Shi Chun and his companions yielded, stopping in their tracks and turning back to look at Wu Shanshan with an expression that seemed to ask what she meant.

Wu Shanshan explained, "I have another treasure, Brother Chun, you might want to see if it's worth using as collateral."

Shi Chun and the others exchanged silent glances without a word.

Their silence was an attitude in itself.

Wu Shanshan pressed her hand on her Qiankun Bag at her waist and waved her arm, releasing a black lotus platform that floated out and gradually grew in size. She flashed onto it and sat cross-legged on the lotus platform, which suddenly erupted in soft ripples, lifting up large lotus petals the size of pages from a book.

The petals quickly started to fly up and down, fixing themselves in mid-air as if drawing a dashed outline of a human figure, solidifying those iron-armored petals with its ripple-like body.

The dashed outline of the human figure was about thirty feet tall, and Wu Shanshan, who sat cross-legged on the lotus platform, was suspended at the figure's dantian.

A streak of light flashed on the side of the lotus platform, circulating within the dashed figure like life energy in meridians, rushing straight to the right hand of the figure.

The figure's right hand grasped, and a long sword appeared in its hand.

Yuan Yao gasped in astonishment and with a look of disbelief, he blurted out, "Did she refine a person into an Artifact Spirit?"

What did that mean? Shi Chun turned to look at Xiao Sheng, who was from Gathering Spirit Valley. His sect was well-known for refining Artifact Spirits.

Xiao Sheng's face also showed surprise, but sensing Shi Chun's reaction and turning to see Shi Chun's questioning gaze, he quickly explained, "Indeed, there are people who have been refined into Artifact Spirits. Like refining demons, they need to be alive, retaining most of their consciousness, destroying part of it, extracting their core of cultivation, and using a Magic Artifact to replace their physical body. Common Artifact Refiners wouldn't use this type of spirit, and neither would most Spirit Masters; it's somewhat taboo."

He spoke professionally but ambiguously. However, everyone understood that the spirit of this magic treasure was a living person refined into it.

As soon as these words were said, the dashed outline of the figure suddenly soared into the sky, moving with incredible speed in the air, almost like teleportation. It suddenly dived toward the ground, slashing diagonally, and a huge sword aura shadow plowed through the earth.

Boom, the ground trembled violently, and a deep abyss opened out of nowhere.

The dashed figure ceased, the gravel around the abyss continuously poured down with a rattle, and dust filled the long crevice.

Without any flourish, a light stroke of the sword demonstrated such power. If used to its full extent, one could only imagine its capability.

Seeing the power of the attack, Yuan Yao declared solemnly, "A fifth-grade magic treasure!"

As he spoke, an ancient bronze bead appeared in his hand as he readied himself for action.

He hadn't expected that a sect known for Artifact Refining, without much reputation, could actually produce a fifth-grade magic treasure.

Of course, it was also possible that the treasure was not made by their own sect.

Pang Hou also held up a three-foot-tall treasure pagoda in defense.

The other disciples from Shudao Mountain quickly pulled out something resembling an arrow, one foot long, readying themselves as if facing a formidable enemy.

Lin Yuefang and the other Forget Love Valley disciples glanced at their reactions and also took note of the magic treasures in their hands.

Xiao Sheng's facial muscles twitched slightly, and an astonished voice seemed to leap from between his clenched teeth, "He actually refined an Earth Immortal Realm monk into an Artifact Spirit!"

The dashed figure had already dissolved and then reformed into a lotus platform. Wu Shanshan rode the platform over, slowly descending to a position level with everyone else and said, "Brother Chun, this treasure has a simple name: 'Black Lotus,' a fifth-grade magic treasure. Is it worthy to be used as collateral?"

She also noticed the weapons the Shudao Mountain group were holding in a defensive posture.

She had some understanding of the major sects' participants and knew that Shudao Mountain's team was led by the Sect Leader's daughter. She didn't see her and noticed that Shudao Mountain's forces had clearly not all arrived. She looked around, unsure if they hadn't come or were hiding.

Shi Chun internally acknowledged the treasure, but asked Yuan Yao beside him, "Brother Yuan, in the eyes of an Artifact Refiner, which is more important: Divine Fire or this fifth-grade magic treasure?"

His question was rhetorical; he knew very well how desperate his disciples practicing Fire Attribute Skills were for the Divine Fire.

The answer wasn't surprising. Yuan Yao smiled bitterly, "How can you compare the two? But if Artifact Refiners really had to choose, they would definitely pick Divine Fire."

Shi Chun made a sound of understanding, "So you're saying, once they find Divine Fire, they might prefer to abandon this fifth-grade treasure rather than fulfill the promise to exchange Divine Fire for it."

Hearing this, Wu Shanshan immediately said, "Both parties can sign a contract. Once we get out, if Shudao Mountain brings the contract to Forget Love Valley, the consequences of breaching the contract are not something we could bear. If you don't trust us, don't you at least trust Shudao Mountain's ability to hold us to account?"

Shi Chun responded, "The issue is whether you can find the Divine Fire. If you can't find the Divine Fire to exchange for this treasure, no amount of contracts will help."

Wu Shanshan replied, "That's why we're offering a fifth-grade magic treasure as collateral."

Shi Chun scoffed, "Does Shudao Mountain lack fifth-grade magic treasures?"

He gestured toward Yuan Yao and the others, embellishing on their behalf, "They've each brought several with them."

Yuan Yao and the others were speechless. You'd think fifth-grade magic treasures were cabbages.

If it weren't for this special situation, it would normally be difficult to even get a glimpse of one.

Shi Chun then pointed at Jin Hao, who bore a scar on her face and whose hand was missing fingers, and gestured to the treasure in her hand, "Add that 'Immortal Strangling Silk' to the deal, and it would be more substantial. That way, even if you break your word, the loss would be greater."

Jin Hao was immediately anxious upon hearing this, "A fifth-grade magic treasure and you still..."

Seeing the unwilling look on Shi Chun's face, Wu Shanshan interrupted her sect sister and replied formally, "Alright, we'll do as Brother Chun suggests, adding one 'Immortal Strangling Silk' to the deal."

And so, the deal was struck. The exchange of treasures was set aside for later, and the contract was drawn up first, with Shudao Mountain acting as the guarantor.

After making two copies of the contract, Wu Shanshan sent someone to run off with it, clearly guarding against Shi Chun's side harboring malicious intentions after receiving the magical treasure, and to ensure that the transaction would proceed smoothly.

It was clear that Shudao Mountain still posed some pressure on the other sects.

Afterward, Wu Shanshan and Jin Hao each erased their connection with the Artifact Spirit in their Magic Artifacts and handed them over to Shi Chun's group, while the disciples from Shudao Mountain reluctantly handed over the Divine Fire to the group from Forget Love Valley.

Having gotten hold of the Magic Artifacts, Shi Chun's group did not linger and bid farewell straight away.

The disciples from Forget Love Valley, who had obtained the Divine Fire for the first time, were unusually excited, and everyone took turns coming over to experience the Divine Fire.

Seeing her sect members being lively, Jin Hao couldn't feel happy and said to Wu Shanshan, "Sect Sister, the cost is a bit too great, isn't it? That fifth-grade magic treasure is our biggest reliance against our enemies!"

Wu Shanshan sighed and said, "The Divine Fire is different from other things. Generally, once you find one, you would absorb it, making it difficult to snatch away, unless both parties stumble upon the Divine Fire at the same time. The magical treasures serve mainly for self-defense during conflicts or for when it comes time to eliminate competitors, that's when they are most useful.

You and I both know that the biggest fear when searching for the Divine Fire is getting trapped in such a situation where you cannot but chase wild geese. If we can't find the Divine Fire and are stuck here, forget about facing enemies; even ghosts won't come looking for you, so what's the use of holding on to a magical treasure? If we find the Divine Fire, there's a chance to reclaim the artifact. Is there a need for me to say more about which to choose?"

Jin Hao pondered for a moment, "Right, the Divine Fire is usually absorbed as soon as it's found, but Shi Chun and his team carrying the Divine Fire around seems somewhat unusual."

"What's so unusual about that? They explained it very clearly, it's for the exchange. Obviously, they want to collect as many different kinds of Divine Fires as possible, bringing them all into one person to facilitate victory," Lin Yuefang chattered in explanation, then seemed impatient as she added, "The trade is already done; if we've been tricked by that swindler, it'll be too late for regrets. It's pointless to worry about it now. Let's quickly arrange for someone to absorb the Divine Fire, we must seize the time to secure the territories where traces of Divine Fire have been detected. If we delay, others will find all the Divine Fires."

Wu Shanshan nodded and turned back, searching for the appointed person to absorb the Divine Fire; the several leaders were not suitable...

After departing, Shi Chun's group stopped in a certain valley, eager to merge their consciousnesses with the Magic Artifact Spirits. They had Artifact Refiners by their side, and some among them knew how to work with Artifact Spirits; they had the people to teach them how to do it.

At the same time, they dug a hole in the valley, and Tong Mingshan entered the cave with that wisp of Divine Fire to start his secluded cultivation...

On the barren yellow wasteland, Qianyan Sect disciples were still searching high and low, both above and beneath the ground. Seeking the Divine Fire was indeed a time-consuming and laborious task, with the worst part being that the effort might yield nothing, making it an activity that could drive people to despair.

Meanwhile, Gong Shixi and the others leading the search paused as an undercover agent returned, naturally with a report.

The messenger relayed what he saw: Wu Jinliang stopping a sect lured away from its base to cleverly extract the specific location of the Divine Fire clues.

This was the second such occurrence they knew of; it was through this method that Shi Chun's group had gathered their information before.

Zhou Wudao frowned and said, "Brother, it seems Shi Chun has not taken your warning seriously."

Gong Shixi spoke gravely, "You continue searching here; I will take a couple of people to the newly cleared area to keep watch. If they dare to meddle in our affairs, I will show them some color and teach them a lesson."

But by the time he arrived at the intended location with his men, it was already too late; Shi Chun had already found the Divine Fire there and fled.

The reason for the delay was that his approach differed from Shi Chun's. Shi Chun had a superpower in his right eye and was eager to obtain more Divine Fire clues as quickly as possible, persuading Xu Anzhang to disperse their forces and send scouts to follow the sects with undercover operatives.

But the same approach might not be suitable for other sects. Even if Qianyan Sect managed to find the target location, they didn't have the ability to find the Divine Fire quickly, so maintaining their search forces was also crucial, hence the undercover agents returning to report information during their breaks.

It isn't easy for an undercover agent to find the right opportunity to escape; they cannot just disappear at any time.

Therefore, by the time the undercover agent reported back, and Gong Shixi rushed over, Shi Chun had already taken what he came for and left.

In reality, his keeping watch was futile; it was very unlikely that he could avoid the scrutiny of Shi Chun's right eye.

Near the exit, the ten elders on the main peak realized that this place had become a convenient spot for certain sects, and they saw those lured away from their bases falling into their sight again.

This time's visitors were unrecognizable, two women with disfigured faces; based on their gender and appearance, the ten elders somewhat guessed which sect they belonged to, but not because of the status and power of that sect.

But it didn't really matter to them. As long as it wasn't a disciple from their own sect, they had no qualms.

Someone among the elders pointed at a group in the sky that dared not intrude and shouted, "Hey, the ones in the sky, speak!"

The leader in the air descended timidly.

An elder interrogated, "Why pursue?"

The leader immediately pointed to the person holding the Divine Fire and accused, "They stole our Divine Fire!"

The party holding the Divine Fire couldn't admit to that, so one woman retorted immediately, "Nonsense! If the Divine Fire had reached your hands and we took it back, calling us robbers, we would accept. But how can you claim what has never been in your possession? The Divine Fire Domain isn't yours to own; the fact that you've been somewhere doesn't mean others can't go there. We ask the elders for justice; they clearly want to steal our Divine Fire!"

This counter-accusation was, indeed, compelling, leaving the other party tongue-tied. Those daring enough to take risks under the watch of these elders really were not ordinary folk, sharp-tongued and quick-witted.

Another elder shouted, "Enough! This isn't the place for you to argue your case. Report the location and detailed account of what happened, for further investigation!"

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