"Sworn brothers?"
Lu Fan was stunned, clearly not expecting the person before him to say such a thing.
This Young Master Tao had a mysterious identity and likely a significant background. If he were to become sworn brothers with him, who in the Spirit Realm would dare to trouble him in the future!
Thinking of this, Lu Fan smiled, "If Brother Tao doesn't mind, I don't have any objections!"
Afterward, Tao Maocheng waved his hand and cupped his fists towards the sky, "I, Tao Maocheng, today swear brotherhood with this esteemed brother. We seek not to be born on the same day of the same year, but to ascend on the same day of the same year!"
Lu Fan recited the same words in imitation, but it felt strange.
After everything was done, Tao Maocheng said, "I still have other places to travel. Brother Lu, if you wish to find me in the future, you may go to the Tao family! The Tao family is an ancient aristocratic family. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you may seek me out!"
"Thank you, Brother Tao!"
Lu Fan cupped his fists slightly, filled with joy. Being able to befriend a member of the Tao clan was a fortunate encounter for him.
After Young Master Tao departed, Lu Fan returned to the city. With the three individuals from the Taiyan Dynasty expelled, he was no longer worried about their return.
After all, Tao Maocheng's appearance had clearly made them apprehensive.
Not far from the city, three elders stood, their expressions grim.
"We have not completed the mission assigned by the Princess. What should we do?"
True Master Xia Qing spoke directly, "We are likely too ashamed to return!"
"No need to fear!"
True Master Yuan Qing sneered, "This brat is heading to the Triangle Domain, isn't he? We'll wait for him there, and then we'll surely be able to capture him!"
The others exchanged glances and found this suggestion agreeable, voicing their unanimous approval.
Upon returning to the city, Lu Fan did not go directly to the inn but instead took a stroll around the vicinity before heading towards the inn.
Hu Yu was still in the inn. Lu Fan did not wish to expose himself easily, as it would make escaping much more troublesome if they were discovered.
As soon as he entered the room, Hu Yu's spiritual sword was brandished, lunging towards Lu Fan.
"It's me!"
Lu Fan called out, feeling a sense of helplessness. He had not perished at the hands of those three elders, only to nearly be minced into meat paste by Hu Yu.
"Why have you returned?"
Hu Yu exclaimed with surprise, "Have you resolved the experts from the Dynasty?"
"The Taiyan Dynasty dispatched a Half-Saint, which is beyond my ability to resolve!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "However, they have been scared away. We must also leave as soon as possible to avoid being discovered by them!"
"Scared away?"
Hu Yu looked astonished and somewhat bewildered, clearly unaware of what had transpired.
"I'll explain to you later. Let's leave the city first!"
Lu Fan spoke earnestly. If the three elders returned, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them.
Hu Yu asked no further questions and followed Lu Fan out of the city.
Several days later, they arrived at the border of the Taiyan Dynasty. They had traveled non-stop for these days, their sole aim being to leave the Taiyan Dynasty as quickly as possible. With the Triangle Domain now within reach, they felt a sense of relief.
"Sir, we are almost at the Triangle Region. Can you tell me now,"
Hu Yu inquired, "what exactly happened that night?"
"It's strange to say, but that night I encountered a remarkable person."
Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "If he hadn't drawn his sword to assist, I would have been in trouble."
"What kind of person? Could he deal with a Half-Saint?"
Hu Yu looked surprised and deeply moved. If that were truly the case, this person must be an unparalleled master.
"He was about my age, but the aura he exuded was incredibly terrifying."
Lu Fan said with a wry smile, "And on a whim, he pulled me into becoming sworn brothers!"
"There's such a good thing!"
Hu Yu immediately laughed, "With that, aren't you, sir, now attached to a powerful backer? With that existence, you could probably walk sideways throughout the entire Spirit Realm."
"That's not necessarily true!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "I only met him once. Whether we can meet again in the future is still uncertain."
"That's true!"
Hu Yu nodded slightly. "But no matter what, being able to befriend such a master is a great fortune."
Just as they were conversing, sounds of fighting could be heard from the forest ahead. The aura was immense, not like the struggles of ordinary people.
Lu Fan peered intently and discovered two groups of people engaged in a fierce battle, showing no mercy.
"Could these people be from the Triangle Domain?"
Hu Yu exclaimed, "They are indeed quite ferocious!"
"This matter has nothing to do with us. We should not get involved."
Lu Fan waved his hand, preparing to lead Hu Yu away. He had no desire to participate in the battles within the Triangle Domain.
"There are two people from the Iron Mountain Sect here as well. We can't let them escape!"
A man in purple attire declared. At that very moment, over ten men in purple attire appeared, surrounding Lu Fan and Hu Yu.
On the other side, many disciples of the Iron Mountain Sect were also trapped. Only a dozen figures remained, their eyes filled with despair. Encountering their enemies here today made them particularly resentful.
During the previous skirmish, the Iron Mountain Sect had clearly lost many disciples, and now, trapped within, they were unable to break free.
"Elder Tie Bao, you are unlikely to escape this calamity today."
A white-haired elder smiled, appearing quite smug. He seemed to be the leader of these purple-clad men, and the aura he emitted was not weak.
"The Iron Mountain Sect and the Northern Pole Sect have had grievances for a long time. Your ambush here is utterly despicable."
Elder Tie Bao said coldly, "When this news reaches the Iron Mountain Sect, they will surely seek an unending vendetta with your Northern Pole Sect."
"I doubt you'll have the chance."
Elder Hu Qiu sneered, "My Northern Pole Sect has already prepared to act, and everything is under control. Now that you have fallen into my trap, you will all perish here today."
"The conflicts between your sects have nothing to do with us." Hu Yu shouted urgently, "Don't trouble us!"
Elder Hu Qiu glanced at them but paid them no mind. How could he believe Hu Yu's single statement?
Tie Bao glanced at Lu Fan and stated directly, "I say, Hu Qiu, these two are not disciples of the Iron Mountain Sect. Can't you even tell that? You must be truly blind in your old age."
At this point, Tie Bao added, "If you want to deal with the Iron Mountain Sect, I have nothing to say. Why must you trouble these two?"
"What, are you trying to play the good guy before you die?"
Elder Hu Qiu sneered, showing disdain. "Whether they are disciples of the Iron Mountain Sect or not, they will all be buried here today, as a sacrifice for you."
"Why must you involve the innocent in matters between sects?" Tie Bao frowned.
"Isn't this a common occurrence within the Triangle Domain?"
Elder Hu Qiu sneered, "What's wrong with you now? So sentimental?"