Ye Tiancheng only hoped that no matter how tricky the unknown space was, he could freely enter and exit, and not be held back for too long each time.
If he could return to the old house at least once every day, Ye Tiancheng would feel much more at ease.
When Ye Tiancheng returned, it wasn't even lunchtime yet. Seeing Ye Tiancheng back so quickly, Hou Mingzhu came to greet him, "Tiancheng, why are you back so soon? Did things over there go smoothly?"
As she asked Ye Tiancheng, she observed his expression and reactions, feeling that perhaps things weren't as smooth as he implied. "Or was it very troublesome? Did you encounter any danger?"
Ye Tiancheng's mind was constantly thinking about what he should do next. However, when Hou Mingzhu came to care for him and ask questions, he would temporarily stop thinking to answer her inquiries.
"It's hard to say whether it was smooth or not. This time, the fragment might not be easy to obtain. I've only gotten a general understanding of the situation outside, and it seems a bit troublesome. I might need to bring Xiao Huli along next time."
"However, there was no danger. With the Breath Concealment Talisman, just walking around there a couple of times without being discovered by those things is quite safe, so I didn't encounter any danger."
"I shouldn't be delayed there for too long in the next few days because the situation is uncertain. I promised you all that I would protect myself and be careful, so I won't act rashly."
Hearing Ye Tiancheng say this, Hou Mingzhu knew that this time it might truly be difficult, but she also didn't want Ye Tiancheng to be under too much pressure. "I know you'll keep your promises. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. We're not in a hurry, and we have plenty of time. It's okay to take it slow and steady."
"You said you want to bring Xiao Huli. Is it related to those supernatural events again? Were those we encountered a few days ago ghosts?"
"No wonder you insisted on bringing Xiao Huli out before. You always encounter these things, and Xiao Huli is indeed more adept. It seems you truly can't do without Xiao Huli's help. Xiao Huli, at such a young age, has gone through so much with you."
Ye Tiancheng replied, "Specifically, I'll know the true situation only after I bring Xiao Huli there."
"Before, the formation was just transferred, and it was glowing. So, we didn't think much of it. But after the formation stopped operating and stabilized, I discovered that what was enclosed outside this time was a cave. It was just inside the cave, and it didn't go beyond it."
"And that cave was so dark that I couldn't see anything clearly. I couldn't quite distinguish what those things were. I think Xiao Huli would be able to sense these things more clearly. I'm not as sensitive."
Hou Mingzhu then nodded, "Then it seems it's really a bit troublesome. In such a small place, there are so many monsters? How big can a cave be? If it's so dark with monsters, it's not good to use a flashlight. It must be even harder for you to find the fragment."
Although Hou Mingzhu didn't understand much about these matters, Ye Tiancheng didn't mind explaining them to her, trying his best to use terms she could understand.
"The cave is indeed not large. If it were just that cave, and those things were truly ghosts, while they might not be too crowded, they have territorial awareness and wouldn't be willing to cram into a tiny cave together."
"The reason there are so many monsters crammed in there is because within that cave, there is a space similar to the illusion we are currently in. Most of them are staying in that space, which is why we saw so many monsters a few days ago."
Ye Tiancheng shrugged as he spoke, "And unfortunately, I learned from those monsters that the large group of monsters we saw yesterday was only a very small portion of that space."
"If I have to say there's any good news, then I suppose it's that because the formation was transferred here, this entire area, including the entrance to the space, is enclosed by the formation. Therefore, the number of monsters in that space is fixed."
"The disadvantage is that the monsters already within the formation cannot be driven out. The advantage is that monsters outside cannot enter, nor can they find their way here."
After listening to Ye Tiancheng, Hou Mingzhu pondered. Although she couldn't fully grasp what that space was, Ye Tiancheng's analogy to Nuwa Stone's illusion gave her some idea. At the same time, Hou Mingzhu also noticed some important points, which Ye Tiancheng had already considered.
Hou Mingzhu asked Ye Tiancheng, "So, does that mean that even if you successfully obtain the Fuxi Qin fragment here, if you can't deal with the monsters here, I'll have to wait until this formation is transferred to the next location, and then you obtain the Fuxi Qin fragment from the next location, and that next location is safe enough, before I can leave?"
The doubt in Hou Mingzhu's words was very likely to come true. Ye Tiancheng was not confident that he could deal with so many monsters. Even if he could properly obtain the Fuxi Qin fragment from here, it didn't mean everything would be alright.
Ye Tiancheng had to maintain a certain setting: the formation would only activate for one hour after each transfer and obtaining a new Fuxi Qin fragment, then it would close and transfer to the next location, only to activate again for an hour upon obtaining the next fragment.
At least, this setting could not be changed by Ye Tiancheng in the short term. Even if he were to change it, it would have to be after a considerable amount of time, using the excuse that Nuwa Stone had gradually gained control of the formation, allowing him to open the formation barrier at will.
In any case, the setting absolutely could not be broken now, otherwise, Ye Tiancheng's previous lie with Xiao Huli would be discovered by others.
Ye Tiancheng could only say to Hou Mingzhu, "If we think of the worst-case scenario, it might really be like that. However, I will find a way. If I really can't deal with those monsters, and you must leave, I will try my best to escort you out safely within an hour, and then I will return immediately."
"Don't worry, at least we have plenty of time. I will think of a way, and things might not be that bad."
"Because Xiao Shitou has a sense for these things, and since he had a sense before, my quest to collect Fuxi Qin fragments will not involve any real danger to me. So, the situation might not become that dire, and there's no need to prepare for the worst right now."
Hou Mingzhu nodded and didn't blame Ye Tiancheng. After all, she had rushed in impulsively herself. Moreover, even if she were trapped here, Hou Mingzhu thought it wouldn't be a big deal; she could accept it.
Although she couldn't appear in public, which might cause some trouble, it wasn't entirely unmanageable. Just like large families with many businesses, their patriarchs wouldn't personally handle all the family's affairs; they would generally hire many agents to manage them.
As for themselves, they mainly focused on the overall direction. Otherwise, they were still humans and couldn't personally oversee every single matter.
Hou Mingzhu said to Ye Tiancheng, "It's really nothing. Even if we have to plan for the worst, it's not too bad for me. As I said, the family businesses are handled by agents. We can't manage so many businesses ourselves, so we can completely handle them remotely. It doesn't make much of a difference."
"It's just that I won't be able to appear in public and attend some events. I'll also need to stay informed about external situations and be careful not to be deceived by others. That's the only troublesome part. Not appearing in public is fine; even if I don't appear for a year, it won't cause major problems. Being deceived would be more serious."
"But there's no need to worry too much about that. I still have many trusted confidants, and they have little contact with each other, operating independently. I just need to compare their accounts to understand the real situation outside, and it won't be that easy to be fooled."
Hearing Hou Mingzhu say this, Ye Tiancheng felt even more relieved. Then, the only thing he was truly worried about was how he should arrange for Hou Mingzhu and Ye Qingcheng if he absolutely had to venture into that unknown space, as he didn't know when he would be able to return.
Ye Tiancheng felt that this issue was also very important, and he couldn't just ponder it alone, so he decided to discuss it with Hou Mingzhu.
He asked Hou Mingzhu, "Actually, I don't have too many things to worry about. The main thing that's giving me a headache right now is, well... I'm quite worried about you and our daughter."
"Because I don't know what that space will be like, or what the situation is. Those monsters seem to be able to enter and exit freely, but I don't know if I'll get stuck when I go in, like before at the construction site, trapped in an illusion for days."
"If I'm not around, can you and our daughter take care of yourselves? If it's really necessary, I'll go alone and leave Xiao Huli behind to take care of you. I'll prepare some ready-to-eat food that only needs to be heated. That way, it will be much better."
"It's just that you might have to endure some hardship, and your quality of life might drop significantly."
After listening, Hou Mingzhu smiled and hugged Ye Tiancheng. "What are you talking about? This is hardly a hardship. Besides, I can learn to cook. Even if I can't learn to cook, heating up meals shouldn't be harder, right?"
"Our daughter and I won't hold you back. If you need it, I'm not opposed to you taking Xiao Huli. Can I really not even learn to heat up dishes?"
"Just go and do what you need to do with peace of mind. We can all take care of ourselves. You can rest assured, our daughter and I will be fine. The only important thing is that you return safely. Do you understand?"
Ye Tiancheng was very grateful for Hou Mingzhu's thoughtfulness and hugged her back. "It's wonderful that you and our daughter are by my side and that you understand me like this. It's my own inadequacy that you have to endure hardship with me at this time. But I will work hard to end all of this and use all my strength to give you the best life."
Hou Mingzhu continued to chat with Ye Tiancheng affectionately for a while longer. Ye Tiancheng then said he needed to find Xiao Huli to discuss the matter of going out to scout the situation later.
Hou Mingzhu didn't want to be a hindrance to Ye Tiancheng, so she went with him to take their daughter away, so as not to disturb their conversation.