"Five Earth Immortals?"
Upon hearing this, everyone found their breathing falter.
Among those present were not only members of the Blood Race who had attained the Saint level, but also those with the bloodline of Blood Race Princes.
They held considerable status within the Blood Race, so while they didn't know much about the Earth Immortal realm, they had all heard of it.
Each Earth Immortal was a being comparable to their Blood Race Princes.
The number of Princes within their Blood Race was likely known only to their patriarch and two other elders at the late Divine Realm.
However, they vaguely understood that their Blood Race certainly did not have more than five, otherwise, they would not have been at a disadvantage in their struggles with the Holy See for so many years.
"Bella, is what you're saying true? Why haven't we received any news?" an elder of the Blood Race, whose strength had reached the Divine Realm, asked.
The Blood Race had been in confrontation with the Holy See for centuries, and they naturally had people constantly monitoring the Holy See's movements. If a battle at the Earth Immortal level occurred within the Holy See, they should have received news.
Everyone's gaze then turned to Ailabeila. It wasn't because they didn't believe her; on the contrary, as the pride of their Blood Race, everyone in the race trusted her implicitly.
It was simply that the news Ailabeila had delivered was too shocking, so much so that they found it difficult to accept in such a short time.
In the last century, in an era when technology was not as advanced as it is today, each Earth Immortal was capable of destroying cities and overthrowing nations.
Yet, Ailabeila claimed that the young man beside her had not only defeated the Pope of the Holy See, who had broken through to the Earth Immortal realm, but had also retreated unharmed from an encirclement of five Earth Immortals.
What level of power would be required to achieve such a feat?
"It is true. After my master left the Holy See, he returned to the Ancestral Castle with me. It's only been a short time, so it's normal for the news not to have spread yet."
Although Ailabeila had not witnessed it firsthand, she absolutely trusted Zhang Fan's words. Therefore, when she spoke now, she was full of confidence.
"Campbell has stepped into the Earth Immortal realm?" asked a man in a retro robe seated on the throne.
Ailabeila looked at her father and nodded gently, her gaze slightly complex.
She knew that her father had been in a losing struggle with the current Pope of the Holy See for decades, and his only hope was to surpass the Pope by breaking through to the Earth Immortal realm.
Now, the current Pope of the Holy See had also entered the Earth Immortal realm, while her father was still at the peak of the Divine Realm. He must be feeling very dejected at this moment, she thought.
The man in the retro robe, seated above, fell silent upon seeing Ailabeila nod.
At this moment, a figure suddenly flashed from outside the door, appearing in the hall in less than a second.
She was shrouded in a black robe, her form indistinguishable. Only when she spoke could one discern that she was a woman.
"Patriarch, the intelligence team stationed in Italy has sent a message. Confirmed by Agent Seven, a great battle occurred within the Holy See. The Holy Light Barrier that had protected the Holy See for hundreds of years was shattered, and the main structure of the Holy See's main hall was also damaged. The specific information about the combatants is still being investigated. The Holy See has completely blocked all information."
As soon as this news was revealed, those in the Blood Race who had begun to believe Zhang Fan, based on Ailabeila's confident assurance, now had no doubts left.
"I understand. There's no need to investigate further. Tell our tribesmen lurking in Italy to be careful and to avoid taking any action during this period, remaining on standby." the Blood Race Patriarch said.
The woman shrouded in the black robe, after hearing this news, felt a bit puzzled. Logically, with such a major event happening in the Holy See, their Blood Race should be very concerned. Why were they showing no interest this time?
"Yes!"
Despite her confusion, she always strictly followed their Patriarch's orders and never inquired why.
After speaking, she drifted away, quickly disappearing into the castle.
After the woman left, the way the others looked at Zhang Fan changed. Even the young Blood Race members who had wanted to challenge Zhang Fan earlier felt their hearts pounding violently.
Being able to defeat the Pope who had entered the Earth Immortal realm, and also to shatter the Holy Light Barrier of the Holy See while retreating unharmed from the combined assault of five Earth Immortals, such strength was enough to make their Patriarch look up to him. They, a group of mere Saint realm youngsters, had actually dared to consider challenging him; it was truly courting death.
Although the members of the Blood Race were all incredibly arrogant, they also understood respect for the strong. Zhang Fan's strength might even surpass that of their Blood Race Princes. Naturally, they dared not be as presumptuous as before.
"Alright, are there any of you who still want to test my strength now?"
Zhang Fan surveyed the crowd. Wherever his gaze fell, everyone lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. Finally, Zhang Fan's gaze landed on Ailabeila's father, the Patriarch of the Blood Race.
"With Saint Master Zhang possessing such strength, it is the honor of my little girl to be able to follow by your side," the Blood Race Patriarch said, after a long silence, a smile gradually blooming on his face as he spoke most courteously.
He had also thought it through very clearly. This Saint Master Zhang from Huaxia, possessing such strength at the age of just over twenty, must have obtained an immense fortune.
And with his current strength, there were few people in the world who could contend for this fortune. Since that was the case, it was likely that Ailabeila would also gain considerable benefits by following Zhang Fan.
After all, from Ailabeila's strength, they all knew that she had probably already gained quite a lot. Otherwise, even with her astonishing talent, her strength would not have increased so rapidly.
"Stop with the insincere words and quickly find me a secret chamber. I need to go into seclusion immediately. Otherwise, if those old fellows from the Holy See come looking for trouble, you won't be able to stop them," Zhang Fan said, waving his hand.
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's words, the expressions of everyone in the Blood Race turned somewhat grim. What Zhang Fan had said was precisely what they had overlooked.
They had also heard about the enmity between Zhang Fan and the Holy See. Rumor had it that the enmity arose because Zhang Fan had stolen the origin crystal of the Holy See's Golden Scepter.
And this time, Zhang Fan had attacked the Holy See, nearly killing the Pope and shattering the Holy Light Barrier that had protected the Holy See for hundreds of years. With such a deep enmity, how could the Holy See let this matter rest?
If they were to track him all the way to their Ancestral Castle, it might lead to another battle of Earth Immortals, and this battlefield might very well be within their Ancestral Castle.
Although the members of the Blood Race were hostile towards the Holy See, Zhang Fan's words made them feel as if they were taking the blame.
Thinking of this, they felt a bit displeased.
"If that is truly the case, then we hope Saint Master Zhang will be able to take action," the Blood Race Patriarch clearly possessed foresight beyond that of the other Blood Race members.
For their Blood Race, this might be a crisis, but it was also more likely an opportunity to turn the tables.
...