The assembled crowd found Lu Fan's words utterly perplexing, unsure of his true meaning.
"You are all people of the Northwest Territory. With my spiritual power amplified by you, I can surely endure this catastrophe!"
Lu Fan's gaze swept over everyone, his voice resonating throughout the entire Northwest Territory. His eyes held a serious intensity, for he was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. If the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master could not be apprehended, it would pose a significant threat to the entire Northwest Territory.
"What a joke. You can't defeat me, so you intend to use them against me? Isn't that far too simplistic?"
A smile played on his lips as the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master looked at Lu Fan, exuding an aura of dominance. In his eyes, Lu Fan's actions were nothing short of self-deception.
"As the King of the Northwest, I am naturally able to absorb the spiritual power of all beings!" Lu Fan declared. "Is there a problem with that?"
The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master let out a booming laugh at these words. "Truly ignorant. Do you honestly believe everything will unfold as you imagine?"
Lu Fan paid him no mind, as if everything could indeed become reality and no one could control him.
"We are all citizens of the Northwest. Now that the King of the Northwest is in trouble, how can we not help!" Steward Zhao spoke up. "Everyone here is a citizen of the Northwest Territory. You should all know this matter concerns each and every one of you!"
"Everything the King of the Northwest does is for us. How can we abandon the King of the Northwest!" many of the common folk cried out, their support for Lu Fan soaring. After all, the policies Lu Fan had implemented directly benefited them.
In response to these words, others nodded in agreement. They found themselves in strong accord with this sentiment.
At that very moment, the spiritual power from everyone present began to converge towards Lu Fan, a truly terrifying sight. Though each individual's spiritual power was not strong, their combined might was formidable.
"You're not going to tell me you intend to use them to defeat me, are you?" the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master asked Lu Fan, his gaze fixed on him. "If you truly think that, it's pure fantasy!"
"Nothing is impossible. Just as you can mobilize the power of your sect, you can mobilize the power of the masses!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Therefore, it is yet to be seen who will ultimately fall!"
"Youth is indeed arrogant. Do you truly believe that by becoming the King of the Northwest, you can act with impunity and contend with my Heavenly Dragon Sect?" The elders of the Heavenly Dragon Sect spoke with cold disdain, their dissatisfaction palpable and their hostility towards Lu Fan immense.
Lu Fan remained unfazed by these words, his expression growing even more indifferent. Such insulting remarks were merely fleeting smoke in his eyes.
"All disciples, listen to my command! Within Cloud City, not a blade of grass shall grow!" The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master's voice rang out, his eyes flashing with cold light and a powerful aura. If he was going to act, he would do so with absolute resolve, ensuring Lu Fan trembled with fear and regretted ever finding himself in such a predicament.
Sensing the surge of spiritual power, Lu Fan remained composed. His gaze remained fixed on the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master. "Do you wish to destroy the entire Northwest, or do you aspire to become the king of the Northwest?"
"I do not harbor such grand ambitions. However, if anyone in this Northwest Territory dares to trouble me, I will ensure they do not have an easy time. This is the spirit of my Heavenly Dragon Sect."
"What a colossal joke!" Lu Fan sneered, his expression one of utter disdain. In his eyes, the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master's pronouncements were nothing but baseless ramblings.
"We shall obey the Sect Master's orders!" The disciples of the Heavenly Dragon Sect responded with a unified voice, their spirits soaring. Their gazes were resolute, as if all of this was of no consequence to them.
As their energy spheres grew larger, Lu Fan wasted no time, swiftly gathering the spiritual power of the crowd, his expression turning cold.
In an instant, two powerful auras condensed, radiating an unparalleled presence.
*Boom...*
A thunderous roar erupted. Lu Fan's figure shot forward, but even with the augmentation of the Haotian Pagoda, he struggled to withstand the onslaught.
"Such a formidable aura!" Steward Zhao exclaimed in shock, his expression fluctuating. He had certainly not anticipated these two energies to be so terrifying.
Simultaneously, blood trickled from Lu Fan's lips. He looked sharply at the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master. "You truly did not disappoint me. To be able to push your spiritual power to its limit!"
In response to these words, the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master narrowed his eyes but showed no smile. During their brief clash, he had clearly sensed Lu Fan's formidable power, which had darkened his countenance. He had never imagined that Lu Fan, by harnessing the spiritual power of the masses, could contend with the entirety of the Heavenly Dragon Sect. This was something he had not foreseen.
"Heavenly Dragon Sect Master, now that things have reached this point, shouldn't it be time to stop!" Steward Zhao interjected, looking at the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master with a calm gaze.
"Do you have any right to speak here?" The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master glanced at Steward Zhao, his expression growing colder. It seemed he had never truly considered anyone else important from the outset.
"Since you insist on this, then do not blame me for being impolite!" Steward Zhao's expression turned grim. Seeing Lu Fan severely wounded, his heart ached. If the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master had chosen to cease hostilities, he would not have revealed his strength. But in the current situation, if he remained a passive observer, Lu Fan's life would likely be in peril.
"Even the King of the Northwest has fallen to the Sect Master, and yet you, a mere steward, are so audacious!" An elder of the Heavenly Dragon Sect scoffed, looking at Steward Zhao with utter contempt. In their eyes, Steward Zhao was merely seeking attention.
"My King, you rest. I will handle the rest!" Steward Zhao's voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. Even Lu Fan looked surprised, unsure why Steward Zhao was acting this way, catching him off guard.
"Don't push yourself!" Lu Fan cautioned, his tone earnest. He had his reasons for saying this.
In response to Lu Fan's words, Steward Zhao paused for a moment, a smile appearing on his lips as if all of this was insignificant in his eyes. Steward Zhao leaped from his position, arriving before the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master, and sneered, "I am very curious if you truly have the ability to leave here alive!"
"With you?" The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master glanced at him with disdain, as if Steward Zhao was no match for him at all.
"How will you know if you don't try!" Steward Zhao's voice was icy, his expression exceedingly cold. His aura also intensified considerably.
"Do you truly seek death?" The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master's imposing aura bore down on Steward Zhao.