Chapter 445: Chapter 445

A distinguished guest?

The elder glanced at Ding Fan standing aside. After sizing him up, a trace of disdain crossed his eyes.

The elder didn't sense any fluctuation of Inner Strength from Ding Fan's body. He didn't believe that someone dressed so plainly and without any cultivation could be considered a distinguished guest.

However, this elder seemed to hold a significant wariness towards Ye Ningqing.

"Miss Ning Qing, since he is a distinguished guest, then this old man won't impose any longer. Take care," said the elder, performing a Martial Artist's salute to Ye Ningqing, before turning to leave.

Ding Fan didn't bother paying attention to the elder. He was just a minor character.

"Sister Ning Qing. You've come too," Mu Zi said excitedly as she went over and grabbed Ye Ningqing's arm, swinging it joyfully.

Ye Ningqing nodded. "This time we're up against The Stars and Stripes Country's Sixth Guard Squad, the leader has called all members back."

After Ye Ningqing finished speaking, her pretty eyes glanced at Ding Fan. Within that look, there was a touch of shyness and unmistakable longing that she could hardly conceal.

"Brother Fan, Elder Shen asked me to wait here for you. As soon as you arrive, I'm to take you to him."

It had been quite a while since the two had parted in Yanjing.

Ding Fan nodded. "I'll go with you to see Elder Shen now."

Although Mu Zi wanted to go along, she didn't dare to act recklessly at this time. Despite her willful character, the Special Ability Battle Team was, after all, a disciplined force, and she naturally understood the need for propriety.

Following that, Ding Fan accompanied Ye Ningqing upstairs to Elder Shen's room.

Ye Ningqing led the way, with Ding Fan following behind.

Ye Ningqing's figure looked somewhat slender from behind, which added a touch of grace to her silhouette.

"Brother Fan... How have you been during this time?"

Ye Ningqing walked ahead, her back to Ding Fan, so he couldn't see her expression, but he could hear the tremble in her voice, indicating her discomfort.

Ding Fan wasn't sure what else to say.

After Ding Fan responded, the two of them fell silent again, walking together in something of an awkward quiet.

"Brother Fan, Elder Shen is right here. You can go in now," said Ye Ningqing as they reached a room's door.

Ding Fan smiled faintly at Ye Ningqing, then knocked and entered the room directly.

Ye Ningqing watched his retreating figure, momentarily lost in a trance...

Ding Fan knocked and pushed open the door. The room wasn't large, but it was neatly arranged.

"Ding Fan, it's great that you could come," said Elder Shen as he approached Ding Fan just as he entered the room.

Ding Fan's combat prowess was highly needed by the team. After all, Ye Qingyun, who once reigned supreme over Yanjing, was directly brought down by Ding Fan.

With Ding Fan's support, their chances of victory greatly increased.

"Elder Shen, on my way here, I've already learned about the Sixth Guard Squad's situation. Considering the enemy has the Ninja Squad's assistance, this battle won't be easy to win," Ding Fan said directly, without much ado.

"I'm aware of it too. Relying solely on the Special Ability Battle Team, naturally we cannot contend with the forces of two nations' special teams. I've already contacted some friends from the Hidden Sects, and expect them to arrive this evening," Elder Shen explained.

Ding Fan had reviewed the intelligence and analyzed the whole situation; their primary mission was not to annihilate the enemy, but to find the Research Lab scientist being protected by The Stars and Stripes Country's Sixth Guard Squad and the Ninja.

With the enemy substantially outnumbering them, they could easily split their forces and whisk away the scientist. A single oversight could lead to mission failure.

So, what Ding Fan and his team lacked was not just masters of combat but also more assistants. Official source ıs 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩

At that moment, Ding Fan talked through things with Elder Shen, their conversation naturally revolving around the upcoming operation. The stakes were high, and this would be Ding Fan's first encounter in battle with Ability Users and Ninja, so he certainly needed to ask clear questions.

After speaking with Elder Shen for roughly an hour, since Elder Shen still had other matters to attend to, Ding Fan took his leave.

"Ding Fan, there'll be a simple welcome party this evening. Make sure to come on time, we need to have a good drink," Elder Shen said to Ding Fan before he left.

Upon leaving Elder Shen's room, Ding Fan went downstairs to look for Ye Ningqing. Since she had arranged his accommodation, naturally, he needed to find her.

However, after circling the first floor, Ding Fan didn't see Ye Ningqing anywhere.

"Kid, I didn't expect to run into you again so soon," said a deep voice coming from the side just then.

Ding Fan didn't even need to turn around; the voice belonged to the elder who had previously tried to ambush him.

That attack had been thwarted by Ye Ningqing's timely intervention, so the elder didn't manage to succeed in his ambush.

Actually, his life was indirectly saved by Ye Ningqing; had his fist really hit Ding Fan, just the rebound of Ding Fan's True Qi alone would have been enough to break the elder's bones and tendons.

After all, the elder's cultivation was too weak. As a Human Level Peak Martial Artist, Ding Fan could have taken him down with a flick of his little finger.

"What do you want?" Ding Fan looked indifferently at the elder and asked.

"It seems your memory isn't that great, eh? Weren't you acting all high and mighty before?" the elder huffed lightly. "If Miss Ning Qing hadn't stepped in back then, I'm afraid you would have already been beaten down by me, unable to get up."

Now that there was a commotion to watch, several people in the hostel gathered around to enjoy the show.

"Get lost, I'm not someone you can afford to mess with," Ding Fan said, frowning slightly.

Upon hearing Ding Fan's words, the elder reacted as though he had heard the funniest joke in the world. "I really want to see just how formidable you are!"

The elder didn't believe Ding Fan was anything special at all. Dressed plainly and without any cultivation, he was certain he could easily kill Ding Fan single-handedly within minutes.

Having said that, the elder's figure suddenly burst into motion.

As the elder closed in rapidly, he extended his right hand, and a very powerful aura enveloped Ding Fan.

"This elder's movement technique is really amazing..." As the elder moved, some bystanders exclaimed in surprise.

"Do you know? This elder is called Zhang Zhison. He's quite famous in the Jiangbei area, known for his elusive movement technique, touted as the best below the Human Level."

"Ah... so he's Zhang Zhison."

Once the surrounding people learned of the elder's identity, they were all shocked. This indicated that Zhang Zhison had a not insignificant reputation.

People began to worry for Ding Fan, having offended someone with such an influential background; he was going to suffer today.

As Zhang Song's formidable presence bore down on him, Ding Fan's eyebrows knitted tightly together.

However, in the end, Ding Fan did not make a move, since he was on Elder Shen's turf, where he needed to show some respect.

So, when the elder threw a punch at Ding Fan, Ding Fan took several steps back and dodged the attack outright.

"Wow... this kid has some decent movement technique!"

The crowd observed Ding Fan's movement technique and responded with astonishment.

If Zhang Zhison's speed was fast, then Ding Fan's speed could only be described as extremely fast.

One second Ding Fan was in front of Zhang Zhison's fist, the next he had moved far to the side.

"This guy is really hiding his skills deep. Just by looking at his movement technique, he might even surpass Zhang Zhison..." someone remarked.

"This kid's technique is truly awesome!"

Hearing the surrounding comments, Zhang Zhison's face turned very ugly.

Being known as the best in movement technique below the Human Level, it would be shameful for Zhang Zhison if he was bested by a nobody. He would have no place left in the martial world.

"Kid, you're seeking death..." Zhang Zhison growled lowly before lunging forward again.

This time, Zhang Zhison moved even faster, his fists charged with Inner Strength as they bombarded Ding Fan.

Ding Fan grew very displeased at this point.

Using Inner Strength meant they were fighting a battle of life and death.

Ding Fan had no deep grudge with this Zhang Zhison. Their conflict had started when Ding Fan entered the hostel and had not greeted Zhang Zhison, because he disliked his arrogance.

And now, Zhang Zhison was attacking him with Inner Strength.

Only those with a narrow mind could act in such a way!

Ding Fan did not dodge this time but stood with his hands behind his back.

At this moment, Zhang Zhison's figure had already closed in, and his fists smashed directly toward Ding Fan's chest.

The crowd let out a gasp of shock. Zhang Zhison's fist was fierce; a blow like that could shatter stones and split tablets.

Such a fist striking a person directly could either kill or leave Ding Fan crippled.

Just when everyone thought Zhang Zhison's punch would severely injure Ding Fan, something incomprehensible happened.

Thump! Zhang Zhison's fist struck Ding Fan's body.

Instead of being sent flying, it was Zhang Zhison who suddenly was propelled backward.

After flying back more than ten steps, Zhang Zhison finally crashed heavily to the ground.

"You... you..." Zhang Zhison, sitting collapsed on the ground, looked at Ding Fan in disbelief.

When his fist had hit Ding Fan, it felt like he had not struck flesh but rather hit an iron plate.

Ding Fan slowly walked over to Zhang Zhison. He glanced at Zhang Zhison, who hadn't yet recovered from his shock, and said indifferently, "I... am not someone you can afford to provoke!"

After speaking, Ding Fan lifted his right foot and stomped fiercely on the ground.

Zhang Zhison thought Ding Fan was going to stomp on him and panickedly scooted backwards.

But Ding Fan's stomp was not aimed at him but hit the ground not far in front of Zhang Zhison.

With that stomp on the paved floor, Ding Fan created a hole more than thirty centimeters deep...

The onlookers were dumbfounded as they stared at the deep pit.