Hearing the words of the white-browed elder, Xu Fan's heart sank. It wasn't because he had to surrender the treasure, but because he heard the news of Zhao Chenglong's death.

Earlier, Xu Fan had already realized that Zhao Chenglong handing the Spiritual Snake to him was not only a way to sever ties with him in front of Li Hua and the others, avoiding suspicion, but also had a touch of entrusting a legacy.

In the last battle, Zhao Chenglong already harbored the intent to die!

For Zhao Chenglong, the ultimate thing in his life had departed. The goal for him to stay alive was not revenge, but to pass down a certain thing. Thus, he had persisted in the face of the Zhao Family's siege until now.

And having found Xu Fan, Zhao Chenglong then fulfilled his mission, leaving this world without regret or attachment, extremely carefree.

However, clearly, now was not the time to mourn Zhao Chenglong. Facing the solemn white-browed elder and the covetous trio of Li Yu, Xu Fan showed no abnormal expression. He directly took out the Spiritual Snake.

"The treasure is here. If the Zhao Family wants it, just take it."

At this moment, Xu Fan had realized that the Spiritual Snake was not what Zhao Chenglong risked his life to protect. Clearly, it was not what the Zhao Family truly wanted. What the Zhao Family truly desired was that seemingly ordinary Jade Pendant.

The Spiritual Snake was not originally his, and its properties were destined to only be effective against those below the Zhiwei Realm. It didn't offer Xu Fan much benefit, so he handed it over without any reluctance.

Yet, before the white-browed elder could speak, Elder Xie's expression darkened, and he held Xu Fan behind him with a wave of his hand, "Brother Zhao, according to the rules, the treasure should first be delivered to the base, ensure the mission is completed, then handed from the base to Brother Zhao."

"Brother Zhao, directly taking the treasure now, puts me in a difficult position to account for..."

Xu Fan was startled, realizing Elder Xie's intent, that Elder Xie seemed to covet this Spiritual Snake and wanted to claim it for himself through such means.

"Elder Xie, you and I are both at the Zhiwei Realm level, there's no need for cryptic talk. I take the Spiritual Snake, Elder Xie cannot account for it, but if I allow Elder Xie to take it, I'm afraid this Spiritual Snake will never return to the Zhao Family, right?"

"Moreover, besides this Spiritual Snake, there should be another item!"

As he spoke, the white-browed elder cast a murderous gaze towards Xu Fan; Li Yu and the other three Zhiwei Realm experts subtly took a step forward, forming a pincer threat against Xu Fan.

If the Zhao Family made a move against Xu Fan and stalled Elder Xie's step, the three of them would instantly strike Xu Fan and kill him.

They dared not offend Elder Xie, but currently, each of them represented their respective families! With the families as their backing, they feared no one!

Five Zhiwei Realm experts engaged in a standoff, their fierce auras tangled and twisted, an eerie gale blew in all directions; this was a Zhiwei Realm level clash.

In such a clash at the Zhiwei Realm level, those below the Zhiwei Realm couldn't even stand nearby, including Feng Wu and Long Qing, whose faces turned red from the overwhelming pressure.

Only Xu Fan's face remained calm, standing there with his hands behind his back, appearing as though it was none of his business, remarkably serene.

Yet in reality, Xu Fan's heart was filled with anxiety. Whether the Jade Pendant was a treasure or something else, it was ultimately entrusted to him by Zhao Chenglong, and he must protect it even if it was just an ordinary Jade Pendant!

However, with four Zhiwei Realm experts eyeing him, surrounded by Vajra Realm Peak experts, and the Li Family, Long Family, Feng Family potentially sending experts at any time, in case of a fierce conflict, Xu Fan would be in extreme danger!

Nonetheless, Xu Fan did not hint at anything to Elder Xie, his expression remained unchanged. He believed Elder Xie, with his cleverness, would see the situation clearly. Hastily reminding him would only backfire, arousing suspicion from the white-browed elder and others.

Sure enough, without disappointing Xu Fan, after a tense standoff, Elder Xie suddenly withdrew his aura, and the whistling wind vanished.

"Brother Zhao, I'll give you face today, but Xu Fan remains a person of the base, and while you may have the treasure, you must not make things difficult for Xu Fan. Otherwise, Brother Zhao knows the consequences of angering the base…"

Elder Xie's words seemed submissive, but in fact, they were a strategic retreat, declaring to everyone his bottom line: Xu Fan is untouchable, everything else is negotiable.

Upon hearing Elder Xie's words, the four Zhiwei Realm experts, including the white-browed elder, slightly raised their eyebrows and looked at Xu Fan with a gaze that shifted from disdain to faint curiosity.

A young man at Entering Dao Realm Peak, surprisingly worth Elder Xie's considerable protection? Moreover, according to Elder Xie's implication, killing Xu Fan would anger the high ranks of the base?

However, that faint curiosity swiftly dissipated in the eyes of the four. No matter what background Xu Fan had, to Li Yu and the others, Xu Fan must die! And to the white-browed elder, regardless of Xu Fan's background, the treasure must be seized!

"Boy, I'll say it one last time, hand over the treasure."

The white-browed elder took the Spiritual Snake but was still unwilling to let Xu Fan go, his attitude extremely determined, eyes flashing with cold gleams and threads of killing intent, as if Xu Fan uttering even a single "no" would bring disaster!

Yet Xu Fan appeared to ignore the white-browed elder's murderous intent, speaking calmly, "Why are you so sure the so-called treasure is with me? I'm an enemy of Zhao Chenglong, and my strength is far inferior to his. How would Zhao Chenglong hand the treasure to me?"

"Plus, Officer Feng Wu was present at the scene, you can also verify with her. At that time, I was busy sullying Officer Feng Wu, where would I find the time to handle any treasure?"

Upon Xu Fan's words, a sound of rebuke erupted, as members of the family entourage around Feng Wu glared angrily at Xu Fan.

Yet the white-browed elder frowned, focusing his gaze on Feng Wu, whose face was flushed.

"Is there any falsehood in what he says?"

Seeing the white-browed elder's gaze, Feng Wu felt somewhat guilty, not knowing why Xu Fan pushed her forward, but she wouldn't miss the chance to kill Xu Fan.

Feng Wu hesitated not, directly speaking to the white-browed elder, "Senior! This person speaks nonsense! I witnessed him holding the Spiritual Snake, forcing Zhao Chenglong to hand the treasure to him!"

Feng Wu's words instantly escalated the killing intent in the white-browed elder's eyes as he turned it towards Xu Fan.

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