Seeing Zhang Fan remain silent, Zhao Qingqing realized her question was rather awkward and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Brother Zhang Fan, did you come here just to participate in this competition? Now that it's over, do you want to go back with us?"
"Participating in this competition was just a secondary reason; I have other matters to attend to here."
Zhang Fan said, paused, and then added, "By the way, since you've come out to have fun, why not stay a few more days? My friends are quite familiar with this area and can take you and your classmates to other places in Europe."
Zhao Qingqing's clear eyes lit up at his words. Their current trip had indeed been filled with inconveniences. Unfamiliar with the surroundings and only able to manage basic communication in English, they had taken many detours and hadn't enjoyed themselves fully. Returning now would leave them feeling unsatisfied.
"But we've already booked our flights back for tomorrow. And this is peak tourist season. If we cancel our tickets, it might take many days to get return tickets again," Zhao Qingqing said with a hint of dejection.
Before Zhang Fan could reply, Si Youyou, standing beside him, spoke up proactively, "Our Qing Gang has a private jet that can stay on Elba Island. Whenever Qingqing wants to return, just let us know."
Zhao Qingqing's senior schoolmate and two classmates watched this scene, feeling immense admiration and a touch of envy for her. Having such a cousin meant that without any personal arrangements, a powerful entity like the Qing Gang would proactively curry favor and readily provide a private jet on standby.
Zhao Qingqing didn't respond but looked towards Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan nodded and said, "Don't worry about returning. Just focus on having fun."
Receiving his assurance, Zhao Qingqing nodded excitedly, a joyful smile gracing her delicate features.
Chatting as they walked, they exited the Cape of Esebri in a little over ten minutes. To Zhang Fan's surprise, their group was blocked at the exit.
"It's the Daquan Gang," Hong Binglan announced.
Even without her reminder, everyone knew who the group blocking their path belonged to. They recognized the silver-haired woman standing among them – she was one of the Daquan Gang members who had left earlier.
"It seems they're enraged by their defeat and want revenge," Yi Feicheng chuckled, showing no concern despite knowing their intentions, even finding it somewhat interesting.
"All three contestants from the Daquan Gang this time have either died or been crippled, all at your hands. Those three were the most outstanding geniuses of the Daquan Gang's younger generation, all Saint seeds with a high probability of becoming Saints, the future pillars of the Daquan Gang. Now they are all ruined, so their rage is understandable," Zhang Fan remarked with a light chuckle.
Currently, blocking Zhang Fan's group, besides the silver-haired woman, were two men of different complexions. One was a middle-aged Black man with dark skin and a bald, shiny head that gleamed under the intense sun, appearing remarkably striking. His physique was robust, with muscles like coiled dragons on his arms, exuding immense power. The other was a rather short and stout ethnic Chinese man, who was currently staring at Zhang Fan's group with a grim expression.
"Grandpa Ye, it's them. Uncle Wang and Brother Cook were killed by them, and Brother Bell was also harmed because of them," the silver-haired woman exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion, as she saw Zhang Fan's group emerge. She then turned to the short and stout middle-aged man beside her.
"Rest assured, anyone who dares to harm my Daquan Gang members, I will not let them go today," the stout old man declared, enunciating each word.
"Who is this old fatty? He's got quite an attitude. Do you recognize him?" Zhang Fan asked, a hint of a smile playing on his lips, as he turned to Si Youyou and the others with a questioning look.
Si Youyou shook her head. "I haven't seen him before; I don't recognize him."
"This person is Ye Wen, the foremost expert in the Daquan Gang besides their leader. His generation ranks higher than mine, making him quite an elder. It's normal that you don't recognize him," Ge Qing chimed in.
"He's Ye Wen?" Hearing the name, Si Youyou finally recalled who the stout old man was. He was of the same generation as their Qing Gang's ancestor.
"The Daquan Gang's strength is indeed considerably greater than your Hongmen and Qing Gang. No wonder they've managed to suppress you in past World Gang Competitions," Zhang Fan commented, his gaze fixed on the stout old man. The strength of this stout old man likely reached the peak of the Saint realm, placing him on the same level as the ancestors of the Hongmen and Qing Gang.
Hearing Zhang Fan's words, Ge Qing and the others could only offer wry smiles. The Daquan Gang's decision to develop overseas, while facing fiercer competition than in China, also meant fewer restrictions. Furthermore, the overseas market was vast, with resources and a population base far exceeding China's. They could cast a wide net and recruit talent everywhere, naturally leading to better development than the Qing Gang or Hongmen.
"Hand over the culprits, and I will let you leave!" Before Zhang Fan's group could speak, the stout old man stepped forward and addressed them.
"Get out of my way now, and I might consider letting you leave," Zhang Fan casually replied. A mere Saint, even one at the peak of the Saint realm, no longer posed any threat to the current Zhang Fan. If he didn't need to conceal his strength, he could have killed the man with a single palm strike.
"Are you sure you can speak for them?" The stout old man glanced at Zhang Fan. Seeing this young man with no discernible energy fluctuations within him, appearing no different from an ordinary person, yet daring to speak to him in such a manner, he couldn't help but pause.
...
"Old Ye Wen actually showed up. Is he here to avenge the Daquan Gang's contestants?" At this moment, other retreating gangs also arrived at the exit of the Cape of Esebri. They were all somewhat surprised to witness the scene.
"No wonder the Daquan Gang withdrew before the competition even ended; they must have gone back to call their parents," someone scoffed, finding the Daquan Gang's actions petty. In the arena, life and death were determined by fate. If one died, it was simply due to their own lack of strength. The Daquan Gang's behavior clearly indicated they couldn't accept defeat.
"Although the Daquan Gang's contestants this year were not very impressive, Ye Wen is a formidable opponent. I wonder if the Chinese side can handle him?" Despite many finding the Daquan Gang's actions contemptible, no one was willing to intervene, as they were well aware of Ye Wen's strength. Even though Ye Wen appeared short, stout, and elderly, his power likely surpassed that of any Saint leading other gangs present.
"It will likely be difficult. Although the three major Chinese gangs each have a Saint guarding them, their strength is only at the early Saint stage. Even the burly man from Hongmen would at best be at the late Saint stage. How can they possibly stop Ye Wen?"
"The little princess of the Blood Clan is present, and Ye Wen certainly wouldn't dare to move against her, but she also cannot stop him."