Chapter 1068: Chapter 1068

The people present were all stunned, none of them expected the situation to turn out .

"Everyone, you should now understand that the Immortal Sect has nothing to do with these matters," Ding Fan stood up and addressed the crowd.

The crowd by now naturally understood that these acts were not perpetrated by the members of the Immortal Sect.

"Sect Leader Shang, earlier I was misguided and offended you greatly. Please forgive me," Guan Zhongtian said, turning red-faced towards Shang Jiuzi.

"Elder Guan was merely provoked by traitors," Shang Jiuzi responded courteously.

At this point, Gusu Qingwen looked at Ding Fan gratefully.

Before this assembly, everyone in the Hidden Sects believed all evil deeds were committed by the Immortal Sect.

Gusu Qingwen had grown up in the Immortal Sect and was contemplating how to clear their name, but now Ding Fan single-handedly exonerated the Immortal Sect.

Gusu Qingwen felt deeply grateful, that Heaven had gifted her such an honorable man.

"Alliance Leader Ding, you are truly worthy of being the master of our Hidden Sects. As long as you remain, I, Shang Jiuzi, will follow your command."

Shang Jiuzi approached Ding Fan with great respect.

"I, Ming Sect, am willing to follow Alliance Leader Ding's command!"

"Beihua Sect is willing to follow Alliance Leader Ding's command..."

"Sea Sect will obey Alliance Leader Ding's orders."

By now, all the sect leaders and masters on stage stood up and approached Ding Fan.

All those present were insightful, realizing if Ding Fan hadn't seen through the plot earlier, the Hidden Sects would face endless chaos, resulting in mutual suspicion and conflict.

Because of Ding Fan alone, he maintained peace among the Hidden Sects and preserved their foundations. Everyone now genuinely followed Ding Fan from the bottom of their hearts.

Gusu Qingwen witnessed this scene and her eyes were filled with admiration towards Ding Fan.

To have such a husband, what more could a woman desire...

With all affairs resolved, the assembly of the Hidden Sects concluded successfully.

The few culprits, Mutu, Qingmu, and Guo Jing, were executed immediately, and others associated with them, like Wang Sen, were also eradicated.

After setting these matters in order, the members of other sects dispersed after the meeting, while Ding Fan was invited by the Immortal Sect for a visit.

Arriving at the Immortal Sect's great hall, Shang Jiuzi expressed his gratitude once again, and they exchanged some pleasantries.

After spending a day at the Immortal Sect, Ding Fan left directly.

This time, Ding Fan took Gusu Qingwen with him; she was his woman, and now that the Immortal Sect's matters were concluded, he naturally kept her by his side.

Previously, Ding Fan had Mei Zhi take Li Duoer back to Yongfan Island ahead of time.

Now Sun Qi was managing the Hundred Grass Garden, and Li Duoer, having no home, could assist Sun Qi there.

After departing from the Immortal Sect, Ding Fan and Gusu Qingwen returned to Yongfan Island by sword control.

Currently, Yongfan Island's development, following the Aid and Construction Association's efforts, could be described as changing rapidly each day.

In the center, Erdao River Town now boasts several skyscrapers, and what surprised Ding Fan more is that the subway connecting twelve towns is under full construction, predicted to be fully operational within a year.

Apart from the subway, other modern constructions are being systematically implemented.

Yongfan Island International Airport now connects with over twenty countries globally, and several international docks on Yongfan Island have been put into use.

The lives of the citizens have significantly improved.

Current residents of Yongfan Island enjoy a policy of free medical expenses, and as an island national, upon reaching sixty years old, you can retire without paying any insurance, as the country will take care of you.

Furthermore, Yongfan Island enforces a policy of free education, investing significantly in it.

To establish an outstanding university, Yongfan Island has heavily invested in recruiting lecturers worldwide; Yongfan University recently announced its establishment, quickly becoming one of the globally prestigious universities.

Many experts stated that Yongfan University, within three years, will reach top international standards in both software and hardware.

Now, one cannot imagine that Yongfan Island was once a pirate haven; it is now a place of civilization, harmony, wealth, and unity, with a vibrant and prosperous scene.

Aside from civil development, Yongfan Island's military-industrial construction has reached a new level.

Because Ding Fan obtained a batch of top scientists from the Restoration Organization, their technical research capabilities are flawless.

Moreover, after Ding Fan's visit to Huaxia Country, Huaxia helped Yongfan Island resolve several rare metal issues, enabling Yongfan Island to possess a complete set of military-industrial construction equipment.

Yongfan Island has successfully developed its first batch of fighter jets.

These jets, compared to international advanced fighters, have been refined and are now in mass production, having completed the trial phase.

Ding Fan is wealthy, the island has research capabilities, and combined with foreign support for rare metal materials, mass production is really not a problem at all. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝

Now, two have already been produced.

Military airports are now being constructed in two areas on Yongfan Island, in addition, at the port of Yongfan in Vietnam, which is a leased port of Yongfan Island, a military airport is also being built.

Experts say that in just one year, the fighter jets on Yongfan Island will be combat-ready. By then, Yongfan Island could very well change the current global structure.

It's worth noting that Yongfan Island previously had just a few warships, and they swept across the world, even causing losses to The Stars and Stripes Country. With new equipment, won't the combat strength of Yongfan Island increase even more?

Under the premise of strengthening its air force, Yongfan Island's navy has also brought in a large amount.

Admiral Huang Can, commander-in-chief of Yongfan Island, has discussed with experts, now the military industrial construction of Yongfan Island involves independent research and development for the air force, while the navy relies on external import.

In a very short time, Yongfan Island brought in five heavy destroyers from Huaxia Country, along with some small auxiliary ships.

As for the army, Yongfan Island has further downsized the army structure; now the army only has one reinforced division. Yongfan Island is just a small island country; if the opponent really attacks the island, then it's all over.

This reinforced division consists of four regiments, with three regiments and three battalions stationed in the country, while at Vietnam's Yongfan Port, there remains one battalion with a strength of nearly five hundred.

In strengthening Yongfan Island's armaments, Ding Fan does not care about money. You must know, without a strong enough fist, you will only get bullied. At that time, no matter how much money you have, it would be useless.

However, the high military expenditure of Yongfan Island quickly attracted the attention of Western countries. They even began to accuse that Yongfan Island is simply stimulating regional tensions, engaging in an arms race, and adding to regional instability.

Ding Fan did not bother with any of this.

In Ding Fan's words, it was their own money, and they could spend it however they wanted to.

The history of Western countries' wealth was all based on bloody invasions and occupations, back then they spent high military expenses, so why didn't anyone say anything at that time?

After returning to Yongfan Island, Ding Fan directly shut himself in his room for retreat.

During this period, there were too many mundane affairs, and Ding Fan hadn't practiced for a long time.

Although Ding Fan's cultivation is now at the Late Golden Core Stage, and on Earth, he can directly match a strong person above the Profound Level Sixth Grade, that does not mean Ding Fan has no opponents.

Didn't Mutu mention before that Feng Qianxing's current cultivation is at the mid-Taisui stage? This cultivation far exceeds Ding Fan's. This time on Serpent Island, Ding Fan spoiled his major event, and sooner or later he would come looking for him.

Ding Fan refined enough pills and then began his retreat for practice.

Currently, Ding Fan is not lacking in materials for pill concoction, so he doesn't need to save on cultivation resources.

Before going into retreat, Ding Fan had already notified Huang Can and Hu Jin not to disturb him for any matters during his retreat.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, Ding Fan had been in retreat for three weeks.

During these three weeks, the international situation around Yongfan Island also underwent significant changes.

Firstly, the Fifth Aircraft Carrier Group of The Stars and Stripes Country, together with the UK Royal Aircraft Carrier Group and the Australian Navy Fleet, with dozens of large and small ships, arrived in the waters around Yongfan Island.

For a while, international analysts sensed a whiff of gunpowder in the air.

Several months ago, the navy of Yongfan Island severely damaged The Stars and Stripes Country's Seventh Aircraft Carrier Group, at the cost of zero casualties, they took down three heavy destroyers and five fighter jets from the Seventh Group.

This had never occurred before in the modern military history of The Stars and Stripes Country.

Analysts claim that this time The Stars and Stripes Country is in the waters near Yongfan Island to avenge that previous day.

And on the day after the appearance of The Stars and Stripes Country's warships near Yongfan Island.

The Stars and Stripes Country issued a condemnation against Yongfan Island. They severely condemned Yongfan Island's act of stationing troops in Vietnam Country, in the eyes of The Stars and Stripes Country, this is clear aggression.

Aside from the condemnation of Yongfan Island's actions, The Stars and Stripes Country ordered the military forces of Yongfan Island to quickly withdraw from Yongfan Port.

Upon receiving this condemnation from The Stars and Stripes Country, Huang Can immediately sought out Hu Jin.

Ding Fan has yet to emerge from his retreat, but now such a big issue has arisen, it still needed to be resolved.

Hu Jin then directly contacted Ye Ningbing.

Ye Ningbing has now returned from Yanjing, she is currently in charge of diplomacy for Yongfan Island, and Hu Jin hopes to resolve the issue through diplomatic means.

Ye Ningbing is closely monitoring the situation, and based on her analysis, she feels that this is just The Stars and Stripes Country using it as a pretext to start a war.

It's important to realize that if it was just a condemnation, The Stars and Stripes Country has no reason to have moved their aircraft carrier group, along with allied warships, to the waters near Yongfan Island before the condemnation. Clearly, they are prepared for military action.

So even if Yongfan Island were to withdraw the troops from Vietnam, it would certainly face attacks from The Stars and Stripes Country.

However, despite this analysis, Ye Ningbing still wanted to first communicate through diplomatic channels.

After all, there's the saying, 'first try peace then resort to force'...