"Elder, you jest. Is not all this at your behest?"
Lu Fan smiled faintly, "You know everything, yet you choose not to intervene, wishing to use others to kill me, to make me offend the Huo family. Even that jade token, you intentionally let me steal it!"
"How did you know!"
Elder Wuming smiled, his gaze fixed on Lu Fan. He was truly surprised by Lu Fan's astuteness.
"Some things can be hidden from others, but not from me!"
Lu Fan shrugged, "So, from beginning to end, you've been using me as a pawn. Isn't that rather unethical!"
"Young man, you shouldn't speak like that. I wasn't using you; it's just that you insisted on it!" Elder Wuming stated earnestly, "Besides, things have come to this. Do you intend to settle accounts later?"
"That won't happen. Elder Wuming's meticulous planning has naturally accounted for this outcome!" Lu Fan shrugged, "However, I do have a small request that I hope the Elder can fulfill. Otherwise, I will not be satisfied with today's events!"
"You indeed are a shrewd one, boy. Speak your mind directly!"
With a calm gaze, Elder Wuming said, "I'd like to know what wicked intentions you have now!"
"During the assessment, allow my friend to participate. In that way, I can thank you!" Lu Fan smiled, "Otherwise, I will not let your scheme against me today go unaddressed!"
"In all my years, this is the first time I've been threatened!" Elder Wuming smiled, "Are you not asking me to cheat? I cannot do such a thing. Moreover, you should know that your subordinate lacks the strength. If he were to enter rashly, it wouldn't be good for him."
"He is already a Saint, and his strength is not weak. Why can't he enter?"
Lu Fan's tone grew serious. Those who could enter the Central Continent Academy were all heavenly prodigies. If Guiying could enter, his future would be limitless, which was why Lu Fan insisted.
"Some matters are not as simple as you imagine!"
Elder Wuming shook his head, "If one's strength is insufficient, but they insist on entering the Central Continent Academy, it will be a disaster for them. Therefore, I cannot agree to this!"
"Since you refuse, I will remember this. Seeing you scheme against me, I will retaliate if necessary!"
Lu Fan said coldly before turning to leave. He showed no courtesy to Elder Wuming.
Elder Wuming's expression turned grim from the threat. He had not expected Lu Fan to be so direct, catching him off guard.
Having lived for countless years, he had seen every kind of grand occasion. No matter who met him, they showed him respect, even Saint King level powerhouses treated him with deference. Yet, he hadn't anticipated Lu Fan to be so audacious, completely disregarding him.
Meanwhile, Lu Fan returned to the Drunken Immortal Inn. Inside, everyone looked at Lu Fan with shock. They were all aware of what Lu Fan had done and were filled with admiration.
After all, daring to confront the Huo family was not something ordinary people could do. Furthermore, Lu Fan possessed a peerless divine weapon, and he was destined to enter the Central Continent Academy. Naturally, they sought to curry favor, even if it was just to get acquainted.
"That was too close today!" Hu Yu looked at Lu Fan, "A slight misstep and your life would have been forfeit. You shouldn't put yourself in such a precarious situation again."
"Did I have any other choice?"
Lu Fan shrugged, "If not for this, I wouldn't have acted this way."
"We understand that, but it was truly perilous this time!"
With a serious expression, Hu Xian'er spoke again, not holding back at all, as this matter was no trifling affair.
Lu Fan nodded slightly at their words, acknowledging their concern.
After Lu Fan entered his room, Hu Yu turned to Hu Xian'er, "Aren't we his adversaries? Why did we remind him? It makes it seem like we care about him!"
"We all come from the Central Continent. It's natural not to wish for him to meet misfortune!"
Hu Xian'er shook her head, "You needn't overthink it. Besides, there's still some time before the assessment. We'll go into seclusion for cultivation during this period and not dwell on other matters. And if I'm not mistaken, with your current strength, you might not be able to enter the Central Continent Academy. You need to train harder!"
Hu Yu was slightly taken aback and looked helpless. As Hu Xian'er said, his strength was indeed not great. If an assessment were truly required, he might not pass. However, his purpose in coming to the Central Continent was to join the Central Continent Academy, so he would not give up.
"Don't worry, Big Sister. If I can enter the Central Continent Academy, I definitely will. This is my mission and my responsibility!" Hu Yu's gaze became resolute. Revitalizing the family was not solely his sister's burden; he was acutely aware of this.
At this very moment, in the grand hall of the Huo family, numerous Huo family experts stood solemnly, their faces grim. They had not expected things to escalate to this point, leaving them caught off guard.
"Patriarch, what do we do now?"
An elder spoke, "If this brat is still alive, it's a direct slap in the face to our Huo family. We must make him pay dearly to salvage the Huo family's honor!"
"Do you think I don't understand that?" the Huo family head said coldly, "However, things have reached this stage, and even Elder Wuming has intervened. Do you want me to defy Elder Wuming's wishes?"
"Patriarch, Elder Wuming merely said we cannot act within Liuli City, not outside of it!" an elder interjected, "More importantly, I have received confirmed news that Elder Xuanyue of the Heavenly Water Pavilion was killed by him. If the Heavenly Water Pavilion learns of this, they will not let him off easily!"
"You mean to borrow a knife to kill him?"
The Huo family head was slightly stunned, his gaze turning sharp. This was indeed a good idea. If the Heavenly Water Pavilion could be made to deal with Lu Fan, he wouldn't have to act personally and wouldn't defy Elder Wuming's wishes. In this way, he could gain fame and fortune while also eliminating Lu Fan.
"Precisely!"
The elder bowed slightly, a smile appearing on his face. With this plan, they could have the Heavenly Water Pavilion deal with Lu Fan without lifting a finger.