Chapter 191: Chapter 191: The Greatly Changed Yao Sect

Upon returning to the Five Elements Sect, Shen Haoran’s first stop was, as always, the Yao Sect. However, when he arrived at the entrance and saw the magnificent gatehouse that had seemingly sprung up from nowhere, he almost thought he’d come to the wrong place!

’What... I’ve only been gone for two months. What happened here?’ Shen Haoran was dumbfounded. Not only had the main gate been completely transformed, but there were now two disciples standing guard at the entrance.

Shen Haoran walked forward, intending to ask Shui Ruolan what was going on, but as he tried to enter, the two disciples stopped him!

"Halt! Where’s your Gate Badge?" one of the disciples demanded. It seemed they didn’t recognize Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran scratched his head. ’A Gate Badge?’ He had no idea he needed one to enter the Yao Sect.

Shen Haoran glanced at the disciple’s chest and instantly understood. Pinned there was a black insignia, engraved with a cluster of black flames. ’Isn’t that the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian!’

’So this is the Gate Badge. Ruolan and the others really made this look official!’ Shen Haoran couldn’t help but find it amusing.

When the two disciples saw Shen Haoran actually smiling, their expressions turned angry. "You cannot enter the Yao Sect without a Gate Badge! Please leave now, or we won’t be so polite!"

Shen Haoran didn’t realize his casual smile had been taken as mockery. He quickly said, "Uh, actually, I’m Shen Haoran, the Sect Leader of the Yao Sect. I shouldn’t need a Gate Badge to enter my own sect, right?"

However, just as Shen Haoran finished speaking, a powerful aura suddenly erupted from the two disciples in front of him, giving him quite a start.

"The Sect Leader went to the Red Flame Mountain Range to cultivate! He won’t be back for three months! You brat, how dare you impersonate the Sect Leader of our Yao Sect!" The two disciples glared at him, looking as if they would attack the very next second if Shen Haoran didn’t apologize.

"But I really am Shen Haoran!" Shen Haoran said helplessly.

"Still won’t admit it! Brother, let’s get him!" The two disciples exchanged a look and charged directly at Shen Haoran.

Seeing they still didn’t believe him, Shen Haoran’s figure flickered. The disciples’ attacks passed straight through his afterimage as he reappeared inside the main gate. He then bellowed, "Long Zhen! Fatty! Get your asses out here!"

The thunderous shout echoed throughout the Yao Sect, leaving the two disciples staring dumbfounded at Shen Haoran. They were stunned. ’He dares to yell at Brother Long and Brother Zi like that!’

The next moment, two figures came flying out from deep within the courtyard. Upon seeing Shen Haoran, they lunged right at him!

"Boss!"

Watching Zi Mo and Long Zhen rush toward him, Shen Haoran sent each of them flying with a swift kick.

"Get lost!"

After kicking the two away, Shen Haoran turned back to the disciples and said, "See? Now do you believe I’m Shen Haoran?"

At his words, the two disciples nodded mechanically, their gazes filled with pure adoration. ’The Sect Leader! We joined the Yao Sect because of him! I can’t believe we’re finally seeing him in the flesh!’

Feeling awkward under their intense stares, Shen Haoran quickly grabbed Long Zhen and Zi Mo by the ears and dragged them toward the inner courtyard.

As they walked, Shen Haoran could hardly believe his eyes. ’Is this really the Yao Sect? It’s completely different from how it was two months ago!’

"Haha, what do you think? Surprising, isn’t it? Over the past two months, we used the Chen Alliance’s alchemy channels to make a huge profit. We renovated the Yao Sect from top to bottom. And on top of that, so many disciples are clamoring to join us that our forces have more than doubled!" Zi Mo said proudly.

Looking at the smug Zi Mo, Shen Haoran rolled his eyes at him. "This should all be thanks to Brother Su and Shui Ruolan’s efforts, right? What does it have to do with you?"

His words hit their mark, and Zi Mo’s face turned livid.

"What do you mean it has nothing to do with me? I’m a member of the Yao Sect too, you know!" Zi Mo retorted indignantly.

However, Shen Haoran didn’t argue with him further and instead asked, "Where’s Ruolan?"

"She’s in the warehouse with Brother Su, taking inventory. And Boss, I’ve got to say, Shui Ruolan has sacrificed a lot to get the Yao Sect where it is today. The Sect competition is only half a month away, and our results there will determine how many cultivation resources we receive. But during this whole time, not only has Ruolan’s cultivation failed to progress, it actually shows signs of regressing. Don’t you think it’s time you did something to show your appreciation?" Zi Mo said, his expression suddenly serious.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran looked at the transformed Yao Sect and said softly, "You don’t need to tell me that. Come on, let’s go see her."

The three of them walked together toward the Yao Sect’s warehouse.

As they approached the warehouse, Shen Haoran spotted a slender, busy figure from a distance. A few beads of sweat dotted her forehead, likely from exhaustion. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look like a ripe apple.

A wave of emotion, tinged with guilt, washed over Shen Haoran as he watched her. ’Ever since the Yao Sect was founded, it seems she’s been the one managing everything, big and small, in my stead. All this time, she’s worked tirelessly without a single complaint, and I haven’t helped her in the slightest. I’ve been far too callous.’

"Ruolan!" Shen Haoran called out softly, stopping the busy Shui Ruolan in her tracks.

"Why are you back? Weren’t you supposed to return just before the Sect competition?" Shui Ruolan asked, surprised to see him.

"It’s nothing. I’m on the verge of a breakthrough and wanted to go to the Celestial Essence Hall to break into the next realm, so I came back early," Shen Haoran replied with a smile.

"Oh, congratulations! Your cultivation speed is just monstrous!" Shui Ruolan said with a smile after a moment of surprise. But a flash of envy flickered in her eyes, though she quickly hid it.

However, that flash of envy did not escape Shen Haoran’s notice. Every Martial Artist wishes for a breakthrough in their strength. When Shui Ruolan first joined the Yao Sect, she was a Tier Six Spirit General, and she remained one now. Even Long Zhen, who had originally been weaker than her, had now caught up.

Being surpassed by the others, Shui Ruolan was naturally anxious. But for the sake of the Yao Sect’s development, she could only put her own cultivation aside. It was fair to say that Shui Ruolan was the one who had contributed most to the Yao Sect. At this thought, another flicker of guilt crossed Shen Haoran’s mind.

"Ruolan, stop busying yourself for a while. Go and gather the ingredients for a few Three Pure Spirit Pills. I’ll refine some elixirs for you all to help you break through and prepare for the Sect competition," Shen Haoran said softly.

At his words, Shui Ruolan’s eyes filled with delighted surprise. The Three Pure Spirit Pill! That was a Fifth Grade Elixir. A Spirit General who consumed one was guaranteed to break through to the next realm.

She glanced at Shen Haoran, a warmth spreading through her heart. ’And here I thought this irresponsible guy had already forgotten all about me!’

"What about us? What about us?" Long Zhen asked, his eyes burning with fervor when he heard about the Three Pure Spirit Pill.

"No one will be left out!" Shen Haoran laughed. Looking at this group of founding members who had given so much for the Yao Sect, he was deeply moved. ’Now, it’s time for me to repay them.’