A Dish Best Served Cold (The Man In Rage)

At Duanmu Wan'er's words, Ye Fan's heart shuddered.

He never expected her to be so thoughtful.

Even such details were taken into consideration.

Previously, Ye Fan was only concerned about how to protect the lives of his loved ones, never once considering their living conditions.

That was indeed no small matter.

If one were to dwell in a cave for a long time, living a life of perpetual darkness day after day, it might be bearable for cultivators like Ye Fan. However, if it were an ordinary person, they might not last more than a few days before they start to experience psychological issues.

If it was serious, it might even be life-threatening.

However, all the things that he had overlooked, Duanmu Wan'er had thought of for him.

"Wan'er, thank you. You're always so thoughtful, able to consider many things that I've never paid attention to. All these years, I'm grateful to have you by my side, helping me," Ye Fan sincerely expressed his gratitude.

Ye Fan's sudden emotional outpouring actually made Duanmu Wan'er feel a bit embarrassed, her pretty face blushing.

"Ye Fan, we're so close now. There's no need for formalities between us."

"Indeed." Ye Fan nodded with a smile. "After all, we've already been open and honest with each other, having intimate interactions. There's really no need for such formalities."

After she heard that, Duanmu Wan'er's face instantly turned bright red. He's such a bad guy! Ye Fan is such a rascal, always teasing me as he pleases.

However, after the joke was over, Ye Fan's expression turned serious.

Previously, Ye Fan had been relying on the treasures of the mundane world's celestial palace to deal with the Universe Tree, but now it seems all hope was lost.

Given the temperament of Mundane Sword Deity, if Ye Fan didn't take him as his master, he would certainly not assist Ye Fan.

However, Ye Fan didn't want to disrespect his teachers and ancestors over this matter, nor did he want to deny his lineage.

Moreover, Jian Boyou was now just a soul remnant. Even if he truly became his disciples, whether he could resolve the Earth's crisis remained an unknown.

"Alas. No support is permanent. The best thing to do is rely on ourselves." Ye Fan let out a sigh.

Subsequently, he made a decision.

"Wan'er, we still have about nine years left. During this time, I will arrange for my friends and family to be brought in gradually. I hope that when the time comes, you can find a way to guide them into this secret realm," Ye Fan instructed.

"Ye Fan, what about you? Aren't you staying here?" Duanmu Wan'er was clearly more concerned about where Ye Fan was going.

Ye Fan shook his head. "Wan'er, it's not time to sit and wait for death. I still want to give it a shot. What if I could reach the god realm? Under the Universe Tree, the aura is abundant, so I plan to spend the next period of time undergoing solitary cultivation under the Universe Tree. So, I'm afraid I can't stay here with you anymore," Ye Fan said with a heavy heart.

"Ye Fan, why bother? Why push yourself so hard? Haste makes waste. I worry that your intense desire to break through to the god realm will instead harm your own body. If you ask me, I'd say let's just go with the flow. We have the protection of the mundane world's celestial palace anyway. Even if the end of the world truly arrives, we can simply hide in the celestial palace, calmly facing the storm." Duanmu Wan'er spoke up to persuade him.

But Ye Fan shook his head. "Wan'er, I'm not like you. You've been living in this abode for a long time. You don't understand Earth. You have no affection for that land. But I can't. I can't be as calm as you are. If possible, I still wish to harness my own strength to salvage this damaged world, even if the world has hurt me deeply."

Ye Fan's words immediately silenced Duanmu Wan'er.

She truly didn't understand Ye Fan's words.

She couldn't understand. Wasn't it just a place to survive? With Ye Fan's capabilities, even if the Earth is no more, can't he just find another place to live?

"Okay. Ye Fan, if you want to do it, then go ahead. I only hope that no matter what you do, you must prioritize your own safety. If some things can't be salvaged, then let them go. Don't put yourself in danger because of those matters. Whenever you need anything, feel free to reach out to me. If I can be of any help, I will certainly assist you." Duanmu Wan'er spoke softly.

That was what Ye Fan liked the most about Duanmu Wan'er.

No matter what decision he made, she would always steadfastly stand by him, even if she didn't agree with his decision.

However, once he made up his mind, she would continue to help him without any hesitation.

In that aspect, Qiu Mucheng and Duanmu Wan'er were entirely different.

Qiu Mucheng was a stubborn woman.

She didn't want Ye Fan to do what he was planning to do, and she would genuinely try her best to dissuade and discourage him.

Just like when Ye Fan sought revenge on Chu Sect, Qiu Mucheng tried to stop him from the beginning to the end.

Ye Fan knew that she was acting out of kindness, for his own good, and was worried about his safety.

However, Qiu Mucheng wouldn't know some obsessions were meant to transcend everything.

So, back then, Ye Fan chose to let down Qiu Mucheng to confront Chu Sect.

And it was precisely for that reason that Qiu Mucheng, in a fit of pique, had yet to return home.

Up until now, Ye Fan was still unable to find any trace of her.

Ye Fan shook his head.

All those complex thoughts were completely suppressed.

In the end, life was full of regrets.

He searched painstakingly for a year but still couldn't find Qiu Mucheng.

However, Ye Fan simply couldn't devote all his time to doing that.

For the remaining years, Ye Fan planned to spend them immersed in his cultivation.

"Wan'er, I'll let Snow stay with you. I will only take Coal with me to guard me." Before leaving, Ye Fan decided to leave a puppet behind as a form of protection for Duanmu Wan'er.

"Ye Fan, no need."

There's no danger within this secret realm. Rather, you who'll be cultivating under the Universe Tree, could be attacked by the Universe Tree at any moment. Take both Coal and Snow with you," Duanmu Wan'er advised.

But Ye Fan didn't heed the advice and insisted on leaving a puppet behind.

Then, taking Coal with him, he left the secret realm to return to the mortal world. Beneath Mount Kransbay, the Universe Tree had grown taller once again.

Yet, the growth rate of the vegetation at the foot of the mountain had slowed down.

At the foot of the mountain, it remained sparsely populated.

Many unused tents were still there.

Only Gaius and Zhang Nanhai remained there.

Gaius stepped forward and greeted respectfully, "Master, you've returned?"

Zhang Nanhai also gave up his research and came over to greet Ye Fan.

"Yes. You guys carry on with your work. I came here with the intention to undergo long-term solitary cultivation. Unless it's urgent, do not disturb me," Ye Fan instructed.

Gaius patted his chest and said, "Rest assured, Master. I, Gaius, will guard this post for you! Rest assured, and continue your cultivation!"

Upon hearing those words, Zhang Nanhai also became somewhat agitated. Am I going to spend day and night with my senior, Chu Tianfan, in the future?

In an instant, Zhang Nanhai felt the thrill of successfully chasing his dreams.

After a brief explanation, Ye Fan walked over to the Universe Tree, sat down cross-legged, and began his solitary cultivation.

And there stood Coal, motionless in front of Ye Fan, like a stone sculpture.

The peculiar shape undoubtedly piqued Gaius' curiosity, "What is this thing that Master has brought? How strange. Why haven't I seen it before?"

Zhang Nanhai was equally curious. "This stone is somewhat mysterious, isn't it?"

However, the two of them were merely curious, without delving too much into anything.

In the time that followed, Zhang Nanhai continued to delve into his study of formations.

Meanwhile, Gaius, while accompanying Ye Fan in his solitary cultivation, didn't forget to charm a few young women in the nearby city.

The land of Kransbay momentarily fell into a state of tranquility.

However, the secular world was anything but peaceful.

After Ye Fan had undergone solitary cultivation for a long period, aerospace technology flourished. One after another, spaceships were launched into the space cabin. The manned spaceflight endeavor was advancing rapidly and dramatically.

As if possessed, major nations were harnessing their national power to advance their long-distance space travel endeavors, especially the Mars landing project.