Chapter 776 Happy Cooperation

“You trust me just like that? And do you even know who I am?” Shen Haoran asked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Zi Yuexi. ‘I’ve never told her my name. With the Purple Luo Palace’s intelligence network, they’re bound to have a file on me. Once I say my name and she learns I have an enemy like Fallen Valley, who knows if she’ll still be willing to work with me.’

“Putting aside the two Spirit Emperor Powerhouses you have, your Talent alone is enough to sway me. A Tier One Spirit Emperor easily defeating two Tier Five Spirit Emperors—and them being genius disciples from a Super Sect, no less. It’s unlikely there’s another person like you in the entire Southern Domain. As for who you are… aren’t you a disciple of the Five Elements Sect? Do you have some other special identity?” Zi Yuexi didn’t give it much thought, letting out a soft laugh.

“Is that so? What if I told you my name is Shen Haoran?” Shen Haoran said, watching Zi Yuexi as a sly smile played on his lips.

“Shen Haoran? That’s a nice name…” Zi Yuexi smiled and nodded. But in the next instant, something seemed to click. The smile vanished from her face, and she stared at Shen Haoran, utterly stunned. The look on her face was even more extreme than when she had learned he possessed two Spirit Emperor Powerhouses.

“You’re *that* Shen Haoran?” ‘I’m a lost cause,’ Zi Yuexi thought. She, who was known throughout the Southern Domain as the “Ice Beauty,” always remained calm and composed no matter the situation. Yet today, it seemed she had used up a lifetime’s worth of shock.

“What? Don’t I look the part?” Shen Haoran’s face still held that same harmless smile.

Zi Yuexi’s mind raced, recalling the Purple Luo Palace’s file on Shen Haoran: ‘Shen Haoran, disciple of the Cyan Mountain City Shen Family. Once known as the useless young master of Cyan Mountain City. Five years ago, the one called a waste had a sudden awakening, and his Cultivation soared. He subsequently joined the Five Elements Sect. Later, for certain reasons, he came into conflict with the Northern Domain Dominator, Fallen Valley. Fallen Valley massacred the Shen Clan Members, but Shen Haoran arrived in time to save them. He then charged into Fallen Valley, slaying their Young Master of the Valley and four Elders. Finally, he was gravely wounded by the Valley Master, Ouyang Feng, and swept into a spatial storm. His status remains unknown…’

The Purple Luo Palace was highly ambitious, aiming to expand its influence across the entire continent, so they had informants planted in every region. The events surrounding Shen Haoran in the Northern Domain had been too sensational for the Purple Luo Palace to ignore. But after he was swept into the spatial storm, everyone assumed he was dead. No one could have imagined that a year later, not only would Shen Haoran return alive, but he would also bring back two Spirit Emperor Tier powerhouses. ‘This is an absolute miracle.’

“So, you’ve returned for revenge?” Zi Yuexi asked, her expression turning serious.

“That’s right. Fallen Valley slaughtered my clan. Failing to avenge this debt would be a dishonor. So, Miss Zi, now that you know my name, do you still want to discuss our partnership?” Shen Haoran asked coolly, a frosty glint in his eyes.

At Shen Haoran’s words, Zi Yuexi fell silent. News of his exploits had already reached the ears of every major power in the Southern and Northern Domains a year ago. To them, the name Shen Haoran was synonymous with trouble. Furthermore, Fallen Valley had issued a warning to all factions in both domains: anyone who dared to shelter Shen Haoran or the Shen Clan Members would be declaring themselves an enemy of Fallen Valley. Although Fallen Valley was based in the Northern Domain, its influence was immense. Even the Five Elements Sect at its zenith would not necessarily have been a match for them. Intimidated by Fallen Valley’s power, no one dared to cross them. On top of that, Fallen Valley had posted an enormous bounty. The reward for any information about the Shen Family or Shen Haoran was so great that even a Super Sect like the Purple Luo Palace would covet it. To cooperate with Shen Haoran would mean forfeiting that tantalizing bounty and also making an enemy of a behemoth like Fallen Valley. Faced with such a decision, Zi Yuexi couldn’t make up her mind immediately.

Shen Haoran simply watched her in silence, a subtle killing intent swirling around him. ‘I’ve revealed this to her. A woman as smart as her will definitely deduce that the Shen Family is here within the Five Elements Sect right now. Anyone who learns this information either becomes an ally… or a corpse. If Zi Yuexi refuses to cooperate, I’ll kill her without the slightest hesitation!’

“I agree!” After a long moment, Zi Yuexi finally agreed with a wry smile. At this point, she had no choice. She had felt Shen Haoran’s killing intent quite clearly. But that was only part of the reason. The greater reason was that she trusted her own judgment. ‘This time, I’m placing my bet on Shen Haoran.’

If Zi Yuexi could have foreseen the future, she would have been eternally grateful for the decision she made that day. Because of it, she and her Purple Luo Palace would one day become the most dazzling powers on the entire continent.

“Excellent!” Hearing Zi Yuexi agree, the smile on Shen Haoran’s face deepened, and his killing intent receded. ‘To be honest, I really need the Purple Luo Palace’s help. Their intelligence network is invaluable to me, and it will be even more crucial as I develop my own power base in the future.’

As Shen Haoran’s killing intent subsided, Zi Yuexi let out another wry smile. ‘I am the dignified Young Palace Master of the Purple Luo Palace, a person who holds the fates of countless people in my hands, and yet I’ve just yielded to Shen Haoran. It looks like when I get back, my master will be “inviting me for tea” again.’

“Miss Zi, since we’re now partners, I’ll be direct. I will agree to your condition. In return, my condition is this: you will tell me the locations of all of Fallen Valley’s hidden outposts in the Southern Domain, as well as the names of their leaders. In addition, I want all your intel on the Blood Evil Alliance. Is that a problem?” Shen Haoran asked in a low voice.

“No problem. The information you need will be delivered to you tomorrow,” Zi Yuexi said with confidence. Since Shen Haoran had shown her his strength, she would now show him the capabilities of the Purple Luo Palace.

“You want this information so urgently… You’re not planning to make a move already, are you?” Zi Yuexi asked with a frown. “The Five Elements Sect is still in a vulnerable state. If you act so rashly, you’ll likely arouse the suspicions of other powers. If they decide to strike while we’re weak, the Five Elements Sect will be finished.”

“Don’t worry. I have my own plans,” Shen Haoran snorted coldly. “The debt Fallen Valley owes me must be paid. I won’t wait a moment longer!” As he spoke, a dense, baleful aura erupted from his body.

RUMBLE…

At that very moment, the once-clear sky outside was suddenly blanketed in dark clouds. Peals of Celestial Thunder echoed, as if even the heavens themselves sensed the baleful aura emanating from Shen Haoran and had begun to respond in kind…