In the northeast corner of the city, Shen Haoran and Han Xu arrived before a massive Flying Shuttle.

Gazing at the massive Flying Shuttle, which stood dozens of feet high, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but marvel, "So this is a Flying Shuttle? The person who designed it must have been a true genius!"

"Haha, that’s right. This Flying Shuttle was supposedly designed by an Artifact Refining Master a century ago, and it’s said to be built from Lingyun Iron!" Han Xu explained. "When stimulated with Spiritual Power, this material can fly through the sky. Combined with its streamlined design, its speed can’t compare to a Spirit Emperor Powerhouse Walking on Void, but it can still cover hundreds of miles a day. It’s the essential mode of transport for any long journey!"

"Let’s go. We’ll take this to North Desert City." With that, Han Xu walked straight ahead, and Shen Haoran followed.

"Stop. Where are your tickets?" Just as Shen Haoran and Han Xu were about to step into the Flying Shuttle, they were stopped by the guards at the entrance.

"Tickets?" Shen Haoran asked, confused. ’You need tickets to ride a Flying Shuttle?’

Upon hearing this, Han Xu took a diamond-shaped Crystal Stone from his Storage Ring and handed it to the guard.

This was a Spirit Crystal, a Crystal Stone formed from condensed Spiritual Power. However, unlike the Spirit Crystals that formed within a Martial Artist’s body, the one in Han Xu’s hand could not store Spiritual Power. It was essentially just a stone, albeit one solidified from Spiritual Power that could be absorbed by Martial Artists. Of course, it could also be used as currency. One Spirit Crystal was equivalent to a million Gold Coins.

After weighing the Spirit Crystal in his hand, the guard stepped aside. However, he only let Han Xu pass, once again blocking Shen Haoran.

"What’s the meaning of this? That Spirit Crystal is more than enough to cover the fee for both of us!" Seeing the guard’s action, Han Xu frowned and said coldly.

The guard glanced coolly at Shen Haoran and said, "Yes, your Spirit Crystal covers the fee for two people. But we have a rule on the Flying Shuttle: we don’t accept people in ragged clothes. This is for the wealthy. This kid looks like a country bumpkin at a glance. He’s not qualified to board our Flying Shuttle!"

"Bullshit! It’s not like I’ve never ridden a Flying Shuttle before. Where the hell did this stupid rule come from? It looks to me like you’re just deliberately trying to start something!" Han Xu’s gaze turned cold as a faint, oppressive aura radiated from him toward the guard.

Feeling the pressure from Han Xu, the guard swallowed hard, cupped his fists, and said, "Sir, this order came from the higher-ups. I’m just following instructions!"

"The higher-ups?" Han Xu frowned and looked at Shen Haoran, his face full of confusion.

Hearing the guard’s words, Shen Haoran shook his head slightly. ’The higher-ups? It doesn’t take a genius to figure out it’s Tyler.’ Without wasting any more words, he took a set of Alchemist robes from his Storage Ring and draped them over his shoulders. He then pinned the gleaming badge, inlaid with four silver stars, to his chest.

"An Alchemist! A Fourth Grade Alchemist!" Seeing Shen Haoran’s robes and Alchemist Badge, the guard cried out in shock, his face turning deathly pale. ’Didn’t the higher-ups say this kid was a country bumpkin? How can he possibly be a Fourth Grade Alchemist?’

"Now, may I go in?" Shen Haoran asked coolly, glancing at the stunned guard.

"Y-Yes, of course! Sir, please come in!" The guard’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. He bowed respectfully as he looked at Shen Haoran. ’This is an Alchemist, a person of incredibly noble status. And a Fourth Grade one at that! Someone of his standing is on equal footing with a city lord. How could a lowly guard like me possibly stop him?’

"Hmph." Shen Haoran shot the guard one last cool glance before stepping through the gate of the Flying Shuttle.

"Hm?" The moment he stepped through the gate, Shen Haoran felt several waves of killing intent wash over him. He immediately scanned his surroundings but didn’t spot anything out of the ordinary.

"Brother Shen, what’s wrong?" Han Xu asked softly, noticing the look on Shen Haoran’s face.

"It’s nothing. Let’s go inside. We’ll be having some visitors soon," Shen Haoran said, glancing coolly around the various corners of the Flying Shuttle as a cold smile touched his lips.

"Oh!" Han Xu grunted in acknowledgement. Led by a Maid, the two of them arrived before a luxurious suite. Given the noble status of an Alchemist, the Maid had naturally prepared the most opulent room on the Flying Shuttle for them.

"Haha, Brother Shen, this Alchemist status of yours really comes in handy!" Han Xu laughed, sprawling out on the soft, large bed.

Shen Haoran shook his head with a wry smile. ’I didn’t really want a luxurious room like this. It’s too conspicuous, and I prefer to keep a low profile.’ But since the staff had already provided it, he figured he might as well enjoy it.

"Oh, right, Brother Shen," Han Xu said, hopping up from the large bed. "You said we’d have visitors soon. Who is it? Friends of yours?"

Shen Haoran picked up his teacup and took a light sip before giving a mysterious smile. "You’ll find out soon enough."

Seeing Shen Haoran’s secretive expression, Han Xu couldn’t help but pout before flopping back onto the large bed.

RUMBLE...

A slight tremor ran through the vessel as the Flying Shuttle began to move. Shen Haoran walked to the window and watched Luotian City slowly shrink in the distance. He sneered, ’Tyler, if I didn’t have more important things to do, you wouldn’t have lived to see the sun today!’

WHOOSH...

The Flying Shuttle rose into the air, paused for a moment, and then shot off toward the Northern Domain like a streak of light. Inside, Shen Haoran couldn’t feel the slightest vibration. Gazing at the clouds flashing past the window, he murmured to himself, ’It really is the essential mode of transport for a long journey. I’ll have to get one of these for myself someday. It would save a lot of trouble.’

A moment later, Shen Haoran reined in his curiosity, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, and closed his eyes to begin his Cultivation. Shen Haoran’s time was precious, and he never missed any opportunity to cultivate. After all, the burden he carried was heavy, and he needed to increase his strength as quickly as possible.

The Flying Shuttle sped through the air. In the blink of an eye, two days had passed, leaving Luotian City far behind.

"I say, Brother Shen, it’s been two days. Why haven’t your friends shown up yet?" Han Xu asked, looking at the still, meditating Shen Haoran.

"Don’t be anxious. What’s meant to come will come. Be patient," Shen Haoran said coolly, then paid Han Xu no further mind and resumed his Cultivation.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

However, not even a few minutes later, a knock sounded at the door.

"Sirs, we’re here to deliver some food. May we come in?" a rough voice called from outside.

"Food?" Han Xu said, puzzled. ’That’s strange. I didn’t order anything.’

Shen Haoran’s closed eyes slowly opened, a cold smile playing on his lips. ’So, they finally couldn’t hold back any longer?’