After the Imperial Sect and its Sect Master, Huang Ze, turned to support Ye Fan, Hua Wu became the real adversary among the six major sects.

Hua Wu now boasts the strongest influence among the six major sects, surpassing even the Diyuan Sect which has been suppressed by Ye Fan. If Ye Fan were to withdraw from the current alliance, Hua Wu and her Tianxuan Sect would likely become the dominant force among the seven major sects, consolidating the powers of all sects within the Pan Gu secret realm.

Ye Fan ignored Hua Wu's provocation and instead met with the leaders of several small sects, whose strongest members might not even reach the Divinity Transformation Stage, with some lacking even Golden Core Stage cultivators. Their purpose at the Death Sea is to fish in troubled waters or to gain Ye Fan's support to secure their footing in the Pan Gu secret realm.

"Young master, they are secretly contacting Nunu's people, expressing their willingness to serve you. They've even mentioned that if you require a cauldron for cultivation, the female disciples of various sects could be chosen at your discretion. This time, the sects have brought some exceptionally talented female disciples. Would you like to meet them?" Sang Yuan conveyed to Ye Fan telepathically.

Sang Yuan's cultivation is unmatched in the secret realm, rivaled only by hidden demons. Her telepathic communication with Ye Fan is entirely secure from being overheard.

Ye Fan knows that with the impending heavenly tribulation and the impending power reorganization among the sects, these smaller sects have no choice but to ally under his banner. To gain his support, they are willing to offer up treasured artifacts and pills from their sects, and even allow him to select female disciples at will. Ye Fan is seen as the "Emperor" among the powers in the Pan Gu secret realm, with others acting according to his commands. Dependence on his endorsement determines the survival of these small sects; without it, they face potential consolidation or dissolution.

"No need." Ye Fan smiled lightly. The feeling of supremacy between heaven and earth is indeed gratifying, easily stirring his internal heroism.

After contemplating, Ye Fan realizes that his previous "disrespectful" actions towards Tantai Wanrong stem from inevitable results after reaching higher levels of cultivating the Nine Yang Divine Skill. His possessiveness has grown stronger.

Having met with several small sects, Ye Fan summoned the sect members, announcing that they should rest at the same place for two hours. After dark, they would proceed directly into the underground cavern beneath the Death Sea to officially explore the mysteries.

"Zhao Jun, my body ... might have some troubling signs," Ye Fan first considers confiding in Li Zhaojun when concerned.

During a temporary rest at some hundred miles from the Death Sea, Ye Fan privately conversed with Li Zhaojun.

"What signs?" Li Zhaojun, slightly embarrassed, glanced at nearby figures like the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman, then leaned closer and asked, "Do you need me and Sister Shang...?"

"That's not it. I feel like there's a demon inside me that I sometimes can't control." Ye Fan refrains from mentioning his actions with Tantai Wanrong, fearing Li Zhaojun's concern about the complex relationship between him and Tantai Wanrong.

Li Zhaojun frowned, "Is it like when you previously had demonic tendencies?"

"More or less, but during the demon phase, I don't lose my mind. My actions are orderly, just my speech becomes more domineering. I have had such tendencies before but didn't notice it then. Under the drive of demonic nature, my possessiveness becomes very strong, compelling me to do things I dared not before…" Ye Fan felt worried, fearing he might do regretful things when his demonic nature erupts.

Li Zhaojun nodded, "That's okay. With your current identity and status, if you want something, why repress yourself?"

Ye Fan felt warmth from the rare understanding, moving forward to hug Li Zhaojun, "I'm afraid of harming you when I'm not myself."

"It's alright. You've said we're like an old married couple without caring about the final ceremony, so when your demonic nature erupts... it saves the trouble, right?" Li Zhaojun rolled her eyes unkindly at Ye Fan.

"That's what you said. If I ever act rudely or unkindly, don't blame me." Ye Fan retorted.

Li Zhaojun laughed speechlessly. Understanding that Ye Fan's demonic nature didn't result in uncontrollable rage, she felt comforted. She no longer made harsh demands about Ye Fan's desires, knowing she lacked the position to demand Ye Fan's exclusivity. With pure Yin spiritual energy within her gradually making her submit to Ye Fan, she regarded Ye Fan as her ultimate will.

...

...

Without discussing much further with Li Zhaojun, Ye Fan had other plans before entering the Death Sea cavern.

Instructed Sang Yuan to open a spatial rift, he and Sang Yuan vanished from the Annan Domain, reappearing in the backyard of Sang Yuan's secret residence in Sky City.

Sang Yuan expressed irritation: "That Hua Wu, growing more disrespectful to the young master. Why not let Nunu capture her and make her serve you like a servant girl, as a cauldron to ease your anger!"

"Hmm?" Ye Fan squinted at Sang Yuan.

Ye Fan realized Sang Yuan possessed a wicked potential, with no moral or ethical concepts in her thoughts. She acted either for benefit or for a grudge, suggesting that Ye Fan should humiliate Hua Wu like an ordinary woman since killing her was not honorable.

Sang Yuan said, "With the young master's current power, making Hua Wu a servant girl isn't excessive. If Nunu spoke incorrectly, please forgive me, young master."

Ye Fan chuckled; Sang Yuan aligned herself with his interests, distressed about the Tianxuan Sect's leader targeting a leader of the seven major sects, a matter hurting Ye Fan's honor. Sang Yuan merely sought to regain Ye Fan's dignity, though her suggested approach was flawed.

"If I act as you suggest, how will I establish reputation among the six major sects? Others will consider me unscrupulous, taking my earlier commitment to unite the sects against the heavenly tribulation only as a pretext for personal ambition." Ye Fan replied.

"The young master's reasoning is right. Nunu was inconsiderate, please punish me!" Sang Yuan respectfully bowed.

Ye Fan drew her in, smiling, "I see you as a genius at bad deeds. Get on with what I tasked you, I'll wait here."

"Yes, Nunu will return quickly!"

Sang Yuan disappeared from the backyard in an instant. Ye Fan entered Sang Yuan's bedroom, a place where he claimed Sang Yuan, and their secret "romance" occurred. Soon, Sang Yuan returned, bringing along the captured Diyuan Sect's leader, Ling, and an unfamiliar female disciple with restrictions.

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