After leaving the grand hall, Shen Haoran was still in a bit of disbelief. Chen Yu hadn’t asked him to return the Chaos Celestial Ladder—and according to Elder Huo, it was a sacred artifact of the Five Elements Sect!

’Whatever...’ After mulling it over for a long time without any answers, Shen Haoran quickened his pace and left the mountain peak. ’What if Chen Yu suddenly changes his mind and demands the Chaos Celestial Ladder back? The Golden Token is still on it!’

Shen Haoran moved quickly, and in no time, he was far from Chen Yu’s mountain peak. However, he’d forgotten one crucial detail: he knew absolutely nothing about the Five Elements Sect. After a series of twists and turns, he’d managed to get lost...

"This should be the peak. It looks so familiar," Shen Haoran said, looking dusty and disheveled. He had already run across four or five different peaks, none of them correct. He had even been mistaken for a thief and chased for a good while on one of them. At that moment, Shen Haoran was starting to regret coming to this Major Sect!

’I’ll go up and have a look!’ Shen Haoran lifted his feet and started up the path. However, he failed to notice a nearby stone tablet, partially hidden by bushes. Carved clearly upon it were the two words, "Linglong Peak"...

Shen Haoran walked along a small forest path. The surrounding trees were lush and verdant, and the faint fragrance of flowers, refreshing to the soul, lingered around him. Insects hidden among the plants and trees chirped in response to one another, as if performing a grand chorus. The scene was like something out of an earthly paradise!

"I never expected to find a scene like this within the Five Elements Sect!" Shen Haoran couldn’t help but marvel.

Gradually, Shen Haoran let his mind go blank, allowing himself to merge with the beautiful scenery.

In that moment, it was as if Shen Haoran could hear the whispers of the insects and see the graceful dance of the trees. Everything felt so natural. The Spiritual Power within him began to circulate on its own, continuously cleansing his body.

"Whew... That feels incredible!" After some time, Shen Haoran exhaled a breath of foul air and cried out in delight as he looked down at his body.

According to Elder Yan, the lingering injuries in his body would have required a long course of recuperation to fully heal without leaving behind any permanent damage. But now, having entered the Void Spirit State, the spontaneous circulation of his Spiritual Power had healed him completely. This saved Shen Haoran a great deal of time!

’My luck is really good!’ Shen Haoran realized that ever since he’d comprehended the Momentum of Heaven and Earth on the Chaos Celestial Ladder, he could easily enter this state of self-forgetfulness. It felt as if he were a part of heaven and earth itself—a truly wondrous sensation.

However, Shen Haoran was also rather exasperated. Every time he entered this Void Spirit State, his body would expel impurities, more or less. And this time was no exception; Shen Haoran now reeked of a foul stench. All he wanted was to hurry back and take a long, refreshing bath! With that in mind, Shen Haoran quickened his steps.

SPLASH... However, he hadn’t gone far before the sound of flowing water reached Shen Haoran’s ears.

’Water?’ Overjoyed, Shen Haoran turned and headed in the direction of the sound.

The sound of water wasn’t coming from far away. Shen Haoran soon found himself before a lake. Looking at the crystal-clear water, he was ecstatic. ’Now I can get a proper wash!’

However, just as Shen Haoran was about to get in the water, a head suddenly popped up in the middle of the lake. Shen Haoran reacted instantly. In a flash, he leaped into a nearby ancient tree, concealing himself among the dense leaves.

’How can someone else be here? I thought it was just me and the two brothers from the Long Family on Red Flame Hall’s peak.’ Puzzled, Shen Haoran shifted his gaze toward the lake. But the moment he looked, he froze completely.

The person who had emerged from the lake was a young woman!

"Who’s there!" the young woman in the lake bellowed. With a slap of her palm on the water, countless Water Arrows shot toward Shen Haoran’s hiding spot.

’Damn it... I’ve been discovered!’ Shen Haoran cursed inwardly. In a flash, he dodged to the side.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! A series of explosions erupted. Shen Haoran stared, dumbfounded, at the ravaged ancient tree behind him and couldn’t help but gasp. ’What kind of power is this? For a casual strike to be so terrifying!’

Shen Haoran swallowed nervously and turned to look at the young woman.

But the moment his gaze landed on her, a flash of Sword Light shot toward him.

SWISH! A flash of Sword Light shot past, jolting Shen Haoran to his senses.

"Speak! Which hall are you from!" the young woman demanded, pointing her Sharp Sword right at the tip of Shen Haoran’s nose. The biting Sword Qi forced him to take a step back.

"Ahem... If I said I was just passing by, would you believe me?" Shen Haoran asked sheepishly.

"Lies! I’ll cripple your Cultivation!" The young woman’s eyes glinted with killing intent.

SWISH! With a flash of Sword Light, she lunged straight for Shen Haoran.

Seeing the young woman attack without another word, Shen Haoran gave a wry smile and hastily retreated.

’Now I’ve really stepped in it!’ Shen Haoran was speechless. As the young woman opposite him released her full aura, he realized her strength—a Spirit General, with power that was at least on par with Long Mo’s, if not greater. ’This is the real trouble,’ he thought. ’Even if it was an accident, what’s done is done!’

"Miss, can’t you just listen to my explanation?" Shen Haoran said with a sense of helplessness as he continuously dodged her attacks.

"Hmph! I have nothing to say to a filthy rogue like you. Die!" the young woman cried. Her sword strikes quickened, and before Shen Haoran could react, his robes were slashed open.

"Don’t push your luck!" Seeing his torn robes, Shen Haoran started to get angry too. ’I only saw her by chance! It was a complete accident!’ But the young woman wasn’t listening; the flurry of her sword strikes only grew faster.

"Damn it!" Shen Haoran finally lost his patience. As the young woman’s Sharp Sword thrust toward him again, he shot out a hand and actually grabbed the blade!

CLANG! The sound of metal clashing rang out. The young woman’s face was a mask of astonishment. Shen Haoran had actually caught her sword barehanded! And the blade had merely left a white mark on his hand!

’How is this possible? My sword is a Spiritual Artifact! Even though I didn’t imbue it with Spiritual Power, its sharpness isn’t something a mere mortal body can withstand. Is this guy a monster? How can his constitution be so tough that he can catch a blade with his bare hands?!’

’Besides, she was Shui Ruolan, the Head Senior Sister of Linglong Peak! She was the strongest disciple there, and someone had just caught her blade barehanded?’