But Mu Keqing pouted. "Brother, do you really have to be so heartless?"

"Don’t bring up family ties. I don’t have a mischievous sister like you!" Mu Chendong immediately said harshly. He knew all too well how crafty Mu Keqing was; everyone in the Red Sand Family feared her, including him, her own brother.

"Brother, I knew you loved your adorable sister the most," Mu Keqing cooed. After all, acting cute and charming was her specialty. "When we go back this time, you must plead with Father for me. Otherwise, I won’t forgive you!"

Yet Mu Chendong, his arms still crossed, was unmoved. "That would be even better. I’d finally have some peace instead of being pestered to death by you every day!"

But Mu Keqing simply said, "If you don’t help me, I’ll spill your secrets!"

"A joke. What secrets could I have? Go on, expose it if you can!" Mu Chendong said confidently.

At that moment, Mu Keqing whispered, "Brother, don’t think I don’t know what you did when the Donghua Goddess came to wish Father a happy birthday!" She paused deliberately. "While she was bathing and burning incense..."

At this, Mu Chendong’s expression changed instantly. He hadn’t expected his own sister to know about that. He suddenly forced a laugh. "When all is said and done, we’re family. I’m your dear brother, and it’s only natural for a brother to protect his sister! If it really comes down to it, I’ll take the punishment for you!"

He was in agony. Mu Keqing had him right where she wanted him. If this matter reached the Red Sand Main God, he would be finished. At this point, all he could do was yield.

In Ye Fan’s view, with Mu Keqing’s mischievous spirit, Mu Chendong was in for a rough time. He could only wonder, why did it have to be this way? They were siblings, so why were they trying to destroy each other?

Just then, Mu Keqing pretended to be aggrieved. "No, how could I bear to have my brother take the punishment for me! Besides, I’m grown up now. I don’t need my brother taking the blame for me. It’s just a punishment; it’s not like I haven’t been punished before!"

Although her words made her sound mature and understanding, she was actually threatening Mu Chendong indirectly.

Mu Chendong immediately put on a noble air. "Sister, are you looking down on your brother? Do you think I can’t protect you anymore? Even though you’re grown up, there are some punishments your brother is willing to take for you!"

To Ye Fan, Mu Chendong looked like he was about to cry. What a bizarre pair of siblings.

"Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble you!" Mu Keqing said tactfully.

"No worries, your big brother is willing to protect you for life!" Mu Chendong pledged, thumping his chest.

Mu Keqing finally relented. Now that she had leverage over him, wasn’t twisting him around her little finger just a matter of saying the word?

Meanwhile, Mu Chendong looked at Ye Fan, sensing something extraordinary about him. Even though Ye Fan’s realm was weak, he could still discern his exceptional nature among the group. Therefore, he asked, "And who might this be? I don’t recognize you."

Just as Ye Fan was about to speak, Mu Keqing cut in. "Big Brother, he’s my follower. What do you think? I have a good eye for people! My new follower isn’t bad, right?"

Ye Fan was speechless. A follower, then. So be it. He was too weak to argue right now. He might as well play along.

"Not bad, not bad," Mu Chendong said. "My sister indeed has a good eye. But are you sure you can really handle your follower?"

"Yezi, can I handle you?"

"Completely!" Ye Fan said hastily.

Mu Keqing proudly declared, "See? I’m a rare talent. You’re just a foil!"

"Alright, when the secret realm opens, Sister, you two follow me! These guys might seem respectful on the surface, but who knows what they’ll do behind our backs!" Mu Chendong saw things very clearly.

"Tch, I’d rather go it alone with Yezi!" Mu Keqing immediately wrapped her arms around Ye Fan’s arm.

Mu Chendong nearly stumbled. It was one thing for his sister not to trust him, but it was another for her to be so intimate with an outsider. Mu Keqing was, after all, the daughter of the Red Sand Main God. In all of Shazhou, aside from the older generation of Divine Generals, everyone else had to call her Princess! If outsiders saw this intimacy, it would seriously tarnish the reputation of their Red Sand Family.

Because of this, Mu Chendong said at once, "Sister, your image! Pay attention to your image!"

"Oh!" Although Mu Keqing agreed, she still clung to Ye Fan.

So, Mu Chendong turned to Ye Fan. "Kid, I need to have a talk with you!"

Ye Fan was annoyed. It was her decision, yet her brother had to stick his nose into it. Wasn’t he overstepping his bounds? Even though he also disliked Mu Keqing being so close.

He and Mu Chendong moved to a secluded area.

Mu Chendong put an arm around Ye Fan’s shoulder. "Bro, can you keep some distance from my sister? She’s quite willful and doesn’t care what others think. But she is still the Pride and Joy of our Red Sand Hall!"

Ye Fan spread his hands helplessly. "I can’t resist her. How do you expect me to keep my distance?"

"You!" Mu Chendong was furious. He’d never met someone so shameless, and he didn’t believe for a second that Ye Fan couldn’t resist. "Don’t make me deal with you!"

"Go ahead, if you’re not afraid of being ridiculed. The high and mighty Young Master Mu, bullying a lowly divine citizen like me? Bring it on. I’m willing to be beaten and won’t fight back," Ye Fan said, taking a step forward.

Mu Chendong rolled his eyes. "Fine, kid, you’ve got guts. Just you wait. I’ll deal with you in the secret realm!"

He left in a huff. In truth, Mu Chendong couldn’t do much to Ye Fan right now. Although he was stronger, Ye Fan knew the guy cared deeply about his reputation. Thus, Ye Fan had him completely figured out.

You’re the one who shouldn’t push me, he thought. If you dare push me, I’ll make you my brother-in-law!

「The secret realm opened.」

Ye Fan and Mu Keqing entered the secret realm. Inside, Mu Keqing said to Ye Fan, "Yezi, stick close to me. If you find the True Dragon Blood Essence, you’d better hand it over obediently!"

"Why?" Ye Fan asked helplessly.

"No ’why’! Because even you belong to me. So if you don’t hand it over, just watch how I’ll deal with you!"

"Alright, I got it!"

Ye Fan agreed on the surface, but would he really hand it over? Of course not. He had come here specifically for the True Dragon Blood Essence.