Chapter 417: 417: Friendship Endures_1

Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Friendship Endures_1

Li Fuqiang couldn’t remember the last time he had laughed so joyously, his face brighter than an apple as he squeezed out a face full of wrinkles from his well-kept skin.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He had never anticipated that Xu Fan would accept all of his conditions in one go, instantly elevating his perception of Xu Fan, even making his tone soften and warm up a bit, as he couldn’t help sighing, “Like father, like son indeed!”

Huh?

Xu Fan suddenly looked up, staring intently at Li Fuqiang, he asked anxiously, “You knew my father?”

“Yes.”

Li Fuqiang, however, was forthright, staring off into the sky with a look that was somewhat desolate and sorrowful, “Your father and I had a deep relationship, we were both master and apprentice, as well as friends. About thirty years ago, your father was arranged by the family to train in the Donghu Division of the Flame Dragon Organization, becoming my captain. I had just joined the organization at that time, in the early stages of Qi Drawing, while your father had already completed it. I remember he was very powerful, distinguished right from wrong, and had a strong sense of justice; he was well-known and respected. It was also thanks to his leadership that the Donghu Division’s rank rose step by step, even reaching the top, where he made significant contributions to the organization during that time.”

“Three years later, your father was promoted to a Martial Arts Grandmaster, and then he retired to take over the family business. It was also because of the heavy responsibilities and significance of the family affairs that he didn’t have time to continue his cultivation; otherwise, he might be a Heavenly Venerable powerhouse by now.”

“When I heard the tragic news about Brother Xu three years ago and that the murderer was purported to be his wife, I really wanted to curse out loud. Such an absurd claim, yet they came up with it. The love between Brother Xu and his wife was profound, they went through thick and thin together, and cherished and loved each other deeply, calling them a match made in heaven would not be an exaggeration, and his wife was indeed a kind-hearted person.”

“I don’t believe it for one second.”

Source: novgo.co

“Therefore, over the past three years, I have been subtly investigating, but sadly without much progress. Alas, it’s one thing for the heavens to be jealous of talented individuals, but another for them to die wrongly accused, making his wife bear the crime of murdering her own husband—a tragedy indeed!”

Having said this, Li Fuqiang’s face showed a deep shadow of darkness, filled with regret, guilt, as well as anger and hatred.

Xu Fan listened in silence, gaining a fuller understanding of Xu Tianlong, a genius ancient martial artist hindered by family business obligations.

In the memories left by his previous life, Xu Tianlong only seemed to have eyes for business, never showing that he actually had considerable martial prowess, and that at a young age, he had become a Martial Arts Grandmaster, probably not far behind Xu Fan.

But Xu Fan’s situation was quite unique; he relied on his past life’s cultivation experiences and self-crafted elixirs for assistance.

Xu Tianlong, however, relied solely on talent and effort, breaking through in this land of sparse Spiritual Energy at the young age of 24 or 25, truly a supreme genius.

“Then I’ll follow your wishes,” Xu Fan said with a smile, “Uncle Li.”

Xu Fan called him ‘Uncle Li’ naturally, not because of Li Fuqiang’s status and powerful strength, but mainly because of the deep friendship he had with Xu Fan’s father. Xu Fan was a person who understood relationships and reasoning, not one to take matters to extremes, so he also acted based on customary propriety and sentiments.

“Ha ha... good, my trip here today has been so correct, it truly makes me happy.”

Li Fuqiang wore a full smile on his face, and suddenly remembering something, he hastily said, “My wise nephew, as I remember, you’ve raised a mystical beast, haven’t you?”

“Yes.” Xu Fan had joined the Flame Dragon Organization precisely to gain the qualification to own a mystical beast, and as the evaluator of Xu Fan’s application to join, Li Fuqiang naturally knew this.

“Ah... what can I say, my wise nephew, you really are a child blessed by fortune, so lucky it’s outrageous. Not only did you accidentally enter an ancient tomb and acquire superior martial skills, but you also subdued a mystical beast.” Li Fuqiang felt a mix of envy and resentment, “I came here this time not only to fulfill our deal but also to represent the organization in assessing your strength, so that you can officially gain the qualification to own a mystical beast.”

“However, since you were able to slay two Martial Arts Grandmasters, the qualification for the beast is naturally a done deal.”

Xu Fan smiled and said, “But we still have to go through the motions, right? How do you plan to evaluate me, Chief Steward Li?”

“Since I am personally present, there’s no need for trouble. I’ll just simply exchange a few moves with you,” Li Fuqiang said, squinting with a smile.

Once they exchanged blows, he would be able to determine Xu Fan’s approximate strength.

“Sounds good.”

Xu Fan agreed readily. No sooner had the words left his mouth did his spiritual energy surge, his fighting spirit soar, and he immediately entered a state of combat readiness.

After all, Xu Fan was a cultivator. Although the system of ancient martial artists was outdated, now that he found himself on a planet full of them, it was essential for him to have a clear and genuine understanding of the strength of ancient martial artists.

And since Li Fuqiang was the highest-level ancient martial artist he had encountered so far, and they were “one of their own,” Xu Fan had long harbored the idea of sparring with Li Fuqiang to gauge his depth.

“Not bad, facing me with such decisiveness, without showing any timidity at all; it seems I have underestimated you,” Li Fuqiang said, taken aback, then burst into laughter.

He had thought Xu Fan would show signs of difficulty, after all, most people when facing him, would be extremely cautious, not even daring to breathe too loudly.