The elders fell silent one after another, their expressions shifting. As the Eighth Elder had said, the current situation was largely due to Long Guo's indulgence.
However, they also understood that Long Guo's weakness stemmed from its limited national strength and a scarcity of martial arts experts. Otherwise, sects would not dare to act so presumptuously.
It was disheartening for the great nation of Long Guo to be constrained by sects, but powerful sects had existed within states for thousands of years. These sects not only failed to aid the nation but also siphoned off its talented individuals, a situation that had long displeased many nations.
Yet, with the deeply entrenched power of the sects, eradicating them one by one was no easy task.
Meanwhile, within Medicine King Valley, the Valley Master sat cross-legged, accompanied by a group of elders, all of whom appeared solemn.
The Medicine King Valley Master had convened a meeting, and none dared to show the slightest disrespect, especially since the Valley Master had never appeared so serious in years.
The Medicine King Valley had remained aloof from worldly affairs for so long, and the Valley Master had never left the secluded valley. However, after this recent excursion, his demeanor had been unpredictable.
"First Elder, do you know your crime!" the Medicine King Valley Master said coldly. "Not only did you act rashly, disregarding my orders, but you nearly met your end and implicated Medicine King Valley!"
"Thank you for saving my life, Valley Master, but I believe I have committed no offense." The First Elder stated resolutely, "That fellow surnamed Lu exterminated my entire Xia family. How could I not pursue him!"
"Did you not know that he is connected to Long Guo!" the Medicine King Valley Master retorted. "I had already investigated this matter. Your Xia family members defied etiquette and offended Lord Lu of Jiangnan, thus bringing about their demise!"
"It seems pointless to debate right and wrong now!" the First Elder said with a grim expression. "He annihilated my entire Xia family; I will never let this matter rest!"
"Absurd!" the Medicine King Valley Master thundered. "You, a powerful figure of Medicine King Valley, do not even obey my commands. What use are you!" The Medicine King Valley Master's expression turned icy. "Even now, you fail to grasp the situation and insist on inviting disaster upon yourself!"
The First Elder remained silent, but he would not take a single step back in this matter; his resolve was unwavering. Su Dan Novel Network
The hatred of family annihilation was irreconcilable. If given the opportunity in the future, he would surely make Lu Fan pay the price.
"The three major sects are all harboring their own intentions. True unity is not easy to achieve!" the Medicine King Valley Master stated coldly. "If it were any other elder, I would have no fear. However, the top three elders of Long Guo make even me wary!"
"Those three elders have been in seclusion for many years and have never emerged. Why should the Valley Master be worried?" the First Elder interjected. "I absolutely do not believe Long Guo would wage war with Medicine King Valley for him!"
The other elders also nodded in agreement. They largely supported the First Elder's words. After all, Long Guo had tolerated the actions of the three major sects repeatedly over the years; why would they act for Lu Fan?
"You are truly too naive!" the Medicine King Valley Master said chillingly. "Do you genuinely believe that young man is of ordinary status!"
"What do you mean!" the First Elder asked, surprised. "Even if he were a Battle King, what is there to fear!"
"I have already dispatched people to investigate. The Qingyun Sect disciples under him have spread throughout the entire battlefield, and they have established two major strongholds!" the Medicine King Valley Master said in a low voice. "With time, they will reach higher levels, and even Medicine King Valley may not be able to compare with them!"
"Valley Master, you worry too much. I believe that young man may not achieve anything significant!" the First Elder said dismissively, showing no concern for Lu Fan.
"Among the two strongholds, one is in the Sea Country!" the Medicine King Valley Master sneered. "For him to occupy a stronghold in the Sea Country without being reclaimed by the Sea Country, what kind of relationship do you think he has with Long Guo!"
"How can that be possible!" The First Elder's face changed drastically. "The Sea Country has numerous experts, and even Long Guo dares not provoke them. How could the Qingyun Sect possess the ability to make the Sea Country act in such a manner!"
"Some matters are not as simple as they appear on the surface!" the Medicine King Valley Master said coldly. "If it were not for Long Guo, why would the Sea Country be so wary? The complexities involved are beyond our prediction!"
The First Elder's face turned ashen, and he found it difficult to say anything further. Since the Medicine King Valley Master had articulated his thoughts to this extent, he should understand the underlying logic.
However, the hatred for the annihilation of his clan was irreconcilable. He would secretly bear this in mind and, when the opportunity arose, he would launch a thunderous strike against Lu Fan.
After all the elders had departed, the Medicine King Valley Master looked at the First Elder. "I reprimanded you publicly today; do you understand my intention!"
"Your subordinate does not know!"
The First Elder clasped his hands. "Is the Valley Master not blaming me?"
"If I truly blamed you, would I have allowed you to leave Medicine King Valley!" the Medicine King Valley Master said coldly. "This matter was ultimately an accident. You were able to kill him with ease, which suggests I underestimated his strength!"
"What the Valley Master says is quite perplexing to me!" the First Elder expressed his surprise. "You have no grievances with him, so why do you harbor such animosity towards him?"
"Some matters are not as simple as you perceive them to be!"
The Medicine King Valley Master narrowed his eyes. "That young man possesses formidable strength and exceptional talent. If you could kill him, Medicine King Valley would have less pressure in the future! After all, with Long Guo's ascendancy, the three major sects are bound to face a crisis!"
"If that is the case, why does the Valley Master not kill him!" the First Elder sneered. "He is currently in Longdu. If the Valley Master personally intervenes, he can surely kill him!"
"You are truly muddled!" the Medicine King Valley Master said. "The elders of Long Guo are already aware of this matter. If we were to deal with him now, it would be harder than climbing to heaven. Furthermore, any misstep would be a significant blow to Medicine King Valley as a whole!"
"However, this is a rare opportunity!" the First Elder said repeatedly. "If we miss this chance, who knows when the next one will come!"
"A great achiever is not bound by trivialities!" the Medicine King Valley Master stated sternly. "Do not act rashly in the near future, lest you stir up trouble!"
"Since the Valley Master has said so, I will naturally not disobey!" the First Elder said repeatedly, his expression conveying utmost seriousness.
Seeing the First Elder's words, the Medicine King Valley Master nodded slightly and said no more.
After all, regardless of the circumstances, the First Elder was a high-ranking member of Medicine King Valley, and he could not say much more.
Meanwhile, in Jiangjing Longting, Lu Fan sat cross-legged, circulating internal energy to his chest, his eyes filled with solemnity.
Although he appeared outwardly unharmed, the blow from the Medicine King Valley Master had injured Lu Fan's internal organs, posing a grave crisis for him.
"Xiao Fan, here are the fruits I prepared for you!" Lin Ke approached with fruits, opening the door simultaneously.
Upon seeing the sweat on Lu Fan's face, her expression immediately turned grim. "Why do you look so unwell? Is your injury more serious than it appears!"
"It's nothing!" Lu Fan waved his hand. "Don't worry too much. I'll manage. You should go out first."
"How can that be? You're so seriously injured, how can I stand by and watch!"