"Good, good!"
The Zhao family head beamed with satisfaction. Not only had Zhao Hanxue survived, but she had also reached the Half-Saint realm. This was a monumental event for the Zhao family.
Qin Wushuang, however, knitted his brows. This was hardly good news for the Qin family.
"Patriarch, what do we do now?"
A Qin family elder inquired. With the Zhao family now possessing another Half-Saint, and such a young one at that, a direct confrontation might not be favorable.
"Since the Qin family has made its move, there's no turning back!"
Qin Wushuang spoke coldly, then addressed the Zhao family head, "Even with two Half-Saints in the Zhao family, challenging the Qin family is still a bit of a stretch!"
"Qin Wushuang, don't speak of the Zhao family having two. Even if it were just me, the Zhao family would not compromise."
The Zhao family head retorted coldly, "Otherwise, it will be a mutual destruction!"
"Hmph! If that's the case, then we can only fight!"
Qin Wushuang's expression was indifferent, laced with extreme displeasure.
The Zhao family no longer had a Saint, yet they dared to be so arrogant. This irked him immensely.
"Patriarch Qin, both families are major powers in the Triangular Domain. Do you truly intend to make an enemy of my Zhao family today?"
Zhao Hanxue said sternly, "If that is the case, it will likely result in a lose-lose situation!"
"You have only just reached the Half-Saint realm, while the Qin family has three Half-Saints!"
Qin Wushuang sneered, "Do you think the Zhao family can stand against the Qin family?"
Zhao Hanxue's brow furrowed. Her hesitation to act was due to apprehension, and Qin Wushuang's accurate assessment left her feeling somewhat embarrassed.
At that moment, two Qin family Half-Saints suddenly attacked, moving to apprehend Zhao Hanxue.
"You dare!"
The Zhao family head's face changed drastically. His internal energy surged as he attempted to intervene, but Qin Wushuang blocked his path. "Either hand over the mines, or the Zhao family will be annihilated today!"
Zhao Hanxue, pursued by two Half-Saints, also grew pale. Although she had reached the Half-Saint realm, facing two equally powerful Half-Saints simultaneously put her at a disadvantage.
In the blink of an eye, Zhao Hanxue began to falter. The Zhao family members wanted to rush to her aid, but the clash between Half-Saint powerhouses was far beyond their ability to participate.
Witnessing this scene, Lu Fan's brow furrowed. He considered Zhao Hanxue a friend, and he couldn't bear to watch her be bullied.
"My lord, this matter has nothing to do with us!"
Hu Yu spoke up, "You're not thinking of intervening, are you? The Qin family has three Half-Saints!"
"It's fine!"
Lu Fan waved his hand and instantly appeared beside Zhao Hanxue, simultaneously repelling one of the Half-Saint powerhouses with a palm strike.
"Who are you?"
The Half-Saint was greatly alarmed and incredulous. As a Half-Saint, his power was formidable. How could an ordinary person possibly repel him?
"Zhao Hanxue is my friend. If she is in trouble, how can I not act!"
Lu Fan stated directly, "The Zhao family once had a Saint, which is why the Qin family dared not act recklessly. Now that the Saint is gone, you resort to kicking them while they are down. Is that not unseemly!"
"What business is this of yours!"
Qin Wushuang looked at Lu Fan, "Could it be that you are also from the Zhao family?"
"That's not the case!"
Lu Fan shrugged his shoulders, "But with me here today, I will not allow you to act with such impunity!"
Qin Wushuang's face turned ashen. He had mobilized significant Qin family forces to deal with the Zhao family, never expecting an unexpected challenger to appear midway.
The Zhao family members were bewildered, unsure of what was happening. Particularly, the strength Lu Fan displayed caused them to feel a sense of awe.
To repel a Half-Saint with a single palm strike was something even the Zhao family head might not be able to accomplish.
"Patriarch, this person's strength is not weak!"
One of the Half-Saints remarked, "It might not be so easy to deal with the Zhao family today!"
Qin Wushuang's face immediately turned ashen, and he glanced at Lu Fan, "Good lad, I've taken note of you. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay this slight!"
With that, Qin Wushuang led his men away. Though unwilling, they had no other choice.
After they departed, Zhao Hanxue finally relaxed. The Qin family, being a major power in the Triangular Domain, would undoubtedly cause great trouble for the Zhao family if they were to engage in a direct conflict.
"Xiao Xue, who is this?"
The Zhao family head's eyes gleamed as he looked at Lu Fan. To be so accomplished at such a young age greatly impressed him. Most importantly, the strength Lu Fan had just displayed was extraordinary.
"He is a friend of mine," Zhao Hanxue replied. "He is also the only one from the Divine Desolation Mountain who survived besides me."
"I see!"
The Zhao family head nodded slightly. "Truly a young talent. To have ventured into the Divine Desolation Mountain at such a young age, and to possess such cultivation."
"Patriarch Zhao, you flatter me," Lu Fan smiled, appearing quite courteous.
"Please, come inside! Please!"
The Zhao family head gestured eagerly. "We must host you tonight, young friend. You cannot miss it."
"Father, don't worry. Not only will he not miss it, but he will also be staying with us for a while," Zhao Hanxue said with a smile. "Is that alright?"
"Of course, it's perfectly fine. Having you stay at the Zhao family makes our humble abode even more honored,"
The Zhao family head said with a laugh, his expression earnest. The methods Lu Fan had displayed earlier were likely on par with his own. To possess such cultivation at such a young age meant he would undoubtedly achieve great things in the future.
As the head of the Zhao family, he couldn't be happier, and certainly wouldn't refuse.
Furthermore, in his eyes, Lu Fan, being young and promising, was the best prospective son-in-law. Such an excellent candidate was not someone he wished to miss.
However, he was unaware that Lu Fan had no such intentions. Otherwise, the Zhao family head would have been filled with regret.
Upon arriving at the Zhao family courtyard, Zhao Hanxue selected a residence for Lu Fan. "You can stay here from now on! My room is right next door. You can call me anytime if you need anything."
"Thank you, Miss Zhao!"
Lu Fan nodded slightly, appearing quite satisfied.
"It is I who should be thanking you!"
Zhao Hanxue smiled. "If you hadn't intervened today, the Zhao family would likely have been in peril. You are also a benefactor to our Zhao family. If there is anything you need in the future, please do not hesitate to ask."
"I wouldn't dare!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, a smile on his face. "Miss Zhao, please do not burden me with such words."
"I am serious!" Zhao Hanxue stated directly. "As the saying goes, great kindness needs no thanks. There are some things I cannot say much about, but I will remember everything you have done."
Hu Yu stood aside, his brows tightly furrowed. He was particularly disdainful of Zhao Hanxue's words.
Perhaps in his mind, he felt Zhao Hanxue was getting too close to Lu Fan, and this evoked a sense of displeasure within him.
After leaving the courtyard, Zhao Hanxue returned to her room. The Zhao family head had been waiting for some time, his expression now serious. "Xiao Xue, did you truly obtain the Divine Immortal Fruit?"
"That's right, I did obtain it!" Zhao Hanxue stated. "Unfortunately, the Divine Immortal Fruit cannot leave the Divine Desolation Mountain. Otherwise, our Zhao family would be overflowing with Half-Saints!"