With all preparations complete and everyone present, Zhang Fan set off with Aile Bella and the others, leaving Zhang Fan's parents and Qin Luoshui behind on the island in the lake.
Participating in the World Gang Competition was by no means an easy task, as they would face fierce individuals from underground organizations all over the world. However, with Zhang Fan accompanying them, Yan Qianghu and Yi Feicheng felt no nervousness. Instead, it felt like a tour.
Yi Feicheng even brought his girlfriend, Ye Jing, along, claiming it was a trip abroad and not mentioning the World Gang Competition at all.
"Xiao Fan, are you really going on a trip? Why aren't you preparing anything?" Ye Jing asked, looking at everyone suspiciously.
"Your husband is rich, we can just buy anything we need, why bother preparing?" Yi Feicheng waved his hand grandly and said.
Ye Jing ignored him and stared at Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan could only smile helplessly and said, "Sister Jing, although our purpose isn't a trip, just treat it as one. We have a genuine European with us, they'll definitely arrange everything for you and ensure you have a great time."
Hearing Zhang Fan say this, Ye Jing didn't ask further. She pouted and said, "I don't care what you guys are up to, but as long as this young lady takes me around and has fun, I'll be happy. This is my first time abroad, and if you ruin it, I'll deal with both of you!"
As she spoke, Ye Jing playfully threatened Zhang Fan and Yi Feicheng with a clenched fist.
Aile Bella, listening from the side, couldn't help but smile sweetly, her stunning face breaking into a captivating smile.
Aile Bella wasn't particularly interested in the World Gang Competition, as she had seen similar events before and found the level to be mediocre.
However, this was Zhang Fan's first time in Europe, and he was unfamiliar with the surroundings. Aile Bella naturally decided to accompany him and act as his guide.
Although ancient Western families like the Blood Clan did not participate in such competitions, in past events, the European representative organization, the 'Transcendent Alliance,' had requested external aid from their Blood Clan.
While not many in the Blood Clan cultivated to the Saint realm before the age of thirty, there were always a few in each generation. Aile Bella was the representative figure of the younger generation of the Blood Clan. Before meeting Zhang Fan, her strength was already close to the mid-Saint realm, making her a rare opponent among her peers.
Now, still under thirty, her strength was close to the peak Saint realm, and her actual combat power was not much weaker than that of a peak Saint realm expert. If she were to participate again, she would likely crush her opponents, making it quite boring for her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but glance at Zhang Fan and silently offered three seconds of pity for the prodigies of the younger generation in those major organizations. With Zhang Fan present, they would surely understand what true despair meant.
...
The target this time was Elba Island. Hong Tiansheng directly arranged a private jet, which landed on Bibo Lake.
According to the rules of the World Gang Competition, each participating gang or organization must have three members who meet the qualification criteria to participate.
Therefore, Hong Tiancheng summoned another elite disciple from the younger generation of the Hongmen to accompany Hong Binglan and the others.
As Zhang Fan and his group stepped onto the lake towards the plane, the Hongmen disciple was already waiting. Upon seeing Zhang Fan and Hong Binglan, he appeared quite excited and quickly went to greet them.
"Hongmen disciple Poyang, greetings, Master Saint Zhang." Poyang respectfully cupped his fists.
Poyang looked young, around twenty-five or twenty-six. He was tall and slender, with a handsome appearance and a gentle, scholarly demeanor.
Poyang's arms were not thick, but his muscles were incredibly solid. Despite his slightly lean physique, he exuded a sense of power.
As he cupped his fists towards Zhang Fan, a layer of thick calluses was clearly visible on his palm joints, indicating he was an expert in external martial arts.
"En, not bad. Get on the plane," Zhang Fan said, glancing at Poyang and nodding faintly before boarding.
Poyang was not annoyed by Zhang Fan's somewhat perfunctory attitude. On the contrary, he was excited and thrilled by Zhang Fan's remark of "not bad."
Poyang was an elite among the younger generation of the Hongmen and was also taken as a personal disciple by the sect leader, Hong Tiancheng. With the cultivation resources of the Hongmen, he had reached the late-stage Innate Grandmaster realm before the age of thirty. Such strength was considered first-class even among the younger generation of China's martial arts world.
There were a few exceptional individuals above him, such as Wei Xiaowen and Li Yang, who could overshadow him.
Normally, he was highly regarded by many disciples in the Hongmen, and even the Four Hall Masters of the Hongmen were extremely polite to him. This had naturally fostered a sense of pride in Poyang.
However, today, he was acutely aware of who he was facing and thus deeply suppressed his usual arrogance, maintaining a very humble attitude.
After Zhang Fan boarded, Aile Bella slowly followed.
"So strong!" Poyang's eyelids twitched as he watched the Western woman walk past him. This woman appeared to be around his age, but the pressure she exerted on him far surpassed that of his master, and was even very close to that of the Hongmen's Old Ancestor.
"As expected of Master Saint Zhang, whom even divine realm experts fear," Poyang thought to himself. It was likely only Master Saint Zhang who could cultivate such a young powerhouse.
"Junior Sister, Mr. Lin." After boarding, Poyang also warmly greeted Hong Binglan and Lin Haotian.
Although Lin Haotian was several years younger than him, he knew that this seemingly burly and slightly naive young man possessed terrifying strength. Even his master had personally admitted that he was far inferior to Lin Haotian.
"Senior Brother Poyang, weren't there supposed to be three participants? Why did Grandpa only send you?" Hong Binglan walked over and asked.
"Isn't Mr. Lin here?" Poyang looked at Lin Haotian and said with a smile.
Although Lin Haotian had not officially joined the Hongmen, he was considered half a member due to his relationship with Hong Binglan. It was clearly Hong Tiancheng's idea to have Lin Haotian participate.
Lin Haotian had no objections to this. As long as Hong Binglan needed him, he was willing to act.
After Hong Binglan and Lin Haotian boarded, Poyang went to greet Yi Feicheng and Yan Qianghu and the others.
"Sect Leader Yi, Sect Leader Yan, I congratulate you both in advance," Poyang said enthusiastically with a smile. "After this World Gang Competition, the entire world will probably remember the name of the Black Tiger Gang."
"Then we'll take your good wishes," Yi Feicheng nodded with a smile and boarded the plane with Ye Jing.
The plane was not large, capable of carrying only a dozen or so people. While everyone present had a discerning eye, they were still quite impressed by the luxury of the private jet arranged by the Hongmen.
It featured a magnificent interior, an advanced control system, and even heavy weaponry like rocket launchers, capable of threatening Saint realm experts, truly a fighter jet among planes.
"Depart." Zhang Fan relaxed comfortably on the soft seat. With his command, the plane's engines slowly started. After gliding for several hundred meters on Bibo Lake, it gradually ascended into the sky, disappearing into the white clouds.
...
ps: These past few nights, I've been working overtime until after 11 pm. I have the will to fight, but the strength is lacking. I'll definitely write more when I have free time later.