Sun Ronghe's influence in Ninghai City was substantial, and there were many political and business figures colluding with him, so he was apprehended in another region. Sun Ronghe would be directly sent to another city for interrogation and handed over to judicial authorities.

Hu Jing observed Ye Fan and Li Zhaojun's closeness with anger in her heart, even though Ye Fan had helped her out this time. She still couldn't forgive Ye Fan deep down.

Sun Ning approached her and said, "Miss Hu, your mother is waiting. For your safety, the days to come will be under the protection of Han Group. Please."

Turning to look at Ye Fan, Hu Jing felt somewhat disappointed because Ye Fan did not personally see her off from Hengji Hotel.

"Ye Fan, aren't you going to see her off? She seems to have many things to say to you." Li Zhaojun was quite empathetic.

"No need, she should have her own life, so I won't disturb her. I promised Senior Sister Wu Ding that once things settle in Ninghai City, I'd return to the secret realm. It's time to leave now." Ye Fan replied.

Han Qing'er said nervously, "Master, where should I go?"

"Go back to Nanhai City or Jingzhao City, and wait for me to return." Ye Fan finished speaking and proceeded with Li Zhaojun, Min Shang, and Lan Jing towards the outside of the banquet hall.

There was a hint of disappointment in Han Qing'er's eyes. She was now entirely captivated by Ye Fan, feeling she couldn't be without him, yet Ye Fan remained indifferent to her.

...

After being questioned by the police, Ye Fan left the hotel with the three women.

The four reached a secluded area, directly rode the magic sword toward the entrance of Pan Gu's secret realm, in the direction of Kunlun Mountain.

Within the cave at the entrance of Kunlun Mountain, there was no change in spiritual energy around, and even traces of Elder Wu's visit had been erased, presumably deliberately.

"Perhaps someone entered from here, or maybe someone exited." Ye Fan said cautiously, "I'll send a message to Senior Brother and Senior Sister to be careful on Earth."

Ye Fan used the Jade Talisman to send word, informing Elder Wu and Wu Ding about the situation at the entrance. When he didn't get a response from them, the group entered Pan Gu's secret realm.

When Ye Fan opened his eyes, he was already amidst scorched earth in the Great Sorrow Domain of Pan Gu's secret realm. The temperature was high around him, as if there had been a conflagration, and Ye Fan also sensed powerful spiritual energy lingering in the air.

It had been less than two days since he'd last left Pan Gu's secret realm and only about twenty days within it, yet the realm seemed to have undergone a catastrophe.

Once Ye Fan found Li Zhaojun, Min Shang, and Lan Jing, the four regrouped and set off in the direction of Tianxuan Sect.

During the journey, frequent lightning flashed, and the rain in the sky was acid rain, highly corrosive. This acid rain could cause trees to wither and die and even erode the skin of mortals and ordinary creatures, turning them into skeletons.

Li Zhaojun worriedly said, "We just left not long ago, how can it be like this?"

"Hopefully, it's only the Great Sorrow Domain that's like this; otherwise, it would be a calamity for humans and flora and fauna in the entire secret realm." Ye Fan said, stabilizing his direction as they continued toward the main peak of Shuangfeng Mountain.

Originally, Ye Fan wanted to visit Heavenly Peak Mountain but refrained due to Avenging Spirit Banner's formidable power. Without him there, others wouldn't even think about entering Heavenly Peak Mountain; the banner would persist.

As for whether Shen Biancheng and Bai He were dead or had their souls taken, Ye Fan remained unaware.

...

Along the way, they saw migrating refugees; with acid rain erosion, ordinary people's homes collapsed, forcing them to take shelter in caves. Once the acid rain ceased, people would quickly migrate.

Humans and plant and animal remnants could be seen throughout the journey.

After nearly a day of flying, they finally arrived at the foot of Shuangfeng Mountain.

There was also a large residue of spiritual energy around, yet the acid rain situation here was much better, though locals were reinforcing their homes. Unfortunately, the technological civilization in Pan Gu's secret realm wasn't high; most houses were made of thatch, wood, and tile, lacking structures of reinforced concrete.

Around Shuangfeng Mountain, there were strong barriers, forcing the group to walk up the mountain. Lan Jing was somewhat curious and asked, "Why don't we fly up?"

Ye Fan smiled and said, "Miss Lan, we don't have as high cultivation as yours, and we also cannot damage the mountain barriers here; they're meant to ward off thieves."

"Oh." Lan Jing nodded, seemingly understanding; she couldn't quite grasp the concept of mountain barriers. Her following Ye Fan was not due to attachment but purely to protect the small blue crystal and see the world.

Before reaching halfway up the mountain, disciples from Tianxuan Sect came out to greet them, not outer disciples, but disciples of the inner sect at the Golden Core Stage and above.

"Who are you? Tianxuan Sect's forbidden area, no entry allowed!" Several male disciples approached, appearing very tense.

"It's me. I am Qing Neng." Ye Fan said, "I return to Shuangfeng Mountain on master's orders!"

"Uncle Qing Neng?" Someone scrutinized for a bit; it was indeed Ye Fan. Some carried a hint of apprehension, as Ye Fan had injured Tianxuan Sect's junior disciples and showcased the Avenging Spirit Banner. "Please wait, Uncle. We need to report to the Sect Master for a decision."

Ye Fan nodded, waited halfway up the mountain for a while, then the disciple returned and said, "Uncle, please ascend the mountain!"

The group reached the hall within Shuangfeng Mountain, connected to the back mountain, marking the boundary between Tianxuan Sect's inner and outer divisions. Ye Fan looked up at the statue within the main hall and asked, "Where is the Sect Master?"

"Sect Master awaits in the main altar of the sect inside; we cannot go up there, and these ladies… they're not Tianxuan Sect disciples, thus cannot enter the interior door of the sect."

Ye Fan felt slightly peculiar. Sect Master Hua Wu insisted on his return, saying he wished to test if Ye Fan could lift the Ancient Immortal Artifact Tai Ning, yet Hua Wu hadn't come to meet him halfway up the mountain, leaving him to enter the inner door of the sect alone.

"Understood." Ye Fan said, turned to Li Zhaojun, instructing her to be careful and vigilant before walking toward the inner door of Tianxuan Sect on the camel hump of Shuangfeng Mountain.

Lightning crackled, Ye Fan thought more Heavenly Mending Stones would fall from Shuangfeng Mountain, but upon reaching the outer square of the main hall, it was still eerily quiet.

The entire Tianxuan Sect's main hall was utterly silent; he couldn't sense the presence of cultivators.

"Sect Master, your disciple has returned." Ye Fan didn't approach the main hall door but shouted loudly from afar, not hiding his presence. He assumed Sect Master Hua Wu and his teacher Hui Ning would telepathically invite him in if present.

But there was no response, just the main hall door opening, still empty inside.

Its silence was impending crisis.

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