Soon after, several figures in black arrived at the Jiang family's courtyard. The leader looked at Shen, the second son of the Shen family, "What exactly is going on? Why use the signal flare!"
"Please, Envoy of the North Sea, bring justice to my Shen family!"
Shen, the second son, cupped his fists. "My eldest brother had already submitted to the North Sea Pavilion. I never expected him to die unjustly. All this is the doing of the person before us!"
The leader in black looked at Lu Fan, his brow furrowing slightly. He felt as if he had seen Lu Fan somewhere before, but couldn't recall where.
"Your skills are impressive, sir. To be able to kill the Shen family patriarch means you are no ordinary person!" the leader in black said directly. "If you are willing to join the North Sea Pavilion, perhaps your life can be spared!"
Shen, the second son, and Shen, the third son, changed their expressions. They had invited many experts from the North Sea Pavilion, not to have them recruit Lu Fan into the North Sea Pavilion.
"I'm really not interested!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "This matter has nothing to do with the North Sea Pavilion. I hope you will not interfere, otherwise, there might be accidental injuries!"
"Young man, you have quite the gall!" the leader sneered. "Within the North Sea territory, there is nothing the North Sea Pavilion cannot manage. The Shen family patriarch had already submitted to the North Sea Pavilion. By killing him, you have made an enemy of the North Sea Pavilion!"
"So what?" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "With just a few of you, do you think you can fight me?"
"Your words are indeed bold!" The faces of several black-clad men turned ashen. As War Spirit realm powerhouses, and elites within the North Sea Pavilion, they could not tolerate such an insult.
In that instant, several black-clad men advanced towards Lu Fan. The many martial arts experts present watched, not daring to delay.
When the experts of the North Sea Pavilion made their move, it was bound to be swift and decisive. More importantly, the North Sea Pavilion was a hidden sect with countless powerful individuals. Witnessing their skills now was considered a stroke of luck.
*Boom...*
Just as the several black-clad men approached, Lu Fan stomped his foot on the ground. A powerful internal force surged forth, instantly repelling the black-clad men, causing blood to trickle from their lips.
Shen, the second son, looked on in disbelief. These were all envoys of the North Sea Pavilion, each possessing formidable strength, even surpassing many martial arts grandmasters and reaching the War Spirit realm.
Yet, to his astonishment, Lu Fan, by himself, had managed to repel them all, and without sustaining any injuries.
"Who exactly are you!"
The leader in black, spitting out blood, looked at Lu Fan in disbelief. Even within the North Sea territory, among the many martial arts experts, there was no cultivator as young and powerful as him.
"I am Lord Lu of Jiangnan!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "Does this name carry any weight with the North Sea Pavilion!"
"Lord Lu?"
The leader in black was startled. Others might not know who Lord Lu of Jiangnan was, but they were quite aware.
Lord Lu of Jiangnan was the helmsman of the Qingyun Sect, possessing great influence in the Outer Realm battlefield. Most terrifyingly, despite his young age, Lu Fan possessed War King level strength. If Lu Fan hadn't held back just now, they would have already turned to ashes.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Lord Lu!"
The leader in black quickly cupped his fists. "This matter has nothing to do with the North Sea Pavilion. I hope Lord Lu will understand!"
"You don't need to thank me. Today's events indeed have nothing to do with the North Sea Pavilion," Lu Fan stated.
"Lord Lu's power is heaven-defying. By sparing us today, we will certainly explain this matter upon returning to the North Sea Pavilion!"
The leader in black cupped his fists and then led his men away. Although the North Sea Pavilion was powerful, Lu Fan was not someone to be trifled with. In the Outer Realm battlefield, he not only had the Qingyun Sect but was also an honorary elder of the Dragon Kingdom within the Dragon Kingdom.
Most terrifyingly, Lu Fan's personal combat power had reached the War King level, far beyond what their rank could contend with. Being able to return alive today was already a great fortune.
"Sir, what about my Shen family!" Shen, the second son, spoke, his face even more ashen.
"What a joke. How the Shen family handles itself has nothing to do with the North Sea Pavilion," the leader in black said coldly. "Are you implying that you don't know who you've offended?"
"This..."
Shen, the second son, looked utterly dejected. He had no idea who Lu Fan truly was, but anyone who could make the North Sea Pavilion so apprehensive was certainly not someone his Shen family could offend.
Seeing the experts from the North Sea Pavilion leave, the Jiang family members also relaxed. They had all been holding their breath just moments ago, and it seemed their anxieties were unnecessary.
Indeed, as Lu Fan had said, he could protect the Jiang family and prevent anyone from bullying them.
"Lord Lu, we were blind and failed to recognize your stature. Please spare us!" Shen, the third son, quickly knelt. "From now on, the Shen family will follow your lead!"
Shen, the second son, also looked helpless. Even if Lu Fan had killed his elder brother, he could only kneel. Such a powerful entity as the North Sea Pavilion was so wary of Lu Fan; what was his Shen family in comparison?
"This matter was not mine to begin with!" Lu Fan shrugged, his gaze turning to the Jiang family patriarch. "How to deal with the Shen family is entirely up to you, Patriarch Jiang!"
"Thank you, Lord Lu!"
The Jiang family patriarch quickly cupped his fists and then stepped before the Shen family members. "You are now defeated. If you wish to live, it is not impossible!"
"Please enlighten us, Patriarch Jiang!" Shen, the second son, said directly.
He knew very well that the Jiang family had gained the upper hand and would not let the Shen family off easily.
"The members of the Shen family shall cripple their own cultivation and leave the North Sea territory. Only then can you have a new life!" the Jiang family patriarch said coldly. "Otherwise, it is a dead end!"
"Crippling our own cultivation?" Shen, the third son's face turned ashen. "Why is the Jiang family so malicious!"
"What a joke!" Jiang Meili said coldly. "How is my Jiang family malicious! At least we are giving your Shen family a chance to live. If the Shen family had won today, the entire Jiang family would likely have been annihilated!"
The expressions of the Shen family's experts changed. They didn't know how to respond. As Jiang Meili said, if the Shen family had won today, the Jiang family would cease to exist and would have paid a terrible price.
What the Jiang family patriarch was proposing now was indeed much more lenient.
After the Shen family members were dealt with, the Jiang family patriarch, along with many disciples of the Jiang family, kowtowed deeply to Lu Fan three times. If not for Lu Fan today, the entire Jiang family would not exist, and they understood this profoundly.
Lu Fan felt a bit helpless, but could only accept it gracefully. After all, the kowt had been given, and it was too late to stop it.
"It was merely a small gesture on my part. Why do you need to do this, Patriarch Jiang!" Lu Fan said. "However, with this matter resolved, it can be considered concluded!"
"Without Lord Lu, the Jiang family would likely have had their doors kicked down by now!" the Jiang family patriarch stated. "From now on, if Lord Lu ever needs anything, the Jiang family will serve you faithfully and dare not disobey in the slightest!"
"With your word, Patriarch Jiang, I am at ease," Lu Fan smiled faintly. "After all, having gone through so much, people should grow."