Ding Fan's eyes were filled with anger; he had not expected that Wang Hu and others would be captured.

At this moment, Ding Fan gradually regained his rationality, realizing that going back to save them was impossible and might even endanger his brothers' lives.

Then, with anger and unwillingness, Ding Fan, together with He Zenfen, escaped in a certain direction.

"Wild Wolf Gang, I, Ding Fan, will remember this grudge!"

Filled with fury, Ding Fan silently vowed, his eyes slowly burning with anger. The Dayang Sect had already sacrificed so much for him, including the plump elder, many great elders, and those fearless disciples who faced death. All these debts were etched in Ding Fan's heart, and this grudge wouldn't end easily. Wild Wolf Gang, when my strength grows, it will be the day of your doom!

The roars of the Disciples of the Wild Wolf Gang kept sounding from behind. Ding Fan was filled with immense anger and also worried about the Fifth Elder's safety. Clearly, the Fifth Elder was in a very disadvantageous situation, facing all the Disciples of the Wild Wolf Gang alone.

Ding Fan knew that there were still no disciples chasing after them, obviously because the Fifth Elder had held them back with all his strength.

Yet another elder would sacrifice himself for him, leaving Ding Fan with a bitter heart. He could only follow He Zenfen in an unknown direction.

After a short while, Ding Fan and the others arrived at an Underground Palace.

Ding Fan was visibly surprised to find that the Dayang Sect had such a large Underground Palace. From just the corridors, it was clear that this Underground Palace was extraordinarily vast. It was clearly one of the forbidden areas of the Dayang Sect, a place Ding Fan had never been to before.

Ding Fan had never even heard of it. It was evidently one of the secret places of the Dayang Sect.

Ding Fan and He Qianyao followed He Zenfen down a dim but not too narrow path, entering a hall dimly lit around its surroundings. The hall's walls were constructed of piled stones and stood three meters high, appearing majestic. The hall was furnished with tables, chairs, and furniture, indicating that living long-term here wouldn't be an issue.

Suddenly, Ding Fan's Divine Sense detected the presence of people in a secret chamber. Startled, Ding Fan realized there were three people, though his Divine Sense could not reveal their appearances. At this moment, Ding Fan paused, realizing this was a forbidden place of the Dayang Sect, yet there were still people here — these people must be very mysterious.

This reminded Ding Fan of the three people captured by the Dayang Sect at sea. Ding Fan extended his Divine Sense once more and indeed discovered there were three people in the secret chamber.

This realization sent Ding Fan's mind racing, yet he did not act hastily. Since He Zenfen brought him here, it was clear he had no intention to deal with those imprisoned.

Ding Fan surveyed the surroundings and quickly found another exit. It was indeed a perfect place for escape, he thought to himself.

"Father, what is this place?"

He Qianyao shook her head, curiously observing the surroundings. She had grown up in the Dayang Sect but had not known of such a place, which evidently surprised her.

"This is the Underground Palace of the Dayang Sect. I never thought the Dayang Sect would have a day when it needed this..."

He Zenfen said helplessly, with sorrow on his face. Besides himself and a few Great Elders, the disciples did not know about this Underground Palace. It was both a training place for generations of Sect Masters and a last resort for escape. With the entire outer sect of the Dayang Sect overrun by the Disciples of the Wild Wolf Gang, sneaking out above was impossible — this was the only way out.

He Zenfen had not anticipated using it now, knowing the Dayang Sect had been around for hundreds of years, incredibly strong and having weathered every storm. Miraculously, it survived a shakeup on the Donglai Continent three hundred years ago, relying on the Sect Master's effort to fend off most invaders.

A hundred years ago, numerous talented cultivators attacked the Dayang Sect, but with unity, the disciples defended against the foes, successfully overcoming that calamity.

Despite surviving hundreds of years of ups and downs, now the Dayang Sect was about to fall, and He Zenfen felt deeply remorseful, thoughts of guilt surged through him, showing sorrow and self-reproach on his face.

"Father, don't be sad. Even if the Dayang Sect falls today, I believe one day it will rise again! We have many disciples, and that detestable Wild Wolf Gang can't completely wipe us out. Disciples will surely take revenge for the sect. With you, Father, we'll revive the might of the Dayang Sect!"

He Qianyao looked at her father's worried expression and couldn't help but comfort him, feeling heartache.

He Zenfen heard her words, shook his head slightly, then stroked her head, still deeply troubled, saying:

"Daughter, you must learn to take care of yourself; your father can no longer stay with you..."

"Father..."

He Qianyao, hearing her father's words, wept continually, pained by her father's state but unsure of how to comfort him.

The current situation of the Dayang Sect deeply saddened He Qianyao. Comparing herself to her father's grief, hers was insignificant.

He Zenfen glanced at Ding Fan, then walked up to him, showing a consoling smile. Ding Fan was undoubtedly the best disciple in centuries. Without the current crisis, He Zenfen would have gladly guided Ding Fan, recognizing him as his disciple.

But in light of this situation, the sect is no more. Only the most outstanding disciple remains, which is a small mercy amidst the misfortune.

Then He Zenfen took the ring from his finger and solemnly handed it to Ding Fan.

"Ding Fan, you are the most outstanding disciple I've ever seen. Now, you're also my closed-door disciple. Today, the Dayang Sect exists no more, and you are now the Sect Master of the Dayang Sect. Of course, the task of restoring the glory of the Dayang Sect falls to you. I hope you won't disappoint me."

Having said this, He Zenfen placed the ring, which seemed to have a sun-shaped emblem, in Ding Fan's hand.

Seeing this, Ding Fan was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected that He Zenfen would pass on the position of Sect Master to him. To know that it is the Dayang Sect, a sect that still holds considerable influence even in ruin, how could he accept such a significant responsibility?

"Sect Master, what are you doing? The Dayang Sect is your sect; how can I take it? I will take up the task of restoring the Dayang Sect without hesitation, but I cannot accept the position of Sect Master!"

At this moment, He Qianyao heard the exchange between her father and Ding Fan and was also stunned. Clearly, she couldn't understand why her father would pass the position of Sect Master to Ding Fan, though she greatly acknowledged Ding Fan's strength and saw his potential as immense, considering him the most outstanding disciple of the Dayang Sect in a hundred years. But after all, her father was still here; it wasn't yet time to pass on the position of Sect Master.

Hearing Ding Fan's words, He Zenfen couldn't help but feel a trace of comfort, but his resolve remained unmoved. He then smiled slightly and said to Ding Fan:

"Though we're here in the underground palace, few know about this place. However, the Dayang Sect has a traitor, and clearly, they will find this place sooner or later. You can hear the footsteps of the outsiders; some of their cultivator disciples have already arrived, only held off by the formations of the underground palace. But these formations clearly can't stop those cultivators in the Spirit Severing stage or the transcendance tribulation stage black-clad elder. It's only a matter of time before they break in."

Upon hearing He Zenfen's words, Ding Fan released his Divine Sense and indeed found that their previous entrance was already crowded with cultivator disciples desperately attacking the defensive array of the underground palace.

Ding Fan could also sense a black-faced elder with a very high cultivation heading their way. Clearly, this powerful black-faced elder was none other than the traitor of the Dayang Sect, Meng Zongqing.

Ding Fan realized that the defensive array of the underground palace couldn't withstand so many disciples' assaults, especially with some Spirit Severing stage elders among them. They had little time left.

"Sect Master, we must go quickly!"

Ding Fan urgently said to He Zenfen.

"It's too late. You must leave first. The fall of the Dayang Sect happened under my watch, and I have no face to abandon it and leave alone. They'll catch up in less than half a minute. Ding Fan, you must accept this ring."

Hearing this, Ding Fan knew all too well that He Zenfen was aware of the situation outside, considering his Late Spirit Severing stage cultivation. Ding Fan furrowed his brows and reluctantly agreed, saying:

"I accept. I, Ding Fan, will avenge the Dayang Sect in my lifetime!"

He Zenfen, upon hearing Ding Fan's words, smiled warmly, then took out a piece of Divine Iron and handed it to Ding Fan, saying:

"This is a piece of thousand-year-old Divine Iron. Take it; I hope it helps you. I entrust my daughter to you; take good care of her."

Upon hearing this, He Qianyao could no longer hold back her tears and immediately hugged He Zenfen tightly, tearfully pleading:

"Father, don't leave me. Let's leave here alive together... please?"

He Zenfen, hearing his daughter's words, couldn't help but feel a bit teary-eyed himself, momentarily at a loss for words. Finally, he held his daughter tightly, full of reluctance and sadness.

"Take care of yourself..."

At that moment, He Qianyao felt immense pain in her heart. She knew her father's words were not unfounded, and it was likely their last meeting.

Remembering this, He Qianyao's heart ached as if submerged by stormy seas.

At this point, seeing this scene, Ding Fan didn't know what to say. Ultimately, feeling a mix of worry and a slight glimmer of hope, he asked:

"Sect Master, is there really no way? How about we leave together!"

He Zenfen, hearing Ding Fan's words, shook his head with a faint bitter smile and said:

"There's no other way. Go quickly. Bring along the person in that secret chamber too. They are crucial to our Dayang Sect, and you must treat them well!"

Having said this, He Zenfen gently but firmly separated from his daughter.