Returning to Zhongzhou City, Lu Fan did not head to a hotel but instead went to the Gu family.
Han Yunhai was severely injured. Although Lu Fan had helped heal him, he was still worried. Han Yunhai had followed him all this way, and Lu Fan naturally cared about him.
"Master."
Gu Wen said respectfully, "I didn't expect to be of no help at all, I'm truly ashamed."
"It wasn't your responsibility in the first place," Lu Fan waved his hand. "You don't need to blame yourself. Where is Han Yunhai?"
"He's in my room. I've already invited several traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and his injuries should be minor," Gu Wen said quickly.
Lu Fan nodded slightly and headed towards Gu Wen's room.
Han Yunhai lay on the bed, bandaged with medicinal herbs, but he had already recovered considerably.
"Sir!"
Han Yunhai tried to get up but was stopped by Lu Fan. "No need for formalities! Your recovery is what matters."
"It's just a minor injury, nothing serious," Han Yunhai said directly. "If it weren't for my carelessness, he wouldn't have been kidnapped."
"Rest assured! I have already killed all those people," Lu Fan stated. "The individuals who injured you have also met an untimely end."
"This..."
Han Yunhai was stunned. "That was thirteen Grandmasters!"
"Let alone thirteen, even if there were a hundred, I would make them all perish here," Lu Fan said coldly. "How can I let anyone who dares to lay a hand on my people go easily!"
As Lu Fan spoke, Han Yunhai felt a warmth surge within him.
With Lu Fan's arrival, the Gu family head specifically ordered the kitchen to prepare many delicacies and even brought out aged Osmanthus wine, not daring to be negligent in any way.
He had just received news that Lu Fan had killed thirteen Grandmasters at Phoenix Ridge. Such powerful combat prowess was enough to make them submit.
The Zhao family of Chuzhou and the Han family of Jiangbei were also invited, as they were friends of Lu Fan. The Gu family head naturally did not forget them.
Lu Fan originally had no intention of staying for dinner, but since Han Yunhai was recuperating at the Gu family's residence, he could not refuse.
Since the Gu family had not firmly stood with Lu Fan, Lu Fan would not interact too much with them. After all, there were some matters that even Lu Fan could not decide for the Gu family.
Some time later, in the Gu family courtyard, under a willow tree, an exquisite banquet was laid out. Everyone took their seats. Lu Fan was invited to the main seat by the Gu family head, who looked extremely sincere.
Lu Fan didn't pay much attention to it. Instead, he looked at the Han family head. "Senior, the Martial Arts Tournament is about to begin. If you intend to participate, you must be very careful."
"To be honest, I am old and did not wish to participate in the Martial Arts Tournament. However, if I can enter the Heavenly Ranking, it will be of great benefit to the family in the future," the Han family head said directly. "This is why I want to participate!"
"Old Master Han is as vigorous as ever. I truly admire you," the Zhao family head quickly clasped his fists.
"Indeed!" the Gu family head nodded and looked at Lu Fan. "If Lord Lu participates in the Martial Arts Tournament, he will surely take first place on the Heavenly Ranking and become famous in the martial arts world."
"Grandpa, you've spoken incorrectly!" Gu Long interjected. "Lord Lu is already famous, not just in Jiangnan, but throughout the entire Dragon Country, he is considered a top-tier existence."
"That's right, that's right!" Gu Wen quickly nodded. "What kind of methods does Master possess? Killing thirteen Grandmasters consecutively is simply shocking. I'm afraid even the number one on the Martial Arts Heavenly Ranking wouldn't be able to do such a thing."
"You don't need to flatter me so much," Lu Fan said softly. "I'm not interested in the Martial Arts Tournament. I came to Zhongzhou this time intending to meet Du Qianqiu, but unfortunately, he is far away in the Outer Domain Battlefield!"
"To be perfectly honest, the Outer Domain Battlefield is extremely perilous. Those who can establish themselves there have a near-zero chance of survival," Gu Long stated. "If Lord Lu wishes to go to the Outer Domain Battlefield, he must be extra careful. It is a mixed bag there, with many strongholds. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to advance even half a step alone."
"Big Brother, you're only talking about ordinary people," Gu Wen said. "Master is not ordinary!"
"I am well aware of that," Gu Long nodded repeatedly. "But the Outer Domain Battlefield is where the truly strong contend. Grandmasters are merely ants there."
"Is the Outer Domain Battlefield really that terrifying?" Han Qiushui exclaimed in shock. "It seems we are like frogs in a well."
"The Outer Domain Battlefield has abundant resources, making it a place coveted by many countries," Gu Long stated. "In the Outer Domain Battlefield, there are not only thousand-year-old spirit herbs but also countless fierce beasts. These are powerful resources that can not only improve a martial artist's cultivation but even increase a country's assets. Therefore, each country has many experts guarding the Outer Domain Battlefield. Moreover, the Outer Domain Battlefield is vast, and under normal circumstances, there will be many strongholds along each country's border lines." Su Dan Novel Network
"Then do you know which stronghold the Black Shadow Organization is in?" Lu Fan asked. "I am quite curious."
"I don't know about that!" Gu Long chuckled helplessly. "I am merely a Grandmaster, not a high-ranking general of the Dragon Country. I don't know much about the Black Shadow Organization."
"It doesn't matter!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "With so many benefits in the Outer Domain Battlefield, if I were to lead the Qingyun Sect there for training, we would surely achieve great success in time."
"This..." Gu Long shook his head. "Without peak martial arts strength, entering the Outer Domain Battlefield means certain death. There won't even be a chance to fight back!"
"Is it that terrifying?" Gu Wen was surprised. Before he broke through to Grandmaster, he was also at peak martial arts. He didn't expect to be among the weakest in the Outer Domain Battlefield.
"I can't explain many things clearly, but the Outer Domain Battlefield is by no means as simple as imagined," Gu Long said again. "What we know is merely the tip of the iceberg."
"Long'er, you must not be disrespectful. How can you speak like that in front of Lord Lu?" the Gu family head said. "Lord Lu is no ordinary person. Even if he goes to the Outer Domain Battlefield in the future, he will surely be a formidable figure."
"Thank you for your kind words, old sir!" Lu Fan smiled. "I have something I wish to ask you, old sir. May I ask it?"
"Lord Lu, please speak freely. This old man will tell you whatever I know!" the Gu family head said with a serious expression, not daring to be negligent.
"Does the Jiang family have any connection with the Black Shadow Organization?" Lu Fan asked directly.
"This..."
The Gu family head frowned. "Lord Lu, your guess is correct. The Jiang family does indeed have secret dealings with the Black Shadow Organization. I once heard that many of the younger generation of the Jiang family went to the Outer Domain Battlefield for training, and they all went to the Black Shadow Organization."
"Then that's correct!" Lu Fan's expression turned cold. "The head of the Jiang family deliberately challenged me, but it was actually a diversion."
"Since that's the case, Master, are you planning to make a move against the Jiang family?" Gu Wen asked repeatedly.
The others also looked on. Lu Fan's decision would determine the fate of the martial arts families. Perhaps this was the mark of a true powerhouse.
"Since they are connected to the Black Shadow Organization and have been plotting against me in secret, I naturally cannot let them off easily," Lu Fan said indifferently.