"I do not wish to slaughter indiscriminately, but to survive on the Outer Domain battlefield, one must constantly expand their influence," Lu Fan said with a smile. "The Heavenly Kill Stronghold is the closest to the Star Stronghold, so I had no choice but to resort to this!"
"What arrogance, young man!" an elder scoffed. "Do you not know that there are five War Spirits within the Heavenly Kill Stronghold?"
"Let alone five, what if there were ten?"
Lu Fan shrugged. "I have come today to take this Heavenly Kill Stronghold. If you are willing to surrender, I will never treat you poorly. However, if you resist, you will only meet your end!"
"What a joke!"
The leading elder was enraged. "When has our Heavenly Kill Stronghold ever been threatened like this!"
Lu Fan said no more. His figure instantly leaped into the air, facing the five elders. "Why don't you all attack together, lest you say I bullied the weak with my strength!"
"I am enough!"
The leading elder's expression was indifferent as he kicked towards Lu Fan. As the leader of the Heavenly Kill Stronghold, his strength was not to be underestimated, even ranking among the War Spirits.
*Boom...*
With a collision, the leading elder was sent flying back, blood trickling from his lips. His face changed color, and the other four elders were shocked.
Others might not know the prowess of their leader, but they knew it very well. Yet, he was injured by a junior, which was enough to show Lu Fan's strength.
"You heavily injured me with just one punch!" the leading elder exclaimed in surprise. "This is impossible, unless you are a King realm expert!"
"You are correct, I am indeed in the War King realm." Lu Fan shrugged. "If you insist on resisting, you will only die!"
"War King!"
Their eyes were filled with shock. The elders found it unbelievable. If not for the display of power Lu Fan had just shown, they would never have believed that he was a War King expert.
For ordinary people to become War Kings, it would take at least sixty years. Lu Fan, at such a young age, had achieved such a feat, leaving everyone astonished.
"If you do not wish to die, then surrender to the Azure Cloud Sect," Han Qiushui said. "After all, with your strength, if you surrender to our Azure Cloud Sect, you will surely have a future in the Outer Domain battlefield!"
"Ridiculous!" an elder scoffed. "You may be the strongest, but you expect us to surrender? That is impossible!"
"What? Are you choosing death then?"
Gu Wen raised an eyebrow. "If that is truly the case, then I am afraid we can only fulfill your wish!"
"You youngsters truly do not know the immensity of heaven and earth," an elder said coldly. "We are War Spirit experts. If this were happening in the Outer Domain under normal circumstances, the empire would investigate. You should know how powerful the Azure Sky Empire is, shouldn't you?"
"Other empires may fear them, but I do not!" Lu Fan shrugged. "I specialize in dealing with all who refuse. If you do not surrender today, none of you will live!"
"You dare!"
An elder said angrily, "How can you offend the people of the Azure Sky Empire!"
As soon as the words fell, Lu Fan stomped his foot. An invisible internal energy surged, and in an instant, the elder was slain, leaving no chance for anyone to react.
"This..."
Looking at the elder who was killed, the other elders' eyes widened with terror. They had thought Lu Fan would not act rashly, that he would only stop at threats, but it seemed that was not the case.
"I hate it most when people threaten me!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "If you are unwilling to surrender, I don't mind dealing with all of you!"
The elders exchanged glances, their faces turning pale. They were the leaders of the Heavenly Kill Stronghold, after all, and how could they be willing to surrender.
But Lu Fan's strength was formidable; if they did not surrender, their lives would be in peril.
"It seems you have made your choice!"
Lu Fan's expression was cold as he stepped towards the remaining four elders. He did not wish to be so ruthless, but if these people were unwilling to surrender, keeping them would be of no use.
"We four swear to the heavens, we voluntarily join the Azure Cloud Sect!"
The elders knelt down one after another. Lu Fan could kill them in an instant, so why would they dare to delay further.
"This is for the best!" Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction.
Han Qiushui also looked pleased. With the addition of these four powerful individuals, the Azure Cloud Sect's influence was gradually growing, and they would surely make a name for themselves in the Outer Domain battlefield.
More importantly, the four elders had sworn an oath, which represented their sincerity. Martial arts experts did not make oaths lightly, and this was also a most effective form of allegiance.
After the group occupied the Heavenly Kill Stronghold, Lu Fan entered the main hall and then looked at the four elders. "Since you have surrendered to me, I will never treat you unfairly. Seeing that you have likely been War Spirits for decades, if there is an opportunity in the future, I will help you take a step forward and reach the War King realm!"
The bodies of the four elders trembled. They had long given up hope, but Lu Fan's words ignited a burning fire within them.
If they could truly reach the War King realm, they would be willing to die for it. Lu Fan, at such a young age, had already achieved the War King realm, which showed that his words were not empty promises.
"As long as you follow me faithfully, there will be opportunities in the future!" Lu Fan spoke again.
"We will surely follow you to the death, my lord!" the four elders quickly clasped their fists.
Lu Fan nodded with satisfaction, then went to the Heavenly Kill Stronghold's treasury. Seeing the abundance of rare spiritual treasures, he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy.
These items were all rare commodities, and combined with his alchemy techniques, the elixirs he refined would undoubtedly have great efficacy.
Near the Heavenly Kill Stronghold, two figures in black appeared, constantly observing the stronghold with killing intent in their eyes.
"I never expected that in just a few days, he would have occupied two strongholds so close to each other," Elder Shangguan said coldly. "If this brat is not eliminated, the consequences will be endless!"
"The Heavenly Kill Stronghold belongs to the Azure Sky Empire, and he dared to act so recklessly!" Elder Ouyang frowned. "Isn't he afraid of the Azure Sky Empire's retribution?"
"This is the extent of his arrogance," Elder Shangguan frowned. "Someone like this is the most terrifying!"
"In that case, let us nip him in the bud!"
Elder Ouyang said coldly, "It's time to avenge my grandson!"
"It is not yet time; we cannot expose our identities," Elder Shangguan smiled. "When night falls, we will find an opportunity to act. The Dragon Country values this brat greatly. If they know it was us, they will likely mobilize the entire nation against us!"
Elder Ouyang nodded slightly. It was a sensitive period, and no empire dared to act rashly. Although the Dragon Country was not as powerful, if it truly came to a desperate fight, the Sea Country would not be in an advantageous position either.
Throughout the day, Lu Fan remained in the alchemy pavilion of the Heavenly Kill Stronghold, refining a significant number of elixirs. These elixirs were of extremely high quality, and with rare heavenly treasures as ingredients, their efficacy was naturally remarkable.
After receiving the elixirs, Han Yunhai and the others immediately began their cultivation, not daring to delay even for a moment. They now felt a great sense of crisis.
If they did not become stronger, they would likely not be able to keep pace with Lu Fan.