After a night of recuperation, Lu Fan gradually stabilized his breathing. Although he suppressed his cultivation to the Heavenly Venerable realm, he had an intuition that he could escape even from a Sage.
Leaving the city, Lu Fan followed Zhao Hanxue towards the Zhao family.
Within the entire Triangular Region, the Zhao family's strength was unquestionable, and their information network was bound to be exceptionally well-connected. If the Tongtian Academy were to recruit, they would likely know about it immediately.
"You also consumed the Immortal Fruit, yet you haven't reached the Half-Sage realm?"
Zhao Hanxue suddenly looked at Lu Fan, "Have you not reached the Venerable realm before this?"
Under normal circumstances, after reaching the Venerable level and consuming the Immortal Fruit, one could attempt to break through to the Sage realm, or at the very least, reach the Half-Sage realm.
However, Lu Fan's aura was only at the Heavenly Venerable level.
"Perhaps everyone is different!"
Lu Fan smiled, "Although I haven't reached the Half-Sage realm, I am quite content with the strength I possess!"
"That is true!"
Zhao Hanxue nodded, "After consuming the Immortal Fruit, one's talent is bound to be enhanced. This trip to Shenhuang Mountain has indeed been very rewarding!"
At the same time, at the entrance of the Zhao family, the Zhao family head felt his heart turn to ash. He had only one daughter, who was now missing and likely dead in Shenhuang Mountain. This was undoubtedly a devastating blow to him.
"Patriarch, we have searched everywhere and have not seen the young lady's whereabouts!"
An elder stepped forward, his expression turning grave. He had naturally not expected things to turn out this way.
"Continue searching. We need to see her, dead or alive!"
The Zhao family head said coldly, unable to believe it in his heart.
"Bad news, the Qin family is here!"
Just then, a man ran over in a panic, his heart filled with fear and unease.
"What is it?"
The white-haired elder asked, his brow furrowing, "What is all this rushing about?"
"Clan Elder, a large number of experts from the Qin family have arrived and are causing a commotion outside!" the man said repeatedly.
"They've arrived quite quickly!"
The Zhao family head's expression was cold. In the Triangular Region, the two major families divided the territory, but the Zhao family had always been backed by a Sage, giving them a slight advantage over the Qin family.
Now that their ancestor was gone, the Qin family was likely to take advantage of the Zhao family.
Not long after, the Zhao family head arrived outside the entrance, where the Qin family members had already gathered.
"Zhao family head, I trust you are well!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, looking at the Zhao family head with an arrogant expression.
"Qin family head, why have you brought so many experts here? For what purpose?"
The Zhao family head said coldly, "Although our ancestor has entered Shenhuang Mountain, it is not certain that he has met his demise. Your Qin family's audacity is truly too much!"
"Shenhuang Mountain has been sealed. Even a hundred Sages entering would not be able to come out alive!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "You should be more aware of this than I am, Zhao family head!"
"Meaning to say, your Qin family intends to fight my Zhao family today?"
The Zhao family head's expression was cold, tinged with a chilling aura. How imposing the Zhao family once was; how could they endure such humiliation now?
"That's not necessarily the case!"
Qin Wushuang chuckled, "We are here today for only one matter: for the Zhao family to return the Qin family's mines in the Triangular Region. If not, we will commence a massacre today!"
"Qin family's mines?"
The Zhao family head sneered, "When did the Qin family have mines in our Zhao family's possession!"
"Zhao family head, a wise man knows when to adapt!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "The Qin family has three Half-Sages. Your Zhao family is now left with only you. Do you intend to have the Zhao family buried with you?"
"Qin Wushuang, do not push your luck too far!"
The Zhao family head said coldly, "My Zhao family is, after all, the foremost family in the Triangular Region!"
"When the Zhao family ancestor was present, the Qin family had nothing to say. But the current Zhao family no longer possesses its former aura!"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "If you are unwilling, do not blame my Qin family for being merciless!"
The Zhao family head's face turned ashen. He knew very well that if they were to truly confront the Qin family, it would not be beneficial for the Zhao family.
At least, the current Zhao family was no match for the Qin family.
"Patriarch, please do not be angered!"
A Zhao clan elder said softly, "Now that our ancestor has passed, the Zhao family is far from what it was. Any misstep could lead to a crisis for the family!"
The Zhao family head furrowed his brows. He understood what the clan elders were saying, but if they handed over the mines, it would be tantamount to submitting to the Qin family. This would undoubtedly lead to a crisis for the Zhao family.
"Well, Zhao family head, have you given it any thought?"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "The Qin family's three Half-Sages have come here, and we have never considered a retreat!"
"Qin Wushuang, you should know that if the Zhao family were to unleash its reserves and fight, the Qin family might not come out unscathed!"
The Zhao family head said coldly, "Do you truly intend to become an enemy of the Zhao family?"
"Enough of this nonsense!"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "Since you are unwilling to hand over the mines, do not blame my Qin family for being merciless!"
Qin Wushuang waved his hand, and the Qin family's experts converged, their demeanor particularly arrogant, showing no regard for the Zhao family.
If it were in the past, the Qin family would not have dared to act rashly. But the current Zhao family was merely a paper tiger. Without a Sage to oversee it, they naturally commanded no respect from others.
"Where are the Zhao family disciples!"
The Zhao family head's voice was icy, "Today, anyone who dares to step into the Zhao family shall be killed without mercy!"
"We obey the Patriarch's command!"
The Zhao family members were indignant and ready to die.
The Zhao family had never suffered such humiliation before. Now that they had reached this point, they had nothing more to say.
"It seems the Zhao family is determined to be at odds with the Qin family!"
Qin Wushuang sneered. Even if the Zhao family fought to the death, he would not care. After all, in his eyes, it was not difficult for the Qin family to destroy the Zhao family.
"The Qin family truly has great courage to bully their way to the Zhao family's doorstep!"
Just as the two powers were about to clash, a cold voice rang out, and Zhao Hanxue strode forward, exuding an imposing aura.
"Xiao Xue!"
The Zhao family head was startled, and then filled with joy. He had thought Zhao Hanxue was dead, and he never expected her to return alive.
"Father!"
Zhao Hanxue strode forward, revealing her emotions. The last time in Shenhuang Mountain, she had almost thought she would die and never see her father again. Now, seeing him again, her heart was naturally touched.
"A mere young girl dares to interfere in family matters?"
Qin Wushuang said coldly, "You had better advise your father not to be rash!"
"Young girl?"
Zhao Hanxue sneered and waved her hand, sending a powerful aura towards Qin Wushuang.
Sensing the Half-Sage aura, Qin Wushuang suddenly retreated, his heart filled with shock. He wondered when the Zhao family had gained another Half-Sage expert.
"Xiao Xue, your aura!"
The Zhao family head's body trembled, his disbelief evident. Zhao Hanxue had actually reached the Half-Sage realm.
"I secretly entered Shenhuang Mountain and consumed the Immortal Fruit, which is why I possess this cultivation!"
Zhao Hanxue stated, "Although our ancestor is gone, as long as I am here, the Zhao family will not be bullied by others!"