Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Another Big Trouble

Perhaps it was because they were of a similar age, but Shen Haoran and the others got along remarkably well. While Long Mo’s personality was a bit cold and he didn’t talk much, every word he uttered was a gem. He was so direct that Shen Haoran didn’t have to waste time analyzing his statements for valuable information.

As for the little brat Long Zhen, he completely ignored Shen Haoran, choosing instead to constantly play around with Ji Lingxuan. This left Shen Haoran feeling a bit disgruntled, but he balanced himself with the thought that they would be living together from now on. ’I’ll have plenty of opportunities to teach him a lesson in the future.’

"Junior Shen, let’s stop our chat here for today. Once your injuries have healed, we’ll take you to get familiar with the Red Flame Hall. You should get some rest. My brother and I won’t disturb you any longer," Long Mo said politely.

"Yes, thank you, Senior Brother Long!" Shen Haoran replied with a cupped fist salute.

"Hmph! Let me warn you, Junior! Don’t you go bullying the pretty sister when I’m not around, or else... Hmph, hmph..." Long Zhen threatened, shaking his fist with a comical, grown-up air. He was then immediately grabbed by the ear and dragged away by Long Mo.

Watching the Dragon Brothers’ retreating figures, Shen Haoran murmured, "Those two... there’s more to them than meets the eye."

"Mhm, that’s right. The older brother, Long Mo, is already a Tier Three Spirit General—at least, that’s what he shows. I don’t know if he’s hiding his true strength. And the younger one, Long Zhen, is at Tier One Spirit General Peak. What’s even more frightening is that they both possess an Extreme Attribute Physique. Legend has it that when they were born, a Divine Fire descended from the heavens and planted a Flame Spirit Seed inside each of them, giving them incredible power! Geniuses like them, who lack for nothing in terms of serendipity, Talent, and power, are destined for greatness—as long as they don’t meet an untimely end," Ji Lingxuan said with a smile.

"Well, well. You’ve only been here a few days and you’re already this well-informed!" Shen Haoran teased Ji Lingxuan.

"It’s not like that! Long Zhen told me everything!" Ji Lingxuan shot Shen Haoran a look. ’And here he is, still in the mood for jokes at a time like this.’

"Haha, and you? Don’t you have to go back? Is Hall Master She really willing to let her precious treasure spend the night out?"

"I don’t have to. I asked the old matron for leave, and it was all to take care of you!" Ji Lingxuan said with a pout. Her adorable expression made Shen Haoran want to lean in and kiss her right then and there. But remembering they had important matters to discuss, he pushed the urge down.

"Ling Xuan, secure the doors and windows. I need to talk to Elder Yan about something important."

At the mention of Elder Yan, Ji Lingxuan understood the gravity of the situation. She immediately dropped her playful demeanor, quickly scanned the room, and then secured the doors and windows tightly.

Once Ji Lingxuan had locked the doors and windows, Shen Haoran called for Elder Yan in his mind. A moment later, a transparent figure materialized in front of them.

"Shen the kid, what happened to you? You’re wrapped up like a mummy!" Elder Yan asked as soon as he appeared. The first thing that greeted his eyes was the sight of Shen Haoran completely swathed in bandages.

Hearing Elder Yan’s question, Shen Haoran gave a bitter smile. "It’s a long story. Let me ask you something first. I remember you once said you were from the Supreme Profound Sect, right?"

"That’s right. I was indeed the Sect Leader of the Supreme Profound Sect. But that was thousands of years ago—it’s ancient history now." A flicker of ancient sorrow flashed through Elder Yan’s eyes.

Hearing Elder Yan’s confirmation, Shen Haoran took a deep breath and asked again, "Then you must have heard of the Chaos Celestial Ladder!"

BANG! The instant Shen Haoran finished speaking, a powerful storm of Spiritual Thought erupted from Elder Yan, instantly shattering the vase on the table.

"Elder Yan!" Seeing how agitated Elder Yan became at the mention of the Chaos Celestial Ladder, Shen Haoran cried out in alarm. ’We’re inside the Five Elements Sect! There are countless masters here. It’ll be a disaster if they discover Elder Yan’s presence!’

Shen Haoran’s shout snapped Elder Yan back to his senses, and he quickly suppressed his aura once more.

"How could you know about the Chaos Celestial Ladder!" Elder Yan’s voice was still trembling.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran gave another bitter smile, then opened his palm. A golden light flashed, and a small, golden Chaos Celestial Ladder appeared in his hand!

"This..." At the sight of the Chaos Celestial Ladder, not only was Elder Yan stunned, but Ji Lingxuan was also in disbelief. ’So the Chaos Celestial Ladder that vanished that day was actually taken by Shen Haoran!’

"What’s going on? How did the Chaos Celestial Ladder end up in your hands?" Elder Yan asked, confused.

At Elder Yan’s question, Shen Haoran recounted the events of the past few days. He told him about meeting the golden-robed man after reaching the eighty-first step and described the man’s battle against the figure shrouded in black mist.

Hearing Shen Haoran’s account, Elder Yan’s brows furrowed tightly, as if he was trying to recall something.

"I have no memory of the golden-robed man you described. Furthermore, the Supreme Profound Sect had not been destroyed back when I was alive! I also have no impression of the kind of monster you mentioned," Elder Yan said, shaking his head. Upon learning of the Supreme Profound Sect’s annihilation, however, his expression filled with deep sorrow.

"Elder Yan, don’t be too sad. The Supreme Profound Sect..." Shen Haoran started, wanting to say something to comfort him.

"It’s nothing. I’m already dead. The Sect’s survival no longer has much to do with me. Life and death are destined; Heaven has its own designs," Elder Yan said with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran didn’t know what else to say. But he suddenly remembered something. "Elder Yan, before he died, that golden-robed man seemed to have given me a token. See if you recognize it!" With that, another flash of golden light appeared in Shen Haoran’s hand.

The golden light flashed, and the Golden Token appeared in Shen Haoran’s hand. Elder Yan took one look, his face paled in shock, and he immediately forced the Golden Token back into Shen Haoran’s body. This all happened in an instant, so fast that even Shen Haoran didn’t have time to react.

"Shen the kid, remember this. You must never, ever let anyone know you possess this thing, not even the people closest to you, including your parents!" Elder Yan said with a grave expression, his eyes filled with terror.

Meanwhile, Ji Lingxuan, who usually seemed unconcerned by anything, was also filled with panic, as if she had just witnessed something horrifying.

"What’s wrong with you two? It’s just a token, isn’t it?" Shen Haoran was puzzled. ’What on earth is this thing, to make both Elder Yan and Ji Lingxuan react with such dread!’

"Brother Haoran, it’s too complicated to explain right now. Just remember this: you must never let anyone know it exists. If you do, it will bring a deadly calamity upon you—it could even spell disaster for the entire Xingluo Continent!" Ji Lingxuan said grimly. Elder Yan nodded in solemn agreement.

Seeing the solemn expressions on both Ji Lingxuan’s and Elder Yan’s faces, Shen Haoran realized the gravity of the situation. ’It looks like I’ve gotten myself into another huge mess,’ he thought.

At this thought, Shen Haoran couldn’t help but rub his forehead. He suddenly realized that ever since meeting Elder Yan, his life had been completely turned upside down. Awakening his Chaos Divine Body, meeting Ji Lingxuan, completing the Refinement of the Fire Spirit Black Obsidian... and now, he was holding a bomb that could go off at any second. ’It’s just one problem after another!’

And yet, Shen Haoran felt that this was the kind of life worth living. Compared to a dull, mundane existence, he found himself yearning for this future filled with unknown challenges.