"If that's the case," Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang finally understood that it was indeed unlikely for many from the Demon Path to enter, considering the vast size of the Cultivation World. The Demon Path couldn't have focused most of their energy on managing the Artifact Refining Industry before.

But both were well aware that there were more people from the Demon Path inside than the other party was claiming.

Wu Jinliang's disappearance before was to find out which sects the other two teams of the Demon Path belonged to.

Shi Chun then asked, "Could it be that they've arranged for more people without telling you?"

Xu Anzhang waved his hand gently, "Absolutely not, such matters can only have their forces concentrated at one point, allowing the absorbed Divine Fire to concentrate on one person to compete with those top Artifact Refining Sects, which might make it possible to win the championship. If we act separately, there's no chance of winning, so there's no need to come in and do this."

Shi Chun had to admit the other person's explanation made sense, but his right eye's superpower, which allowed him to see the truth, showed there could only be two possibilities: either the other person really didn't know, or they were deceiving him.

Since the other party adamantly denied, there was no point in arguing, so he changed the topic, "You just mentioned that our main objective for coming here was the 'Desolate Blade'?"

Xu Anzhang was stunned, "You didn't know?"

He was a bit worried that he might have said too much.

Shi Chun thought that even Feng Chi and others said they didn't know, so from where would he know. He slightly shook his head, "No one told me, they only said to win the championship."

Xu Anzhang hesitated, "Actually, it's essentially the meaning of winning the championship. Without winning, it's difficult to get the 'Desolate Blade'."

Shi Chun was puzzled, "Since when has the Demon Path become so cultured? To get an item, they actually go to such lengths, can't they just steal or rob as usual outside?"

Xu Anzhang was amused by his comment, "If everything could be stolen or robbed, then we would have been invincible long ago. Have you ever thought about whose hands the item is in? It's in the hands of top Artifact Refining Sects. Is their treasure that easy to steal or rob?

Since there is this competitive phase, we definitely want to seize this opportunity. If we really can't get it, we can prepare to rob afterwards. Besides, we must participate in this competition, if we don't, and the other two families snatch it away, we wouldn't even have the chance to steal or rob afterward."

"The other two families?" Shi Chun was surprised, then realized what was meant, and asked, "Do you mean the other two branches of the Demon Path?"

Xu Anzhang nodded, "Who else could it be?"

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang looked at each other, feeling enlightened, perhaps understanding what those two teams of the Demon Path were about.

Both were also surprised, wondering what uses the 'Desolate Blade' had to make it worthy of all three branches of the Demon Path competing for it.

Wu Jinliang couldn't help asking, "What is the 'Desolate Blade' exactly used for?"

Xu Anzhang shook his head, "I'm not sure, we're just following orders."

He was actually aware that it was related to activating the Demon Altar, but he wouldn't reveal a word about anything related to the Demon Altar.

Seeing each other again, Shi Chun both understood that there must be some significant secret involved; otherwise, it wouldn't have drawn the attention of all three branches of the Demon Path.

Since the other party wasn't talking, Shi Chun didn't ask further and shifted the topic, "What's the plan now? Who are you planning to have represent the Four Cauldron Sect to win the championship?"

Xu Anzhang replied, "Feng Yaoyang, the most outstanding disciple within the High Martial Realm of the Four Cauldron Sect, whose cultivation has reached Great Success. His Artifact Refining skills and talent are the highest among his peers. He's the best choice to help the Four Cauldron Sect win the championship, and our mission this time is to help him absorb more Divine Fire. Officially, he is also our team leader."

Shi Chun, knowing now who it was, casually said, "Alright, then let's discuss how the two teams can merge."

Xu Anzhang stated, "This is also the key point to discuss with you; after the teams are integrated, you might have to endure some hardships. Officially, Feng Yaoyang is our leader, and we all have to listen to him."

Shi Chun suspiciously, "Officially? What do you mean?"

Xu Anzhang explained helplessly, "It's true that he is a disciple of the Four Cauldron Sect, but he is not one of us. He doesn't know our true identities. Officially, he is the leader, and we have to listen to him. How do I put it? He's arrogant and somewhat obstinate."

Shi Chun was momentarily speechless, finding it hard to believe.

Wu Jinliang couldn't help but criticize, "Isn't that a bit careless? Handling such a matter with such a leader; what are you really aiming for?"

Xu Anzhang smiled wryly, "We had no other option. The situation came suddenly, and we had limited options. Otherwise, we wouldn't have needed your help. This shows that they couldn't find a more suitable person at that moment. And he is the most likely to help us win the championship, which is the most important."

Shi Chun asked, "Isn't the Four Cauldron Sect under your control?"

Since the Four Cauldron Sect had already been exposed, Xu Anzhang felt no need to hide it any longer, "It is under our control, most of the upper and lower ranks are our people, but not everyone is suitable to be brought in on this, we also need some innocent people as a cover, especially someone with the personality of Feng Yaoyang who could cause problems if brought in. Such people can only be used, not conspired with."

Shi Chun pointed at the two of them, "Aren't you Artifact Refining disciples? You can refine artifacts, why bother with someone who could mess things up, can you resist not absorbing the Divine Fire?"

That always silent Youu Mu patted his belly and spoke, "Divine Fire is incompatible with Demon Essence and would burn the Demon Essence."

Seeing his action of patting his belly, Shi Chun roughly understood what the Demon Essence was, probably what he called the Demon Flame, unexpectedly incompatible with Divine Fire.

In that case, what else could they do? They just had to adapt.

After settling the details of merging the two teams, they agreed on a meeting place and then parted ways.

Hidden among the mountains and waiting, Chu Jingtang and the others finally saw Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang return, which allowed them to breathe a sigh of relief—they had felt that the departure of the two was a bit unusual.

No sooner had they arrived than they had split from their companions to act on their own—was that normal?

The three cultivators of the Fire Attribute Skill were even more anxious. If it wasn't for Shi Chun's presence to calm them, they would have already run off in search of the Divine Fire.

Upon seeing the two return, Tong Mingshan couldn't hold back any longer. "Master, let's hurry and search. I truly don't want this trip to be in vain."

Chu Jingtang and the other non-Fire Attribute practitioners didn't think much of it; they had no interest in searching for any Divine Fire. Just coming here to see was enough; it was best to stay near the exit with the ten elders for safety, taking risks was completely unnecessary.

To tell the truth, if it wasn't for the insistence of their leader, nobody would have come.

Shi Chun patted Tong Mingshan on the shoulder and chuckled, "Sect Leader Tong, don't rush. Haste won't impede the firewood cutting. The Divine Fire Domain is vast and we're clueless for now. It's not easy searching with just a few of us, so we just went and scouted some allies. They're called the Four Cauldron Sect; let's team up and have some fun together."

Allies? Four Cauldron Sect? Everyone exchanged puzzled looks—what in the world?

Chu Jingtang expressed his concerns, "Master, Mr. Tong—or rather, Sect Leader Tong—if you intend to absorb the Divine Fire, partnering with others may not be suitable. If we actually find the Divine Fire, it's likely not Sect Leader's turn to absorb it."

"Yes, yes!" others nodded in agreement.

Tong Mingshan also waved his hand, "Master, partnerships won't work for this; even among our own sect members, the temptation of Divine Fire could easily lead to conflict."

Shi Chun patted his shoulder again, "Alright, I have a plan for this, just follow the arrangements."

Then he addressed everyone, "Before the two teams join forces, there are two things to explain. The first is about our Sect Leader here; although he is a disciple of the Hundred Refinement Sect, he's not just any disciple—we need to hike up his reputation as the most talented artifact-refining disciple. Don't be stingy; the higher you can build it, the better."

Everyone looked at each other in astonishment.

Tong Mingshan felt embarrassed and said awkwardly, "There's no need, really, it's not necessary. Although I'm decent among my fellow disciples at the Hundred Refinement Sect, I'm really not the best in artifact-refining talent."

Wu Jinliang laughed, "Modesty won't do here, you mustn't hold back when you shouldn't. You have to boast; we'll help boost your image, but you have to add some flair yourself. I don't know what a top artifact refiner should look like, but you have to act the part."

Shi Chun also said, "Sect Leader, if you want to absorb the Divine Fire, don't be shy. Since the Hundred Refinement Sect chose you to lead the team at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, you shouldn't be seen as old-fashioned."

Tong Mingshan appeared tempted and questioned, "Would boasting like that really help me absorb the Divine Fire?"

Shi Chun blinked at him, "How will we know without trying? Just tell me if you want the Divine Fire; if so, don't fuss and just follow my lead. Could I possibly lead you astray?"

Thus, Tong Mingshan fell silent.

Shi Chun then told the others, "The second matter is that after partnering up, we temporarily need to give preference to the Four Cauldron Sect..."

On the luxurious deck of a palatial ship by the shore, Young Master Nan was leisurely sunbathing.

A man quickly approached, crouched beside him, and whispered, "Sir, I've located the three families you were looking for, and there's a chance to approach them at any time."

Young Master Nan opened his eyes, propped himself up, and turned towards the shore, smiling, "Well then, let's go have a look."

With that, he leaped from the ship towards the shore, followed by the man.

Ten Thousand Grass Hall seemed temporarily free now; under the current circumstances, there was no need for everyone to keep watch.

Thus, Sect Leader Ao Hongyou and his group enjoyed some rare leisure, taking a leisurely stroll along the picturesque shoreline.

As they walked past some coastal vegetation, they suddenly overheard a conversation behind them.

"Young Master Nan, they say you're the one who got the Mingshan Sect into the Divine Fire Domain, is that true?"

"Whether I did or didn't, why does it matter?"

"It's just, we wanted to know, why did you get them in there?"

"The Sky Rain Meteor Conference—my betting pool would have suffered a loss if not for Shi Chun meddling. It's the same reason for letting them into the Divine Fire Domain this time."

"I see, to create chaos. But, with just those few people in the Divine Fire Domain, they probably won't make much impact!"

"That's not my concern. I've gone through great lengths to get them in there; if they fail to play their part, none of them will survive—nobody can save them!"

Hearing this, Sect Leader Ao Hongyou and his group exchanged looks. Blending with the sounds of the waves, they moved towards the vegetation to spy further. They saw not far on a wooden platform, Young Master Nan and several others sitting at a table, leisurely enjoying the sun and a casual drink.

Sect Leader Ao's group did not approach and discreetly withdrew.

Soon, another person approached Young Master Nan and whispered a few words. Consequently, Young Master Nan got up to break up the meeting, transitioning to another location.

Shortly after, similar conversations played out again at the Vermilion Bird Pavilion and the Hundred Refinement Sect.

Later, when someone asked Young Master Nan about this, he said he didn't even know himself; in fact, he genuinely didn't understand why he was involved in all this.

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