With the Star Point deployment completed, Ziyue came to Lu Fan's side. "My lord, all deployments are finished. What are the next steps?"
"The Star Point now belongs to the Qingyun Sect. As its administrator, you are its guardian," Lu Fan stated. "This Outer Realm battlefield, while rich in resources, is also fraught with danger. You are a War Spirit expert, and guarding the Star Point is sufficient for you!"
"Your subordinate understands!"
Ziyue nodded slightly. The Star Point's jurisdiction extended three hundred li in all directions. Nothing within this area could be plundered by others, which was why he had to guard it.
In fact, across the vast expanse of the Outer Realm battlefield, each region was interconnected and would generate strongholds. These strongholds were also guarded by powerful experts.
Anything within a stronghold belonged to the stronghold itself. Anyone who dared to violate the rules would face a powerful counterattack from the stronghold's master.
Within each stronghold, whether it was heavenly treasures, mountain mines, or earth veins, resources were incredibly abundant. Even the spiritual energy was several times more potent than in the outside world.
However, their current strength meant they were unaware of the spiritual energy's true purpose, only knowing the demarcated territories around their strongholds.
"My lord, we have found out!"
Han Yunhai approached, holding a map. "A stronghold near the Star Point is called the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold. It is not a national stronghold."
"Heaven Slaughter Stronghold?" Lu Fan inquired, surprised. "If it's not a national stronghold, how does it exist here?"
"The Heaven Slaughter Stronghold is teeming with experts. There are no less than five War Spirit level experts alone!" Han Yunhai said with a wry smile. "In this Outer Realm battlefield, large-scale conflicts generally do not occur unless other factions are involved."
"Five War Spirit experts?" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "Their strength is indeed not to be underestimated!"
"Another point is that they have been able to establish themselves in the Outer Realm battlefield for so many years because they are experts from the Cangqiong Kingdom," Han Yunhai added. "It would be easy for a kingdom to eliminate them, but if the Cangqiong Kingdom is involved, it might not be so simple."
"Cangqiong Kingdom?" Lu Fan frowned. "I recall you showed me some information. Among the many kingdoms, the Cangqiong Kingdom possesses the greatest strength and is incredibly overbearing! It stands above all other nations!"
"Indeed!" Han Yunhai nodded solemnly. "Even the Hai Kingdom bows to the Cangqiong Kingdom. Otherwise, how could the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold have occupied this place for so many years!"
"They are not part of the Cangqiong Kingdom's national forces, but merely martial arts experts from the Cangqiong Kingdom. What difference does it make if we take action against them?" Lu Fan's expression was indifferent. "We will head to the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold tomorrow!"
"This..."
Han Yunhai's expression shifted. Lu Fan's decision made him somewhat apprehensive.
Even the other kingdoms dared not provoke the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold lightly. If they were to seize the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold, it would anger the Cangqiong Kingdom, and even the Long Kingdom might not be able to protect them.
"What? Are you questioning my decision?" Lu Fan shrugged. "My purpose in coming to the Outer Realm battlefield is to be reborn through fire. If I act timidly, how can I achieve greatness in the future!"
"My lord speaks wisely!"
Han Yunhai nodded solemnly. Lu Fan's words instantly enlightened him.
Whether it was the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold or any other stronghold, there were powerful entities behind them. If they were to overthink things, how could they expand their influence?
"By the way, you have all been Grandmasters for some time now," Lu Fan said with a frown. "Have there been any signs of breakthrough recently?" Su Dan Novel Network
"This..." Han Yunhai wore a bitter expression. He had mediocre talent to begin with. Reaching the Grandmaster realm under Lu Fan was already quite satisfying, so how could he dare to aspire to higher levels?
Previously, in the martial arts world, War Spirits were considered peak existences, capable of controlling the entire martial arts realm. However, this was no longer the case.
"I see there are many heavenly treasures in the Star Point's warehouse. After we conquer the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold tomorrow, I will refine some elixirs to enhance your cultivation," Lu Fan stated directly.
"Thank you, my lord!" Han Yunhai exclaimed with excitement.
If it weren't for Lu Fan's support, he would likely still be in Jiangnan, serving as the leader of the Azure Dragon Gang. While life was leisurely and comfortable, it was not what he yearned for. What he truly desired was to achieve great deeds, following Lu Fan.
By the next morning, the numerous experts of the Qingyun Sect were fully prepared and set off towards the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold. They made no attempt to conceal their movements. In the Outer Realm battlefield, when one intended to seize a stronghold, it was necessary to do so with great fanfare to exert pressure on the opponent.
Within the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold, five elders sat in meditation, appearing dignified and ancient. A young attendant rushed in to report, "My lords, something is amiss! Someone is attempting to force their way into the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold!"
"They have quite the nerve!"
One of the elders spoke coldly. "Which kingdom intends to attack the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold?"
"It is not a kingdom, but a sect," the man replied awkwardly. "This sect is called the Qingyun Sect. Not long ago, they captured the Star Point, and today they are setting their sights on the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold!"
"The Star Point was a stronghold of the Hai Kingdom. Does he truly not know the immensity of heaven and earth!" another elder said coldly. "Did the Hai Kingdom not intervene?"
"This subordinate is not entirely sure!" the man shook his head helplessly. "However, they are about to arrive at the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold. What should the elders do?"
"There's no need to panic!"
The leading elder slowly stood up. "The Heaven Slaughter Stronghold has existed in the Outer Realm battlefield for so many years, and it naturally has its foundations! It is not something that can be moved simply because someone wishes it!"
The man nodded quickly, but he remained extremely apprehensive. He was well aware that Lu Fan and his group were advancing aggressively, and they were clearly not to be trifled with. If a conflict were to break out, their Heaven Slaughter Stronghold might not gain the upper hand.
At this moment, within the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold, considerable commotion had arisen. The ability to capture a Hai Kingdom stronghold was sufficient proof of Lu Fan and his group's strength. Now, the Qingyun Sect, knowing that the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold had five War Spirit level experts, dared to charge forward recklessly, which was enough to indicate that the Qingyun Sect was well-prepared.
On the city walls of the stronghold, five elders stood tall, gazing into the distance. "The Qingyun Sect has never been heard of in the Outer Realm battlefield. They must be a national martial arts sect. They truly do not know the dangers of the Outer Realm battlefield, daring to come alone!"
"Elders, do not be careless!" the leading elder stated. "The fact that they could capture the Star Point overnight is enough reason for us to be cautious."
The many elders nodded, but they did not pay much heed. The Heaven Slaughter Stronghold had five War Spirit level experts, which alone was enough to give them confidence.
Five War Spirit level experts guarding a single stronghold was considered a formidable fighting force in the Outer Realm battlefield.
Not long after, the many experts of the Qingyun Sect arrived outside the Heaven Slaughter Stronghold, with Lu Fan at the forefront.
"May I ask what the young friend intends?"
The leading elder smiled. "The Heaven Slaughter Stronghold maintains a peaceful coexistence with other strongholds! We hope the young friend will be prudent."