Seeing Elder Yan fall into a deep sleep, Shen Haoran quietly withdrew his consciousness. His tightly shut eyes slowly opened.

Shen Haoran let out a long, stale breath and stretched his numb limbs. A series of loud pops echoed from his bones, and he sighed in relief.

’Hmm, why is it so noisy outside?’ Shen Haoran’s mind had been completely focused on the Primordial Small World within him, so he hadn’t noticed his surroundings. Only now that he was free did he sense the commotion.

Shen Haoran walked to the entrance and pushed the large doors open. Blinding sunlight streamed in, and he instinctively shielded his eyes. Once they adjusted, he slowly lowered his hands, only to be completely taken aback by the sight before him.

The clearing in front of his seclusion chamber was packed with people. Hundreds of disciples, the five Hall Masters, and even Sect Master Chen Yu were there. Most of the Five Elements Sect had gathered, and several hundred pairs of eyes were fixed on Shen Haoran, sending a shiver down his spine.

’What is going on? Why the huge welcome party?’ Shen Haoran broke out in a cold sweat.

"Boss!"

"Boss, you’re finally out! It’s been torture waiting for you!" While Shen Haoran was still trying to process the scene, Zi Mo and Long Zhen came barreling toward him. The sight of all their fat jiggling as they ran was enough to make his heart skip a beat in alarm.

"Get lost!" Seeing the two of them rushing him, Shen Haoran sent them flying with a kick each. They landed in a heap nearby, eating dirt.

"Boss, do you have to be so disgusted with us? We’re your most loyal followers!" Zi Mo and Long Zhen whined pitifully, a blubbering mess of snot and tears that made Shen Haoran roll his eyes.

Ignoring the two clowns, Shen Haoran stepped right over them and walked toward Chen Yu.

"Sect Leader!" Shen Haoran said, cupping his fist as he reached Chen Yu. He held a great deal of respect for this Sect Leader who had risked his own life to save their Sect.

"No need for formalities." Chen Yu smiled and waved his hand. "Have you made a breakthrough?" he asked quietly. When Shen Haoran had lashed out with those kicks, Chen Yu had sensed the Spiritual Power fluctuations; they were far more formidable than before.

"Yes. Thanks to your good fortune, Sect Leader, I was lucky enough to make a breakthrough," Shen Haoran admitted with a nod.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding disciples were all shocked. ’Another breakthrough! Before Shen Haoran joined the Sect, he was the weakest among them. Now, in just a year and a half, he had broken through to the Spirit Marquis Tier to become the number one disciple. As expected of a peerless genius! No, wait... even a peerless genius couldn’t possibly break through two consecutive Great Realms in only a year and a half. Shen Haoran should be called a monster!’

"Haha!" Chen Yu laughed, greatly admiring Shen Haoran’s modesty. ’I’ve seen my fair share of genius disciples, and every single one of them was proud and arrogant, acting as if they were the only person that mattered. Someone as humble as Shen Haoran is a rare sight indeed! This is the kind of genius who can go far and achieve true greatness!’

"Once again, I must thank you. Thank you for saving the Five Elements Sect!" Chen Yu’s smile vanished as he spoke to Shen Haoran in a somber tone. He then bent at the waist, preparing to bow.

Seeing this, Shen Haoran quickly sidestepped the gesture and helped Chen Yu straighten up. "Sect Leader, what are you doing? I am a member of the Five Elements Sect, too. I was only doing my duty. An act like this from you... I am unworthy of such an honor!"

Seeing Shen Haoran’s evasive maneuver, Chen Yu let out a hearty laugh. "Haha, you’re right. We are all members of the Five Elements Sect, working for the good of the Sect. In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony!"

Shen Haoran looked at Chen Yu and returned his smile. Then, he asked quietly, "Sect Leader, may I have a word with you in private?"

"Oh?" Chen Yu gave Shen Haoran a curious look, then nodded and shot up into the air. Seeing this, Shen Haoran gave Zi Mo a few instructions before unfolding the Vermilion Bird Wings on his back. With a gentle flap, he flew up to join Chen Yu.

Chen Yu looked at the flapping Vermilion Bird Wings on Shen Haoran’s back with some amazement, then asked, "What did you want to discuss?"

"Sect Leader, have you ever heard of the Profound Yellow Fruit?" Shen Haoran asked quietly.

"The Profound Yellow Fruit? That’s a Supreme Treasure among Earth Attribute Spirit Medicines. You’re a Fire Attribute cultivator, what would you need that for?" Chen Yu asked, puzzled.

"Sect Leader, my constitution is unique. I need the Profound Yellow Fruit to refine a Profound Yellow Pill, so..." Shen Haoran explained vaguely. ’I can’t let him know about the Primordial Small World inside me.’

"I see." Chen Yu nodded in understanding, then lowered his head, lost in thought. Shen Haoran waited patiently by his side.

"The Profound Yellow Fruit... I have heard of it," Chen Yu said suddenly, as if a clue had surfaced in his mind. He waved his hand and continued, "A Supreme Treasure of the Earth Attribute like that once appeared in the Northern Desert Land. I just don’t know if it can still be found there."

"The Northern Desert Land?" Shen Haoran frowned. ’That place is notoriously treacherous. The Spiritual Power in the desert is chaotic, and sandstorms can erupt without warning. Even a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse isn’t guaranteed to escape with their life. That’s why almost no one dares to set foot in that Desert Land. The slightest misstep could be fatal!’

However, to repair the Primordial Small World within him, Shen Haoran had to take this risk. Otherwise, his strength would be stuck at the Spirit Marquis Tier forever. ’I still have to save my mother, and Ling Xuan is waiting for me in her clan!’

"Shen Haoran, you aren’t actually thinking of going, are you?" Chen Yu asked, surprised by the determined look in his eyes.

"I am. The Profound Yellow Fruit is extremely important to me. I have to get it!" Shen Haoran said in a low voice, his fists clenched.

"Well... alright, then. When will you set out?" Seeing that Shen Haoran’s mind was made up, Chen Yu didn’t try to dissuade him and simply asked.

"Immediately," Shen Haoran replied.

"In such a hurry?" Chen Yu asked, surprised.

"Yes. The Northern Domain is a long way from here. The journey alone will take a great deal of time," Shen Haoran said.

"Haha, the journey... You’re not planning on running the whole way there, are you?" Chen Yu burst out laughing at Shen Haoran’s words.

"Then how else am I supposed to get there?" Shen Haoran asked, looking at the uncontrollably laughing Chen Yu.

"Have you ever heard of a form of transportation called a Flying Shuttle? If you were to travel from here to the Northern Desert Land on foot, it would take at least a year! But by taking a Flying Shuttle, you’ll arrive in about a month. Do you still want to walk?" Chen Yu teased.

At his words, Shen Haoran’s face flushed red. He scratched his head in embarrassment. He had been so focused on his Cultivation and had never traveled far from home; he truly had no idea what a Flying Shuttle was.

"You can find Flying Shuttles in any of the major nearby cities. The closest one to us is Luotian City. They’ll have shuttles heading to the Northern Desert Land," Chen Yu said, anticipating Shen Haoran’s next question.

"Oh, thank you for the information, Sect Leader!" Shen Haoran said gratefully.

"Haha, it’s nothing. Since you’re set on leaving, I won’t keep you. Just be extra careful out there," Chen Yu said with a smile.

Shen Haoran nodded and slowly descended to the ground. He didn’t know how long he would be gone, and there were still some matters he needed to settle with the members of the Yao Sect.