In Sky City, Zhao Tianya and Tantai Wanrong had also only just received the news that Ye Fan was temporarily missing.

The news was like a bomb; all the girls around Ye Fan revolved around him as their center. Whenever something happened to him, the only thing they could think about was anxiously wanting to know how he was, having to be sure he was safe before they could feel at ease, because they themselves knew that once they left Ye Fan, it would be very hard to survive in this world.

"Big Sis, you must have heard about Ye Fan too. He took people to scout out some danger, and after they went, they didn’t come back. He might be in danger for the time being!" Zhao Tianya sought out Tantai Wanrong. What she wanted to stress to Tantai Wanrong was that Ye Fan was in danger now.

Tantai Wanrong said, "What do you mean? With your abilities, you still think you can go help Ye Fan?"

Zhao Tianya sighed lightly. "I know I don’t have the ability to help him. Before, I never really considered whether I should still be with him when he came back. But now I’ve more or less figured it out: whether or not I stay with Ye Fan in the future, at least his feelings for me are fairly genuine. If he runs into difficulties, we should at least do something for him, just to fulfill the feelings we have for him..."

As she spoke, Zhao Tianya’s expression was truly sincere, to the point that even Tantai Wanrong couldn’t help but give her a sidelong glance. Curious, she said, "You make it sound like you still love Ye Fan! Since that’s the case, why did you keep putting on an act before, ignoring him and acting cold, just to show how reserved you are?"

Zhao Tianya’s face flushed green and red. She couldn’t quite keep her composure. "Big Sis, you just love exposing my shortcomings, don’t you? I did that... wasn’t it because I hated him?"

"What the hell are you hating him for? You clearly care about Ye Fan, yet just to show off your so‑called hatred, you put his feelings for you to the side. You didn’t see how conflicted he was before, always wanting your forgiveness, while you kept giving him trouble. Ye Fan actually likes you a lot, and for that he doesn’t deserve to be constantly messed with by you. At this point I don’t even know if he still has the courage to keep standing up for you. You really have caused him way too much trouble..."

Tantai Wanrong was somewhat angry; she was angry on Ye Fan’s behalf, because she felt Ye Fan was very much the innocent party in this matter with Zhao Tianya, that his feelings had been completely taken advantage of by Zhao Tianya.

"Big Sis, and you’re lecturing me? Aren’t you the same yourself? Ye Fan’s feelings for you are pretty sincere too, and didn’t you also put him on the spot before? For the sake of your little niece, you still haven’t completely forgiven him even now. Yet you’re here talking about me. On this matter, I think what you’re saying is hardly fair!" Zhao Tianya retorted, a bit unconvinced.

Tantai Wanrong didn’t say anything, but it was clear that there was a stubborn streak unique to women written on her face. She knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t.

"You think I’m the same as you, that love is just for throwing tantrums? The reason I didn’t choose Ye Fan is because I know what I need, not because I want to spite him or anything. The feelings between you and Ye Fan are completely something you’ve dramatized yourself; they don’t have much to do with Ye Fan. Now Ye Fan’s in danger, and you pretend to say you want to help him. Given your current abilities, tell me, how exactly can you help him?" Tantai Wanrong shot back.

This time Zhao Tianya was completely unable to answer, because what Tantai Wanrong said hit right on the soft spot in Zhao Tianya’s heart.

"No matter what you say, Big Sis, I’m going to help Ye Fan now. I asked around; Ye Fan went somewhere called the Sea of Death. I’m going to help him. Whether you’re willing to go or not is up to you. I’m off!"

Zhao Tianya walked out of the room as if in a fit of pique.

Tantai Wanrong wanted to stop her, but when she thought about how Zhao Tianya was acting entirely out of spite, she didn’t want to interfere too much.

Just as Zhao Tianya was about to step out the door, Tantai Wanrong said, "Don’t go out there and get yourself into danger, and then expect Ye Fan to come save you. When that happens, there’ll be nothing I can do to help you..."

...

...

On Earth, Sun Ning was in the process of integrating the industries previously under the Li Group’s name. When she too learned of Ye Fan’s disappearance, she instinctively felt she might not be able to keep so many people under control on Earth, that these people might very well rebel under her in the future.

"Before, with Mr. Ye backing me, I didn’t have to be so restrained in what I did. But now that Mr. Ye isn’t here, I honestly can’t think of any way to control so many jackals. The young lady has already been hidden away by Mr. Ye, and I can’t find her. Besides, whether it’s the industries that used to belong to the Han Group or the ones we’ve integrated since, none of them are under the young lady’s name. Even if I find her, I can’t have her help me keep these people in line!"

Sun Ning was very worried. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to complete what Ye Fan had entrusted to her. She wanted to do a lot for Ye Fan right now, but it seemed she didn’t have many resources at hand, to the point that she was constrained at every step.

Just then, Sang Yuan appeared in front of Sun Ning with several female cultivator disciples in tow.

"You... what are you here for?" Sun Ning recognized Sang Yuan. Ye Fan had personally introduced the two of them before. Sun Ning knew Sang Yuan’s status at Ye Fan’s side, knew that this woman currently held very high authority and could act without needing to ask Ye Fan for instructions.

Because those under Sang Yuan were all cultivators, and Sang Yuan’s cultivation was very high, far beyond Ascension, while Sun Ning herself was only an ordinary cultivator, Sun Ning couldn’t help feeling inferior in front of Sang Yuan.

Sang Yuan said coldly, "I’m here on Young Master’s behalf to take over the affairs on Earth."

"Without Mr. Ye’s personal approval, you have no such qualification!" Sun Ning said angrily.

Sang Yuan hadn’t expected these people to dare defy her like this. She also knew that Sun Ning, like Sect Master Ling, was one of Ye Fan’s women. She said in an icy voice, "Don’t think that just because you’re Young Master’s women you can throw your weight around in front of me. Have you ever considered that if not for the status Young Master granted you, what right would you have to speak to me?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Whatever the case, I am speaking to you right now!" Sun Ning was equally proud. "Mr. Ye once said that for the affairs on Earth, the person directly responsible is me and only him. Unless Mr. Ye appears in front of me and personally explains this matter, I will not obey any of your commands!"

"You—!" Sang Yuan almost slapped this tactless woman to death on the spot.

But in the end she held back, because she knew Sun Ning’s status by Ye Fan’s side was not low. You could say Sun Ning was Ye Fan’s helmsman for the Earth system. Most of the things Ye Fan did on Earth were carried out through Sun Ning, especially those matters Ye Fan couldn’t personally handle, which were basically all entrusted to her.

Sun Ning said, "Mr. Ye hasn’t returned yet, and you already want to take over affairs on Earth. I’ll report this truthfully to Mr. Ye and let him decide how to deal with you!"