Xiang Laner understood and the two of them immediately sought out Shi Chun that very night to explain the situation.

Shi Chun, who was meditating in a cross-legged position, shook his head with regret after hearing them. "You should have mentioned this earlier; it's too late now. Young Master Nan isn't my subordinate. Asking him to go through all that trouble again, I don't have that kind of clout."

Feng Chi was getting anxious. "How could we have mentioned it earlier? We didn't even know if Young Master Nan would agree. Who knew you would create a sect with thirteen members? Who knew you'd get approval from the Divine Fire Covenant so quickly? Young Master Nan agreed to your request, why didn't you inform us beforehand?"

Shi Chun had his reasons: "He didn't agree either, just said he'd try and, who knew, it worked. I was surprised too. You said it was going to be troublesome, who knew he would handle it so quickly?"

Xiang Laner: "Try asking him again, perhaps he will help you one more time."

Shi Chun: "Laner, do you think I don't want to? Having seven more people would certainly be no small help to me, but it's really not that simple. Young Master Nan previously told me that those Artifact Refiners do not want amateurs meddling. An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin almost didn't make it; it took a lot of effort for them to get by. He really doesn't want to go through that for a second time.

Moreover, all thirteen of us have been expelled from our sects. Young Master Nan is also aware of our past situations. If you bring in seven more people, wouldn't it seem too abrupt? Let's not even mention the Divine Fire Covenant, I fear even Young Master Nan wouldn't let it pass. Do you really think he's naive enough to accept anyone and shoulder any burden?

He already mentioned when he came before that even getting An Wuzhi and Zhu Xiangxin in was straining, and he'd done his best.

Do you understand? He has already done his best. To forcibly insert another seven people, the first to be skeptical about the origins of those seven would be Young Master Nan.

Sister Feng, Laner, no offense, but is this how casually you from the Demon Path usually handle matters? Working with you, I just can't help feeling a bit uneasy."

If he really didn't want to agree, he would have all kinds of excuses.

The fact of the matter is, he doesn't want his newly established 'Mingshan Sect' to be associated with the Demon Path, at least not overtly. If he was willing to associate with them, he wouldn't have gone through all the trouble to set up the 'Mingshan Sect'; he could have easily just agreed to the Demon Path's offer to go to Julu State and join some Artifact Refining sect.

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner fell silent, it was clear that the task was impossible, what more could they say?

When the two were leaving, Shi Chun gave them further instructions: "Those eleven people still don't know that they have formed a sect and joined it, nor do they know about their participation in the Divine Fire Covenant. For now, don't let them find out. I plan to inform them just before we go in."

"..." Feng Chi and Xiang Laner were speechless; could he really pull off such a move? No wonder they were being treated to good food and drink.

They really wanted to ask, how would he broach the subject when the time came? Wouldn't it be awkward?

Whether it would be awkward or not was a question for later, since at the very least they were currently being treated well, with Wu Jinliang often taking them out for excursions, and the necessary cultivation supplies being promptly procured for them.

Chu Jingtang's group of eleven, apart from eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves, were focused on their Cultivation behind closed doors, without having to worry about anything else, living a carefree life that they definitely could not have enjoyed back in their sect, where they had regular duties to fulfill.

It was one of the rare good times of their lives.

The only downside was that it felt a bit unreal, getting everything for free, without having to do anything. The longer this went on, the more uneasy it felt.

Anyone with a bit of sense knew that such days couldn't last. After all, you're not some great beauty, why should someone keep supporting you indefinitely?

Eventually, after discussing among themselves, the eleven approached Shi Chun and actively sought work, asking if there was anything where they could be of service.

Shi Chun told them to continue their Cultivation in seclusion with ease, striving to improve their cultivation level. He assured them that he wouldn't run out of resources, and when he found a lucrative opportunity, he would naturally call them to strike it rich together, so they needn't worry about having nothing to do.

With that said, the group finally felt at ease.

And so, days passed, one after the other, and in the blink of an eye two months had gone by.

This peaceful life for the eleven came to an end as Shi Chun called them out for a long-distance excursion.

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner naturally went along, as they still needed to coordinate with the Demon Path on Shi Chun's behalf.

Duan Xiangmei, upon hearing they were travelling to the Shanbu Continent for fun, expressed her wish to go to Wu Jinliang in private. Wu Jinliang then informed Shi Chun, and Duan Xiangmei was included.

Duan Xiangmei was thrilled, as aside from coming to the capital to find work, she had never truly traveled far, especially not across the Four Continents, because she couldn't afford it.

Her income was only a few hundred gold a month, after deducting living expenses and the cost of Cultivation resources, she couldn't afford the thousand-gold expense of traveling through the Xun Gate.

They called it a vacation, but in reality, Shi Chun didn't dare wander all over Shanbu Continent. He knew his own strength and the many people he had offended. He had to be cautious when necessary, so he timed the trip accordingly.

The route for the group started by arriving at the Xun Gate of the capital of Shengshen Continent. They then went directly through the Xun Gate to the capital of Shanbu Continent. Next, they traveled through the capital's Xun Gate to a jurisdiction in Yan State, and finally, through another Xun Gate, they reached a place called "Li Huo Island", which was the destination of their journey.

They didn't stay for sightseeing anywhere en route, not even a glance at the bustle of Shanbu Continent's capital.

The expense for sixteen people to pass through a single Xun Gate was sixteen thousand gold. After passing through three times, it was an extravagance beyond the means of ordinary citizens.

Li Huo Island was a vast island located deep in the ocean, far from the mainland. The scenery was picturesque, with endless blue waves, clear waters, white sands, swaying coconut palms, and seabirds soaring up and down.

In harsh weather, it could be battered by devastating storms.

Li Huo Island had an owner; it belonged to the Li Huo Sect, a major Artifact Refining Sect.

The place was usually devoid of outsiders and didn't even have a Xun Gate, but this time around there was a temporary gate set up, managed by the authorities of the Yan State. As guests emerged from the Xun Gate, they could see many people bustling about.

Many had arrived early, unlike Shi Chun who made it just in time.

"Li Huo Island usually is very secluded, only bustling once every two or three hundred years.

It's related to the opening of the Divine Fire Domain. Whenever the Divine Fire Domain passes by in its mysterious orbit, Li Huo Island is the closest location to the domain and the best place to access it.

Each opening would disturb the peace of the island and disrupt the daily routine of the Li Huo Sect. However, it wouldn't be for naught; look at those brand-new buildings and the temporary markets—all set up by the Li Huo Sect to collect a cut of the profits. They make a good amount every time this happens."

Barely out from the Xun Gate and having confirmed that he indeed had arrived at Li Huo Island, Tong Mingshan got excited as he learned that the Divine Fire Domain was about to open. He pointed in all directions, seemingly knowledgeable about the island's affairs and spoke convincingly as if he had everything down pat.

Although it was clearly his first time visiting, his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

Listening to his explanations, the others felt like they'd gained some insight, acknowledging that he truly came from the trade.

Shi Chun chuckled and said, "Mr. Tong, it doesn't seem like this is your first time here. You appear to be very familiar with this place."

Tong Mingshan quickly waved his hands and said, "Master, you jest. It's really my first time. But the Divine Fire Domain is the Holy Land in the eyes of us Artifact Refiners; everyone yearns for it. I couldn't help but learn more from what our predecessors said."

Every time they heard someone call Shi Chun "Master," Xiang Laner would have a weird look on her face. Hadn't the Sky Rain Meteor Conference been enough for this "Master"? Wasn't there some lesson learned from it? Yet, they still referred to Shi Chun as "Master" so readily.

Zhu Xiangxin said, "It's not just the Holy Land for you Artifact Refiners, right? We Alchemy Refiners also yearn for it, but it's monopolized by your folk."

An Wuzhi also said with a smile, "Those who practice Fire Attribute Skills also like the idea, we just don't have the opportunity to go in."

Tong Mingshan laughed like Wu Jinliang, knowing full well the reason for the exclusivity.

Shi Chun inquired, "Mr. Tong, the Hundred Refinement Sect should have the chance to go in, right?"

Tong Mingshan nodded, "Yes, they are part of the Divine Fire Covenant. Since its establishment, the sect has only entered once. Unfortunately, no disciple who went in was lucky enough to find and merge with the Divine Fire."

Shi Chun said, "If you were still with the Hundred Refinement Sect, with your qualifications, you would have had the chance to enter, right?"

Thinking it over, Tong Mingshan slightly shook his head and replied, "Maybe not. The opportunity would probably go to disciples in the High Martial Great Success Realm or those with higher innate talent for Artifact Refining. If even those in the High Martial Upper Realm could get a spot, perhaps…" He looked up into the distance, sighing lightly, with a hint of sorrow in his demeanor.

Everyone could understand; if the High Martial Upper Realm had slots for entry, then Tong Mingshan, who'd been chosen to lead a team at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference by the Hundred Refinement Sect, would have had a good chance of going to the Divine Fire Domain.

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner gave Tong Mingshan strange looks, wondering about his sorrowful demeanor.

Wu Jinliang fiddled with the Big Gourd on his back, chuckling to himself.

Shi Chun then ventured to ask, "So Mr. Tong, you desire to enter the Divine Fire Domain?"

Tong Mingshan sighed, "Coming from Artifact Refining, who wouldn't? With thirty-six types of Divine Fire, merging with even one type is to possess an Innate Divine Ability. Your cultivation in Fire Attribute Skills would advance by leaps and bounds, the Fire Element within the body would explode in strength, meaning your cultivation would also rapidly rise to match the realm of your internal Fire Element within a certain period."

Both Zhu Xiangxin and An Wuzhi nodded in agreement to this statement.

Shi Chun said with hands clasped behind his back, "Since you wish to enter, I'll find someone to see if we can find a way for us to get in and have some fun."

Feng Chi and Xiang Laner simultaneously looked at him in disbelief, internally exclaiming, "Here we go again."

Wu Jinliang chuckled again.

To such a suggestion, not only the three practicing Fire Attribute Skills but also Chu Jingtang and others knew this was a joke; was the Divine Fire Domain just a place one could enter for a leisurely visit? If that were the case, what would it mean?

Chu Jingtang kindly reminded, "Master, that's not a place for us to casually visit; we really can't get in."

His intention was to say there's no use in trying for the impossible.

Shi Chun replied nonchalantly, "Let's give it a try. We're here anyway, trying won't cost much."

The eleven exchanged glances, smiles emerging among many, while Tong Mingshan also smiled and offered a slight shaking of the head, not wishing to say more to the "Master."

Wu Jinliang still stuck to his chuckling.

Only Feng Chi and Xiang Laner bowed their heads, trying to keep a poker face. As those in the know, they found that sometimes feigning ignorance could be quite exhausting, especially when you're persistently nagged.

Especially when discovering how easily a group of people were diving into the pit Shi Chun had dug, not even for the first time. Didn't they have any sense of caution?

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