Sensing the immense power, Lu Fan, within the forbidden grounds, frowned. He then addressed the gathered individuals, "I will go out personally. You all wait here and do not leave the forbidden grounds arbitrarily. The three major forces are looking for me; they will not trouble you, especially with the Tao family's protection!"
"No, we must accompany the captain!" Ghost Shadow declared repeatedly. "As members of the Assassin Dynasty, how can we stand by and watch our captain face danger?"
Following these words, the members of the Assassin Dynasty also nodded in agreement, displaying an unwavering resolve. Should Lu Fan give the command, they would readily plunge into fire and water without hesitation.
"I have already stated that you cannot interfere in this matter, nor are you capable of it!"
Lu Fan's expression was cold. "If anyone dares to disobey my orders, they are my enemy. You will remain here in the forbidden grounds, and I will resolve all other matters myself!"
The assembled individuals stood stunned, their hearts filled with mixed emotions. They understood Lu Fan's intentions but did not wish for anything to happen to him, and were willing to face any peril together with him.
However, Lu Fan was clear that his own potential demise was preferable to others being harmed alongside him, as this was the only way.
The young master of the Tao family, controlling the Sky-Penetrating Mirror, continuously urged the peerless divine weapon. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. These people had come to the Ancient Tao family, and a great battle was inevitable today. He himself feared nothing.
Just as the four divine weapons were about to collide, Lu Fan's figure stepped out from within the Ancient Tao family, exuding an boundless aura. Above his head floated the Divine Emperor Cauldron, radiating an awe-inspiring might.
"Haotian!"
The Elder Uncle of the Lin family looked at Lu Fan, a look of joy appearing in his eyes. "You have finally appeared. I thought you would remain hidden within the Tao family!"
"Brother Lu, quickly return. Our Tao family will ensure your safety!" the young master of the Tao family spoke, his expression grave. He had never imagined Lu Fan would appear at this moment.
"Thank you, Brother Tao, for your kind treatment. I, Lu Fan, am deeply grateful!"
Lu Fan clasped his fist in salute. "However, this matter is ultimately my own. How can I implicate the entire Tao family? Your family's actions so far have already earned my deep gratitude."
"Brother Lu, speak no more and return quickly," the young master of the Tao family urged repeatedly, a sense of dread filling his heart. He was acutely aware that Lu Fan's sudden appearance likely meant he intended to force a confrontation. If that were the case, how could he possibly accept it?
"Brother Tao, this is a matter concerning only myself. There is no need for you to say more!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "Let them come at me. This matter has nothing to do with the Tao family."
"Truly, I did not expect you to be such a loyal and righteous person!" the Saintess of Yaochi said with a smile. "If you do not wish to implicate the Tao family, then meet your death!"
"All that has transpired today is because of me and has nothing to do with the Tao family!"
Lu Fan controlled the Divine Emperor Cauldron. "If any of you wish to seek retribution, you may come for me. As for the Ancient Tao family, they are unrelated to this matter."
"Since you are willing to say this, we naturally will not make an enemy of the Tao family!" the Elder Uncle of the Lin family said with a smile. "As long as you, young man, do not associate yourself with the Tao family."
"The theft of the Peaches of Immortality from the Yaochi Holy Land was also my doing. If the Yaochi Holy Land wishes to seek justice, they may find me alone. It has nothing to do with the Assassin Dynasty." Lu Fan stated frankly. "As for the Lin family and the Xuanguang Holy Land, your true enemy is also me. I am here today, and if you have the capability, then capture me!"
After speaking, Lu Fan's figure soared into the air, accompanied by an invisible gust of wind, heading towards another mountain peak. He knew this was the Ancient Tao family's territory. If fighting were to occur here, the young master of the Tao family would not stand idly by, rendering all his efforts useless.
"Lock onto this brat's aura! We cannot let him escape!" Xuan Bei said coldly. "He dares to offend the Xuanguang Holy Land, and he will surely pay the price!"
The assembled individuals nodded in unison and, without any delay, moved towards Lu Fan, emanating an invisible aura. They naturally saw Lu Fan's actions.
At that very moment, the young master of the Tao family was about to pursue, but he was stopped by several Elder Uncles of the Tao family. "The matter has been exposed. The Ancient Tao family has indeed harbored Haotian of the Assassin Dynasty. If the Tao family intervenes, it will be difficult to quell public opinion. We ask the young master to reconsider!"
The young master of the Tao family stood frozen, anger burning in his eyes. "He is my sworn brother. How can I stand by and watch him suffer? Esteemed Elder Uncles, please do not interfere!"
"The Tao family is not solely yours. To have gone this far is already the utmost benevolence!" the Elder Uncles of the Tao family stated directly. "We hope the young master understands and does not overstep his bounds because of this matter!"
"You shall not speak further. I control the Sky-Penetrating Mirror. If you dare to obstruct me, you will face my merciless wrath!" the young master of the Tao family declared coldly.
Faced with these words, the faces of the Tao family members turned ashen, filled with immense displeasure. Some even stood directly in front of the young master of the Tao family, showing no intention of backing down.
"Today, even if the young master intends to strike us down here, we will never allow him to succeed. Now that the matter is exposed, the Tao family can only stop here!" the Elder Uncles stated directly, without any reservation.
Meanwhile, many of the Tao family disciples exchanged glances, unsure of what to do.
"Do you truly wish me to act?" the young master of the Tao family asked coldly.
"We will absolutely not retaliate. We implore the young master to use the peerless divine weapon to strike us down!"
The Elder Uncles of the Tao family remained indifferent. "We hope our deaths will awaken the young master and prevent him from acting recklessly."
The young master of the Tao family, controlling the peerless divine weapon, felt a surge of displeasure. However, with matters having reached this point, it was indeed beyond his ability to salvage. Lu Fan's appearance had likely already sealed the outcome.
"Enough, enough. If Brother Lu perishes, I, Tao Maocheng, will pursue them until the end!" the young master of the Tao family declared with great presence.
The Elder Uncles of the Tao family also breathed a sigh of relief. It was not that they were unwilling to help Lu Fan, but rather that the matter was of grave importance. If things went awry, the Tao family could face ruin, which was not what they desired.
On another mountain peak, Lu Fan, controlling a peerless divine weapon, was surrounded by the people of the three holy lands. He could find no way to break through the encirclement.
"You are trapped in a dead end!" Jiutian Xuannü spoke. "Quickly hand over the Peaches of Immortality, and the Yaochi Holy Land will grant you a complete corpse."
"Why speak further!"
Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "Even if I fall in battle today, I will not yield to any of you. A true man should live between heaven and earth; how can he live his life in subservience!"