Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting stood at the edge of the giant pit, seeming somewhat fearful. Among these people, their cultivation level was even less than some ordinary female cultivators, let alone someone like Sang Yuan and Xi He.

Ye Fan asked a few questions and casually gave some instructions. He intended to leave; he couldn’t determine the cause of this explosion yet, but he could confirm one thing: this force couldn’t threaten him for the time being, and he didn’t need to worry about the dangers brought by it. What he needed to do now was prevent mysterious forces from invading the second secret realm, as, from the current situation, the power of the void can block most attacks, but some ancient cultivators could still threaten her and the women around him.

"Fan, what is all this? Why is there a big pit here? Could it be that someone bombed this place?" Qin Mengyao blinked her innocent big eyes and asked.

Yang Xiaoting tugged at her friend’s arm, saying, "Yaoyao, let’s not bother Fan; there are very important matters to deal with now. If it doesn’t work out, we should head back first. Fan, it’s okay if we leave first?"

"Don’t rush!" Ye Fan said, "I’ll send you back later, and you don’t need to worry too much about what’s happening here; after all, there’s no force in the second secret realm that can threaten you. Such explosions won’t affect you too much! Xi He, thoroughly investigate the surrounding situation; I’ll go back first, and I’ll call you when it’s time to go!"

Xi He glanced at Yang Xiaoting and Qin Mengyao, saying, "Master, just go; I’ll thoroughly investigate the second secret realm’s situation and report back with a detailed explanation!"

"Alright, it’s in your hands, thank you!" Ye Fan replied.

Xi He didn’t expect Ye Fan to thank her; she herself felt many things she did were only rightful. Ye Fan needn’t be so polite, but she vaguely sensed that Ye Fan intended to use her now, hence his politeness.

...

...

Ye Fan took Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting back to the small residence at the edge of the Mountain and Water Bamboo Forest, which he had prepared as a resting place for them.

When Ye Fan arrived, Sang Yuan followed behind due to some things she wanted to relay to Ye Fan and hear out his instructions.

Ye Fan said, "The construction progress of the second secret realm is clearly faster than I initially expected, but still not reaching the ideal process. I plan to relocate people to this place in the next few days. If the town isn’t properly established before then, the arrival of ordinary humans will severely impact the ecological balance here. For now, I won’t move many people, only those close to me. Sang Yuan, protect those around me!"

"Young master’s intention, I completely understand; I just have a question: are you also planning to bring earthly relatives along?" Sang Yuan asked.

"Of course, I do not wish to keep running between Earth and the secret realm. Earthly people like the individuals I know should migrate here, but those unfamiliar with the cultivation world, I won’t bring them over; it would heavily affect their lives. However, none of those relatives close to me, especially those who have cultivated, should remain on Earth, even if they resent me or cannot forgive me!" Ye Fan stated. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Sang Yuan bowed, "Understood completely! I will return to prepare for escorting these people into the secret realm, though I’m afraid some might not comply... could the master grant me some authority?"

"What? You intend to use force? I advise you not to offend those close to me; if they’re unwilling to come, you may use illusions to numb them, but do not resort to force; I don’t want any harm coming to them, especially the women around me!" Ye Fan said with furrowed brow.

Sang Yuan replied, "Yes!"

After speaking, Sang Yuan intended to head back to Earth, while Ye Fan didn’t plan on leaving immediately, opting to remain in the second secret realm temporarily to enhance Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting’s ability to protect themselves.

...

...

After Sang Yuan left, Qin Mengyao couldn’t hold back any longer, hugged Ye Fan’s arm joyfully, and said, "Fan, you’re not in a hurry to leave?"

Ye Fan smiled, "No need to hurry, I’m staying to accompany you, and in the meantime, help with your cultivation; you two have just passed the Golden Core Stage, and you’re often too lazy for self-cultivation, so I’ll assist you until the end!"

"Ah?" Qin Mengyao pouted, "So Fan’s staying to help us cultivate? I thought Fan was fond of us! Hmph!"

Yang Xiaoting said, "Yaoyao, don’t be capricious in front of Fan; he’s staying to help our cultivation, isn’t it great news? With improved cultivation, we’ll be able to protect ourselves, and Fan can focus on his tasks without worrying about us. It’s beneficial for us too!"

"But..." Qin Mengyao gazed at her friend with a bit of grievance, "Xiaoxiao, have you forgotten the fondness we showed for Fan before?"

The words stirred Qin Mengyao’s memories of when she was capricious, pretended to be Ye Fan, and bullied her; Yang Xiaoting, though verbally opposing, internally missed Ye Fan’s return and affection. Now seeing Ye Fan in person, she found herself tongue-tied.

In matters like these, Yang Xiaoting wasn’t as straightforward as Qin Mengyao.

"Fan, even if you want to help us cultivate, you should... cherish us first. We haven’t once had the experience of serving you here!" Qin Mengyao complained slightly.

Ye Fan looked at Qin Mengyao’s face, feeling incredibly warm inside. To him, Qin Mengyao was adorably charming; Yang Xiaoting had a bit of a mature aura, yet both seemed like little girls, casually speaking and acting. As they grew older, others like Tantai Wanrong and Zhao Tianya wouldn’t follow their heart as much, as many external matters would hinder their inner thoughts.

In comparison, Ye Fan preferred the natural demeanor of Qin Mengyao and Yang Xiaoting.

"Alright!" Ye Fan nodded with a smile, "What were you doing here before?"

"We... we weren’t doing anything!" Qin Mengyao blushed at the thought of their previous actions.

Ye Fan said, "Really? Thought I wouldn’t find out? I now command you, Yaoyao, to repeat what you did before; I want to see how you encroached my woman!"