Shi Chun led the Mingshan Sect to the meeting point, but the Four Cauldron Sect was nowhere to be seen.

Perhaps his group had arrived early; it was only natural for the first to arrive to wait for the others.

As they waited, dawn broke, yet there was still no sign of the Four Cauldron Sect.

Although they had been waiting for merely an hour or so, Shi Chun couldn't help but feel perplexed. The distance wasn't far, and the other party shouldn't have trouble finding the place; it was the very spot where he had previously met Xu Anzhang.

If they couldn't even remember directions, wouldn't venturing into the Divine Fire Domain be tantamount to seeking death?

Someone getting lost and unable to find their way back would indeed be a laughing stock.

Naturally, he also suspected that something might have happened.

"Master, how much longer should we wait?" Zhu Xiangxin asked, clearly impatient as well.

Shi Chun could understand; Artifact Refiners and Alchemy Refiners shared the same sentiment, and waiting like this was torture for them. It was written all over their faces.

But he didn't like constantly having to appease others, so he said curtly, "Wait. We'll wait as long as we need to."

His tone was brusque, quieting Zhu Xiangxin's eager mood considerably, and An Wuzhi followed suit in calming down.

If the Four Cauldron Sect didn't show up, it wouldn't bother Shi Chun. If the Demon Path asked later, it wasn't his fault; it was their own people who had failed to show up.

After a long wait, a large orange sun gradually rose above the horizon, and the gravelly mountains began to twinkle everywhere with shimmering Crystal Stones of various colors, creating a unique view of an Exotic Realm, quite wondrous—if they didn't need to constantly use the ice sheep for fresh air, it would be even more beautiful.

At that moment, a group clad in blue garments flew toward them, recognizable by the color of their clothes as the awaited party.

Wu Jinliang gave a heads-up, "They're here."

Twenty individuals in blue landed in front of them, and Xu Anzhang quickly stepped forward, apologizing with a bow, "Brother Chun, sorry to have kept you waiting."

He then turned and indicated a thin, tall man with thin lips, hand behind his back and chin upturned, saying, "Feng Yaoyang, our lead Senior Brother."

Shi Chun hurriedly came forward with a bow, "Brother Feng, I've long admired you. It's an honor to travel together with both of our teams this time."

Feng Yaoyang raised his hand to stop him, seemingly unaccustomed to direct eye contact. Though facing him, he turned away, looking at Shi Chun from the side, "Shi Chun, cut the pleasantries. I had no intention of joining up with you—it was Brother Xu here who kept persuading."

Turning back to Xu Anzhang, he continued, "Brother Xu, let me say it again. You know the reputation of Shi Chun, a man of deceit. Collaborating with him is like fraternizing with wolves!"

Despite being prepared, Shi Chun was taken aback by such blunt words and wondered if an alliance could still be formed under these circumstances.

Chu Jingtang and the rest wore varied expressions, while Wu Jinliang sized up Feng Yaoyang and chuckled.

Xu Anzhang hurriedly interjected with a bitter smile, "Senior Brother Feng, Brother Chun and his people didn't plan to join anyone; it was me who invited them after we met. At the very least, their dozen or so members could lend us a helping hand."

"A helping hand?" Feng Yaoyang snorted, lifting his chin toward Shi Chun's group and asking, "Can any of you boast a High Martial Great Success Realm among your ranks?"

The implication was clear—without a High Martial Great Success Realm, on what basis could they claim to assist?

Shi Chun replied with a faint smile, "It's precisely because we don't have such prowess that we wish to join others for protection. Since we don't have it, Brother Feng needn't worry about us harboring ill intentions. Should we encounter Divine Fire, we won't be able to compete with you. Brother Feng, don't overthink it. We're here to seize a rare opportunity and broaden our horizons."

Feng Yaoyang glanced over and immediately recognized Tong Mingshan as an Artifact Refiner from his complexion. Pointing at him, he said, "Ask him, those three among you practicing Fire Attribute Skills—are they here just to broaden their horizons? Can they restrain themselves? Xu Anzhang, do you realize the mess you're making?"

Shi Chun touched his forehead, resigned, thinking he had done all he could. They could talk all they wanted, but persuading the Demon Path would be a surprise. It was up to them to decide.

Chu Jingtang and the others didn't care much either; they were just onlookers enjoying the show.

Xu Anzhang, running out of patience, called out loudly, "Senior Brother Feng, we don't know what we'll face ahead. An extra thirteen hands is a good fortune that other sects can only dream of. Can't you be less obstinate? Can't you consider everyone's feelings? Fellow Senior Brothers, those who are willing to join forces with the Mingshan Sect, please raise your hands!"

He was the first to raise his hand.

Youu Mu didn't hesitate and followed suit, then ten others gradually raised their hands.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang quickly scanned these ten, exchanging looks as they surmised that these were likely the twelve Demon Path members mentioned by Xu Anzhang.

Perhaps influenced by others, three more of the remaining eight hesitantly raised their hands.

Feng Yaoyang turned to see the show of hands and seemed to become angry but also somewhat compelled to conform to the majority's will. He turned back furiously to Xu Anzhang, "Xu Anzhang, you've consistently taken liberties in making decisions. Who is the leader—he or me? Can you bear the consequences if something goes wrong?"

Xu An defiantly declared, "I'll stake my life on it!"

Feng Yaoyang, fuming with anger, began, "You…"

"Sect Master," Shi Chun called out, worried that the situation would spiral out of control. He had to settle his own affairs first. After bringing Tong Mingshan to the forefront, he introduced him to the Four Cauldron Sect group, "I forgot to introduce our Sect Master, Tong Mingshan!"

Feng Yaoyang immediately turned his irritation toward them, scoffing, "A mere practitioner of High-level Martial Arts Cultivation dares to establish a sect—truly laughable."

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