Zhou Ruoran knew about Ding Fan's matters with the Dayang Sect. On one hand, she felt heartbroken for Ding Fan at that time, and on the other, she was a bit worried about him now. However, she fully supported Ding Fan's decision. Ding Fan was her husband, and Zhou Ruoran would agree to any decision he made, because she loved him and trusted him.

But it was inevitable for Zhou Ruoran to feel worried. After all, Ding Fan wanted to avenge the Dayang Sect, which meant he had to become irreconcilable with several Great Sect factions. Although Ding Fan was very powerful and a Grade Nine Alchemist, he was still just one person, and opposing a Great Sect was very dangerous.

However, Zhou Ruoran understood Ding Fan well. Once Ding Fan set his mind on something, he wouldn't easily give up. Besides, Zhou Ruoran felt that Ding Fan's actions were correct. She had listened to Ding Fan tell her about the Dayang Sect and knew that many elders and even the Sect Master had sacrificed themselves to protect Ding Fan, so it was only natural for him to seek revenge for them.

"Don't worry, I support you!"

Zhou Ruoran looked at Ding Fan and said seriously.

Hearing Zhou Ruoran's words, Ding Fan felt relieved, and the two of them returned to the inn in Dancheng where Ding Fan had stayed before.

As Ding Fan and Zhou Ruoran entered the inn, they naturally encountered He Qianyao. At that moment, He Qianyao noticed Ding Fan and Zhou Ruoran holding hands, and felt a bit uneasy inside, but she quickly composed herself and greeted Ding Fan and Zhou Ruoran as naturally as possible.

"You must be Zhou Ruoran, whom Ding Fan has been longing for! You're truly beautiful!"

"Not at all, not at all. You must be He Qianyao, whom Ding Fan has talked about. I'm pleased to meet you."

Zhou Ruoran sincerely said, looking at the other woman, who was also a beautiful lady. Zhou Ruoran had evidently noticed some unease in the other's expression, but she chose not to mention it. She fully trusted Ding Fan; despite how beautiful the other woman was, she believed Ding Fan would never do anything to betray her.

"Since everyone knows each other now, let's go inside."

At this moment, Ding Fan watched as the two women kept sizing each other up, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward. So, Ding Fan suggested, "Let's head inside."

Ding Fan and the two women went back to the room, where they engaged in light conversation. Zhou Ruoran and He Qianyao seemed like an old couple from a past life, chatting endlessly. Ding Fan, watching from the side, was a bit helpless, but seeing everyone getting along so well, he felt some comfort.

Time passed quietly as Ding Fan and the others conversed, and soon the sky darkened.

"You two stay together and don't wander around tonight. Be a little cautious. I have to go settle some matters."

Ding Fan stood up and spoke. He had been waiting for nightfall, knowing that there were many people in Dancheng who could recognize him. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he decided to go out at night. Ding Fan needed to investigate Elder Wang's matters and some affairs concerning the Wild Wolf Gang. Obviously, acting at night was the best choice.

Zhou Ruoran and He Qianyao both listened to Ding Fan's words and looked at him with some worry. They both knew what Ding Fan was going to do. Since this was the territory of Dancheng, Ding Fan's safety was clearly not guaranteed. However, they both deeply trusted Ding Fan, as he had never disappointed them.

"I'll go with you!"

"I'll go with you!"

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran and He Qianyao spoke in unison, looking at each other, creating an incredibly awkward atmosphere. Ding Fan, seeing this, felt somewhat helpless but didn't have a solution. When it came to women, Ding Fan truly had no solutions at all, especially with two pretty and formidable women at hand.

For a moment, Ding Fan didn't know what to say. He Qianyao looked at Ding Fan and then said, "Be careful, Ding Fan. You go ahead."

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran glanced at He Qianyao, a little embarrassed, then quickly regained her usual calm expression and expressed concern, saying to Ding Fan:

"I'll go with you!"

Upon hearing her words, Ding Fan seriously replied:

"I'll go by myself; it'll be easier alone. You two stay here! I'll be fine."

After saying this, Zhou Ruoran and He Qianyao ultimately agreed, and then Ding Fan left alone. Exiting the inn, Ding Fan let out a long sigh. Indeed, having two women with him was not easy. Actually, Ding Fan had already anticipated this situation with the three of them, and now it seemed, it was indeed the case...

Ding Fan clearly had no solution to this either, so he decided to let nature take its course...

Ding Fan stepped out of the inn and entered a deserted alley, where he changed into nightwalker clothes. Soon, with a few swift movements, he disappeared...

When Ding Fan reappeared, he was already near the residence of the Vice City Lord, Sun Long. He immediately extended his Divine Sense to observe Sun Long's dwelling. Ding Fan wanted to understand how exactly Elder Wang died, and clearly Sun Long was a crucial breakthrough point. After all, the jade plate found on Elder Wang's corpse already indicated a problem.

Ding Fan knew that what he was doing was somewhat bold. After all, Sun Long still harbored intense hatred for him and wished he could kill him immediately. Ding Fan realized he had killed Sun Long's son and that Sun Long would certainly not spare him. But what Sun Long could hardly imagine was that Ding Fan was currently just outside his home's walls.

For a moment, Ding Fan felt amused. Even though he knew he was in a dangerous place, Ding Fan was not overly worried. He understood that Sun Long's cultivation was at most that of a Grade Nine Cultivator, and didn't even match Lin Qi's mid-Grade Nine cultivation. Thus, Ding Fan had nothing to fear. Even if he couldn't defeat Sun Long, escaping was certainly feasible.

Moreover, Ding Fan knew that as long as he escaped beyond a three-kilometer radius, he would essentially be safe. After all, this was Dancheng, and clearly the person who truly wielded authority here was Lin Qi, not Sun Long. Ding Fan believed that if anyone from the City Lord Mansion discovered him, Lin Qi wouldn't ignore the situation.

Considering Lin Qi's previous attitude towards him, Ding Fan was evidently less concerned at this moment.

Then Ding Fan released his Divine Sense, intending to investigate the situation within Sun Long's house. Ding Fan's Divine Sense was exceedingly powerful, and although he was outside the house, he could clearly perceive the exterior conditions. This presented no problem.

As Ding Fan's Divine Sense focused on Sun Long's room, he discovered it was still brightly lit, and, upon close examination, noticed quite a few people inside. Suddenly, Ding Fan felt intensely curious. It was already late at night, and normally for a Grade Nine Cultivator, one would be resting or cultivating at this hour.

Yet, the situation in Sun Long's room was obviously neither sleep nor cultivation. Ding Fan was exceedingly curious, so he focused his Divine Sense deeper inside. Ding Fan unexpectedly found Sun Long, and seeing him, felt puzzled. Sun Long's posture was slightly bowed, and his attire appeared respectful as he faced a cultivator at the tea table.

Ding Fan's mind was momentarily at a loss. This was Sun Long's own home, and yet there was someone there commanding such respect from Sun Long—bordering on fear. Ding Fan couldn't comprehend it at the time.

When Ding Fan shifted his gaze to the person, he saw a middle-aged man, who appeared even younger than Sun Long. This man's cultivation was clearly lower than Sun Long's, and with a face typical of the masses, lacking distinctive features, Ding Fan did not recognize him. Yet beneath the eyebrows lay a thick aura of bloodthirst, which made Ding Fan cautious.

When Ding Fan recognized the clothes the man wore, he was startled!

Wild Wolf Gang Cultivator!

The outfit, even turned to ashes, could be identified by Ding Fan as that of a disciple from the Wild Wolf Gang. Moreover, Ding Fan could tell that this person had a certain rank in the Wild Wolf Gang, and his status was certainly higher than that of ordinary disciples.

Beside the seated middle-aged man stood two cultivators, each wearing the common attire of the Wild Wolf Gang disciples. Ding Fan couldn't mistake this, and was momentarily shocked by Sun Long's collusion with the cultivators of the Wild Wolf Gang. Ding Fan then cautiously extended his Divine Sense, meticulously observing the situation inside.

"Senior Steward, the task you assigned has been completed," Sun Long said, flattering the middle-aged man sitting across from him.

"You managed to kill the one surnamed Wang? Is the scene already set?"

The middle-aged man asked coldly, with a severe expression.

"Everything is handled! When somebody discovers the body of the one surnamed Wang, it will indeed be extraordinary. That person was a prominent figure in Dancheng—he was a Grade Eight Alchemist and even the chief judge of the Great Alchemy Competition! Ha ha... the finder will surely be terrified! And eventually, according to the settings I've configured around the corpse, they'll be convinced it was Lin Qi who killed the one surnamed Wang!"

Sun Long said confidently. Thinking of Elder Wang's permanent demise filled him with smug satisfaction. From now on, his status in Dancheng would be second to none, no one opposing him anymore!

"Very good!"

The middle-aged man, like gold with his words, unwilling to utter more than necessary, spoke only these two firm words.

At this point, Ding Fan, witnessing this scene, was deeply shocked. He naturally understood their mention of the person—they were talking about Elder Wang. The realization struck Ding Fan deeply; his deductions were correct—Elder Wang was indeed killed by Sun Long. But what Ding Fan hadn't anticipated was Sun Long being directed by the Wild Wolf Gang to kill Elder Wang, essentially making it a murder orchestrated by the Wild Wolf Gang.

Suddenly, Ding Fan's anger towards the Wild Wolf Gang intensified. This gang was truly nefarious, having killed King Elder, a man so virtuous, wise, and kind-hearted. Why would they target such an innocent elder?

While furious, Ding Fan couldn't help but be curious about the Wild Wolf Gang's actual motives for killing Elder Wang. Hence, he continued closely observing the room's situation.