Lu Fan channeled his strength into his palm, aiming it at the strange old man with no restraint.
Sensing something was wrong, the old man also threw out a palm, and the two retreated, appearing evenly matched.
"You old man, if you want roast chicken, you should go all out. Why are you still holding back against me?" Lu Fan glanced at him. "It looks like you don't want to eat this roast chicken!"
"You have the nerve to say that about me?" The old man rolled his eyes. "Aren't you holding back too, trying to test me? It's not that easy."
"It seems you are truly a legendary mighty figure," Lu Fan chuckled. "If you were just an ordinary Grandmaster, how could you withstand my palm strike?"
"Mighty figure?" The old man smiled. "That's just a term in your mortal world. Those at the truly high levels never consider themselves mighty figures!"
"If it's not a mighty figure above Grandmaster, then what is it called?" Gu Wen asked in surprise.
He was already a half-step Grandmaster, a prodigy among the younger generation, yet for some reason, he always felt useless when he was with Lu Fan.
"Those who are stronger than Grandmasters are called Battle Spirits!" the old man stated frankly. "Grandmaster is merely a watershed for the strong. Within the Dragon Country, Battle Spirits are not numerous, but they are enough to destroy heavens and earth!"
"So, above Grandmaster, there are Battle Spirits, the legendary mighty figures!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. In fact, even he didn't know his current strength.
He could only vaguely estimate that he wouldn't lose to the old man, meaning he might also be a Battle Spirit.
"As expected of a high level!" Gu Wen was inwardly delighted. "Before, those above Grandmaster were called mighty figures, but now there's even the term Battle Spirit!"
"In the ordinary mortal world, even martial arts families have at most a few Grandmasters," the old man said directly. "But within the Dragon Country, there are many hidden experts. Those are the true strong ones!"
"So the two people chasing you are also Battle Spirit level?" Lu Fan was somewhat shocked.
Hearing the old man's words, he actually felt a surge of impulse regarding combat power.
"Indeed, not bad!" The old man nodded. "To become a Dragon Group member at such a young age, and a Battle Spirit expert, they are no weaker than you."
"My master already possesses heaven-sent talent, are there even more formidable existences than my master?"
Gu Wen was shocked and even more eager to know.
"To become a Dragon Group member and be discovered by the Dragon Group, one must be a giant in the martial arts world," the old man smiled faintly. "I've heard that more than eighty percent of Dragon Group members are among the top five on the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings of past years."
"Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings?"
Lu Fan was shocked. "What kind of ranking is this? Why have I never known about it?"
"You don't even know about the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings? You are truly ignorant." Su Dan Novel Network
The old man grinned. "Your world is too small. We have no common topics!"
However, at that moment, Lu Fan and the old man exchanged a glance. The old man directly headed towards the room, as if something major had happened.
Just then, the courtyard gate was opened, and Han Bing and Jian Ying stepped in. Seeing Lu Fan, they were somewhat surprised: "It's you!"
"What's the matter, sirs?" Lu Fan asked. "You've come uninvited."
"We sensed a strong aura and thought it was that old man," Jian Ying said with a smile. "Apologies for the intrusion."
Han Bing, however, was sharp and scanned the rooms in the courtyard, seemingly sensing something. "There's a Battle Spirit aura here! Is that person hiding here?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Lu Fan shrugged. "I don't know any Battle Spirits. Your unauthorized entry into my residence is quite improper."
"The Battle Spirit aura is undeniable," Han Bing said coldly. "Search every room!"
"Let's see who dares!"
Lu Fan's expression turned cold, and his body exuded immense battle intent. Lu Fan would not let Han Bing have his way with such arrogance.
"I am a member of the Dragon Group and have the authority to act first and report later," Han Bing said, producing a token. "I advise you to cooperate!"
"I don't care who you are!" Lu Fan said coldly. "You've intruded into this place and are so arrogant, how can I let you in!"
"Jian Ying, stop him."
Han Bing's voice was cold; he didn't take Lu Fan seriously at all. Since there was a Battle Spirit aura here, it must be where the old man was hiding, and they wouldn't let him go easily.
Jian Ying said nothing more, drawing his sword and slashing at Lu Fan, accompanied by endless sword intent. Everything in his path turned to dust, appearing extremely formidable.
"Is this what a Battle Spirit expert looks like?" Gu Wen was filled with disbelief. Even now, he found it hard to accept.
Lu Fan and Jian Ying exchanged ten moves. Lu Fan moved like a phantom, blocking Han Bing again. "If you want to search my place, you'll have to get past me first!"
"Battle Spirit aura."
Han Bing looked at Lu Fan, somewhat astonished. The aura emanating from Lu Fan was something even he wasn't confident of defeating, which was enough to show that Lu Fan was also a Battle Spirit.
"It seems to be a misunderstanding!" Jian Ying said with a wry smile. "However, to have become a Battle Spirit at such a young age is truly remarkable. If you are willing to join the Dragon Group, it will surely welcome you!"
"I have no interest!" Lu Fan glanced at them. "You were arrogant, invaded my courtyard, and now want to recruit me. I don't think that's appropriate."
"Han Bing, that Battle Spirit aura just now was probably emitted by him," Jian Ying said. "Let's leave! It's better to avoid unpleasantness."
Han Bing frowned and reluctantly withdrew. If they were to truly fight, they wouldn't have absolute confidence.
Seeing the two leave, Lu Fan finally let out a sigh of relief. These two were incredibly powerful, and he might not have been able to defeat them if they had truly fought.
As soon as they left the courtyard, Jian Ying said, "This kid has good strength. Why don't we send a message to the boss? See if he's interested in recruiting him into the Dragon Group?"
"To enter the Dragon Group, one needs to pass through layers of trials, not just strength," Han Bing said coldly. "Our mission this time is to capture that old man, not to find new blood for the Dragon Group!"
"I was just suggesting," Jian Ying said with a helpless shrug.
Inside the courtyard, the old man swaggered out. "If I didn't want to avoid a direct conflict with them, just the two of them wouldn't be my match!"
"Since you're so powerful, why hide here!" Lu Fan retorted. "But what did you mean by the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings just now?"
"The Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings are the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings. What else could they mean?" The old man rolled his eyes and sat down to crack melon seeds, looking leisurely.
Lu Fan was somewhat helpless and had Han Yunhai go to investigate.
As a martial arts expert, not knowing about the Martial Arts Heavenly Rankings was truly embarrassing.
After a long while, Han Yunhai returned in a hurry.
"How is it? Did you find out?" Lu Fan asked.