Yang Beitian was terrified and did not dare to look back. The sword Lu Fan wielded, infused with powerful inner strength, pierced through Yang Beitian's body in an instant.
Outside the Octagonal Pavilion, the disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect exclaimed in shock. Lu Fan's ability to walk on water had already astonished them, and his current feat of killing Yang Beitian filled them with elation.
"He succeeded, Mr. Lu succeeded!"
Han Yunhai was overjoyed and filled with regret. His attitude towards Lu Fan in the Octagonal Pavilion earlier had not been the best. Now, it seemed Lu Fan was the true master.
But in that very moment, everyone witnessed the ripples on the bank of West Lake. Yang Beitian, who had been pierced by the sword, surged out of the water and onto the surface in the blink of an eye.
The onlookers gasped again, and even Lu Fan was surprised. Under normal circumstances, that attack should have been fatal, but it appeared things were not as simple as imagined.
"I don't want to be your enemy, why do you press me so hard?" Yang Beitian looked at Lu Fan. "The forces behind me are not something you can contend with."
"It seems you're wearing soft armor and came here specifically for revenge, prepared in advance," Lu Fan smiled. "But before true masters, soft armor is useless!"
Lu Fan gradually condensed the water waves, and a massive sword began to form again. He hadn't exerted his full strength earlier, nor had the sword been particularly sharp, but this time was vastly different.
"You can't kill me, you can't kill me!" Yang Beitian roared. "You will regret this later!"
Boom...
With a loud explosion, Yang Beitian's body was pierced. Blood finally flowed from him as he plunged into the lake.
The crowd was shaken. Han Yunhai was even more worried, as Yang Beitian's survival would likely spell great trouble for him.
However, Lu Fan was at ease. His previous move was not for show. Despite Yang Beitian being a peak Grandmaster, he still couldn't resist.
Stepping on the lake's surface as if strolling, Lu Fan arrived at the shore in moments. "The trouble is resolved. He's fallen to the lakebed; he can't possibly survive!"
"Thank you, Mr. Lu!" Han Yunhai quickly clasped his fists. "If not for your assistance, I might not have escaped today."
"It's a minor matter, hardly worth mentioning," Lu Fan shrugged. "However, what your master said is not without reason. Money is hard to earn these days; don't be fooled by others."
Elder Zhou stood to the side, his face filled with embarrassment. He quickly offered a wry smile to Lu Fan. "It was my own lack of foresight; I never imagined Mr. Lu possessed such divine abilities."
"Mr. Lu, please don't be angry. When we return, I will speak to the elder properly," Han Yunhai hastened to placate him.
"There's no need for that. Regardless, he is still your master," Lu Fan waved his hand. "The matter is resolved, there's no need to linger here, is there?"
"Mr. Lu, I misspoke earlier. I offer my apologies," Elder Zhou quickly bowed. "However, Mr. Lu, to which sect do you belong? How did you achieve such fortune?"
"You wouldn't know even if I told you, so it's better not to say," Lu Fan smiled. "If he possesses such skill, this person's background is not weak. You should all be more careful in the future."
"Thank you for your reminder, Mr. Lu!" Han Yunhai cupped his fists again, adding with embarrassment, "He fell directly to the lakebed, and I don't know if he survived. As long as Yang Beitian is alive, I won't feel at ease."
"Do you not trust me, or yourself?" Lu Fan said faintly. "If someone can survive falling to the lakebed, are they even human?"
"This..."
Han Yunhai offered an embarrassed smile. He was merely worried and found it unlikely.
"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay here chatting with you all!" Lu Fan shrugged. "I said long ago that the Azure Dragon Sect would become my vanguard, and I would clear the path for them. No one can stop me."
Watching Lu Fan depart, Han Yunhai was filled with hope. He had initially thought Lu Fan was just speaking figuratively, but now it seemed things were far from simple.
"It was indeed my carelessness. If not for Mr. Lu, we would all have perished here today," Elder Zhou sighed helplessly. "It seems I am truly getting old; otherwise, I wouldn't have been in such a sorry state."
"Master, please don't blame yourself. Today's events are not your fault," Han Yunhai stated directly. "I also didn't know Yang Beitian's cultivation was so formidable."
"Indeed, at such a young age, he has already reached peak Grandmaster, even approaching Half-step Grandmaster," Elder Zhou said with a grave expression. "Such a powerful individual likely has significant backing. You must be very careful in the future."
"I will pay close attention. However, with Mr. Lu around, it's not a major issue," Han Yunhai said with a smile.
"Mr. Lu is clearly no ordinary person, but he cannot protect you forever," Elder Zhou said helplessly. "If you encounter real danger, what will you do?"
"According to what you mean, Master, what should I do?" Han Yunhai asked repeatedly.
"Practice diligently. If you can reach Grandmaster in the future, you will be a supreme figure in the martial arts," Elder Zhou declared grandly. "In the future, I too can bask in your glory."
"Master, please don't mock me," Han Yunhai said with a wry smile. "If I could become a Grandmaster, I wouldn't be confined to Qingzhou."
"Such a lack of ambition!"
Elder Zhou shot him a glare and said no more. Even he had not become a Grandmaster, so how could he reprimand his disciple.
After Elder Zhou left, Han Yunhai's expression turned cold. He looked at Xiaobai Long. "Send people to search. We need to find him, alive or dead!"
"Sect Leader, are you worried..." Xiaobai Long was slightly surprised.
"I naturally believe Mr. Lu, but as long as Yang Beitian is alive, I will not feel at ease," Han Yunhai stated solemnly.
"Your disciple obeys!" Xiaobai Long quickly clasped his fists.
Han Yunhai nodded, saying nothing more. The events of today had shocked even him. Fortunately, Lu Fan had intervened in time; otherwise, their lives would have been forfeit.
Meanwhile, by the banks of West Lake, many people looked at the water's surface with exclamations. They had clearly seen Lu Fan walking on water during his fight, which filled them with awe.
It was likely that this matter would soon spread, and Qingzhou would ultimately not be peaceful.
Leaving the banks of West Lake, Lu Fan headed towards Taikang Pharmaceuticals. He had promised Lin Ke'er that he would take her to buy a car after she finished work.
At the same time, in an office at Taikang Pharmaceuticals, Lin Ke had been working for most of the day. He was sweating profusely and constantly organizing documents.
He had applied for a position in the sales department, but to his disappointment, he had done nothing but menial tasks at the company for the entire day.
However, Lin Ke did not complain. As a newcomer to the company, doing these tasks was only natural, at least in his opinion.