"Tianyun Hall has not made a move until now. It seems they won't intervene," Han Bing stated. "Should we also leave?"
"Things are not as simple as they appear!" Long Aotian frowned. "As long as Lord Lu has not left the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, we shall remain in hiding without the slightest error."
"I say, boss, since when have you been so concerned about Lord Lu?" Jian Ying asked with interest.
"I am carrying out orders!" Long Aotian retorted with a glare. "Besides, Lord Lu's safety is tied to the national destiny of the Dragon Kingdom. How could I not care?"
"That's true!" Jian Ying nodded. "Captain, it makes me quite happy to hear you think that way."
"As your captain, do I need you to lecture me!" Long Aotian shot him a look and said no more.
After conquering the Arctic tribes, Lu Fan did not leave immediately but stayed at the Arctic tribe.
There were still remnants of the Arctic tribe to be dealt with. If Lu Fan left now, he would likely face continuous trouble in the future. Since that was the case, he would not be polite.
In the quiet of the night, Lu Fan and his companions admired the bright moon hanging in the courtyard, their mood quite pleasant.
The Arctic tribe offered not only fine wine and delicacies but also many spiritual treasures. Their trip to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains this time was extremely worthwhile.
"Lord Lu, the remnants of the Arctic tribe are almost dealt with," Patriarch Ziyue reported. "We can set off tomorrow!"
"I find the environment of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains quite pleasant and wish to stay for a few more days!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Patriarch Ziyue, are you unwilling to let me stay? Otherwise, why the urgency?"
"Your Lordship misunderstands!" Patriarch Ziyue said repeatedly. "How could I dare disrespect you? My urging these past few days was for your own good!"
"You speak of acting for my good, but what reason is there for that?" Lu Fan asked in surprise.
"Your Lordship may not know, but within the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, besides the major tribes, there is also Tianyun Hall!" Elder Ziyue's face showed fear. "Tianyun Hall is teeming with experts. The Ten Thousand Great Mountains are forbidden territory for outsiders and cannot be easily entered. If your Lordship destroys the Arctic tribe, Tianyun Hall will not let it go!"
"Since that is the case, why have I not seen any experts from Tianyun Hall these past few days?"
Lu Fan shrugged his shoulders. "I would quite like to meet them!"
"This..."
Patriarch Ziyue looked somewhat embarrassed. Under normal circumstances, any outsider entering the Ten Thousand Great Mountains would inevitably be intercepted by Tianyun Hall, and those who refused would be directly killed. However, for some reason, Tianyun Hall experts had not appeared in the days since Lu Fan's arrival, which was somewhat unexpected.
"Patriarch Ziyue, could it be that Tianyun Hall is afraid of my Master, and thus dares not make a move?" Han Qiushui chuckled. "If that is indeed the case, then there is no need for concern!"
"I am not sure of the specific reason, but Tianyun Hall is definitely not merely rumored!" Patriarch Ziyue cupped his fists. "I hope Your Lordship will understand!"
"I understand your intentions!" Lu Fan nodded slightly. "In that case, we shall leave the Ten Thousand Great Mountains tomorrow!"
"Leaving tomorrow?" Han Qiushui said with a hint of disappointment. "I feel the air in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains is quite good! I haven't had enough of staying here."
"If you don't wish to return, you can stay here at the Arctic tribe," Lu Fan shrugged. "The terrain here is good, and there are plenty of resources. If you stay here, your cultivation might not advance any slower."
"That won't do!" Han Qiushui shook her head. "The Ten Thousand Great Mountains are filled with experts. Although I am a Grandmaster, I am not worth mentioning. If someone were to assassinate me, I would be in trouble!"
"I was merely joking with you; don't take it seriously!" Lu Fan smiled faintly, looking out into the night. For some reason, gazing at the night sky in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains made it appear even more beautiful.
In the deepest part of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, within a magnificent palace, several elders exchanged glances, their auras extremely concealed, exuding an air of great power with every movement.
"Lord Lu of Jiangnan entered the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, leading to the demise of the Arctic tribe and the slaughter of countless Grandmaster experts," one elder stated. "Shall we make a move?"
"Have you forgotten? The Hall Master instructed not long ago that if Lord Lu of Jiangnan comes to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, he must be treated with utmost hospitality!" another elder said. "Do you intend to defy the Hall Master?"
"How would we dare defy the Hall Master's will!" the white-haired elder chuckled. "Lord Lu's arrival in the Ten Thousand Great Mountains has already caused such a stir, it is indeed somewhat inappropriate!"
"Regardless, the Hall Master has decreed that Lord Lu is a friend of Tianyun Hall," another elder stated directly. "We can simply turn a blind eye."
"Since the Hall Master has spoken, Lord Lu must possess unique qualities," the white-haired elder said. "Why don't we visit the Arctic tribe tonight to pay our respects? This way, we won't be impolite!"
"That is perfect!"
The other two elders exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. They had the same intention.
Under the cloak of night, three elders moved like specters through the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, as if in a land of no one, without the slightest pressure.
Meanwhile, at the Arctic tribe, everyone was resting in their rooms. But suddenly, Lu Fan's brows furrowed, and he looked towards a certain direction, clearly sensing energy fluctuations.
"Is something wrong, my Lord?" Han Yunhai followed him out.
The other numerous strong individuals also became vigilant. This was the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, not Jiangnan. If things were not handled carefully, they would be inviting disaster upon themselves.
"This kind of aura... it's Tianyun Hall!" Patriarch Ziyue's expression changed, and he began to tremble. Tianyun Hall was filled with experts. Even as a tribal patriarch, he had to defer to them, which demonstrated the immense power of Tianyun Hall.
"Tianyun Hall?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "Speak of the devil, and they appear. I want to see what kind of might Tianyun Hall possesses to make such grand claims!"
Patriarch Ziyue muttered to himself, filled with anxiety. The experts of Tianyun Hall were incredibly powerful, the highest authority in the entire Ten Thousand Great Mountains, and no one dared to offend them. This aura alone was enough to make his heart turn to ice.
On the other side, Long Aotian and his companions were starting a fire. Sensing the powerful aura, they instantly became alert.
"King-level aura!" Han Bing's expression changed. "I never expected Tianyun Hall to harbor a Battle King!"
"Not just Tianyun Hall, but perhaps the other three major sects also have Battle King-level experts, otherwise, how could they threaten the Dragon Kingdom!" Long Aotian stated. "Dragon Group members, heed my command! If they endanger Lord Lu, we shall defend him with our lives!"
The Dragon Group members received the order, their resolve as firm as death. Facing Battle King-level experts, they did not have absolute confidence, but at this juncture, they would not retreat.
"All three auras are Battle Kings!" Long Aotian frowned again.
He had initially thought there was only one Battle King, and perhaps the Dragon Group could resist. But now, it seemed things were not as simple as he had imagined.
In the very next moment, three elders descended from the sky, arriving at the Arctic tribe, appearing like immortal beings.