Chapter 754 748: The Peril of the Five Elements Sect

Shen Haoran watched Xue Ling's graceful figure retreat and shook his head with a resigned sigh. For now, he had no choice but to continue acting as the glorified muscle, piloting the Flying Shuttle onward.

The long flight through space grew tedious, even for Shen Haoran. He sat cross-legged on the deck and closed his eyes to begin his Cultivation. He left the task of keeping the Flying Shuttle moving entirely to Changmao. Whenever the shuttle ran out of power, all Changmao had to do was toss in some Elemental Stones. Shen Haoran had plenty, so he didn't mind the expense.

After flying continuously for about half a month, the Flying Shuttle finally neared the exit. Shen Haoran and Xue Ling gazed at the bright opening and let out a long sigh of relief. Not everyone could endure the darkness and solitude of the Chaos Space.

The Flying Shuttle shot out of the Spatial Passage, and the blinding light forced Shen Haoran and Xue Ling to shut their eyes. It took them a moment to recover. When they opened their eyes, they looked out at a bustling square. A smile touched both of their faces. Compared to the Demon Race, Shen Haoran felt much more at ease among the Human Race.

"This is Feiniao City in the Southern Domain. It's not far from the Red Flame Mountain Range. Do you want to come with me?" Shen Haoran asked, glancing at Xue Ling beside him.

Hearing his words, Xue Ling visibly stiffened. 'Does he mean he's taking me to meet his family?' At that thought, even the beautiful killer snake, who feared nothing in heaven or on earth, felt her legs grow a little weak.

"No answer? Silence is consent. Let's go!" Shen Haoran chuckled and started walking into Feiniao City. After a long moment of hesitation, Xue Ling had no choice but to follow him.

Inside Feiniao City, a constant stream of Martial Artists came and went. Shen Haoran and Xue Ling found a random restaurant to get a meal. After a grueling half-month of travel, they deserved to treat themselves. Besides, Shen Haoran also wanted to gather some news about Fallen Valley's recent activities. He had been away for a whole year, after all; some things were bound to have changed.

"Hey, have you heard? The Five Elements Sect's position as the number one sect in the Southern Domain is in jeopardy!"

"You can say that again. The Five Elements Sect has kept a very low profile these past few years, so all the powers in the Southern Domain thought they were trying to withdraw from the world. But who would have known? Two months ago, someone discovered the real reason they'd been so quiet was because they'd suffered a terrible disaster! Countless disciples and Elders were killed or wounded, and even their Sect Leader was gravely injured!"

"And now that the tiger is wounded, others naturally want to take its place. I heard many of the Southern Domain's powers have formed an organization called the Blood Evil Alliance. They want to completely swallow up the Five Elements Sect and carve up that big cake for themselves!"

"Sigh... To think the former King would fall to such a state. It's true what they say: a tiger stranded on the plains is bullied by dogs."

Inside the restaurant, numerous Martial Artists were gathered, deep in heated discussion.

BANG! A sudden slap on a table echoed through the restaurant, silencing it instantly. Everyone turned toward the sound, their gazes landing on Shen Haoran and Xue Ling, who were seated in a corner.

"Is what you're saying true? The Five Elements Sect is under siege?" Shen Haoran's expression was grim as he stared at the group of Martial Artists. His icy voice made everyone present flinch.

"You must be from out of town," one of the Martial Artists replied, cowed by Shen Haoran's Divine Power. "The Five Elements Sect has been trapped in the Red Flame Mountain Range for two months already. They're probably hanging by a thread by now!"

Hearing this, Shen Haoran let out a cold snort, grabbed Xue Ling, and stormed outside.

"What are you doing? I haven't finished eating!" Xue Ling protested, pulling her hand free. 'It's just the Five Elements Sect,' she thought, annoyed. 'What does this have to do with him?'

"Shut up and come with me right now," Shen Haoran said, turning back to face her. His gaze was glacial. "Otherwise, you can go back to your Northern Domain!"

Seeing his expression, Xue Ling knew he was on the verge of exploding with rage. She just didn't understand. 'Struggles between factions are commonplace, so what's he getting so worked up about?'

"My family," Shen Haoran said, his voice hoarse, "is in the Five Elements Sect!"

At his words, Xue Ling's expression changed. She finally understood his rage—he had settled his family in the Five Elements Sect. She didn't dare put on airs anymore and obediently followed him as he raced toward the Red Flame Mountain Range. 'Those are his loved ones,' she thought. 'I know he would make an enemy of the entire world for his family. If I'm willful now, he might just abandon me and go on alone.'

Along the way, Shen Haoran's expression remained dark, and he didn't say a single word. Xue Ling kept pace right behind him, equally silent.

'I smell a conspiracy,' Shen Haoran thought. 'After that huge battle, the Five Elements Sect completely sealed itself off. The outside world shouldn't have known about their condition. This means one of two things: either there's a traitor inside the Five Elements Sect, or someone deliberately leaked the sect's situation to these Southern Domain powers, using them to attack the Five Elements Sect for some ulterior motive.'

'I don't believe there's a spy in the Five Elements Sect. They've barely recruited any new disciples since that battle, and everyone inside has been through life and death together. Besides, with Shui Ruolan and the others there, almost all the disciples have joined the Yao Sect. A traitor is impossible. That only leaves the second option: someone deliberately exposed the Five Elements Sect's condition to the powers of the Southern Domain for some reason.'

'What's their goal?' Shen Haoran's brow furrowed. Even if the Five Elements Sect was in a sorry state, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. It wouldn't be easy for these powers to swallow the sect whole.

A thought suddenly struck him. 'Could it be Fallen Valley, pulling strings from the shadows? I placed my family in the Five Elements Sect. It's entirely possible Fallen Valley discovered this and wants to use this chance to wipe out the Shen Family for good!'

The more Shen Haoran thought about it, the more horrified he became. He pushed himself to move even faster, racing toward the Red Flame Mountain Range. His heart was burning with anxiety. 'I don't know what the situation is at the Five Elements Sect, or if the Shen Family is still safe.'

Traveling at a breakneck pace, Shen Haoran and Xue Ling reached the Red Flame Mountain Range a day later. The moment they entered the range, Shen Haoran's immense Spiritual Thought spread out. At the foot of the Five Elements Sect's mountain, he sensed a multitude of powerful auras. It had to be the Blood Evil Alliance, laying siege to the sect.

"Let's go," Shen Haoran whispered. Moving stealthily, they crept toward the Five Elements Sect. When they reached the foot of the sect's main gate, they saw row upon row of tents pitched there. Countless Martial Artists had the Five Elements Sect surrounded so tightly that not even a fly could get through.

"There are so many Martial Artists. How are we supposed to get in?" Xue Ling asked, her brow furrowed.

"No, we're not going in," Shen Haoran said, his eyes narrowing. He pointed to the largest tent at the foot of the gate. "We're going there." In that instant, a plan began to form in his mind...