All preparations were complete, and once everyone had arrived, Zhang Fan set off with Ailebella and the others, leaving Zhang Fan's parents and Qin Luoshui behind on the island in the middle of the lake.
Participating in the World Gang Competition was not a light matter. After all, they would be facing fierce individuals from underground organizations all over the world. However, with Zhang Fan accompanying them, Yan Qianghu and Yi Feicheng felt no tension, treating it more like a vacation.
Yi Feicheng even brought his girlfriend Ye Jing along, claiming it was for a trip abroad and not mentioning the World Gang Competition at all.
"Xiao Fan, are you really going on vacation? Why aren't you bringing anything?" Ye Jing asked, looking at everyone curiously.
"Your husband has plenty of money. If we need anything, we can just buy it. Why bother preparing?" Yi Feicheng said grandly, waving his hand.
Ye Jing ignored him and stared at Zhang Fan.
Zhang Fan could only smile helplessly and say, "Sister Jing, although our purpose isn't a vacation, you can treat it as one. We have a true European with us who will surely arrange everything for you and ensure you have a great time."
Hearing Zhang Fan's words, Ye Jing didn't ask further. She pouted and said, "I don't care what you guys are up to. As long as this young lady takes me to play well, I'm fine. This is my first time abroad. If you ruin it, I'll deal with both of you!"
As she spoke, Ye Jing playfully shook her fist at Zhang Fan and Yi Feicheng.
Ailebella, listening from the side, couldn't help but smile, her exquisite face breaking into a captivating grin.
Ailebella was not particularly interested in this World Gang Competition. She had witnessed similar events before and found the level to be just average. However, since this was Zhang Fan's first time in Europe and he was unfamiliar with the surroundings, Ailebella naturally had to accompany him to act as his guide.
Although ancient Western families like the Blood Clan would not participate in such competitions, in past events, the European representative organization, the 'Transcendent Alliance,' had requested external assistance from their Blood Clan.
While it wasn't common for many within the Blood Clan to cultivate to the Saint realm before the age of thirty, there were always a few each generation. Ailebella herself was a representative figure among the younger generation of the Blood Clan. Before meeting Zhang Fan, her strength was already close to the middle stage of the Saint realm, making her a rare opponent among her peers. Now, still under thirty, her strength neared the peak Saint realm, and her actual combat power was not significantly weaker than peak Saint realm powerhouses. Participating again would likely be a mere stomp, which held no interest for her.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but glance at Zhang Fan, silently offering three seconds of pity to the young prodigies of the major organizations. With Zhang Fan present, they would likely understand what true despair meant.
...
Their destination this time was Elba Island. Hong Tiansheng had 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 field three qualified members to enter the competition. Therefore, Hong Tiancheng had dispatched another elite disciple from the younger generation of the Hongmen to accompany Hong Binglan and the others.
As Zhang Fan and his companions stepped onto the lake towards the plane, the Hongmen disciple was already waiting. Seeing Zhang Fan and Hong Binglan, he appeared quite excited and quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Hongmen disciple, Poyang, greets the Saint Master Zhang." Poyang respectfully cupped his fists in salute.
Poyang did not look much older than twenty-five or twenty-six. He was tall and slender, with a handsome face and a gentle, scholarly demeanor. Although his arms were not thick, his muscles were incredibly solid. His seemingly thin frame exuded a sense of power. As he bowed to Zhang Fan, it was evident that his hand joints had a layer of thick calluses, clearly indicating he was a master of external martial arts.
"En, your strength is not bad. Let's board the plane," Zhang Fan said, glancing at Poyang with a faint nod before directly boarding.
Poyang was not at all displeased by Zhang Fan's somewhat perfunctory attitude. Instead, Zhang Fan's remark of 'strength is not bad' made him feel excited. 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 abundant resources of the Hongmen, he had reached the late stage of the Innate Grandmaster realm before the age of thirty. Such strength, even among the younger generation of the martial arts world in China, could be considered top-tier. There were only a very few individuals above him, such as Wei Xiaowen and Li Yang, who could suppress him. In the Hongmen, he was usually admired by many disciples, and even the four hall masters treated him with great courtesy. For a long time, this 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, adopting a very humble demeanor.
After Zhang Fan boarded, Ailebella also 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 Ancestor.
"As expected of Saint Master Zhang, whom even divine realm experts fear," Poyang thought. It was likely only Saint Master Zhang who could cultivate such a young and powerful individual.
"Junior sister, Mr. Lin," Zhang Fan greeted Poyang warmly after boarding. Poyang then greeted Hong Binglan and Lin Haotian. Although Lin Haotian was several years younger than him, Poyang knew how terrifying this seemingly burly and slightly simple-minded young man was. Even his master had personally admitted that he was far from being Lin Haotian's match.
"Senior brother Poyang, aren't there supposed to be three contestants? Why did Grandpa only send you?" Hong Binglan asked as she walked over.
"Isn't Mr. Lin here as well?" Poyang replied with a smile, glancing at Lin Haotian. Although Lin Haotian had not joined the Hongmen, due to his relationship with Hong Binglan, he was considered half a member of the Hongmen. Having Lin Haotian participate was clearly Hong Tiancheng's decision. Lin Haotian had no objections to this, willing to act whenever Hong Binglan needed him.
After Hong Binglan and Lin Haotian boarded, Poyang then went to greet Yi Feicheng and Yan Qianghu.
"Sect Leader Yi, Sect Leader Yan, I congratulate you both in advance," Poyang said enthusiastically. "After this World Gang Competition, the entire world will likely remember the name of the Black Tiger Gang."
"Then we'll take you up on your good wishes," Yi Feicheng said with a smile, and boarded the plane with Ye Jing.
The plane was not large, seating no more than a dozen people. Despite the esteemed backgrounds of everyone present, they were still quite amazed by the luxury of the private jet arranged by the Hongmen. The opulent interior, advanced control systems, and even the presence of heavy weaponry like rocket launchers capable of threatening Saint Domain experts made it a veritable fighter jet among aircraft.
"Depart." Zhang Fan comfortably leaned back on the soft seat. At his command, the plane's engines slowly roared to life. After gliding for several hundred meters on Bibo Lake, it gradually ascended, disappearing into the white clouds.
...
ps: I've been working overtime until after 11 PM these past few nights. I have the will to fight, but not the strength to overcome. I'll try to update more when I have free time later.