Shu Han and Song Changyi went down the mountain to visit Wei Haolong.

Due to Wei Haolong's long-term bottleneck at the Core Formation stage, even absorbing the vast spiritual energy from Mount Fire Cloud was of no use. Thus, he simply moved downhill.

The bamboo courtyard that was destroyed in the battle had been rebuilt. As Shu Han entered, he found Wei Haolong sitting by an artificial mountain stream, sighing deeply.

Upon seeing Shu Han, Wei Haolong brightened up and jokingly said, "I knew you wouldn't get into trouble. As expected, you're back, hale and hearty."

Shu Han took a seat by the stone table and asked, "Why are you sighing the moment I come back? Did your mother take the medicine made from the Heart-Seeker Holy Petal?"

Hearing this, Wei Haolong's face fell. He sighed, "It's a waste of your kindness. All the elixirs made from the Heart-Seeker Holy Petal were given to my mother, but they had no effect. It seems we need to look for other solutions."

The Heart-Seeker Holy Petal didn't work?

Shu Han thought to himself that it might not be effective for the mad old man either.

The trio chatted and drank. When it came to Shu Han's experiences in the Southern Forest, he dared not tell the truth, so he brushed it aside and quickly changed the topic.

Then, Shu Han learned from Wei Haolong and Song Changyi about the upcoming Heavenly Fire Leaderboard in a year and a half.

Shu Han asked, "To obtain the Earth Dragon Fire's origin, one must rank in the top three in the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, right?"

Song Changyi nodded, "Exactly. This time, with the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard approaching 'Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky', the competition will be even fiercer. After all, with the Earth Dragon Fire's origin under the 'Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky', one's power can be substantially enhanced."

Wei Haolong took a melancholic sip of his drink, saying, "Damn it, with a freak like you joining this year, I might lose my third place! It's so annoying. If I get pushed out of the top three, I don't know how my father will see me."

Shu Han laughed, "Both you and Brother Song already have the Earth Dragon Fire origin. Why are you so desperate to be in the top three? Wouldn't it be better for the development of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect if you let others take those spots and have more disciples obtain the Earth Dragon Fire origin?"

Song Changyi responded, "Brother Yu is mistaken. Even if one already possesses the Earth Dragon Fire, obtaining another origin can save over fifty years of cultivating the Heavenly Fire. Moreover, if the Earth Dragon Fire origin is widely distributed to the disciples, they will try to absorb the main vein, expanding themselves, which would damage the main vein of the Earth Dragon Fire."

So that's how it is.

Wei Haolong stated, "Old Yu, should we face each other in the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard, don't expect me to hold back due to our ties."

Shu Han scoffed, "Would I need your charity?"

Yet, despite his bravado, anxiety simmered beneath Shu Han's facade.

Amidst the bustling arena, employing the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword was ill-advised.

The dazzling magic treasure from the Great Fortune Sect had helped him procure the Heavenly Creation Fluid within the Immaculate Realm. Were word to spread, and the cultivators from the Green Thunder Sect of that era to find out, they would undoubtedly pinpoint him. Even possessing the Heaven-Earth Transformation technique wouldn't absolve him.

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Without the Eight-Direction Evil-Breaking Sword, relying solely on the Chaotic Thunder would mean he might not match up to Wei Haolong, let alone Song Changyi. Securing a spot in the top three of the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard appeared bleak.

Observing Shu Han's despondent drinking, Wei Haolong sought to console him, "Seeing you this disheartened, even before the fight? Indeed, the top three ranks of the Heavenly Fire Leaderboard are challenging. Ordinarily, I'd advise you to wait for the next competition. However, shortly after this one, we'll witness the Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky event. Possessing the Earth Dragon Fire origin would maximize the benefits. If you genuinely fear defeat, I can always make concessions during the match."

Song Changyi interjected with a cough, "The Heavenly Fire Leaderboard are prestigious; they shouldn't be tainted by deceit! I believe a talent like Brother Yu wouldn't accept such an offer."

Rendered speechless, Shu Han reluctantly thought, 'Actually, I would!' But Song Changyi's assertion made it awkward for him to agree. With feigned pride, he responded, "Brother Song is correct. I, Yu Tiancheng, act with integrity. I won't let you mock me, you sly fox!"

Though outwardly defiant, Shu Han was internally plotting ways to swiftly enhance his combat prowess.

Using his life-bound magic treasure was out of the question. It couldn't be refined in such a short span, and even if it could, he wouldn't dare wield it.

A magic treasure forged from the Chaos Immortal Stone would unleash mayhem upon its emergence. His only avenue left was the Heavenly Fire Body Refining Technique!

Shu Han was certain that if the black patterns covered half of his body, his physical strength would surpass Wei Haolong's.

However, the Heavenly Fire Body Refining Technique consumed a vast amount of the heavenly fire origin, and it would be challenging for him to amass that much within a year and a half.

Even if he were to absorb the earth dragon fire origin from the Pure Ice Formation daily at midnight, it would not suffice. The only way would be if he could withstand the attacks of the earth dragon fire and constantly absorb its essential power.

For that, he would need the core formation pattern of the Pure Ice Jade Pillar. Yet, according to Wei Haolong, this core pattern was held by the elder of the Heavenly Fire, and obtaining it was improbable.

This deeply troubled Shu Han.

"If it doesn't work out, I should negotiate with Wei Haolong privately, perhaps compensating him for making concessions during our match. However, it's still risky; even without Wei Haolong, it's not certain I'd secure a top-three spot with the first five ranks being filled with formidable pseudo-core cultivators."

Reliance on underhanded tactics wouldn't guarantee success. He had to exhibit genuine prowess.

Suddenly, an epiphany struck Shu Han. He recalled the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect's felling of the Forest Clan's divine trees to nurture the earth dragon fire.

Now in possession of the Heart of the Ancestral Tree, he had something far superior.

Shu Han didn't intend to use the Heart-Seeker Holy Petal to nurture his Black Abyssal Fire origin; he'd tried before, but the Black Abyssal Fire origin was too minuscule to absorb it efficiently.

However, for the earth dragon fire origin within the Pure Ice Jade Pillar, its immense size would undoubtedly assimilate the Ancestral Tree Heart swiftly.

"Damn fire dragon! If I can't beat you... can't I bribe you?"

Deciding on this plan, Shu Han stood up to bid Song Changyi farewell, "Brother Song, tonight Wei and I have urgent matters. We'll seek our master's guidance on the 'Heavenly Fire Body Refining Technique' another day!"

Wei Haolong was taken aback, "What?"

Giving Wei a stern look, Shu Han dragged him towards the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect.

"You've gone mad! I haven't finished my drink!"

Once they were a distance away from Song Changyi, Shu Han chided, "Forget the drink! We can drink another day. It's almost midnight; take me to the Pure Ice Formation."

"Fine then!"

Rolling his eyes, Wei Haolong handed over a secret command token to Shu Han, "Go by yourself then."

Staring at the token, Shu Han asked in surprise, "Is this appropriate?"

"What's inappropriate about it? I haven't even thanked you for finding the Heart-Seeker Holy Petal. This token is for you; now you can come and go as you please without sneaking around to find me every night. Someone might get the wrong idea about our relationship!"

Shu Han chuckled, "Fair enough! You're a good man!"

Wei Haolong whispered a warning, "Don't even think about sneaking into the Fiery Cloud Onsen to peep at the female cultivators. Just so you know, that group of enchantresses is still there. If you cause a scandal, it'll be trouble for both of us."

Shu Han was shocked, "They're still there? It's been so long!"