In the way of cultivation, not everything can be achieved in an instant.

Thinking this way, Shu Han felt more at ease. After all, it was the Chaos Immortal Stone. If it could be easily melted, it would devalue its immortal nature.

Given the situation, to melt the immortal stone quickly, one would probably need the main vein of the Earth Dragon Fire from the Fiery Cloud Peak.

If just melting it was so time-consuming and laborious, one could imagine the difficulties in forging it later.

Shu Han estimated that this Chaos Immortal Sword, even if forged day and night continuously, would take more than five years.

Although the sooner one obtains their destined magic treasure the better, Shu Han wasn't in urgent need.

After obtaining the Earth Dragon Fire origin from Wei Haolong, Shu Han planned to go into seclusion until "Fiery Sun Dominates the Sky", without concerning himself with external matters and avoiding trouble when possible.

As for why the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect was still searching for his true identity, Shu Han didn't want to delve too deeply into it. After all, with the continual progress of his Heaven-Earth Transformation technique, even if Song Jinglun advanced to the Nascent Soul in nine years, he might not recognize Shu Han.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a year had passed since the end of the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard.

Shu Han's main body remained in the Pure Ice Formation, melting the Chaos Immortal Stone with Wangcai. After more than half a year of smelting, the Chaos Immortal Stone had almost completely melted. In another month, Shu Han would be able to shape the immortal stone.

However, he was puzzled. Wei Haolong had promised to transfer the top-ranked Earth Dragon Fire origin to him. But ever since that celebration banquet, Wei Haolong had been missing for over half a year.

Finally, one day, Wei Haolong showed up at Shu Han's cave mansion.

Shu Han was still inside the Pure Ice Formation, while two of his avatars were refining the Five Elements True Essence Pill and repairing talismans in the cave.

Seeing Wei Haolong, Shu Han couldn't help but ask, "Where have you been? I thought your father had done you in!"

Wei Haolong laughed, "Nonsense! Over the past few months, I was in seclusion at the Earth Dragon Fire main vein of Fiery Cloud Peak, as required by the sect leader. I've been solidifying my Golden Core cultivation and absorbing the Earth Dragon Fire origin."

Speaking of the Earth Dragon Fire origin, Shu Han reached out and scolded, "Damn it, where's the Earth Dragon Fire origin you promised me? Don't tell me you went back on your word and consumed it all yourself!"

Smack!

Wei Haolong slapped away Shu Han's hand, retorting, "What do you take me for? Come on, let's go to my private residence and have a drink. I'll explain everything to you."

"You come out of seclusion and immediately seek me out, just for my wine? Do you think I run a tavern? Hand over the Earth Dragon Fire origin, or no wine for you! My wine is very precious, you know!"

Indeed, over the years, Shu Han had almost collected a whole jar of the Heavenly Creation Fluid for brewing wine. This entire jar of Heavenly Creation Fluid was far more valuable than the Earth Dragon Fire origin.

Dragging Shu Han down the mountain, Wei Haolong said, "All you talk about is the Earth Dragon Fire origin. It really wasn't my intention to delay. If you don't believe me, ask Song Changyi, who ranked second in the Heavenly Fire List. Didn't he also not receive his Earth Dragon Fire origin?"

As they flew down the mountain, Shu Han inquired, "Why?"

Wei Haolong explained, "Remember when I told you about the Unbearing Waters turning into Jiaolong?"

"Yes, it was when you all were ambushed."

Wei Haolong continued, "After distributing the Earth Dragon Fire origin to the Foundation Establishment disciples, the Sect Leader immediately leads the disciples to the Abyss of Falling Skies to cleanse their origin with Unbearing Waters. Someone must have known about the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's routine, timed it perfectly, and plotted to assassinate the Sect Leader. From now on, the distribution of the Earth Dragon Fire origin from the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard will be random and won't have a fixed time, making it hard for any conspirators to track the Sect Leader's movements."

Hearing this, Shu Han immediately understood.

If they were to distribute the Earth Dragon Fire origin right after the Heavenly Fire List and then head straight to the Abyss of Falling Skies, they would easily fall into another ambush, especially since Song Jinglun's strength is greatly diminished by the Unbearing Waters in the Abyss.

Wei Haolong added, "So don't worry. I've already proposed the transfer of the Earth Dragon Fire, and the Sect Leader has agreed. Just wait patiently in your cave mansion. This matter is a top secret within the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, and they won't notify in advance. You might receive the Earth Dragon Fire origin secretly at any time."

Hearing this, Shu Han felt reassured.

But he still questioned, "Given this, couldn't those with malicious intentions just lurk near the Abyss of Falling Skies after the Heavenly Fire List? They wouldn't need to know the exact time."

Wei Haolong laughed, "It's not that simple. The Abyss of Falling Skies stretches over four thousand li vertically, and Unbearing Waters can be triggered from anywhere within. Moreover, the Sect Leader is swift. He can summon the Unbearing Waters and leave within moments. How could they lay an ambush in secret? Also, those capable of threatening the Sect Leader are all Core Formation experts. They wouldn't engage in such foolish acts."

Shu Han suddenly thought of the Green Thunder Sect elder lurking around the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect and asked, "What about those who are hiding around Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, closely watching the Sect Leader's movements?"

"That's even less possible!"

Wei Haolong said, "Our Sect Leader is an extraordinary powerhouse, at the peak of Core Formation's latter stage, the strongest under Nascent Soul! If he wanted to secretly leave with his disciples in the North of Great Cloud, apart from the two major Nascent Soul cultivators, who would be capable of tracing his whereabouts?"

"That makes sense!"

After contemplating for a moment, Shu Han inquired, "Who do you think are these conspirators? There aren't many at the Core Formation stage in the entire North of Great Cloud, right?"

"Shh!"

Wei Haolong signaled Shu Han to be silent.

"We shouldn't discuss this matter openly," Wei Haolong whispered. "If you think about it, you can draw your own conclusions. There are only a few at the Core Formation stage or above in the North of the Great Cloud. The Core Formation loose cultivators have neither the reason nor the guts to scheme against the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. The rest is self-explanatory."

Shu Han nodded in agreement. The rise of a sect in the North of Great Cloud would inevitably infringe upon the interests of other sects.

Considering this, Song Jinglun's path to advancing to the Nascent Soul stage wouldn't be smooth sailing.

The first concern would be the stance of the two major Nascent Soul sects.

Would they welcome another Nascent Soul sect in the North of Great Cloud?

Certainly not.

Green Thunder Sect, being constrained by the Heavenly Fire Sect backing Tang Shan'er, couldn't act openly. But what about the Devil Music Sect? They were traditionally at odds with Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. Wouldn't they obstruct Song Jinglun's plans? And if they do, how?

Lost in thought, Shu Han followed Wei Haolong away from the Fiery Cloud Peak to hover above a bamboo forest.

Suddenly, they noticed two figures sparring within the bamboo thicket. Drawing closer, they recognized them as Bai Xingyan and Di Guxue practicing together. Seeing this, Wei Haolong's face darkened, "What's with your disciple? Why is he always pestering mine? Is he up to something?"

Shu Han shrugged, "What's that got to do with me? As far as I know, your disciple is the one who's always after mine!"

From afar, they watched their respective disciples clashing within the bamboo grove.

In the end, Di Guxue lost by a slight margin, her lips trembling with anger as she crouched down, sobbing softly. Bai Xingyan, looking flustered, sat down beside her, raising a hand as if to comfort her but hesitating.

Suddenly, Di Guxue grabbed his arm and placed it around her.

Realization dawned on Bai Xingyan just as Di Guxue, tears still glistening on her cheeks, leaned in and fiercely kissed him, knocking him to the ground. The two embraced tightly, warmth escalating between them.

The two onlookers from a distance were dumbfounded.

Shu Han: ???

Wei Haolong: !!!