Chu Feng, having dealt with Ding Wuchang, naturally paid him no mind.
However, for the locals, this was no minor incident.
Word spread quickly.
Ding Wuchang of the Ding family had his arm broken and jaw shattered, having been brutally beaten into a state beyond recognition.
The Ding family, a prominent and influential clan in the area, commanded considerable respect. Ding Wuchang, consequently, was widely known, though more for his infamy and his bad reputation.
This incident significantly impacted the Ding family's reputation and even affected their business.
As soon as Ding Wuchang returned to the Ding family from the hospital, the clan members were already gathered in the conference hall, awaiting his detailed report.
He had gone to deal with the enemy who had blinded him, only to be violently thrashed by an unknown assailant. While Ding Wuchang dared not show his anger in front of Chu Fan, his resentment surged once they were apart.
Having exchanged blows briefly, Ding Wuchang had only considered Chu Fan to be a Grandmaster.
Upon learning that the opponent was merely a Grandmaster, Ding Shuang, the patriarch of the Ding family, immediately mobilized three Grandmaster experts nurtured by the family, and simultaneously dispatched men to search for Chu Fan's whereabouts to retaliate.
Fu Piaoyao, with her striking looks, attracted attention wherever she went.
Within an hour, the Ding family had discovered the location of Chu Fan and Fu Piaoyao.
The two were currently in a forest park.
The reason for being there was that Chu Fan had discovered a small hill within the forest park that contained the fire vein of the five elements. Beneath the foot of the hill was a small hot spring.
However, this fire vein was quite weak.
If the wood energy of Wan Shu Mountain could be described as a bowl-thick tree, the fire vein here was akin to a chopstick used for eating.
Still, even a mosquito’s leg is still meat.
The power suppressing the exotic poison was constantly being consumed invisibly, requiring continuous replenishment to maintain its effect.
The surrounding scenery was quite pleasant. Fu Piaoyao, who was rather vain, did not understand why Chu Fan suddenly wanted to stop in this place. She could only strike various poses to take photos and pass the time.
At the foot of the mountain, Ding family members rapidly gathered.
On the summit, Chu Fan, sensing the commotion, opened his eyes and stood up.
Seeing that Chu Fan was finally about to make a move, Fu Piaoyao, who was already bored to the point of madness, hurried to his side and asked with a smile, "Are we leaving?"
Chu Fan shook his head, and Fu Piaoyao's face immediately fell in disappointment.
But Chu Fan’s next words caused her spirits to lift.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Ding family is coming to capture you!"
A single Ding Wuchang had made Fu Piaoyao too afraid to leave the sphere of influence of the Qing Shen Sect. She had just finished reading.
Ding Wuchang had only just been dealt with. There was no doubt that the Ding family members appearing this time would not be weak.
Fu Piaoyao asked nervously, "Really?"
Before Chu Fan could even respond, there was movement from afar, and soon people could be seen approaching from all directions.
"You, you can't just abandon me!"
Fu Piaoyao was very anxious.
She knew very well what her fate would be if she fell into the hands of the Ding family.
She said this because after driving Ding Wuchang away earlier, although Chu Fan had not explicitly stated it, Fu Piaoyao had sensed that he was somewhat annoyed that she had dragged him into trouble.
Unable to control Chu Fan's actions, if he abandoned her, Fu Piaoyao knew she would be powerless.
Chu Fan remained silent, calmly observing the Ding family forces who had now surrounded them.
Ding Wuchang, with his arm in a sling, was among them. After quietly whispering to the three Grandmaster powerhouses, their gazes fell upon Chu Fan.
Seeing how young Chu Fan was, surprise flickered in the eyes of the three Grandmasters.
Before coming, Ding Wuchang had mentioned that Chu Fan was very young, indeed the youngest Grandmaster in history, only around twenty years old.
At the time, they had not said anything, but in their hearts, they wondered if Ding Wuchang had been intimidated by the other party.
A twenty-something Grandmaster, what kind of heaven-defying talent must that be?
If such a person appeared in the Dragon God Kingdom, it would likely have been widely publicized.
Seeing Chu Fan now, although they couldn't sense the aura of a Grandmaster powerhouse from him, the three still felt a trace of danger, indicating that Chu Fan’s strength was indeed not low.
Even if he wasn't a Grandmaster, a half-step Grandmaster in his twenties was still astonishing.
Knowing that the forces dispatched by the Ding family were because of him, Chu Fan stepped forward and said to Ding Wuchang, "It seems the lesson I taught you earlier was too light!"
"I should have sent you to eternal slumber back then!"
Earlier, he hadn't delivered a fatal blow, partly because he had no major grievance with Ding Wuchang and saw no need, so Chu Fan had spared his life.
He had thought that Ding Wuchang, having learned his lesson, would behave himself and not dare to appear before him again.
At this moment, Chu Fan knew he had underestimated the situation.
Not everyone had such a sharp mind.
"Hmph!"
Ding Wuchang snorted coldly and stepped forward, arrogantly stating, "Kid, haven't you heard that opportunity knocks but once?"
"You had the chance to send me to eternal slumber earlier, but you didn't. Therefore, you will now pay for your mistake!"
Having brought three Grandmaster powerhouses from the family, Ding Wuchang was filled with confidence.
He didn't believe that Chu Fan, alone, could defeat three Grandmaster powerhouses.
Chu Fan chuckled and nodded, "Thanks for the reminder!"
"Since you also know that opportunity knocks but once, then I won't waste any more words!"
"Not only do mistakes need to be paid for!"
"A less than sharp mind also needs to be paid for!"
Upon hearing Chu Fan call his mind not sharp enough, Ding Wuchang snorted slightly and said, "Kid, I hope your mouth can remain this tough later!"
There was nothing more to say to the dead.
Chu Fan no longer spoke.
Zheng Yankun, a Grandmaster powerhouse, stepped forward and said to Chu Fan rather politely, "Young brother, our master invites you to be a guest at the Ding family!"
"Do you intend to come with us willingly, or will we have to take you?"
Chu Fan had damaged the Ding family's reputation, and they couldn't simply let him go.
Ding Wuchang's father, Ding Changshui, planned to use Chu Fan as a warning to others, informing those who mocked the Ding family behind their backs that provoking the Ding family would have dire consequences.
It would be best to bring Chu Fan to the Ding family without a struggle.
If he resisted, they would have to resort to force.
Facing the question, Chu Fan replied, "I will definitely go to the Ding family!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Yankun thought Chu Fan intended to cooperate and said with a smile, "Since that's the case, please do!"
Chu Fan shook his head, "I am indeed going to the Ding family, but not with you!"
"The feng shui of this place is quite good. Since you've come, you might as well settle down here!"
The expressions of Zheng Yankun and the other two simultaneously turned fierce.
They heard that the young man before them clearly intended to finish them off before heading to the Ding family.
"Hmph, not old, but speaks with such arrogance!"
"To think of keeping us here, you should consider your own capabilities!"
Zheng Yankun said with a stern face, "Young brother, since you say so, then don't blame us for being impolite!"
"There's no need to be polite!" Chu Fan replied with a smile.
"Hmph!"
Zheng Yankun let out a cold snort, stomped his right foot heavily on the ground, and lunged at Chu Fan with a blur of motion.