"Good, good!"
The Zhao family head beamed with satisfaction. Not only had Zhao Hanxue not died, but she had also reached the Half-Saint realm. This was a tremendous boon for the Zhao family.
Qin Wushuang, however, frowned. This was not good news for the Qin family.
"Patriarch, what do we do now?" asked a Qin family elder. The Zhao family now had another Half-Saint, and such a young one at that. If they truly clashed with the Zhao family, it might not be advantageous.
"Since the Qin family has made a move, there is no reason to retreat!" Qin Wushuang said coldly, then looked at the Zhao family head. "Even if the Zhao family has two Half-Saints, you are still far from being able to oppose the Qin family!"
"Qin Wushuang, don't say we have two. Even if I were the only one, the Zhao family would not compromise," the Zhao family head replied coldly. "Otherwise, it will be mutual destruction!"
"Hmph! Since that is the case, then there can only be a fight!" Qin Wushuang's expression was indifferent, carrying extreme dissatisfaction. The Zhao family no longer had a Saint, yet they dared to be so arrogant. This greatly displeased him.
"Patriarch Qin, both families are major powers in the Triangle Domain. Do you truly intend to make an enemy of my Zhao family today?" Zhao Hanxue said coldly. "If that is the case, it will likely be a situation where both sides suffer!"
"You have only just reached Half-Saint, while the Qin family has three Half-Saints!" Qin Wushuang sneered. "Do you think the Zhao family can contend with the Qin family?"
Zhao Hanxue's brow furrowed. The reason she hadn't acted was due to apprehension. Qin Wushuang's words exposed her weakness, making her feel somewhat embarrassed.
At that very moment, two Qin family Half-Saints suddenly attacked, moving to apprehend Zhao Hanxue.
"How dare you!" The Zhao family head's face changed drastically. His internal energy surged, wanting to step forward to stop them, but Qin Wushuang blocked his path. "Either hand over the mines, or the Zhao family will be annihilated today!"
Zhao Hanxue, pursued by two Half-Saints, also looked distressed. Although she was now a Half-Saint, facing two Half-Saint powerhouses simultaneously put her at a disadvantage. In the blink of an eye, Zhao Hanxue was on the defensive. The Zhao family members wanted to help, but they were unable to participate in a battle between Half-Saint experts.
Witnessing this scene, Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He and Zhao Hanxue were friends, and he felt uneasy just watching her being bullied.
"Sir, this matter has nothing to do with us!" Hu Yu spoke up. "You're not thinking of intervening, are you? The Qin family has three Half-Saints!"
"No matter!" Lu Fan waved his hand and appeared beside Zhao Hanxue in an instant, pushing back one of the Half-Saint experts with a palm strike.
"Who are you?" The Half-Saint was greatly alarmed and incredulous. As a Half-Saint, his strength was extraordinary. How could an ordinary person push him back?
"Zhao Hanxue is my friend. If she is in trouble, how can I not help!" Lu Fan stated directly. "The Zhao family previously had a Saint, so the Qin family dared not act recklessly. Now that the Saint is gone, you are kicking them while they are down. Is that not dishonorable!"
"What business is this of yours?" Qin Wushuang looked at Lu Fan. "Could it be that you are also from the Zhao family?"
"Not exactly!" Lu Fan shrugged. "But with me here today, I will not allow you to act with impunity!"
Qin Wushuang's face turned ashen. To deal with the Zhao family this time, he had mobilized a significant portion of the Qin family's strength. He had not expected an unexpected challenger to appear.
The Zhao family members were bewildered, unsure of what was happening. Especially the strength displayed by Lu Fan, which moved them. Pushing back a Half-Saint expert with a single palm strike was something even the Zhao family head might not be able to accomplish.
"Patriarch, this person's strength is not weak!" one of the Half-Saints remarked. "It might not be so easy to deal with the Zhao family today!"
Qin Wushuang's face turned ashen, and he glanced at Lu Fan. "Good lad, I'll remember this. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay this debt!" With that, Qin Wushuang led his men away. Despite his unwillingness, there was nothing he could do.
After they left, Zhao Hanxue finally felt relieved. The Qin family was a major power in the Triangle Domain, and if they truly went to war with the Zhao family, it would bring disaster to the Zhao family.
"Xiao Xue, who is this?" The Zhao family head's eyes gleamed as he looked at Lu Fan. To be so accomplished at such a young age, he was quite impressed. Most importantly, the strength Lu Fan had just displayed was extraordinary.
"He is a friend of mine," Zhao Hanxue replied. "And the only one besides me who survived Shenhuang Mountain."
"I see!" The Zhao family head nodded slightly. "Truly a young talent. To have ventured into Shenhuang Mountain at such a young age and possess such cultivation."
"Patriarch Zhao is too kind," Lu Fan smiled, appearing quite polite.
"Please, come inside, please!" The Zhao family head gestured eagerly. "We must host you tonight, you cannot be absent."
"Father, don't worry. Not only will he not be absent, but he will also be staying with us for a while," Zhao Hanxue said with a smile. "Is that alright?"
"Of course, it's no problem. It is an honor for my Zhao family to have you stay," the Zhao family head said with a smile, his expression earnest. The methods Lu Fan had just displayed were likely not inferior to his own. To possess such cultivation at such a young age, he would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future. As the head of the Zhao family, he could not have asked for more, and why would he refuse? Furthermore, in his eyes, Lu Fan, being young and promising, was already the best son-in-law. He would not want to miss such a good prospect. He was unaware that Lu Fan had no such intentions, otherwise, the Zhao family head would likely regret it.
Upon arriving at the Zhao family courtyard, Zhao Hanxue selected a residence for Lu Fan. "You can live here from now on. My room is next door, you can call me anytime if you need anything."
"Thank you, Miss Zhao!" Lu Fan nodded slightly, appearing quite satisfied.
"I should be the one thanking you!" Zhao Hanxue smiled. "If it weren't for your intervention today, the Zhao family would likely be in peril. You are also a benefactor to my Zhao family. If you need anything in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
"I would not dare!" Lu Fan waved his hand, then smiled. "Miss Zhao, please do not flatter me."
"I am serious!" Zhao Hanxue stated. "As they say, great kindness needs no thanks. There are some things I cannot say much about, but I will remember everything you have done."
Hu Yu stood to the side, his brow furrowed. He was particularly disdainful of Zhao Hanxue's words. Perhaps, in his heart, he felt that Zhao Hanxue was getting too close to Lu Fan, and he harbored a sense of aversion.
After leaving the courtyard, Zhao Hanxue returned to her room. The Zhao family head was already waiting, his gaze becoming solemn. "Xiao Xue, did you really obtain the Immortal Fruit?"
"Yes, I did indeed obtain it!" Zhao Hanxue replied. "Unfortunately, the Immortal Fruit cannot leave Shenhuang Mountain. Otherwise, my Zhao family would have Half-Saints everywhere!"