Ye Fan spoke these words without avoiding Sang Yuan, also wanting to test Sang Yuan's loyalty.

Sang Yuan used to be a devout believer of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman, and she still is today. If there's no conflict in actions between the two masters, she can choose to listen to Ye Fan or the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman. Once Ye Fan and the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman's positions are opposed, she must make her own choice, whether to follow the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman or Ye Fan.

This is also difficult for Sang Yuan to decide, as it challenges her beliefs and understanding.

"Zhao Jun, you start cultivating first. Sang Yuan, you stay to protect Zhao Jun, but first take me back to Hua Hai City. After one or two hours, you can take her back." Ye Fan ordered.

"Yes, young master." Sang Yuan's expression was still somewhat dazed at this moment, and she mechanically obeyed, opening the door to Hua Hai City for Ye Fan.

Ye Fan instructed, "I'll make a trip to the East Sea first. You can return to Hua Hai City later on your own. Don't disclose what I told you to the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman."

Li Zhaojun nodded, glancing at Sang Yuan. She was unconditionally on Ye Fan's side, but Sang Yuan, as a believer of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman, was uncertain. At this moment, Sang Yuan remained silent, still showing signs of low spirits.

Ye Fan returned to Hua Hai City through the rift in space. He hadn't deceived Li Zhaojun about anything. This time, he returned not to find Lu Xiaoman and others, but truly to head to the East Sea.

Without Lan Jing, Ye Fan couldn't enter the underwater ocean, but he could enter the Underground Kingdom. That was where he found the third protector bell of the Tongling Mirror, to escort Red Crystal and the Underground Kingdom's princess.

Ye Fan remembered that the princess once came to the human world herself, suggesting there are other entrances to the surface from the Underground Kingdom. Ye Fan planned to head to the Underground Kingdom first, then detour through it to the underwater ocean.

With this thought, Ye Fan flew on his sword towards Ning Hai City. It was the latter half of the night, and flying alone high up felt quite pleasant. Before long, he reached the residence of the princess.

Because the princess of the Underground Kingdom also possessed Golden Core Stage cultivation, she didn't need to eat. She could cultivate anywhere, and in the human world, with people arranged by Sun Ning for her special care, she could enjoy the conveniences of human technological civilization like a real princess.

When Ye Fan arrived, the princess was watching TV in the living room. Unlike ordinary girls who enjoy watching dramas or movies, or programs on beauty and health, this princess from the Underground Kingdom preferred watching the news. She was curious about the living environment of surface humans, and news usually reflects the most authentic aspects of human society.

"Hmm..." The princess stood up surprised when she saw Ye Fan walk in. She had thought Ye Fan had forgotten about her, just like a consort neglected by an emperor, waiting in the cold palace for the day she would be favored. Little did she know, the day would indeed come. "Greetings, Sovereign God. Praise be to you, great deity..."

The ceremony to worship the "Sovereign God" in the Underground Kingdom was extremely complex, as Ye Fan had seen during his time there. He did not interrupt the princess's actions but sat on the sofa, waiting until she finished her courtesies before saying, "Pack up, you're coming out with me."

The princess had been prepared to use some practical actions to "serve the Sovereign God," but Ye Fan's first words upon arriving left her quite shocked.

"Sovereign God, what are you saying?" The princess couldn't quite understand.

"Looking at you, there's nothing to pack. Let's go, I'll take you back to your underground world!" Ye Fan stood up and said.

The princess immediately knelt, performing a courtesy and said, "O Sovereign God, even if you don't favor your devout believer, please don't send this servant back underground, as only the pyre awaits upon my return. I beg the Sovereign God to keep this servant by your side..."

As she spoke, the princess even began to cling to Ye Fan's leg, pleading.

Ye Fan had witnessed the extent of religious zeal in the Underground Kingdom, and the princess was not exaggerating. She would likely face death if she returned.

"What is your name?" Ye Fan asked.

"My previous name no longer matters, I ask the Sovereign God to grant me a new one." The princess replied.

Ye Fan nodded, "I'll call you Leng Yu. Looking at you, despite being a princess, you likely are met with cold words, even after reaching the Golden Core Stage, which has no status in the Underground Kingdom."

"Thank you for bestowing the name, Sovereign God." Leng Yu formally accepted her new name.

As a princess, she should have held an exalted status in the Underground Kingdom, but due to the existence of religion, the kingdom's nobility was suppressed beneath it, making her and her mother both oppressed by it. The real ruler of the Underground Kingdom is not her mother the queen, but the old lady priestess wielding a Magic Wand.

"Let's go." Ye Fan summoned with a gesture, "Rest assured, I won't leave you underground against your will, but you have to use the path you once took to reach the surface, to lead me to the Underground Kingdom. I will bring you back with me!"

"Yes, Sovereign God." Leng Yu was very compliant at this moment, appearing insignificant before Ye Fan.

Though she was a victim of the religion, she was also eroded by it. Once the deity she always denied appeared, she regarded Ye Fan as the supreme deity.

Following Leng Yu's direction, Ye Fan reached a spot by the East Sea, where Leng Yu said, "Sovereign God, within the cave, there is a pool. At the bottom, there is a path leading underground. I used to take this route to sneak to the surface. Whether there are other paths, I do not know."

Ye Fan sensed around, confirming there was no spiritual energy or traps set by Leng Yu to lead him to danger.

Arriving at the pool, he used his Spiritual Sense to probe and indeed felt a waterway leading elsewhere at the cave pool's bottom. By the sea, such waterways connecting to the ocean were common, and even local residents hadn't thoroughly investigated these paths.

"I will use Spiritual Energy to bind you, and on this journey, all you have to do is close your eyes." Ye Fan extended his hand and completely restrained Leng Yu's body with Spiritual Energy.

A typical person, when bound, would struggle violently, but Leng Yu seemed at peace, clearly more adjusted to this domineering force used by Ye Fan, seeing it as their true dynamic.

This displayed a masochistic tendency.

Ye Fan ignored this, effectively tethering Leng Yu like with a rope. He entered the water first, guiding Leng Yu to the pool bottom, and swam through the waterway towards elsewhere. There was no light at all, yet Ye Fan could clearly feel the changes around him. The Red Crystal, Lan Jing, and Purple Crystal hurried forward, illuminating the path, while Black Crystal, still somewhat skittish, clung to Ye Fan, much like an ignorant little spirit.

Following Leng Yu's guidance, Ye Fan finally reached the Underground Kingdom, but even before seeing any creatures, the Purple Crystal hid fearfully in Ye Fan's arms, saying: "Master, there are so many undead here."

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