Han Bing's words plunged Jian Ying and the others into thought. Lu Fan, though gifted, required more experience, and any misstep could spell his doom in the Death Valley. However, Han Bing was correct; true powerhouses were forged in the crucible of life and death. If Lu Fan couldn't overcome this crisis, he would undoubtedly be useless in the future.
With this realization, the three fell silent. Long Aotian intended to pass on his position in the Dragon Group, and Lu Fan's growth could be a boon for them.
Meanwhile, within the Death Valley, Lu Fan exchanged blows with the Jiang family ancestor. He was inwardly surprised by the ancestor's formidable strength, exceeding his expectations.
The Jiang family ancestor stumbled back a few paces, fixing his gaze on Lu Fan. "I truly never imagined you to be this strong. No wonder you annihilated my Jiang family!"
"Your techniques are also quite impressive, Senior!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "You are perhaps the strongest opponent I've encountered. Could this be the legendary Great Master, the War Spirit realm?"
"Indeed, I broke through to the War Spirit realm years ago," the Jiang family ancestor stated frankly. "If you hadn't destroyed my Jiang family, I wouldn't have personally emerged from seclusion."
"Senior's strength is considerable, and I am no ordinary person. If we are to fight to the death, it is hardly worth it," Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Why don't we both take a step back, and let this matter end here?"
"End here?" The Jiang family ancestor burst into laughter. "And my entire Jiang family is simply wiped out by you like this?"
"That was not my intention. If the Jiang family hadn't colluded with the Black Shadow Organization, I wouldn't have come seeking retribution," Lu Fan shrugged. "Senior, reaching such a cultivation realm must have been arduous. Why court such risk?"
"Only I remain of the Jiang family. How can I let you go?" the Jiang family ancestor said coldly, unleashing a palm strike towards Lu Fan.
This palm contained the power of heaven and earth, diverting the entire waterfall and causing the Death Valley to tremble. Fortunately, Lu Fan's speed was exceptional, and he vanished from his previous position in an instant.
"You likely cannot harm me!" Lu Fan chuckled. "You also cannot defeat me today, and I do not wish to engage you. After all, cultivating for a century is no easy feat. To perish like this would be truly regrettable."
"You are a glib-tongued boy with a rather large ego," the Jiang family ancestor retorted coldly. "I have roamed the martial path for many years, and now I am in the War Spirit realm. Do you think I can still be defeated by you?"
"That remains to be seen. Though I am young, my name already echoes across the land," Lu Fan shrugged, producing a token. "This is the Dragon Group's decree. Do you recognize it?"
"The Dragon Token!"
The Jiang family ancestor shuddered violently. "How is this possible? How do you possess this token? Are you from Long Country?"
"You could say that!" Lu Fan nodded. "If you kill me today, the Dragon Group will not let you off. If you are defeated by me, I will not let you off easily either. So, no matter how you look at it, Senior, it is disadvantageous for you. Why not let this matter conclude here!"
The Jiang family ancestor's face turned ashen. He had weathered countless storms and feared nothing, but the token in Lu Fan's hand gave him pause.
To wield a Dragon Group token meant one was a crucial figure within the organization. If he were to eliminate Lu Fan, Long Country would undoubtedly retaliate, and he would face endless pursuit.
"Well, Senior, have you considered it carefully?" Lu Fan pressed. "I am quite serious, and I am not joking with you."
"Your possession of the Dragon Group token does indeed give me pause," the Jiang family ancestor narrowed his eyes. "But the fact remains that you annihilated my entire Jiang family. As the ancestor of the Jiang family, how can I be dictated by you?"
"So you still wish to fight, old senior?" Lu Fan said with a sigh. "This is not a good outcome!"
"Cease your prattling. Today, it is either you die or I die!" The Jiang family ancestor's expression turned icy as he lunged at Lu Fan.
He had been hesitant moments ago, but then he reasoned that even if Lu Fan was a member of the Dragon Group, he could escape Long Country after killing him and head to the outer realms. With his strength, joining other alliances would be a simple matter. If that were the case, Long Country would be powerless to stop him.
Sensing the unparalleled offensive, Lu Fan could only sigh in resignation. His combat power surged instantly as he lunged at the Jiang family patriarch.
The two figures clashed in the Death Valley, causing devastation. Many within the Death Valley cried out in alarm, wondering what celestial beings were fighting. Such a grand spectacle was unprecedented in their experience.
As time passed, numerous martial arts experts arrived at the Death Valley, but they dared not approach. They were acutely aware that the residual energy from such powerful combatants was more than they could withstand.
The Han family patriarch and others had arrived. Witnessing the potent aftershocks, they found themselves unable to intervene.
"Gu Wen, what exactly is happening?"
Gu Long turned to Gu Wen. "Is this old man truly the Jiang family ancestor?"
"Indeed, he is the Jiang family ancestor," Gu Wen replied seriously. "I wanted to intervene, but it seems even Grandmasters are powerless in this situation."
Gu Long also frowned. They had brought several Grandmasters, but they had no idea how to offer assistance.
"I never imagined the Jiang family ancestor to be so formidable. He likely surpasses the Grandmaster realm," the Gu family patriarch remarked. "If this continues, will Master Lu be in danger?"
"He should be fine!" The Han family patriarch interjected. "Master Lu is not at a disadvantage. Besides, although this Jiang family ancestor is powerful, he is also advanced in years. In a battle of attrition against Master Lu, he is bound to falter."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. This analysis seemed quite astute. The Jiang family ancestor's inability to defeat Lu Fan meant he would likely be exhausted after some more time.
Lu Fan, being in his youth, possessed vigorous blood and superior stamina.
Seeing himself becoming increasingly strained, the Jiang family ancestor also frowned. "To think that even with my personal intervention, I cannot suppress you! Truly astonishing!"
"I told you earlier, let's both take a step back," Lu Fan shrugged. "Unfortunately, you refused! Since that is the case, I can only ensure your demise here!"
"Such an arrogant brat!" The Jiang family ancestor's expression turned frigid. "I shall see how you ensure my demise here!"
The Jiang family ancestor abruptly swallowed a pill, his aura instantly surging, and even his bodily functions underwent a change.
"What is happening?"
Gu Wen's concern spiked. The Jiang family ancestor's aura was continuously escalating, stirring unease. They were all martial experts and could clearly sense the shift in the Jiang family ancestor's presence.
"He's using a pill to boost his combat power!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Generally, such pills come with significant bodily damage upon cultivation. Why go to such lengths!"