Chapter 141: Chapter 141: You Are the Best Candidate

"Hey, you brat! Stop right there!" When Elder Huo saw Shen Haoran trying to slip away, his figure flashed, and he blocked his path.

"I’m just asking for a small favor. No need to be so scared!"

"You said it was a ’small favor’ last time, too. And what happened? You made me, a mere Spirit Pupil, fight over a dozen Spirit Aspects. I can’t believe you even came up with that. In any case, I’m not doing it this time. I won’t do it, no matter what you say!" Shen Haoran said, turning his head away and refusing outright.

"Oh, come on. I was just testing you! Really, this is the last time. If you help me, I’ll give you the Fire Manipulation Technique!" Elder Huo said enticingly.

"I already told you, I don’t want it anymore," Shen Haoran said, rolling his eyes at Elder Huo. "You’ve tricked me twice with that thing. I won’t believe anything you say anymore!"

Seeing that Shen Haoran was dead set against cooperating, Elder Huo had no choice but to play his trump card.

"Could it be you no longer want the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian’s Fire Spirit Pearl?"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran whipped his head around and glared furiously at Elder Huo. "Elder Huo, you’re setting me up again! Don’t tempt me. I’ll find it myself!"

"Heh heh, and you think you can find it?" Elder Huo chuckled slyly.

"I..." Shen Haoran was at a loss for words. He was certain the Spirit Pearl was somewhere within the Five Elements Sect—after all, his Fire Spirit Black Obsidian became unusually active whenever he returned. Yet, despite trying to sense the pearl’s direction countless times, he had always come up empty-handed.

"To be honest with you, this favor doesn’t just concern our Red Flame Hall. It’s also tied to whether you’ll even be qualified to obtain the Fire Spirit Pearl! So, how about it? Want to think it over?" Elder Huo’s tempting voice whispered in Shen Haoran’s ear.

Looking at the sly grin all over Elder Huo’s face, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but feel that something was off. ’This feels shady!’

"It’s not impossible for me to help, but you have to promise me one thing!" Shen Haoran said, looking at Elder Huo.

"Name it! Forget one thing, I’ll promise you ten!" Elder Huo declared, patting his chest confidently.

"Alright then, I want that stalk of Ice Flame Profound Yellow Reishi you have!" Shen Haoran declared. He had heard from Long Mo that Elder Huo had paid a great price to trade for it from She Hall Master, all in preparation for his advancement to the Spirit King realm.

The Ice Flame Profound Yellow Reishi was a unique herb where ice and fire attributes coexisted at a perfect tipping point. Consuming it would not only provide Spirit Tempering and Foundation Strengthening but also enhance one’s Spiritual Thought. It was a Treasure Tier Spirit Medicine!

’I was swindled by Elder Huo the last two times. This time, I’m going to get my pound of flesh, no matter what!’

Sure enough, upon hearing the request, Elder Huo refused without a second thought. "No, you can’t have that. Pick something else!"

"I’m not picking something else. You know I just advanced to Spirit General and need to consolidate my strength!" Shen Haoran refused to budge.

"I just advanced to Spirit King! I need to consolidate my strength, too! Besides, a Spirit General using a Treasure Tier Spirit Medicine to consolidate their power? Do you have any idea what a waste that is?" Elder Huo said, sputtering with frustration.

"I don’t care. Are you giving it to me or not? If not, I’m leaving!" Shen Haoran said, and actually turned to walk away.

"You... You brat, get back here!" Elder Huo yelled hastily.

"Can’t you ask for something else?"

"No!" Shen Haoran said decisively. ’I’m going to make sure Elder Huo gets a taste of his own medicine!’

"You..." Defeated, Elder Huo had no choice but to take out a reishi wreathed in ice and flames and thrust it resentfully at Shen Haoran.

"Whoa, it really is the Ice Flame Profound Yellow Reishi!" Shen Haoran exclaimed in awe upon seeing the peculiar reishi, completely ignoring Elder Huo’s murderous glare.

"Brat, can we discuss business now?!" Elder Huo said through gritted teeth.

"Heh heh, a treasure like this deserves to be admired a little longer!" With that, Shen Haoran obnoxiously dangled the Ice Flame Profound Yellow Reishi in front of Elder Huo one more time before tucking it into his Storage Ring.

In response, Elder Huo could only take a deep breath and repeat to himself, ’I brought this on myself. I’ll endure it. I will endure it!’ 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Alright, spit it out. What’s the favor?" Shen Haoran asked after putting away the Ice Flame Profound Yellow Reishi.

Hearing this, Elder Huo’s expression turned serious. "You’re aware of the Red Flame Hall’s current situation. We’re at the very bottom of the entire Sect. I want you to lead the Red Flame Hall, return us to the top of the Five Great Halls, and stand at the pinnacle of the Sect!"

Hearing Elder Huo’s words, Shen Haoran frowned and asked, "I’m just a new disciple who recently advanced to Spirit General. Surely I’m not qualified for that?"

Elder Huo looked at Shen Haoran, his eyes gleaming. "It has to be you! Long Mo is naturally aloof and couldn’t care less about this kind of reputation, so I can’t force him. Long Zhen is too young, and his strength isn’t yet at the level where he can fight for the Red Flame Hall’s future. That leaves you as the best choice!"

"What do you need me to do?" Shen Haoran asked.

"Break into the top three of the Dragon and Tiger List! Then, take first place in the Sect’s grand tournament. Only that will allow the Red Flame Hall to soar to prominence!" Elder Huo said.

"The Dragon and Tiger List? What’s that?" Shen Haoran asked, confused.

"The Dragon and Tiger List is a ranking the Sect created for the younger generation of disciples. The rankings are based on factors like Talent and strength. The greater your Talent and power, the higher your rank, and the more resources you receive! Because of that, countless disciples would kill to get a spot on that list!" Elder Yan explained.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran felt his scalp tingle. ’There are countless geniuses in the Sect. Trying to break into the top three must be as difficult as ascending to heaven!’

"What, are you scared?" Elder Huo teased.

"Scared? As if!" Shen Haoran grinned. All he felt now was excitement. ’It’s just the Dragon and Tiger List. Let’s see what all the fuss is about!’

"Haha, that’s the spirit!" Elder Huo roared with laughter. He loved this about Shen Haoran—that fearless attitude of a young calf that doesn’t fear the tiger.

"However, you must break into the top three within one year," Elder Huo then said, his tone serious. "The Sect’s grand tournament is a year from now, and only the top ten disciples will be qualified to enter the Sect Secret Realm. And that Fire Spirit Pearl of the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian... it’s inside that Secret Realm!"

’So it’s in the Sect Secret Realm!’ Shen Haoran finally understood. ’No wonder I could never find it!’

"Alright, I’ve said enough. This is the Red Flame Hall’s Fire Manipulation Technique. Take it and study it well. And this is a copy of the Dragon and Tiger List. Familiarize yourself with it." Elder Huo tossed two scrolls to Shen Haoran, his face full of hope. "The task of restoring the Red Flame Hall’s glory now falls to you!"

"I will," Shen Haoran said, full of confidence.

Looking at the Dragon and Tiger List in his hand, Shen Haoran felt his blood begin to boil. ’So these are the leaders of the Sect’s younger generation?’ He eagerly anticipated the moment he would meet them; the battle lust in his bones could no longer be suppressed!

"Haha, Dragon and Tiger List! Here I come, Shen Haoran!"...