acupoints have been sealed," Du Haisheng said. "Unseal them for me!"
The figure in black stepped forward and unsealed Du Haisheng's acupoints before saying, "The Black Shadow organization cannot operate openly in the Dragon Country. Please leave with me, Young Master!"
"How many people did you bring!" Du Haisheng said coldly.
"All thirteen Sword Saints are here to escort the Young Master away," the figure in black said, bowing.
"Thirteen Grandmasters?" Du Haisheng nodded slightly. "If it weren't for the experts of the Dragon Group in the central region, I would definitely make that Lu fellow look bad!"
And in a forest, Han Yunhai stopped. The figure in black seemed to have disappeared.