Shen Haoran looked at the Spirit Crane Sect disciples on the ground, their eyes lifeless, without a shred of pity in his gaze. He never held back against those who wished him harm. ’After all, being merciful to your enemies is being cruel to yourself. In this world, someone would always have to pay for your kindness!’

Shen Haoran bent down and searched the two Spirit Crane Sect disciples, finding a good number of Identity Tokens. ’It looks like they’ve been bullying plenty of Martial Artists from Cyan Mountain City lately.’ All of this, however, just ended up benefiting Shen Haoran.

After stashing the Identity Tokens in his Storage Ring, Shen Haoran turned and walked back to Ji Lingxuan’s side.

"Shen... Brother Shen, I’m Liu Shuo of the Liu Family. Thank you for saving us!" Seeing Shen Haoran approach, the leader of the Liu Family group immediately cupped his fist, bowed, and expressed his gratitude.

"Don’t mention it. I was just settling a personal score. Helping you out was just a bonus," Shen Haoran said with a nod. ’He actually had a favorable impression of the Liu Family. Although the Shen and Liu Families were two of Cyan Mountain City’s three great families and often competed, their rivalry was always fair. The Liu Family had never resorted to underhanded tricks, making them an honorable and upstanding family.’

"But still, Brother Shen, your combat power... is simply beyond words!" Liu Shuo was a straightforward person and didn’t hold back his praise.

"Just luck."

"Ugh..." Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, Liu Shuo rolled his eyes. ’Who the hell gets "lucky" enough to toy with two Spirit Crane Sect disciples like they were monkeys!’

"Brother Liu, we should part ways here. I still have some things to take care of," Shen Haoran said, ignoring Liu Shuo’s eye-roll and cupping his fist.

"Oh? What’s that?" Liu Shuo asked instinctively.

"To find some Spirit Crane Sect disciples and take their Identity Tokens, of course," Shen Haoran said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Hearing Shen Haoran, Liu Shuo desperately wanted to slap himself. ’Why did I have to open my big mouth? Why did I ask such a stupid question? Wasn’t I just asking to be put down? All I want to do is avoid the Spirit Crane Sect disciples, but here he is, actively hunting them down. Seriously, comparisons will be the death of me!’

"Uh... Well, good luck then, Brother Shen!" After offering a polite farewell, Liu Shuo left with the rest of the Liu Family. ’He didn’t want to spend another second with this monster. Heaven only knew what he’d say next, and his poor heart couldn’t take any more!’

Watching Liu Shuo flee the scene, Ji Lingxuan asked with a confused look, "Brother Haoran, what’s wrong with him?"

"It’s nothing. Let’s go," Shen Haoran said, smiling helplessly as he watched Liu Shuo’s retreating back. He then took Ji Lingxuan by the hand and they continued forward.

As they continued on, they walked for a long time without encountering a single person.

"Huh, where did everyone go? Weren’t there supposed to be hundreds of people competing?" Shen Haoran wondered. At this point, he hadn’t seen another soul, not even a bird.

"Hm? There are people up ahead?" While Shen Haoran was still wondering, Ji Lingxuan noticed some movement in front of them.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran released his monstrously powerful Spiritual Thought and confirmed that there were indeed people ahead. And what’s more, it was an old acquaintance!

"Let’s go say hello to an old friend!" Shen Haoran licked his lips and quickened his pace.

...

In a nearby patch of woods, two groups faced off. On one side were disciples from the Spirit Crane Sect. The other group was no stranger to Shen Haoran either—it was the members of the Ge Family, with whom he had a grudge. But the atmosphere between the two sides felt off. There wasn’t a hint of hostility; in fact, it was strangely chummy.

"Hehe, Senior Brother Huo, Senior Brother Leng, I am Ge Jian of the Ge Family. I’ve long admired your reputations. This is a small welcoming gift, just a token of my esteem. It’s nothing much, but please accept it," Ge Jian said with a broad smile, taking out two Jade Bottles from his robes and handing them to the two Spirit Crane Sect disciples.

"Oh?" Seeing the Jade Bottles Ge Jian offered, Senior Brother Huo took one and glanced inside.

As soon as the Jade Bottle was opened, a whiff of Pill Fragrance wafted out. Two round Elixirs lay within.

"Dragon Power Pills!?" Senior Brother Huo cried out in delight as a flash of greed flickered in his eyes.

Senior Brother Huo’s subtle expression was exactly what Ge Jian had expected. He gave a light chuckle and said respectfully, "Hehe, to have Senior Brother Huo and Senior Brother Leng come test us Martial Artists from this backwater town is truly beneath you. You two should be doing things worthy of your status! But I’m sure you only condescended to come here for the sake of the bigger picture. I can’t help much, so I can only offer this small token of my appreciation. I hope it’s not beneath your notice!"

"Haha, Brother Ge, you’re too kind!" Ge Jian’s bootlicking was music to the ears of the two Spirit Crane Sect disciples, and they both burst out laughing.

"Not at all. I’m just stating the facts," Ge Jian said, shaking his head.

"Haha, rest assured, Brother Ge. A spot in the Spirit Crane Sect is definitely yours this time. The Spirit Crane Sect is in need of talent like you!"

Hearing Senior Brother Huo’s words, a look of delight appeared on Ge Jian’s face. Everything he had done was for this very promise!

"In that case, thank you, Senior Brother Huo!" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

THUD! Just as Ge Jian’s voice fell, a dull thud came from nearby, and a figure tumbled from a tree, followed by a roar of laughter.

"Hahaha! Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself!" The figure was none other than Shen Haoran.

As it turned out, Shen Haoran had witnessed Ge Jian’s entire ass-kissing performance. It was tolerable at first, but by the end, he just couldn’t take it anymore and had fallen out of the tree from laughing.

Beside him, Ji Lingxuan looked at Shen Haoran with a helpless expression, pursing her lips to hide a smile. ’The performance by Ge Jian and the two Spirit Crane Sect disciples... was quite a show!’

"Hmph. Shen Haoran. I’ve been looking all over for you, and you just drop right into my lap," Ge Jian barked coldly.

"Oh? You were looking for me, too?" Shen Haoran stopped laughing, his interest piqued.

"So you’re Shen Haoran? The one who dared to offend Senior Brother Zuo Chuan?" Senior Brother Huo from the Spirit Crane Sect stepped forward, sizing up Shen Haoran.

"That must be him. Senior Brother Zuo told us to cripple him the moment we found him," Senior Brother Leng said coldly after a single glance.

"Oh? He’s just some Tier Seven Spirit Pupil. Why was Senior Brother Zuo so worked up about him?" Senior Brother Huo gave Shen Haoran a disdainful look and slowly walked toward him.

However, he had only taken a couple of steps before Ge Jian blocked his path.

"A puny Tier Seven Spirit Pupil isn’t worth your time, Senior Brother Huo. Allow me!"

"You?" Senior Brother Huo glanced at Ge Jian.

"Don’t worry, Senior Brother Huo. I’ll finish this quickly!" With that, Ge Jian’s aura as a Tier Nine Spirit Pupil erupted from within him. The sheer force of this aura made even the two disciples from the Spirit Crane Sect glance sideways in surprise.

Watching Ge Jian walk toward him step by step, Shen Haoran’s expression remained unchanged. With his arms still folded across his chest, he said, "All done talking? And you’re the only one coming?"

"Hmph! We don’t need Senior Brother Huo and Senior Brother Leng to deal with the likes of you!" Ge Jian flicked his longsword, and a wave of sharp Sword Qi sliced a gash into the earth.

"You’re no match for me. I’d still advise all of you to attack at once," Shen Haoran said, shaking his head.

To Ge Jian’s ears, these words sounded like pure mockery. His aura flared even stronger. "Hmph! Big talk. Let’s see if your skills can back up that big mouth of yours!" With that, Ge Jian lunged at Shen Haoran with his longsword. The battle began!